Best deal on an EOS 5D..... NOT!!!

$1600
EOS 5D's
Vanish
from Amazon.com

They say all good things must come to an end. That must go double for unbelievable deals like the one Amazon.com was offering on the EOS 5D cameras. Although all day yesterday Amazon listed them for $1600 (about $800 cheaper than competitors), today they have sadly returned to $2585.

The worst part about this is I was not quick enough to order one at the $1600 price. Would they have honored it? (at least if they didn't I would get an explanation). If anyone was able to snatch up some $1600 EOS 5D's please let us hear about it! Leave some comments at the bottom of this post...

It leaves one wondering what happened at Amazon? Was it a glitch? Did they sell out? Drop a deadbeat vendor? Whatever happened it leaves a bit of a bad taste in our mouths about the trustworthiness of Amazon.com

This is too bad since Photography Resource Weblog uses Amazon.com as an advertiser on our site. We will put them on probation for now. We will keep an eye on them and of course if we find any more 5D's for $1600 we will let you know.

We also have to wonder in light of any 5D price drop, if rumors of an imminent replacement to the EOS 5D might carry some weight.

Currently the best deals we are aware of for the EOS 5D came from Dell.com last December. Dell lets you sign up for a monthly online newsletter, this newsletter has special pricing and coupons. Last December with the newsletter only pricing, and the coupon, on top of Dell's Christmas 20% off electronics, lucky customers were coming away with $1899 EOS 5D's

More info and product details on the Canon EOS 5D


Again if anyone ordered one, or has had trouble with Amazon.com please leave comments below.

Best Deal on a EOS 5D

$1600

At Amazon.com

This is a smoking deal on a fantastic camera. Normally this would seem too good to be true but since it is through Amazon.com I would not hesitate to pick one of these baby's up.

Other trustworthy sites that also offer good pricing (though not the $1600 Amazon is offering)

Costco

KEH Camera

B&H Photo

Dell

Fry's

More info and product details on the Canon EOS 5D

Canon's DPP Updated to 3.0.2

Canon's

Digital Photo Professional (DPP)

Free Software to unleash
the RAW power of the EOS Digital SLR

Canon Inc. has just released the latest update to their free RAW processing and workflow software DPP. Version 3.0.2 replaces 3.0.1.5 and includes a major update for Windows Vista and a couple of minor fixes for Mac and non-Vista users.

I generally shoot in RAW format, and I rely heavily on the DPP program. With the release of Version 3 Canon has given its customers a fantastic tool for free. I can often achieve fantastic results processing my RAW images in DPP and never have to adjust them in PhotoShop.

The ability to shoot RAW images is a feature of higher end cameras and allows for you to have all the raw sensor data from the digital camera without the camera making any automated image enhancements like it would to make a .Jpg image.

This RAW file really is raw data, think of it like a film negative, and must be processed in conversion software and made into a .Jpg or .tiff file.

This conversion software allows me to make decisions on brightness, tone, contrast, color temperature, color saturation, and grain sharpness. By allowing me to make these decisions I can fine tune my pictures, often far better than the logic built into the camera.

Canon in addition to providing the RAW software DPP provides a detailed 106 page user manual, and goes one better providing intensive online tutorials that are easy to understand with video examples by world class photographers and Canon reps.

Unfortunately Canon's Digital Photo Professional will only work with RAW files generated by its EOS line of Digital SLR's. For those with RAW files generated by Canon p&s cameras like the G6 or other manufactures RAW files they will sadly not work with DPP.

Canon's DPP software can be downloaded here:
Digital Photo Professional 3.0.2

The DPP manual (106 pages) is here:
support page

Visit the Online learning center for DPP tutorials and video lessons:
DPP Canon's Digital Photo Professional

Canon launches world’s fastest digital camera

Canon's New Flagship Camera

EOS 1D Mark III

It may have a funny name but the Canon EOS 1D Mark III is designed to kick ass and take names... er photos! The latest offering in Canon's professional EOS 1 series, the D (for Digital) Mark III is the third version to be offered, and by all accounts is a serious upgrade from the earlier versions. The New 1D Mark III is a complete redesign and sports a larger 1.3x image sensor than the 1D Mark I & II (1.6x) making it closer in size to Canon's full frame EOS 1Ds Mark II.

The New 1D Mark III sports some prety impressive stats-

• 10.1 Megapixels with Dual Digic 3 Image Processors
• 10 fps continuous shooting up to 100 shots in L .jpeg
• ISO sensitivity from 50-6400
• Bright 3 inch LCD display
• 63 zone metering
• 45 point Auto Focus Sensor
• Live View histogram
• Pro Self Cleaning System
  

With stats like these this camera is the new king of speed and Canon claims it has the best image sensor it has ever put in a camera! It is the first SLR to incorporate Canon's latest Digic 3 image processor and it has 2 Digic 3 processors for added speed. For sports and action shooters there is no other camera from any manufacturer even close to the capabilities of the 1D Mark III.

Currently the 1D Mark III is available now in shops, but back ordered in most. Amazon.com currently has them for sale through our Blog-Shop.

If like us you are still confused here is the current line of SLR's from Canon. Essentially the lower the number assigned the more features the camera has, with the Mark I, II & III indicating progressive newer models.

EOS (Electro Optical System) is the designation given to all Canon autofocus SLR's

The Current Canon EOS lineup

1 D Mark III
(1.3x sensor Replaces Mark I &II models)
1 Ds Mark II
(Full Frame, Replaced 1Ds)
5 D
(Full Frame, first of its generation)
30 D
(1.6x sensor, replaced 10D, 20D, D30, D60)
400D Rebel XTi
( 1.6x sensor, Replaced 300D Rebel, 350D Rebel XT)

Hi-res versions of these and other images can be downloaded from http://erc.canon-europe.com/

Check it out...
Canon's 63 page white paper. Full of technical specs, behind the scenes details and design notes, fully intended to make you decide you really can't live without this camera.

From the Canon Press Release:

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 22 February, 2007: Professional sports and wildlife photography demands speed, power and endurance. Canon’s new flagship digital camera ticks all the right boxes and shatters some records along the way.

Designed from the ground up, the EOS-1D Mark III takes over from the EOS‑1D Mark II N as the fastest digital camera on the market. When it comes to the split-second action of a match-winning goal or a wild animal in flight, this 10.1 Megapixel camera is quick enough to capture ten full size photos every second. Those extra shots can mean the difference between a great image and a missed opportunity. And with the power to shoot up to 110 images without pause, the chances of getting the perfect shot are even greater.

Dual “DIGIC III” image processors drive the camera’s pack-leading performance. Canon’s purpose-built chips work fast enough to process over 100 Megabytes of data per second.

Speed and image quality are just parts of the equation. Canon has spent the last 20 years working with photographers to refine the ultimate tool for the professional in the field. The camera’s tough, magnesium alloy body is protected against dust and moisture – crucial for photographers on assignment in desert areas or extreme weather conditions. The EOS Integrated Cleaning System keeps dust off the image sensor, reducing maintenance time. The 3.0” TFT LCD makes it easier for photographers to check images, and with Live View mode they can use it to compose shots too.

The EOS-1D Mark III is a digital SLR camera compatible with the EOS system of Canon EF lenses, Speedlite flash units and accessories.

EF Lenswork III The Eyes of EOS

Canon makes a stunning hardcover book showcasing their full line of lenses called "Lenswork"

If you have a Canon EOS system and want to master your camera & lenses you need a copy of this! It has MTF charts for all the current EF lenses, examples of shoots, element diagrams and detailed sections on all of Canon's lens technology.

It also looks back at the history of Canon cameras & lenses, as well as looking into the future of digital with insight into lens and sensor design and theory.

This is THE book for Canon lenses and their performance.

The latest version is available in a beautiful Hardcover, coffee table book, as well as on line in PDF format:

THE EF LENS CONCEPT

CANON'S CHALLENGES

THE EF LENS WORLD (SINGLE FOCAL-LENGTH LENSES)

THE EF LENS WORLD (ZOOM LENSES)

THE EF LENS WORLD (EF-S LENSES)

EF LENS ACCESSORIES & VARIETY IN THE CANON LENS WORLD

THE BASICS OF LENSES & CORRESPONDENCE TO DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO TECHNIQUES

EF LENS TECHNOLOGY

OPTICAL TERMINOLOGY & MTF CHARACTERISTICS

DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS & LENS MAPS

An older version covering Canon's FD camera system -Canon Lenswork 1986- is also available on Christian Rollinger's fine website, The Canon FD documentation project