As I do a bit of wedding photography the full weather proofing will come in handy as well as will the far lower weight of the full 70-200 f2.8 IS.

So how much does the new 70-300 IS L f4/5.6 weight then, well its not too bad at 1050g, that’s more than a standard 70-200 f4 L at 720g (IS 750g) but far less then the new 70-200 f2.8 IS II at 1540g so a result really considering the extra reach on offer.

So this could be the all new high quality travel and FF longer range lens of choice and we didn’t even see it coming, well done Canon.

UPDATE – Well maybe I was wrong about this lens, yes its got great reach for a crop and a nice range for FF but Canon has done it yet again, they have priced it too high. How the hell they think this lens is worth £1500 I have no idea.

Canon have recently recorded record profits in a downturn, this is probably due to the higher prices blamed on currency conversions and just plain rude pricing. I can only describe some of the new lenses as a complete rip off. Don’t even look at the price of the new extenders, how does an increase in the current priced ones of 120% sound, plain madness to me.
Maybe Canon should be investigated for its current pricing strategy in the UK, I can only hope that Nikon and Song go super aggressive on pricing and take the legs from underneath Canon and get them to wake up on the pricing. But then I doubt it.

So a week ago I set up the meter and its been working a treat but as I like my gadgets I thought I’d add the software onto my laptop and see what I could find out about my energy usage.

In the CD went and all look fine until I started up the software with a message about there is a problem with your software. Great what is the problem?

So I un-installed everything and tried again but still no joy and I got the same error.

So what’s the solution, run the install as an administrator. Yep I’m running Windows 7 (non ultimate) and I ran the setup.exe install program as administrator and hey presto it all installed fine and dandy.

My Dad has installed his on Windows 7 without problem, no idea why mine didn’t work but this might help some other people to fix there issues.

If you are reading this and fixed it another way then post away below and help others.

The first hurdle – Installation / Getting it going

But things didn’t start well, when I installed Settlers 7 it didn’t work first time even though it even downloaded a patch before I fired up the game.  So I re-installed after removing it all for the same to happen.  So the troubleshooting started, here are a few tips.

1. Turn off dual screens if you have them. I did this and it at least tried to start, it seems after you have done this it you can turn them back on as the game is configured for using only a single screen.
2. Make sure you allow all the requests out through your firewall, doing this at least made it try and start but it still fell over. The standard changes are for the windows firewall but that doesn’t help if you are using Comodo or Zonealams
3. Turn off the Security level for Comodo, not the firewall that is left on but if I turn off the security hey presto it will fire up.

Yes yes its hard for a software supplier to test everything but Tropico started without problem so why can’t this be the same, oh and little or no DRM on Tropico and its been a dream to play.

Game Review – The Good

Well I’m up to about mission 5  or 6 and its brilliant so far, not too hard or easy but just right. The graphics are great and just about the right amount of serious and playful. The story line is evolving and the interface is pretty good as well. It is a bit confusing in some areas when trading, it seems you do it in the interface for trading but then can actually do it on the map or is it both, I’m a touch confused on that bit.

You need to get off the mark quickly on some missions to get ahead of your opponent that might need a second try to win but that is all part of the challenge.

Game Review – The Bad

Well I’ve mentioned the DRM a bit already and it really is a massive pain. Three times whilst playing the game its told my I’ve lost a connection. But so what I’m playing a local mission on my PC with no interaction with anyone else, why the hell do I care if I’ve lost connection. But in fairness its come back fairly quickly and I’ve been back to playing again.

But today takes the biscuit. Better half is out shopping for the day so I can get some quality gaming in but no, the Ubisoft servers are down and I can’t get a connection. Great so I can’t play a local game because I can’t get to the server. Now I can write this so by ADSL connection is fine but they can’t create a solution that allows me to play the game, pathetic.

Verdict

Well this is tough, I want to give the game a 9/10, its really really good but how can I give it a score like that when I can’t even play the game. DRM and the digital rights bill that is about to go through the commons in the UK is only going to make this sort of thing worse, not just for gaming but films and music. I buy all my games but do you know what I’d be looking for a crack if such a thing was available just to allow me to play the game.

So it seems its the verdict is

Ubisoft Game developers 9/10 well done you did a great job.

Ubisoft finance and marketing team 0/10, well done for killing a game I wonder how well this is going to affect your profits for this and future games, mine is going back to the retailer.

Until this issue is fixed for good I can’t recommend buying a game that might not work for a day or more (its still down after 2 hrs so far today). I will report back if there is a fix or the issue no longer occurs. Personally I’m off to play Tropico 3, that’s working perfectly and is just as good.

The reason that I was so attracted to the F30 when it was launched was its stunning low light ability, at the time people were comparing it to SLR’s. It was never as good as the SLR’s lets be honest but it was way better than just about any compact camera that was on sale.

So this time around I think that a good sensor and thus great low light ability has to be top of the list, I’d like a longer reaching and wider lens greedy I know and potentially some nice HD video.

The contenders

• Panasonic LX3
• Canon S90
• Canon G11
• Sony DSC-HX5V

Well firstly I think I will clarify some of my requirements, I don’t want it to be too big, I’ve got an SLR to take full on shots, if I want to take those that will be with me, so it needs to be able to fit in my jeans pocket.

First to GO

That has to be the G11 then, its a great camera that ticks just about all the boxes but its just to big for what I want. I hear that the G11 is going to be the last in the G series range and it will be re-launched as an all new model with a complete re-design. I personally don’t think it needs to be as big and clunky as it is, many other cameras can do the same for much less size admittedly without so much control but maybe they have something new up their sleeve on that front.

Seconds out

Next to go is the Panasonic LX3, I don’t know why but its never really floated my boat. When I handled it I wasn’t too happy with the bulge on the front to contain the lens or the need to have a lens cap, I mean why surely a little shutter wouldn’t have been that hard would it.

Secondly the camera fixed the lens’s distortion for you which isn’t bad I guess I mean who needs a photo showing lots of barrel distortion, but then you aren’t getting the full shot for it to do this. So if you do shoot really wide and it does go fairly wide but it doesn’t go very long. The lens is nice and quick though at F2 when wide open, but ultimately this isn’t the camera for me, plus it must be due and update soon surely.

So its down to the Sony HX5 or the Canon S90

This is going to be tough, both of these cameras have their pro’s and cons.

Canon                                Sony

Lens         28-105 F2-4.9           ¦       25-250 f3.5-5.9

Sensor    1/1.7″ Type CCD        ¦       1 / 2.4 inch “Exmor R” CMOS sensor
10 Mpix                                10.2 Mpix

Screen    3.0″ 460k                      ¦       3.0″ 230k

Video      640 x 480 @ 30fps  ¦       1920 x 1080 50i AVCHD format

So the specs so far aren’t that much different, the Sony sensor is smaller but it is back lit so the photo sites are a similar size or possibly larger. The Lens is a different matter, do you want the long 250 or the super fast f/2 or the Canon, its a tough choice to say the least.

The Sony also has some pretty funky modes, like an auto panoramic mode, sweep the camera across the horizon and hey presto a panoramic shot. It also has a clever low light function that quickly takes 6 shots, merges them together and creates stunning hand held low light shots, or at least so some of the forums are saying for the existing model.

However when it comes to control the Canon probably has the nod, if you know what you are doing with a camera then you want to be able to control things and this is something the Canon does very well. From the unique wheel on the front of the camera to modes to control aperture and shutter priority it really excels at allowing full control over what you are shooting. But it appears that the old Sony doesn’t seem to have much control at all, fingers crossed they have realised this isn’t what people want form a top of the range camera and adds some more.

The Sony also has a GPS sensor, no I don’t know why more cameras don’t have it either especially SLRs but hey ho it seems camera manufactures can be a bit slow.

So which one would I go for?

Well that is a tough one, compact cameras are a funny thing. The Canon has a good sensor and a good lens, it is f/2 after all but then it is meant to have lots of distortion and it doesn’t really go that long. And what is that video mode about, 640×480 I had on a 3 year old mobile phone let along a top of the range compact camera. The extra potential adjustment and one thing I haven’t mention yet the ability to capture RAW is a big bonus.

The Sony does however have the newest feature set and do I really want to use a compact camera to shoot RAW or just get it out to take quick family shots, Mmmm this is a tough one indeed. The video mode will embarrass some Camcorders so that gets it a big vote and some of the clever features would be useful.

I’ve already seen some comparison high ISO shots of the same test scene and the Sony took the nod surprisingly but it was quite close. I think its a draw at the moment and I will see what the results of some of the reviews are and see a few more shots. I’d be interested to see if the control issues have been resolved and how sharp the lens is.

Either way both of these cameras are great, if only one could be created that merged best parts of both I’d be very happy indeed.

UPDATE

Well only a day after I’ve posted I might have found the camera and its not one of those already mentioned. Its the all new just announced Samsung TL350 or WB2000 depending on the market. So what makes this the potential choice I hear you asked.

Well its got a nice big 10Mpix 1/1.7″ sensor, a fairly quick f/2.8 Schnider lens at a super wide 24mm and it also goes all the way to 120mm at full zoom, so far so good. As for movie mode, well what can I say its got HD video at 30fps and even a very low resolution 1000fps slow motion function, a bit pointless but the HD video certainly isn’t.

Its also got a nice AMOLED screen with 640,000 pixels, so nice and high res. Its got a few other nice features like a panoramic mode and you can also take 10mpix images in the middle of taking a video, things are looking good.

But I’ve left the best bit till last, it can take photos in RAW and, it has fully manual controls hallelujah, why others don’t on a top end camera is a mystery to me. On and look at the power and memory meters, a nice little analogue dial, nice and retro.

So this could be it, will have to see what the image quality is like first and then make a final decision.

In terms of weight and size there is very little difference, the new lens is only 20 grams lighter which is welcome but hardly revolutionary for 9 years worth of lens advancement. Its got updated controls with a wider focusing ring and better weather sealing to bring it up to the latest standards as well.

But the frankly shocking thing is the price, in the UK its MRRP is £2700, compared to the current retail price of about £1400 (way up from last year but that’s currency fluctuations for you)  the new lens is almost double the current lens. Personally I think unless it comes down a lot when it hits the retail stores I think Canon are getting a little greedy on the profits front and they need to wake up and smell the coffee. Canon have lost a 15% advantage in market share over the last 3 years if this carries on updated lenses or not they aren’t going to keep and lead at this rate.

Full Press release and Detailed specification below

5th January 2010 – Canon today adds to its acclaimed L-series with the launch of the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM telephoto zoom lens. The lens launches as the successor to the immensely popular EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, offering improved performance in every area.

True to the L-series’ heritage, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM delivers optical excellence in the most challenging situations. As well as a revamp of the internal optical system, the lens has also been structurally re-developed as a direct result of user feedback, making it as robust and reliable as it is optically advanced.

“Reuters’ photographers have used the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM for a number of years and it allows photographers a great level of flexibility,” said Reuters Production Editor Kevin Coombs. “The focal length, fast aperture and Image Stabilizer all contribute to it being a workhorse lens and you’ll find it in many professional photographers’ camera bags. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the improvements offered by the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.”

Premium quality, premium performance

The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM features a re-designed optical system, consisting of 23 elements in 19 groups to deliver truly impressive results. A high-performance fluorite element is used at the heart of the lens path, coupled with no fewer than five ultra-low dispersion (UD) elements, drastically reducing chromatic aberration throughout the zoom range to produce high contrast images with edge-to-edge definition.

A high-speed Auto Focus (AF) system perfectly matches the abilities of the recently-launched EOS-1D Mark IV and EOS 7D Digital SLR (DSLR) cameras. The new model also features a ring-type USM AF motor, which combines with a new high-speed CPU and an optimised AF algorithm to make auto focusing both faster and quieter.

A reduced minimum focusing distance of 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) and improved 0.21x magnification will allow photographers to get closer to subjects without needing to swap lenses – greatly benefitting time-pressured news and events photographers who require flexibility. An updated Image Stabilizer mechanism also offers a shutter speed advantage equivalent to four-stops, reducing the effect of image blur resulting from camera shake in busy shooting environments.

Enhanced design, exceptional ease of use

As well as an update to the internal construction, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM features an enhanced external appearance to improve lens operation. The thickness of protruding exterior parts and switches has been significantly reduced, guarding against accidental switching and creating an improved overall look. The rubber focusing grip has also been redesigned and widened; with finely-patterned grooves making it easier to manually focus.

Being an L-series lens, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is fully weatherproof, making it ideal for use in all weather conditions. The mount, focus mode switch and focusing ring all feature a completely dust and drip-proof structure, preventing dust or water from getting inside the camera and lens when used with accompanying weatherproof EOS bodies. The lens has been designed to stand up to the daily wear and tear of professional usage, making it a highly durable, reliable lens for use day-to-day by professional photographers.

High quality L-series accessories

The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is supplied with several accessories, including the new ET-87 Lens Hood and the Ring-Type Tripod Collar B (W). A brand new Lens Case LZ1326 is also included as standard, offering quick and easy access when users need to switch lenses in time-pressured situations.

Compatibility with a range of optional Canon accessories also allows users to pair the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM with the Lens Extender EF 1.4x II, Lens Extender EF 2x II, Extension Tube EF 12 II, Extension Tube EF 25 II, and 77mm filters.

Google Nexus One Full Specs

Android 2.1

3.7″ OLED Screen resolution 480×800

1Ghz Snapdragon processor

512Mb ROM and 512Mb of memory

4GB SD expandable to 32Gb (Currently)

5Mpix Camera with LED flash

Oh and its as thin as an iPhone!

Now I don’t know about you but if nothing else Apple are really going to have to up their game with the new iPhone that’s set to be launched in June. By comparison the current iPhone is beaten on just about every front bar the interface but the video on engadget certainly shows its potential power, the animated backgrounds certainly look nifty.

No word on when the Nexus One is out I will keep an eye out for the date and I expect it to be out on T-Mobile first, competition is great isn’t it.

And now Google has launched a website for the new phone about all of the features and loads of extra photos.

Full as yet confirmed specification list now available. Google Specs page

Size and weight

Height    119mm
Width    59.8mm
Depth    11.5mm
Weight
130 grams w/battery
100g w/o battery

Display

3.7-inch (diagonal) widescreen WVGA AMOLED touchscreen

800 x 480 pixels

100,000:1 typical contrast ratio

1ms typical response rate
Camera & Flash

5 megapixels

Autofocus from 6cm to infinity

2X digital zoom

LED flash

User can include location of photos from phone’s AGPS receiver

Video captured at 720×480 pixels at 20 frames per second or higher, depending on lighting conditions
Cellular & Wireless

UMTS Band 1/4/8 (2100/AWS/900)

HSDPA 7.2Mbps

HSUPA 2Mbps

GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)

Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

A2DP stereo Bluetooth

Power and battery

Removable 1400 mAH battery

Charges at 480mA from USB, at 980mA from supplied charger

Talk time
Up to 10 hours on 2G
Up to 7 hours on 3G
Standby time
Up to 290 hours on 2G Up to 250 hours on 3G
Internet use
Up to 5 hours on 3G
Up to 6.5 hours on Wi-Fi
Video playback
Up to 7 hours
Audio playback
Up to 20 hours

Processor

Qualcomm QSD 8250 1 GHz
Operating system

Android Mobile Technology Platform 2.1 (Eclair)
Capacity

512MB Flash

512MB RAM

4GB Micro SD Card (Expandable to 32 GB)
Location

Assisted global positioning system (AGPS) receiver

Cell tower and Wi-Fi positioning

Digital compass

Accelerometer

Image courtesy of Engaget.

But 25,000 people have visited this year generating just short of half a million hits, not bad for a little website hey.

Thanks to eveyone who have visited and Happy New Year.

Add us to your RSS feeds and the post will be coming thick and fast in 2010, roll on the next decade of advancement in gadgets hey, I can’t wait.

So what is it going to be used for?

Well I can see it as being a good way of viewing and surfing the net and looking at news articles and yes you guessed it reading books, how will Apple cope with having a device that doesn’t have a glossy screen. So thats good but I’m not sure I want to spend upwards of £400 or even more to get one. Surely its going to have to be more than that, it might be quite good for larger strategy games the developers have been asked to look at higher resolution games after all and expect it to have 3D graphics chips to spice things up.

Yes it will be super thin, and have a nice big 10″ OLED screen which will help to improve the battery life, it will need to be quite light aswell. I’d expect it might also have 3G as well as Wifi otherwise how would it update when you are on the move, I bet the networks will love having more devices to deal with.

So we could be looking at a device that is going to start to shape computing into the next decade or a big flop and and expensive one at that. It will probably be a great hit that many will love and an equal measure hate, me I’m yet to be convinced but I guess we will find out more on the 26th of January, launch date? I’d go for April or May pre-updated iPhone etc. likely in June.

So this leaves the 5D Mark II in a tricky spot, yes it has a stunning Full Frame sensor and excellent dynamic range but many complain about its outer focusing points not being up to the job. Now this isn’t a view I hold having used one it seems to do a great job. However I can understand the frustration of those that want a FF sensor and more of the pro level features without needing to get a huge 1D body.

So what are Canon going to do? Well if rumours are to be believed they are going to launch a 3D specifically at the Wedding / semi-pro market in early 2010. Canon  Rumors have recently reported the following specs,

3D Specs:
16.7mp FF
7.2 µm pixel pitch
DIGIC V
Small magnesium alloy body similar to the 5D2

However there is still no news on the AF or any more of the features.  Fingers crossed they add all the features from the 7D onto a FF sensor, the reported 16mp is just about perfect as well. The only worrying thing is the price, it seems that they might pitch it way higher than the 5DII but this would be a mistake. Nikon is close on Canons heals and are about to release a D800 with an updated sensor to challenge the 5DII and it has the full Pro level focusing and remote flash triggers built in.

So come on Canon get it launch oh and with eye focusing please and for not too much money and I might be about to upgrade my 40D to something new.

Well the Nexus One pictured above seems to be a potential challenger  and could be coming as early is January 2010 . Some would say that will be the  first of its kind to really start to push Apple’s iPhone. Checking out the specs must have Apple a bit worried. Its going to have a nice quick processor, be thinner (yes thats a shock to me as well) and have a high resolution OLED screen.

The camera appears to be a none to shabby 5Mpix and also has a flash, looking good so far? yes I think so as well. Add to that a couple of microphones (one on the front the other on the back) to help with noise cancellation and even dictation to text and its looking even better. The proof will be in the pudding however but it looks like for the first time in a very long time there could be a phone that could genuinely (sorry I don’t count the Pre or Nokia’s frankly hard to use rivals) be able to challenge the all conquering  iPhone.

So then Apple, we need a better camera, an OLED screen with a higher resolution and the same fantastic usability oh and go on better battery life in the new phone please, over to you.