South Carolina Photography Guild

The club get together from last weekend went off quite well despite some rainy weather.  Shots are up and shared in the forums, including a few candids from an impromptu “hot dog show”.  Next up for September is a Lighting “workshop” of sorts - up to a total of 25 people can be accommodated, so if you’re interested, log into the forums, or notify admin@scphotogs.com and we’ll get your name to the coordinators.

In personal news, I’ve finally started my own personal blog.  As this one is moving toward infrequent postings on club events, news, and information, I’ve been hesitant to post my own personal thoughts and musings in this venue.  While this is still a useful place to get general photo news about the club and area activities,  those interested in following my more daily musings are welcome to tune in at:

www.canonblogger.com  The post feeds work, but something is wrong with the comments feed, so if anyone knows how to fix that, email me! (jason AT scphotogs DOT com)

From their website, after press releases confirmed the body and it’s specs, here’s the info compiled into one nice place:

Product Features

• 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
• Large 3.0-inch LCD display with enhanced Live View and broadened color gamut
• 6.5 frame-per-second continuous shooting capability (for bursts of up to 75 Large/Fine JPEGs or 17 RAW images)
• sRAW mode; 35-zone metering system; integrated Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit
• Powered by BP-511A, BP-511, or BP-512 lithium-ion battery pack; stores images on CF cards

Technical Details

• Resolution: Approximately 10.1 million effective pixels (total pixels: approximately 10.5 million)
• Recording pixels: 3888 x 2592
• Sensor type: CMOS sensor, with primary R-G-B filtration
• Sensor size: 22.2 x 14.8 millimeters
• Pixel size: 5.7 microns square
• Lens focal length factor: 1.6x
• Sensor dust removal: EOS Integrated Cleaning System; active removal of dust by vibrating front low-pass filter; automatic removal of dust spots, in Canon Digital Photo Professional software (v. 3.1 or higher)
• Maximum frames per second: 6.5 frames per second (fps) at full resolution
• Maximum number of frames / burst: JPEG: 75; RAW: 17
• Shutter speeds: 30 seconds to 1/8000, plus Bulb (1/3 or 1/2-step increments)
• Flash sync speed: Up to 1/250, with EX-series Speedlites
• Anticipated shutter durability: 100,000 exposures, based on Canon test methods
• Computer interface: USB 2.0 (Hi-speed)
• Image recording storage media: CompactFlash (CF) cards (type I or II, including Microdrives)
• Card compatibility: “FAT32″ compatible–OK for cards over 2GB
• Image format options: JPEG (choice of “Fine” or “Normal” compression); RAW (Canon .CR2 RAW file format); RAW + JPEG (any JPEG file size available; JPEG file written as separate file)
• Analog to digital conversion: 14 bits per channel (16,382 separate tones from brightest to darkest, for each channel)
• Resolution options: “Large”–3888 x 2592 (approximately 10.1 million pixels); “Medium”–2816 x 1880 (approximately 5.3 million pixels); “Small”–1936 x 1288 (approximately 2.5 million pixels)
• File numbering: sRGB color space: IMG_0001.JPG or IMG_0001.CR2; Adobe 1998 RGB color space: first character is always underscore (_)
• Folders: Automatically created for image storage; new folder can be user-created with “Manual Reset” function; folders cannot be freely selected on memory card by the photographer
• Highlight tone priority: Expands tonal range of bright highlights by about one stop; ISO range limited to 200 to 1600; activated by C.Fn II-3-1
• Data verification: “Original Image Data” can be appended to each image via Custom Function IV-6-1; requires optional Canon Original Data Security Kit OSK-E3 to check authenticity
• Live View viewing options: Camera’s LCD monitor; computer monitor, via USB; computer monitor, via wireless transmitter WFT-E3A
• Manual focus: Viewed on LCD monitor, with option to magnify focus area 5x or 10x
• Autofocus: Possible–C.Fn III-6-1 active, press AF On button; mirror drops down temporarily while AF On button is pressed, allowing AF to function
• Silent mode Live View shoot: Mode 1: First shutter curtain remains open; shooting up to 6.5 fps possible; Mode 2: Quieter option; 2nd shutter curtain doesn’t close until user’s finger is taken off shutter button
• Accessory wireless transmitter: Canon WFT-E3A (optional, dedicated wireless transmitter)
• Attachment to camera: Attaches to base of camera; totally integrated with EOS 40D’s design
• Wireless transfer methods: 802.11b or 802.11g; link speed: approximately 11 megabits/second (802.11b) or 54 megabits/second (802.11g)
• Connection method: Infrastructure or Ad Hoc (802.11g functions in Ad Hoc mode)
• Maximum wireless distance: Approximately 490 feet (150 meters), if “receiver” has its own antenna (depends on environment)
• Wireless channels: 11 (in North American market)
• Ethernet (wired) transfer: Yes; Ethernet 100Base-TX (maximum distance approximately 1,000 feet); link speed: approximately 100 megabits/second
• Transfer options: 1. FTP mode (images sent to folder on host computer); 2. PTP mode (remote control of camera possible from computer); 3. HTTP mode (view camera’s files using web browser; remote firing of camera possible)
• Security options: Encryption: WEP or TKIP/AES; authentication: open system, WPA-PSK, or WPA2-PSK
• USB “host” capability: Plug compatible USB devices into WFT-E2A, for use with the EOS 40D; GPS devices (write GPS time, coordinates, and altitude info into each file’s EXIF info); external hard drive (connect compact external USB hard drive, and write files directly from camera to the hard drive as if it’s an additional memory card)
• LCD monitor: 3.0-inch (diagonal) TFT color; approximately 100% coverage; approximately 230,000 pixels on monitor; approximately 140 degrees viewing angle
• LCD monitor brightness: Adjustable in 7 levels (via Menu)
• Video-out: Yes (to standard TV monitor); NTSC or PAL, selectable on Menu
• Number of AF points: Nine, all cross-type AF points
• Center AF point: Unique hybrid cross-type AF point; world’s first high-precision AF point with both horizontal and vertical high-precision; additional standard precision, cross-type sensors for lenses from f2.8 to f5.6
• AF point selection: 1. Manual AF point selection via 9-way multi-controller on back of camera; 2. automatic AF point selection
• AF activation: Shutter button, or new AF On button at back of camera
• AF modes: One-Shot AF (for stationary subjects); AI Servo AF (for tracking moving subjects); AI Focus AF (auto selection of One-Shot or AI Servo AF)
• AF sensor: Entirely new Canon CMOS AF sensor
• AF sensitivity range: EV -0.5 to 18 (at 73 degrees F / 23 degrees C, ISO 100)
• Shutter speeds: 30 seconds to 1/8000 second, plus Bulb (1/3 or 1/2-step increments); x-sync at 1/250
• ISO range: 100 to 1600, in 1/3-step or full-stop increments; ISO can be expanded to 3200 via C.Fn I-3-1
• Auto ISO: Can be set in any exposure mode, including P, Tv, Av, and M; ISO usually based at 400; typical auto range is 100 to 800, depending on conditions; manual exposure mode: auto ISO fixed at 400
• Exposure modes: Manual, Aperture-priority (Av), Shutter-priority (Tv), Program AE
• Full-auto modes: Green Zone, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Action, Night Portrait, Flash Off
• Metering: 35-zone metering sensor; Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points); Center-weighted metering; Partial metering; Spot metering at center of picture (approximately 3.5% of picture area)
• Metering range: EV 0 to 20 (all patterns, at normal temperatures)
• Exposure compensation: Possible in P, Tv, Av, and A-DEP exposure modes; +/- up to two stops, in 1/2 or 1/3-stop increments (via Quick Control Dial)
• Autoexposure bracketing: Possible in P, Tv, Av, M, and A-DEP exposure modes; +/- up to two stops, in 1/2 or 1/3-stop increments
• Compatible flashes: All Canon EX-series Speedlites, including new Speedlite 580EX II
• Camera menu sets flash: Yes (580EX II only, as of August 2007)
• E-TTL II flash metering: Flash metering not linked to active AF point; distance from compatible EF lenses now used; entire metering area can be averaged using Custom Function 14-1
• Modeling flash: 1-second burst of flash possible at 70Hz when depth-of-field preview button is pressed (580EX/EX II, 550EX, 420EX, MR-14EX, MT-24EX, and Speedlite transmitter only)
• Wireless E-TTL: Fully compatible, including ratio setting over six-stop range
• Flash exposure compensation: Up to +/- 2 stops can be set on camera body (can also be set on compatible Speedlites)
• Built-in flash: Covers lenses as wide as 17mm (27mm equivalent); Guide Number 43 (feet)/13 (meters), ISO 100
• Viewfinder focus screen: New interchangeable “Ef” series focusing screens; standard screen: Ef-A–precision matte screen very similar to EOS 30D; optional Ef-D screen–precision matte with grid lines; optional Ef-S screen–Super precision matte (superior manual focusing with fast lenses, f1.8 to f2.8)
• Viewfinder display: Similar to EOS 30D; new: ISO is always displayed; new: B/W shooting mode icon; new: maximum burst available now two digits
• Dioptric adjustment: User-set from -3.0 to +1.0 (range can be extended using optional Canon dioptric Lens E, plus rubber frame Eb)
• Mirror lock-up: Possible via Custom Function III-6-1
• Eyepiece shutter: None (cover is provided on included strap)
• Color space: Standard sRGB or Adobe 1998 RGB (separate setting on Menu)
• White Balance: Auto; Pre-set (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash); color temperature (set by user from 2500K to 10,000K in 100K increments); custom (shoot white object or 18% gray card, base WB on that neutral object)
• White Balance correction: Fine-tuning of overall color, in any white balance mode; amber-blue correction, in 9 steps; magenta-green correction, in 9 steps; set on graph on LCD monitor, using 9-way controller; both types of correction can be combined
• White Balance bracketing: Three separate files written with a single click of the shutter; can be varied in the amber-blue direction, or the magenta-green direction; can be adjusted up to +/- 15 mireds (equivalent to 3 steps on the 9-step adjust scale); can be combined with standard auto exposure bracketing (9 files written to CF card)
• Picture style: Extensive range of settings for user to tailor color, contrast, sharpness, etc. to their preference; same characteristics as previous EOS SLRs with Picture Style control
• Black and white recording: Set via monochrome setting within Picture Styles menu
• Computer connection: USB 2.0 Hi-speed, via small “B”-type USB connection
• Remote control: N3-type push-in terminal (same as EOS 20D, EOS-1D Mark II, etc.)
• Video-out: Single-pin mini-jack
• Direct Printing compatibility: PictBridge printing to compatible Canon and other brand printers
• Compatible images: JPEG, RAW, or sRAW, if they comply with DCF protocol
• Preview effects on camera’s LCD: Printing effects can be previewed (includes brightness, levels, contrast, color saturation, color tone, and color balance–face brightener and red-eye correction cannot be viewed)
• Connection to printer: Via USB cable included with camera
• DPOF image marking: Compatible; images can be “tagged” while reviewing on LCD monitor
• Battery: BP-511A, BP-511, or BP-512 (rechargeable lithium-ion, same as EOS 30D) (BP-511/BP-512: 1100mAh; BP-511A: 1390mAh)
• Shooting capacity: Approximately 1100 shots (at 68 degrees F / 20 degrees C); approximately 800 shots (at 32 degrees F / 0 degrees C)
• Charger unit: Canon CB-5L or CG-580 (also can be charged with compact power adapter CA-PS400)
• AC adapter: AC adapter kit ACK-E2 (optional; consists of adapter AC-E2, and “dummy battery” DR-400)
• Battery grip (optional): Battery grip BG-E2N or BG-E2
• Date/time back-up battery: CR2016 lithium battery–coin-type; user-replaceable (estimated life 5 years)
• Body exterior material: Magnesium alloy top, front, and rear covers
• Chassis material: Polycarbonate and stainless steel
• Lens mount: EF lens mount; metal; compatible lenses: all Canon lenses for EOS cameras
• Compatible with EF-S lenses: Yes
• Custom functions: 24 custom functions, in four distinct categories; 9 entirely new custom functions
• Operating temperature range: 32 degrees to 104 degrees F, at 85% or lower humidity (0 degrees to 40 degrees C)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 inches (145.5 x 108 x 73.5 millimeters), very slightly larger than EOS 30D
• Weight (without battery or CF card): 26.1 ounces (740 grams), approximately 1.4 ounces (40 grams) heavier than EOS 30D

Canon has finally admitted it’s existence and posted content to their website. A press release is included as well, viewable here: Press Release Linked at the end of this post is a PDF compiled shortly before the images were added to the main page, as well as links to the now released-info page. Some of the more exciting features include the 10.1 Megapixel count, use of the Digic III sensor, a 3″ LCD screen, Live View, and a bunch more, including my favorite: the wireless transmission feature previously only available in much more expensive bodies! Our blog may soon have images posted much more regularly! Quite exciting stuff in camera land!

PDF File of Data and Images

Canon’s 40D Page

Well, it seems that SCPG is a little behind the times, as the blog had never implemented the podcast feature into the setup. While our podcasts had been uploaded to a dedicated space for listeners to enjoy, that feature was never enabled. So, I am retro-actively installing that component and linking the already-recorded podcasts here. The inaugural podcast was not included as much of the information in there has changed and it needs to be re-recorded, but the other two are re-posted here so people can find them more easily in the future. Pardon the redundancy for those who already knew about them, and welcome to those that didn’t!

 

 Considering the "Why"?: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Camera Shooting Techniques: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

For the photography gear aficionados anyway…

Every year it seems some new upgraded piece of gear graces the markets, and this year has been no exception. Canon released it’s new professional grade EOS ID Mark III earlier this year, and it seems now that the much-rumored 40D (a new body intended to replace the only 2 year old 30D) is less of a rumor than we thought. Additionally, the EOS IDs Mark III also seems to be getting some press from Canon in photo-circles too. All this on top of the software releases that have confounded the market we discussed earlier. I myself had been debating getting a 30D if and when the 40D comes out. With the technical data out on the 40D now (thanks to Amazon), and the minimal price difference between the two, I will now likely go with the newer body on its release given the higher pixel count, network wireless capabilities and much much more.

All the details are here:

Amazon Leaks/Releases Info on 40D

Photography Blog Info

and thanks go out to TOP for breaking the story on my RSS feeds!

ETA:  The Amazon page has been pulled…my guess is someone from Canon got in touch with someone from Amazon and said “No!”  More info can be found in various forums, including our own at www.scphotogs.com/forums

Not a lot of thoughts this early, but here’s some useful things and interesting things I noticed this morning:

The Online Photographer’s post for today is about digital b/w conversions….good read.

Tips from the Top Floor host Chris has his latest podcast out - always fun to listen to, so stop in there if you have 15-20 minutes to listen in… (and don’t forget to vote for him in The Podcast Awards)

Photoshop User TV released their weekly video on Monday (just had a chance to watch my downloaded copy last night - very good show and an awesome prize for their weekly contest - good luck I have no idea where that is!)

And the freebie fourth!:   Photojojo’s latest shows some PS movie effects…fun stuff!

Plowing through the plethora of information that exists on the internet for any one subject is a daunting task to say the least.  On the subject of photography, with it’s many specifics and nuances, details, and specialties, the subject is even more challenging than that.  How can one ever hope to manage all the information that we are barraged on a continual basis.  One way would be to read this article!  SCPG is proud to announce it’s newest article for the enjoyment of the photography community.  Found here:  Information Management, it will hopefully give people an idea of some of the resources, tips tricks, and utilities that are available to filter and ebb the flow of information you receive regularly.  While specific to photography for the purposes of the group and this blog, the same principles could be applied across many disciplines, si all are encouraged to read, apply, and share their thoughts and experiences on the subject.  Thanks for reading and hopefully we’ll see your thoughts on the blog and in teh community forums.  Meanwhile, and as always…

Happy Shooting!

The first monthly newsletter has been released to all registered members (via email)!  Shoot news is still pending but lots of other fun stuff to read about, so register today to get a copy of the latest photo news!  For a limited time this is available as a free download to all, so read all the latest by downloading it here: August Newsletter

The July MA Gallery has also been completed, and is available for viewing by clicking on the link to the Monthly Assignment section of the website, or here directly at:  July MA - Fire  Some great perspectives including fireworks, gunfire, fire in the belly, and others, so check ‘em out today!

That’s all for the week, so enjoy the weekend, be safe out there, and as always, Happy Shooting from SCPG!

Well, the blogging community just bit off more than it can chew…SCPG has been tagged to do the seven things, courtesy of Jared.   So, he is the one to put outside in jeans and a fleece jacket today for an hour with no beverage or fan.  (Just kidding Jared!)

1. SCPG was “founded” on July 4th, 2005 at the Summerville Fireworks display by the YMCA soccer fields.
2. SCPG is now at 90 registered members (active members?  that’s another story.)
3. Heather was the first fellow blogger from the Blogroll to join SCPG, followed shortly thereafter by Margo.
4. A random sampling of SCPG regular jobs includes a working photgraphy professional,  an electrical engineer, an SCE&G rep, a federal employee, a housewife, an advertising & marketing specialist, and a professional blogger.
5. The SCPG is looking to add many new features and services both to generate interest in photography and provide value for existing members, including tutorials and tips (vidoe and written) and Photoshop Actions.
6. The SCPG website was entirely hand-coded using EditPlus (with the exception of the forums and blog.)
7. The SCPG’s motto is “Happy Shooting!”

As for me personally (should I start a personal blog?):

1. I have been working in IT for close to seven years now and still do not own a laptop.
2. My background is almost all Windows-based and my next computer will be an Apple!
3. My first camera was a Vivitar 110 film camera.
4. My first “real” job was a Crew Trainer for McDonalds.
5. My favorite football team (having grown up in CO) is the Denver Broncos.
6. John Elway played minor league baseball in the town where I went to high school (in NY).  I caught a foul ball and had him sign it.  I later lost the ball playing catch with friends.
7. Even though Jared is a friend, and is the one that tagged me, becauess of #6, I can never root for the San Diego Chargers.

 As for tagging 7 people, I nominate:

1. Heather
2. Margo
3. Fellow photog Jason Zwiker
4. Lisa
5. Joan
6. Chuck
7. and Vera since even my mother can’t knit like she can! (I’ll never forget that blogger party where she had 3 needles going at once…)

Yesterday’s post for the 4th had a little add-on as an afterthought, and in retrospect that it probably should have been given its’ own post, as it is adding a new feature to the SCPG website.

The SCPG forums have always had a Monthly Assignment section, where a subject is assigned every month for people to shoot creatively as they enjoy, practice, and learn more about photography.  Well, June’s subject - Windows -, got such a great response (22 shots were shared!), that I decided to make a public gallery of all the different shots so people could share them with their family, friends, and others who may not necessarily be members of the SCPG community.  So, go check them out, and see if you know where all these windows are!   (Fair warning - some are not in the immediate Charleston area, as we have members reaching as far out as Huntington beach area, and as far north as Anderson).  The direct link to the Monthly Assignments is here:  Monthly Assignments

The SCPG website now has a permanent link set up for Monthly Assignment galleries in it’s header menu, so if you can get to the site, you can get to the Monthly Assignments.    Any and all are welcome to come see the latest talents on display.   Also, mark your calendars as the Monthly Assignment for July is already underway with a subject of “Fire”.  See where this is going?  Look for a gallery to become available in early August of the contributions made.

For those interested in finding out who took which photos, well, come join the fun in the SCPG forums, linked on the right sidebar, but also conveniently located here:  SCPG Forums.  As always, the forums are free but do require a registration to participate (prevents spam).