Far far away…

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…

花香

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 =)

The lure of compacts

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:

1. Ability to shoot RAW
2. Wide and fast lenses (24mm f/2 is at least)
3. Clean and detailed IQ at base ISO
4. Usable iso800
5. A dynamic range as good as Fuji’s F200EXR
6. Fully Manual functions
7. Almost pocketable in size
8. <$600 price tag

I can dream.. can’t I?

What would my world be without you?

a NEED, not a WANT.

Seeing Light

Taken by a compact. Converted to black and white because the WB was off. Nevertheless, the noise was already rearing it’s ugly head at iso160.

But then again.. the mood was there… and a compact is user-friendly enough for others to take a portrait of yourself.

Compacts… better than nothing.

Stephanie Sun @ Singapore Indoor Stadium

Crammed pit, high stage, crazy contrasty lighting, dangerously close pyrotechnics… do u even expect me to shoot?

Most pictures here have gone through some pretty shameless post processing work. If i shot such concerts for a living the D3 is a necessity, not a luxury. There isn’t enough highlight headroom at iso2000 on the D300, and the noise is getting pretty intrusive.

Waited an hour before the concert began.. WTH. Seeing how the arena was arranged i sort-of knew what’s to come… 7 of us photogs were sandwiched between 2 huge video cams. I’m in for a rough time.

The high (taller than me) stage meant that full body shots were almost impossible. The “extra” dancers were also always around her, thinking that they were some multi-coated high transparency glass. Gits…

As we shoved and stack over one another in a bid to get a few bread-and-butter shots, they decided to give us a little treat by blasting some pyrotechnics aimed dangerously low below the waistline… Everything happened so fast there wasn’t time to dodge. In the end all of us looked like clowns in golden feathers. I know my outfit isn’t as fancy as yours… but at least respect my choice ok?

Talk about finale…

学...

6 lengthy days. 6 sleepless nights. 44gb of pictures. Countless thoughts. What have I learnt? What have I understood?

Learning is a slow and on-going process. The same applies to the CAM3500DX focusing on my D300. The same applies to shooting a table tennis competition. The same applies to things in life.

Different players have different habits, different playing tactics, different reactions when they win/lose, and love to face different directions. Observe. Study carefully, and only then can one get the better pictures. Don't rush.

While the focus tracking on the D300 is certainly very good, it has many limitations too. The point you first focus on is very important. It will affect how the camera will track the subject subsequently. Depending on situations, one might have to turn on the focus lock-on so that it doesn't get distracted so easily. I personally find dynamic 51pt autofocus, with lock-on set to "normal" tends to be most suitable.

Same goes for life. 出发点要对. Have a strong purpose and clear goal in life. Without it, it's easy to lose your way...

Do not fret when you miss a picture. Chances are you'll miss even more while fretting.

Stamina is crucial, one must be prepared for the long run. Know when to rest. Know how to work out with your team to optimise the effort you put in. Know where each other are, so you don't duplicate/block each other.

Mutual trust is important.

Everyday is a learning experience.