Sony is now shipping the all new “Webbie” camcorders for easy uploading to the internet. These new HD compact camcorders are fully compatible with YouTube, Facebook, and other sites that are MP4 compatible. The Sony MHS-CM1 also has a 5MP still capture capability for nice big prints. The resolution levels are as follows: 1440x1080p 30fps, 1280x720P 30fps, and 640×480(VGA) 30fps. The imager is a 1/2.5″, 5MP CMOS.
It’s like a Flip Video on steroids! All for under $200.
The time was 2007, and CIPA (the Camera & Imaging Products Association, representing Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Kodak, Casio, Panasonic, Sigma, Hoya, and Fuji) showed that the score was thus:
Digital Cameras: 6,926,337
Film Cameras: 720,475
Through November last year, CIPA reported 11,199,175 digital cameras shipped. It’s pretty hard to argue, digital has won. But, even with the plethora of Nikon digital SLR cameras and Canon Powershot digital cameras and Sony digital cameras and blah blah blah out there, there’re a few things about photography that haven’t changed. Not as a result of image stabilization, nothing to do whatsoever with megapixels and ISO, and they don’t care whether you’re using a point-and-shoot or a DSLR.
They’re the elements and principles of design and composition.
Now, I’m sure Chuck and Jody at the least are intimately familiar with these, but here’s the shakedown for those wondering how design matters to their photography.
Design, as an art field, is the purposeful application of art as a form of communication. It uses, as its foundation, a handful of basic principles that are derived from visual Gestalt theory and human psychology. In short, these points are the underlying points for all visual arts, and that definitely includes photography.
There are, typically, seven “elements” of design:
So, as promised, I finally got down to the floor and loaded a ThinkTank Photo Streetwalker Backpack with a 50D Canon digital SLR camera, some Canon lenses, some mixed Induro camera tripods, and some of my usual junk.
I’ve got it uploaded to YouTube, as I always do, and you can find the embedded video below. For those of you just joining in, this is also available (as well as all past installments) on our Podcasts page.
Quick links to mentioned equipment: Induro A013 6M Aluminum Alloy Tripod, Induro DM01 DM-Series Ballhead, Induro MC14 Carbon 8X Monopod, Canon 50D Body, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM, Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, ThinkTank Photo Streetwalker
So, it’s been a while since we’ve hit up a Raw Footage (my camera-man has been busy the past month), but I’m going to try and get a packing exercise done later for the ThinkTank Photo Streetwalker, which is actually a surprisingly trim and still roomy backpack (and of the tried-and-true “strap a camera tripod to the back” variety at that”).
And, while I’m thinking bags, Chuck forwarded me a mail yesterday, in which a reader name of “Greg” said he’d like to know what we over at Roberts shove into our bags. You know, Greg, I think it’s a great idea, although I’m not sure I’ll be able to con anyone else into talking. Might be fun to try and get a shot of Jody’s gear, though…
But, I thought, hey, I may as well talk a bit about the various odd bits and digital camera accessories that’ve sorted themselves into my Crumpler since I shot the footage of me packing it:
1. Olympus digital camera kit. 
Anyone who reads this blog knows I shoot an Oly kit. E-3, 50-200mm, an old 50mm Zukio f1.8, and a Lensbaby 3G. I’m angling to add a 14-54 to my kit sometime (hey, how about it Oly, you wanna hook me up with an old demo one? Eh? Eh?)
2. A Nikon SB-25, which I found in our venerable Used Department. I use it with a Wein peanut slave as an off-camera key light.
3. Two custom flash modifiers.
4. Two medium plastic spring clamps. And a little 2″ metal c-clamp (hey, you never know, I might need that!)
5. An LED flashlight (never know when you need to shed a little light on the subject).
6. A Roberts card wallet with a selection of mismatched flash memory cards.
7. A Lensbaby creative aperture kit.
8. A Crumpler beer bottle opener (in true Crumpler style, called “The Boozer’s Friend”)
9. An Altec Lansing Orbit portable speaker (for jamming out when shooting models outdoors)
So, I’m sure you all know this already, but the news of the morning is that there’s new firmware for Canon’s hotly anticipated 5D Mk II. Early reports are saying that it does, in fact, fix the by now infamous “black dot” scenario. It also promises correction for occasional vertical banding noise. So, there we go, the new Canon digital SLR camera gets its rough edges knocked off, letting it confidently be viewed as one of the truly great imaging machines going.
So I talked about point and shoot cameras and the toys that make them more fun on our last visit. That was an easy one. This time its on to the DSLR’s. My goodness talk about your myriad accessories options. If I could fill a suitcase with the accessories for the point and shoot cameras from the last post, then we are looking at a semi trailer for the options for your interchangeable lens digital SLR! If you have a Canon Digital SLR camera, you might naturally gravitate to Canon flashes, Canon lenses and accessories. The same can be said for Nikon Digital cameras, Olympus Digital cameras, Sony Digital cameras and all of their branded accessories. Bear in mind that there are literally hundreds of other companies making items for general camera use and specific applications as well.
A quick list of toys to enhance your camera (be it tool or toy or something more).
Extra lenses: More reach (Telephoto). Grander vistas (Wide angle), Extreme closeup detail (Micro/Macro), Distortion and Art (Lens babies, others)
Filters: Protective screw on filters, Polarizing and Enhancing filters (primarily nature shooting), Special effects, (Starbursts, softeners , color effects and correction etc…)
Supports: Tripods, Monopods, Bean bags, Suction cups and window mounts to name just a few.
Transport and Storage: Lens pouches, Camera bags, Backpack bags, tripod bags, waterproof cases, airline specifications sized bags, laptop compartment bags, again the list goes on.
Remote firing: Cable releases, Programmable interval timer releases, Infrared releases, Radio slave (long distance and multiple camera operations).
Lighting: External flashes, Ring lights for glamor or micro, Wireless flash systems, Studio lighting and a whole industry of accessories for just that.
I could actually go on forever, before I could list everything that is out there more would be hitting the market. Check out some of Derek’s blogs on unique and fun toys and accessories.
You got your toy for the holiday. Now you want extra stuff to make your toy more fun. The toy probably works to some extent just the way you got it, but that extra stuff, now that’s gonna make more useful. More fun. This is how it was with Hot Wheels, G.I.Joes, Barbies, you name it as we were growing up.
This is how it is with the toys we use as adults (I hesitate to say grown ups) too. Let’s say you got a lens shutter (point and shoot) digital camera for the holiday. (I waited for you to say it, did you say it? Say it NOW or I won’t continue.) That was to easy, NOW buy every thing that I recommend in the post. NO? Can’t blame me for trying.
So you got your new point and shoot digital. Is that it, are we done? No so, a mini tripod from Trekpod, or one of those Bogen Manfroto tripods or a way cool Joby Gorilla pod will give you so many more opportunities to exorcise your inner Ansel. An accessory case or bag can add safety and protection to your memory maker, and piece of mind to you. Extra batteries will double your next urban safari time. A car battery charger can insure that when you arrive at Aunt Tilly’s Cotillion you can capture every terpsichorial treat. Lastly do I even have to mention memory cards? Stock up our SD memory cards, and Flash Memory cards are still at holiday prices. Since you will have extra memory, get a Memory card reader so you don’t have to tie up your camera for downloading.
While there’ll likely be a slew of nex-gen point-and-shoot cameras hitting my desk in the coming months, there’s a bit of an announcement lull going on right now. But, don’t let that fool you into thinking nothing is going on. At least not in the ol’ Circle City.
Those of you not in the habit of poking around our site might have missed the following things going on in Indy soon:
Under “Upcoming Events” we have several seminars coming up, including Amanda Arrick (last seen in this Raw Footage video) giving a seminar on the 40D and 50D Canon digital SLR cameras, and Nikon’s Jason Stewart giving two sessions of his seminar on the D300 and D700 Nikon digital SLR cameras.
Anyone in attending any of these seminars can find more details on the Upcoming Events page, and can reserve seats by calling 1-800-726-5544 and asking for “Classes and Events.”
And, don’t forget about our new Indianapolis Photo Calendar, which is starting to fill up with weekly club meetings, special seminars, and events. Check those out over here.
Still not enough to keep you busy this winter? Why not grab your camera (be it a Sony CyberShot camera or an Olympus digital camera like the E-410), and give our new monthly photo contest a go? Anyone can enter, and the prize every month is a 16×20″ print courtesy of our Online Photo Lab. The current theme is “Winter Wonderland,” so get out there and get shooting.
Canon has brought out the heavy baseball bat to play. They are bringing two new high definition camcorders to their already strong AVCHD lineup. These new models are the Canon Vixia HF S10 and the Vixia HF S100. The S10 gives 32MB of onboard flash memory and the S100 uses SD memory cards only. Both cameras have a 1/2.6″ CMOS chip capable of capturing 8.59 megapixels. They capture 8MP native still images. They shoot in native 24P mode and face detection capable of tracking up to 32 faces! People who have seen video from it say it is hard to tell much difference between them and the Canon XH-A1 pro camera! The lens has a fat 58mm thread size so the optic should be like that of the GL-2. Canon says they are shipping in February. We can’t wait!
If you are looking for a great 13×19 inkjet printer deal, you better hurry! The current promo on the Canon PIXMA Pro 9500 and Pro 9000 are ending on January 17, 2009. These printers can make a beautiful print from good photo paper. The Pro 9500 has a $200 rebate on the printer and if you couple it with a Canon Digital SLR camera like the EOS 40D or 50D, you get $400 back! The Pro 9000 has a $100 rebate on the printer and $300 back if you couple it with the 40D or 50D. Quite a deal! Makes the Pro 9000 only $200 after rebates. These are great printers. I own a Pro 9000 and have used it for over a year now, and I love the print quality! They are quiet, fast, light on ink usage, and the heads don’t dry out easily.
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