Canon T2i Accessories

Here's part 2 of my hands-on review of the Canon EOS T2i/Rebel 550D camera. In this section, I delve into the accessories you should consider if you want o take advantage of the camera's amazing video capabilities.

Canon T2i/550D video review

As promised, here's a hands-on review of the new Canon T2i (550D) DSLR camera. The T2i is easy to use, makes a great picture and is really inexpensive. Take a look at the video to learn more...

It's Not a Book, It's a Story...

My wife is a voracious reader. That girl can plow through a novel in a day, no problem. Me? Not so much. But, being the thoughtful husband that I am, I thought a digital reader was the perfect Christmas gift. So, I did my research and bought her the Sony Pocket Reader, because it's small and you can download books for free from local libraries. It seemed like a great idea at the time.

To say that she was LESS than thrilled with it would be a gross understatement; she hated it. Not the actual item per say, but what it represented to her...the death of print. You see, for my wife (and many others I suspect) reading is not just about the words, it's a tactile experience that extends from the fingers, to the eyes, to the brain. It requires the scent and feel of PAPER to really work. You have to hold the book, curl the pages and bend the spine. She's tried the reader several times, but her lack of enthusiasm is palpable. In fact, the ONLY time it seems to have any use for her is when she can't get to the library or book store and HAS to have a book. Then, like a junkie looking for a fix, she'll capitulate, download a book and muddle through it. But I know all the while she's thinking how much BETTER the experience would be with a REAL book...and yet I never fully understood why. That is, until the other night.

While in desperation mode, she downloaded a novel and started to read the digital device. After a few hours, she seemed to be genuinely enjoying it this time, so I thought I'd once again ask the magic question, "how 's your book?" Her response finally put it all into perspective for me..."it's not a book, it's a story." WOW, so that's it. Regardless of how easy or convenient they might be, as long as there is ink to stain their fingers, a digital reader will never be a book...it'll only ever be a story. I don't know if I agree, but at least now I understand.

No EVO for You!

Well, they finally got me. After months of incessant advertising, I finally succumbed to Sprint's EVO marketing campaign. I WANT one. In fact, I've wanted one for weeks! The only issue is that there are none available for me to have and call my own. "None?" you say, "None" I say. Nary a one...zilch...nada...niente...none. I've looked online, I've checked stores and the response is always the same...none. And yet, I'm still being bombarded by Sprint's advertising juggernaut, day and night, night and day. They bait me, taunt me, tease me, and yet they will not sell to me. Why? Because they have none. now, I understand that there is something to be said for creating demand, but c'mon now. At a certain point, it goes from creating demand, to creating resentment. That's not to say that I wouldn't take an EVO right NOW if it was offered to me. But, the longer I have to wait, the more I'm considering my options, and their ads have now become the visual equivalent of the Chinese water torture for me. I feel like the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld is tormenting me, "No EVO for you!"

Get on your game Sprint.

DSLR's are it!

Wow, the DSLR revolution is really in full swing. It seems like every still camera company is making a DSLR now that shoots HD video, including Nikon, Panasonic and Canon. For my money, Canon has the lead in this race, with a lineup of DSLR's for every pocketbook, from the uber-professional 5D MKII, to the newly released T2i which can be had with kit lens for under $900! What makes these cameras so popular is their huge sensors and the DOF you get from their lenses. Follow this link to see a video shot by Philip Bloom of the U.K.

http://philipbloom.net/dslr-films/salton-sea-canon-rebel-t2i-550d/

I'll be posting my own sample and review in the coming weeks.

Well the iPad came out a few days ago and while people seem generally happy, it didn't exactly stop the world either. Maybe it's because the iPad is what the iTouch should've been to begin with, which (in yet another stroke of marketing genius) virtually guarantees a customer base. Because if you've already got an iTouch, you know how great it is, and how much GREATER it would be if it were bigger. Darn you Steve Jobs for tempting me again!

Okay, well if you have one, here are 10 tips...