Canon News: EOS 750D and 760D

Canon have updated their popular low/mid-range 'rebel'/xxxD DSLR (which started with the 300D - my first digital camera!), and have introduced us to non-identical twins - the 750D (Rebel T6i) and 760D (Rebel T6s).  

Canon 750D

Canon 750D

The specifications include:

• 3.0" (7.7cm) Vari Angle LCD touch screen
• 24.2 Megapixel APS-C sensor 
• 19 all cross-type AF points
• DIGIC 6 processor delivers full resolution shooting at 5 fps
• large ISO sensitivity range of ISO 100-12800 (extendable to ISO 25600)
• Connectivity options include Wi-fi and NFC
• Movies can be recorded in .mp4 format for easy online sharing
• Full HD movies with Hybrid CMOS AF III to track movement and focus smoothly between subjects
• Creative movie modes

£599 for body only.

More details available here.

Canon 760D

Canon 760D

The 760D shares most of the same specifications as the 750D, but adds a few extra features:

• An eye sensor for use with the optical viewfinder
• LCD information display on top-plate
• Quick control dial on the rear
• Servo AF in Live View (which I'd LOVE to have on my 5D Mark III for wildlife filming)

£649 for body only.

More details here.

Canon News: EOS 5D Mark III Firmware v1.3.3

Canon have released an updated firmware release (to 1.3.3) for their popular full-frame DSLR, the EOS 5D Mark III.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

The changes incorporated are:

1. Improves the AF controllability when shooting in Live View mode with a wide-angle lens (fixed focal length or zoom).
2. Corrects some incorrect indications on the "English" and "Russian" menu screens.

One upgraded, you will be unable to revert to a previous version of the firmware.  This may of course have implications for those running any non-Canon 'hacks', such as Magic Lantern.

The firmware is available to download for Mac or Windows here.

Nikon news: D7000 mid-range DSLR launched

Nikon have launched a new DLSR, the D7000.

• 16.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor
• High ISO (100-6400) light sensitivity - extendable up to 25600
• EXPEED 2: Nikon’s advanced image processing engine
• Durable design with magnesium alloy top and rear covers
• Twin SD card slots: SDXC compatible
• Razor-sharp 39-point AF system

More details here.

And so the journey begins...

Hello - my name's Richard, I'm 31 and live in London, UK. Like many, many other amateur photographers with a digital SLR, I've recently started to wonder if there's a way to make a little bit of extra cash from my hobby? This blog will document my journey and if you're like-minded, I'd like to take you along with me!

Together, I think we've got a fighting chance of:

• learning how to be a better photographer
• sharing hints, tips and techniques about how to edit our photos (I use Photoshop Elements and Photomatix)
• letting each other know where the most useful resources for photographers are on the Internet
• understanding the world of stock agencies, including microstock sites
• finding out what we should be spending money on to improve our photography and what is a waste
• giving ourselves a real incentive to get out there and do some photography
• building a network of friends with whom we can share our best work
• having fun!

So, before we start, we should set ourselves a target. I'm based in the UK (and given exchange rates, I wont be leaving anytime soon!), so I'm going to set my target of earning £250 in 2009. I have no idea if that's realistic or not, except I know it's a lot more than I've earned to-date (so far, I did photos for a friend's wedding - NEVER again - and have sold a handful of photos on microstock sites like Shutterstock*, Dreamstime* and iStockPhoto*).

Why don't you set yourself a goal too and together, we'll help each other on the way to achieving it.