Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Wickedly weird


This amazing photo of an F-18 fly-by by Steve Perez shows what's known as telephoto 

distortion. Closer objects are shrunk, further objects are enlarged, and any sense of distance 

goes out the window. Crazy, huh?

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Just in! EF 35mm f/2

Canon's EF 35mm f/2 is the latest addition to our stock list of lenses.

On full-frame camera, the compact EF 35mm f/2.0 offers a wide angle of view and a very natural perspective.

If your camera has crop sensor (entry level and semi pro models), the 35mm is the perfect alternative to the EF 50mm.  Due to the the size of the APS-C sensor, it has a 1.6x crop factor, thus a 50mm on a crop sensor body would mimic an 80mm on a full frame.

If your 50mm is looking a little too long on your body, go for the wider 35mm.

RRP is 268 Euros including VAT.







Thursday, August 23, 2012

Our winners!

After over 200 entries, 30 brilliant finalist photos chosen by 6 judges, a two week long exhibit with 400 public votes and a final night where our judges had the difficult task of evaluating points for technical ability, composition, creativity and photo impact - we finally have our winners!

The compact category winner is Mr Domenic Ellul.  Mr. Ellul will be enjoying his well-deserved EOS 650D and accessory kit as his prize, all worth 1000 Euros.

Mr Brian Cassar is the winner for the DSLR category. He has walked away with a 1000 Euro voucher redeemable on hardware products at Avantech.

Congratulations to our two talented winners!

Mr Brian Tabone won a 200 Euro voucher. He was the lucky person to be drawn from our lot of public votes. Well done!

Special thanks goes to our judges: Domenic Aquilina - Canon's Photo Ambassador for Malta, Stephen Buhagiar - last year's winner, from MPS, Therese Debono - a very talented photographer from MIPP, Shaun Sultana - another talented photographer hailing from Gozo, Stephen Vella - director of MCAST Art & Design and Daniel Cassar Alpert - a gifted amateur photographer and representative of Avantech .
Thank you to all the contestants, the public for the amazing response and the Avantech team.

Until next year everyone. Until then, keep snapping! Happy World Photography Day!
SLR category winner, Brian Cassar


Compact category winner, Domenic Ellul


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Canon notches up 80-millionth EF lens


Sydney, 21 August, 2012: Canon has today announced the achievement of a new EF lens-manufacturing milestone with the production of the company’s 80-millionth lens on August 3. The 80-millionth lens – an EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM – was produced just over nine months after the 70-million mark was reached at the end of October 2011.

"This is a significant achievement and a powerful illustration of the global popularity of the Canon EOS camera system, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year," said Jason McLean, Director – Canon Consumer Imaging, Canon Australia. "Canon EOS is synonymous with world-first innovations to deliver the very best image quality and creative performance, whether it is stills photography, EOS DSLR movies or Cinema EOS broadcast and motion-picture applications."

In Australia, the strong uptake of the Canon EOS System has seen the brand achieve an overwhelming No.1 share of the total interchangeable lens camera category, accounting for more than one in every two dollars spent*1. In July 2012, Canon announced the latest phase of EOS evolution with the development of the EOS M compact system camera, an ultra-compact EOS camera that offers complete EF-lens compatibility (via an optional EF mount adapter) as well as a new range of specifically designed EF-M lenses.
"We are thrilled that Australian consumers and professionals have embraced Canon EOS so convincingly, and as a global company we will continue to prioritise investment in R&D to ensure that we remain the best choice in the market at all levels," continued McLean.

Canon's EF lens series was first introduced together with the EOS SLR camera system in March 1987, and has over the years led the industry through the incorporation of a number of innovative technologies, including such world’s firsts*2 as the Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for use in lenses, Image Stabilizer (IS), a multi-layered diffractive optical (DO) element, and Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) anti-reflection technology. Most recently, the EF series newly added the EF Cinema Lens series for digital cinematography and the EF-M series for the EOS compact system cameras. As a result, Canon’s current EF lens lineup comprises 76 models*3.

1995 10-millionth EF lens (10 million units in 8 years)
2001 20 millionth EF lens
2006 30-millionth EF lens
April 2008 40-millionth EF lens
Dec 2009 50-millionth EF lens
Jan 2011 60-millionth EF lens
End Oct 2011 70-millionth EF lens
3 August 2012 80-millionth EF lens (10 million units in just over 9 months)

*1 No.1 market share by value at 55.6%. Source: GfK Retail Tracking, Digital Cameras – DSLR (including Compact System Cameras), Jan to May 2012 v Jan to May 2011 (excludes online channels)
*2 Among interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras
*3 Including two EF lens extenders and models available outside Japan

The EOS 1100D is back in stock...and with goodies too ;-)

It's been a while; but it's finally back in stock today!

For a limited time only we are stocking the EOS 1100D + 18-55 IS II (lens with the IS version), at the same price as the DC version.  That's €455 Euros inc VAT (the EOS 1100D + 18-55 DC selling price is €480)
Not only are we saving you €45, we are also giving away a free accessory pack including a Canon gadget bag and an 8gb SD card, worth over €50.


Offers are valid until stocks last and will eventually also be available at our resellers.


Here's a photo of the lovely free accessory kit with is FREE.


Please call on 21488800 to reserve your 1100D!!

Opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Seminar: Getting the best out of DPP. Book today - limited to 50 people. First come first served!

Hey everyone!!

Read on for details about our upcoming event: 'Getting the best out of Digital Photo Professional'

When?
Wednesday 19th September at 7.30pm

Where?
Avantech - Avantech Building, St Julians Road, San Gwann SGN2805

Why attend?
Canon Digital SLR Cameras produce optimum image quality, yet most images can be improved further through post processing in DPP. Avantech and Canon Photography Ambassador Domenic Aquilina are organising a free seminar to show you how to get those exceptional final images through this amazing digital workflow software, supplied completely free with every Canon DSLR.

The seminar is expected to last 90 minutes, following which an informal question/answer session will be held.

This event is limited to fifty persons. Registration must be completed by filling out the form found in the link below.  Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

http://www.avantech.com.mt/seminar/index.html

Monday, August 20, 2012

Last chance to vote!

Our World Photography Day exhibit closes this Wednesday at 4.30pm.

If you haven't yet popped in to vote, do come for a chance to win a 200 Euro voucher!