Defection to the Dark Side?

I did it. I made the switch. After being a die-hard Nikon guy for 25 years I made the leap today and switched to Canon.

Earlier this week I purchased a whole 40D setup, but the cameras actually got here today. First impressions: It's really different from my Nikon stuff. That and HOLY CRAP this thing is fast and silent! Perfection in a wedding camera.

Of course, here are the very first images shot with it. The girls were out playing in the yard, so I shot them.

This is Emma. She's the lady. At six, she'd not the oldest, but we've had her the longest. She is definitely the queen bee.

This one is Zoe. She's the puppy, and don't you forget it. She's nine months old and eats EVERYTHING. If she can't find anything to eat she will attempt to eat one of the other dogs. I am only slightly kidding here.

Lastly, we have Victoria, or as I like to call her “Mrs. Victoria Graybeard."

We adopted Victoria from the Humane Society in October. She had lived there for over a year and I didn't think she needed to do that anymore. It may be because I saved her, but she never leaves my side. Ever. Oh, except when I pull out the camera. She seems to be terrified of my cameras, no matter how small they are.

Canon HV20

Last week I said I was lusting after the Canon HV10 HD video camera. I really love its form factor. It's just a cool looking device. I feel certain that I would have loved having one. Until today.

Today Canon announced the HV20

It's styled more like a traditional camcorder, which I'm not so sure I like. In fact, it looks a little amateurish. But you can't argue with its feature list.

• True HD Sensor (1920x1080)
• 24p Cinema Mode
• CINE setting, which changes the color and tone to more closely resemble film
• Vastly Improved Low-Light Performance (50% greater than the HV10)
• HDMI output
• Optical (rather than digital) Image Stabilization
• 3.1 Megapixel Still camera with built-in flash
• Accessory Shoe (which the HV10 didn't have)
• Audio Input (also which the HV10 didn't have)

It goes on sale in April for a suggested $1,099, but look for that to be discounted through most online retailers.

Lust

Oh, will somebody please buy me one of each of these.

The first one is the new G7 from Canon. This is a 10 (!) megapixel point-and-shoot.

Dig the styling on that thing! I can't wait to get my hands on one of these. I just love things that are beautiful just for beauty’s sake.



The other thing I can't wait to get my hands on is the HV10, also from Canon. I'm usually a Nikon guy, but these new Canons have really got my attention.


What really rules about this little device is that it is the first consumer camcorder to record in FULL HD RESOLUTION. We're talking 1960x1080 pixels for the other tech nerds out there (like me).

Think about that for a second. This thing records at a resolution somewhere on the order of 20x than that of my first video camera (a Minolta Hi8 I bought in 1992).

Apple iPhone

Steve Jobs is the most amazing guy who has ever lived. He invented the personal computer, he invented the iPod, and today he brings the iPhone. In all seriousness, today will go down as a turning point in the history of personal electronics. I don't think this is giving too much praise to a single item. In only 90 minutes, Steve made your current cell phone, iPod, laptop computer, handheld GPS, and camera obsolete when he introduced this thing. Think I'm gushing? Have a look at these videos and tell me if you don't think he has reinvented all of those things; and these videos barely scratch the surface of what this device is capable of.

• Music
• Video
• Phone
• Voicemail (this one is particularly unbelievable)
• eMail
• Text Messaging
• Internet Browsing (pure genius)
• Maps

Go check this thing out for yourself at Apple.

Only 349 days until Christmas. Hmm, I think Santa may be coming to my house early this year.