Canon 550D- DSLR's and "compact" cameras.

Its been a while since I used the Canon 550D on a stock photography shoot. After using smaller and lighter cameras for a long time, the 550D with its speedy AF and instant shutter seemed like another world. It was quite exhilarating for a while.

I used an 85mm f1.8 (curious cat) which was excellent as usual, and the 10-22mm zomm f3.5-4.5 USM (bridge and house) which seemed to produce great results on initial inspection, but after a closer look revealed some unnatractive properties.

This image looks fine.

This is a detail from the centre.

Nice and sharp - nothing wrong with that.

However this is the top right hand corner.

This is the right edge.

Its not as if this is an isolated case. Every Canon zoom I've ever used, from kit zooms to L series has had really nasty CA and purple fringing.

OK its shot at f3.5 and 10mm, but shouldn't a zoom costing £600 perform better than this?

On the use of "compact cameras" Charlie Waite, he of the Hassleblad 6x6 tripod mounted Velvia 50 landscape persuasion had just released a DVD extolling the virtues and quality of compact cameras.

Details here:- http://www.charliewaite.com/news-item.asp?NewsID=86

This is his YouTube video.

This follows on from the David Clapp review of the GF1 earlier in the year.

http://www.davidclapp.co.uk/blog/reviews/43-panasonic-gf-1-in-the-landscape.html

To which he's added this piece:-

http://www.davidclapp.co.uk/blog/reviews/53-panasonic-gf-1-and-sigma-10-20-43s-review.html

Serious Compacts

Amin Sabet, the founder of the excellent mu-43.com site has asked me to become involved in his new project seriouscompacts.com

I was pleased to accept this invitation and am pretty excited about this new addition to the photographic internet community.

Those who have spent any time on this blog will know of my enthusiasm for the remarkable new small cameras emerging from companies such as Panasonic, Olympus, Samsung, Sony, Ricoh and Leica. Those who like me, are looking for quality without bulk, now have serious alternatives to the DSLR and judging from the popularity of these systems and the lively activity generated by discussions of these cameras, I am not alone in this.

This new site will include, forums, blogs, news, rumours, reviews and deals available. The emphasis is on the use of small(er) cameras and the opportunity they give for serious, quality photography without the need to carry heavy equipment around.

Amin and I hope that you will come and visit, and contribute your experiences, opinions and above all your images.

D

"These days it seems that many people associate serious photography with the use of large, heavy gear. Our site features discussion and testing of the remarkable compact tools available to photographers. We also highlight some of the outstanding work being done with this gear.

In the past two years, we have seen widespread changes in the landscape of compact cameras. While the most basic compact cameras are being replaced by camera phones, cameras like the Panasonic LX3, Ricoh GRD III, Canon S90, Sigma DP2, and Leica X1 have continued to push the limits of fixed lens, small camera capability. Meanwhile, the mirrorless interchangeable lens systems from Olympus, Panasonic, Ricoh, Sony, and Samsung are bringing tremendous versatility in ever smaller form.

Although we are naturally interested in the latest, advanced compact gear, the focus of this site is on quality photography achieved with any compact cameras, whether "advanced" or otherwise."

Amin Sabet