Saturday, 1 December 2012

CANON DSLR CAMERA



DSLR refer to digital single-lens reflex cameras are digital cameras that use a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera. The term DSLR generally refers to cameras that resemble 35 mm format cameras, although some medium format cameras are technically DSLRs. The DSLR market is dominated by Japanese companies, including all of the top five manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, and Sony), as well as Fujifilm, Mamiya, Panasonic, and Sigma. Leica is German, Hasselblad is Swedish, and Samsung is Korean, while the American company Kodak formerly produced DSLRs as well. As of 2008, DSLR sales are dominated by Canon's and Nikon's offerings. For 2007, Canon edged out Nikon with 41% of worldwide sales to the latter's 40%, followed by Sony and Olympus each with approximately 6% market share. In the Japanese domestic market, Nikon captured 43.3% to Canon's 39.9%, with Pentax a distant third at 6.3%. As of 2010, Canon controlled 44.5 percent of the DSLR market, followed by Nikon with 29.8 percent and Sony with 11.9 percent.

Target market for DSLRs are often preferred by professional still photographers because they allow an accurate preview of framing close to the moment of exposure, and because DSLRs allow the user to choose from a variety of interchangeable lenses. Most DSLRs also have a function that allows accurate preview of depth of field.  Many professionals also prefer DSLRs for their larger sensors compared to most compact digitals. DSLRs have sensors which are generally closer in size to the traditional film formats that many current professionals started out using. These large sensors allow for similar depths of field and picture angle to film formats, as well as their comparatively high signal to noise ratio.

There are some special characteristic that DSLR have compared to other type of camera produced by Canon. Due to the larger size of image sensors in DSLRs which allows for larger pixel sizes, DSLRs are generally able to be used at a faster ISO which will lead to faster shutter speeds and less grain. DSLR’s ability to change lenses opens up a world of possibilities for photographers. DSLR can be adapted to many different situations with add to this a large range of other accessories such as flashes, filters and etc. and when it comes to lenses that the diversity in quality of lenses is great. Image quality is impacted greatly by the quality of the lens we use. Beside that DSLRs offer a wide array of ISO settings which lends itself to their flexibility in shooting in different conditions. While many point and shoots come with the ability to shoot in manual mode, a DSLR is designed in such a way that it is assumed that the photographer using it will want to control their own settings. While they do come with good auto modes the manual controls are generally built in such a way that they are at the photographer’s finger tips as they are shooting. DSLR can give user depth of field that puts everything from for ground to background in focus through to nice blurry backgrounds. With leading optical technology, over 60 lenses to match and limitless upgrading options, Canon offers a photography system that gives the widest imaging options. No wonder it is the number one choice among professional photographers.

DSLR camera perform the same basic functions but have differences in qualities such as type, style, quality, reputation, appearance, and location that tend to distinguish them from each other. For example, the basic function of camera is basically the same - to capture the photo. Example of imperfect substitutes for DSLR camera is point and shoot camera. Point and shoot cameras such as Canon Powershoot cameras are usually small and fit into a pocket or purse. They are best used for casual picture taking where capturing the memory is more important than creating a marketable image. DSLR camera that cameras used by many professionals and serious amateurs lugging around. These cameras have a larger body than most point and shoot cameras and interchangeable lenses. Before consumers decide to buy camera, they need to know what type of photography they want to do. Either wants to buy DSLR camera or point and shoot camera.
source: the-digital-picture.com

The latest model of DSLR camera produced by Canon Marketing is Canon EOS-1D Mark III. The Canon EOS 1D Mark III is all about speed - quickly capturing great shots of fast-moving subjects in even the toughest circumstances. When you must get the shot - this camera delivers. What it delivers is 10 frames of 14-bit, 10.1 mp, 1.3x, RAW images per second for 3 seconds in normal shooting situations with a reasonably fast memory card installed. Take this shot for instance ...

source: the-digital-picture.com

This frame of a tiny grass shrimp positioned so nicely in a Great Egret's open mouth came from the middle of a 10 fps series of shots.

Safety Shift is another new feature designed to keep exposures correct. ISO speed safety shift is provided via C.Fn I 8-2. If the correct exposure cannot be obtained with the P, Tv, or Av mode, the ISO speed is automatically shifted within ISO 100 - 3200 to obtain the correct exposure. New noise reduction routines are employed in the EOS-1D Mark III's twin DIGIC III processors. The EOS-1D Mark III is the first Canon digital SLR to employ 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion, up from 12-bit in previous models. This means the maximum number of tone steps possible in a RAW CR2 jumps from 4096 to 16,384.
 
source: the-digital-picture.com
The largest feature on the back of the Canon EOS 1D Mark III is the new 3.0" TFT LCD display. It is 1.4x larger than the 2.5" LCD displays on Canon's latest digital SLRs. Unfortunately, the number of pixels remains the same - 230,000. Still, the LCD image quality is excellent - and it is usable at an angle (140° both vertically and horizontally) and even in bright sunlight. The maximum brightness is adjustable over 7 levels to about 1.8 times brighter than the EOS-1D Mark II N's LCD monitor. The new display will make it easier to sell pictures right from the camera - or share the results with a client.

Canon Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd, driven by good sales performance, is eyeing to become the top digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera brand in the country.  According to the Imaging Communication Product Division, Director Simon Wong, Canon Marketing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is aiming to increase DSLR market share to 50% by year-end 2012, from 44 currently. The announcement shows an immense achievement in ability to grow and adapt to market demands and needs and drive and commitment to provide photographers with the best quality products. Do expect to see new innovations from Canon from optical design to electronics and production engineering with the aim of further contributing to the creation of a new and enhanced photo culture. Canon Marketing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. always do some research and development (R&D) for their product in order to improve the technology, quality, design, and so on. Canon Marketing will try to convince consumer to buy it product by advertised their product in many medium of advertising either in printed, non-printed, or electronic sources such as in newspaper, magazine, internet, television, radio, and others.

Sources: 
1) wikipedia
2) http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-1D-Mark-III-Digital-SLR-Camera-Review.aspx 
3) www.canon.com.my

Monday, 5 November 2012

THE AUTOMATED ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM (AES)



The AES is a computerized camera-based traffic system which captures high resolution photos and video of vehicles speeding along targeted accidents-prone areas or running red light at selected traffic light junctions and issues summonses accordingly to offenders, began on September 23, 2012 with 14 cameras installed in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Perak. This is a small number of the 831cameras to be installed nationwide at accident-prone areas to make people drive safer, and bring the number of road accidents and fatalities down.


 The RM300 summons issues under the AES is non-negotiable. If you commit the offence, you pay because the camera and video images are unquestionable evidence. While some people have welcomed to move to rein in the bahaviour of reckless road users, there are others who are angry and complain bitterly that this will burden the people.

Every year a million new vehicles are added on the roads and there are half a million new drivers. While the road infrastructure is developing, it is not at the same pace as the number of new vehicles and new drivers, and the number of accidents and deaths just keeps going up. In Malaysia, there is an average of 18 to 19 deaths daily from road accidents. The implementation of the AES does not mean there will no longer be accidents or deaths on the road but it is and additional measures that can help reduce the number. For example, in France, it took three years before they saw a drop. It takes time to change the people’s mindset. 

The AES camera is not like the police camera because AES camera is there 24-7, rain or shine. So no matter what time, if you speed, you will get the summons. Each lane has its own separate loop and there are radar sensors on the ground to get the signals. The distance in the AES zone is fixed and by getting the calibrated time each car passes, it can easily calculate the speed at which each is going and pick out which ones are speeding. For the AES camera at traffic light, if a car passes when the light is amber but changes to red halfway through, the camera will not register this as an offence. It is only an offence if the car crosses after the traffic light has turned red.
 
For South Peninsular Malaysia, the AES cameras and technology will be provided by Redflex Traffic Systems of Australia while in the north as well as Sabah and Sarawak, they will provide by JenOptik Robot from Germany. Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd is the local partner for the Redflex deal while Ates Sdn Bhd ties up with JenOptik for the job to install 831 high resolution cameras nationwide.


There are already at least five AES detector apps available for free for the smartphone. One of the popular ones is the “AES Detector”, which has been downloaded 100, 000 times so far! It was developed by Kevin Chua, and it promises to assist drivers to detect an AES camera within 1km from their present spot and asks that people turn on the speakers on their mobile phone in order to hear the AES alert. 

The Road Transport Department (RTD), Malaysia decided to progress the installation of the Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras at 831 locations nationwide before the end of next year to enhance safety measure for the road commuters. Despite the acts of vandalism occurring and opposition towards its implementation,  the implementation would not be put on hold. The cameras were installed to save human lives and all parties should give their cooperation. If everyone understands the reason behind the installation, there will be no questions about the implementation.  
 
Type
  • Speed light camera
  • Camera at accident area/Dangerous corner
  • Red light camera
Locations
Speed light cameras
  • Km 7 Jalan Maharajalela (Federal Route 58), Teluk Intan (90 km/h, 56 mph)
  • Km 376 North-South Expressway Northern Route (E1), Slim River (110 km/h, 68 mph)
  • Km 91 Jalan Ipoh—Butterworth (Federal Route 1) (60 km/h, 37 mph)
  • Km 85.5 Jalan Ipoh—Kuala Lumpur (Federal Route 1) (90 km/h, 56 mph)
  • Km 376 North-South Expressway Northern Route (E1), Taiping North (110 km/h, 68 mph)
  • Km 7.7 Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Expressway (E2), Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur (80 km/h, 50 mph)
  • Along Persiaran Timur, Putrajaya (80 km/h, 50 mph)
  • Km 301.9 North-South Expressway Southern Route (E2), Kajang (90 km/h, 56 mph)
  • Along Lebuh Sentosa, Putrajaya (70 km/h, 43 mph)
  • Km 6.6 South Klang Valley Expressway (Phase 1, E26) (90 km/h, 56 mph)
Accident areas or dangerous corners
  • Km 26 Jalan Ipoh—Kuala Kangsar (Federal Route 1) (Sungai Siput)
Red light cameras
  • Jalan Pasir Putih, Ipoh near TNB
  • Along Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur
  • Along Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur
 (For the full list of 831 AES camera spot, u can view Official Portal of Road and Transport Department Malaysia at http://www.jpj.gov.my/lokasi-kamera-aes). 
  


Souces: Sunday Star, 4 November 2012
           : wikipedia