Think an HD projector is something out of your price range? Think again! The folks at Optoma have brought 1080p projectors to a new level of affordability – and now everyone can add to their high-def home theater/multi-media experience – full HD for $1,199!

Displaying full 1080p with a maximum display size of 120″ (diagonally) the Optoma HD20 is perfect for sharing big-screen movies and TV (and can you imagine concerts, pay-per-view sports or video gaming?)

The small, lightweight projector (a mere 6.4lbs) has two HDMI inputs, component and composite inputs, plus a VGA port for connecting a computer. It also features 1,700 ANSI lumens of brightness, with an estimated lamp life of  4,000 hours in standby mode and 3,000 hours in bright mode. And Optoma is so confident in the HD20 projector that they’ve guaranteed that the projector colour will stay the same as the day you bought it, for at least 5 years.

Check it out for yourself!

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UPDATE:
Congratulations to Grant Cronyn @first3rd Productions – he’s won a Canon EOS 7D simply by attending Vistek’s VIP Launch event & entering our draw!

Vistek’s Canon EOS 7D launch party last Thursday was a resounding success! Over 300 people were on hand (when a max. of 250 were expected) to witness the new Canon EOS 7D – and to get their hands on the newest DSLR in the prosumer lineup. With live entertainment, amazing food and some incredible visuals projected onto the walls (and the event’s 57″ flat screen monitors), Shin Sugino’s Studio was abuzz with excitement.

“Everyone really enjoyed the evening,” says Vistek Events Co-ordinator Julie Webster, “the presentation was fantastic, the atmosphere was a lot of fun and people really seemed to love it.”

Canon representative Neil Stephenson was on hand and the camera was put through its paces by professional photographer Mario Miotti (who demonstrated, with the aid of two models, the camera’s image capture quality and overall performance) along with Vistek’s Matthew Nayman and Sean Manton – who demonstrated the camera’s HD video capabilities.

Folks in Ottawa can attend a smaller version of this incredible event on Thursday – check out all the details here & register now!

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Canon‘s  newest Pro DSLR — the EOS-1D Mark IV — hit the market this week and will start shipping this coming January.

What makes this offering so appealing to professional photographers and subjects on the move? A completely redesigned 45-point AF system including 39 cross-type points, for starters. And with a new AI Servo II AF focus tracking system with improved algorithm combined with 10 fps continuous shooting, the EOS-1D Mark IV can handle even high-speed situations with ease.

An APS-H sized 16.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors, a spectacular ISO range of 100 – 12800 (up to 102400 in H3 mode) with an advanced noise reduction system helps ensure sharp, low-noise images even in low-light situations. Add advanced Live View shooting, Full HD movie recording with selectable frame rates and manual exposure control plus a host of new features that enhance every facet of the shooting process and  the EOS-1D Mark IV is definitely the choice of professionals looking for the ultimate in SLR performance.

Key features include:

• New 45-point Area AF sensor including 39 cross-type AF points with f/2.8 support plus new AI Servo II AF with improved algorithm.
• ISO 100 – 12800 (expandable to L: 50, H1: 25600, H2: 51200, H3: 102400) for shooting from bright to dim light with low noise levels.
• EOS HD movie with manual exposure control and multiple frame rates (1080: 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p, 720: 60p (59.94) / 50p, 480: 60p (59.94) / 50p).
• 16.1 Megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors for high image quality and speed.
• New 19-point, all cross-type AF system equipped with dual diagonal cross-type sensors in center at f/2.8 and f/5.6 and AF area selection modes to match various shooting situations.
• 3.0-inch ClearView II LCD monitor, 160° viewing angle, 920,000-dot VGA, reflection resistance with multi coating and high-transparency materials for bright and clear viewing.
• Magnesium alloy body with shutter durability up to 300,000 cycles and exclusive dust- and weather-resistance.

Check out all the specs here!

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That’s right – if you’re in our nation’s captial and want to see the new Canon EOS 7D in action, you have 4 opportunities to do so. We’ve got demonstrations taking place Thursday, Oct. 9 at 4:30, 5:30, 6:30 & 7:30 pm. And, like the Toronto show, space is limited, so make sure you register in advance. Canon representative Neil Stephenson and pro photographer Errol McGihon will be on hand to put the new Canon powerhouse through its paces & answer any questions you may have.

What: Ottawa VIP Event | Download the Invite PDF
When: Thursday, October 29, 2009, 4–8 p.m.
Where: 499 Bank Street (Our new Ottawa store) View Map

Food – Refreshments – Music – Gifts – WIN an EOS 7D
Pro Photographer shooting live models
Draw for prizes – Special product pricing

Not only will you get to see the EOS 7D in action and test drive it for yourself… you get to check out our BRAND NEW digs. As of October 19, Vistek Ottawa has a new home at 499 Bank Street (at Argyle), just 2 blocks south of where we are now. The new 7,500 square foot facility will have more of all the amazing gear, equipment and rentals you’ve come to expect from Vistek – and that’s reason enough alone to celebrate!

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Nikon’s new FX-format digital SLR flagship camera was launched today – the 12.1 megapixel Full-Frame (36 x 24 mm) D3S. It’s got some exciting updates over its predecessor (the 3D) that include a 720p / 24fps HD video mode and a new Hi3 extended sensitivity setting that allows stills and movie capture at a whopping ISO 102,400.

The new powerhouse, set to ship in late November, offers a slew of features like:

• ISO performance: ISO 12800 as standard, expandable to ISO equivalent of 102,400 (Hi 3)
• Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor with 12.1 effective megapixels
• Improved D-Movie function including High-Sensitivity Movie mode and flicker reduction function
• Nikon’s Integrated Dust Reduction System including Image Sensor Cleaning function
• Nikon’s original EXPEED digital image processing
• Active D-Lighting with bracketing for up to 5 frames
• Picture Control: Standard, Vivid, Neutral and Monochrome (Landscape and Portrait can be downloaded from Nikon website)
• Quick response with approx. 0.12 seconds start-up time and approx. 0.04 seconds shutter-release time lag
• 9-frames-per-second shooting rate in FX format, 11 fps in DX crop (CIPA Guidelines)
• Nikon’s original Scene Recognition System, utilizing 1,005-pixel RGB sensor, for more accurate autofocus, auto exposure, i-TTL flash control and auto white balance
• Multi-CAM 3500FX AF sensor module featuring 51 AF points
• Viewfinder with approx. 100% frame coverage and approx. 0.7x magnification in FX format
• Durable shutter unit proven by 300,000 cycles of testing on fully assembled camera
• Intelligent power management that lets you shoot up to approx. 4,200 frames per charge (based on CIPA Standards)
• Easy-to-access Live View modes with dedicated button
• Quiet Shutter-release mode for nonintrusive shooting
• High-definition (approx. 921k-dot), 170° viewing angle, 3-in. VGA LCD monitor with tempered glass

Check out the full specs for yourself.

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Join us Thursday, Oct. 22 from 6 – 9pm for an exciting evening of fun, food and refreshments at 47 Booth Avenue Studio. Canon representative Neil Stephenson will kick things off. Then pro photographer Mario Miotti and pro videographer Sean Manton will demonstrate how the 7D performs. On one stage, Mario will photograph models in different lighting and, on another stage, videographers will capture the action in HD video. Catch it all on huge 1080p screens, and on outputs from a Canon pro printer.

Vistek staff will be on hand with the 7D set up in different formats so that you can test drive it for yourself!

The 7D will be put through its paces on 2 separate stages – showcasing its stills and HD video capabilities. It’s a two-pronged test-drive. First you get to watch. Then you get behind the LCD and give the 7D a whirl. And did we mention that one lucky guest will take home their very own 7D?

Food – Refreshments – Music – Gifts – WIN an EOS 7D
Pro Photographer & Videographers shooting live models
Draw for prizes – Special product pricing

Where: 47 Booth Avenue Studio (Toronto) | Shin Sugino’s Studio View Map
When: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 6–10 p.m.
This is a VIP event & you need to register to attend. Space is limited so register today!

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Having a tough time getting Snow Leopard & your Epson printer drivers to play together nicely? Epson has a new driver update available for download that should take care of any issues you’ve been having.

Get more info or download your update here.

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The Indie Lounge will again play a prominent role in the Grand River Film Festival, southwestern Ontario’s not-for-profit film event. And this year, Redrock Micro is cast in a starring role.

The Indie Lounge will feature advanced workshops, demonstrations, panel discussions and guest speakers discussing independent film and video creation and distribution. Included in the conference is the seminar, An Introduction to Redrock Micro digital 35mm Cinematography”.

Event Overview
This seminar will discuss the benefits and challenges of using the Redrock 35mm Depth-Of-Field Adapter in concert with your HD video camera. With the right tools and knowledge, the Redrock Micro M2 can help transform your everyday video shoots in extraordinary, cinematic experiences.
Level of Participant: Intermediate to professional

Highlights
Learn the principles behind 35mm “Depth-of-field” (or DOF) adapters and find out about the specific functions of the Redrock Micro 35mm M2 as compared to its competitors. Go through a brief primer on the importance of depth-of-field and lens choice in regards to cinematography. Discuss the inherent problems in using a 35mm adapter, and how best to overcome them. There will also be a brief discussion about the Redrock DSLR packages and how to utilize them in conjunction with your Canon EOS 5D Mark II,  Nikon D90, or other video-equipped DSLR.

What You Will Learn

• The importance of DOF as a story-telling device
• The limitations of 1/4″, 1/3″ and 1/2″ HD video cameras with regard to DOF and distortion.
• The principles behind, and functioning of the Redrock M2
• An in-depth discussion about lens-choice and brand.
• A discussion of cinematic tools such as follow focuses, matte boxes, shoulder-mounts and rail systems.
• A brief discussion and activity on working the Redrock Micro M2 into your film shoot (limitations and considerations, how to mark off actors for follow-focus operation, how to effectively use a Mattebox for filters and to control flare.)

Who Should Attend
This seminar is aimed at both the aspiring and professional cinematographer and videographer. A short section of the seminar will be dedicated to the Redrock DSLR packages, and photographers wishing to learn about these products should attend, but should also understand that most of the seminar will be about the M2 adapter and peripherals.

Presenter:  Evan King (Vistek Pro Video Sales Associate | Director of Photography)
Evan King actually began as a child actor before moving behind the camera. He received his academic credentials at the likes of Harvard  University and University of Ottawa, and is presently studying Photographic Theory at York. Evan has shot a number of weddings, music and corporate videos, as well as short films, television pilots and features. While Evan worked with film in his early projects, he’s grown to appreciate the speed and flexibility of digital, creating pieces that “have the same depth and organic feeling of ones captured on celluloid”. Currently Evan works in the Panasonic P2 format, but is equally at home with dv, hdv, xdcam and red, as well as the new crop of DSLRs.

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Congratulations to everyone who Captured Canada so beautifully for our most recent contest.

Carla Chabot from Calgary is our Grand Prize winner. And, as such, she takes home an amazing prize package that includes a Nikon D5000 kit, Canson photo paper, the Black Rapid R-Strap Camera Strap, a Tenba Shootout Convertible Sling Photo Bag, 16GB Extreme III SDHC from Sandisk, a presentation box from Pina Zangaro, TWO Louis Garneau HORIZON 100 bikes and a 6×20″ Ultrachrome print of her winning photograph!

Joining her, with some equally sweet prizes, are:

First Place Winners
• Stefane Berube | Edmonton
•Maricel Tomas | Toronto
•Les Carlson | Calgary
•Daniel Doan | Calgary
•Patrice Ouellet | Ottawa

Second Place Winners
•Amanda Benner | Calgary
•Patrick La Roque | Ottawa
•Jonathon Olenick | Calgary
•Robb Stone | Toronto
•Jarrod Tully | Calgary

Third Place Winners
•Cindy Procter | Edmonton
•Adam Collishaw | Calgary
•Marc Filion | Mississauga
•Aron Lau | Toronto
•Steven Szabo | Calgary

We had so many fantastic submissions that we awarded Honourable Mentions to another 28 entries.

Check out the entire Winners Gallery here

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped to make this contest such a resounding success! Stay tuned for our next exciting contest… it will be coming soon!

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