How to Lose $2400 Worth of Photo Gear in 24 seconds.

how to lose $2400 in 24 seconds from Kurtis Hough on Vimeo.

***UPDATE***
Rumor has it that B& H Photo has replaced Kurtis's camera for free!

Canon New EOS 1D X

Canon has announced the latest professional DSLR to its lineup, revealing the Canon EOS-1D X.

The full frame, 18.1 megapixel Canon 1D X boasts dual DIGIC 5+ processors, which Canon claims offer three times faster performance than standard DIGIC 5. Canon says the EOS-1D X's dual processors enable full-resolution continuous shooting up to 12fps with 14-bit A/D conversion and full camera operation, which it claims is the fastest of any DSLR on the market.Other Canon EOS-1D X specs include a 61-point AF with 41 cross-type sensors, including five dual cross -type points, as well as a new 100,000-pixel RGB metering sensor which is linked to the AF system and powered by its own dedicated DIGIC 4 processor. Canon says this allows the EOS-1D X to detect faces and colour to ensure correct exposure levels and improved AF tracking in challenging situations.

What's more, a super high-speed mode extends the shooting speed to 14fps (JPEG format only), while a new shutter and mirror mechanism works to reduce shutter lag and mirror bounce, Canon claims.

Low light photographers will also enjoy the EOS-1D X's wide ISO range, which runs from ISO 100 to 51,200, and is extendable up to ISO 204,800.

The Canon 1D X also offers full HD video recording, promising longer recording options that automatically create a new file once the 4GB limit has been reached.

The Canon EOS-1D X records movies from the full-frame sensor giving users access to the full range of manual settings to control exposure, focus and frame rate (1920 x 1080: 30 (29.97), 25, 24 (23.976) frames per second, 1280 x 720: 60 (59.94), 50 fps, 640 x 480: 30 (29.97), 25 fps). The Canon 1D X also displays sound levels on the LCD screen, which users can make adjustments to.

Retaining the classic Canon EOS design, the Canon 1D X supersedes the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III and EOS-1D Mark IV in the hierarchy of Canon DSLRs.

The Canon EOS-1D X price was not available at the time of writing.

Launched alongside the EOS-1D X is a new, compact WiFi transmitter, the Canon WFT-E6, designed for transferring images when a wired connection isn’t available.

Supporting the 802.11n WiFi standard and offering Bluetooth support for connectivity to external GPS devices, Canon claims the WFT-E6 offers secure transfer of images and video to an FTP server, or the ability to display content on a compatible screen over a DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) connection.

The Canon EOS-1D X will also be compatible with a new GPS receiver – the GP-E1. Enabling users to add location information to EXIF data and geographically track the progress of travelling shoot, the GP-E1 is particularly useful for wildlife or location-based photographers who may need to record the location of a scene for future reference.

Canon Announces Redesign of Most Popular 70-200mm f/2.8

CANON MAKES THE BEST EVEN BETTER,

WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE

SECOND GENERATION EF 70-200MM f/2.8L IS II USM LENS

Canon's New EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Incorporates Advanced Lens Elements and Enhanced Durability for High-Speed Autofocus and High-Performance Optical Image Stabilization

Lake Success, N.Y., January 5, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, introduces the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens. Arguably the most popular focal range in Canon's telephoto arsenal and a staple lens for any professional photographer, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens provides the focal length, maximum aperture and zoom power for capturing everything from fast-action sports to studio portraits. Built for the professional, the body structure of the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens has been enhanced to provide better durability and strength without a significant increase in weight. Canon has improved optical performance on the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens by redesigning the internal elements, incorporating a fluorite element and a fifth UD element. The use of the fluorite element and five UD elements helps to minimize secondary chromatic aberrations and produce better image quality with improved contrast and resolution through the entire zoom range; the end result is an optically precise lens worthy of becoming the leader of Canon's L-series lenses.

Along with its redesigned optical elements, the new lens design features improved AF speed due to a new focusing algorithm and has reduced the minimum focusing distance to 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) through the entire zoom range, allowing photographers to capture tighter portraiture shots in a small studio space. The previous lens model's minimum focusing distance was 4.6 feet (1.4 meters), whereas now photographers can stand nearly 8 inches closer to their subject and achieve sharp focus and tight crops. Canon has also enhanced the Image Stabilization allowing it to compensate for shutter speeds up to four steps slower than 1/focal length, a one step improvement over the previous lens model.

"Canon's core has always been our optics, and we are constantly challenging ourselves to produce better and more advanced optical systems for our customers. The new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens incorporates the best advancements in Canon lens technology from the past few years and packages it into what we believe will be the most popular lens for professionals and advanced photographers," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.

The enhanced magnesium alloy barrel design of the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens features added strength with a minimal 20-gram increase in weight compared with the previous model (1490g vs. 1470g) and retains Canon's protective seals and fittings providing dust and water resistance for those photographers working in adverse conditions. A new bayonet mount on the front of the lens includes a locking mechanism to ensure the supplied lens hood remains securely in place. Other noticeable improvements include a wider focusing ring, and sleeker design by reducing the thickness of any protruding elements such as the switch panel. The new lens is also compatible with Canon's existing EF1.4X II and EF2X II Extenders as well as EF Extension Tubes and the 77mm Close-Up Lens 500D.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens is supplied with a detachable tripod collar, a reversible bayonet mount lens hood and a lens pouch. The new lens is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers in April, price to be determined.

Live From New York It's...

The line that distinguishes still from video cameras is blurring.

Since the digital age subverted film, the real difference between a video camera and a still camera was merely the external shape of the camera. Now even that has changed, or been rendered moot.

Internally digital still and video cameras accomplish the same mission. Light travels through a lens and hits a sensor, which converts the information into electrons, and then a computer processes that information and records it onto a memory device.

Most point and shoot digital still cameras have afforded the option of making short video clips for many years but the ability to make serious hi-definition video with sound has eluded the manufactures. That is, until now.

The advent of high-speed large capacity memory cards and multi-megapixel sensors has opened the door for camera designers to create still cameras that can record video with phenomenal quality.

This was proven recently as the new season of NBC's Saturday Night Live debuted not only with an a new cast, but with a new look for the opening title sequence shot using Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the new Canon EOS 7D digital SLR cameras.

(above) The New Canon 7D

According to the Canon press release: The creative concept behind the opening sequence was "portraiture". The director and crew looked to capture "living" portraits of the City, illuminating the cast and the unique characters that make up the New York City nightlife.

SNL Crew shooting outdoors at night.

The crew wanted to capture the city nightlife in as natural a look and setting as possible. This meant minimal additional lighting, and making those on-camera feel comfortable to act naturally. Their solution was to use the video capabilities of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR cameras.

The SNL Crew shooting in a NYC bar.

Both machines offer amazing low-light performance, small form factor, extensive choice of lenses, some providing superb depth-of-field. A combination that enabled the crew to shoot in predominantly ambient light thus avoiding big lighting gear and the additional manpower needed to operate and power it. Another added benefit; the crew also found it easy to covertly shoot around the city without drawing a crowd.

Filming at night, the new stars of the hit TV show were shot in various New York City hotspots by a small crew discretely capturing the cast as they participated in select New York happenings. The entire segment was captured and edited in a week's time, incorporating 30p footage from Canon's 5D Mark II as well as 60p footage used for slow-motion segments shot with Canon's EOS 7D Digital SLR camera.

The SNL crew viewing a take.

The end result was that the cast and crew were able to shoot in any location - from the Brooklyn Bridge, which has limited ambient light, to a dimly lit street corner, to a more controlled bar interior - using only an on-camera Litepanels MiniPlus for most of the exterior shots and two Kino Flo lights for an interior shot that required some illumination enhancement.

Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. stated, "We have seen a shift in HD video capture toward a simpler and easier HDSLR workflow, and now with the EOS 7D shooting in standard NTSC and PAL frame rates, customers are realizing an even easier HD video workflow, using some of the largest HD video image sensors on the market at a fraction of the cost of competitive equipment,"

The Canon EOS 7D and EOS 5D Mark II empower cinematographers with a high-quality HD video solution featuring full manual exposure control and more than 50 Canon EF lenses to chose from, shooting on two of the industry's largest HD video sensors. The EOS 7D also features selectable cinematic frame rates. The EOS 7D features Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors and a large APS-C-sized CMOS sensor, while the EOS 5D Mark II features a single DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor and larger Full Frame CMOS sensor, helping to render stunning color reproduction, amazing depth of field and fine high-definition detail.

The Canon EOS 7D records video in one of three modes - Full HD and HD in a 16:9 aspect ratio and Standard Definition (SD) in a 4:3 aspect ratio, all at selectable frame rates: Full HD at 1920 x 1080 pixels in selectable frame rates of 24p (23.976), 25p, or 30p (29.97); 720p HD recording at 50p or 60p (59.94) and SD video at frame rates of 50p or 60p (59.94). The EOS 5D Mark II features 16:9 Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 pixels and 30 fps as well as 4:3 standard TV quality(SD) video capture at 640 x 480 pixels and 30 fps. The EOS 5D Mark II features 16:9 Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 pixels and 30 fps as well as 4:3 standard TV quality (SD) video capture at 640 x 480 pixels and 30 fps.

Both cameras record video up to 4GB clip length, depending on the level of detail in the scene, a 4GB clip can record approximately 12 minutes of video at full HD resolution or approximately 24 minutes in standard definition. For both the Canon EOS 7D and EOS 5D Mark II, sound is recorded either through an external stereo microphone or a built-in monaural microphone.

Since Saturday Night Live has taken the leap I'm sure other filmmakers will follow suit. And as this is only the first generation of these hybrid machines one can only imagine what we're in store for in the future.

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I'd like to add that while it is news that NBC's Saturday Night Live has chosen Canon to shoot their new intro, the first person to produce a short film with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II was photojournalist Vince Laforet. Watch it below.

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