Scout Images

This morning I was pleasantly surprised when a courier knocked on my front door to deliver me my new Sony TX5. A lot of the people that know me well would probably be thinking….what a Sony?? Yes a Sony.

My long time gripes with Sony as a camera come in a number of forms:

• Value – you pay a lot for the Sony brand, and you can usually find a similar spec/performing camera in another brand. In this case I was offered a VERY good price and there really is no other waterproof camera with a specialised low light sensor (ie no SuperCCD EXR in a Fuji waterproof yet)
• Memory Stick (MS Pro Duo) – I run two card formats already Compact Flash (CF) and Secure Digital (SD/SDHC). Thankfully Sony has awoken to the world and given us dual MS/SDHC card slots in this generation of camera.

So with these two issues cast aside (good work Sony on the 2nd issue) there leaves the one remaining problem, I already have a compact camera that I love (my Fuji F100fd) so what has made me buy another compact?

The Fuji F100fd has been a great companion and despite the introduction of the SuperCCD EXR in the F200EXR and F70EXR it still delivers sufficiently good image quality for my needs. However, the Sony TX5 sold itself to me on the basis of its nice slim looks and toughness (waterproof down to 3m, drop-proof up to 1.5m, freezeproof) as well as the nice Sweep Panorama and Exmor R sensor. Most importantly it is this Exmor R sensor that got me interested, and in the coming weeks I will try to test the Exmor R against my 2yr old SuperCCD.

So introducing the Sony Cyber-Shot TX5:

• 10.2MP Exmor R backlit CMOS sensor
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 25-100mm (35mm equivalent) f/3.5-6.3 lens (4x zoom)
• 3.5″ Touch screen
• 720P HD Video Recording
• 17.7mm thick
• Waterproof up to 3m (10ft)
• Drop-proof up to 1.5m (5ft)
• Freezeproof down to -10 deg C

Great news, I currently have an image on display as part of the DSLRusers.com exhibition that is on show at Zimprints in Newtown.

WHAT: DSLRusers Exhibition

WHERE: Zimprints, 510 King Street, Newtown

WHEN: 20 March 2010 – 11 April 2010

All images are available for sale at Zimprints, so if you have some time do drop by and see what is on offer. I only have one image there but it hangs in very good company.

To view images online visit here.

PS. all image links through dating back to (and including) Nov 2009 are now working again

Firstly I am happy to announce that my migration from 3ix to BlueHost is now complete. There are still a few issues with the integration of WordPress and Gallery2 using WPG2 (similar to those dating back from my last incident) with a lot of my photo thumbnail links not working properly. So far I have fixed everything dating back from Jan 1st 2010 and will continue to fix these links as time passes. I ask for patience, and apologise for any inconvenience cause.

On a more positive note I have joined the Phottix Affiliate program, so if your after some Phottix gear please click through on the links that will appear on this site.

I have finally decided to bid 3ix farewell and will be migrating this website to BlueHost over the next few weeks (hopefully less than that) so there maybe some downtime whilst I am moving the website contents and the domain name. Thank you for your patience.

Update: 17/03/2010 11:30 AEST

WordPress install seems to be working, I will work on reactivating the gallery in the coming days when I have more time. I just hope that I wont have the same problems with Gallery and WPG2 as last time (refer here)

My internet travels have led me to discover another interesting lens. Tamron has finally developed a SWM/USM equivalent, this means for the first time Tamron offers fast, silent focus with full time manual override – the USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). The first lens that uses this new technology is the “Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD”.

This lens is clearly designed to compete with the Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm f/4-5.6 VR and the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, featuring the same focal range, image stabilisation (VC) and fast silent focus. (What does the alphabet soup mean?)

I know I will be keeping a close eye on this lens as a possible replacement for my Tamron 70-300mm (1:2 Macro).

Full press release available here.

I recently picked up a Samsung E1107 Crest Solar mobile phone from catchoftheday.com.au as a back up mobile phone that would have good battery life. The E1107 is a very basic phone that essentially makes and accepts calls and allows you to send and receive text messages. However, its claim to fame is the solar panel on the back…the whole reason why I purchased this phone.

It is claimed that the solar panels will allow the phone to gain 5-10min talk time for one hour in direct sunlight….or approx 5hrs of standby time. Other features include:

• FM Radio
• LED Torch
• Fake Call

I had a time working out how to activate the Fake Call feature, with nothing on the web actually helping, I eventually found a solution that works for this phone by trying suggestions for other Samsung phones.

I decided to post how to ACTIVATE FAKE CALL on the Samsung E1107 Crest Solar to help others that are wondering how to do so.

1. Unlock phone
2. Press and hold the “down” arrow on the D-pad
3. Wait until you get “Fake Call Activated”

Hope this helps someone.

Although Samsung is not the first brand that we think of when we think camera they have given us the first APS-C sensor EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens) camera. Whilst at work today I had the pleasure of handling one under the watchful eye of the Samsung rep.

I have been following this camera quietly since it first broke news as a announcement at CES 2009, now that I have played with a pre-production prototype (with production firmware) I am impressed enough to admit that Micro 4/3rds has something to worry about.

Small and lightweight, but at the same time very comfortable to grip the NX10 will definitely appeal to those who want something smaller than a SLR but with the same performance. The NX10 delivers most of the benefits of an entry DSLR with its APS-C sized 14MP CMOS, although not focusing quite as fast. The combination of a 3″ AMOLED and a high resolution EVF works well. The ability to shoot 720p HD video at 30fps  in 25min clips means the NX10 can challenge the EP-1/EP-2 and the GH1/GF1.

Initially only 3 lenses will be available. A pancake lens (30mm f/2), a standard zoom (18-55mm OIS) and a telephoto zoom (55-200mm OIS). I handled the first two of this trio and did not find anything amiss with these Samsung designed/built lenses. However proper testing is needed.

I was also lucky enough to play with Samsung’s K-mount adaptor, which employs an aperture ring compatibility is maximised. Novoflex has also promised EOS and Nikon F adaptors, so if you want to use your precious Canon and Nikon glass you can.

I only had a short play with this camera, but I am sufficiently impressed by it to consider further examination in the future. Maybe it can replace my D60, or be a candidate for IR conversion.

How much?

NX10 + 30mm f/2 Pancake – expected rrp AUD899.

NX10 + 18-55mm OIS – expected rrp AUD849.

I was recently up in the Blue Mountains, with a few intentions. To get away from reality, to get out there and take in some of the beautiful landscapes that are so close to us here in Sydney, and to try to re-shoot some of my lost photos (refer here).

So what does one bring on a trip like this? I didnt actually think too hard but settled for a quality over convenience kit, which in many ways I probably regret (the weight made me not so happy whilst we were hiking).

• Nikon D300
• AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8
• AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR
• AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8
• Tokina AT-X 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 Fisheye
• Nikon SB-400
• Phottix Geo One
• Phottix Duo Cable
• Cokin P-Series ND4
• Cokin P-Series ND8
• Lowepro Fastpack 350

Some Panorama action (Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 + Cokin ND4 + Cokin ND8)

Some HDR action (Tokina 10-17mm, 7 frames)

I came into work today and was surprised that we received a copy of the AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F/4 VR. Now being me I could not resist giving this lens a once over.

So, mounted on a D3000 (first camera I grabbed) I had a peek.

Thoughts?

-SHARP – great in the centre all the way to the edges, a bit soft at edges at F4, but very good by F/5,6

-DISTORTION – noticeable, but not bad barrel distortion at 16mm, only seen because I shot some tiles

-CHROMATIC ABBERATION – present at the edges, but very small amounts and not something you would notice in usage.

I WANT ONE!!!

So if you were thinking about this instead of the 14-24mm do have a look.

PS. Build is very solid, rubber seal is present, both zoom and focus rings are nice…very 24-70mm like, but the lens feels like it is made from plastic rather than metal.

I have been very quiet on the photographic front lately, so I thought I would share some of the images I have snapped in my day to day wanderings. Nothing special.

Mamak is a Malaysian restaurant in Sydney that I really love (for more information please visit their website), fast paced food that is simple yet delicious. Here are some pictures taken using my Fuji F100fd.

More recently, I had some fisheye fun in the Queen Victoria Building. My Nikon D60 + Tokina AT-X 10-17mm. These were taken more for myself than for anything else, and experiment with zooming whilst shooting, often used with other lenses.