Camera Labs

Not sure where to post this, but since tablets are hailed as computer killers in the way EVILs are supposed to kill DSLRs, this seemed appropriate. Mods feel free to move if required.

On that note, I believe Bob has such a device. Today, the version 2.0 of the OS was released bringing with it many usability updates.

Browser seemed ok, screen resolution ok, and it does flash unlike a leading competitor. We have one at work I spent 5 minutes on, and combined with the low price I think I'm tempted to get one. Still not sure what exactly I'd do with it though! The biggest drawback I have with it is the best priced places are not the ones on my 1st choice list of places to order from...

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

I've just upgraded to OS2 and it went smoothly retaining my settings. New stuff to learn but it looks good so far.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I've bitten and ordered one now. Of the 4 places selling at the best prices, 3 of them are part of the same chain, have the same horrific web ordering system, and no stock in local stores. That left the 4th... their delivery wasn't that handy either. Standard times are from 7am to 9pm! But they do a deliver to store option so I'll hopefully be picking that up towards the end of the week.

I think it has a good chance of replacing my netbook as a casual web browser.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Picked it up earlier today. Only had a quick "getting to know it" play so far. Browser seems ok, far more usable than a smartphone, although the screen still seems more cramped than on a netbook. The on screen keyboard is ok but of course eats into viewing estate.

Haven't played much with the camera yet. Seems to be a standard-ish equivalent focal length. Not wide, not long.

Oh, it was good enough for me to watch some DRTV while having a bath. It doesn't operate too well with wet fingers but I think I'm pushing beyond their intended usage cases there!

I think it'll do well for my intended use, which is primarily a read-biased browsing experience. The facebook integration is interesting though, combined with the camera...

Connectivity, of course it does rely on having access to wifi or tethering to a blackberry I don't have if I want 3G. But I just found something called a mifi dongle. I'm surprised that something I wanted but thought would be too odd ball actually exists! Stuff a 3G sim in it, and it'll tie it to a wifi module. Carry your own access point with you! I went for a more expensive battery powered unit than the cheaper plug in at home ones.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

I have the “competitor’s” tablet. My first thought was that I could use it, besides its primary intended use as a reading device, as a larger screen for the 50D. But this is not possible directly as far as I know, only if you connect it to a laptop and that one with the camera. That kills its usability for me in this case. I hope this is not the case with yours. I have used it in travels as previewing and storage device; surprisingly it knows how to render raw files. I’ve changed once the language in Facebook to “pirate English” and it called my tablet as “eye plank”

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Radu
Canon PowerShot S100
Canon 50D , SIGMA 10-20 f3.5 ,Canon EF 24-105 L IS USM, Canon EF 100/2.8 macro Canon EF 50/1.4 ,Canon EF 85 f1.8,Canon EF-S17-85 4-5.6 Old Tamron 28-300 inherited from my Canon Rebel G film camera
Canon580EXII
http://www.errre.net

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I find the PlayBook useful as a way of turning off the main computer earlier in the day than I otherwise would. Browsing is OK and I find I use the Weather and News apps regularly and the picture viewer works well. Using the Bluetooth link with my BlackBerry works well but I don't often need it as I'm usually in WiFi coverage.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I have both the playbook and my netbook with me on my lunch break at work. And I'm finding myself using the netbook if I actually want to type more than one line of text!

The netbook and playbook also both have the same resolution screen, and putting them side by side, they do seem to offer about the same browsing area. But the netbook looks better. I think the text rendering in the playbook is a little worse compared to Windows/Firefox. But balancing that, the netbook is a lot bigger overall, and has a much shorter battery life. So it's no slam dunk either way.

Still waiting for my Amazon order (via affiliate link) to come in before I'm unbound from wifi availability.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.