About 2 months ago, we fitted the sample photos section with the ability to narrow down the search of photos by camera model. Since then, some of you may notice that there may be not much of developments that we brought to date but this isn’t the case.

We have been working diligently in the background on the integrity of the database and the application level to make sure it is still fit and will still deliver what is really matters. Thousands of redundant and not-so-good sample photos have been removed. We are not looking for simply snapshots instead but photos that (fully) exploit on what a particular lens can deliver that holds (certain) photographic and artistic values nonetheless.

We have been busy keeping tabs on any new lens or bodies that have been introduced into the market as well. It’s really quite a hectic job but we are loving it as we are passionate towards photography as well. We are thinking of a simpler platform to interact with us too sometimes so that it would be a healthy two-way communication exchanging precious views.

As for now, we are still looking into improving the search filtering capability of the sample photos and till then, enjoy the show.

PS: It has been a really long way till what we are today and we are seeing success in it! Thanks for supporting us and in return we will continue to thrive with it!

This is probably the most anticipated firmware release update of all time for the Canon 5D MKII users.

Firmware changes log

Firmware Version 2.0.3 incorporates five enhancements to the
movie function and a fix to the manual sensor cleaning function
of the EOS 5D Mark II camera.
1. Adds or changes the following movie frame rates
NTSC:

• 1920×1080:30 fps (changed – actual 29.97fps)
• 1920×1080:24 fps (added – actual 23.976 fps)
• 640×480:30 fps (changed – actual 29.97fps)

PAL:

• 1920×1080:25 fps (added – actual 25.0 fps)
• 1920×1080:24 fps (added – actual 23.976 fps)
• 640×480:25 fps (added – actual 25.0 fps)

2. Adds a function for manually adjusting the sound recording level (64 levels).
3. Adds a histogram display (brightness or RGB) for shooting movies in manual exposure.
4. Adds shutter-priority AE mode (Tv) and aperture-priority AE (Av) mode to the exposure
modes for shooting movies.
5. Changes the audio sampling frequency from 44.1 KHz to 48 KHz.
6. Fixes a phenomenon where communication between the camera and the
attached lens is sometimes interrupted after manual sensor cleaning.
(This phenomenon only affects units with Firmware Version 1.2.4.)

Get Canon EOS 5D Mark II Firmware Update Version 2.0.3

1. Canon Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Official distributor for Canon products

Address: Block D, Peremba Square, Saujana Resort, Section U2,
40150 Shah Alam, Selangor.
Tel: 603-7844 6000, 603-7845 0055
Fax: 603-7845 0505
E-mail: helpdesk@cmm.canon.com.my

Operating hours: Open Mondays to Fridays from 8.30am to 7.30pm
(closed on public holidays)

Direction / Map: Wikimapia link

Direction map below is obtained from Canon.

Canon head office Peremba Square, Shah Alam (Map provided by Canon)

2. Audio & Photo Distributor (F.E.) Sdn Bhd
Official distributor for Sigma products

Address: No. 3-8C (Lots 3-19), Jalan PJU 8/3A,
Perdana Business Centre (D19),
Bandar Damansara Perdana 47820
Petaling Jaya, West Malaysia

Tel: 60-3-77100050
Fax: 60-3-77103372
Email: apdm@tm.net.my

Map / Direction: Wikimapia link
Located near Friendster cafe.

3. Nikon (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Official distributor for Nikon products

Kuala Lumpur
Address: 11th Floor, Block A,
Menara PKNS,
No.17, Jalan Yong Shook Lin,
46050 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Tel: 603-78093688
Fax: 603-78093633

Email: Consumer.Products@nikonoa.net

Operating Hours: 9.00 am – 5.30 pm, Mon-Fri (Closed on Public Holidays)

Map / Direction: Wikimapia link

Nikon (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Petaling Jaya) (Provided by Nikon)

Penang
Suite 8.01, 8th Floor,
MWE Plaza,
No. 8, Lebuh Farquhar,
10200 Penang.

Tel: 604-2627378
Fax: 604-2630809

Operating Hours: 9.00 am – 5.30 pm, Mon-Fri (Closed on Public Holidays)

Map / Direction: Wikimapia link
(Located beside City Bayview Hotel Penang)

4. Futuromic Photo AV Sdn. Bhd.
Official distributor for Tamron products

Address: 16, Jalan PJU 5/16, PJU 5
Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara,
47810, Petaling Jaya,
Selangor D.E.,
Malaysia.

Working Hours: 8.30am – 5.30pm (Monday – Friday)
Email: marketing@futuromic.com
Tel: 6-03-61566633
Fax: 6-03-61572166

Map / Direction: Google Map Wikimapia link

5. DSC World Sdn Bhd
Official distributor for Pentax products

Address: 16-1, Jalan PJU 5/16, PJU 5, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, 57810, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: 6-03-61488122
Fax: 6-03-61572160

Map / Direction: Google Map Wikimapia link
(Located beside Futoromic Photo AV)

Note: For Tokina, there is NO distributor appointed in Malaysia.

If you have up-to-date information about the list that is being shared out here, please leave your comment below. Thanks!

It will be a very packed news digest this time following the PMA 2010 event in California. (PMA 2010 round-up by whatdigitralcamera.com)

Nikon releases TC-20E III 2x teleconverter
Nikon has released a new 2x AF-S teleconverter, the world’s first to include an aspherical lens element. The AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III is a completely new optical design designed to minimise its impact on image quality. When used with the 300mm F2.8 VR II lens launched today it would offer an effective 600mm reach at up to F5.6.

In Sigma’s booth, it’s making a lot of headlines in PMA this year. We have…

Sigma 17-70mm OS for Sony and Pentax
Sigma adds support for Sony and Pextax for its popular 17-70mm lens.

Sigma 70-200mm EX DG OS HSM
Sigma 70-200 EX. Now with Optical Stabilizer!

Sigma 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM
The wide has just got wider!

Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
Redesigned and with added Optical Stabilizer to its 17-50mm fixed 2.8 aperture.

Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
A potential contender to Canon 85mm f/1.2 L lens, the new Sigma 85mm f/1.4. Will it make success like the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 too this time?

Sigma 50-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Last but not least of the lenses, we come to Sigma’s upgrade for its popular 50-500mm ultra-telephoto zoom which now incorporates Optical Stabilisation – a hugely welcome addition to such a long lens.

Sigma SD15
More than a year after first showcasing it at the 2008 Photokina trade show, Sigma has re-announced the SD15 digital SLR. Successor to the SD14, it incorporates a 14MP Foveon X3 sensor, the same True II processor as the latest DPx models, and a larger 3.0″ 460k dot LCD. Other features include SD card compatibility, ISO 100-1600 (50-3200 extended) sensitivity, 21 shot raw buffer at 3fps and 5 frame auto bracketing for HDR-enthusiasts.

(Click here to see some videos on Sigma lenses taken at its booth)

Sony Alpha A450 [CES]
The Sony Alpha 450 slots in below the A500, offering the same 14.2 megapixel CMOS sensor as the more expensive A550 but losing the company’s clever fast-AF live view system. It also loses the tilt and flip LCD screen, instead receiveing the same rather small 6.7cm (2.6″) display as the A230. This stripped-down, lower-cost model plays the same role as the A230 does to the A3XX range, but with the improved ergonomics and larger battery of the A5XX series. The reduced feature set helps boost the battery life to over 1000 shots, using standard test methods. However, in adding a sixth sub-$1000 DSLR, Sony has made its range that bit more confusing.

Sony Super Telephoto 500mm f/4 G & wideangle Distagon T* 24mm f/2 ZA SSM lenses
The 500mm f/4.0 lens is a serious piece of sports or wildlife glass that really expands the range to new heights of super telephoto. And, with its premium G-type elements, it’s guaranteed to perform superbly.

At the opposite end of the scale a wideangle Distagon T* 24mm f/2.0 lens was also announced. This new Carl Zeiss optic has Super Sonic Motor (SSM) for near-silent use.

Tokina plans 16-28mm F2.8 for full-frame
Lens maker Tokina is set to produce a 16-28mm F2.8 ultra wide angle zoom lens for full-frame DSLRs. The lens, called the SD 16-28 F2.8 (IF) FX is being shown in mockup form on the stand of US distributor THK at the PMA show in Anaheim, California. Specifications and availability are as yet unknown.

Canon adds 24 and 25fps HD Movie recording to the EOS 5D Mark II with Firmware 2.0.3

Canon today pre-announces the release of a firmware update for the multiple award-winning EOS 5D Mark II. Originally announced in late 2009, the update adds 24* and 25 frames per second (fps) recording to the camera’s EOS MOVIE video function, and will be available as a free download from the middle of March.

Developed following feedback from photographers and cinematographers, Firmware 2.0.3 further enhances the EOS 5D Mark II’s excellent video performance. The addition of new frame rates expands the camera’s video potential, providing filmmakers with the ability to shoot 1080p Full HD footage at 24fps (actual 23.976fps) – the optimum frame rate for cinematic video. 25fps support at both 1920×1080 and 640×480 resolutions will allow users to film at the frame rate required for the PAL broadcast standard, while the new firmware will also change the 30fps option to the NTSC video standard of 29.97fps…..

Digital Photo Professional 3.8.0 Updater for Windows is software that will install Digital Photo Professional 3.8.0 on your computer or update a previously installed version of Digital Photo Professional to Digital Photo Professional 3.8.0. It is necessary to update your software that the previous version has been already installed on your computer.
Operating systems supported

• Windows 7
• Windows 7 (x64)
• Windows Vista
• Windows Vista (x64)
• Windows XP

Changes for Digital Photo Professional 3.8.0:

• Supports Windows 7
• Supports additional model: The EOS Kiss X4 / EOS REBEL T2i / EOS 550D is now supported.
• Adds a lens that supports the aberration correction function: EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is newly supported.
• Adds a function for adjusting the angle of an image to the Trimming tool.

Direct download Link (Canon USA) or you may find it under specific model drop down and choosing your operating system.

Join in the discussion about this release at DPReview forum

Note: Please find version 3.8.1 (Direct download link) if you are running on Mac.