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Tip of the Week

Selecting Your First DSLR – Brand
Many of you would like to get a Digital SLR to enjoy the photography fun. However, buying the first SLR camera is not purely base on the spec of the camera and pricing. Example: You may find the entry level SLR from Sony cheaper than Canon/Nikon while it still provide good image quality and decent functions. But is that a right choice for you? Maybe not…

For compact point and shoot cameras, most people would just buy the camera and that’s it. Since DSLR camera lens and accessories are not interchangeable between brands, buying the first DSLR is more like a investment in a system instead. A likely scenario: At first you’ll get the camera body and the included kit lens. Then you’ll buy a telephoto lens; then a flash; then a wide-angle zoom; then a prime lens; another flash; a remote release; a vertical grip; another prime lens; and so on.

So in time, you’ll most likely buy new camera bodies while keeping the lenses and other accessories you already purchased. Because of that, you’ll be less likely to “jump ship” from one brand to the other (technically you can, but you’d be wasting A LOT of money).

Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Panasonic are five main DSLR manufactures. However, I suggest you stay with either Canon or Nikon, since they have a full system build up with 3rd party lens manufactures to support. Companies like Sony sell cheaper bodies, but you need to pay premium for their lens in the future. It’s your choice to pick which brand you are going for and I am just giving you the idea about how it works. It is your responsibility to check each brand’s strategies and find the right body to start with, since things may change from time to time.

POW (3/14-3/20/10)

POW (Photo of the Week) Alohaeveryone would like to share one of the best photo we got from the previous weeks, we think it is interesting/beautiful enough to share with you.

iPad Doesn't Support Traditional Chinese?

The Story
I was trying to compare the specs of the iPad vs iPod earlier and I found the iPad’s detailed spec listed on apple.com is somewhat different compared to iPod. Especially in the section of “Languages”. It seems a lot of language supports are missing from iPad. One of the language I’m really concerned about is Traditional Chinese support since that is my native language which is widely used in Hong Kong and Taiwan. I am not too sure if this is really going to happen when the actual product is being shipped, but I hope Apple won’t drop this language support for iPad. It is really not acceptable for apple to be missing so many language support in the initial release, even if they try to update the support via firmware in the future.

If you are going to get a iPad, please check if your language are supported in the spec. Otherwise, I suggest wait until you try it from your friends or Apple local store.

Tip of the Week

Always Shoot in RAW (or highest resolution & finest JPG)

I know that many readers feel that they don’t have time for shooting in RAW mode (due to extra processing). But during some condition which you can’t miss that moment (Wedding, Traveling…),  RAW can be particularly useful as it gives so much more flexibility to manipulate shots after taking them. Some time tricky lighting which result in the need to manipulate exposure and white balance after the fact – RAW will help with this considerably.

Your camera doesn’t support RAW mode? Shoot at the highest resolution and the highest quality mode. By doing so, you ensure your photo has the highest potential for the future use.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS USM in stock now

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II IS USM in stock now for $2499 with free shipping

Overview for this Lens

Improving upon one of the most celebrated lenses in the Canon EF line is no easy feat, but Canon has done just that. The all-new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM increases the speed, performance and optical quality of the EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM while maintaining all of the characteristics that have made it a legend for professionals and advanced amateurs alike. The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM features one fluorite and five UD elements for increased optical quality and reduced chromatic aberration. It has a minimum focusing distance of 1.2m/3.9 ft. at all zoom settings, which is useful for photographers in smaller spaces trying to get closer to a subject. It features a next-generation Optical Image Stabilizer, providing up to 4 stops of correction at all focal lengths. And as with all L-series lenses, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is dust- and moisture-resistant and designed for use in the challenging environments typical of rigorous professional use.

5D Mark II Firmware Update Version 2.0.3 Available Now

Canon 5D Mark II major firmware update available for download now. Enhancements of the movie function as followings:

1. Adds or changes the following movie frame rates.

NTSC:
* 1920×1080 : 30 fps (changed – actual 29.97 fps)
* 1920×1080 : 24 fps (added – actual 23.976 fps)
* 640×480 : 30 fps (changed – actual 29.97 fps)
PAL:
* 1920×1080 : 25 fps (added – actual 25.0 fps)
* 1920×1080 : 24 fps (added – actual 23.976 fps)
* 640×480 : 25 fps (added – actual 25.0 fps)

2. Adds a function for manually adjusting the sound recording level (64 levels).
3. Adds a histogram display (brightness or RGB) for shooting movies in manual exposure.
4. Adds shutter-priority AE mode (Tv) and aperture-priority AE (Av) mode to the exposure modes for shooting movies.
5. Changes the audio sampling frequency from 44.1 KHz to 48 KHz.
6. Fixes a phenomenon where communication between the camera and the attached lens is sometimes interrupted after manual sensor cleaning. (This phenomenon only affects units with Firmware Version 1.2.4.)

If you are ready for the update, download from this link

POW (3/7-3/13/2010)

POW (Photo of the Week) Alohaeveryone would like to share one of the best photo we got from the previous weeks, we think it is interesting/beautiful enough to share with you.