Pinoy Photographer

Manual Video Controls on the Canon 5D Mark II… Coming soon!

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, News, Tips & Tricks

Well well well! I saw it coming! And Canon is treating its loyal customers by giving the most demanding feature of  video capable 5d mark II, MANUAL CONTROLS.

I know how frustrating the auto-exposure of the video is. I was commisioned filming a music video few months ago and it was very hard to always AEL and do the nasty hand block tricks!

But by 1st week of June 2009 Canon will be releasing a new firmware that ends all this misery!

Kudos to Canon!

Time to reconsider those video rig again!!!

Poster via www.canonusa.com

Dpreview overview

Dinagyang 2009…IloIlo

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, Travel

Yeah! Im going. I booked my flight last year to get some good deals off the air fare and here it is now 26 hours to depart from Manila to Iloilo. Its been two years since I shot a provincial festival, that was in Sinulog 2007, Cebu. Im really curious on Dinagyang because some friends said, It is the best performance wise. Il be with some of my friends from PiPho Org on this trip and hopefully we can do some travelscape within our stay, I didnt prepared for an itinerary this time. Bahala na!

The opened bag right here is the Lowepro Rolling Computrekker Plus, it is one the biggest bag of Lowepro but i wont be using this huge bag instead I transferred almost all of my gears to my old Computrekker AW. Along with this Il bring my belt bag the Inverse 100 AW. Of course the 5D Mark II will be there, 40D, 70-200 f2.8 IS, 24-70 f.28, 17-40 f4 and 50 f1.4. Oh yes the LX3! Il be leaving the 100mm macro and some other accessories. Theres a bonus gear that il be bringing  and il pick it up at Canon office tomorrow. Its one of the fastest camera today. My shouldnt worry because il just borrow it

Im really excited now and i already have some ideas in mind, composition, the videos and time lapse. Il be online every night to check out my online life PiPho, facebook, emails and this of course.

PiPho Org Post Xmas Partee! [The Video]

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, People, Video

After a “few” drinks you get to sing the most beautiful songs on earth . A first attempt on recording docu videos (or wahtever you call that)

All with ambient dim lights only. The 5D Mark II high ISO’s reigns on both stills and video. I edited it in iMovie ’08

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Firware Update

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, News, Tech, Tips & Tricks

Firmware Update Version 1.0.7 improves and mitigates the following two types of image quality phenomena that occur under certain shooting conditions.

1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources become black)
2. Vertical banding noise

Firmware Version 1.0.7 is for EOS 5D Mark II cameras with firmware up to version 1.0.6. If the camera’s firmware is already version 1.0.7, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Notes:
When updating to Firmware Version 1.0.7, please also update the Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor software. Firmware Version 1.0.7 can be downloaded from the bottom of this page. Updates for Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor can be downloaded from the following Web site.

I dont like the idea of that magenta cast on sRAW file. The black dots is no biggie to me so Il probably wait for the “complete” that includes the magenta issue on sRAW’s.

See the complate firmware update page here

Canon is working on the “Black Dots” issue

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, News, Tips & Tricks

Canon released press releases of the “Black Dots” issue plaguing the newly released EOS 5D Mark II. Mine has it but It doesnt bother me even though Im very meticulous on details (sharpeness, clarity & etc). Its just that, I have to focus my time on others things like shooting and quality time with my family.

Heres the excerpt of the press release at Canon USA website:

Thank you for using Canon products.

We have learned that some users of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera have identified two types of image quality phenomena that appear under certain shooting conditions.

1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
2. Vertical banding noise

We are currently investigating and analysing the causes, and examining measures to reduce or eliminate these phenomena by providing correction firmware.  An announcement will be made on the Canon Web site when such measures have been determined.

Details of the phenomena and shooting conditions under which they are likely to occur are as follows.

1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
   When shooting night scenes, the right side of point light sources (such as lights from building windows) may become black. The phenomenon may become visible if the images are enlarged to 100% or above on a monitor or, if large prints of the images are made.
2. Vertical banding noise
   If the recording format is set to sRAW1, vertical banding noise may become visible depending on the camera settings, subject, and background.

Canon USA Press Release

Canon Europe Press Release

We will have to wait for that fix… While waiting, Im planning to have a good photo trip with its full black dots potential (pun-intended) with the family this coming loooong holiday. BTW im enjoying the HD video!!

Gadget lustssss.. 4th quarter

Posted by tekgik under Gadget Lust, kaBlog, Tech

Its October 1 start of 4th quarter of 2008. Its a holiday today Eid’l fitr and was browsing and editing my image files I also have to finish some gear reviews. Ok this is an overload inside my head and my physical prowess so im taking a break posting this gadget lustssss.

I posted earlier this year my gadget lustssss..

Did I surpassed my 2nd quarter gadget lustsss?

Lets see..

Still got no Canon G9  – good!

Still got no ipod touch – good!

I skipped the e51 but got an e71 instead

wow 2 over 1.. thats really something hahahah!

Now lets talk about my 4th quarter gadget lustssss!

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 50D

Apple iMac

Hensel portable studio strobes (photo not the exact model )

Well these are the things I need to keep up with my profession, problem now is budgeting. I already pre-ordered the EOS 5D Mark II & EOS 50D. I need to replace my WinPC desktop at my studio (winPC is just so problematic but i have no choice for the meantime). I also need a portable durable battery powered strobes, so i was thingking of the Hensel system.

Big problem is budgeting for these items… I need more shooooooooootssss…

Photos by their respective companies except the 50D

www.apple.com

www.canonusa.com

www.henselusa.com

Vince Laforet “Reverie” video by the EOS 5D Mark II

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog

Wow this keeps getting better. Pulitzer-winner and Canon Explorer of light Vince Laforet has just uploaded his independently-produced video “Reverie” with the new EOS 5D II (pre-prod unit).

visit the link here

WOW and WOW!

HD Video for the photographers!

New Canon EOS 50D

Posted by tekgik under kaBlog, News, Tech

Rumors were true that there is EOS 50D model, the successor of the EOS 40D that was announced at about 12 months ago.

Quick specs:

• 15.1 Megapixels CMOS sensor (APS-C 1.6x FOV)
• 6.3fps
• 3.0″ VGA LCD (yes in hi-res)
• DIGIC IV Processor
• Picture Styles
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• Expanded ISO up to 12,800
• Auto Lighting Optimizer

At $1,399 available October. Probably it will land in the Philippines 2nd week of October.

Exciting! I really like the improved specs. Here we go again? Do I need to upgrade my 30D or not?

Photo from www.canonusa.com