Less than a year after the release of the flagship PowerShot product, the G10, Canon have announced the successor to the crown, the G11. More than a few changes have been introduced. The G10′s 14.7MP sensor has been replaced in the G11 with one that Canon describes as a high sensitivity [...]]]>

The Canon PowerShot G11

Less than a year after the release of the flagship PowerShot product, the G10, Canon have announced the successor to the crown, the G11. More than a few changes have been introduced. The G10′s 14.7MP sensor has been replaced in the G11 with one that Canon describes as a high sensitivity 10 MP CCD. Interestingly, flash sync speed increases to 1/2000th of a second. This is a great feature, and one that many strobist shooters will be very happy about.

I’ve owned a G3 since its release, and while the current model makes it look old and silly, the line of G series cameras have always been known to be of extremly high quality. It’s the one compact camera most likely to be in a professional photographer’s bag. This is because of great image quality and RAW format files in a very compact, unobtrusive format. The styling is also very attractive, with a slight retro feel to it. Pricing for Australia has not been announced as yet, but no doubt it will sit around the $8-900 area, as does the G10.

For more details, see DPReview’s website.

DPReview also has a sample image gallery up here

You can also see a video review here:

the new Canon 100mm f/2.8 L series macro lens

Wow. How cool is this. I’ve been thinking of getting a macro lately. I’m now very glad I waited. Canon has announced  a new lens in the form of an EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM. They haven’t dropped the old 100mm macro, just [...]]]>

the new Canon 100mm f/2.8 L series macro lens

Wow. How cool is this. I’ve been thinking of getting a macro lately. I’m now very glad I waited. Canon has announced  a new lens in the form of an EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM. They haven’t dropped the old 100mm macro, just upped the ante (and the price) with this new one. It’s going to retail at over $1000 US, so who knows how much it’ll cost here.

Of course, there’s a lot of excitement about the upcoming 7D and potentially a new flash system to rival Nikon’s CLS system, but I’m slowly collecting good glass and letting the body upgrades go past me a few years at a time before I jump. I’m still running the original 5D and will probably wait for the 5D MK III before I jump again. But this lens, I won’t wait very long for at all. Just think – an L series quality f/2.8 macro lens with IS. That would be a very nice addition to my kit indeed.

Full review at DPReview
Buy it at Amazon.com

It’s a good thing I go to the gym. I can feel I’m going to have to make it more regular though. After a recent upgrade and expansion of my equipment, my Lowepro backpack weighs a tonne… I haven’t weighed it, but judging by how much my seven year old boy weighs, I think we [...]]]>

It’s a good thing I go to the gym. I can feel I’m going to have to make it more regular though. After a recent upgrade and expansion of my equipment, my Lowepro backpack weighs a tonne… I haven’t weighed it, but judging by how much my seven year old boy weighs, I think we are talking about 15 kg. Sure enough, that’s two DSLR bodies, and about 6 lenses and a flash and accessories, but hey, a photographer needs all that if he’s going to be prepared. It’s a very hard decision to make to just go out with one lens. Of course it depends on what you’re doing. I just went to my kids’ sports day and I could easily have just taken the camera and 70-200 along. That’s all I used after all. But on many jobs you might need to change from wide angle to zoom, so covering 16-200mm takes a fair few lenses. And if you believe in backup, an extra body comes along too. And all of a sudden, you need to be very strong. It’s not so heavy, but after a few hours you collapse into the car with exhaustion. I suppose niche photographers have an easier time with it, knowing what they need. Also it could be a personal thing, and many photographers might just decide that they can’t be prepared for everything and only take a limited range of gear. I’m still figuring all that out, so at the moment, I take everything but the kitchen sink along with me and I see what I use.  It’s be interesting to hear how others decide what to take / split their gear etc. There’s even a slot in my backpack for a laptop, and while I don’t have one at the moment, I’m considering getting one, but that would add another 3-4.5 kilos, depending on whether I went 15.4 / 17″. I’m beginning to see a need for an assistant. I’d better go and earn some income then…