Shutterbug Staff

The new compact
Canon EOS 5D digital SLR offers a full-frame CMOS sensor with 12.8 megapixels
of resolution and will be available in October for an estimated selling price
of $3,299. As the world's smallest and lightest full frame digital SLR, the EOS
5D model features Canon's proprietary DIGIC II Image Processor and allows users
to shoot up to 3 frames per second and record up to 60 full-resolution JPEGs and
17 RAW images in a single burst. The camera includes a new 9-point AF system with
six supplemental AF points for fast and precise focusing and a new 2.5-inch LCD/TFT
screen with 230,000 pixels that's viewable even at extreme angles.



The Canon EOS 5D digital SLR has magnesium alloy body weighing just 28.6 ounces
(810 grams. Canon describes the heart of the Canon EOS 5D digital SLR as being
its new, Canon-designed and manufactured CMOS image sensor. The sensor's 35.8
x 23.9mm size means that each pixel can be 8.2um, resulting in what Canon describes
as exceptionally low shadow noise. The sensor's low power consumption is also
said to extend battery life and lower noise. A finer CMOS production process and
optimized photodiode construction increase the light-sensitive area of each pixel
and improve dynamic range as well.



With the full-size sensor, EF lenses - even wide-angle lenses - have the same
look and feel they have with conventional SLR cameras, preserving their optical
signatures. Imaging quality in the EOS 5D is enhanced with the addition of the
DIGIC II image processor, which provides detailed and natural color reproduction
and fast image processing, including a burst performance of 60 Large/Fine JPEGs
or 17 RAW images at 3 fps. DIGIC II also enhances start-up time on the EOS 5D
DSLR, bringing it down to a lightning fast 0.2 seconds.



A new feature called Picture Styles combines processing parameters and color matrix
settings into easy settings designed to obtain the desired effect, almost like
choosing a type of film to obtain a specific result. For users who do not want
to bother with post processing, there is the Picture Style called Standard which
produces images that look crisp and vivid with the sharpness set to mid-scale
and the color tone and saturation set to obtain vivid colors. In the Portrait
setting, the color tone and saturation are set to obtain nice skin tones with
the sharpness set one step weaker than the Standard setting so the skin and hair
look softer. Under the Landscape setting, the color tone and saturation are set
to obtain deep blues and greens, the sharpness is set one step stronger than Standard
so the outline of mountains, trees and buildings look more crisp. The Neutral
setting is the same as the default setting for EOS-1 series cameras where natural
color reproduction is obtained and no sharpness is applied. This is the ideal
setting for post-processing. The Faithful setting is the same as Digital Photo
Professional's Faithful, so when the subject is photographed under a color temperature
of 5200K, the color is adjusted colorimetrically to match the subject's color
with no sharpness applied. Monochrome is the same as the EOS 20D camera's monochrome
setting and with User Defined, the user can create and save their own preferred
settings.



The Canon EOS 5D digital SLR has a new nine point AF system with six Supplemental
AF points, a new AF algorithm and a new AF circuitry. The new AF system improves
subject detection and focusing precision at the center, the most frequently used
area, and is said to significantly enhance subject tracking performance.



On the EOS 5D model, the nine AF points are concentrated at the center, but the
extreme left and right points are located in the same positions as the corresponding
AF points on the EOS-1Ds Mark II. In addition, the six invisible Supplemental
AF points, grouped around the center of the image provide highly accurate focusing
and do a great job of tracking the subject in the AI SERVO AF mode. In addition,
three AF points on the new EOS 5D model work with f/2.8 or faster lenses for enhanced
precision.



The EOS 5D model has a 2.5-inch polysilicon TFT LCD monitor with approximately
230,000 pixels. At 170 degrees, it has an exceptionally wide viewing angle. Brightness
on the monitor is also adjustable in five levels and the screen's backlight feature
uses six LED modules, as opposed to three on previous models, to helps illuminate
the 2.5-inch LCD evenly. Along with the larger monitor, the menu text is also
larger and easier to red. The full-featured INFO screen includes files sizes,
RGB histogram and AF frame displays. In addition, Quick Review images are now
enlargeable.



Because noise is difficult to see on a camera's LCD monitor, even one as large
and detailed as the EOS 5D camera, it is hard to know whether noise reduction
should be turned on or not. Thanks to a new automatic noise reduction feature
on the EOS 5D DSLR, getting rid of unwanted noise has been made even easier that
with previous models. In the C.Fn-02-1 setting, automatic noise reduction occurs
when noise is detected for exposures of 1 second or longer, regardless of ISO.
In the C.Fn-02.2 setting, full-time noise reduction for exposures of 1 second
of longer occurs regardless of whether noise is detected and regardless of ISO.
With these two options, photographers using the Canon EOS 5D DSLR can adjust the
camera's noise reduction capabilities to suit a particular situation.
...

Brandess-Kalt-Atena Group, Inc. has announced the introduction of the first
two models in their new Pelican RSV line. RSV stands for Rugged, Strong, and
Versatile which are terms used to describe this series of cases designed for
professional digital photographers on the move. The PCS247 model is an upright
camera/computer case on wheels that measures, outer dimensions are 18x14x10".
The inner dimensions are 16x12 1/2x7". The PCS2552 is a large camera/computer
case that can be hand or shoulder carried and can fit into the Pelican 1550
shell for added security. It measures 17 1/2x12 1/2x7" and features an
expandable computer pocket on the outside. Both are constructed from water resistant
1680D ballistic nylon and feature leather grain trim, moveable dividers, a padded
computer compartment, and PVC lined inner mesh pockets. Available in black or
green. Contact: Brandess-Kalt-Aetna Group, Inc., 701 Corporate Woods Parkway,
Vernon Hills, IL 60061, (800) 621-5488.

...

Firing at 8.5
frames per second for up to 48 full-resolution JPEG images in a burst (vs. the
same firing rate and a 40 JPEG burst for the 1D Mark II model), the new Canon
EOS-1D Mark II N camera ups the ante while retaining the superb CMOS Sensor of
the 1D Mark II model, with its convenient 1.3x lens conversion factor. Along with
its improved burst rate, the 1D Mark II N digital SLR adds a new 2.5-inch, wide-angle
view LCD/TFT monitor. Startup time on the new camera has also dropped to 0.2 seconds
(from 0.3) with the help of Canon's DIGIC II Image Processor.



The EOS-1D Mark II N camera shares with the EOS-1 series family its all-metal
body and chassis and weather-resistant construction with its shutter durability-tested
to 200,000 exposures. And perhaps best of all, the price of the new camera, $3,999,
is actually $500 less than the initial price of its predecessor.



Along with the new, 2.5-inch LCD wide-angle view display are several significant
improvements in image playback. For starters, the user can have a magnified view
from any selected AF point. Previously, magnified views took the center of the
image as the starting point, but a new menu item enables the user to select a
specific AF point and magnify the image in 15 steps with the press of a button.
Another new feature on the camera is magnified view during Quick Review. When
an image is displayed on the LCD monitor immediately after capture, the user can
immediately magnify the view to check focus right away. Other improved playback
functions include a last displayed image remembered feature and a more complete
INFO display which now shows file size and includes notations for monochrome (B/W)
and color (R/G/B) when the RGB histogram is enabled.



An improved image processing sequence and a better memory management method in
the EOS-1D Mark II N digital SLR has ramped up its burst capability with the camera
now able to shoot up to 22 RAW frames and up to 48 full-resolution JPEGs in burst.
The camera can also shoot 19 frames of RAW+JPEG (JPEG quality: 8, Picture Style:
Standard, ISO 100); and at 59 frames or better at the JPEG Middle 1 setting, 77
frames or better at JPEG Middle 2, and 135 or better at JPEG small, a substantial
increase. Additionally, the EOS-1D Mark II N digital SLR now creates new folders
automatically when file numbers reach 9999, making the new camera more responsive
in fast-moving news and sports photography situations. Photographers can even
customize the first four characters in filenames, enabling superior image organization
and camera identification capabilities.



Just like on the EOS-1D Mark II model, the EOS-1D Mark II N digital SLR lets the
user save the same image simultaneously in both the CompactFlash (CF) and SD memory
card slots, a highly effective backup mechanism. Photographers can also record
to slot one until it was full and then go to slot two as a reserve. Now, with
the EOS-1D Mark II N in RAW+JPEG mode, it's also possible to save the RAW and
JPEG images separately in each memory card. The RAW images can be saved in slot
one and the JPEGs, in any of ten quality levels, in slot two, or vice versa. Since
CF cards tend to be larger, currently, than SD cards, the RAW files will be likelier
to go on the CF card in slot one, but this is not required. The new option allows
images to be recorded separately according to usage, finally realizing a great
potential benefit of the dual slot configuration.



A new feature called Picture Styles combines processing parameters and color matrix
settings into easy settings designed to obtain the desired effect, almost like
choosing a type of film to obtain a specific result.



www.usa.canon.com.