This journal documents my experiences with a Canon 50D, my first DSLR camera, purchased in Oct. 2008. It is a showcase for my photography, including comments about the camera's usability, with suggestions for improvement and other photography-related topics. Canon EOL'd the 50D in July, 2010 and then released the 60D on Aug. 26.

Fuji XE1

gear

Wed 29 Aug 2012 09:24:19 AM EDT

Leaked images and specs of the upcoming Fuji XE1.

Comparing this camera to the EOS-M model that Canon announced, makes the EOS-M look like a comic joke.

Three wishes I have for the XE1 camera are that the AF is fast, the battery life is better than that of the X100 and that the charger is a flip-prog type and not the wired-plug kind.

I am also looking forward to the X Pro 2 having fast AF ("improved AF" which is just a marketing euphemism, would not satisfy me).

Aside: I have been indulging in idleness these past few weeks; the number of journal entires will return to normal, shortly.

Snowbirds at the CIAS

photo

Sun 02 Sep 2012 12:21:05 PM EDT

From 2012

Sean Galbraith Lives a Stone's Throw Away

Mon 03 Sep 2012 07:05:32 PM EDT

I didn't know that Sean Freakin' Galbraith lives a stone's throw away from the building I work in.

I'm willing to wager that I probably passed him on the sidewalk a few times without knowing it.

Audrey

photos technique

Tue 04 Sep 2012 11:22:15 PM EDT

Never confuse a photograph of a beautiful woman with a beautiful photograph.

Audrey Tautou by Joe McGorty.

Yes, her name is spelled incorrectly in the article, I emailed them a correction.

Snowbirds (composite)

photo

Thu 06 Sep 2012 01:52:37 PM EDT

From 2012

This is actually a composite of a second Snowbirds photograph taken on the second day of the CIAS with a clear blue sky and a photograph of a cloud both taken in the same area of the sky and at approximately the same time but a few months earlier.

Wedding Photography with the Fuji X Pro 1

gear

Thu 06 Sep 2012 01:45:35 PM EDT

Sergey sent me a link to a wedding photographer that uses an X Pro 1. I was quite disappointed when I read:

While we're on the subject of focusing, let me give you my take on it. I think it does an adequate job in bright light and in low light as long as people are standing around talking. If I'm walking towards someone and they are also walking towards me, forget it. [my emphasis]

This is the exact scenario of my Passing Fancy photographs. Perhaps the upcoming firmware upgrade will improve this, but I have a feeling it wont.

XE1 Canadian Pricing

gera

Fri 07 Sep 2012 12:40:07 AM EDT

The FUJIFILM X-E1 (body only) will be available in black and silver/black in November 2012 at an MSRP of $999.95. The FUJIFILM X-E1 and XF18mm-55mm (27-84mm) F2.8-4 lens (kit) will be available in November for $1,399.95. The FUJINON XF14mm (21mm) F2.8 single focal length lens and XF18mm-55mm (27-84mm) F2.8-4 lens will be available in November for $899.95 and $699.95, respectively.
Fujifilm Canada announcement

Philmphotos

cinema photos

Fri 07 Sep 2012 02:44:13 PM EDT

Photos from movies on location

Port Credit Library, Night (HDR)

photo

Fri 14 Sep 2012 02:22:52 PM EDT

From 2012

Oh You Handsome Devil (2)

photo

Fri 21 Sep 2012 01:30:12 PM EDT

From 2012

The shape of the motorcycle helmet is more evident in the second photo.

Notable Links

Fri 21 Sep 2012 04:16:16 PM EDT

Friday Foto: Pansies (Before/After Processing)

Fri 28 Sep 2012 01:12:40 PM EDT

From Friday Foto

The second photograph shows the original, unprocessed photograph so a comparison can be made.

This Week's Notable Links

Fri 28 Sep 2012 01:14:53 PM EDT

Creative photography that re-purposes original photographs to make something new.

Friday Foto: Three Pink Flowers

nature

Fri 05 Oct 2012 01:06:53 PM EDT

From Friday Foto

Notable Links this Week

Fri 05 Oct 2012 03:37:26 PM EDT

Friday Foto: Three Purple Petunias in Sunshine

photo

Fri 12 Oct 2012 01:13:12 PM EDT

From Friday Foto

It was the colours of the green leaves in the sunshine and the petunias that made me stop and take this photo of a flower-pot on Church Street, near the NOW Magazine offices. I'm not completely happy with the composition, but it'll do, since I only took one photo because I was running late.

World Press Photo 2012 Exhibition

photos

Tue 16 Oct 2012 05:58:11 PM EDT

From 2012

The WPP2012 is taking place at the BCE Place Galleria until Oct. 24. There was a class of high-school students visiting when I dropped by today.

CanoNikon

gear philosophy

Wed 17 Oct 2012 01:47:40 PM EDT

Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

Why I switched from Canon to Nikon has some compelling arguments for a Nikon system.

I was quite disappointed to read that the D600 weighs more than my 50D. Now I'm trying to convince myself I still want it.

Friday Foto: New Dawn Roses

photo

Fri 19 Oct 2012 12:55:55 PM EDT

From Friday Foto

New Dawn rose was the first plant to receive a patent from the U.S. Patent Office in 1930. It is a climbing rose bush.

Nick Devlin reviews the Fuji X-E1

gear

Sat 20 Oct 2012 10:19:46 PM EDT

Nick Devlin's review of the Fuji X-E1 is up.

I might as well place my order though I haven't decided if I want both the 18-55mm and the 35mm. I also have to buy an SD card now since all my cameras have used CF cards.

Shop Local

philosophy

Sat 20 Oct 2012 11:00:22 PM EDT

B&H now restricts major Canon gear from being shipped to Canada.

This is, no doubt, upsetting to many photographers who earn a living with their gear and have to count every cent they earn. I, on the other hand, being an amateur/hobbyist, have always purchased my camera gear locally since money is not a major purchasing concern.

X-E1 Backorder

gear

Wed 24 Oct 2012 11:42:17 PM EDT

The Fuji X-E1 black body is back-ordered 4-6 weeks at Vistek. GGGAAAHHHH!

Deep breath.

Patience.

I'm sure I can find something to occupy my time in the meanwhile given that I recently taken delivery of Neil Turok's Massey Lectures, The Universe Within; the graphic novel, Grandville (got it for $9.20 in the Amazon Bargain Bin); Morris Bishop's The Middle Ages (also a bargain at $7.60; though I don't think it will match Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror) and The TOON Treasury of Classic Children's Comics edited by Art Spiegelman ($19.90, 50% off Amazon Bargain).

Vistek has plenty of X-mount 35mm/1.4 lenses in stock and when I went to order one I noticed that the overview doesn't mention that they work with the X-E1. I emailed their sales guys, but haven't heard back.

Friday Foto: A Field of Dandelions

photo

Fri 26 Oct 2012 01:03:16 PM EDT

From Friday Foto

Fuji X-E1 Journal

Fri 26 Oct 2012 10:41:51 PM EDT

I have started a Fuji X-E1 Journal which will document my experiences with that camera. There is little of consequence there at this time, since I have yet to receive my camera, but I will post Fuji related posts to it occassionally while I wait.

The entries in this 50D Journal will diminish in due time.

Friday Foto: Lily (Asiatic Hybrid)

Fri 02 Nov 2012 12:57:37 PM EDT

From Friday Foto

Friday Foto: Fall

photo

Fri 16 Nov 2012 02:18:39 PM EST

From Friday Foto

The last Fall season to be photographed with the 50D.

50D RAW video

Mon 27 May 2013 08:55:09 AM EDT

It seems the 50D is the best Super 35mm DSLR for raw video from Canon.

With a Magic Lantern firmware upgrade, it's possible to shoot RAW video on the old reliable 50D.

It seems the capability was always there in the 50D and Canon just disabled it when the camera shipped back in 2008. I didn't know it could shoot 1080p video with ML firwmware!

Since getting the Fuji X-E1, I haven't shot with the 50D for many months.

Howto from the EOSHD Forum by Julian:

Download Magic Lantern Unified from the ML homepage, install according to instructions. Then you will have Magic Lantern, but no raw yet.

Check this topic: http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=5586.msg39086#msg39086

Download the autoexec.bin and replace it with the one that is on your CF card. Also add the modules folder and you should be good to go.

Simple as that!

Magic Lantern

video

Tue 28 May 2013 02:55:34 PM EDT

I've downloaded Magic Lantern Firmware v.2.3 and Canon firmware v. 1.0.9. Printed out the ML Install guide and the ML User Guide.

Mon 03 Jun 2013 04:14:10 PM EDT: Video showing the installation of ML.

luis fernandes / elf@ee.ryerson.ca / Canon 50D Journal