灿烂的阳光，灿烂的笑容，灿烂的你 =)
For high levels of detail, only my D300 is up to the job. With a very light anti-aliasing filter and proper processing in raw, together with a quality lens at optimum settings, not only can I count the number of kites in the sky, but also the lines attached to each kite too.
I’d love to see a compact that can deliver similar amounts of detail… the closest currently is probably the G10, but still not close enough…
Will we get there?
Third consecutive image taken by a compact. The convenience is tempting… my D300 must have been jealous.
This shot isn’t taken by me.
Update on 200809: It seems that Canon has finally woken up from it’s Megapixel dream, and recently released 2 比较像样的 compacts – G11 and S90. Both shoot RAW (yea!), and I’m enticed by the articulating LCD on the G11 (it’s damn useful.. not a gimmick at all), but none of them goes wider than 28mm (and offer uncropped 3:2/16:9 outputs). I love wide-angles.. and am hoping Panasonic would finally release something that’ll make me part with my mula…
花，有永久不谢的吗？只要是真的花，开得再灿烂，再芬芳，都有它凋谢的一天。它的存在只是为了完成更大的任务，任务一旦完成，它也就失去意义了。
人生也不过如此。
人有生、老、病、死。物有成、筑、坏、空，这是自然的循环理，没有必要执著于某个阶段。事来则应，事去则尽。只有这样才能达到逍遥自在的心境。
no more emo =)
There have been interesting development in the camera arena these days. The most interesting being micro 4/3rd camera systems (especially the Olympus EP-1 and the rumoured Panasonic GF-1). These systems serve to bridge the gap between the versatility and image quality of DSLRs, and the portability and stealth of compact cameras. Another interesting development being the back illuminated CMOS (by Sony). This technology potentially brings high ISO capability of compacts closer to entry level dSLRs. Ok I’m going to rant now… don’t blame me if you fall asleep.
I’ve never seen a compact with image quality that is as good as a dSLR. Can’t really stand the smudgy foliage and noisy shadows (especially after using the tokina 11-16). However, I have to admit that the portability and stealth of compacts cannot be underestimated. I tried bringing my family camera (TZ-3) around for a few days with no aim in mind, and whenever I spot an opportunity, I’m genuinely glad I have a camera with me to capture the moment. Some opportunities are just 可遇不可求, and the D300 system (even with my changeup) isn’t a viable setup to bring along everywhere i go.
But the TZ-3 is just so… dumb. It is fully automatic, meaning I can hardly tell it what i want. It is also very noisy, meaning no photos between 7pm – 8am. While it is frustrating to not have a camera when an opportunity arises, it is as frustrating (if not more) to be unable to create a picture you envisioned, simply because your camera is stupid. =P Ok.. i’m just psycho-ing myself that I need a “clever” compact.
For a moment i’m genuinely interested in a micro-4/3rds system like the EP-1. It will be even more tempting if Panasonic managed to get everything right in the GF-1 (better focusing, built in flash). However, this is a system.. meaning additional lens/accessories to go with the body. Probably cost a bomb (i’m thinking of the 7-14 f/4), and i still have to decide on lenses to bring out everyday. Kind-of defeats the purpose.
For compacts, the only one that caught my eye currently is the Panasonic LX-3. Small enough, wide enough, probably just fast enough. But not cheap enough. (still $700!!) The image quality, while best among compacts, is still far from good (max iso 400 for me). But at least it shoots RAW, and has an excellent Dynamic BnW function. Also has a hot-shoe where i can jam my SB-800 on for shooting indoors. Hmm…
For now, I shall wait. I foresee a dramatic improvement in image quality among compacts, should the back illuminated technology becomes more widespread. (and iso 800 becomes usable). I just want:
I can dream.. can’t I?
