Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Canon announces exciting upcoming new photo storage & sharing service - Project 1709


Canon is about to make a big splash by launching Project 1709; announced at Photokina last week.  Project 1709 will allow photographers to store their entire library of photographs online. As with most cloud services, the images would then be available from anywhere in the world, accessible using any device (e.g. computer, tablet, smartphone, Internet-connected camera).

The service is currently in closed beta, but you can pre-register on the website to be notified whenever it opens up (or to be invited when it expands its testing stage).

Not much was revealed, however one can watch the video to get an idea of what the service will  be like:





The service should be launched sometime in 2013.




Thursday, September 20, 2012

Get connected with Canon’s new PowerShot S110 and SELPHY CP900

Canon announces two new connected products – the PowerShot S110 and SELPHY CP900. The PowerShot S110 is the latest model in Canon’s celebrated PowerShot S-series, which is renowned for redefining the market for high-performance and truly pocketable expert cameras. Giving enthusiast photographers absolute control over their shooting, and producing results with leading image quality, the PowerShot S110 is a small but powerful, Wi-Fi enabled camera that lets users instantly share their photographs online or with other wireless devices. A new capacitive touchscreen makes it extremely easy to focus on the subject in both stills and Full HD movies, while GPS via mobile enables users to add a location to their shots using their smartphone’s GPS capabilities.


PowerShot S110: Pocketable performance for the connected photographer
The PowerShot S110 benefits from an enhanced HS System, incorporating a new 12.1 Megapixel high-sensitivity Canon CMOS sensor with a DIGIC 5 processor, to deliver class-leading image quality in all light conditions and at up to ISO 12,800. The HS System allows users to capture the true ambience of low-light scenes at times like dusk, while maintaining the realism of colours, rich detail and minimum blur.

Providing great flexibility to capture a range of subjects, the PowerShot S110’s ultra-wide, 5.0x optical zoom Canon lens delivers sharp results even in low light thanks to its wide, f/2.0 maximum aperture. The 24mm ultra-wide-angle is perfect for capturing sweeping landscapes or groups of friends while the 5x zoom allows users to approach their subject with ease and provides sufficient lens compression for beautiful portrait photography. When required, the 10x ZoomPlus can extend the zoom range beyond the maximum focal length of the lens, producing sharper image quality with more visible detail than conventional digital zoom.

To counter any blur or movement when taking photographs, Canon’s highly-effective Intelligent IS technology reduces camera shake in both stills and movies. Intelligent IS automatically identifies the scene and can adapt the optical Image Stabilizer to seven different situations for optimal compensation, so footage remains smooth and stills are crisp, even when shooting at full zoom or with slower shutter speeds.

Stay connected wherever you are 
Connecting to, and sharing images with, a range of devices such as smartphones, tablets and computers is easy using the PowerShot S110’s convenient Wi-Fi function¹. Photos and movies can be instantly shared on social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube using a smartphone’s/tablet’s data connection alongside the free Canon CameraWindow app. Users can also upload their favourite images from the camera when connected to an internet access point, or print them directly on printers compatible with PictBridge via Wireless LAN, such as the new SELPHY CP900.

Keeping an accurate record of the place and time images are taken on the PowerShot S110 is also possible via a GPS-enabled smartphone/tablet and the CameraWindow app. When out shooting, users can take advantage of the dedicated smartphone app and the phone’s GPS to record location information. At the end of the day, using Wi-Fi, the camera synchronises the images saved on the memory card with the location data recorded from the smartphone, so that a location tag can be added to each shot.

Creativity and intuitive design 
Despite its ultra-compact form, the PowerShot S-series is renowned for offering an extensive range of manual controls whilst also providing flexibility and quick access to many useful settings. The lens control ring can be quickly assigned to manually control various photographic functions including aperture, shutter speed and zoom. A new large 7.5 cm (3.0”) PureColor II G capacitive-type touch screen complements the analogue dials and provides additional functionality, such as Touch AF for quickly setting the area of focus, and pinching to zoom images when in playback mode.

The PowerShot S110 provides all the necessary tools for both beautiful snapshots and advanced creative photography. For complete peace of mind, Smart Auto can automatically detect and adjust settings for up to 58 different scenes and includes Face ID for prioritising focus on favourite faces in each shot. For more advanced users, the PowerShot S110 features full manual control, a 3-stop ND filter and the ability to record RAW files in various aspects for additional post-processing flexibility.

Full HD movies (1080p) can be recorded on the PowerShot S110 at 24 frames per second, with stereo sound, via a dedicated movie record button. When shooting footage, users can capture images with more definition and clarity thanks to Fine Detail Movie Processing, which uses the entire sensor when recording movies, allowing the camera to analyse and record the details in the scene with higher accuracy. An HDMI connection also allows both Full HD movies and stills to be enjoyed on HDTVs.

SELPHY CP900: Wireless photo printing made easy 
Featuring integrated Wi-Fi support, the SELPHY CP900 offers an excellent way to wirelessly print images from portable devices without the need for a computer. Smartphone or tablet users can instantly create lab-quality prints of their photos using the free Canon Easy-PhotoPrint app², while any Wi-Fi digital camera compatible with PictBridge via Wireless LAN, such as the PowerShot S110, can print directly from the image preview screen. Photos can also be printed from a range of devices, including computers, compatible memory cards and USB flash sticks.

The lightweight, portable design of the SELPHY CP900, simple user interface and button layout make printing at home or when visiting friends and family easier than ever before. For enhanced viewing and operation, a tilting 6.8 cm (2.7”) colour LCD screen features at the heart of the SELPHY CP900 operation and offers support for 13 languages. Users can showcase their creativity quickly and easily, producing prints of varying sizes and layouts in less than a minute on a range of SELPHY photographic media, including ID photos and the new square format stickers (5cm x 5cm). Owners of the PowerShot S110 and SELPHY CP900 can also join the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, an online facility for storing and sharing up to 10GB of photos and movies.

PowerShot S110 - key features:
12.1 MP CMOS; HS System with DIGIC 5
24mm, f/2.0, 5x zoom lens
4-stop Intelligent IS
Wi-Fi and GPS via Mobile
Lens Control Ring, Full Manual & RAW
7.5 cm (3.0") touch screen
Full HD movies, HDMI-CEC
High-speed Burst HQ
Smart Auto
Optional 40m Waterproof Case

Printing lab-quality prints has never been easier with the new  SELPHY CP900. This portable printer allows anyone to print their photos wirelessly directly from various devices such as digital cameras, smartphones, tablets or computers. Offering both a compact and stylish design, the SELPHY CP900 allows users to print their favourite shots effortlessly, at home or when visiting friends or relatives.

SELPHY CP900 - key features:
Ultra-compact, portable photo printer
Wi-Fi connectivity
Fast, lab-quality durable prints
6.8 cm (2.7”) tilt LCD
Print from memory cards, cameras, or USB sticks
Range of print sizes
Auto Image Optimize
ID Photo Print
Optional battery
SELPHY Photo Print software

¹ Compatibility varies by device. Please visit www.canon-europe.com/wirelesscompacts for more information.
² The SELPHY CP900 currently supports printing from iOS portable devices only. Android support will be released on or after December 2012.






Canon Celebrates the Opening of the September Season at London Fashion Week

Canon, world-leader in imaging solutions and Official Imaging Partner for the British Fashion Council, celebrates the opening of the September season at London Fashion Week.



At London Fashion Week, Canon will provide an extensive photographers center, offering photographers and videographers on-site services such as camera repairs, camera and lens loan facilities and a large internet-enabled work area, all supported by a team of skilled technicians on hand to help. Canon will also be offering free transportation for all photographers to travel between all London Fashion Week venues via Canon-branded bus.

In its additional role as the Digital Showcasing Partner at London Fashion Week, Canon is proud to support all video content that will be displayed for guests at the Canon Cinema located in the Courtyard Show Space at Somerset House.

In its second season as sponsor of Vodafone London Fashion Weekend, Canon will utilise its Studio equipment, and in cooperation with ELLE magazine, shoot and create personalised ELLE magazine front covers for all visitors to the Canon stand. The images will be taken on a Canon PowerShot G1X compact camera and printed on site on a Canon PIXMA MG6250 high-performance wireless all-in-one printer.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Win 2 tickets to the airshow & 2 VIP night photo ops!


Dear loyal readers,

We are giving away two tickets to one lucky person to the Malta International Airshow on the 29th and 30th September; along with a VIP night photography opportunity for the static displays away from the hustle and bustle after the airshow closes to the public.

For a chance to win, follow these instructions:

1. 'Like' our CanonMalta.com facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/canonmalta
(Skip this step if you have already liked it)

2. Answer the following question found on our facebook page at the following link (please answer the question by commenting on the post where the link takes you):
http://www.facebook.com/notes/canonmaltacom/airshow-competition-question-what-is-the-link-to-our-canonmalta-blog/419699924760615

One person will be randomly selected.  Please make sure to 'like' our page and answer the question (correctly!).  If the randomly picked person does not 'like' the page or have a correct answer, they will be disqualified.

Competition closes Wednesday 26th September at 12pm!

Good luck!!


RULES:
1. This competition is not open to employees of Avantech Ltd. or their immediate family members.
2. Only one chance per entrant is allowed.
3. Competition closes at midday 26th September 2012.
4. Competition entrants must be 18 and over, unless we have written consent by a parent/guardian.
5.  The winner must agree to a photo of Avantech Ltd presenting the prize, along with the photo being used for marketing activities.  The winner will always be notified in such cases.
6. If the randomly picked person does not 'like' the page or have a correct answer, they will be disqualified.

Avantech Ltd. reserves the right to refuse any entry and/or disqualify any entrant if the above rules are not adhered to.



Enter the full-frame world: Canon unveils its smallest and lightest full-frame DSLR – the EOS 6D

London, UK, 17 September 2012 – Canon today unveils its latest EOS DSLR for serious photography enthusiasts – the EOS 6D. A similar size and weight to the EOS 60D, the EOS 6D is the world’s lightest[1] DSLR to feature a full-frame CMOS sensor, making it ideal for travel, portrait and landscape photographers. The model creates a new entry point into Canon’s full-frame line-up, and is perfect for those who want greater control over depth of field, or to maximise the impact of shooting with the EOS system’s extensive range of wide-angle EF lenses.




Enter the full-frame world: Canon unveils its smallest and lightest full-frame DSLR – the EOS 6D
London, UK, 17 September 2012 – Canon today unveils its latest EOS DSLR for serious photography enthusiasts – the EOS 6D. A similar size and weight to the EOS 60D, the EOS 6D is the world’s lightest[1] DSLR to feature a full-frame CMOS sensor, making it ideal for travel, portrait and landscape photographers. The model creates a new entry point into Canon’s full-frame line-up, and is perfect for those who want greater control over depth of field, or to maximise the impact of shooting with the EOS system’s extensive range of wide-angle EF lenses.



The EOS 6D combines a powerful, full-frame imaging system and superior low-light performance with a compact, robust and lightweight design. For the first time in any EOS model, Wi-Fi[2] and GPS[3] connectivity are included, empowering photographers to capture stunning images on the move, tag them with location information and wirelessly transfer them to a computer, the cloud, or smartphones.

Incredible images in all conditions
Benefiting from 25 years of EOS innovation, the EOS 6D features a newly-designed 20.2 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor that allows photographers to produce poster-sized prints, or to crop into their shots with no compromise in quality. A native ISO range of ISO 100-25,600 (extendable to 50-102,400) also makes capturing crisp, natural shots in near darkness easier than ever before.

A new 11-point AF system also offers the strongest low light performance of any Canon AF system to date. With focusing down to EV-3, the equivalent of moonlight, subjects remain in-focus in even the most challenging lighting conditions – offering the freedom to shoot landscapes or portraits at night and capture the true atmosphere of the scene with minimal noise.

Explore your creativity to the full
The inclusion of a full-frame sensor offers greater control over depth of field in portraits, allowing photographers to easily isolate their subjects with attractive background blur. With the EOS 6D, photographers can now also explore the full potential of their wide-angle EF lenses to capture every detail of a sweeping landscape, with models ranging from 8mm to 800mm. Additionally powerful DIGIC 5+ image processing offers a host of automatic modes and creative shooting features, complementing full manual controls to offer total flexibility to a wide range of users.

The EOS 6D is full of advanced features to assist photographers in capturing outstanding quality landscapes and portraits. HDR mode enables the capture of both highlights and low lights in tricky lighting conditions, while Multiple Exposures allows photographers to combine up to nine separate exposures into a single image in-camera, creating a dramatic effect in the final picture. A silent drive mode offers a more subtle option for shooting candid portraits or weddings, and a single axis electronic level accessed through the viewfinder or via the LCD screen, ensures that horizons are level during image composition.

Built for sharing
The first ever EOS to feature integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, the EOS 6D enables photographers to share their work immediately after shooting. Images can be wirelessly transferred to external storage devices, uploaded to Facebook and YouTube, or printed wirelessly using a Canon Wi-Fi enabled printer. Alternatively, movies and images can be viewed on DLNA-enabled HDTVs – enabling high-quality, big-screen viewing. By wirelessly connecting to a smartphone, photographers can also remotely control the camera, adjusting shooting settings and focus before remotely triggering the shutter and viewing the captured image.

Using the EOS 6D’s integrated GPS, images can be tagged with location data as they are shot. Travellers can also build a more complete record of their trip by using the GPS logger function to track their route, which can be displayed using the supplied Map Utility software

Robust, intuitive design
Measuring just 144.5 x 110.5 x 71.2mm and weighing 770g[4], the EOS 6D is the most compact full-frame EOS DSLR ever manufactured. Its dust and drip-proof, part-magnesium body offers robust protection and an intuitive button layout for easy control. Photographers can also view their shots in stunning detail and with natural colours on the large, high-resolution 7.7cm (3.0”) Clear View LCD screen, which features an enhanced anti-glare design to permit viewing in bright sunlight and at extreme angles.

A new Battery Grip BG-E13 provides additional power for extended shooting, while also making it easy to shoot both vertically and horizontally. When used with two LP-E6 batteries, the battery grip offers double the number of shots, and it can also be used with AA batteries for added convenience and flexibility.

EOS 6D - key features
Full-frame 20.2 Megapixel sensor
Tough, lightweight construction
Max ISO 25,600 (expandable to ISO 102,400)
11-point AF sensitive down to -3EV
GPS3 records your location
Wi-Fi 2 file transfer and remote control
Full-HD video

[1]Correct at time of issue, according to Canon research (17 September 2012)
[2]Wi-Fi support varies by device and region
[3]GPS use may be restricted in certain countries or regions. Use of GPS should comply with the laws and regulations of the country and area in which it is being operated including any restriction on the use of electronics
[4]In accordance with CIPA guidelines (690g body only)

Canon Wins 2012 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in France, Spain and UK


Canon, world-leader in imaging solutions, has been named as winner of the Camera category in the Travellers’ Choice® Awards for Travel Favourites in France, Spain and the UK. Run by TripAdvisor™, the world’s largest travel site*, the awards are voted for online by those who really know – travellers themselves.

This year, for the first time, the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards recognise Travel Favourites, the consumer product brands which travellers love to use on holiday. The Travel Favourites awards cover 15 categories, from luggage and cameras to e-readers and coffee.

James Leipnik, Chief of Communication, Canon Europe, Middle East and Africa, commented: “We are proud that Canon has been recognised by consumers as the camera brand preferred by most travellers.   We’re passionate about the power of image and strive to develop products that inspire our customers to capture unforgettable holiday memories.”

Barbara Messing, TripAdvisor Chief Marketing Officer, commented: “We asked the world’s largest travel community to tell us what they simply can’t travel without, and so our Travellers' Choice Awards for Travel Favourites were born. The valuable feedback from our vast community has enabled us to recognise these favourite brands and we’re delighted to award the winners with the prestigious TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice seal of approval.”



*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, Worldwide, July 2012
 
**Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Worldwide, July 2012

©2012 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved.

Avantech & Canon at the Malta International Airshow 2012


We are pleased to announce our active participation in the 20th edition of the Malta International Airshow which will be held on the 29th and 30th September at Hal-Farrug.
A wide variety of professional bodies and lenses will be available on the Avantech stand for your testing pleasure:

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM II
EF 400mm f/2.8 L USM II
EF 500mm f/4 L IS II USM
EF 600mm f/4 L IS USM
EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II USM
EOS 1DX
EOS 5D mk III
EOS 7D

Avantech will be offering free photos to the public which will be presented on the ‘Have you been snapped by  Canon?’ photo board.  Check it out and see if one of the Canon photographers has snapped you!
Try your luck on the Avantech stand. Take part in our free lottery and win a  €100 voucher for any Canon hardware product of your choice.

Listen out for the ‘Canon Photo Tips’ announcements throughout the day!

Early bird tickets from the Avantech showroom in St. Julian’s Road, San Gwann will be available from the 20th of September at the special price of €10.

Watch this space - a competition for two complimentary tickets to the airshow along with two night photo opportunities of the static aircraft displays will be launched soon!


Monday, September 10, 2012

Here's what one uber intelligent teen did with a Canon Powershot...

British teenager Adam Cudworth outdid Nasa by creating a DIY spacecraft that took some gorgeous shots of Earth, costing about $600 and 40 hours, using a simpkle Canon A570.

Nineteen year old Cudworth placed the camera in an insulated box with a GPS device, micro processor and a radio transmitter.  Using a balloon, Adam sent the makeshift spacecraft more than 20 miles into the sky, high enough to capture dramatic imagery of the Earth's curvature.

The device took a little over two and a half hours to ascend.  Adam then used the radio transmitter and GPS to locate it's landing spot .

This stunt would make you believe that Adam Cudworth is some sort of science genius.  Cudworth told the Telegraph: 'I have no background in astrophysics or anything like that, I’m just an engineering student. People think it’s something that costs millions of pounds, but I’ve proved you can do it on just a £200 budget.'

Definitely tops most science projects we think!

Adam Cudworth and his device; and one of the photos taken.   Photo: Nigel Iskander/newsteam

Full the full range of photos here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/acudworth/




Friday, September 7, 2012

Did you know?

Ever wondered why people  in the 1840-60's photos look so sour?  Nobody ever smiled!
No, it was not because they were rigid and unfriendly!  It took so much time to expose the picture that the subject could not blink, let alone smile, otherwise the photo would come out blurry!  In early camera types exposure could take up to twenty minutes!


In fact the exposure of the very first photo taken lasted 8 hours! It was taken by Joseph Niepce and was called "view from the window," dated 1826.

The exposure time was so long that photographers used neck braces to clamp the subject's neck and head into place.  Ouch!!


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

World Photography Day at Avantech featured on 'Focal Point'

Have a look at the September issue of the Malta Institute of Professional Photography's official newsletter.  Our WPD event coverage can be found featured amidst a myriad of interesting articles and photos.

http://www.mipp-malta.com/images/stories/PDFs/2012_09_September.pdf