Canon EOS 5D Mk3

Following hot on the heels of the Nikon release of the D800 comes Canon’s updated 5D Mk3.

Key 5D3 features

• 22.3 Megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor
• DiG!C 5+ Image Processor
• ISO 100-25600 (expandable to L:50 H1:51200, H2: 102400
• Full HD Movie (ISO 100-12800 (H:25600)
• 61-point high-density reticular AF (up to 41 crosstype points)
• 6.0 fps for high continuous shooting
• Intelligent viewfinder with approx. 100% coverage
• 3.2″, approx.1.04m dot (3:2 wide) Clear View LCD II
• iFCL metering with 63-zone dual-layer sensor
• Shutter durability of 150,000 cycles
• Silent & low vibration modes
• Dual card slots (CF & SD)
• High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mode
• Multiple Exposures
• Comparative Playback function
  

  Inside the new 5D Mk 3

• The Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR is a camera that’s been much anticipated and eagerly awaited by both professional and amateur photographers. It builds on technologies first seen in Canon’s flagship EOS-1D X DSLR. With a full-frame 22.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor, up to six frames per second (fps) shooting speed, a 61-point AF system and the same movie features as the EOS-1D X, it is a camera that will appeal to all photographers and filmmakers. CPN takes an in-depth look inside the EOS 5D Mark III to reveal its technologies, specifications, and still and movie shooting capabilities. ……MORE
• Keith Cooper over at Northlight Images has lots of information and links on this new camera, go here to access his site

Why are my prints too dark?

Still thinking about a new printer and delving further into Keith Cooper’s excellent Northlight Images site I found this article on monitor calibration, dealing with the specific issue of prints looking darker than the screen image. Towards the bottom of the article there are also further links to managing and improving colour output from your printer

“One of the questions we often get asked at Northlight is: ‘Why are my prints too dark?”

Often this comes with a query as to whether it’s worth getting print profiling equipment such as the ColorMunki or SpyderPrint.

‘Your monitor is probably too bright’ is our most common answer.

You’ve spent a lot of time getting an image to look just right on your screen, you select your paper, you hit the ‘Print’ button, out comes the print.

Something doesn’t look right. You take the finished print out of the printer and it’s just too dark. That shadow detail you’d worked on in Photoshop – all gone.”

 Keith looks briefly at the issues and suggests some differing approaches to dealing with the problem here.

Canon Pixma Pro-1 A3+ Pigment Ink based inkjet printer

I am thinking about replacing my HP printer, when I first got the B8850 I thought it was the best printer I had ever had but since it has dropped out of the guarantee period and has developed a fault and HP refuse to offer any repair service I am looking again. In the past I have struggled with Epson as well, I suppose all printers have a shelf life due to the nature of ink passing through tubes and print heads, even if you use them regularly they block up. Anyway Keith over at Northlight images has a pre production review on the new Canon Pixma Pro 1 and it does look the business as they say.

• 12-ink system with exceptional colour gamut
• Chroma Optimizer for uniform glossiness and crisp, sharp blacks
• Optimum Image Generating system enhances colour reproduction
• Stunning black and white prints with 5 monochrome inks
• New LUCIA pigment inks ensure outstanding photo permanence
• Create a gallery-quality A3+ photo in approx. 2 minutes 55 sec
• High capacity ink tanks ensure long periods between replacements
• Wide range of media support including 356mm (14”) wide and thick media
• Easy-PhotoPrint Pro plug-in for efficient printing workflowCanon today announced the launch of its new flagship PIXMA Pro series model, the PIXMA PRO-1, which is the world’s first A3+ printer to feature 12 separate inks. Featuring an EOS-inspired design, the stylish model produces the highest possible print quality in colour and monochrome, and is ideal for professional and serious amateur photographers. Exceptional levels of productivity make it suitable for studio use and commercial exhibitions.

  Groundbreaking 12-ink system for superb results
  The unique 12-ink system significantly expands colour gamut in most areas and features new Chroma Optimizer for increased black density and uniform glossiness. Five monochrome inks produce professional quality black and white prints with excellent detail in shadow and highlight areas, as well as smooth tonal gradation and suppressed graininess. Next generation LUCIA pigment inks are used for outstanding image permanence, allowing prints to be sold or exhibited with confidence.

• The price looks to be about £800 plus VAT so not cheap but a trouble free printer (some hope) with exceptional quality might just be worth so muchMore information here

Choosing a Photo-Quality Inkjet Printer?

In our classes and courses we regularly talk about choosing and using photo quality ink-jet printers, these are not the sort of printers you would use for your child’s homework or for printing out your tax return but the sort that makes proper photographs. This very useful article by Andrew Darlow writing for the Photo.net forum answers many questions and would be a definite read for you before purchasing. This is the opening….

“Throughout the history of photography, countless advancements have made it easier for people to create photographic images. One of the most important advancements has been the advent of affordable, photo-quality inkjet printers. They have brought the color and black and white darkroom “out of the dark” and into just about any room in an office, home or school. I’ve been using and recommending printers to amateur and professional photographers for more than 15 years, and I’ve owned or used at least 50 inkjet printers, ranging from printers that max out at 4 inches in width, to 50-inch-wide models.

For this two-part article, I’ve put together a list of topics I often cover with my students and clients when they ask me advice on which printer to buy. Part I focuses on printers that can accept paper and other media up to 13 inches in width, and Part II will cover printers that can accept media over 13 inches wide and up to 44 inches in width. Note: when the term “letter-size” is used throughout the article, it means that the maximum width of paper that can be fed is 8.5 inches in width. However, unlike most laser printers, you can print much longer lengths—in some cases 40 inches or more.”    More…..read on

I use a HP Photosmart Pro B8850 which I am very happy with, I bought it as much because of the ability to change print heads as the quality between it and the equivalent Canon and Epson printers was indistinguishable. I know some people have had problems with HP in terms of service, I have read the forums too, (I have read equally bad things about Epson and Canon),but I have to say HP have always been very helpful to me, perhaps forums only have posts from people who need to moan and let of steam. Anyway read the article, well written and informative and if you want more go to Northlight Images, another excellent site.