24/8/2010 Sony New DSLR + DSLT

Today is an exciting day as Sony has announced 2 new DSLR - A560/A580 and 2 new DSLT - A33/A55.

A560 and A580 should be the new replacement for the existing A500 and A550, both using the new Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor where A580 equipped with the all new 16.2 megapixels Exmor APS HD sensor while the A560 is equipped with the 14.2 megapixels Exmor APS HD sensor which is currently use by the Sony NEX series camera.

The major upgrades for the 2 cameras are:

1) New sensor - Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor
2) New 15 points phase-detection AF system
3) Full HD Video Recording
4) Advanced imaging functions: 3D sweep panorama, Auto HDR and Multi Frame Noise
Reduction
5) Simplified Shooting modes on the dial - Auto, P, A, S, M, Sweep Panorama, Scenes
6) Depth of Field preview button added

For details specs of the cameras, please visit: http://www.dpreview.com/news/1008/10082419sonya580a560.asp

Some photos of A560 (from dpreview: http://dpreview.com/news/1008/10082419sonya580a560.asp)









The small round button beneath the lens mount is the DOF button


Simplied mode dial


While for the Sony A33 and A55 are the new camera known as DSLT, which stands for Digital Single Lens Translucent. For DSLR, when the light hit the mirror in front of the sensor, the light will be direct to the Optical View Finder. When the shutter button is pressed, the mirror will be leave up in order for the light to reach the sensor. While for the A33/A55, the mirror is a Translucent mirror, where 70% of the light will direct pass through the mirror to reach the sensor, while 30% of the light will be reflect to the AF system on the top, thus, the mirror will not move while the shutter has been press.

Due to only 30% of light will reach the AF system, so Optical View Finder will not be the optimum solution, thus, OVF has been replaced with the new 1.15 million dots EVF. With EVF combined with the translucent mirror, there'll be no black out during the exposure.

Besides, phase-detection AF is enable during video recording which is quicker compare to contrast-detection AF.

Also, with the Translucent mirror, the new Sony A55 can burst up to 10fps, where it's only possible with the high end pro DSLR like the Canon 1Ds or the Nikon D3S.

Sony A55 - key specifications

* 16.2MP (effective) APS HD CMOS sensor
* Fixed, pellicle-type semi-translucent mirror
* Maximum ISO 12,800 (with a quasi-ISO 25,600 'Multi-frame NR' option)
* 15-point phase-detection AF array with 3 cross-type AF points
* Electronic viewfinder with 1.44 million dot resolution (1.15M dots used)
* Built-in GPS
* Electronic level in EVF/LCD with pitch/roll indicator
* Dual-purpose Memory Stick/SD card slot
* 10fps continuous shooting rate
* 1080p AVCHD movie mode with continuous AF
* Articulated 3in 'TruBlack' LCD with 912k dots
* socket for external microphone
* 2x magnification mode in live view
* Face-detection AF (focus via nearest phase-detection AF point)

For general specs of A33/A55, please visit: http://dpreview.com/news/1008/10082421sonyslta55a33.asp

For the Review of A55, please visit: http://dpreview.com/reviews/sonyslta55/

Some pictures of the A33/A55 (from http://dpreview.com/news/1008/10082421sonyslta55a33.asp):





The Translucent Mirror in front of the sensor, can see the sensor directly through the mirror


The DOF preview button beneath the lens mount


A55 comes with built-in GPS that allows geo tag for the photos


Awesome tilt and swivel 3 inches 921k dots TruBlack LCD



The 10fps burst sound of the A55


The advertisement of A33/A55


A55 looks very promising, and now I am looking forward for the upcoming Pro model, which is the A700 replacement, hope that Sony can again surprise us when it's out.

02/06/2010 My iPhone 3Gs

After serving my for 5 years, my Motorola E398 finally rest in peace. After done some research for a new phone, I decided to sign on the Digi iPhone package. In fact, I got my iPhone since last month, but I was busy to take the photos of it until today.

This is my iPhone 3Gs 16GB.

12/02/2010 New Year Present

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, so what did I bought for myself for this Chinese New Year?

A Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod

Some facts regarding Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod:
Max Load Capacity: 5 KG
Minimum Height: 8.5 CM
Maximum Height: 146 CM
Weight: 1.8 KG








The center column can be used horizontally

A Manfrotto 498RC2 MIDI BALL HEAD W/ RC2

Some facts regarding Manfrotto 498RC2:
Height: 12.5 CM
Weight: 0.61KG
Max Load Capacity: 8 KG








The Pan lock, when unlock, allow users to pan the camera mounted. The Friction lock is to control the smoothness of the ball head movement when unlock


The Ball Head lock, to lock the movement of the ball head

Sigma AF10-20mm f/4-5.6 DC EX









Merrell Moab Gore-Tex XCR Trail Shoes














Bought all the things above just for one purpose, travelling, as I am going to Yun Nan on 14/2 to 20/2 with my family, so I hope to have a pair of comfortable shoes that enable me to walk around for long period of time. While the Ultra Wide Angle lens will allow me to take more landscape photos, and a steady tripod to support the camera when necessary.

04/02/2010 New External Hard Disk

Recently my hard disks spaces have decrease tremendously due to the photos that stored in the hard disk are large in size. So, before my hard disks run out of space, I decided to get an 3.5" External Hard Disk. After some survey on the web, Buffalo DriveStation 1TB is my choice, though I have been considering about Western Digital My Book Essential 1TB for all this time, but the price of the Buffalo DriveStation seems to be cheaper (I bought it at RM 329); plus, the reviews on the Buffalo DriveStation are not bad.

In fact, the Buffalo DriveStation doesn't offer the actual 1TB, as this is normal, as some space in our hard disk is inaccessible, so what I have in actual is 931GB. The amount of the disk space is still huge for me, I guess I can still save many thousands of RAW images in it.

The hard disk comes with 3 years warranty, which I am really please with.

One special features of the DriveStation is known as Turbo USB, which is a software that can help to boost up the read/write speed of the hard disk with USB 2.0. Though the speed don't seems to increase much (according to the reviews from the Web), but it's better than nothing.

Below are the two images that I snap for my DriveStation.

31/8/2009 Tamron SP90mm f/2.8 Di Macro

A macro lens is always in my list, as I like to take macro, so I have decided to have one of this.

As I looked through many websites and magazines, and recommendations from friends, finally I picked up this lens from the third party lens manufacturer - Tamron SP90mm f/2.8 Di Macro.

Tamron SP90mm f/2.8 Di Macro is one of the best macro lens in the market, as I read through the magazines, it even out beats other lens manufacturer like Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony and Sigma; besides, it's the cheapest macro lens, which makes it a worthy macro lens.

14/7/2009 Sigma AF17-70mm DC Macro

My Sony 17-80mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens was malfunctioned, so I just send it to repair. After 3 months of using my kit lens, I would say, overall, it's a decent lens, not so bad nor good. So, after some consideration, I decided to get a new lens to replace my kit lens, while waiting for my kit lens to be repair.

After did some researches on the Web, I have chosen 4 lenses to be included in my wish list, as shown below:

1) Sigma AF17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro
2) Sigma AF18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC

After work, I just went to the shop that I go often and ask for the price of the 4 lenses.

After talked to the promoter, I found that Sigma AF17-70mm is more interesting; first of all, the maximum aperture is f/2.8. Secondly, it can be use as a "macro" lens (though it's call macro lens, but it's not 1:1 magnification, so it doesn't consider as a real macro lens), which allows the distance between the subject and the camera to be as close as 20cm, that's far better than my kit lens.

So, I just showing my new lens here, and hope that I will have nice photos with this new lens in the future ;).


Chosen Sigma, because it's made in Japan, it's cheaper than Sony lens and it's a decent lens.


Ta da! Wait.... that's just the cover.


The lens reviewed, and... it comes with PEDAL HOOD, HOORAY~!!!!!!!!!


Testing


Testing 2, trying to get to the flash's pouch as close as possible.


Testing 3, trying to get close to the gel.


Last testing

18/6/2009 2 months old for my A200

It has been 2 months since I got my first entry level DSLR, so far it has served me faithfully and I am satisfied with its performance. Yup, compare to Nikon and Canon, it might not be the best, yet I like it very much.

So after 2 months of usage, these are the pros and cons that I experienced.

Pros:
1) With anti-shake (Super Steady Shot) built in, which helps to reduce hand shakes.
2) Natural colors.
3) Heavier than some entry level DSLR like Nikon D40 and D60 and Canon 1000D.
4) Great LCD.
5) Accurate Battery level info, which shows percentage left.
6) With sensor cleaning function, just done that yesterday, as there are many dust on the sensor.
7) Able to use the Minolta AF lens.

Cons:
1) Lots of noise when using ISO higher than 400.
2) Slow processing of images.
3) Loud Auto Focus sound.
4) Lenses are not cheap even without anti-shake (since it's built in the kit itself).

Well, even though my A200 is not good in performing with high ISO, which is quite crucial to me, yet I still love it. :)

7/6/2009 Arghh... Scratches on the flash gun's AF illuminator

Yesterday night while storing my camera accessories back to the box, found out that there're more scratches on my external flash gun's AF illuminator, and that's heart aching to me. Just hope that the scratches won't affect the function of the AF illuminator. T_T

27/4/2009 My New Toy's New Toy

2 Weeks after my new toy, a new member has been added into the A200 family - HVL-F58AM.

I have been consider for 2 weeks for which flash to get, and seek for advice from more experienced friend, though he don't encourage me to take the Sony one as it's too pricey, instead, go for 3rd party one. Yet I had chosen the Sony external flash as a long term plan. (PS: sorry to my friend for not listening your advice Orz)

Anyway, talk less, I will let the picture do the talking.