New Toy In The House!

I have thought of to pass this posting...but my hand still feel itchy. Finally I got the bite...the apple that was bitten...hehe..

Frankly speaking, I couldn't sleep well ever since I got to know that DiGi is finally launching the iPhone! Yes, I'm a loyal DiGi customer or else I would have jump ship over to Maxis 1 year ago.

DiGi is offering an affordable plan...at least to me which I couldn't resist...and so I decided to bring this home the moment it hit the DiGi stores..

Okay...lets skip all the crap in the middle of purchasing story while I snag the iPhone straight to the screen....

My New Baby!

After almost like 3 years ever since I owned both baby Alphas (A100 & A700) there's no new lens purchase except the 2nd hand Beercan, Minolta 28mm f/2.8 and Minolta 50mm f/1.7. All these while I've been generally using the Sony kit lens (18-70mm) across 2 babies. This lens serve me well through out these period of times.

I've been itching a long time on owning a better zoom lens which can actually replace the kit lens. I had been considering a few options and it's quite hard to decide as the price tag does matter to me.

Until last Sunday, all the longing and waits are finally over....I've made up my mind and decided to tighten my waist belt and bring the first new baby out from the sealed box, it's the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR!



And I paid the price to fulfill the desire...It's a fast and bright lens which is going to ease me a lot when I'm out on the field.



The new lens is a lot more heavier than the kit lens and looks more macho which is exactly what I want my baby to look like!



Handsome can! But the overall body + lens weight is killing my arm...I think I better train myself to get use to the weight... ^_____^"

Not that after this new baby comes into the line-up, that the kitty lens is gonna retire, but instead it will return to its old partner....A100...they must have miss each other for a long long time. :P

Dream Comes True!!!

Here is one of the test shot that I've done with this new baby...



The lens is sharp and the color rendition is looking good to me. I've also tried on opening wide at 17mm and found that it actually has a little bit of distortion at the side-end. But it's expected and somehow this could be creative at times...

Love it so much...what a good replacement....LOLZ!!! Come and join me for photoshooting...

Simply Entertainment

Follow up from my previous post...if you still don't get the differences in the picture...it's alright...let me open it up....it's the date...the seat number....and of course different serial number...but there's one thing in common...it's the movie. Yeah...my sister went for this movie twice after 2 days watching with me....^___^"

So...back to today's post. I always use to say that I don't watch Astro...it's kinda waste to have one at my home. But who knows...lesson taught us not to be definite. Nothing is for sure....coz...now you see...I have this new unit installed in my house....



Slap myself! ^____^" But still....even though with Astro...we don't watch much...and because of that....lucky we did not buy the Dynasty package. I only have basic + learning a.k.a. NGEO, DISC, APL....+ News + Sports!

Okay...enough of that...while having Astro...I definitely want the following item to pair with it....



My lifetime LCD TV...and it's 40"...don't ask why not bigger...the bigger isn't the better. You definitely have to consider the available viewing distance that you had at the living area. So, 40" is just nice....

I had Samsung and Sony in my mind down for consideration. Others brand were thrash in the bin. My final decision was based on the price of course....in the same class...Sony is selling approximately 1K much more expensive that Samsung. I'm a lame user end...not a gadget freak...not a pixel peeper...so I don't know which one is better in terms of features and quality....what I can see is almost the same....so...the price tag wins me over to Samsung....

Okay..so that's it...but seems like I only have the perfect match....but I don't have the perfect combo...the sound surround system is still missing...(where are youuuuuu?????) ^___^"

Posing Tube

As if you noticed, I did mentioned the word "Tube" several times in the last 2 posts. What is this Tube? Why is it "Tube" but not others?

Tube is a code name given to Nokia 5800 XpressMusic way before it launched in any part of the world. If my understanding is correct, it's because, it's just like a TV tube when you're watching a movie via it with the stand supporting it giving you a relax and sensation feel for your movie experience. So that's all about tube.

Now, back to some related matters here, as you can read the title, posing...what else right....^___^ hope you guys enjoy and I do really enjoy taking photo of it and of course with it....hehe





Here I am...







Now, "Do You TUBE?!"

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic In-Depth

There's always imperfections in every product/gadgets, so most important thing that we should bear in mind is that, know the pros and cons before purchasing it, and if only you can live with it, then what else should have bother you?

Before I got this phone, I've read enough anything related to it, be it good or bad, I want to know everything about it. First, there's reported that the hearing earpiece is having problem where the volume will go soft back and forth. Then the built quality, some said that there's light leakage at the top corner, due to it's plastic built. Some software/firmware problem also being reported.

Be it firmware/software, it all can be corrected by Nokia, so no worries. If it's a hardware problem, just send it back to Nokia Care Center and they'll fix it in no time. So, it's still fixable... ^____^ don't keep on complaining coz you should know things well before you purchase it. I chose to get over minor problems and live with it and hence I'm a happy owner here....I'm loving it!



There are also complaints on the camera pics and video quality. The quality is horrible when it's taken indoor under low light condition. But it looks normal when taken under bright day sunlight. So people should know what to expect...but I still believe that this can be improve by fixing by firmware. Lets wait and see....



It's a 3.5G (HSDPA) phone, so a front camera is a must. But this does not applies to Iphone 3G (Sad CAN!). A proximity sensor is placed next to the front camera. It's use to dim the screen when we put the phone next to our ear when talking over the phone so that we won't accidentally hit any button unnecessary. Or we can use it to silence any incoming calls by just turning the screen over facing the base surface. The use of proximity sensor is very long lasting due to it detects the target presence without the object touching on it and it doesn't has any mechanical parts.



Just located at the bottom of the front camera, it's a quick launch media touch. By tapping on it, it will drop down a list of multimedia shortcuts such as Music Player, Photo Gallery, Video Center, Sharing Online and Web Browsing. It's kinda sweet to have it there....



The next good to have feature is the 3.5mm jack. It's really convenient for any music lover around. They can use not only proprietary headset but any commercial to high-end headset from others with a 3.5mm (Standard Jack) can be paired with it. Isn't it a good one?



Now the SIM card and Memory card can be slot-in without having to open the back cover. It's located at the side of the phone with 2 doors to access to each. Now the memory card is hot swappable. But one not so good thing is that, whenever you want to remove the SIM card, you still need to remove the back cover as well as the battery and with the aid of the pen stylus to push it out. Lucky I'm not those who love to use more than one SIM Card with only one phone option. LOL!!!



The designed of the stereo speaker is so attractive(at least to me) and I do think that it's so damn nice and sexy. The stereo sound output is pretty good and it's loud enough even it's not yet reaching full bar, at least a lot better than my previous first generation Walkman phone from Sony Ericsson.



My conclusion is very simple. If you're planning to get any phone, not just this 'TUBE', do your homework, study it kaw-kaw....make up your mind...and you should be able to have the answer in the end of the day. To me, this phone is indeed very sweet to own one...still have doubt? Go and try one in any Nokia Concept stores or borrow from your friends. I then doubt you can resist it..... ^_____^"'

Unboxing of Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

On the 10th January 2009, I'd decided to bring home my long desired gadget from Nokia. It's their first full touch-screen mobile phone in the series, and they chose to start off with XpressMusic phone which is targeting at the mid-range market.

By accommodating with resistive touch screen and tactile/haptic feedback which brings even more fun when you're typing on it. There are various input method: stylus, plectrum and finger touch support for text input and UI control (alphanumeric keypad, full and mini qwerty keyboard, handwriting recognition).

WIFI and A-GPS are those few features that attract people who loves to have everything in one piece of gadget. (I'm one of them)

With the RRP started off at RM1499 which is the lowest price announced across the globe so far, who's gonna hesitate to get this baby home? ^____^





It launched in Malaysia on the day before I bought it. The reason why I bought it in a rush was due to the headset that they gave it out for FREE for those who pre-ordered from Nokia.

I really love the joy of un-boxing new toys/gadgets/(you name it as long as it's new)



The designed of the box is the same as some previous XpressMusic models. It even can't beat my last Sony Ericsson W800i packaging. But who cares right?



In others region, the XpressMusic phone came together with Music Store services (just like iTunes) which is valid for 1 year(if I'm not mistaken). But in our region, for instance Malaysia, does not carry this services, hence they packed in a free 1000 songs voucher where you can download from www.bimbit.com. I myself haven't gone through the songs download, coz I don't think that I'm gonna need it either way.... ^__^"'









Features packed not only meant in the phone only, but also in the box package as well. Myself haven't seen this quite a while from Nokia. It's full of must have accessories packaged together. There's USB data cable, A/V out cable, extra stylus, rubberish like pouch, phone stand, quick charger, music headset, stylus plectrum in wrist strap, 8GB microSDHC, user guide and a mini DVD. Now, tell me, what else is missing??? The answer should be enough....^___^



My first time ever connected with Symbian Phone, the experience on it is pretty well going. The touch experience was very responsive, a way lot better than many others brand. I can use my finger(not restricted to finger nails only like most of them do), stylus plectrum (most convenient input device as it was hang on the wrist strap) and the pen stylus (I only use it once in a while).

The size of it is just so sweet feeling on my palm, being not too wide so that i can operate it with just one handed at most of the time. But just do bear in mind that touch screen phone is always finger prints magnet. You'll probably find me wiping the phone very frequently. ^___^

Having a crystal clear 3.2" wide screen with nHD (640 x 360)resolution is absolutely a plus plus/ a gift. it's very eye catchy and you're not going to deny it. Of course, don't compare it with Iphone, coz the pricing is so much different. With this pricing from Nokia packed with all the features you are enjoying from it, I'm going to pass Iphone this round.

New Collections.....

I want to introduce something new in my collections. This is the first time in my collection item....it was bought over from an online shop. Normally, I don't give a damn to them cause there's no confident with me on those online shops. Okay...back on the day I received my parcel.....it was in my office...I was like so "Kan Chiong" and excited as it like not happening in my lifetime....I gently opened it and I was damn excited to know that....it was way far better than I anticipated....Holly Cow!!! I didn't take photo of it immediately....I brought it back home...and use my dslr to take it nicely.....and here it is....and did I mention what it is....hehehe...look here....a National Geographic Small Waist Pack....



my new waist pack....looks tough and classic...and it's meant for multi-purpose use....but still the main idea was for photo shooting event.... :P



It's not finish yet.....there's another item which I bought it last week....this new item was meant to replace....exchange....the existing item???? Whatever...I don't really care about it....and what really matter me most is that....I am loving it(Ba Da Ba Ba Ba!!! LoL)...here....watch out for this logo...and you'll know what it is eventually.....



meet my new pair of glasses...and I'm done with my new collections.....

Testing on Reverse Macro....

I was reading on a forum and happen to come across a photography technique so called reverse macro. Reverse macro is done by using a lens mounting to the camera body in a reverse manner. OMG, yes...it's reverse....but how to do it? And I learned that there's a thing so called "Reverse Macro adapter". it's use to mount on another lens which is normally attach to the camera and another lens for the reverse position to mount on it...and tadaaaa....you got it now and can start to take some serious macro. How serious it can be? I had done some testing during my very very free until nothing better to do....but it's done without the adapter. I just hold the lens using my hand as I don't have any adapter. So here I used the combination lenses of my kit lens 18-70mm and the 50mm as the reverse lens.

First, I have to use folded paper piece to manipulate the aperture actuator so that it's open wide at f/1.7. Without the adapter....my hand can be unstable to hold onto a position still to take a real close macro hence I used a tripod to aid me in this.

How near is near for the minimum focal distance? My kit lens requires a minimum distance of 38cm from the subject and the prime lens requires a minimum distance of 45cm from the subject. But, with this combination.....transformation to a reverse macro lenses, it has take the lens a huge distance nearer to the subject to create a serious macro situation where the minimum focal distance is in between 1cm-2cm. Isn't it great? Below are the results from my little testing.....

This was the subject for my testing...letter opener...



Here's the result from the reverse macro technique....



Does this looks real near to you? It looks like a life size subject to me...^_^"

There you go....a 100% crop from the above pic....



The IQ acceptable kan? I think it could be even better if I use an adapter to aid me. So now...do you feel like want to play around with it....maybe with some interesting subject...like say....a bug or insect?

My Little Kitty...

Of course, I have introduce my little kitty before I move on. Well, what's that my little kitty then? It's my precious camera, Sony Alpha A100 and the newly bought Sony Alpha A700 ^_^.

Both photos are taken from dpreview.

All the photos in this blog is taken by both camera, A100 and A700. I'm so proud to be both cameras owner.

Besides photos, once in a blue moon, I'll capture some video using my best ever camera-phone, Sony Ericsson W800i. Why I use cam-phone? Cause it's handy and I can bring it along where ever I go, catcha!!!