DSLR Answers

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Stock Availability Report Sunday 15 February 2009

ben.hoffman — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:46:00 GMT

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is the hottest full frame digital SLR on the market, it’s so hot that that 3 months after it first hit the shelves it’s still quite hard to get one.

Because of this low ability I decided to put together the below report detailing availability of the 5D Mark II in each store to give readers of this blog the best opportunity to own one.

Note: An online camera retailer recently got a new shipment of Canon EOS 5D Mark II bodies, only for the whole shipment to be sold out in less than 10 minutes, so all as I can suggest is to give the below links a try and if sold out check back on a regular basis. I will try to keep this report as up to date as possible.

You can also sign up for the 5D Mark II alert email list to be notified the second a retailer has the 5D Mark II in stock

Description	In stock/expecting shipment	Not In Stock
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Body Only	Adorama Amazon B&H Photo Vid
Canon EOS-5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera Body Kit with EF 24-105L Image Stabilized Lens	Adorama Amazon	B&H Photo Vid
Canon LP-E6 Battery Pack	Adorama Amazon	B&H Photo Vid
Canon BG-E6 battery grip	Adorama B&H Photo Amazon
Canon WTF-E4A wireless transmitter	Adorama B&H Photo

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Stock Availability and Tough Economic Times

ben.hoffman — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 04:24:00 GMT

If Canon had any doubts about how well the Canon EOS 5D Mark II would sell during this economic crisis, all of those doubts would have disappeared long ago, some 3 months after first hitting the shelves the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is still in short supply. This US$2700 camera with its ultra sharp HD Video Recording and Low light performance, is every photo and tech geeks must have, Just do a search in Twitter for “5D Mark II” you will see tweet after tweet of reports of proud new 5D Mark II owners who...(read more)

Canon Release RAW Codec Update Ver 1.4.1

ben.hoffman — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:59:00 GMT

Canon has released Canon RAW Codec version 1.4.1 which adds support for Canon EOS 5D Mark II with its recent 1.0.7 firmware update More details and the download can be found here: Canon RAW Codec Ver 1.4.1 Update...(read more)

Nikon increases price of Flagship D3x by 10% in the UK

ben.hoffman — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 03:30:00 GMT

Due to the fall of the British pound Nikon have had to increase the cost of its newly released flagship D3x by 10% . The original list price of the Nikon D3x was £5500 (US$8050) but due to these currency fluctuations the D3x’s list price has increased to £6000 (US$8800) or a whopping 10%. The only advice I have for UK photographers is to shop around or start earning US Dollars...(read more)

Nikon D700 Firmware Upgrade 1.01 Released

ben.hoffman — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 03:02:00 GMT

Nikon have released a firmware upgrade for the Nikon D700, this latest firmware for the D700 is version 1.01 and includes the following improvements and fixes: When Custom Setting a4 Focus tracking with lock-on was set to Off in Continuous-servo AF, the lens drive moved gradually without achieving focus. This issue has been resolved. When the Speedlight SB-800 was mounted on the camera with flash mode set to Distance-priority manual (GN) mode, and then the exposure meters were reactivated or the...(read more)

Nikon D3 Firmware Upgrade 2.01 Released

ben.hoffman — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:43:00 GMT

Nikon have released a firmware upgrade for the Nikon D3, this latest firmware for the D3 is version 2.01 and includes the following improvements and fixes...(read more)

Canon EOS 40D Firmware 1.1.1 released

ben.hoffman — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:15:00 GMT

Canon have released a new firmware for the EOS 40D, its version number 1.1.1 which includes the following improvements and fixes...(read more)

First Official Presidential Portrait taken on a Digital Camera

ben.hoffman — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:06:00 GMT

Digital cameras have advanced in leaps and bounds in recent years, but today I was amazed to learn that the first Official Presidential Photograph to be taken in digital was released today. It’s quite a milestone for digital photography. So I bet you are all wondering which Digital Camera took the first ever Official Digital Presidential Photograph, It was the newly released Canon EOS 5D Mark II. The photograph is below along with a URL to the original http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/new_official_portrait_released...(read more)

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Firmware Update Ver 1.0.7 has been released

ben.hoffman — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:57:00 GMT

Canon has just released a new firmware for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II to fix the infamous black dot and Vertical Banding Noise issues. The firmware version is Ver 1.0.7 and can be downloaded from the following page: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html Firmware Update Version 1.0.7 improves and mitigates the following two types of image quality phenomena that occur under certain shooting conditions. “ Black dot ” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources become black...(read more)

White Balance Lens Cap Cheapo from China Any Good?

ben.hoffman — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:29:00 GMT

CameraDojo have done a review of a cheapo white balance lens cap purchased from an ebay vendor in China, its cost was under US$10 that’s over 10X cheaper than the leading product from Expodisc. Ebay: White Balance Lens Cap less than US$10 The results are quite amazing, well worth the $10 investment, however there is no comparison done against the Expodisc product, one is promised soon. I have a cheaper solution, a mate mentioned he had great results with white top of a disposable coffee cup ;) Check...(read more)

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Firmware to fix those black dots is near

ben.hoffman — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:59:00 GMT

The new and much awaited firmware to fix the Canon 5D Mark II black dot problem is just around the corner with a post on CanonRumors saying that we should see it by the end of January. In addition to fixing the black dot issue the firmware may add 24p, I am guessing this is 24 fps in for video, personally I don’t think the firmware will contain additional features apart from fixing the black dot issue, but I guess we will have to wait and see....(read more)

Nikon Pricing on the way up in Australia

ben.hoffman — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:17:00 GMT

Its official at least for Australia, Nikon will be increasing its prices in Australia for pre-orders placed by dealers after 31st March 2009. The below letter from Nikon to its partners in Australia also reveals that a planned February 1 price increase has been postponed until this new date....(read more)

Canon Speedlite 700 EX Rumour

ben.hoffman — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:28:00 GMT

Canon Speedlite 700 EX Rumour: CanonRumors have reported on a possible new flash from Canon the Speedlite 700E x, the few rumoured specifications are as follows: Higher Guide Number 1.6, 1.3, 1.0 Crop Modes Better Vertical Swivel Metering from 10mm(EF-S)-250mm Weather Sealed New Battery Door There is a suggestion it could be coming out at PMA, let’s wait and see!...(read more)

Canon celebrates 50 years of single-lens reflex camera sales

ben.hoffman — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:20:00 GMT

More than 50-million units produced since 1959 Canon celebrates the 50th anniversary of the sale of Canon’s first single-lens reflex camera in 1959. Over the past half-century, Canon SLR cameras have evolved with the times, incorporating advanced and groundbreaking technologies. Winning the widespread support of users worldwide, production of Canon SLR cameras have already surpassed the 50-million* unit mark. “Canon has a long and proud history of producing SLR cameras that both set the technology...(read more)

Canon EOS 5D Mark II night Low light shooting around Sydney

ben.hoffman — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:41:00 GMT

After having possession of my new baby the Canon EOS 5D Mark II for just over two weeks, I have finally been able to do some low light high ISO hand held photography around Sydney, and the results are absolutely stunning. The 5D Mark II truly takes low light photography to the next level, with ultra low noise at higher ISO levels. The results speak for themselves, considering these shots were taken hand held (no tripod) These photos plus others can be seen in Ben Hoffman's Flickr Photostream...(read more)

Christmas has come early the Canon EOS 5D Mark II in my hot little hands

ben.hoffman — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 07:03:00 GMT

Christmas came early for me yesterday, after hearing a rumour that Canon had just sent out another batch of 5D Mark II Kit's to dealers, with this in mind I gave my Camera shop ( DigiDirect ) a call, low and behold the answer was "Yes sir come in and pick up your 5D Mark II Premium lens kit". Having a chat to the owner while my order was being arranged by the sales person, they apparently received only 4 5D Mark II kits this week and a similar number of bodys last week. I got the feeling Canon's...(read more)

ThinkTank release the StreetWalker range of Camera Backpacks

ben.hoffman — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 04:58:00 GMT

ThinkTank have released a new range of Backpacks for photography in crowded urban spaces, the ThinkTank StreetWalker range, featuring the StreetWalker, StreetWalker Pro and the StreetWalker HardDrive. The full press release is below:...(read more)

Nikon D3x - Nikon Officially Announce the Nikon D3x

ben.hoffman — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:26:00 GMT

Nikon D3x Officially Announced: After the last week of leaks Nikon have now officially announced the Nikon D3x, and as expected it sports a 24.5 megapixel full frame sensor, the full press release from Nikon US can be seen below: ...(read more)

Nikon D3x Sales Brochure Leak with full Product specifications

ben.hoffman — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:18:00 GMT

Nikon D3x Sales Brochure Leak: Days before the expected release of Nikon’s latest full frame monster, a Nikon D3x sales brochure has surfaced leaking, both pictures and details....(read more)

Nikon D3X Pictures leaked on Nikon US website

ben.hoffman — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:12:00 GMT

For a short time Nikon US’s website briefly and I am sure mistakenly had two photos of the upcoming Nikon D3X up on their site, the promo shots have now been removed but we have copies here for your viewing pleasure :) http://www.nikonusa.com/Assets/Digital-SLR/25442-Nikon-D3x/Views/353_25442_D3x_front.jpg http://www.nikonusa.com/Assets/Digital-SLR/25442-Nikon-D3x/Views/353_25442_D3x_back.jpg...(read more)

Canon EOS 5D Mark II in Australian stores as early as Friday

ben.hoffman — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:56:00 GMT

Calling around to several Sydney camera dealers today, Georges in the Sydney CBD has confirmed they will have at least one EOS 5D Mark II in store this weekend, with another 6 early next week. Unfortunately these units are already allocated, asking the question "If I was to order today when could I expect my 5D Mark II?" The answer was January at the earliest, this indicates a very large pre-order list. This news from Georges backs up the following thread on DPReview stating that stock should start...(read more)

Adobe Camera Raw 5.2 Update to Support Canon EOS 5D Mark II

ben.hoffman — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:41:00 GMT

Adobe has updated Camera Raw for Adobe Photoshop to support the Canon EOS 5D Mark II along with a handful of other new camera models....(read more)

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Shipping to US Dealers Tomorrow

ben.hoffman — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:11:00 GMT

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II should be shipping to US Dealers as early as tomorrow (25 November 2008), according to Chuck Westfall via Rob Galbraith’s site Below is an excerpt from the site Rob’s site : “Shipments of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II will begin leaving Canon USA's distribution centres en route to U.S. dealers starting November 25, 2008, says Chuck Westfall, Technical Advisor at Canon USA. This should translate into some dealers being able to put cameras into the hands of customers before the...(read more)

Canon EOS 5D Mark II China in Stores Now

ben.hoffman — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:54:00 GMT

Canon EOS 5D Mark II China – The Canon EOS 5D Mark II has already been spotted in Camera stores in China, what’s more there is proof, a picture of the EOS 5D Mark II Premium Lens kit (EF 24-105 L IS USM Lens) via DPReview It seems that China has been the first to receive or at least, put units on shelves, weather this is because the things are made in China or just because Canon China delivered early to their dealers, who knows? Anyway it does suggest we should expect units in stores around the world...(read more)

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Release Date and Availability in Australia

ben.hoffman — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:39:00 GMT

After ringing around various Australian camera retailers, we should be seeing the Canon EOS 5D Mark II in Australian Digital Camera shops from late this week to early next week, but according to the following post on DPReview the Australia will only get 150 units in this first shipment, which is already in Australia. So if you were after a 5D Mark II from this first shipment get your orders in soon. There however is good news, as there is expected to be a second shipment to Australia, just in time...(read more)