Canon’s Next Step

The web is awash today with details of Canon’s announcement of the 5D Mark III.  It’s been a long time coming, but now we have one more full-frame DSLR in the Canon lineup.  Due for delivery within a month or so (barring the kinds of unexpected delays we’ve seen lots of lately), this new tool will be vying for space in a highly contested field.

For specific info about the camera itself (and the new 600EX-RT flash and additional accessories), see DP Review, Rob Galbraith’s DPI, Camera Labs, or Bob Atkins’ site.  And of course you can read endless comments on any number of forums passing instantaneous judgment on everything from the crippling lack of pixels in this new 22.3MP sensor to the total failure of Canon as a camera company.  It’s the world we live in.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion.  Just based on claimed specs for the 5D3 and my own experience with the 5D2, it looks to me like this new body will make a lot of Canon shooters very happy.  Yes, it’s going to be a bit more expensive ($3,499 body-only), have only a modest increase in megapixel count from the 5D2, and lack a few features that some of us would really like to have seen included (like an articulated LCD and built-in flash).  Be that as it may, there are enough advanced and pro-level features melded from both the 7D and the new 1D X to make it appear that this will be Canon’s first digital body to replicate the conceptual lineage of the vaunted EOS 3.  Things I like:  top-level autofocus system, upgraded exposure system, decent frame rate (6 fps), improved dynamic range and noise levels, and built-in multi-exposure and HDR.  Hard to say until it’s actually in hand, but it also looks like the 5D3 is shaped very similarly to the 7D—my favorite ergonomically of all the smaller (non-1D) bodies.

One of the most hotly debated issues is how well the 5D3 will stack up against Nikon’s D800.  Absent rigorous field tests of production bodies, we just don’t know; and even then it will depend entirely on what features and aspects are most important to your style of shooting.  It’s quite possible both cameras will be big winners for their respective companies without hordes crossing over from one system to the other.  Time will tell.

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Even More Megapixels

Think the quest for more photosites on a sensor is over yet?  Not quite.  While many are still waiting to see just how well 36 megapixels work in Nikon’s new D800, Nokia has just announced a smartphone with a 41MP camera sensor!  Hang on though; this isn’t exactly a straight comparison since the 808 PureView normally outputs still images at 3MP, 5MP, or 8MP using a process called pixel-binning.  Just goes to show there’s still room for improvements as digital imaging continues to evolve.  See more on the Nokia phone here.

For Canon shooters, March 2nd is announcement day, most likely for the successor to the EOS 5D Mark II.  There’s been huge speculation as to how Canon intends to address the trade-offs between stuffing more photosites into a sensor or concentrating on other capture improvements like low noise and greater dynamic range, as well as potentially adding more pro-level hardware features in their “budget” full-frame sector.  Enthusiasts have been begging for a digital EOS 3 for years.  Most 5D Mark III informed guesses point to a 22MP sensor along with a number of significant performance upgrades.  Of course there could be more than one new full frame model (5D X?), and we’ll likely know in a couple of days.

On a somewhat more lower-key scale, the PowerShot G1 X is now reaching stores.  Though this fixed zoom lens compact model won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, I’ve a sneaking suspicion it’s going to gain a lot of converts.  I’ll add personal impressions before long.

On a side note, with much of the emphasis in communications these days being wireless, we’re very close to implementation of the next Wi-Fi standard—802.11 ac.  Speed is good; now if security keeps pace that would be a good thing too.

On the computing front, those needing or wanting to upgrade a laptop or desktop machine for creating content are likely well aware of the impending release of Intel’s next-generation Ivy Bridge CPUs which promise modest performance gains at lower current draws.  Looks now like the expected April launch of the new chips has been delayed for 8-10 weeks.  This may or may not affect the anticipated announcement of new Apple MacBook Pro laptops which will likely build on the slim-and-light MacBook Air form factor.  The delay also may impact the second generation of Intel’s own “Ultrabook” initiative.

Much more to come in the month of March.  Stay tuned.

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More Megapixels

By now no doubt at least some of you have taken the time to familiarize yourself with details of Nikon’s new D800 which offers the highest megapixel count of any 35mm format DSLR so far, and the resultant web chatter as to whether this is a good thing or just one more ridiculous marketing ploy.  On the one hand it rather pours cold water on the idea that the megapixel race is dead; on the other, it’s kind of curious from a company that has, with the one exception of the D3X, pretty much made a habit of being very conservative about packing sensors with photosites.  That’s still the case with their new flagship model, the D4, though that body is arguably aimed more narrowly at a niche market whose highest priorities are speed, ruggedness, and world-class low-noise/high-ISO performance.  The D3X engendered similar debate about how many megapixels were enough when it came out in late 2008, but even with its stratospheric $8,000 cost it gained a very significant following and high praise for superb image quality.  Whether the D800 will measure up as well remains to be seen, but at a much reduced cost of just under $3,000 and far more built-in flexibility the prospects are pretty good.

So what about the megapixel argument itself?  Whether it even matters to you will depend on many things of course—your favorite photographic subjects, what you do with your images once you capture them, your budget, and whether tool discussions interest you in the first place, to name a few.  And as in all these matters, one size doesn’t fit all and every tool is a compromise of one sort or another, so there are no easy answers regardless.  One astute thread of this discussion is on Mike Johnston’s “The Online Photographer” by the contributing author Ctein (who legally has only the one name, pronounced “kuh-TINE”).  In it he addresses myths about megapixels that may or may not be of help to someone grappling with the issue; at any rate, it’s very informative for the technically inclined.

Will I be considering a Nikon D-800?  Not really, because I have far too much invested in a Canon system.  But I happily used Nikon equipment for many decades and have the highest regard for their top-end gear, and if I were looking for a mid-range pro-level Nikon body to cover a lot of bases in relatively good light (i.e. not semi-dark, candlelight environments demanding superior ISO performance) I’d see the D800 as a stellar option.  And I hope it turns out to be just as good as is expected; we’ll likely all be better off for it.

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Data Loss

If you’ve been shooting for any length of time you’ve probably had the extremely unsettling experience of having something go wrong with image files somewhere along the chain.  It can ruin your whole day!  Sometimes you can recover from the glitch, and sometimes the data is gone forever.  Either way, it’s a reminder of how fragile that little dose of electricity from sensor to memory card to computer can be and how complex the underlying processes are that we pretty much take for granted.  While both hardware and software have been much improved over the last decade, there are still a few “best practices” that will help avoid most of the problems.  While some of these steps seem awfully basic, it doesn’t hurt now and then to review the principles.

Start with memory cards.  There are many brands out there, most of which work just fine most of the time.  I like to stick with Lexar and SanDisk, partly because of my positive personal experience with them and partly because they’ve been in the business for so long.  Any card should be handled carefully and formatted in-camera before use; avoid formatting the card in your computer as there’s a chance you may not apply the proper formatting protocol.  When shooting, let the camera finish writing all the data to the card before you start reviewing images, and whatever you do, avoid opening the card bay and removing the card before the camera has finished writing to it—this is almost a guaranteed way to corrupt files.  Additional tips on care and feeding of memory cards can be found here and here.

If you do experience a problem with a card, such as having images show up on the back of the camera but not on your computer, don’t panic.  Put that card aside and use one of the many image rescue tools to see if you can’t recover images from the card.  Among the well-regarded is PhotoRescue.  This is a relatively low cost program for both Mac and Windows that has a high success rate, recently corroborated by a friend of mine locally.  Lexar, SanDisk, and others also make image rescue programs and some companies supply the programs along with certain versions of their cards.

Of course the other big potential for data loss is in your computer.  Everyone preaches data backup and most practice it to some degree, but it’s very easy to get lazy and backslide and only your personal work ethic and discipline will determine your degree of success in this arena.  Cloud services also now offer to protect you, though transmitting thousands of high-resolution image files to and from cloud-based data centers is still a serious bottleneck, and the whole idea is only as good as your faith in the concept.  Anyone remember Digital Railroad?  I know I wouldn’t sleep very well at night without maintaining multiple local copies of my most important image files.

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Memory Cards

For many years the most complete collection of comparative data on memory cards and card readers I know of has been Rob Galbraith’s “CF/SD Performance Database.”  This was the place you could find out which card would yield the best performance in a particular camera body and what reader would give you the shortest download times.  As the card market matured (more brands, higher capacity, faster speeds, lower prices), updates to the database happened less often.  There comes a point for most users where the differences are less important.  But cards continue to evolve.

A short while ago Lexar announced their latest high-end CF card, the Lexar Professional 1000X, and now Rob has put it to the test; in  a nutshell, it’s far faster than any other memory card they’ve ever tested.  The numbers are laid out in tables for in-camera write values with Canon 1D Mark IV and Nikon D3S bodies, and for card-to-computer transfer rates using top-end readers in four different connection protocols.  An interesting note is that the quickest download speed was achieved using a USB 3.0 card reader.

If you use a camera that’s UDMA 7 capable (currently the fastest data timing protocol in the CompactFlash specification) and you actually need the fastest CF card on the market, right now this is it.  In addition, Lexar’s USB 3.0 Dual-Slot Reader (the one with the latest firmware available in March) will give you the fastest download times possible (until someone comes up with a Thunderbolt card reader).  For Mac Pro users, CalDigit can supply a USB 3.0 PCIe Card and drivers to provide a USB 3.0 interface.  This card will also work in a Windows computer, and in addition they build a USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ExpressCard for any laptop with an ExpressCard/34 interface (such as the Apple 17” MacBook Pro).

Memory cards are not the bottleneck in the digital imaging process they used to be.  Capacities are now sufficient for nearly any purpose, and prices have plummeted to the point that having several cards no longer is a serious crimp on most budgets.  While in day to day practice few need the incredible speed the fastest cards now provide, it’s nice to know they’re available.

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Trends

As a glaring underscore to the brutal effects of change, the former photo industry giant Kodak has now filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Nothing is ever simple and this certainly doesn’t mean Kodak will completely disappear, but it is unlikely the company will be able to reinvent itself in a manner allowing it to recapture its former stature.

For those following the financial fiasco within Olympus, the turmoil continues with multiple lawsuits and persistent rumors of a possible buyout or friendly minority investment to keep the company going.  But all this seems not to have halted progress and by all accounts we will very soon see a new Olympus high-end m4/3 body based on the vaunted OM lineage.  Expect formal announcement on February 8.

Pentax too may soon be accelerating their mirrorless offerings.  Recall that a while back they were acquired by Ricoh, and product development within Pentax ground to a near halt during internal integration considerations.   Just before the acquisition the Pentax Q had been released—their mirrorless ILC offering with a very small sensor and tiny overall dimensions—which though unusual has been viewed largely as a novelty camera.

On the computer end of the creativity chain, many are trying to be patient while waiting for the release of Intel’s “Ivy Bridge” processors in the second quarter.  The first commercial chips to use a 22nm engraving process, they will also be the first to use 3D tri-gate transistors.  The emphasis this time is not vast performance increases but lower power consumption.  New chipsets and motherboards also will provide faster connectivity and throughput via PCIe 3.0 and USB 3.0 at the chip level.  While Apple continues to focus on mobile and portable devices and lauds Thunderbolt as the preferred connection interface, adoption of TB by peripheral manufacturers has been very slow and questions continue to circulate as to whether Apple will even bother to update their Mac Pro workstation.  The latter question will no doubt be answered in the next few months.

All things considered, this looks to be a banner year for new offerings and delivery of major products announced in late 2011.  Photokina, the huge bi-annual show in Germany, is a major catalyst, and the slight uptick in the economy combined with pent-up enthusiasm after so much natural disaster-caused  turmoil suggests several very busy months ahead.

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More News

Canon. It’s official—within a month or so you’ll be able to add a PowerShot G1 X to your photo tool kit and have a fairly small but serious “go almost anywhere” camera with a sensor more than 6 times larger than the one in the G12.  Will it satisfy everyone?  Not likely, but it looks to have enough desirable features to do a pretty good job in many circumstances when it’s just not practical to lug a big camera.  I’ve used a G9 for some time and have made some nice images with it, but conditions had to be just right and technique close to perfect.  Features that are appealing to me in the G1 X are the much more capable sensor (Canon claims it will have better noise characteristics than the 7D or 60D), 4-stop image stabilization, an optical viewfinder (even if it isn’t as accurate or useful as many of the electronic or hybrid viewfinders in a number of other brands now), and the fact it will work with several other Canon accessories.  Every camera is a compromise, but I believe the G1 X hits enough essential priorities that it will be very popular as a serious compact.  Previews available here, here, and here.

Adobe. Software companies make money by selling you product.  When new versions improve your capability to create and produce you’re enticed to shell out for upgrades.  You know it’s going to happen, whether you’ve really learned to maximize the current version or not, and it’s one of those loop experiences we all go through.  So here comes Lightroom 4…in public beta, which means you can download it and use it for a while to experiment with new features even though the product has not been finalized and no doubt may have small bugs or other unusual ways of operating.  While it’s fun to get on the bandwagon ahead of time, a certain amount of caution is warranted.  For a rundown of what’s expected to be in the new version and for the download links see Adobe’s page here.  You can also view a 22 minute streaming video by Michael Reichmann describing the new features here.

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Coming Attractions

This year’s combined Consumer Electronics Show / Photo Marketing Association extravaganza in Las Vegas kicks off today with numerous conferences and the exhibits open Tuesday.  In the run-up frenzy there have been several big announcements of new tools and near-confirmation of rumored trend-setters that should get the attention of anyone interested in the craft of photography.

Last Friday Nikon formally announced the D4, the long-anticipated update to their professional line of camera bodies.  This is an evolution to the vaunted D3S, the reigning king of low light performance.  Nikon has had two top-end pro bodies in the line-up—the D3S and the D3X with a 24.5 MP sensor optimized for high resolution and fine detail at low ISOs.  The D4 with full frame sensor now at 16.2 MP is still aimed at best-possible low light performance, not maximum resolution, and there’s no word yet on what may be in store for updated bodies with larger sensors other than persistent rumors of a 36 MP D800.  Time will tell.

On the rumor side, one of the most interesting is the Fuji X Pro 1.  While we have known that a new system of this nature was coming, Fuji has chosen to wait for its formal announcement tomorrow.   Many specs and photos are making the rounds, however, and if they pan out the X-Pro 1 looks it will be something to really delight traditionalists.  Fuji’s X100 made a big splash and while having some quirks has delivered excellent image quality from its 12 MP sensor.  The X Pro 1 will have interchangeable lenses, a 16 MP sensor, gorgeous styling, and even purports to have a lens adapter in the works to use Leica (and other brand) M-mount lenses.  If you ever enjoyed using a rangefinder film camera, it will be hard to image not being enthusiastic about this new entry to the field.

Of course there are other players as well.  Among the big guns, Canon so far has chosen not to enter the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera competition.  Now the tune is changing, and Canon has declared that they will release a mirrorless system in 2012.  In the meantime, they are releasing a new PowerShot G1X with a somewhat larger sensor than previous G models (size not yet determined).  Whether this will satisfy the appetite of Canon shooters for smaller cameras with extensive capability and flexibility that produce acceptably high image quality remains to be seen.

In memory cards, the recently announced XQD CompactFlash format is first reaching market reality from Sony, just in time to pop into one of the card slots on the new Nikon D4.  And on the more traditional front, Lexar will soon have a UDMA7 card capable of 1000X (150 MB/s) transfer speed, and a somewhat slower card with a capacity of 256 GB.  Hmmm; could this be another option for backing up images in the field?

There will be much more to come in the next few days, and in the year ahead ramping up to Photokina in September.

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Elegant Visitors

December is an opportune month to observe some of our most elegant avian visitors around the Anchorage area as large flocks of Bohemian Waxwings rove about prospecting for edible fruit.  They especially enjoy bright red mountain ash berries, though they’re not really picky and will take advantage of most anything left hanging, including chokecherries and crabapples.  Their cheerful demeanor bolsters the holiday atmosphere.

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Competing Incentives

It’s the holiday season and the push for you to buy things right now is intense.  The slight improvement in overall outlook for the economy has provided a glimmer of hope, and retailers in general are doing pretty well so far this year.  But there’s always give and take in the process—in this case the attempt to balance convincing you to buy now versus waiting for exciting new products right around the corner.

Here are some examples.  In the last couple of days special deals have popped up for Canon’s 5D Mark II for $1,999.  That’s an outstanding price for an unquestionably fine body even though it’s been on the market nearly three years.  On the other hand, the new Canon  1D X flagship was announced a couple months ago and expectations continue to build for a 5D2 replacement in the not too distant future.  And there’s much more to come early next month at (or just prior to) PMA in Las Vegas, like the Nikon press conference scheduled now for January 6th.  Other companies are adding to the spin as well with Olympus touting a new “revolutionary” m4/3 camera soon (nice to see some hopeful news from Olympus for a change), and Pentax working on a mirrorless full frame body and maybe even a mirrorless medium format camera!  Fuji is on the march too, promising a mockup of a large-sensor mirrorless camera with image quality surpassing full frame.

So if you’re a bargain hunter there are lots of very enticing offers at the moment.  Otherwise, 2012 looks to be a very interesting year.

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