It’s been almost a year (literally) since I posted anything on here. Won’t lie, I have been lazy, busy and passive about it. I finally got married this year, February 15th. Yes, I am now a married man; the thought makes me jump on the highest cloud in the sky, and at the same time bury me in the depths of responsibilities even lower than the Mariana Trench!
Nevertheless, I have made my way back to WordPress to update readers with new happenings, share and express (and hopefully) discuss my photography and things related.
Like every photographer nerd out there I too have this crazy & unjustifiable want for the coolest and newest camera gear out there. Just that I didn’t admit it before and always tried to justify what I thought – was that I needed. However, I can’t hide or lie – I have GAS! 😀 lol
So I made a list of ALL the equipment I want to buy/have/be gifted (hopefully my wife reads 😉 ) From computer system to camera gear to lenses to accessories. Every item I have included/selected is out of LOTS of reading, reviewing, researching and picking only that that I absolutely want and any more than this would be – a lot.
Here goes the list :
COMPUTER SYSTEM
iMac 27 5k – I had to really juggle and try to convince myself that I didn’t need the Mac Pro and then the NEC PA30 monitor both totaling to around $6,000+ and instead get the iMac 27 5k for way almost 1/3rd the price!
Canon Pro-1000 – good thing I wasn’t able to buy the PRO-1 when I did. This is a better option. Reason why I don’t want to go with the Epson even though I would love a roller is because of head clogs and better customer support w/Canon
Epson V850Pro – Yes definitely want and need a reliable, trusted and quality scanner. Intend to get back into film, my Nikon F3 is just gathering dust and I feel so so bad looking at it 😥
HDD Enclosure(s) – I already have 4 2TB ext HDD I use. 2 for storing and 2 for backup. Just need an enclosure that with encase all 4. (still looking for options… help me? 😦 )
CAMERAS
Toyo-Field 45 AII– Always wanted to really feel the “old school” photography. This is basically going to be a landscape camera 90%. If and when I do have a studio, I might use it for portraits
Pentax 645Z – It’s been so long dreaming and wanting and drooling over this camera, it’s more like a sinful pleasure to own it. More so because I know I will be shooting landscapes and personal projects with it. But then I think why do I need to spend $7,000 when I will or want to use the 4×5 camera on landscape… ugh! just too much! ( maybe I’ll save this is one for later… 😉 )
Olympus OMD E-M1 mkII – Yep, I have the E-M1 and absolutely love the Olympus OMD system. The lenses are top notch with a very good price point as compared to other full frame lenses and also Sony FF lenses for their Α (alpha) series. Thinking I’ll sell my E-M1 and get a lens out of it??
Nikon F3– Already own this & love it. Want to start using it more & more… Been ignoring my baby for far too long! 😥
It had been a VERY long time since I picked up my film camera… and to be honest, it happened because I don’t have a DSLR anymore and to top it off – my digital point-n-shoot got stolen from the car as well.
There was a model-photographer meetup that I wanted to attend, but not having a DSLR was disappointing esp. because I knew I wouldn’t be able to give away the “files” anytime soon. Nevertheless, I head out and bought rolls of film – Kodak Ektar 100 and Ilford Delta 3200.
I wanted to see if I still “had it in me” … if I could still shoot film – and mind you, I NEVER have used a light-meter. I always have taken educated guess and metered it using my eye. Never has failed!!
I didn’t take lot of shots of Hayley at the meetup but these two were my favorites. Taken with the Ilford 3200 b/w. I did crop it in LR and did do a little bit of touch-up, but not to much.
The colored shots are from the Kodak. The Cat tails and the leaves with the sun peeking… both hand held and I must admit I am proud of myself that I pulled it off without any trouble.
In both the shots with Kodak I used the 50mm f/1.2 Ai-S lens. Whereas with Hayley, I used the 50mm and also 35~135mm f/3.5~4.5 Ai-S lens.
There was the added cost of developing and scanning of the 2 film rolls, it took a whole month before I sent them to the lab! This is something that really annoyed me. I don’t know if it was the cost issue or what… but film does hold you back!
One thing that definitely annoyed me was that I couldn’t change from color to b/w and vice-versa! I had to complete the roll or kill it if I really wanted to shoot in a different mode or film. So different an experience from using digital. But then again, it’s a whole other experience to begin with – Slow and Easy !!
I sold my Nikon D200 with the vertical grip, MC-10 remote cord, 18~70mm f/3.5~4.5 kit lens for $700. The body was intact but the glue holding the rubber was wearing out and so the rubber was coming off esp. at the ends. The sensor was also very dirty. Didn’t clean it all this time even once since I got the camera (that being in March 2006). I was hoping and wishing I get somewhere around $1000 with all that, but landed up with only $700. True, I tried to rush the sale… but who’s buying a D200 now anyways?! I wouldn’t !!
So, for $700, I got the Ricoh GX 200 with the VF-1 + extra batt. + acc. lens cover… all for $590 from Amazon. I think that the best camera is the one you have with you! The D200 more than often sat there in the house unless I took it out for a particular shoot or something. I experienced slide film and to be honest, I am in love with photography once again! It’s just amazing. I guess I’ll use my F3 to shoot film, and GX 200 for snaps. I definitely plan on getting me a DSLR sometime (soon I hope). I want to go for the D700 (or the upgrade of it if there is at the time).
Personally, I think it’s a win-win situation with some compromise. Funny thing, I am still with “200” !! lol…
Camera : Nikon F3
Lens : 50mm f/1.2 Ai-S
Settings : 1/125 @ f/4
Film : Ilford FP4
Panned the camera with the car. I saw the car and everything happened so suddenly! I didn’t know how the pic would turn out… I guess I can be happy with the result! 🙂
One of my friend works at a local dancing club (where you go and learn how to learn ballroom and Latin dances), he is an instructor there.
He had asked me if I would come over and shoot on their grand opening. I said yes I would, as I thought I would get some new and different kind of shots to show on my site.
I took my kit lens (Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5) and I swear it was one of those times I cried for not having a fast f/2.8 on me!! 😦 Had to struggle with the lighting, esp. ‘cuz they were all dancing kinda fast. But yeah, I managed to get some “workable shots” so the dance club owners could use them. I’m hoping they will take me as their staff photographers whenever they have these “opening nights” and special events.
It was on January 13, when the Shi’te muslims community of Bay Area (in California) took to the streets with slogans of Peace, Integrity, Co-Existence and Respect for one another. Especially for people of the three major faiths (religion) – Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is high time that we all realized that each of us, irrespective of our beliefs and background, need to live in harmony.
The march was not lead by any one particular person or “leader”. It was more a joint effort from the whole community to pass on the message of peace and love, of tolerance and co-existence.
The chief of police of San Jose was also involved as well as one of the priest (and professor) of the local church. Both spoke about the necessity of tolerance and a joint effort to minimize ills of society like murders, robberies, kidnaping and so forth. “Only when we all join hands and work towards a better future, through a collective effort, can we all feel safe and secure, otherwise no one is 100% safe.” they said.
The walk took place on the main road and it was (obviously) closed down. It started right after the Zuhar (afternoon) prayers, and continued till5 in the evening. Ending at the San Jose city hall, where the chief of police and a local priest gave their respective speeches and addressed the people. There were also religious figures that addressed the people – asking all christians, jews and muslims, rich or poor for all to come together in harmony.
I missed the Peace walk for 2009 but felt I should share with you all the pics I took of the rally last year, I haven’t posted all the pics here though. It’s so tedious!! 😦 However, I hope my effort in sharing this event with you through my blog will bring about a willingness in your heart in becoming a more tolerant and forgiving person; building bonds of love and humility with all fellow citizens and mankind!!
Oh My God… I think I saw (one of) the funniest video on Digital Pixels and its a satire made on the Nikon D3x, casting Hitler as the main (as you’d expect) character! Check it out… i’m sure you’ll LOVE it! 🙂
My PHOTO - RAMBLINGS 