Loneliness

Some images taken at The Loaf. The business at this cafe here is kind of lukewarm and often i find it empty. So yesterday i decided to use that to capture the "loneliness" feeling of a person dining alone.

All taken using the GXR 28mm.

GXR The 28 mm

Well folks, recently i just came back from Phuket @ Panwa near Makham Bay. Guess which camera
i bring this time around?

Frankly, i have not been using the DP2 ever since i got the SD15, this is because the SD15 with OS lens could take far more indoor shots than possible with DP2 without a gorilla pod.

However for this round, i decided to bring the GXR :-) upon returning back to Malaysia, i have decided that the GXR is indeed a system WORTH investing in. I did make one mistake though, i tried using the "Toy cam" on the new UI on the GXR, while it looked great on the LCD, it sucks terribly when viewed on larger screen, the "purple" outline is everywhere.

I also tried both 16:9 format and 1:1. This was the reason i bought the 28 mm after some consideration when i returned back from Thailand, the 16:9 lacks DSLR quality when applied, the 1:1 however rocks!
Hence for wider angle, i need the 28 mm.

The P10 performed very well too! There was this tornado/cyclone that was visible from the ship we were on near Pipi Island and needless to say, that kindla freaked out some folks on board. The p10 managed to zoom in to capture some shots which the 50mm nor the 28 mm could.

Nokia EDOF

Nokia released N8 which is the “king” of mobile phone cameras. Although for practical use it does not perform as good as a normal compact despite having a larger sensor, it is still the King of mobile camera.
Now for some reason, in Nokia’s new line-up E7, C7, instead of using the N8 camera, nokia came out with a new one of which is known as “EDOF” or “full focus” camera. The idea is that it takes sharp pictures where everything is in focus from 50cm to infinity. Some argue that this is similar to those old crappy fix lens camera with small apertures.

From my experience, 50cm is kinda low, i still can't get clear images but 100 cm is more like it. Also do note that the next generation of EDOF is already available in DXO that could shoot 10cm - infinity with twice the performance of this one, but no news on Nokia yet as to when they might use this new generation of edof sensors.

Now back to the existing Edof as in C7,E7,C6...
Is there more to it than just marketing gimmick? See the samples below, u tell me!
Taken on Nokia C7-00 EDOF.

Nokia N8 Zealot - A case of over zealous

Today i saw a weird reply on facebook about how "N8 have the biggest sensor and better than all compacts". I replied by correcting his assumption that there are other compacts like S95,S90,LX3,LX5,Oly XZ having similar sized sensors and yet performs much better. Apparently he
thought his N8 is smaller than S95 as well -.- and that N8 performs like an entry-level dslr.

As the discussion went on...he claims :-
- compacts are dead
- Image stabilization are only for telephoto
- Canon/nikon/digital photography school description of Image stabilization usefulness in lowlight is bogus and misleading

Well, once the zealot starts getting personal and giving me labels, i decided to stop wasting my time.

Now for any readers here who is thinking of getting the N8 to replace a compact, just bear in mind the following :-

1. Sensor size is just part of an equation. Lens, processing engine, UI matters.
2. N8 have no image stabilization and the f is around 2.8, so low-light shooting it would not be able to compare to compacts that have IS. That basically means almost any compact today.
3. N8 have no variable aperture, so basically ur stuck with that 2.8, now use that on a group photo with that and see how others are blurred.
4. N8 is nowhere near entry level dslr. Read this : http://www.nokiaviews.com/2010/06/about-nokia-n8-image-sensor.html
Basically any entry level dslr even the old ones produces 10x image quality than the N8.
5. N8 have quirky interfaces, eg getting to the scene mode needs 5 taps. Zzzz
6. No optical zoom, yada. While most compacts optical zoom are no big deal either but it does
helps ALOT when all u needed is that extra reach.

Having said that, is the N8 a crappy camera? No, its the best mobile camera we have to-date but just don't let those fanboyish fever screws up your head. Nokia new line-up decides to go with the EDOF camera instead of N8, so we are left to see if there will be a good succession to N8 and hopefully iron out some of the issues above.

Perhaps in the near future, all compacts will be like DSLR and mobile cameras will be like a good compact and all DSLRs will like medium format kinda resolution or maybe SD1 change the world and it doesn't matter.

Here is a portrait taken using a compact with 1/2.33 in a Nikon roadshow @ midvalley today.

GXR update 1.33 Firmware

Wow, the X100 sure is hot nowadays. My friend sold off his D90 and bought one. Just the other day he was showing me how good it was in  Subang Empire. We passed by Boeing Photo and saw 2 units there and was surprised it was selling at below retail price.
I posted this news on Dpreview and guess what...next day both unit was sold off.

Now surely Ricoh didn't just sit quietly while all the news focuses on the 4/3rds and X100 right? They added some fun stuff to the firmware for creative shooting and the update was released on 28th March.
Btw, the sensor in X100 is the same in GXR 50/28 mm A12, so its not a wonder that they all produce nice sharp output. Although it can never be as sharp as a Sigma/Foveon but they also have much less limitation in using it, esp in high iso.

So how did the new firmware perform? Check out some of the images taken with some of those new modes (mini, toy).

Toy mode - as seen on iphone/android fun cameras


Mini mode - taken thru a tinted glass (hence the dark colors)


Mini mode - taken thru a tinted glass (hence the dark colors)


Normal standard mode

Street Photography

Street photography shows a lot about the people around us.
In the most natural way, you get to see people in their relaxed expression and antics.

For this purpose i got myself a Canon SX30IS so that i can take these shots from far away without getting anyone uncomfortable or alerted. The last thing you want is to have someone posing for you.

Although the IQ of this superzoom compact sucks, nevertheless it allows me to take photos which otherwise would have been impossible.

A letter to my friends....

Here is a letter i just wrote to 2 of my friends. I will be ditching out this advice to all my friends.


Hi,

Try not to assume anything and read until finish as much as some content here is nothing new.

I wrote this with one intention in mind. Help my buddies save money and get the best camera.
As you all know i have acquired some cameras and finalize on the Foveon which i deemed as providing the sharpest
and most satisfactory image. But as some of you are also aware, it have some limitations on low light scenarios although i find
them not such an issue.

On the other hand having a great sensor is just 30% of the real story. That is what this writeup is about.
Yes, sensors are only 30% of the equation to a great camera, not even 50%.
What are the other factors that i find very important?

First of all, let us agree on one thing, none of us here are professional photographers and most likely will never be one. This writeup
is not for professional of which u have no choice but to use a full frame dslr.

- sensor
30%. As mentioned having dslr quality sensor is important as "physics" make things like "bokeh" and other qualities impossible if you use a
small sensor. There is an exception to this though...which i will mention later.

- lens
Yup this is another 30% of the equation. No matter how good your sensor or camera seems to be, the Lens will be your limiting
factor. How important is this? If your lens is not meant for macro for eg, u will have crap macro shots no matter how good your camera is.
If your lens have no zoom capability you can forget about taking certain shots that a crap sensor with longer reach optical zoom could take.
And a slow lens makes low light usage sucks, a fast lens eg 1.8 or 1.4 makes low light usage much better.
This means if u got an DSLR sensor but a lousy lens, ur image will end up looking like a compact camera with a moderate lens.

- mobility
30%
This is where ilyas can smile all day long for sticking to this. As much as i hate to admit, carrying a DLSR around is not really productive
especially if the trip you have is on a same place (Eg a beach or a fix location). It is much better used if you move around diff locations which makes
the shot worthy of the dslr. On the other hand, shooting models or family portraits using dslr is a bliss but that is more like "shooting session" instead
of short trips or vacation. So Cy is right on this, carrying a dslr around if you go to Sg or some not so exotic place isn't really fun.

Now for the conclusion. If any of you jokers ever plan to get a camera. Get a 4/3 camera. Ilyas, u may argue that if u get something like 4/3 u might
as well get dlsr, well, that is not an accurate reasoning. This year alone, all the major glass makers, Carl Weiss, Sigma, M.Sch, Leica all pledge to support
4/3 lenses. 4/3 uses a sensor that is at least 3-4 times bigger than the best compact but smaller that a dslr, but since its smaller, smaller lenses can also
be made to fit it. I would say the output of a 4/3 is perfect for non-professional and the mobility factor is not much diff than a compact at all, minus
the limitations of any compact.

4/3 pledges : Sigma
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1102/11020915sigmacsclenses.asp

4/3 pledges : Carl Zeiss
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1102/11020718zeissjoinsmicrfourthirds.asp

4/3 pledges : Schneider
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1102/11020405schneiderkreuznachmicrofourthirds.asp

These cameras are now known as EVIL. I believe there are rumors that Nikon and Canon will be joining in soon.

So, if u ever going to get another camera, get a 4/3. As for me, its going to be a LONG wait since i Sigma won't be releasing
a 4/3 camera....maybe GXR might have hope for a 4/3 mount....

- cheers

Beautiful houses @ Puchong Sky Villa

Today i visited a new housing area @ puchong. Its called Sky Villa. It was around 1pm and i looked up the sky and for that fleeting instance i notice this view. There are no special effects applied to it. The pole on the left is a lightning pole, its located just behind one of these houses.

These new houses are just beautiful. Pricey but beautiful.







Here is a view from the back of one of the house. It can oversee some parts of Puchong.




The first photo was such a decisive moment shot that i will be submitting it to a contest.
Apparently there is a X100 contest.
Refer to here

Tree of life

Tree of Life

The road is narrow neither does beauty surrounds it. Death and destruction lies waste on each side of the road. Move onward Jane, the road will lead u to my soul.

A new restaurant @ IOI business Park

Many years ago, Water Lily opened up in IOI business park, Puchong Malaysia.
The owner have opened up many similar restaurants since and this particular branch is not as profitable as those others. Water lily have now closed down and another new restaurant have taken over.

Note : These are taken using Ricoh GXR A12 50mm

Settlers and shelters

This is taken just outside a row of houses that are built more than 20 years ago. In Malaysia it used to be a norm for these kind of houses to be built, houses with decent prices with a view towards an empty garden that is shared.
The garden served as a gathering and playground for children and adult alike. Parking alongside the 4 side of these garden is also a blessing.


Nowadays the house pricing in Malaysia is crazy. Driven by greedy people who keep on buying houses and selling them, the poor finds it hard to own a house while the rich and greedy folks keep inflating the prices. As a result of this, there are now less and less low cost houses and more of just elite houses and what used to be a normal house (double storey terrace house) are now considered luxurious homes. Developers seems to ride in on this bubble and focuses a lot on developing such homes and selling at prices that are 40% above what it was just 3 years ago. I guess they haven't learned anything from the USA sub-primes incident.

SD15

I finally got my SD15 that i ordered from USA, along with the 17-50mm OS Sigma lens.
After using the DP2 for sometime i know that "shakes" is the main obstacle on using Sigma cams so lens with OS is a must.

The package took 6 days to reach Malaysia and it travelled all the way from USA->Germany->India->China before reaching MY. At first i was concerned on the fragility of the package but those guys in B&H did a very good job in packaging it with airpockets surrounding the items.

Readers can be assured you will get so see more of the Sigma photos from now on!

Here is an interesting transport vehicle that travels between "Traders Hotel" and KLCC in Malaysia. Its an excellent idea for those who plan to do their shopping in KLCC and dread the idea of walking back to Traders hotel.

Foveon images : Does it really matter?

I have been shooting Dp2 for some time now. I also shoot GXR, Sony a55 and Nikon d50.
In between i have played with Canon 550D.

What is pretty obvious is this. Sigma images that are produced by Foveon sensors are RAZOR sharp and have excellent details and contrast. This is true when u view it even at 100%, where else all other images by other cameras viewed at 100% looks like a splatter of pixels, which some appropriately labelled as "nutella".

When downsizing today's bayer sensors (everyone else except sigma), you can get sharp images but the loss of details are probably large. While one may argue that Sigma images are sharp because they are smaller (4.7mp) this isn't true. They are sharp because that is the sensor characteristic of the Foveon. The new SD1 which is the latest Foveon with 16 mp will display similar razor sharpness at 100% view. Hence the images of Foveon is razor sharp regardless of size as long as u don't blow it above 100% which is common sense.

By now its easy for me to see which review site is trustable and which is not. Any site that evaluates SD15 and did not see how sharp the images are but harps on the low resolution point is not a worthy site. A good balance site would acknowledge the superior resolution of the SD15 and yet give a caution on the 4.7 mp output file.
Any site that evaluates a Sigma camera by using its JPEG camera output doesn't know enough of the overall requirement of various cameras to produce a respectable review.

This is not to say that any site that portrays the SD15 negatively is bad. Go check out the owners review vs the site review and you can see a stark difference. But i am often appalled after googling and reading nearly each one of them, that many missed on the fact that the images are superbly clear and sharp and seems like just one site reading another one's review and modifying the words and often have the same conclusion masked by paraphrasing.

Sister's love photography session

Here are some pictures of a session i took for a pair of sisters. The elder is having her 3rd pregnancy and the younger would want to celebrate this wonderful event with her. All these photos are taken with the Sony A55, 35mm 1.8.
Update : i have sold off my whole Sony gears in favour of SD15 which i have placed an order.
I just love the Foveon output and after using the latest CMOS 16.2 mp from Sony i have concluded that my choice of gears would still be sigma.

Nostalgic Emotions captured @ Ampang public park