Now that I’ve finished reading about the D3, and also the D300, it’s time to write a nice round up. But before that, I’ve found a nice link from Photography Bay. It’s so funny I almost pee my pants laughing. Read this first, and you’ll have more understanding when you read the actual specifications on the brochures [Link: Nikon Malaysia D3 D300]

So now, let’s start with D3. 12.2MP doesn’t sound much today but Full Frame (FX format) means that Nikon listens to their customers. Like the D2x, D3 has crop format as well:- the 5:4 and DX format. Meaning to say that all your DX lenses can still be used, no problem with that. And since the competitor has a whooping 10fps with AF focusing problem, Nikon decided to put the camera to manual focus to reduce the processing information, and reached an extra frame per second -> 11fps. Even with the AF on, the difference isn’t significantly less, 9fps sounds like a lot to me. Superbly high ISO of 6,400 (25,600 with boost). Besides, the 3” LCD also promises 1700 view, with 900+k pixels.

What about D300? You must think that it might be a crippled D3. But NO, it’s almost as good in terms of specs. 12.2MP CMOS DX, 6fps (8fps with MB-10 battery pack), High ISO of 3,200 ( 6,400 with boost), same 3” LCD like the D3. D200 uses the CAM1000 processor which looks inferior as compared with the 2000 CAMs on the D2X. But both D3 and D300 uses the new EXPEED CAM3500 sensors, which I believe is what Nikon uses to capture so many frames per second (fps). Besides, automatic sensor cleaning has been integrated… it’s like who doesn’t in Year 2007. Live View is also written in the spec sheet, but I still doubt how they does that with the mirror down.

Other things that are already there (uniquely Nikon) – builts like a brick, wireless transmission for up to 5 cameras, D-lighting, great ergonomics, easy to reach buttons, and weather-sealing. Nikon never disappoints. If D200 is “The 200% camera”, this camera definitely worth to claim “the 300% camera” title.

What's a camera without a lens. Nikon came well prepared with the announcement of 5 lenses to complete the GMA factor (Gaya Mesti Ada). 3 super teles with VR -> AF-S 400mm, 500mm and 600mm at an aperture of F4, and as for the wide side, there is the super wide AF-S 14-24mm f2.8 and also the standard AF-S 24-70mm f2.8.

Foot note: I wrote this article after reading both the announcements once. Trying to test out my “photographic memory” for my future Toastmasters speeches.

"Woohoo" today is my happy day.

Labels: Photography

I was too preoccupied with my Toastmasters event lately, hence too busy to do a write up (which every photo enthusiast is doing on the web). So now here’s my opinion from the pre-release, without any “hands on”.

DSLR war is on again. Canon has announced 2 new cameras lately – EOS 1Ds MkIII and EOS 40D. Let’s talk about the RM32k camera first. 1Ds has been Canon’s flagship camera with full frame. With Mk II, we have 16.7MP, while Canon boosted up the pixels to 22.1 on their Mk III. These additional pixels are targeted for the commercial photographers who need to print large, but do not want to be burden by the weight of medium formats. As for 40D, they have increased the pixel count by 20% to 10.1MP.

That’s not what impresses me most. Even though the pixel count increases, they did not affect the sensor area of each pixel. Meaning the noise will not be affected (hopefully). These cameras have the LiveView technology, and Dust Removal that Olympus first introduced. Too bad the 4/3’s sensor isn’t that popular. Canon also includes the 14-bit ADC that we’ve seen on Fujifilm since their S2Pro. Hopefully this translates to a wider dynamic range.

Canon also increases the continuous shot buffer for 40D to 6.5fps ( 5fps on 30D). There’s spot metering and they have finally listen to the customer to indicate alert when the memory card compartment is open. Both cameras came uses CMOS sensors which translate to lower noise, lower battery consumption and all.

So, how does the other brands responded? Right after the announcement, Sonly announced a 12.5MP CMOS sensor that can shoot at 10fps!!! That’s like totally puts the EOS 1D MkIII in history.

Wait, the Nikonians has also came up with a fight. The D3 is out!!! Wait, is that all you can do? 12.1 MP? No! We have finally made it to FULL FRAME!!! With only an estimate of 20 sensors per wafer. I don’t think it’ll come cheap.

Back to reading more about the updates. Will write a summary of what Nikons have to offer. For those who can’t wait….you can always visit my trusted DPReview.com. Till then…ciaoz!

Labels: Photography

I was the test speaker for Vistana on Jessica’s request. Over the weekend, I rehearsed in front of her for a few times, she gave me a few hints of improvement and it helps. But hours before my speech, I saw my unprocessed photos being published on the intranet, and the publisher is so naïve to post it up without giving me (the photographer) any credits. As a photographer, my photos are like a part of me as important as semens are to men, or how important virginity is to ok…enough of these.

Since Choobee helped me in making an impressive speech, I decided to buy her the mushroom she has been eyeing for in QBM. I don’t find anything interesting about the “cuteness” she’s talking about … but I will do anything to make her happy, as I’ve received tremendous applause from the floor. It’s different to be presenting a speech and be evaluated by 4 experienced toastmasters, but if everyone else is also giving me a good critique, that is something to be proud of. So I bought her the present to her house on purpose, she was grateful and happy that she hugged it tightly when I gave it to her.

But sadly I found something worrying when I was there. How would you feel if you have dandruff growing on your head? I’ll surely scratch it so hard I’ll bleed my forehead. But this baby of mine (yang2) doesn’t know how to complain. When I see him, he only knows how to jump on me and lick me while whacking his tail that is enough to spin a generator’s turbine.

When I found out, it’s already too late. There’s a flea colony growing on his thick hair. We spent a whole evening yet cannot finish killing all of them. After I gone home, Choobee continues to catch the flea one by one until midnight. Pity her.

Thursday evening I went to check again as her mom says that she already spent 3 hours with the fleas. But I still managed to find a lot hiding under yang2’s fur. Worst case I’ll have to shave him bald and let him grow all the hair back.

Labels: Relationship, Toastmasters

When I was sending some documents to the shop to do some trophies, the shop owner already warned me that there's something funny in her computer, virus or something like that. But I insisted she open the document as I urgently need to make the prizes for the competition coming Wednesday.

As I scaned the thumb drive in the office this morning, I found out that the USB is already infested with something called W32.Imaut.N, which I hope doesn't affect the computer I have at home.



Scary...I plugged in the USB for scanning at 8.07 in the morning, and the scan only finishes at 14.00-ish....6 and half hours just to scan one thumb drive. That's like forever in year 2007. From the print screen you can see 1074 risks found... partially my bad also la, since I install some portableapps on my pendrive. But the figures are plain scary la....that's about 1.8% of the files I have.

Should be more careful about these sorta stuffs...now that USB drives has been plug and play all over.

Labels: Tech

I think I still owe the readers my Toastmasters Division N&S Joint Installation Dinner on the 28th of July @ Bayview Hotel. So, here's the write up.

I was never a good writer, if I was, I'll be known as Kenny Sia, not just Neoh-the-Photographer. In that case i'll just do the photo taking while leaving the reporting to someone more competent. Like this girl Joanne Tan from Gurney Toastmasters Club.

Here's the link to MY PHOTOS, and HER REPORTING.

And no, she does not ask permission from me to post it up. But since my name has been credited, and she did a nice work labelling the photos, I couldn't complain. Thanks Joanne, just put a link back to my blog will be a good barter. [The Link]

Labels: Toastmasters

I've always get it from friends saying that working at Dell is Hell. This evening was the first time I visited DELL's factory. Managed to find my way there thanks to the guidance from my collegue. I was 20 minutes late because I my nap turns into an hour long sleep. As I'm approaching it's compound, I can see the Blueish logo just light up which matches the color of the sky. The security lets me in despite Christopher missed out my name from the list. After taking my name and identification, he showed me the way to the conference room.

At the same time, I bump into Prema from the Corporate Comms which I get to know from my internship in Seagate. She greeted me right on the gate, but I think it was too spontaneous for me to response. Anyway, she stoped her car by the side and came down to offer me a lift to the conference area. We had some catching up in her car before she showed me thier office, which is much dynamic and friendly working environment than all the offices I've been working in. She showed me her desk before showing me the way to the particular room where I'm supposed to meet the other toastmasters. My first impression in Dell was so good, I wonder how people are complaining that it's in hell? All I can assume is that we always think that the grass is greener on the other side.

The organizing committee has already started, but they welcome me in with a great smile. Unlike the meetings we have in our club, Dell has coffee and tea served in their rooms, projectors and power points all nicely placed. It was our post mortem meeting, and we started to criticize the food, congratulate everyone for the success, suggesting ways of improvement and balancing up the spreadsheet. All in all, everyone is having real fun while solving real-time problem. I get to know more about the toastmasters, amoung that Chris is 6 years my senior (he looks so young!), and Nenek used to be a nurse by profession. That's the kind of working environment I wish to be working on day-in day-out.

While chatting with my friends working there, I found out that Dell Penang has not yet made any plans to support Ubuntu in Malaysia. I've left my name with them and hopefully they will get back to me once they receive good news from their parent company. But unless there's no internal leakage, I'll most probably get to know about the news before them. Thanks a lot to Engadget and Gizmodo's feeds that I get from my Google Reader.

During the JID (joint installation dinner), Christopher lost his PDA phone while playing some game session. The girls took him out for a walk while the rest of us put some money into an envelope. Before calling it a day, Nenek told us how she found out he's born in rabbit year and Joanne managed to make one cardboard foldup that looks like a rabbit for him. Inside the "rabbit" we put our "contribution" as well as signing our names on the rabbit's tongue. That's the spirit of fellowship in toastmasters, when we see someone is in trouble, we'll help up if it's within our reach.

After the meeting, I have a breif chat with Prema over the net. We usually see each other online but hardly talk to each other. Found out a few more facts from her and got to know about the news of other trainees that has already been working in various places. There are only a few people which I can start freely express myself linguistically without worrying they think that I came from Mars. Among those are Prema, Ming Zheng and Irene. It's good to have a nice fellowship like this after spending most of my time alone working in front of my computer.

Side note: I've agreed to help Mr Heah up as the secretary for Area S4, I'm sure there are more chance for me to meet new faces and get to know people who looks towards the same goal.

Labels: Friends, Toastmasters

When driving Irene back home, I asked if she remembers how I celebrated her birthday in 2004. She’s stunned, “first year we had dinner at Eden's "The Ship", next year we go ..., and in 2004…2004…2004…” It’s only 3 years ago, but we are still sitting there trying hard to recall that incident.

Thankfully there is the digital age… I used to write down all my SMSes into a logbook, and even that doesn’t have a record. Then, I went online to Google for help, fortunately the event was recorded on my blog [Link]. I laughed out so loud I sprained my muscles. Back then The DaVinci code was the top selling novel, and I made her run all over the university just to find her birthday present. She was happy back then, but both of us can’t remember the incident if not for the record in my “digital diary”.

Moral of the story: Have to continue writing my blog. Else, all the things I've been working so hard to do will be forgotten in time.

Labels: Myself, Relationship

After a 2 hour badminton session with my colleagues, Choobee came over to my place initially to work on some photos. As we reached home, I saw a huge pile of red soil blocking the side entrance. Mom told me that my dad has came up with yet another project. He dug out all the grass and plan to lift up the ground a little. Ever since I’m a kid, I never like to do gardening. Dad is the problem as he always laughs at me for not having enough strength, speed and endurance. So, I decided not to help him up but this time it’s different.

Before I can refuse to help, Choobee says she wanted to help. I thought I heard wrongly the first time, but she actually put down her stuffs and help up with gardening. According to her, she was never encouraged to touch the soil at home as her mom is doing all the work. And since she didn’t do well in her singing contest, she releases her temper on to the ground (talking about good anger management).

Of course I can’t let her work there alone, she drag me along to help move the sand after she fill up the trolley. While working, I started mumbling and complaining so much that dad, mom and Choobee started laughing at me non stop. I don’t like gardening, what’s so funny about that? Dad says I’ll understand when I get older, but I don’t think I ever will.

Looking at the way she work on the sand, I started to get worried. What if one day I went looking for Kookai again? I’ll certainly come back a dead meat. With the strength she has in her, she can easily slice me into pieces, dug a hole and bury me in a blink of an eye. No need any refrigerators, no need to dump on the sea or what not. Scary…better not think about that.

At night both of us have to get yokoyoko all over our body as our muscles are so painful. It’s funny to see 2 people massaging each other and pouring yokoyoko at each other’s body as others are playing with honey, chocolates or whipped cream. I can still feel the pain on my muscles thinking of that incident. *Ouch*

Labels: Myself, Relationship