Wayne MacPhail has been around the media block, and back again, starting three decades ago as a photographer, editor and writer at Hamilton magazine, then moving to daily journalism in 1983 at the Hamilton Spectator. He founded Southam InfoLab in 1991, a research and development space for the newspaper chain. After doing the content creation circuit through a string of online networks — MSN, Canoe, Sympatico, @Home and AOL Canada — he now teaches online journalism at the University of Western Ontario and Ryerson University, and runs his own consulting company, w8nc. Starting next week, MacPhail will be contributing regular technology reviews for Mondoville, which makes him the ideal candidate for this first peek inside a mediamaker’s gadget bag. Read his photo, sound, video and more picks below.
PHOTO
Canon G9 shoots RAW, has a smooth 6x zoom, a live histogram, an optical viewfinder and a great macro range. Plus, it shoots outstanding 4:3 video and, almost unique among point-and-shoots, the ability to do stop motion video — which is always amusing when there is a BBQ, or IKEA furniture to assemble. It has the low light vision of a LASIK eye surgery patient, but it’s a tank, unless you drop it right on its open lens. (Like I’d do that for a third time.)
Fujifilm F200EXR has a remarkably sharp lens and a unique sensor that can act as a regular 12-megapixel CCD or can double expose 6-megapixel images to create either extremely low noise or with extended dynamic range. The camera also knows when it’s time to shift into macro mode or which scene setting to use. Perfect for candids at conferences, or street photography.
iPhone is basically a pinhole camera attached to a 3-megapixel sensor with the dynamic range of a 1950s Philco TV. But, I kind of like it. The phone is perfect for grabbing shots of posters, products or location. The same camera also serves as a barcode reader (I use Red Laser). The camera can also serve as an eye for augmented reality apps like Layars and, as a magnifier for small type. Oh yeah, it shoots video too.
SOUND
Zoom H2 has four on-board mics are outstanding and can switch from a 90 degree front pickup to a 120 degree rear pattern to a full surround capture. Plus it can take a mini-plug external mic (and phones). The quality of the recordings from this unit are stunningly good.
iPhone — again with the iPhone. The voice recorder app on the iPhone is pretty solid, but I actually like Bias’s iProRecorder better. Plus, I love AudioBoo for on-the-go podcasting. One advantage of is you can record yourself without looking like you’re doing anything other than talking on the iPhone.
VIDEO
Canon HFS100 shoots sharp, well-saturated 8-megapixel stills as well as excellent HD video. I often use it for both stills and video on the same shoot.
Canon HF200 is the HFS100’s smaller sibling. The HF200 only handles 3-megapixel stills and it’s not as hardy in lowlight. Both it’s pocketable in my Scott e-vest and is a solid AVCHD performer.
iPhone yet again: with the recent release of Reel Producer, I can shoot, edit and title a mini-doc on my phone and upload it to YouTube without heading home. Amazing, really.
POST SCRIPT
I have recently shifted from a fine point pen and a small Moleskine notebook to a LiveScribe pen and its associated Anoto paper. LiveScribe not only captures digital ink but synchronizes the sound it records with built-in (or external) stereo mics. The result is a Harry Potter-like magic notebook that can replay any audio its heard when I touch on any word, phrase or note I made when the sound came into the world.
UPCOMING: Wayne will be online on Monday, November 16 at 6 p.m. (EST) taking part in the live Edupunk event put on by students from his MakerCulture class.
