Michael Zhang (PetaPixel) dug up this promotional video that shows in great detail how digital cameras work and how they are made. If you are a photographer (and I know you are) or have an engineering background then you will find this video fascinating.
Canon Premium Library:
"An introduction to how digital cameras work that also highlights Canon's unique
Dave Dugdale from Learning DSLR Video has put together a fantastic video comparison of the Nikon D800 and the Canon 5D MarkIII. It's a unique view as Dave is an amateur and not an endorsed pro, so the video is unbiased and stays true to the facts. But don't let him being an amateur throw you off, he is very thorough and I learned quite a bit of useful info about both bodies while watching this. Even at 20 minutes long it was a fairly easy watch, Enjoy!
Nikon seemed to have settled with their 600mm at the top of their line-up. But NikonRumors now reports there could be an 800mm on the way...
This month we teamed up with SLR Lounge and Kelly Moore for an awesome Facebook Fan giveaway. With an overwheleming number of entries, I'd say this contest was even more successful than last month's. Without further adieu the winner of this month's Facebook Fan contest is....
Sony just announced a new S Series XQD card that increases the speed of the card to 168MB/s -- that's just past the limit of the compact flash card.
Canon is recalling the popular S100 line of point and shoot cameras due to a lens error. The error occurs when a part disconnects on the inside when exposed to high temperatures or humidity. Only certain serial numbers are affected, so make sure yours in not one of them.
Some might say we're a little iPhone-biased. Well, this might change some things. The new Nokia 808 Pureview has not 8, not 20, but 38 usable megapixels packed in its shell! It's a little thicker than the new iPad right where the camera is, but the rest stays remarkably thin. Even if it's $700 or more (according to eBay pre-order listings), I can't wait for a Nokia 808 v. Hasselblad H4D-40 shootout!
After Sony's teaser, JVC's new action cam, the GC-XA1 Adixxion, seems to want the action camera market all to themselves. Full HD, a 1.5" screen, and 5x zoom will come standard on most of these kinds of devices. But what sets this apart? How about the shock-, water-, dust-, and freeze-proof housing that it's in? Or the standard Wifi included?
In this beautifully shot video, get an inside look into the process of which Leica crafted a limited edition Leica M9-P "Edition Hermès". This video has very dynamic sound that adds another level of texture, where you can almost feel the materials they are hand crafting into place. According to an Engadget article, ther will be about 100 of these produced, and they will sell for a mere $50,000(!)
FilmRiot has been quietly working on a series of educational behind the scenes videos over the last few months, and I think this one is definitely worth a mention (avoid the random skydiving tangent at 6:00). Aimed at beginner and intermediate videographers, this short video will walk us through some techniques for lighting people as they move through multiple rooms.
Canon has announced the impending arrival of Firmware v2.0.X for the Canon 7D, which has a whole host of upgrades that is bound to make any 7D owner jump with glee. Included is an increase to the maximum burst rate, GPS compatibility, increase in maximum limit for auto ISO, manual audio level adjustments and in-camera RAW processing among the eleven upgrades to the popular camera.
Clever camera angles and captivating b-roll are important when making a solid and complete video product. When you’re on the move in a car, dune buggy, sailboat or tank, great videographers create enthralling footage by capturing unusual angles and movement. The Delkin Fat Gecko shines as a low-cost, effective suction mount for any slick surface that allows you to get your camera in the face of the mobile action.
To promote their new app aimed towards making the film making process easier and to help the filmmaker really understand the decisions they are making, SMAPP has put out this quick and concise video on DSLR lens choices for video making.
We're still missing some key information, so it's hard to say. But Sony's gunning for GoPro with their newest little action camera.
If you haven't seen the movie Snow White and the Huntsman, then you'll want to go see it after watching this video. Filmed with the Red Epic camera, the amount of detail that went into creating the Mirror Man is amazing. The guys over at The Mill Visual Effects Studio did many tests with liquid before deciding to use cloth instead. Cloth provided more control over making the sculpture appear seamlessly out of the mirror.
Last week we posted a video featuring a high speed robotic arm that is used for precise movements during high frame rate filming. Although this robot isn't as fast, it is on a dolly, which gives it the ability to move around the room. Check out Bot & Dolly's website to learn more about their "bot" and see a few examples of their work.
If you are into studio lighting at all you have probably heard about the D1 Monolight by Profoto. These lights are known for their size, flash consistency, and of course the wireless Air Remote system. In this video I'll take you through each of my favorite and least favorite features of this flash. If you are on the fence you may want to try renting these lights first.
When Nikon first released the MB-D12 battery grip for the Nikon D800 it cost a staggering $615. Since then the price has fallen to a still ridiculous $429. We have been waiting patiently for an affordable 3rd party version and today I got an email from a reader that they were available on ebay. The "Pixel MB-D12" is a much more affordable $109.00. I just purchased one and once it shows up from Japan (at least 30 days) I'll review it. I'm hoping this grip is as good as the last fake I got.
Blair Bunting is a good friend of mine, and by far one of the best commercial portrait photographers out there today. He just published a blog post regarding the highly lauded (while simultaneously seriously attacked) new MacBook pro with retina display. While the display is absolutely breathtaking, it has a serious disadvantage. Is the display too good?
In this video, Ren Ng discusses the history and future of photography. Ng has spent years studying light field technology and computational science. He created the Lytro camera in 2006 and is continuing to develop some mind-boggling photographic technology. This particular video is from a recent TEDx event in San Jose. At about the 13:35 mark you'll see the newest Lytro feature - the ability to change the perspective of an image.
...Or do they? Camera manufacturers today -- especially consumer camera manufacturers -- have created sensors that keep growing the megapixel count on each chip year after year, meeting consumers' general expectations for a higher number of 'MP' with every subsequent refresh. But what do these numbers really mean? Do you need all of those pixels? These are some of the many questions discussed in the full post article.
Cinema5D's Sebastian has put together a video reviews of the Canon T4i / 650D and even has a video at various ISOs to compare the noise to that of Canon 7D.
Amidst the leaked Nikon D600 and D400 specs, we have some rumors arising from the Canon side. The Nikon D600 is being called an entry-level full frame, so it's no wonder that Canon is also ready with their foray into this market with their revamped 7DII and replacing both the 60D and the original 7D with the upcoming 70D.
We've already had info about D600 specs. But today we have new information, including D400 specs and even some leaked photos of the D600, Nikon's entry-level full-frame DSLR!
Photographers like pulling for the underdog, and each year photographers are hoping to see Olympus return to the throne they once held, or at least make an appearance in the Court. Back when film was king, the Olympus brand was as strong as Canon, Nikon, and Kodak. But in the digital age and especially in the last year, things haven't been so great. Yet this new advertising campaign could change all that- It's witty, quick, original, and best of all, relatable.
We've featured Tyler Stableford multiple times before on Fstoppers, as he seems to be one of the first to get his hands on all of the new gear before it hits the shelves. This time, he's at it again: working with action sports athletes high in the mountains of Colorado. However...the results left me scratching my head a bit. Read
Just a few hours ago Apple announced their all new Macbook Pro line of laptops. The most impressive of the group is the 15inch model which includes a retina display! I'm currently typing this on a massive 24inch ultra sharp monitor that has 1920x1200 pixels. Apple's new 15 inch screen has a shocking 2800x1800 pixels. Apple also finally made the jump to USB 3.0 which makes this the most impressive laptop for creative professionals on the go. Pre-order the new machine here.
I've always held the opinion that Canon's T1i-T3i series were the best-bang-for-the-buck cameras out there. And they really are. No fancy weather sealing or anything, but for someone looking to step up to a DSLR for under $1000, this T4i ($849) bumps everything up a notch. Add to that a bargain 40mm f2.8 pancake lens for true portability!? Way to go!
Besides getting a great glimpse into the filming of a well put together sunscreen commercial, Gary Lankford offers some great perspective on the usefulness of DSLR's as opposed to using some of the bigger and more expensive rigs that might be out there. The versatility of having several cameras and being able to take them anywhere can outweigh some of the higher quality option cameras. Check out the final commercial below.
How big is your sensor? While bigger is more expensive, bigger is also better -- always. Thankfully, camera manufacturers are now able to fit larger sensors in smaller bodies, and for less money. And we like that. Check out these new announcements to stay on top of your large-sensor cameras.
