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Canon EOS 5D Mark II Hands-on Preview September 2008, Phil Askey and Richard Butler Preview based on a pre-production EOS 5D Mark II Back in August 2005 Canon 'defined a new DSLR category' (their words) with the EOS 5D. Unlike any previous 'full frame' sensor camera, the 5D was the first with a compact body (i.e. not having an integral vertical grip) and has since then proved to be very popular, perhaps because if you wanted a full frame DSLR to use with your Canon lenses and you didn't want the chunky EOS-1D style body then the EOS 5D has been your only choice. Three years on and two competitors have turned up in the shape of the Nikon D700 and Sony DSLR-A900, and Canon clearly believes it's time for a refresh. So here is the 5D Mark II, which punches high in terms of both resolution and features, headlining: 21 megapixels, 1080p video, 3.0" VGA LCD, Live view, higher capacity battery. In other words, a camera that aims to leapfrog both its direct rivals, either in terms of resolution (in the case of the D700) or features (in the case of the DSLR-A900). Full detail below. Key features / improvements 21 megapixel CMOS sensor (very similar to the sensor in the EOS-1Ds Mark III) Sensor dust reduction by vibration of filter ISO 100 - 6400 calibrated range, ISO 50 - 25600 expansion (1Ds Mark III & 5D max ISO 3200) Auto ISO (100 - 3200) in all modes except manual 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting DIGIC 4 processor, new menus / interface as per the EOS 50D Image processing features: Highlight tone priority Auto lighting optimizer (4 levels) High ISO noise reduction (4 levels) Lens peripheral illumination correction (vignetting correction) [*]RAW and SRAW1 (10 MP) / SRAW2 (5 MP) [*]RAW / JPEG selection made separately [*]Permanent display of ISO on both top plate and viewfinder displays [*]AF microadjustment (up to 20 lenses individually) [*]Three custom modes on command dial, Creative Auto mode [*]Image copyright metadata support [*]98% coverage viewfinder (0.71x magnification) [*]3.0" 920,000 dot LCD monitor with 'Clear View' cover / coatings, 170° viewing angle [*]Automatic LCD brightness adjustment (ambient light sensor) [*]Live view with three mode auto-focus (including face detection) [*]No mirror-flip for exposures in Live View if contrast detect AF selected [*]Movie recording in live view (1080p H.264 up to 12 minutes, VGA H.264 up to 24 mins per clip) [*]Two mode silent shooting (in live view) [*]New jump options in play mode [*]HDMI and standard composite (AV) video out [*]Full audio support: built-in mic and speaker, mic-in socket, audio-out over AV (although not HDMI) [*]IrPort (supports IR remote shutter release using optional RC1 / RC5 controllers) [*]UDMA CompactFlash support [*]New 1800 mAh battery with improved battery information / logging [*]New optional WFT-E4 WiFi / LAN / USB vertical grip [*]Water resistance: 10 mm rain in 3 minutes

Finances: Montréal grimpe encore en grade Publié le 25 mars 2013 à 12h17 | Mis à jour à 12h17 La réputation de Montréal comme place financière grimpe encore d'un cran dans le classement des «centres financiers mondiaux» réalisé par une firme spécialisée de Londres, et dont les résultats sont discutés ce midi lors d'une conférence du CORIM. (Conseil de relations internationales de Montréal) Montréal se classe maintenant au 16e rang parmi les principales villes d'activités financières dans le monde. C'est un rang de mieux que le classement de l'an dernier, mais aussi neuf de mieux qu'il y a six ans. Toutefois, selon le principal auteur du classement, Mark Yeandle, directeur du Z/yen Group de Londres, le progrès de Montréal risque de stagner si la métropole québécoise n'y met pas plus d'efforts ciblés de coordination et de promotion. En fait, Montréal subit encore un «déficit de réputation» au niveau international, en dépit de ses avantages concrets comme ville financière d'envergure intermédiaire, a expliqué M. Yeandle en entrevue avec La Presse Affaires, ce matin. «Les attributs du secteur financier à Montréal demeurent sous-estimés et méconnus dans le milieu de la finance internationale. C'est une question de moyens de promotion, mais aussi des choix que Montréal doit faire et promouvoir envers les types de services financiers où elle a de vrais avantages concurrentiels, a expliqué Mark Yeandle. «C'est inutile de chercher à rivaliser des gros centres financiers comme Londres, New York et même Toronto, qui font partie du top-10 mondial. À mon avis, Montréal devrait cibler les secteurs où elle a déjà le plus de capacités. La gestion d'avoirs financiers, par exemple, où Montréal pourrait même concurrencer des pays comme la Suisse, qui perd peu à peu son avantage du secret bancaire.» Dans le secteur des produits dérivés, ajoute M. Yeandle, la spécialisation de la Bourse de Montréal est porteuse d'un bon potentiel alors que ce marché migre de plus en plus des transactions privées (au comptoir) vers des marchés mieux supervisés et plus transparents. Un bémol, toutefois. «La spécialisation des produits dérivés requiert un bon mélange de talents en finances, mais aussi en technologies. C'est très différent des talents requis en gestion d'avoirs », souligne Mark Yeandle, ce qui suggère un défi additionnel de gestion pour les principaux intervenants en finance à Montréal. Autres détails et commentaires dans le cahier Affaires de La Presse de mardi. http://affaires.lapresse.ca/economie/quebec/201303/25/01-4634540-finances-montreal-grimpe-encore-en-grade.php

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/14821961" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href=" ">HDR Video Demonstration Using Two Canon 5D mark II's</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/sovietmontage'>http://vimeo.com/sovietmontage">Soviet Montage</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> Qui a une Canon 5D mk2? J'en ai une, on pourrait faire un petit clip à Montréal

http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/index.jsp Anyone following it? Canada plays the United States on Saturday and beat the New York Yankees 6-0 in exhibition.

Le gouverneur de la Banque du Canada, Mark Carney, demande aux institutions financières canadiennes de faire leur part pour résoudre la crise en évitant de restreindre l'accès au crédit. Pour en lire plus...

Je sais je sais !! Ce n'est pas la nouvelle la plus fraîche mais je crois que ça pourra en amuser quelques-uns. Sa forme grammaticale et sa verve sont à la fois très 19ème siècle et à la fois très "twainiesque" -ce qui fait que "j'en ai perdu des bouttes" comme on dit. Ceux d'entre nous qui sont anglophones apprécieront peut-être mieux que moi : source : http://www.twainquotes.com/18811210.html is it just me or this man's words seem bizarre ?

Pour la première fois, Mark Carney, gouverneur de la Banque du Canada, a concédé que le Canada pouvait être touché par une récession, laissant ainsi planer la possibilité d'une nouvelle baisse du taux directeur. Pour en lire plus...

Les dangers de l'interventionnisme avec la Caisse 19 novembre 2008 - 06h32 La Presse Vincent Brousseau-Pouliot Déclenchée sur fond de crise financière, la campagne électorale québécoise accorde une grande place à l'économie.Commeles partis politiques ont décidé d'en faire leur principal enjeu électoral, La Presse Affaires leur pose cette semaine cinq grandes questions économiques. Aujourd'hui: la Caisse de dépôt doit-elle stimuler davantage l'économie québécoise? Message des économistes aux politiciens: laissez la Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec tranquille. «La Caisse de dépôt, c'est pas touche!» dit l'économiste Pierre Fortin d'un ton catégorique. Et pourtant, le PQ et l'ADQ souhaitent que la Caisse s'implique davantage dans l'économie québécoise. Seul le PLQ est en faveur du statu quo. Les libéraux sont toutefois sur la même longueur d'onde que les économistes consultés par La Presse Affaires: le gouvernement ne devrait pas mêler le développement économique aux activités de la Caisse. «Les deux rôles de rendement et de développement économique sont contradictoires, dit Yves St-Maurice, économiste en chef adjoint du Mouvement Desjardins. Je serais très mal à l'aise si la Caisse devait remplir un double rôle.» Autre problème pour les partisans d'un plus grand interventionnisme à la Caisse: le bas de laine des Québécois grossit plus vite que l'économie québécoise, ce qui explique en grande partie pourquoi ses actifs québécois sont passés de 32,1% à 17,0% de la valeur globale de son portefeuille entre 2002 et 2007. «Il faut tenir compte de la réalité, dit Carlos Leitao, économiste en chef à la Banque Laurentienne. La Caisse est un acteur énorme même à l'échelle canadienne et il ne faut pas limiter son champ d'action.» La Caisse serait-elle devenue trop grosse pour l'économie québécoise? «Ce serait une façon arrogante de présenter les choses, répond Mark Boutet, vice-président des affaires publiques de la Caisse. En chiffres absolus, nous avons quand même augmenté la valeur de nos investissements au Québec au cours des cinq dernières années.» Le contexte économique a aussi changé. En 2002, la Caisse investissait surtout dans le secteur public québécois, qui constituait alors 57% de ses actifs québécois. Cette proportion est passée à 38% en 2007. «Les besoins de financement des gouvernements et des sociétés d'État québécoises ont été moins grands au cours des dernières années, dit Mark Boutet. Comme il y avait moins d'offre, nous avons dû trouver d'autres occasions d'investissement ailleurs.» La Caisse fait aussi valoir qu'elle a augmenté ses investissements dans le secteur privé québécois de 14 à 23 milliards de dollars entre 2002 et 2007. Mais les explications de la Caisse ne convainquent pas tous les partis politiques. Actuellement, la Caisse détient 15% de ses placements privés et 17% de ses placements totaux (privés et publics) au Québec. Selon l'ADQ, c'est définitivement trop peu. «À rentabilité égale, la Caisse doit donner la préférence aux investissements québécois plutôt que d'acheter du papier commercial ou des aéroports à Londres, dit le député adéquiste Gilles Taillon. J'ai l'impression qu'on regarde un peu trop de l'autre côté de la clôture à la Caisse.» L'économiste Pierre Fortin a une solution pour les politiciens qui trouvent que la Caisse n'investit pas assez dans l'économie québécoise: faites-le vous-mêmes. «Si le gouvernement veut stimuler l'économie québécoise, qu'il en prenne lui-même le risque, dit le professeur de l'UQAM. Intervenir dans l'économie est une fonction du gouvernement. La Caisse n'a pas ce mandat-là.» Selon Pierre Fortin, le mandat de la Caisse n'est pas seulement qu'un débat économique. Il s'agit aussi d'un enjeu moral. «Jouer avec les fonds de la Caisse, ce n'est pas juste de la mauvaise économie, c'est immoral, dit-il. La Caisse n'appartient pas au gouvernement mais aux épargnants. Et les épargnants n'ont pas donné le mandat au gouvernement de piger dans leurs économies.» Au contraire de l'ADQ, le Parti québécois demande à la Caisse de prévenir de nouvelles acquisitions d'entreprises québécoises par des intérêts étrangers en créant un nouveau fonds de 10 milliards. Ce fonds serait financé à la fois par les déposants de la Caisse et le gouvernement québécois. «Nous sommes inquiets qu'il y a ait encore des prises de contrôle des sociétés québécoises par des intérêts étrangers en raison de la baisse des marchés boursiers», dit le député péquiste François Legault. Peu importe l'issue des élections du 8 décembre, la Caisse entend continuer d'augmenter ses investissements au Québec. Elle s'oppose toutefois à être tenue un jour de respecter un seuil minimal d'investissements québécois. «Il ne faut pas oublier que la Caisse ne travaille pas dans un monde isolé, dit Mark Boutet, vice-président des affaires publiques de la Caisse. Il ne doit pas y avoir de distorsions sur les marchés. Dans tous les marchés, il y a des cycles. Au cours des dernières années, le financement était tellement facile que les entreprises québécoises n'avaient plus autant besoin de la Caisse. Elles allaient voir des banques québécoises ou étrangères pour obtenir du financement. Si nous avions dû détenir un pourcentage minimal d'actifs québécois, il aurait été difficile à respecter.» Le resserrement du crédit pourrait toutefois aider la Caisse à investir davantage dans l'économie québécoise au cours des prochaines années. «La situation est appelée à changer, dit Mark Boutet. On peut s'attendre à plus de demandes de financement des entreprises québécoises à la Caisse.» POUR L'intervention de la Caisse permettrait de stimuler l'économie québécoise en période de ralentissement économique. CONTRE L'intervention de la Caisse au Québec au-delà d'un certain seuil augmente les risques de voir ses rendements diminuer. L'économie québécoise n'est peut-être pas assez vaste pour satisfaire les critères d'investissement de la Caisse.

La Securities and Exchange Commission accuse le propriétaire de l'équipe de basketball professionnel des Mavericks de Dallas, Mark Cuban, de délit d'initié. Pour en lire plus...

Le gouverneur de la Banque du Canada estime que le pays pourrait glisser en récession comme toute autre nation industrialisée, ce qui ajoute du poids aux conjectures des économistes. Pour en lire plus...

Doug McGregor et Mark Standish ont été nommés respectivement président du Conseil et co-chef de la direction, et président et co-chef de la direction de RBC Marchés des capitaux. Pour en lire plus...

Ce vétéran du commerce de détail qui a travaillé pour Loblaw et Canadian Tire devient PDG des magasins Zellers. Pour en lire plus...

Ottawa resserre les règles Mise à jour le mercredi 9 juillet 2008 à 17 h 51 PartagerTexteboutonImprimer(); Imprimer Ottawa a décidé de resserrer les règles pour les emprunts hypothécaires garantis par le gouvernement. (archives) À compter du 15 octobre, la période maximale permise pour rembourser un prêt hypothécaire garanti par le gouvernement ne sera plus que de 35 ans. Le ministre des Finances fixe aussi la mise de départ requise à 5 % du montant de l'emprunt. Ces nouvelles mesures entreront en vigueur le 15 octobre et ne toucheront que les nouveaux emprunts. Ceux qui ont déjà un prêt garanti par le gouvernement ne seront donc pas touchés. En avril dernier, le gouverneur de la Banque du Canada, Mark Carney, se disait préoccupé par la popularité croissante des prêts hypothécaires amortis sur plus de 40 ans. Il avait alors confié à un comité de la Chambre des communes que la banque centrale surveillait de très près le développement de la pratique des prêts hypothécaires sur une longue période. La banque ne voulait surtout pas que le phénomène des « subprime » (prêts à haut risque) qui a secoué l'économie des États-Unis ne se reproduise au Canada. http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Economie-Affaires/2008/07/09/003-Pret-Hypotheque.shtml

Les deux entreprises, parmi les plus importantes microbrasseries québécoises, signent une entente de partenariat pour faire mousser leurs ventes au Québec et en dehors de la province. Pour en lire plus...

Ooh La La Kelly Ripa finds romance in Montreal. By Joseph Guinto. Photograph by Robert Ascroft. Kelly Ripa has talked to every single living celebrity in America. Twice. Maybe even more. I have not verified this fact, per se, but she’s served alongside TV legend Regis Philbin for almost seven years as cohost of Live with Regis and Kelly, so it must be true. Or close to it. And yet, Ripa — plenty famous in her own right, known for acting on All My Children and in sitcoms as well as for playing the role of TV talker — is still genuinely interested in the vaporing of the vainglorious, the gabbing of the glitterati. You know, the stuff that famous people talk about. She Said… Here’s where Kelly Ripa parle français in Montreal. LODGING Hôtel le St-James, very expensive, (514) 841-3111, http://www.hotellestjames.com Hotel St-Paul, expensive, (514) 380-2222, http://www.hotelstpaul.com DINING Eggspectation, inexpensive, (514) 282-0119, http://www.eggspectation.ca Ferreira Café, moderate to expensive, (514) 848-0988, http://www.ferreiracafe.com Olive & Gourmando, inexpensive to moderate, (514) 350-1083, http://www.oliveetgourmando.com NIGHTLIFE Vauvert, expensive, (514) 876-2823, http://www.restaurantvauvert.com THINGS TO SEE AND TO DO IN *MONTREAL Formula One Grand Prix du Canada, http://www.formula1.com Just for Laughs Comedy Tour, (514) 845-2322, http://www.justforlaughs.ca Montreal International Jazz Festival, (514) 871-1881, http://www.montrealjazzfest.com Old Montreal, http://www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca Spa Diva, (514) 985-9859, http://www.spadiva.ca SHOPPING Les Cours Mont-Royal, (514) 842-7777, http://www.lcmr.ca “I’m a pop-culture junkie,” she says from her office inside ABC’s Manhattan headquarters, where Live is produced. “I never get tired of it. There’s always something they haven’t revealed, something that you’ve never heard anywhere else. I really find it fascinating.” Then again, not everything the famous and rich say and do is fascinating. And, to be sure, some things are simply better left unrevealed. To wit, do you really want to know that Britney Spears had a number-three value meal with a Coke at McDonald’s last night? Probably not. But many of us — or at least I — still manage to obtain this type of knowledge on a daily basis. It would be wrong to blame Ripa for that. She’s certainly never grabbed a camera and followed a pop star to a fast-food restaurant. (I have not verified this fact, per se, though surely it is true.) But Ripa, 37, does regularly open her own life to the other pop-culture junkies in the world, right down to discussing what she had for dinner last night. Each weekday morning on Live, she and Philbin, 76, engage in 20 minutes of remarkably unscripted banter that touches on everything from their noshing habits to the day’s news (well, celebrity news, anyway) to where babies come from — specifically, where Ripa’s babies come from, in at least one case. I had somehow forgotten about this when Ripa and I recently chatted. We were talking about Montreal, her favorite romantic getaway and a place that she and her husband, fellow All My Children alum Mark Consuelos, visit nearly every year sans the kids (Michael, 10; Lola, 6; and Joaquin, 4). But then, exactly 10 minutes and 34 seconds into our conversation, Ripa reminds me that she keeps few secrets from the public. “One of our children was conceived in Montreal, actually,” she says, quite unprompted. “Mark and I went for our anniversary one year, and Joaquin was our souvenir.” This is one of those things that we — okay, maybe it’s just me — actually don’t want to know. Or maybe it’s just something that we — or again, maybe it’s just me — don’t know how to react to. Regis would likely come up with something witty or wacky to say in reply. The best I can do is, “Oh, so Joaquin came right out speaking French, eh?” I am no Regis. Thankfully, since Ripa talks for a living, she bails me out. “That’s why we gave Joaquin the exotic name,” she says. “I was going to name him Jean Pierre. But I thought that was too much. Jean Pierre Consuelos doesn’t really go together.” Jean Pierre. It’s probably just a joke. But still, I hadn’t heard that before. It’s funny — and, sure, fascinating. You know what else is fascinating? Montreal. Especially Kelly Ripa’s Montreal. Here are the things you do want to know about. We Said… Here’s where we allons in Montreal. LODGING Novotel Montréal Centre, moderate, (514) 861-6000, http://www.novotelmontreal.com. The Canadian dollar is no longer a bargain, but the Novotel still is. Its budget-friendly digs are comfortable and convenient, and it’s near the intersection of Rue Sainte-Catherine and Rue Crescent, where clubs, restaurants, and shops abound. Opus Hotel Montreal, moderate to expensive, (514) 843-6000, http://www.opushotel.com. If you were a touring rocker with a touch of fame, you’d probably stay at this slick, modern downtown hotel. It would be a smart move. The Opus offers its style at a discount, compared with prices at Montreal’s other sleek digs. DINING Au Pied de Cochon, moderate to expensive, (514) 281-1114, http://www.restaurantaupieddecochon.ca. You will be fighting for a reservation with foodies from around the world at this simply decorated eatery, where pork and foie gras are the main attractions. Yes, they cook them together. Banquise, inexpensive, (514) 525-2415. Located in the Plateau neighborhood, largely a French-speaking area of town, this diner-style restaurant serves more than a dozen different kinds of poutine. That’s a Quebec specialty featuring, when at its most basic, french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. C’est magnifique! Le Réservoir, inexpensive to moderate, (514) 849-7779. This neighborhood joint is just off what Montrealers call the Main — Boulevard Saint-Laurent, the old dividing line between the French- and English-speaking sides of town. Celebrate the détente with international snacks, and drink house-brewed beers until the last call, at three a.m. NIGHTLIFE Casa del Popolo, (514) 284-0122, http://www.casadelpopolo.com. Maybe you’ll get lucky and catch the next Arcade Fire performance at this venue, which is popular with the indie-rock set. Les Deux Pierrots, (514) 861-1270, http://www.lespierrots.com. Does sitting in a brick-walled bar in Montreal’s oldest neighborhood while singing along to French and English cabaret songs sound silly? Well, then, it’s time to get silly. SHOPPING Marché Bonsecours, (514) 872-7730, http://www.marchebonsecours.qc.ca. Unfortunately, they’re no longer selling fresh vegetables at this European-style marketplace. But they are selling locally made crafts, so that’s nice. ATTRACTIONS La Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal, (514) 842-2925, http://www.basilique nddm.org. Is the interior of this scaled-down, nineteenth-century replica of Paris’s Notre-Dame more dramatic than the original’s? That depends on how you feel about the stunning use of the color blue. Le Mont Royal, (514) 843-8240, http://www.lemontroyal.qc.ca. Frederick Law Olmsted, who laid out New York’s Central Park, also designed this sprawling space. It’s filled with hiking and biking trails and is capped by a 98-foot-high cross, which honors Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve, the city’s founder. About Montreal: There are more than 3.6 million people in Montreal and its immediate urban area. That’s nearly half the population of the province of Quebec. Some 70 percent of those people are native French speakers, making Montreal the second-largest francophone city in the world, after Paris. Plus, Montreal is in Canada. About Kelly Ripa’s Montreal: “My husband has friends who live in Montreal,” Ripa says, “and he’d been raving about it for years, telling me how wonderful it is and that we just had to go and that I would love it. The first time I went, I think, was for our fourth or fifth wedding anniversary. When we landed, everyone at the airport was speaking French. So I turned to Mark, and I said quite possibly the dumbest thing I’ve ever said in my life. I said, ‘You’re right; it’s so romantic and wonderful. It’s just like being in another country.’ He said, ‘I hate to burst your bubble, but we are in another country.’ ” About Montreal: The city has seen a boom in swank boutique hotels in recent years, especially in Old Montreal, a neighborhood with narrow, cobblestoned streets that dates back to the founding of the city, in 1642. Plus, Montreal smells nice. About Kelly Ripa’s Montreal: “The St-James in Old Montreal is a wonderful hotel,” Ripa says. “It is simply luxurious. Also, the St-Paul Hotel is very boutiquey and kind of rock and roll. They give you these wonderful colognes that you can take with you when you leave. I sometimes call the hotel and ask them to send me some because they smell so good.” About Montreal: The city claims to have more restaurants per resident than any other city in North America. It is famous for café au lait, smoked meats, and game-based Quebecois cuisine. Plus, some of the restaurants serve breakfast even at lunchtime. About Kelly Ripa’s Montreal: “Mark and I go there without our kids,” Ripa explains. “It’s the only place we go without our kids. I mean, I know it’s wonderful for children, but it’s just been our romantic-getaway place. So we usually get up and have breakfast at lunchtime — which, you have to *understand, with three kids, that’s such a luxury for us to not have to get up early. So we usually go to Eggspectation. It’s a very good sort of diner-breakfast place. There’s also a specialty place called Olive & Gourmando in Old Montreal. It has café au lait and croissants and beautiful breads. Unfortunately, I don’t know the street it’s on. Mark and I just sort of wander around there.” About Montreal: The city has thriving live jazz and rock scenes — the noted indie act Arcade Fire is just one rock band to emerge from Montreal. And the city is packed with watering holes. There are, on average, 9.5 bars per square kilometer. Plus, there are lots of restaurants and music venues (which can also be called watering holes). About Kelly Ripa’s Montreal: “If you [can], go to Old Montreal. There are these little cobblestone streets, and every place is a jamming supper club or an amazing jazz bar,” Ripa says. “I just think it’s magic. “You have dinner very late there. It’s very European in that way. Then a lot of these restaurants that start out serving food will turn into nightclubs. All of a sudden, the tables vanish and a DJ comes out. “They have this place called Vauvert in the St. Paul. You can have dinner, and then right after dinner, the DJ comes in. They call it diabolique when the DJ is there on Saturday nights. It’s like a big party. So you eat dinner, and then you dance. It’s one-stop shopping. Plus, the people are gorgeous, and the waitresses have designer uniforms. It’s all very sleek and very elegant.” About Montreal: More than half the Canadian fashion industry’s workers are employed in Montreal. It’s no surprise, then, that the city is home to numerous fashion designers and boutiques. Plus, there are spas. About Kelly Ripa’s Montreal: “For shopping, I like to go to the Cours Mont-Royal,” Ripa says. “It’s kind of like a mall, but there are a lot of small boutiques in there. I mean, you have to buy something when you travel. You have to at least get the kids something. You’re leaving them. ‘Bye! We’ll be back in two days. Have fun with Grandma and Papa!’ Also, I really love Spa Diva, which is in the Cours Mont-Royal. It’s very relaxing.” About Montreal: Despite the fact that Montreal is known for its French speakers and French heritage, one in four Montrealers is an immigrant, and the city is surprisingly diverse, supporting its own Chinatown and Little Italy. There’s also a slice of Portugal. About Kelly Ripa’s Montreal: “There’s a wonderful place called Ferreira Café, which Mark took me to for my birthday one year,” Ripa says. “It’s Portuguese food and is just fabulous. Mark kidnapped me. I’m not kidding. He flew me blindfolded to Montreal and took me to Ferreira. Well, I was allowed to take the blindfold off when we landed. I didn’t have to eat blindfolded. He had me home in time for the show the next day.” About Montreal: Winters are long and can be stingingly cold, which explains why the city loves its warm-weather festivals. It hosts international mega-gatherings to celebrate jazz, comedy, and film. It also has really fast car races. About Kelly Ripa’s Montreal: “Mark loves the Formula One race,” Ripa says. “He goes every year if he can. That’s in June. They also have the jazz festival. That’s great; it’s in July. But the comedy festival, for me, is the most special. You see the most amazing performers. You just know that any day now, a sitcom is going to come out of one of the great performances you just saw on the stage.” About Montreal: The city is the site of a semi-risqué routine performed at the aforementioned Just for Laughs comedy festival by a certain American star named Kelly Ripa. It included some, ah, other performers. About Kelly Ripa’s Montreal: “Yeah, thanks for noticing that I did that,” Ripa says. “It was amazing fun. The joke was that we hired all these drag queens to do a burlesque striptease with me. I had just had a baby, and they all looked much more like women than I did. So people were like, ‘Oh, look at these beautiful women … and Kelly.’ Then the audience figured out that they were all men … and Kelly.” Career Questions Kelly Ripa explains what she does when she’s not relaxing in Montreal. Did you set out to be an actor/talk-show host? No. My whole career has been a series of accidents. I accidentally got into acting because my friends were doing it. They were doing extra work, and they were making good money. So I was like, Hey, why not? That led to the soap [All My Children], which led to the talk show, which led to the sitcom, which led to the production company. What production company? Mark and I have a TV production company together now. We sold a scripted show that did not get picked up this past fall, and we just sold a pilot to the History Channel for an interesting show called Wild Gourmet. It’s about a man who is a trained chef and an anthropology major. He takes you through a culture’s hunting and eating of a specific animal. Why production? You can’t be on camera forever. Very few people can. So I’m one of those people who would eventually like to work behind the camera. Wait — hasn’t Regis been on camera forever? He’s the one in a million. He’s always relevant. He’s always charming. He’s always gorgeous. [Laughs] I don’t see it turning out that way for me. Speaking of Regis, I’ve heard people say he’s quitting when his contract is up. True? I don’t believe that. I’ve been hearing that since I got here. He loves it. I love it. It’s a great place to work. It’s a fun, sort of easy schedule for people like us, who really just want to be on vacation all the time. You did voice work for two animated movies that are coming out soon. What was that like? I don’t even remember. You do these things, and then for, like, the next seven years or something, they animate the film. It’s all that computer animation. I had almost forgotten that I did them. One of them, Fly Me to the Moon, my son is also in. I play a fly, and my son plays the friend of one of my maggots. It’s very cute. http://www.americanwaymag.com/tabid/2855/tabidext/3465/default.aspx

Cette camera deviens une serieuse candidate pour etre ma prochaine caméra si Canon ne sorta pas la 5D v2. ------------------------------------------------------ The world’s fastest D-SLR – remastered EOS-1D Mark III: The new benchmark Canon today sets new standards for professional photography with the launch of the EOS-1D Mark III. Delivering 10 frames per second at 10.1 Megapixels for a maximum burst of 110 Large JPEG images (30 in RAW), the EOS-1D Mark III replaces the EOS-1D Mark II N as the world’s fastest digital SLR. Dual “DIGIC III” processors drive the camera’s high speed, high resolution performance, and bring 14-bit image processing to the EOS series for the first time. A ground-up redesign introduces a host of new features and advancements to Canon’s flagship EOS-1 series, including a 3.0” LCD with Live View mode, EOS Integrated Cleaning System, new auto focus system with 19 cross-type sensors, and 63-zone exposure metering. The camera’s APS-H size (28.1 x 18.7 mm) CMOS sensor enables a wider 100-3200 ISO range as standard, expandable to L:50 and H:6400. “The EOS-1D Mark III represents a complete reappraisal of everything Canon has learned over the past 20 years of EOS development,” said Tsunemasa Ohara, Senior General Manager, Camera Development Center, Canon Inc. “In building this camera, we started with a blank canvas. Every facet of the photographic process has been refined, every design decision re-evaluated to bring us to this point: a camera that combines familiar EOS ergonomics with a vastly enhanced specification. Our engineers are overjoyed with the result.” Key features 10.1 Megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor 10 fps continuous shooting for up to 110 frames Dual “DIGIC III” processors New auto focus system with 19 cross type sensors EOS Integrated Cleaning System ISO 3200 (expandable to H:6400) 3.0” LCD with Live View mode Wider, brighter viewfinder Picture Style1 The choice of professionals The EOS-1D line has enjoyed massive popularity among the world’s leading sports, reportage and wildlife photographers, with international wire agencies AFP, Getty and Reuters choosing Canon for their photographers. “The people at Canon are great to work with because they listen to photographers. It’s their attention to detail and the pace of innovation that makes EOS the system of choice,” explained Stephen Munday, Director of Operations – Editorial, Getty Images. Exceptional image quality Canon’s dual “DIGIC III” processors deliver unprecedented levels of speed, responsiveness and image quality. Ready to shoot within 0.2 seconds of power on, the EOS-1D Mark III can capture and process over 100 Megapixels of image data per second, rapidly clearing the image buffer to allow up to 110 frames in one burst. Images are processed at 14 bits for a total colour depth of up to 16,384 tones per pixel, compared to 4,096 tones from 12 bit images. The third generation CMOS sensor incorporates a new pixel design that works together with on-chip noise reduction circuitry to ensure high image quality at ISO 3200. The option to expand to H:6400 will benefit professionals working in news and sports locations where the use of flash is not permitted or desired. Greater precision, more control Canon has redesigned its auto focus system to include 19 cross-type sensors with sensitivity up to f/2.8, spread out across the AF area to better accommodate off-centre subjects. An additional 26 AF assist points are used to aid AF tracking for improved accuracy. Responding to professional photographer requests, a dedicated AF button on the back of the camera allows users to instantly switch auto focus on or off while keeping their eye on the viewfinder. The viewfinder is now brighter and offers a wider angle of view. The camera’s new 63-zone metering system gives photographers greater level of control over exposure. New LCD with Live View The bright 3.0” LCD monitor provides 230K pixels resolution for precise framing and reviewing of shots. New to EOS, Live View mode enables photographers to frame without having to look through the viewfinder – particularly useful for shooting from awkward positions. The menu system on the EOS-1D Mark III has been completely redesigned to take advantage of the LCD size – menus are easier to read and use. A choice of 57 custom functions gives photographers more options for customising camera settings to their daily working requirements. A new My Menu option allows photographers to store frequently used settings on a separate menu for faster access. Settings for new accessories such as the Speedlite 580EX II and Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2 – also released today – can be controlled directly from the LCD. Total reliability The EOS-1D Mark III incorporates a range of practical enhancements for the working photographer. Shutter durability has been increased by 50% to 300,000 cycles. The body is protected by a magnesium alloy casing with dust and moisture resistant seals. The EOS Integrated Cleaning System provides further reliability by reducing sensor dust, minimising the need for manual cleaning on assignment. To avoid corruption of captured images, a warning appears on the LCD and an alarm sounds if the memory card door is opened while images are still being written. Interfaces include video out (for display in both NTSC and PAL formats) and USB 2.0. Compatibility and accessories Canon is marking today’s launch with the release of several additions to the professional EOS system: EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM – A fast, ultra wide-angle zoom lens delivering exceptional image quality throughout the aperture range. Speedlite 580EX II – An update of the Speedlite 580EX that offers weather resistance when attached to the EOS-1D Mark III. Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2 – Smaller, lighter and more versatile than its predecessor, the WFT-E2 speeds up workflows by allowing photographers to transmit images wirelessly during the shoot. Original Data Security Kit OSK-E3 – Verifies the authenticity of images taken with the camera and supports image encryption for additional security. Software The EOS-1D Mark III is supplied with a comprehensive software suite to help the photographer’s workflow. This includes Digital Photo Professional (DPP), a powerful RAW converter that provides complete RAW image processing control. DPP integrates with cameras features such as the Dust Delete Data and Picture Style. The camera also comes with EOS Utility, ImageBrowser/Zoom Browser and Photostitch.

Mark Pacinda: How do you say ‘Boston Pizza' in French? BERTRAND MAROTTE Globe and Mail Update November 16, 2007 at 6:19 PM EST When Boston Pizza International Inc. decided it wanted to crack the Quebec market four years ago, the B.C.-based chain's executive team was warned by industry veterans that they shouldn't even bother. Outsiders have had a notoriously tough time winning over Quebec consumers, and the eatery business is particularly difficult, given the sometimes puzzling culinary preferences of the francophone majority, they were told. No doubt about it, La Belle Province presents its own challenges as an island of predominantly French language and culture in North America. THE LANDSCAPE Companies keen on making a foray into Quebec with their product or service need to be alert to the differences and respect the predominance of the French language. To cite one recent case of what can happen when you fail to heed Québécois sensibilities: Coffee chain Second Cup sparked public protests and complaints last month when it dropped from some of its signs the two French words – “Les cafés” – that appeared before its English name. BOSTON PIZZA'S ENTRÉE Boston Pizza president Mark Pacinda decided his company was ready to expand into Quebec, but not before it built a credible base in the province. The results so far indicate that the bet on Quebec is a winner. After just 21/2 years, Boston Pizza will have 24 restaurants in the province by the end of the year and is on track to have 50 by 2010. The chain boasts more than 280 Canadian locations and sales last year of $647-million. “We really took our time going in,” Mr. Pacinda says. “The first thing is that we wanted a Quebec team on the ground.” A separate regional head office for Quebec was opened in the Montreal suburb of Laval 18 months before the first outlet was opened, in 2004. Quebec City native Wayne Shanahan was hired to spearhead the Quebec strategy. GOING QUÉBÉCOIS Once the button on a Quebec launch was pressed, no detail was overlooked. For example, research was conducted into whether a French version of the brand name was warranted. “There's obviously no translation for Boston or for Pizza and we decided the name as it is would work,” Mr. Pacinda said. A key discovery was that Quebeckers want to have the option of a multicourse lunch, not just the more packaged “combo plate” offering. “They want a ‘table d'hôte,' in other words an entrée, a salad and desert,” he said. Also, because wine has more of presence in the province than in the rest of the country, Boston Pizza's wine list in Quebec was expanded from the standard eight choices to 25 labels, Mr. Shanahan says. The fine-tuning was even extended to the pizza pie: In Quebec, the cheese goes on as a final layer, not underneath the toppings. The Boston Pizza version was dubbed “La Québécoise Boston.” And two Quebec standards – poutine and sugar pie – were included on the menu. LE FRANÇAIS, TOUJOURS LE FRANÇAIS Making sure that all business is conducted in French was also important, Mr. Shanahan said. Many companies that move into Quebec, and even some local anglophone firms, don't bother to ensure that legal and business paperwork, and even day-to-day communications, are in French, he said. “What you want to do is essentially be a francophone company.” In another first for Boston Pizza, a local advertising agency was hired. A separate ad campaign was created, including billboards that displayed a Quebec vanity licence plate with the words “Boston, QC” on it. LESSONS LEARNED Boston Pizza's carefully plotted wooing of the Quebec market is a strategy increasingly practised by retailers eager to make inroads in the province or consolidate their position. Wal-Mart Canada Corp., for example, went on the offensive in the wake of the outcry over its decision two years ago to shut its Jonquière store after it became the first outlet in North America to be unionized. Wal-Mart insisted the closing was because the store wasn't meeting its financial targets. The retail behemoth nonetheless was portrayed as a cold corporate outsider that cared not a whit about Quebec society. A “Buy Quebec” campaign was launched last year, aimed at sourcing more homegrown products and groceries while playing to the province's regional tastes and local pride. Outfits like Boston Pizza and Wal-Mart will obviously never be known as true Québécois companies. But as Normand Turgeon, a marketing professor at the business school HEC-Montréal, wryly notes: “If you're going to be a bottle blond, you're better off choosing the right shade.”