Tip Time: Silent touch control with EOS 5D Mark III

The EOS 5D Mark III features a Silent Touch Control pad on the quick command dial, found on the back of the camera.
During movie shooting, this is used to adjust settings such as audio recording level and aperture without the risk of causing clicks to be recorded on the audio track. For adjusting the audio level live, it is very effective, however if you adjust the aperture, you should pay particular attention to the audio track afterwards as you may find the internal microphone has picked up the sound of the motor driving the aperture blades. To avoid this, use an external microphone that will not pick up the lens motor.

Why Scott Kelby switched to Canon

Scott Kelby, Editor and Publisher of Photoshop User Magazine; Publisher of “Light it” magazine and “Lightroom” magazine and training director and instructor for the Adobe Photoshop Seminar Tour (besides many more), switched from Nikon to Canon.

Watch the video to find out why.

Competition time!!

Hello everyone!  It's that time of the year again!

This time around we are giving away a 250 Euro voucher to spend on any photo-video product of one's choice!

Time to get cracking!  Good luck!

Competition theme – ‘Expressions’

Submit a photo fit for the theme 'Expressions’. Photos must be posted on our facebook wall (facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/canonmalta).

Submitted photos may be used for other promotional material, such as our blog, for posters, for showroom display and/or other marketing material.

Photos will be judged on creativity and thinking outside the box - but don't forget your photo skills! :-)

Winner will be selected as follows:

40% of the judging will result from Facebook likes

60% of the judging will be assesed by Avantech judges

HOW TO APPLY:

Post ONE photo on our wall. Please make sure you caption it as 'competition entry'.

RULES:

1. This competition is not open to employees of Avantech Ltd. or their immediate family members.

2. Only one photo per entrant is allowed.

3. Photos must be the original work of the named entrants, respectively.

3. Competition closes at midday Wednesday 5th February 2014.

4. Competition entrants must be 18 and over, unless we have written consent by a parent/guardian. Entrants must be residents of the Maltese Islands.

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.

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

Good luck!!

New item in stock: Condenser microphone for DSLRs

This is a compact and lightweight condenser microphone, which provides better sound than the built-in microphones of video DSLRs.

Attachment to the hot shoe
The microphone inserts into the camera's hot shoeand tightened with a thumb wheel. For audio transmission, it is connected to the microphone jack of the camera. A cable connector is located on the microphone. Below the hot shoe connection there is also a thread, so that the microphone can be attached externally on a tripod.
Windscreen ensures freedom from noise when shooting outside in a windy atmosphere.

Technical details:
Transducer: condenser
Polar pattern: unidirectional
Frequency response: 38Hz - 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity:-40dB ± 2dB @ 1kHz re 1V/Pa
Output impedance: 1K ohm or less
Signal to Noise Ratio: 75 dB or more
Power Supply: 1.5V AAA battery
Connector: 3.5mm
Fixing: Accessory Shoe (Standard ISO), 1.4 inch threaded
Dimensions (HxWxD): Approx 75mm x 18mm x 109mm
Weight: 62g

Selling price 34.99 Euros VAT included.  In stock!

More competition winners!

Mr. Mario Sant picking up the prize in his daughter Bernice Sant's name, presented by Nakita Attard Vassallo from Avantech.  Ms. Bernice Sant won a Powershot S100 from our spot the Canon logo competition on Tune In magazine.

Mr. Jonathan Schembri also won a Powershot S100, photo below with Grace Ann Refalo.  Mr Jonathan Schembri won the Christmas Gadgets competition.

Well done to both!

Firmware 2.0.3 enhances the EOS-1D X

Canon has announced that a new firmware update, Version 2.0.3, for the EOS-1D X DSLR is now available as a free download – it includes a number of key enhancements to the camera’s AF, exposure and customisable options.

As part of Canon’s ongoing close relationship with professional photographers, feedback is always taken very seriously and this latest firmware upgrade further boosts the EOS-1D X’s capabilities, coming in time for photographers to take full advantage at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, from 7-23 February 2014. The features provided by firmware Version 2.0.3 are designed for more efficient automation that takes the task of changing settings away from the ‘heat of the moment’ and enables photographers to concentrate on creativity and more efficient operation.

EOS-1D X firmware version 2.0.3

Firmware Version 2.0.3 for the EOS-1D X includes the following key functional enhancements and improvements:

The EOS-1D X’s AF performance in low-light has been improved thanks to a new setting in AI Servo 2nd image priority.

1. Improvement of AF accuracy in low-light with AI Servo

The new firmware further refines the AF sequence in order to improve autofocus performance in low-light conditions. The AI Servo focusing algorithm has been improved to allow more time for light sampling during AF activation prior to shutter release, enhancing AF performance in low-light situations. This is due to the initial AF control being based on the new ‘+2 focus priority’ setting in AI Servo 2nd image priority, which has better measurement capabilities under low-light conditions. Upon full depression of the shutter button, settings from AI Servo 1st image priority take over and then settings from AI Servo 2nd image priority are applied on any subsequent images in the burst. This increases AF performance in low-light, while ensuring the probability that the first image in a burst sequence will be as sharp as possible.

Firmware 2.0.3 has added additional parameters for acceleration/deceleration tracking in AI Servo AF.

2. Expanded AF parameters

To improve tracking performance, additional parameters for acceleration/deceleration tracking in AI Servo AF have been added to provide photographers with more precise control when photographing rapidly moving subjects that may quickly or suddenly accelerate or decelerate.

In response to feedback from professional photographers, two new settings have been added to handle slower changes in speed compared to the previous firmware. Currently, the AF parameters are 0 / +1 / +2. The new firmware enables the parameters to be increased to -2 / -1 / 0 / +1 / +2. This is a feature that sports and wildlife photographers in particular will find useful, when shooting over a long distance or where obstacles such as football players cut across in front of the main subject during tracking.

Exposure Compensation can now be used with Auto ISO in manual exposure to adjust exposure in challenging lighting conditions.

3. Improvement in exposure control

A new feature utilises the EOS-1D X’s wide ISO range. The new firmware enables greater exposure control when using Auto ISO. Photographers can set aperture and shutter speeds as desired and still achieve the correct exposure when the light conditions change, whilst retaining creative control.

In response to user feedback, Canon has increased the minimum shutter speed option of Auto ISO to enable photographers to freeze moving subjects by now being able to select a minimum shutter speed as high as 1/8000th of a second before the ISO is increased. Exposure Compensation can now be used with Auto ISO in manual exposure to adjust the exposure for challenging lighting conditions (e.g. a very dark or very bright background). This new function can be activated through the exposure compensation option on the Quick Control Dial or by using the Main Dial while pressing the SET button.

With new customisable options offered by firmware 2.0.3, photographers can reconfigure their EOS-1D X camera quickly, while keeping their eye on the viewfinder to maintain concentration.

4. Increased customisable options

Faster control of the EOS-1D X is the goal of firmware Version 2.0.3 by increasing the number of customisable features. It is now possible to assign the ‘One Shot/AI Servo’ setting to M-Fn button 2, for example. This new customisation enables a combination of selectable settings to be assigned to the AE Lock and AF-ON buttons via Custom Controls including: Currently selected AF point vs. pre-registered AF point, AI Servo AF configuration sets (Case 1 through Case 6), One-Shot AF vs. AI Servo AF and Currently selected drive mode vs. 14fps Super High Speed drive mode.

With these new options, photographers can reconfigure their EOS-1D X camera ‘on the fly’, while keeping their eye on the viewfinder to maintain concentration. For example, the camera could be set up for One-Shot AF and single shot drive mode on the shutter button, AI Servo AF in Case 1 with high-speed continuous drive mode on the AE Lock button, and AI Servo AF in Case 4 with super-high-speed 14fps continuous drive mode on the AF-ON button.

• Please note: Firmware Version 2.0.3 is for cameras with firmware up to Version 1.2.4 or earlier. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 2.0.3 it is not necessary to update the firmware. To find out more about all aspects of the firmware, and to download it, please click here for EOS-1D X Product Support. Please read all of the instructions before downloading the firmware.

Christmastime 2013 (in Malta & Gozo) - shot with EOS 60D

Check out this video montage shot with the Canon EOS 60D + EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM.  Shot and edited by Daniel Cassar Alpert .

Why I sold my RED and downgraded to a C100

By Dave Wallace, published on http://fstoppers.com/why-i-sold-my-red-and-downgraded-to-a-c100

As 2013 comes to an end, many of us are starting to think about fresh starts and goals for the New Year. For most, 2014 will mean expanding and upgrading gear or even taking a leap of faith. Personally, I’ve taken a very counter-intuitive leap of faith. I sold the most expensive video asset that I’ve ever had: My RED Scarlet.
(Disclaimer: Before I get too far. I want to remind you to take everything I’m saying with a grain of salt. I hope that hearing my story will inspire you to ask questions and start a dialog about the gear-choices you make.)

The Back Story
When I started my video company, Innovate Imageworks, in 2010, I shot with Canon DSLRs. I started with the t2i and quickly moved up to the 5D Mark II. These DSLRs are revolutionary tools that opened doors to people like me. My clients have always loved the look of my DSLR footage and have never had issues with lack of quality. In hindsight, I would be sitting on a fairly sizable chunk of money right now if the 5D was still my main camera (but where’s the fun in that?).
By 2012, I began to feel the need to separate myself from fellow DSLR shooters. Work was going well and I could afford to make a major camera investment. As my gear-lust grew, a few newly-released cameras caught my eye.
It was the innovation and undeniable cool factor that lead me to the RED cult. The Scarlet was an indie-filmmaker’s dream. Suddenly I had access to the same camera that many big-budget Hollywood crews were using. I drained my bank account and bought a Red Scarlet.
I’m glad that I was booking so much work, because I definitely needed the income. I remember hearing filmmaker Philip Bloom refer to the RED Scarlet as a gateway drug and he couldn’t be more right. Suddenly a $16,000 investment grew much larger. My DSLR gear needed to be upgrade to support the RED, so I invested in a new steadicam rig, jib, slider, batteries, handles and many, many external harddrives.

The Good

The Scarlet blew my 5D out of the water in terms of resolution and cinematic image. I may have bought the RED because of its hype, but I quickly realized that many clients were hiring me because of that same hype. The RED was more than a camera; it was a status symbol.

The Bad

My content suffered. Plain and simple. I began to prioritize pixels instead of content. Suddenly loading in gear, setting up shots, editing and delivering the final product became a much longer process. This isn’t to say that I believe everything should be shot run-and-gun, but there is a certain laziness that hits me when I’m holding a RED camera. I find I’m far less eager to grab the RED and capture a quick candid shot.

I also found myself disappointed with the color I got from the camera. I acknowledge that the RED team does an amazing job of updating their color science and releasing new firmware regularly, but I never felt the RED color matched my style. I’m sure that RED’s new Dragon sensor will be incredible, but it just isn’t worth another 5-figure investment for me.

The Solution

When Canon released it’s c100 many people wrote it off because of it’s AVCHD codec and awful viewfinder. If you look at the specs, the c100 is a huge downgrade in almost every category. The RED beats it out for resolution, codec and dynamics range. I pegged the c100 as a documentary camera that would have sub-par image quality.

This all changed when Stillmotion jumped on the c100 train. I have a huge amount of respect for Patrick and his team and instantly became interested in the camera. Soon after I saw some of Joe Simon’s c100 work. Joe mentioned that he was able to effortlessly change over from a DSLR workflow. I was sold.

After using the c100, I realize how wrong I was. In my opinion, the Canon C100 is the best of both worlds:

A sharp and dynamic image in a compact body with professional audio inputs and amazing battery life/record time.

Final Thoughts

The RED Scarlet is easily one of the best cameras to come out in the past 5 years. The fact that I owned and shot with the same camera as Peter Jackson or David Fincher without going into debt is incredible. That being said, I feel that the RED wasn’t a good fit for me and hurt my creativity and content.

I’ve learned that you should buy a camera based off of your own needs, not your idols’ needs. Movies like The Social Network may look amazing, but owning a RED doesn’t mean that your footage with look anything like David Fincher’s. Sometimes less is more. In my case, I’d much rather shoot with a $6,000 rig than a $20,000 rig.

After owning the c100 for a month, I made the choice to sell my RED last week. Not necessarily to pocket the extra income, but to help simplify my approach and focus on creativity and content going into 2014. I couldn’t be more excited.

I know that many of you have the same gear lust that I did and it may be the best choice you ever make. I just hope that you’ll take a second to clearly identify your needs: from complex things like image quality, to “little” things like battery life.

Good luck with your next big purchase!

http://fstoppers.com/why-i-sold-my-red-and-downgraded-to-a-c100