What we have all been waiting for - here is Canon's new baby!

We Are Extending The "Communicating with Photography" Competition!

Following the exceptional response received to our competition, we have decided to expand the scope to allow for more time and more participants in both DSLR and Compact categories.
The theme of “Communicating with Photography” remains unchanged.

There is now no limitation on the number of participants in both categories and the closing date has been extended to the 5th September 2013. Final judging will take place on 26th September - details can be found online on our updated Terms & Conditions page.

To all those who have already applied, we would like to offer you the option of changing your entry - please contact us on wpd@avantech.com.mt if you would like to do this before the closing date. 

To all those who have applied after subsciptions closed; we are assuming that you would still like to be a part of the WPD competition.  If you would like to opt out and unsubscribe please contact us on wpd@avantech.com.mt.  Should we not receive any email from your end we will assume you are competing.

We have extended the number of prize winners and prizes will now also be given to those placing 4th and 5th in each category.

For more information or to apply please visit:
http://www.avantech.com.mt/world-photography-day-competition-2013/

Good luck!

No more applications accepted for our DSLR category!

We are overwhelmed with the response we have had with the WPD competition! The DSLR category has been oversubscribed and unfortunately we are limited to accept the first 30 entries. 

Our compact camera category is still open and we are still accepting entries however.

Good luck! 

World Photography Day competition 2013!

It's that time of the year again; and this time around it's bigger and better.  We are giving the opportunity to 60 people, be it enthusiasts, professionals, compact camera users or DLSR; to have their photo exhibited for our WPD celebration and final at Avantech.

Spaces are limited, so please hurry!

Applications are open online today: http://www.avantech.com.mt/world-photography-day-competition-2013/

Please make sure to read the terms & conditions found on our website - any entrants not adhering to the rules can be disqualified!

Only one photo per entrant please!

Good luck everyone!

EOS 70D: Dual Pixel CMOS AF explained

The EOS 70D has been designed for photographers who are keen to explore and expand their shooting possibilities. It is equipped with a range of Canon technologies that make it possible to capture a wide variety of scenes and subjects in outstanding quality. Central to this ability is world-first, Canon-engineered Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology. Please click on the image above for a short film explaining the technology and benefits and read on for a detailed account of how this system works...

What is Dual Pixel CMOS AF?

A Canon breakthrough sees twice the amount of photodiodes on the sensor, allowing phase-detection AF on the imaging sensor’s surface for the first time.

Dual Pixel CMOS AF is a sensor-based, phase detection Auto Focus (AF) technology designed to provide smooth, high-performance focus tracking in movies and fast autofocus acquisition when shooting still photos in Live View mode.

It is a unique, Canon-developed technology, ideal for creating professional-looking pull-focus effects and keeping a subject moving towards the user in sharp focus while maintaining a blurred background – a defining characteristic of EOS Movies.

Thanks to this groundbreaking advance, capturing a subject and retaining sharp focus, even when moving, has never been easier.

Why was Dual Pixel CMOS AF developed?

Featuring a flip-out 3-inch LCD screen with 1040k dots for very high-resolution viewing of your images and movies, the EOS 70D is a very versatile tool for Live View and HD movie shooting.

With the ability to make a subject stand out with a limited depth-of-field, comes a requirement to keep control over focus, if the main subject moves or the point of focus changes. Dual Pixel CMOS AF was developed so that control of focus during movie making is made easier and smoother – removing the perceived notions that a DSLR’s movie mode is usable only to a professional. Additionally, Dual Pixel CMOS AF was developed to enhance the usability of shooting with Live View – moving even closer towards the same performance encountered when using the viewfinder.

The EOS 70D includes a high resolution Vari-Angle LCD that can be used to shoot a range of subjects from unusual and creative angles. A phase-detection auto focus system supports photographers and expands the range of subjects that can be captured.

The Dual Pixel CMOS AF array covers 80% of the total image sensor area so even off-centre subjects can be tracked with higher speed and greater accuracy.

How it works

The EOS 70D features a newly-designed Canon APS-C CMOS sensor with 20.2 million pixels. All effective pixels on the surface of the EOS 70D’s sensor consist of two individual photodiodes, which are read separately for phase-detection autofocus and together for imaging. Dual Pixel CMOS AF is possible over 80% of the width and height of the Live View frame and is highly accurate without compromising on image quality.

Unlike other methods of sensor-based autofocus, which allocate either autofocus or imaging functions to pixels on the sensor, the pixels on the EOS 70D’s CMOS sensor can be used as imaging pixels and phase detection AF pixels. As a result, no additional imaging processing is required around pixels dedicated for AF, which ensures both quick acquisition of focus and maximum image quality.

To perform phase detection on the image plane the EOS 70D reads left and right photodiodes independently and then calculates the phase-difference of the two parallax images.

All of Canon’s current range of EF and EF-S lenses are compatible with the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system.

By using this phase-difference AF technique the EOS 70D predicts the position the lens is in focus and moves it. By contrast, the more conventionally used contrast AF method looks for the focal position while moving the lens back and forth, so AF speed ends up being slower and not as smooth.

With face and object tracking engaged, Movie Servo AF follows a chosen subject as it moves, or when you recompose a shot. Alternatively, just select different focus areas by simply by tapping the touch-screen when recording.

At launch, Dual Pixel CMOS AF is compatible with 103 current EF lenses, spanning EF and EF-S, fixed focal length, wide-angle and telephoto lenses. The system marks a significant advancement in autofocus performance with greatly improved AF speeds.

EOS 70D launches with brand new AF technology

Canon has unveiled the 20.2 Megapixel EOS 70D APS-C format DSLR – the first ever camera to incorporate Canon’s new Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, which offers stunningly fast autofocus capabilities when using Live View and smooth focus tracking when recording Full HD movies.

The other key features of the EOS 70D include up to 7 frames per second (fps) shooting, a wide 19-point, all cross-type, AF system and a Vari-angle Clear View II LCD Touch screen that makes it easy to capture and review images and movie footage in stunning detail.

GROUNDBREAKING DUAL PIXEL CMOS AF SYSTEM

Canon’s brand new Dual Pixel CMOS AF system in the EOS 70D is breakthrough technology, incorporating two photodiodes per pixel to achieve phase-detection autofocus on the imaging sensor. This improves one-shot AF operation and offers a Live View mode that provides faster and more accurate focusing than ever before and smooth focus tracking when recording Full HD movies.

The Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology covers approximately 80% of the width and height of the Live View frame so that even off-centre subjects can be tracked in movies with high speed and accuracy for faster, smoother autofocus capability.

The Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology operates with 103 Canon lenses to deliver the next generation of AF capabilities. When shooting through the viewfinder, the EOS 70D’s advanced AF System – featuring 19 high-performance, cross-type points that are spread across the frame to help to deliver greater focusing speed and accuracy – ensures photographers can always keep subjects in focus, even when they are moving quickly. A dedicated AF button allows photographers to take creative control of focusing thanks to three different AF area modes.

OUTSTANDING RESOLUTION & LOW LIGHT PERFORMANCE

The EOS 70D incorporates a Canon designed and manufactured 20.2 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5+ image processor, which combine to deliver outstanding levels of resolution, producing images that are consistently rich in detail and colour.

Offering up to 7fps full resolution continuous shooting, the EOS 70D is ideal for capturing a range of subjects, from fast-paced action to stunning skylines, or beautiful portraits. With a standard ISO range of 100-12,800 (expandable up to ISO 25,600) the EOS 70D is capable of catching remarkable levels of detail, even when shooting in extreme low light conditions.

OPERATION & CONTROLS

The top plate of the EOS 70D features a lockable, rotating Mode Dial for swift and easy access to the camera’s various shooting modes.

The top plate of the EOS 70D features a lockable, rotating Mode Dial for swift and easy access to the camera’s various shooting modes. An intuitive 7.7cm (3.0”) Vari-angle Clear View LCD II Touch screen makes it easy for users to adjust settings, such as manual AF point selection – for single point AF Zone AF and 19-point AF – as well as to frame, shoot and review images or movie footage from a variety of angles. A dedicated AF button makes this process even easier when shooting through the viewfinder.

With 98% field-of-view, the viewfinder offers superbly clear viewing of the chosen AF area and the active AF points while the subject is being captured or tracked and includes a new electronic level icon for checking level horizons. As well as standard viewfinder information such as shutter speed, ISO value and aperture, the EOS 70D offers additional shooting information and warnings such as AE lock, exposure level/compensation, spot metering circle, exposure warning, Auto-exposure bracketing, plus flash settings information and a useful composition grid.

The EOS 70D features a range of easy-to-use shooting modes and creative shooting options, including in-camera High Dynamic Range (HDR) shooting mode, a multiple-exposure function for creating composite images and exposure bracketing for up to seven frames. Creative Filters make it simple for photographers to start with creative pre-sets and then explore their creativity. Creative Filters, including Fisheye and Miniature Effect, can now be previewed during image capture – allowing photographers to view and select the most suitable effect for a specific shot before pressing the shutter button.

Photographers can also learn how to adjust their images with an enhanced Creative Auto Mode. The Scene Intelligent Auto mode automatically detects the scene being shot and selects the best combination of exposure settings for the scene so that users can simply focus on image composition.

WIFI CAPABILITIES

Using the EOS Remote app you can also control the EOS 70D remotely when you don’t want to disturb your subject. The EOS Remote app allows you to change camera settings, adjust the focus on the Live View screen and release the shutter to capture the shot. Photographers can also use EOS Remote to review and rate the images shot on the EOS 70D on a bigger screen, post them to popular social networking sites and other cloud services.

EXTENSIVE EOS MOVIE SHOOTING OPTIONS

With the EOS 70D’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, filmmakers have a highly advanced creative tool for shooting EOS Movies in Full HD (1920x1080p) resolution and movie related features include an external mic port, stereo microphone, timecode, selectable frame rates, and a range of compression options. A Video Snapshot mode makes it easy to capture and edit short video clips (two, four or eight seconds) to bring exciting events, such as weddings and holidays, to life.

EOS 70D – KEY FEATURES

• 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor with ISO 100-12,800 sensitivity, expandable to ISO 25,600.
• 7fps full resolution continuous shooting rate.
• Swift and accurate focus in Live View and Full HD movies with Dual Pixel CMOS AF.
• 19-point wide area, all cross-type AF points.
• DIGIC 5+ image processor - 14-bit processing for high quality images.
• Large 7.7cm (3.0”) capacitive touch panel Vari-angle Clear View II LCD 1040k dot, 3:2 ratio.
• Intelligent viewfinder with 98% frame coverage.
• Full HD movies with external mic port, stereo microphone, timecode, selectable frame rates, and a range of compression options.
• Built-in WiFi capability for instant sharing and remote control.
• In-camera HDR mode, Multiple exposure function.
• iFCL metering system with 63-zone Dual-Layer sensor.
• Electronic level, exposure compensation +/- 5 stops.
• Integrated Speedlite Transmitter.