The Canon EOS 7D is on sale now
Packed with new features, the Canon’s EOS 7D digital SLR combines innovative technology and intuitive build to create a new photographic experience and is destined to be a big seller this Christmas.
The groundbreaking design was developed by Canon according to the specific demands of over 5,000 photographers worldwide matched with cutting edge technology. Features include a new 18MPP APS-C CMOS Sensor with Dual DIGIC 4 processors that eliminate the need to compromise between shooting speed, image quality and ISO performance and is effective in any light setting. With continuous shooting images can be captured at eight frames per second without the need for additional accessories and the ISO expands to 12,800 to create a more natural light.
Design features include a body made of magnesium alloy that is both tough and lightweight and resistant to moisture and dust. Operation is smooth and it’s easy to switch directly to movie mode when users can create a cinematic experience by shooting full HD video with options for 24 frames per second.
The EOS 7D’s 19-point cross-type AF sensor achieves more accurate shots and improves composition options. With a range of manual and automatic settings including Zone and customisable Spot AF, subjects can be captured quickly and accurately. The photographer can effortlessly switch between landscape and portrait settings. A new metering system measures focus, colour and brightness across 63 zones to obtain a more accurate exposure and an ambient light sensor sets brightness automatically depending on circumstances.
The Intelligent Viewfinder offers 100% frame coverage with 1.0x magnification which allows photographers to engage more with the shot. The three inch LCD allows users to choose between various overlay features with a range of tools that assist in framing the picture and protects from glare with a viewing angle of 160 degrees. A new feature is the first Dual-Axis Electronic Level in the viewfinder and LCD that indicates pitch and roll angles – especially useful when shooting landscapes to ensure a level horizon.
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Exilim EX FH20 camera from Casio
The Exilim EX-FH20 from Casio is a bridge-style compact camera capable of high-speed continuous shooting action in high-definition and still images in crisp, clear detail.
Reckoned to be the second fastest camera on the market and a less expensive option with a price tag of around £250, the EX-FH20 integrates 9.1 megapixels with a 20X optical zoom (26-520mm equivalent) that has a smooth and responsive action, mechanical image stabilisation and a 26mm wide-angle lens. It’s also capable of shooting action at speeds of up to 1000 frames per second and still images of up to 40 fps in a single burst by selecting from one of seven burst settings. At the highest speeds of up to 1,000 fps the camera catches movements that can’t be seen with the naked eye. There’s also a slow motion video option available.
The bright three inch LCD screen situated at the rear of the camera remains clear even in extreme sunlight with an electronic viewfinder situated above and a conveniently placed button for switching between that and the LCD, plus a diopter adjustment wheel. Incorporating
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Le Creuset Screwpull Corkscrew
For a corkscrew that provides effortless cork removal you need look no further than Screwpull by Le Creuset.
Screwpull is well known for its simple, stylish and high performance and has been bringing innovative products to the market place since the 1970s. This attractive lever action corkscrew specifically designed to remove synthetic corks is made of a high quality metal alloy with a satin chrome or black nickel finish.
A more comfortable arm action that involves four steps instead of six means that the Screwpul l has become the corkscrew of choice recommended by wine connoisseurs and waiters everywhere or just anyone who’s throwing a party with a few cases of wine that need to be opened.
You simply place the Screwpull on the bottle and life the lever up and over the bottle whilst holding it securely in the other hand, before returning the lever to its the original position.
Complete with foil cutter and leather presentation case and ten year guarantee, the Screwpull is well worth the investment and will probably last you a lifetime.
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Art Lebedev Studio Navigarius Sat Nav
The Sat Nav is not renowned for its state of the art design, with chunky squares and rectangles being the name of the day. Now, all that is in the past – the Sat Nav just got curvy.
Developed by the innovative Russian design house, Art Lebedev Studio the Navigarius is still in the makeover stages but should become an actual product in the near future. With mini USB and microSD and cigarette lighter adapter, it’s hardly revolutionizing Sat Nav technology, but the new circular shape is raising eyebrows everywhere. Not only is it more futuristic, it offers a much more user-friendly interface with a round touch-screen and a slender, futuristic detachable stand that fixes onto the windscreen via suction.
This is one time when it’s good to be round, it remains to be seen if the concept is adopted by other providers of portable navigation devices.
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Micro Mosquito 3.0
OK, so it’s a toy but a cool toy and one that will help you hone your piloting skills without leaving the safety of the helipad.
The Mosquito 3.0 is one mean machine that will happily buzz around your living room for up to seven full minutes from half an hour of charging. With glowing red LED eyes and six spindly legs, it’s no bigger than your palm but is easy to control and immensely manoeuvrable. Featuring cutting-edge technology, it has a twin coaxial rotor which ensures smooth and stable operation and exact forward and reverse control.
A helicopter launch pad acts as the charger and the controls are so precise that you could take off and land it from your hand. It has full function three-channel digital radio control and portable charger and requires a 9v battery for the transmitter and 6 x C cell batteries for the charger. What’s more, the Mosquito 3.0 doesn’t bite and it could represent the most fun you’ve had indoors for a long time.
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Slappa Velocity Spyder Pro
This bag may look like Batman’s lunchpack but it’s one mean machine capable of protecting your laptop from danger.
Especially suitable for hikers, bikers, deep-sea divers, astronauts or anyone who needs to safely transport their laptop from a to b with least hassle, the Slappa Velocity Spyder Pro is tear resistant and waterproof with a strong moulded rubber EXO skeleton casing.
It’s big enough to accommodate a 17” laptop in its padded storage compartment and a special STAYCOOL lining that will keep things at the optimum temperature with three layers providing protection for digital equipment. And there’s enough room left over for a change of clothes, accessories or even your bat cape. Surprisingly soft to touch, and comfortable to wear for long periods of time, the Slappa Velocity Spyder Pro combines stylish, state-of-the-art design with practicality.
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Sony Touchscreen Reader
If you need persuading that eReaders are the books of the future, the Sony Touchscreen Reader is the one to make you change your mind.
With a memory that stores around 350 books and a backlight for nocturnal reading after lights out, it’s also possible to turn the page at the swipe of a finger.
Smaller than a slim paperback, the Touchscreen Reader allows you to take a complete library with you wherever you go. Now there’s no need to run out of reading material when you’re on holiday and unable to access an English bookshop.
With thousands of books available to buy online from Waterstone’s, you can download them to your PC and transfer to your Sony Reader. Thousands more electronic books can be stored with a Sony Memory Stick Duo or SD memory card. A facility to book mark and magnify is also available and a long life battery means you could read War and Peace five times over before you have to recharge.
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Morrissey
How can you describe Morrissey? He’s probably one of the most unique performers of the late 20th and 21st century, defying all genres, an innovator and inimitably miserable. This is a chance to catch him live in the UK before he jets off back to his adopted home in LA.
The singer-songwriter is well known for his mordant lyrics and vocals. Described by NME as “one of the most influential artists ever,” and the Oscar Wilde of rock, he is recognised for being a major innovator in indie music.
“Pop music was all I ever had, it was completely entwined with the image of a pop star. I remember feeling that the person singing was actually with me and understood me and my predicament,” said Morrissey describing his teenage years when he often experienced depression. This belief became one that was carried over in Morrissey’s own lyrics and delivery; his songs are uniquely conversational and intimate giving the impression that he is talking directly to his audience.
Forming the alternative rock band, The Smiths in 1982, with Johnny Marr, the pair began a songwriting partnership, creating such masterpieces as Hand in Glove in 1983, championed by the Radio 1 DJ John Peel and Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now, the Smith’s first top 10 hit and landmark single.
Success continued but exhaustive touring and personal differences took their toll and the band split up. But it wasn’t until after going solo in 1988 that Morrissey reached his potential as a performer. Hits like Suedehead, His album Kill Uncle our Arsenal peaked at number 8 in the charts, Vauxhall and I, described by Morrissey as “the best album I ever made” was written after the loss of three of his friends. In June 2003, You Are The Quarry got rave reviews and Irish Blood, English Heart reached the number 3 spot. In 2009, Rolling Stone Magazine named him as one of the Greatest Singers of Our Time in a poll cast by a panel of 179 music experts including Bono and Bruce Springsteen. What more can be said about this legendary performer?
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Simple Minds
Tickets are now available for this iconic Scottish rock band famous throughout the 80s and 90s who are playing in venues across the country at locations including Glasgow, Belfast, London and Cardiff. With a string of critically acclaimed hits behind them ranging from their number one worldwide single, Don’t You (Forget About Me), from the soundtrack of the movie The Breakfast Club, the band has a loyal fan-base with songs that are as relevant today as they were a decade ago and the tour is likely to prove a sell-out.
Founder members Jim Kerr (vocals) and Charlie Burchill (guitar, keyboards) and drummer Mel Gaynor were initially influenced by punk music and first tracks were reminiscent of performers like Lou Reed. Though later singles came under the rock banner they always retained an anthemic element with avant-garde rhythms and experimental edge.
Once Upon a Time, released in 1985 included the massive hit singles Alive and Kicking, Sanctify Yourself and All the Things She Said and heralded in a new political phase for the band with albums like Street Fighting Years and She Moved Through the Fair released in support of the kidnap hostage Brian Keenan.
Subsequent albums were critically acclaimed and with the latest offering, Graffiti Soul flying high in the UK and European Charts, the band is currently experiencing a renaissance and continues to wow the crowds with a mix of old classics and quality new material. It’s well worth getting a ticket to see this historic band.
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The Enemy
Playing at a venue near you The Enemy receive rave reviews wherever they perform. This is a band that doesn’t pussyfoot about; headlining at Leeds, T in the Park and a major band at Glastonbury, the debut album We’ll Live and Die in These Towns in 2007 went straight to the top of the charts.
Hailing from Coventry, The Enemy has supported a host of bands, some of which they have subsequently surpassed in popularity, plus some absolute musical giants like the Rolling Stones and the Stereophonics. They were also chosen as special guests on The Oasis 2009 Stadium Tour and played six nights in a row at the London Astoria.
Representing a formidable force on the British music scene, concerts make use of a huge video screen that provides a backdrop to the high energy stage tactics. Playing in support of their new album Music for the People, there’ll be plenty of anthemic hits with lots of communal singing, swaggering stage presence and accomplishment well beyond their years with the subject matter of their songs striking a chord with many. 2009 has been a huge year for The Enemy and they look set to see it out in style.
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