October 2009

Canon Defies Science with 16MP 100K ISO with Smaller Sensor

Submitted by David Cardinal on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 18:31

Following closely on the heels of Nikon's D3S announcement which raised the bar in low light digital photography Canon has just launched the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV which ups the ante even further by claiming the same rated ISO performance with a greater 16MP resolution in a smaller sensor (APS-H, which has a 1.3 crop factor) allowing the use of smaller and lighter lenses and reducing vignetting issues. Read more to learn what else it has to offer...The Mark IV features full speed 10fps shooting along with integrated 1080p HD vide and a 3" LCD.

Why You Should Love Netbooks

Submitted by David Cardinal on Sun, 10/18/2009 - 20:19

Whether you know it or not, netbooks are having a profound effect on your computing life. Until the invention of the netbook ultra-mobility came with an ultra-hefty price tag. Stylish Sony S-Series laptops and the Macbook Air price out at $1500 and upwards. Tiny but boxy UMPC units were often over $1000. Then ASUS introduced the Eee PC...For less than $500 consumers could purchase their own small piece of the cloud computing world.

iPhone Super Charger Goes Big…

Submitted by hank.wang on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 19:39

“The lithium powered rechargeable battery extender for iPhone
that has a whopping 3000mAh capacity. It will extend your talk time
8.5hrs, online time 8.5hrs and video playback time 40hrs (estimated). It is not bulky either as it just extends a little at the bottom, it would be great for flights or long car rides.”

Straightshootin’: Battery Mark Gives You the Truth About Your Battery Life

Submitted by hank.wang on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 19:36

"You went through your device between the difference between the actual
battery life compared to what the manufacturer tells you expect? I
thought so."
Find the truth about how much juice is in your laptop battery is
not left behind as people imagine. Although every notebook computer

Nikon D3S: 100,000 ISO!, HD Video, $5200 Coming Soon

Submitted by David Cardinal on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 07:52

Nikon today announced the D3S, a worthy "mid-life" upgrade to their workhorse pro D-SLR the D3. The biggest change is an upgraded sensor featuring the potential for shooting at ISOs up to a staggering 102,000. Realistically the typical ISO range seems to have been bumped up by 1-2 stops over the D3. The new sensor also captures HD Video, including in very low light conditions. The FX sized sensor retains the 12MP resolution of the D3, but adds a 1.2x crop mode for 8MP shooting with a slight telephoto effect--no doubt helpful when using those lenses which vignette with the FX sensors.

XP to Windows 7: Should you Bother?

Submitted by David Cardinal on Fri, 10/09/2009 - 11:47

Regular readers know that we've been enjoying running Windows 7 on several machines here, ranging from a 5 year old laptop and a newer laptop to an HTPC and my main Photoshop machine. But except for one upgrade from Vista to Win 7 the rest have been "clean" installs--requiring the re-installation of all applications. But this week I decided to take the plunge and try to upgrade our workhorse Quicken & Email machine from XP to Windows 7. Read on to see if this adventure is in your future...

Windows
Upgrade
News
Cardinal

i-gotU: Fast & Easy GPS Logging for your Images & Videos

Submitted by David Cardinal on Fri, 10/09/2009 - 07:43


For years I've enjoyed using various GPS tools combined with my cameras, especially my favorite but expensive model from Redhen. Recently I got to play with an inexpensive and easy to use alternative, the i-GotU GPS...

@Trip Screenshot

Submitted by David Cardinal on Thu, 10/08/2009 - 13:19

Truth in Blogging: Will the new FCC Rule Help?

Submitted by David Cardinal on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 10:07

We've all read reviews that seem to "shill" for the product and wondered whether the author was paid. In theory there are some rules that help govern this behavior in print and broadcast (although IMO they don't work very well or prevent a lot of abuse). Now the FCC is stepping in to create rules for the blogosphere. Bloggers will have to disclose whether they are paid, in cash or in-kind, for writing reviews. If they don't then they and possibly the "advertiser" involved will be liable.

Royalty Free Stock: A Cautionary Tale

Submitted by David Cardinal on Sat, 10/03/2009 - 13:07

It's no secret that traditional stock photographers (and presumably their agencies) are not fans of royalty free stock photos. These low cost images can be purchased for just about any use and then re-used royalty free. It often seems like no one is listening any more when the caution is raised that the licensed image will no longer be unique or special since it is likely to be found almost anywhere anyone else also wants to license it.

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