Canon Announces the 1D C DSLR With 4k Video

Forget megapixels of the Nikon D3x or Canon 1Ds Mark III, video is the new super-expensive choice. DSLR videography is changing fast, and Canon is now pushing the limits with its promised EOS-1D C videography-centered camera. Offering Hollywood-ambitious 4k video at 4096×2160 pixel resolution, it also shares most of its specifications with the mainstream flagship Canon 1D X, such as 18 megapixel Full Frame sensor and 12 frames per second still shooting. With the latter costing about $6800, we can, at this time, only guess how expensive this new camera is going to be (guesses are around 10 thousand euro), but one thing is sure – 8 megapixel resolution video is sure to make its way down to lower-end cameras sometime soon and affect photojournalism greatly. I can already hear aspiring videographers rejoice!

Canon 1D C with Canon Cine Lens

Here is the official press release:
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Nikon D4 – How and Why

You might have already seen this video by Corey Rich on the Nikon D4 when the camera was announced. It profiles some of the best athletes such as Alex Honnold (the guy that “free solo” climbed the Half Dome with his bare hands), showing them in action. Here is the video if you have not seen it:

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Nikon D800 vs D700

Now that the Nikon D800 is officially out, I am sure many photographers will be interested in seeing feature differences between the now obsolete Nikon D700 and the new D800. Please keep in mind that this Nikon D800 vs D700 comparison is purely based on specifications. A detailed comparison with image samples and ISO comparisons is already provided in my Nikon D800 Review.

Nikon D800 vs D700

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Nikon D4 DSLR Announcement

Nikon has just released the much anticipated Nikon D4 DSLR, a major update to the existing Nikon D3s camera that was released back in 2009. The Nikon D4 is Nikon’s flagship DSLR, designed specifically for sports, news, wildlife and event photography that require superb low-light capabilities. Due to the high resolution sensor of the Nikon D800, we might not see a Nikon D4x for landscape and fashion photography needs, but a Nikon D4s might follow in a couple of years.

Nikon D4

So, what does the Nikon D4 bring to the table? Here is a summary of its features:

  1. Sensor: 16.2 MP FX, 7.3ยต pixel size
  2. Native ISO Sensitivity: 100-12,800
  3. Boost Low ISO Sensitivity: 50
  4. Boost High ISO Sensitivity: 25,600-204,800
  5. Camera Buffer: Up to 100 12-bit RAW images, 70 14-bit uncompressed RAW and up to 200 JPEG images in continuous 10 FPS mode with XQD card
  6. Processor: EXPEED 3
  7. Dust Reduction: Yes
  8. Shutter: Up to 1/8000 and 30 sec exposure, self-diagnostic shutter monitor
  9. Shutter Durability: 400,000 cycles
  10. Camera Lag: 0.012 seconds
  11. Storage: 1x Compact Flash slot and 1x XQD slot
  12. Viewfinder Coverage: 100%
  13. Speed: 10 FPS, 11 FPS with AE/AF locked
  14. Exposure Meter: 91,000 pixel RGB sensor
  15. Autofocus System: Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX with 51 focus points and 15 cross-type sensors
  16. AF Detection: Up to f/8 with 11 focus points (5 in the center, 3 on the left and right)
  17. LCD Screen: 3.2 inch diagonal with 921,000 dots
  18. Movie Modes: Full 1080p HD @ 30 fps max
  19. Movie Exposure Control: Full
  20. Movie Recording Limit: 30 minutes @ 30p, 20 minutes @ 24p
  21. Movie Output: MOV, Compressed and Uncompressed
  22. Two Live View Modes: One for photography and one for videography
  23. Camera Editing: Lots of in-camera editing options with HDR capabilities
  24. Wired LAN: Built-in Gigabit RJ-45 LAN port
  25. WiFi: Not built-in, requires WT-5a and older wireless transmitters
  26. GPS: Not built-in, requires GP-1 GPS unit
  27. Battery Type: EN-EL18
  28. Battery Life: 2,600 shots
  29. Weight: 1,180g

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Nikon D5100 DSLR Announcement

On April 5, 2011, Nikon launched the Nikon D5100 DSLR, an expected replacement for the Nikon D5000 that was introduced first in April of 2009. As a upper-entry-level DSLR, the Nikon D5100 stands above entry-level Nikon D3100 and below the semi-professional Nikon D90 and D7000 cameras. The changes from Nikon D5000 are significant – not only does the D5100 get the much improved 16.2 MP sensor from the excellent Nikon D7000, but it also comes with a side-articulated 3 inch swivel LCD with 920,000 pixels (the Nikon D5000 had a bottom-articulated 2.7 inch swivel LCD with only 230,000 pixels), full 1080p HD video recording and a completely redesigned camera body.

Nikon D5100

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Nikon D3100 DSLR Announcement

Today Nikon announced the new Nikon D3100 DSLR camera – an update to the existing Nikon D3000 that was released a year ago. The D3100 is not just a cosmetic update, it comes with a brand new sensor and advanced video recording capabilities that are not yet present in any of the current Nikon DSLR bodies. Specifically, there is now an option to shoot 1080p video, the absence of which has certainly been a disadvantage when compared to Canon’s line of beginner cameras.

Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100 DSLR

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Female Grackle

Grackles are very common in Florida. During my last visit, while I was photographing birds near Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, a female grackle landed on a nearby bench and started showing off. At first, I did not pay attention, since I normally do not take pictures of common birds. But this one did everything it could to get my attention…it probably was asking for food, which it wouldn’t get from me anyway, since I don’t feed wildlife. After a short while, I turned my camera (Nikon D3s with Nikon 300mm f/4.0 AF-S + 1.4x TC) from the beautiful Roseate Spoonbills to the grackle and took a shot:

Female Grackle

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Concert photography and videography with Nikon D3s

During my last trip to Florida, I was fortunate to attend Carlos Santana‘s concert, during which I had a good opportunity to take pictures and video with Nikon D3s DSLR and Nikon 300mm f/4.0 AF-S lens. As I have pointed out in my previous D3s articles, the performance of Nikon D3s in low light environments is incredible.

Take a look at the following shot of Santana:

Santana - Full Size

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Nikon D3s – Coyote Hunting

I have been trying the Nikon D3s in different environments with a variety of lenses and so far I am very impressed by its performance and quality of the images and video. The below coyote images were shot at ISO 3200 after sunset:

Coyote Hunting #1

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HOME – a must see film!

If you have not seen this documentary yet, you should definitely watch it. It will show you the kind of damage we are causing to our planet that we call Home. It is hard to believe that we as humans are heading to an unknown path, digging a bigger and bigger hole for ourselves and our children, instead of being responsible for our actions and caring for not only people, but the miraculous nature around us. We have been blessed to be living on such a beautiful planet, one that was once full of life and diversity.

HOME (Embedding is disabled, so you will have to click on the link)

The photography community sees these events firsthand and we have the responsibility to pass this on to our relatives and friends, so please share the link with everyone you know.

The film is completely free and you can watch it both on Youtube and on the Home website