Canon EF Lenses

Canon manufactures lenses with different types of mounts such as the FD mount, R mount and the most popular EF mount. The EF mount lenses are used with Canon’s SLR and Digital SLR cameras and is compatible with both the full frame cameras as well as the Digital SLRs with the APS-C sensor. When used on an APS-C camera, the focal length of an EF lens is multiplied by 1.6 (because the APS-C sensor is smaller than the full frame sensor). For this reason, 24-70mm lens is effectively a 38.4-112mm lens on and APS-C sensor camera like the Canon Digital Rebel T1i. Because of the multiplication factor an APS-C Sensor camera with an EF lens doesn’t cover a very wide angle and for this reasons Canon designed the EF-S series of lenses. The EF-S series of lenses fit only on APS-C cameras and all of them start at a relatively wide focal length such as 10mm, 17mm and 18mm. These lenses cannot be used on a full frame camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mk II.

Some of Canon lenses are marked with a red L. According to various sources, the “L” is for “Luxury”. Many of the L Series lenses have a distinct white coating and all of them have a red ring on the front end. These lenses can be easily identified at any sports event or any major event as they are used by many professional photographers. Canon takes special care when manufacturing the L series lenses and special materials are used for the components of these lenses. The result is that images made with these lenses are stunningly sharp and it is also guaranteed that a photographer will never go back to a standard lens once he has used an L lens. The L lenses also usually have a relatively large aperture which means that they have more glass and weighs more than other lenses in the same category. L lenses are also always more expensive than standard lenses.

Some of Canon’s lenses have an adjustable focal length, i.e. 24-70mm and are called Zoom lenses. Other lenses, like the EF300mm f/4L IS USM have a fixed  focal length which cannot be adjusted. These lenses are called Prime lenses and although they are less versatile, the quality of images produced by them is usually better than images produced with their Zoom counterparts. Of course they are also more expensive. Below is a list of Canon’s lenses currently available in the market under their respective categories. Hopefully this helps to clarify the Canon lens lineup.

1. Canon Prime Lenses
   1. Ultra Wide
      • Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM
      • Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye
      • Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
   2. Wide Angle
      • Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM
      • Canon EF 24mm f/2.8
      • Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM
      • Canon EF 28mm f/2.8
      • Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM
      • Canon EF 35mm f/2
   3. Standard & Medium Telephoto
      • Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
      • Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
      • Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
      • Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
      • Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
      • Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM
   4. Telephoto
      • Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM
      • Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus
      • Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM
      • Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
      • Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM
      • Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
   5. Super Telephoto
      • Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM
      • Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM
      • Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
      • Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM
      • Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM
2. Canon Zoom Lenses
   1. Wide Zoom
      • Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
      • Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
   2. Standard Zoom
      • Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
      • Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
      • Canon EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 III
      • Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
      • Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM
   3. Telephoto Zoom
      • Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM
      • Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
      • Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
      • Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
      • Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
      • Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
      • Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
      • Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 USM
      • Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L
      • Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
      • Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
3. Canon EF-S Lenses
   • Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
   • Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
   • Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
   • Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II (Kit only)
   • Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5- 5.6 IS
   • Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
   • Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
4. Canon Macro / Close-up Lenses
   • Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro
   • Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Photo
   • Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
   • Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
5. Canon Tilt-Shift Lenses
   • Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L
   • Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8
   • Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8
6. Canon EF Extenders
   • Canon Extender EF 1.4x II
   • Canon Extender EF 2x II

To learn more of the lenses, see our in-depth reviews.

But what is the best and most convenient way for Moms to record these memories and events that make up our lives? There are quite a few different options, but before we look at them, we need to take consider what is important for mothers when it comes to cameras.

Size. The camera has to be small, light weight and need to fit nicely in her hands. She’s not going to lug around a camera bag full of lenses to take snapshots of the kids.
Versatility. The same camera used to snap Sally with her birthday cake, will be used to record Billy’s first baseball game, so the focal length will range from wide to telephoto.
Easy of use. There’s no time to set the ISO and the Shutter Speed when Sally takes her first steps. When a special moment arises, it should be a question of grabbing the camera and pressing the button.
Video. Some memories just aren’t the same in stills. Although not specifically designed for video, many still cameras do a decent job of shooting video of those memorable moments.
Durability. With children around, anything can happen - and it usually does.
Face Detection. This Brilliant new feature ensures that she gets the shot at the best possible moment - when everyone smiles and their eyes are open.

Of course there are thousands of cameras that meet these requirements, but below are a few of the best options currently available.

Kodak EasyShare M1033

Kodak EasyShare M1033 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

This camera meets all the requirements above, it’s got a 10 Megapixel sensor and costs approximately $129. It’s a simple camera, its very easy to use and only weighs 5.2 ounces. With dimensions of  2.3 inches by 3.7 inches 0.8 inches, the M1033 slides easily into a hand bag or back pocket.

The camera comes in six colors–black, silver, pink, copper, red, and gray–feels sturdy, and has a simple design, so you can hand the camera to anyone and let them take the shot. Surprisingly, this low cost camera also captures video in HD!

Click Here To Read More Reviews Of The Kodak EasyShare M1033

Olympus Stylus Tough 8000

Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 12 MP Digital Camera

The Olympus Stylus Tough range is a bit more expensive, but this camera will last mom quite a while. It looks rugged, measures 3.7 x 2.4 x .85 (W x H x D, in inches), and weighs 7.4 ounces. The lens, which is a nice wide-angle 3.6x zoom rated 28-102mm. The Tough-8000 can handle a drop of 6.6 feet, go 33 feet underwater, withstand 220 pounds of pressure, and operate down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. These features may be a little over the top for a Mom, but the kids won’t destroy this one and it will last a very long time.

Click Here To Read More Reviews Of The Olympus Stylus Tough-8000

Canon Rebel T1i

Canon Digital Rebel T1i 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera

The Canon Digital Rebel T1i DSLR is ideal for Moms interested in photography and not only snapshots. As it’s a DSLR it’s image quality is better than the Point and Shoots and provides more creative opportunities with it’s wide range of settings. It’sa bit bigger and heaver than the others, but can also behave like a Point and Shoot when set to Auto mode. It comes with a 15.1MP sensor, HD video and a great kit lens and retails at about $899.

I hope this helps a little if you need to decide which camera is best for Mom.

Click Here To Buy The Kodak EasyShare M1033 10MP Digital Camera From Amazon And Get Free shipping

Click Here To Buy The Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 12 MP Digital Camera From Amazon And Get Free shipping

Click Here To Buy The Canon Digital Rebel T1i from Amazon.com and Get Free Shipping

Canon Digital Rebel T1i

The Canon Digital Rebel T1i DSLR has just been released and there appears to be a frantic search for the best deal on the Rebel T1i. As it is sometimes with the release of such a popular product, there are many issues around the availability of the product, as not all retailers will have sufficient stock of the product. Aside from the availability problem, there may also be some retailers that offer best prices, specials, sales etc. or even a rebate program. I decided to investigate all of this and summaries my findings in order to see where the better deals are for us photographers.

Many online shoppers agree that the most trusted and reliable online photography shops are Amazon.com, BH Photo Video, Adorama and RitzCamera.com. All of these are National brands throughout the US. WolfCamera.com and CameraWorld.com are two popular regional brands in the Southeast & Western U.S. and the Northern U.S respectively, but both appear to be part of RitzCamera as the web interfaces,prices, policies etc.are the same. For this and other reasons, I focused on the top4 national brands.

Right now the Canon Digital Rebel T1i DSLR Body Only kit is not available anywhere and is expected to be released sometime in May. It’s retail price is however listed on the site of BH PhotoVideo as $799.00.

The Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens kit is listed on all four the sites for $899, but its only available to order on Amazon and BH PhotoVideo at the moment. Amazon currently lists the Rebel T1i as IN STOCK, so if you want one, I suggest you move fast and order here. Alternatively, BH PhotoVideo is also has the item in stock for the same price and is just as reliable as Amazon. BH PhotoVideo charges for shipping and although Amazon’s shipping is usually free, it does charge for shipping when ordering through one of their suppliers.

Below is a summary of my findings - I hope this helps.

Canon Rebel T1i Pricing & Availability

Click Here To Buy The Canon Digital Rebel T1i from Amazon.com

Click Here To Buy The Canon Digital Rebel T1i from BH Photo Video

Canon Digital Rebel T1i

With the recently announced Canon Digital Rebel T1i becoming available in April 2009, many prospective Digital SLR buyers are finding it difficult to decide between the two cameras. I did a bit of research and hope to clarify confusion and highlight the differences. The T1i definitely packs more punch, but it comes at a price, so the question is: “Is it worth it?”.

Before we highlight the primary differences, let’s have a quick look at the similarities. Both cameras have exactly the same dimensions and both have a 3 inch LCD screen. Canon’s 9 point Autofocus system and 35 Zone Evaluative Metering system also remains unchanged.

Click Here To Buy The Canon Digital Rebel T1i from Amazon.com and Get Free Shipping

The very useful EOS Integrated Cleaning system and Dust Delete Data Detection has also been implemented in both cameras. Highlight Tone Priority Mode is available in both cameras, but implemented slightly differently on the T1i - it has in essence remained the same however. Both cameras are sold with the same kit lens, the Canon EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 IS and as usual, both cameras are fully compatible with the Canon EF and EF-S range lenses.

The most obvious difference between the XSi and the T1i is the APS-C CMOS Sensor that has been upgraded from 12.2 Megapixels in the XSi to 15.1 Megapixels in the T1i. Personally I’m not a Megapixel chaser and it’s not a deciding factor for me, but that is unfortunately what the camera buying public is aware of and it sells. The T1i boasts with the relatively new DIGIC 4 processor which is far quicker than it’s predecessor the DIGIC III which is found in the XSi. This processor unlocks what is probably the most exciting feature of the T1i - Full HD video recording. This single feature improves the versatility of the T1i over the XSi by a wide margin and very soon we will see high quality videos of babies and kids birthday parties all over the internet. Although not a replacement for a proper video camera yet, this feature at least reduces the number of occasions when both a SLR and video camera has to be lugged around. To read more about this important feature, see the Canon Digital Rebel T1i DSLR Review.

Another advantage of the DIGIC 4 processor is the T1i’s ability to shoot up to 170 large JPEGS continuously, compared to the 53 of the XSi. Sports photographers or parents shooting their children’s football game will definitely appreciate this feature.

Canon Digital Rebel XSi

Although the LCD screens are the same size, the 920 000 pixel resolution on the screen of the T1i is significantly better than the 230 000 pixel resolution of the XSi LCD screen. This improves menu legibility in less than ideal conditions and improves the image display and live view accordingly. This is very useful for photographers who are sometimes disappointed by slightly out of focus images in post processing.

The ISO range on the XSi has been increased from 100-1600 to 100-3200, expandable to 12800. This feature, together with the improved noise reduction on the T1i unlocks shooting possibilities for the photographer that would have been lost with the XSi. Together, these features enable the photographer to shoot under darker conditions than before.

Click Here To Buy The Canon Digital Rebel T1i from Amazon.com and Get Free Shipping

The T1i sells for approximately $799 (body only) or $899 (with kit lens), compared to $580 and $699 for the XSi. Are the new features of the T1i  features worth the additional $200? Looking at each of the improvements separately, I cannot say that there is a single feature that justifies the additional spend, BUT all the features together collaborates to present the consumer market with a very well-balanced entry level DSLR that is versatile and easy to use, but at the same time has all the features necessary to provide the user with a wide variety of creative options. If I had to buy my first DSLR right now, I’d probably go for the T1i.

Below is a comparison of the most important features of the two cameras, but for more details, read the full reviews of the Canon Digital Rebel T1i DSLR and the Canon Digital Rebel XSi DSLR.

Canon Rebel XSi and Rebel T1i Comparison

Click Here To Buy The Canon Digital Rebel T1i from Amazon.com and Get Free Shipping

Click Here To Buy The Canon Digital Rebel XSi from Amazon.com and Get Free Shipping

Both these lenses are L-series lenses and therefore both of them produce images of very high quality. Build quality is also great and in line with one’s expectations from L-series lenses. In physical size the 24-70mm is slightly longer at 123mm versus the 107mm of the 24-105, but both have a diameter of 77mm and therefore use the same size filters, lens caps etc. Although they look similar, there are quite a few other differences between these lenses.

Click Here To Buy The EF 24-105mm F/4L IS Lens from Amazon with Free Shipping

Click Here To Buy The EF 24-70mm F/2.8L Lens from Amazon with Free Shipping

Canon EF 24 105mm f4 (left) and 24 70mm f2.8 (right)

Physical parameters. As a result of the extra glass required for the f/2.8 aperture, the 24-70mm also weighs 10 oz (280g) more at 33.5 oz (950g), which is expected for this quality lens, but the extra weight may be important to some photographers. For me personally, weight isn’t much of a factor when I compare it to the increase in image quality that comes with it.

Focal length. The extra 35mm that the 24-105mm offers, is quite a nice advantage, especially in circumstances where a long focal range is required. In more controlled conditions, such as studio photography and indoor photography, the 70mm is more than adequate, especially when used on a APS-C sensor camera (such as the Rebel), which ads a magnification of 1.6x to the EF lenses.

Aperture. The 1 f-stop advantage that the 24-70mm f/2.8 has over the 24-105mm f/4, means that the 24-70mm allow twice as much light in to hit the sensor. In low light conditions, this makes a BIG difference, especially if the subject is not static. The f/2.8 aperture means that the shutter speed can be double that of the 24-105mm in the same conditions which can be the difference between a sharp and a blurred image. This higher shutter speed is important in action photography, so the full extra stop of the 24-70 mm f2.8 lens clearly gives it the edge. The IS of the new lens may give you up to three stops when hand held, but that doesn’t help to freeze motion.

Image Stabilization. So far the 24-70mm seems to be the logical choice, but the Image stabilization of the 24-105 is a very nice feature to have. I personally own the 24-70mm and have to take great care to avoid camera shake - in fact I’ve lost quite a few images when I started to use this lens because of camera shake. Canon’s Image stabilization is really good and the IS ads up to 3 stops advantage in low light conditions. This is a great feature to prevent camera shake in ALL conditions, but keep in mind that in darker conditions, the IS prevents camera shake but cannot prevent subject movement like the 24-70mm with the larger aperture.

Image quality. Both lenses produce superb images, but it has to be said that experienced photographers find the image quality of the 24-70mm slightly better than that of the 24-105mm. However, this shouldn’t make a big difference unless you’re planning to produce large prints of your images.

Below is a summary of the main differences between these two lenses.

If one takes into account that for all practical purposes these lenses produce images of the same quality, it is clear that the 24-105mm has more advantages than the 24-70mm. This doesn’t mean that the 24-105mm is a better lens than the 24-70mm, but that it is more versatile and practical that the more specialized 24-70mm. For this reason, except if one absulotely need the extra f-stop, the 24-105mm is a better and safer option than the 24-70mm.

Read our reviews of the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM and the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lenses.

Click Here To Buy The EF 24-105mm F/4L IS Lens from Amazon with Free Shipping

Click Here To Buy The EF 24-70mm F/2.8L Lens from Amazon with Free Shipping

There are, however a few different answers to the question of which Canon lens is best for weddings. Wedding photography, like any other genre of photography, has no single silver bullet camera and lens combination. The more wedding photographers you ask, the more different opinions you’ll get on what the perfect wedding lens is. However, despite all the different opinions, there are a few factors that most wedding photographers agree on, which will influence the choice of wedding lens.

Low Light Wedding Photo

Speed. For wedding photography, a faster lens is always better and there are two major reasons for this. Many wedding venues have limitations for the use of flash photography during certain parts of the wedding. This means that the photographer will have to make do with the available light in some areas and therefore needs a lens with a large aperture that allows more light to hit the sensor and therefore prevent camera shake or subject movement. In addition to this, many wedding photographers prefer to avoid the use of excessive flash as it can make the photograph look flat. Instead, fill-in flash is used as far as possible in addition to the ambient light which enhances the photographs dramatically. For these and other reasons, it is generally agreed that lenses with an aperture of f/2.8 and faster are preferable for weddings, and the faster the lens, the better.

Image stabilization. Image Stabilization also influences the choice of wedding lens. Focal lengths below 100mm with a large enough aperture do not necessarily require Image Stabilization, but IS plays an important role in lenses with longer focal length to prevent camera shake. Another great advantage of Image Stabilization is that it makes up for the lack of aperture in darker shooting conditions. For instance, in darker shooting conditions, an aperture of F4 with IS is just as effective or even better than and F2.8 lens with no IS, because the IS allows the shutter to stay open longer without introducing camera shake and therefor more light reaches the sensor. Canon claims that its Image stabilization technology add two to three f-stops in low light conditions.

Focal length. Generally, wedding photos are made between 14 and 200mm. The average focal length varies from photographer to photographer, depending on his/her style, but a focal length between 24 and 100mm should provide most wedding photographers with adequate focal range for a successful wedding shoot. Wide focal lengths - below 24mm - are generally used for group shots, portraits from a short distance, creative shots and shots in small spaces (like small churches, etc.). Longer focal lengths are used for close-up shots of faces, hands, flowers etc. Although the wider and longer focal lengths are quite useful, a photographer should be able to cope without it with a little bit of planning and footwork.

It should be noted that the consumer and prosumer Canon cameras use the APS-C sensors which add a crop factor of 1.6 to the standard Canon EF lenses. This means that the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM lens is effectively a 38.4-112mm lens on a Rebel or a Canon xxD camera. For this reason, photographers with these cameras find the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens a valuable addition to their lens arsenal to cover the wide angle required for group shots and small spaces.

Other considerations:

Flexibility. It is recommended that no wedding is photographed with less than two camera bodies. This leaves the wedding photographer with at least two camera bodies and with one lens attached to each. Some photographers carry both camera bodies and lenses with them and swap between the two while others choose to carry one body with more than one lens. One may even prefer to carry only one camera body and one lens on you and take most of the shots with this combination. Photographers with this requirement may prefer to have a slightly more flexible lens with a wider zoom range such as the 24-105mm f/4L IS instead of a 24-70mm f/2.8L.

Quality. Although all Canon lenses are good quality, there is a clear difference in the quality of the images and of the build quality of the professional L-series lenses. Where budget allows, wedding photographers prefer the L lenses above the standard lenses.

Canon L-series Lenses

Budget. Few of us has the luxury to purchase whatever photography equipment we want. Camera equipment is expensive so, for someone who is starting with wedding photography there are a few guidelines to consider when buying equipment. While a camera body is important, care should be taken not to spend too much on the body leaving too little for decent lenses. It is always wise to focus the spend more on quality lenses instead of superb camera bodies with substandard lenses. The long term plan should also be taken into account. Your first purchase may very well influence the next purchase. If your first purchase is right, the subsequent purchases will be to COMPLIMENT your current lens rather than REPLACE it. See below for possible lens combinations for wedding photography and plan your purchases accordingly.

Possible Wedding Lens Combinations.

There are as many different wedding lens recommendations as there are wedding photographers, but below I have tried to provide a guideline for three different ways of planning for your wedding lens kit. My personal recommendation for most photographers would be to consider option 2 as it is a very flexible, middle of the road collection that will suit most styles and produce great images.

1. Budget (for APS-C Cameras)
   • Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM / Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM / Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
   • Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
2. Quality Zoom lenses
   • Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM / Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
   • Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM (for APS-C cameras)
   • Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
3. Primes
   • Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM / Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
   • Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM / Canon EF 24mm f/2.8
   • Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM / Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM / Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM

As you can see, choosing a wedding lens is a very personal thing, but I trust that you find this information useful in your decision making process. If you’re still not sure and absolutely have to make an instant decision, consider the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM - you can’t go wrong with it.

To purchase any of the lenses from Amazon now, click here.

Canon Digital Rebel T1i / 500D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera

The top-of-class 15.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor delivers exceptional clarity and tonal range and together with the brilliant Canon DIGIC 4 processor it treats the photographer with creative opportunities never offered in the consumer SLR range before. The ISO sensitivity now ranges between 100 and 3200 and is expandable to 6400 and  12800, which is another first for the Rebel range. Together with the processing power of the proprietary DIGIC 4 processor, and the 14 bit Analog to Digital conversion, outstanding noise reduction is achieved - even at high ISO settings. The fast, 9 point autofocus system, which operates well at low light conditions, makes this camera remarkably efficient in wide range of photographic conditions. Throw in one of Canon’s superb Image Stabilization lenses and the system start to expand the boundaries of what can be achieved in near dark conditions with a consumer DSLR.

Click Here To Compare Prices for the Rebel T1i from Different Suppliers

The Digital Rebel T1i is also equipped with Canon’s acclaimed 35 point Evaluative Metering System which optimizes the exposure for any type of scene. This exact same metering system is used with Canon’s E-TTL II flash photography system. When used with EX-series Speedlites, this system produces reliable results - whether being used in low light conditions or as fill light in bright sunlight. Linked to this is Canon’s clever Auto Lighting Optimizer which ensures decent output in tricky, high contrast scenes. The Auto Lighting Optimizer prevents the blow out of highlights in a scene, while at the same time enhances dark areas in the same scene in order to produce an image with less information lost to very dark or highlighted areas. Auto Lighting Optimizer is available in all modes, including Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Program and Manual Modes.

Click Here To See More Reviews Of The Rebel T1i

Probably the most exciting new feature is the introduction of Full HD 1080p video recording. By simply switching the dial to Movie mode, the T1i shoots brilliant video at SD, HD and full HD mode. SD and HD is shot at 30 frames per second and at 640 x 480 and 1280 x 720 pixels respectively, while Full HD is shot at 20 frames per second and at 1920 x 1080 pixels. An HDMI port allows for easy connection to a monitor or TV for viewing your videos and photos.

The Rebel T1i boasts with a 3 inch Clear View  LCD screen with a 920 000 dot count, which is the same screen used on the 5D Mark II. This is a significant upgrade from the 230 000 pixels of the T1i’s predecessor, the Canon Digital Rebel T1i DSLR. To enhance this screen further, it is covered by an anti reflective, water-repellent and scratch resistant coating which provides a clear and smudge resistant surface. The LCD screen can also be used to zoom in up to 10 times into any image, which, at this level of display quality, is a huge advantage for photographers who want to spot any softness in images right there on the spot.

Canon Digital Rebel T1i / 500D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera

As with other models, the T1i includes Canon’s Integrated Cleaning System which features a Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit that uses ultrasonic vibrations to shake off dust particles from the low pass filter in front of the sensor. Accompanying this, a built in software system detect stubborn dust particles on the image and saves the location of the dust particles together with the image file, for easy removal in post processing digital imaging software.The Canon Digital Rebel T1i has a lightweight body combining beginner friendly features like Creative Auto mode which assists in learning about the creative settings of the camera, with professional camera features like a exquisite sensor, brilliant processor, crystal clear Full HD video and remarkable sharp images with very fine detail.

Click Here To Buy The Canon Digital Rebel T1i from Amazon.com and Get Free Shipping

There is no doubt that this camera will please any consumer, most enthusiasts and even professionals who are looking for a smaller, lighter alternative to their heavy gear. The T1i stands the chance to be Canon’s best product for 2009. I want one.

Digital Rebel T1i Features:

• 15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• High speed DIGIC 4 processor with superb image quality
• Full HD movie recording with HDMI connection for viewing and playback on an HDTV
• 3.0” Clear View LCD with Live View mode
• ISO 100-3200 (expandable to 12800)
• 3.4 frames per second continuous shooting
• Up to 170 large JPEG images in a single burst
• 9-point wide area AF with cross type centre point
• EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• Full compatibility with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites

Click Here To Buy The Canon Digital Rebel T1i from Amazon.com and Get Free Shipping

WARNING: Do Not Buy The Canon Digital Rebel T1i Before Seeing The Latest Pricing and Availability Information Here!

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens

With the introduction of the EF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM lens, Canon has created quite a dilemma for many of it DSLR users. The Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS is a relatively compact and lightweight lens with sturdy build quality and high quality glass, as can be expected from Canon L-series lenses.

And that’s where the problem lies - the optics of this lens is, for all practical purposes, just as good as the benchmark Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L which says a lot about this lens. The 24-70mm f/2.8L which was introduced in 2002, has proven itself to photographers worldwide and therefor its an achievement for the 24-105mm to keep up with that reputation.

Click Here To Buy The EF 24-105mm F/4L IS Lens from Amazon with Free Shipping

Keeping with the build quality, the 24-105 feels solid in the hand and is also dust and moisture resistant for those who want to venture outside with it. Given the quality of the images produced by this lens, who wouldn’t want to venture outside? From a sharpness perspective, the Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM Lens performs extremely well, probably just below the best of Canon’s primes. The zooming action is smooth and under most conditions it focuses very quickly and quietly while both auto and manual focusing is available depending on your preference.

Click Here To Compare Prices from Different Suppliers for the 24-105mm F/4L IS Lens

The image stabilization, which differentiates this lens from the 24-70, performs fantastically when hand held, but remember to switch it off when using a tripod. Canon’s Image Stabilization prevents camera shake pretty effectively and provides a 3 f-stop advantage in low light conditions.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS Lens Sample Photo

This 3 f-stop advantage makes it possible to go down to a shutter speed of 1/3 seconds at 24mm, which can be the difference between a blurred image and  a sharp keeper for the portfolio.The Canon EF 24-105mm F/4 L IS USM Lens is very sharp on the wide end at F4 and at the longer focal lengths it may be slightly softer at F4. However, stop it down once or twice at the longer focal lengths and it’s back to flawless image quality. The eight circular aperture blades provide excellent bokeh (background blur). Although F2.8 makes a noticeable difference, the F4 maximum aperture (which is available throughout the focal range) still creates very pleasing defocused backgrounds. Add to this the excellent color and contrast of this lens and all elements for a superb image are present.

The build quality, price and the quality of the images produced by the 24-105 and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L are similar and therefor should not influence your purchase decision. However, the 24-105mm F/4L with its longer focal length and Image Stabilization makes it more versatile and you will probably find that you have it on your camera most of the time, especially if you’re using it for a walkabout or even as a wedding lens. With this versatility, you’ll probably find that you change lenses less often and get more great shots than before.

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Canon EF 24-105mm F/4 L IS USM Lens on 5D Mark II Camera

Key features
Maker:	Canon
Image stabilization:	Yes
Ultrasonic motor:	Yes
Short back focus:	No
Macro capable:	No
Unique features:	L-Series
Application:	Pro Standard Zoom
Technical data
Type:	Zoom
Focal length:	24-105mm
Frame coverage:	Full frame
Aperture (max/min):	f/4 - f/22
Construction:	13 groups / 18 elements
# Diaphragm blades:	8
Close focus distance:	1.67ft / 0.45m
Max. magnification:	0.23 (at 105mm)
Physical
Max. diameter:	3.3in / 83.5mm
Max. length:	4.8in / 107mm
Weight:	1.47lbs / 670g
Filter diameter:	77mm
Accessories
Lens hood:	EW-83H
Angle of view
Horizontal:	74° – 19°20′
Vertical:	53° – 13°
Diagonal:	84° – 23°20′
History
Introduced:	October 2005[1]
Retail info
MSRP US$	1999

Table Source: Wikipedia

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Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera

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The Canon EOS 5D Mark II has received raving reviews across the board, and except for an initial problem with ‘black pixels’ (which was rapidly fixed by a firmware release from Canon), negative comments about this camera are few and far between. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II leaps ahead of its competitors with a vast range of features and at 21.1 Mega pixels, with image quality that can only be expected from superior and more expensive equipment.

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The 3” LCD with auto adjusting back light and anti-reflection coated glass makes it easy to review your shots in any condition, ranging from broad daylight to night time and accurately judge the exposure. Somewhat surprisingly for this class of camera, the Live view function also includes optional Face Detection, which ensures that faces are always in focus when detected.

The DIGIC 4 Image Processor delivers 3.9 frames per seconds during continuous shooting, which is remarkable for such high quality images. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II also introduces the new sRAW file format from Canon, which saves space with very little loss of information. Despite all of this processing, the battery life is great and lasts for thousands of shots.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Sample Photo

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II boasts with an ISO range from 100 to an astonishing 25600, with remarkable lack of noise on the high end. Compared to images produced by cameras 3 times it’s price, the 5D MkII produces similar or better quality images on an ISO of 3200. However, perhaps the most important feature is the introduction of Canon’s Auto ISO. Quite simply it takes the current zoom into account and calculates the minimum shutter speed at which a sharp photograph can be made. The Auto ISO, if enabled, then automatically adjusts the ISO and Aperture to ensure correct exposure and to limit the effects of camera shake. This feature alone is enough for me to own the 5D MkII as it could have saved me numerous excellent shots in the past!

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The Auto Lighting Optimizer is another feature that I am quite excited about. A lot of effort and focus in the industry is currently on the Dynamic Range of cameras – the ability to correctly expose and record the highlights and shadows in a scene of high contrast. The Auto Lighting Optimizer safeguards you from images with no recorded information in the highlight areas. As can be seen in the sample photo above, details of the shadow areas are contained whilst blowout of the highlighted areas are limited.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera

Of course the Canon EOS 5D Mark II also captures full HD video at 1920×1080 resolution for up to 4GB per clip. According to Canon this 4GB limit can last you anything between 12 and 30 minutes, depending on your quality selection and the details in the scene.

The 5D MkII also has a built in microphone with an input for an external stereo microphone. Movies are recorded in .MOV format with MPEG-4 compression and output is through an HDMI interface.

Except for speed and durability, the Canon Digital EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Digital SLR Camera not only competes with the 1Ds Mark III but beats it in image quality and features, at a 3rd of the price! The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is the worlds highest quality 35mm-based DSLR, but be warned, this camera is so good it will quickly point out any shortcomings in the lens or in the photographer!

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Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS Lens

The Canon EF-S 17-85mm F/4-5.6 IS USM Lens is not an “L” lens; therefore it cannot be expected to perform like one. Its image quality is indeed a little bit soft, especially at the wide end of the zoom and in the corners of the frame. However, if you are thinking of buying Canon’s 17-40mm L class, it would be hard to justify the price increase when comparing images of both lenses side by side.

The only difference in image quality between the 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens and its greatest competitor as mentioned above is that the L lens is sharper in the corners of the frame, but not so much sharper that most people will even notice. When looking at the price difference between the two lenses, the 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS  is definitely the better option, however if you need huge prints you might need to consider the other option.

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Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS Sample Photo

The image stabilizer works well, resulting in much sharper pictures indoors and in low light conditions. However, the maximum aperture of this lens is 4.0 (beyond 50mm (80mm equivalent) it goes down to 5.6) and therefore it cannot give you the depth of field of larger apertures. USM focusing works great; it’s fast, pretty silent and has exceptional range. The focus ring is tight and precise. Some photographers have however complained that the zoom ring of the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens feels a little bit loose and wobbly.

The Canon EF-S 17-85mm F/4-5.6 IS USM Lens is a well made, versatile lens, perfect for walking around because it has both the wide end and a decent telephoto length. It is light and small, giving you the convenience of a single workhorse lens. Overall a great lens for studio work, outdoors and weddings.

If you can only afford one lens for your camera and need something versatile, this lens is a good choice. But if you are a pro, who regularly makes prints larger than 10″x15″, it might not be for you.

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