Archive for the ‘cameras’ Category

New arrivals: Canon PowerShot G3 X prosumer compact camera

Friday, June 26th, 2015

The PowerShot G3 X offers high zoom shooting and promises superior image and video quality through the Dynamic Image Stabilisation (IS) system. Pricing & availability TBA.

The newly launched Canon PowerShot G3 X.

The newly launched Canon PowerShot G3 X.

The Canon PowerShot G3 X is a new premium high-zoom digital compact camera in the PowerShot G series.

The camera is powered by a large 1.0-inch CMOS sensor, enabling the camera to offer good image quality even in low light environments.

The camera features a 24-600mm 25x optical zoom lens and improved Zoom Framing Assist.

The camera’s improved Dynamic Image Stabilisation (IS) system enhances movie recording by stabilising moving images.

The EOS-like user interface also enhances intuitive operation of the camera, with a high resolution 1.62-megapixel 3.2-inch touch panel LCD monitor.

Below are more details from the press release.

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POTD: 3rd time lucky at Chambord Chateau in Loire Valley, France

Sunday, June 14th, 2015

After having twice turned back from visiting Chateau Chambord when I’d already reached its gates, I decided to make my third and final attempt at visiting this biggest and most majestic of the numerous fabulous chateaus in the beautiful Loire Valley.

The frontal facade of the Chambord Chateau, with the moat in the foreground. The architecture is what one expects of a typical castle - an inner keep surrounded by corners and a moat. Taken with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II with EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The frontal facade of the Chambord Chateau, with the moat in the foreground. The architecture is what one expects of a typical castle – an inner keep surrounded by corner towers and a moat. Taken with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II with EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Why two unsuccessful attempts?

Well, my first attempt at visiting Château de Chambord was during the summer holidays back in school when I cycled 16km from Blois only to suffer an accident right in front of the castle.

One of many beautiful chandeliers in Chambord Chateau. Taken with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II with EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

One of many beautiful chandeliers in Chambord Chateau. Taken with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II with EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

I had to satisfy myself with some quick snapshots of the front of the Chateau before bidding goodbye to the chateau.

Decades later, I brought my family with two kids on a self-drive vacation to the chateaus in the Loire Valley.

By the end of the week and more than half a dozen chateaus later, we arrived again at the gates of the Chambord Chateau in the mid afternoon.

By then, the kids were so tired out from our earlier exertions of that day that they were so totally knackered we couldn’t bear to wake them from their sleep in the car.

And to be honest, my wife and I were up to our ears in chateaus by that time.

So my wife and I snapped the obligatory snapshots of each other posing with the (equally majestic) rear facade of the chateau within a stone’s throw of where our car was parked.

Enjoy a horse carriage ride on the extensive grounds of the Chambord Chateau. Horse lovers can also watch twice daily equestrian shows at the chateau. Taken with an Olympus OMD-EM5 Mark II with M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Enjoy a horse carriage ride on the extensive grounds of the Chambord Chateau. Horse lovers can also watch twice daily equestrian shows at the chateau. Taken with an Olympus OMD-EM5 Mark II with M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens. Photo credit: KoolKat.

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3 smartphone portrait photography tips from Russel Wong

Sunday, May 17th, 2015

Celebrity photographer Russel Wong shared some of his tips on portrait photography using a smartphone in a workshop at the OPPO Concept Store in Suntec City Tower 3. Here are three of the tips attendees found most useful.

Celebrity photographer, Russel Wong sharing his experiences of taking portraiture using a smartphone.

Celebrity photographer, Russel Wong sharing his experiences of taking portraiture using a smartphone.

Russel Wong is one of the most profiled photographers in Singapore and Asia.

Described as a “celebrity photographer who also photographs celebrities”, Wong enjoys the acclaim of being the first Singaporean to break into the notoriously difficult Hollywood movie industry.

Below are 3 smartphone portraiture photography tips that Wong shared during the workshop using the OPPO N3 smartphone that was launched in Singapore back in end October 2014.

1. Hold the camera as vertical as possbile

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Canon boosts Cinema EOS lineup with EOS C300 Mark II, XC10 & XF-AVC

Thursday, April 9th, 2015

Canon today launched the EOS C300 Mark II and XC10 digital cameras and announced the development of XF-AVC, a new proprietary video format for the efficient recording of high-image-quality 4K, 2K and HD video footage. Prices TBA.

The Canon EOS C300 Mark II (EF mount) digital cinema camera (right) will be available from September 2015, while the XC10 4K video camcorder (left) will be available in mid-June.

The Canon EOS C300 Mark II (EF mount) digital cinema camera (right) will be available from September 2015, while the XC10 4K video camcorder (left) will be available in mid-June.

Both digital cinema cameras are capable of capturing 4K video and support Canon’s new XF-AVC video format, which allows for data compression without sacrificing image quality.

​The EOS C300 Mark II incorporates a Canon-developed Super 35 mm-equivalent approximately 8.85-megapixel CMOS image sensor and the Company’s latest imaging platform, Dual DIGIC DV 5, which promises exceptional processing power.

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Holiday greetings: Easter 2015 – In Te Speramus

Sunday, April 5th, 2015

Easter is a special day for Christians to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead – three days after his crucifixion and death at Calvary on Good Friday, as depicted in the New Testament of the Bible.

Relief on the metal door of the Salzburger Dom (Salzburg Cathedral). Assuming the inscriptions are in Latin, Google Translate says that “IN TE SPERAMUS” means “wait for you” or “we trust in you”. Photo taken with a Sony A7 with Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS full-frame E-mount zoom lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Relief on the metal door of the Salzburger Dom (Salzburg Cathedral). Assuming the inscriptions are in Latin, Google Translate says that “IN TE SPERAMUS” means “wait for you” or “we trust in you”. Photo taken with a Sony A7 with Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS full-frame E-mount zoom lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The above photo was taken of the door of the Salzburg Cathedral when I visited Austria last summer in 2014.

I hope my Christian friends had a spiritual and reflective Easter today.

New arrivals: Nikon D7200, COOLPIX P900 cameras & ViewNX-i software

Sunday, March 1st, 2015

The Nikon D7200 DSLR and COOLPIX P900 compact zoom camera will be available in Singapore by end March, 2015. Prices TBA. The ViewNX-i will be available for free download beginning 17 March.

The Nikon D7200 will be available by end March 2015 with the AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens, or AF-S DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens, or with the body-only configuration.

The Nikon D7200 will be available by end March 2015 with the AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens, or AF-S DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens, or with the body-only configuration.

Nikon has announced two new cameras and new image-browsing software.

D7200 DSLR

The DX-format D7200 DSLR offers enthusiasts features for low-light photography, social connectivity and Full HD videos.

Nikon D7200

Nikon D7200

The 24.2-megapixel DSLR comes with EXPEED 4 image-processing engine and CMOS sensor.

The 51-point autofocus (AF) sensor module is also utilised by the Nikon D750, and has an AF detection range down to -3EV for low-light photography.

Standard ISO ranges from 100 to 25600, extendable to ISO 102400.

There is built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and it is the first Nikon DSLR to feature Near Field Communication (NFC)-support (for NFC-compatible Android smartphones and tablets with Android 4.0 or later).

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Olympus announces 2 new lenses & update to OM-D E-M1 firmware

Tuesday, February 10th, 2015

Olympus Imaging Singapore has announced the launch of 2 new lenses as well as the development of a v3.0 firmware update for their flagship OM-D E-M1 camera. Prices TBA.

From left: M.Zuiko Digital 14-150mm ED f4.0-5.6 II super zoom lens; Olympus OM-D E-M1 MIL camera; fast-aperture 8mm f1.8 fisheye lens.

From left: M.Zuiko Digital 14-150mm ED f4.0-5.6 II super zoom lens; Olympus OM-D E-M1 MIL camera; fast-aperture 8mm f1.8 fisheye lens.

The two new lenses are the M.Zuiko Digital 14-150mm ED f4.0-5.6 II super zoom lens and a fast-aperture 8mm f1.8 fisheye lens.

M.Zuiko Digital 14-150mm ED f4.0-5.6 II super zoom lens

The new M.Zuiko Digital 14-150mm ED f4.0-5.6 II super zoom lens is suited for ‘one-lens’ travel, sports and family photography given its compact size and versatile wide-angle to long-telephoto 28-300mm zoom range (35mm equivalent focal length).

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New arrivals: Canon launches 18 cameras & printers for 2015

Friday, February 6th, 2015

Canon has launched a whopping 18 imaging products for their 2015 consumer line-up in Singapore, in conjunction to their global launch.

Highlights include the new EOS 5DS & 5DSR, EOS 750D & 760D, EOS M3 cameras; and the new MAXIFY line of SOHO printers.

From Left: Canon Connect Station CS100, MAXIFY MB5370 and EOS 5DS. Not shown to scale.

From Left: Canon Connect Station CS100, MAXIFY MB5370 and EOS 5DS. Not shown to scale.

Below is the list of products showcased at the media launch in Singapore, when Canon Singapore also dished up the traditional Lohei at the Bacchanalia restaurant in The Masonic Club.

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POTD: Laughing boy statuette in Hua Hin book cafe, Thailand

Sunday, February 1st, 2015

We were walking around the beautiful railway station in Hua Hin, Thailand when we stumbled upon this happy figurine of a laughing boy, sitting at the entrance to a quaint book cafe.

A cheerful little statuette of a laughing boy welcoming us into the book cafe. I’m posting this photo here to welcome February 2015. Photo taken with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

A cheerful little statuette of a laughing boy welcoming us into the book cafe. I’m posting this photo here to welcome February 2015. Photo taken with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The peaceful cafe was on the other side of the traffic circle in front of the railway station.

The small cafe was simple and peaceful, a welcome refuge from the direct heat of the midday sun.

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New arrivals: Nikon Spring 2015 COOLPIX cameras – S3700, S2900, L31

Wednesday, January 14th, 2015

Nikon Singapore has released its Spring 2015 COOLPIX cameras. The COOLPIX S2900 and L31 will be available in late January while the COOLPIX 3700 will be available in February. Prices TBA.

From Left: Nikon COOLPIX S3700, Nikon COOLPIX S2900, Nikon COOLPIX L31

From Left: Nikon COOLPIX S3700, Nikon COOLPIX S2900, Nikon COOLPIX L31

The latest COOLPIX series brings a range of stylish and slim cameras to fit the lifestyle and pocket of the trendy youth.

Colours available for the three models.

“The Spring COOLPIX packs the best high-performance features in compact cameras. From built-in Wi-Fi and NFC support, to autofocusing and HD movie recording, there is definitely a COOLPIX for every user,” said Garland Mak, Deputy General Manager of International Marketing Division Imaging Group, Nikon Singapore.

  • The Nikon COOLPIX L31 will be available in 3 colours (Black, Silver, Red) in Singapore (excluding decorative purple).
  • The Nikon COOLPIX S2900 will be available in 4 colours (Purple, Black, Silver, Red) in Singapore (excluding decorative purple).
  • The Nikon COOLPIX S3700 will be available in 5 colours (Pink, Blue, Red, Silver, Black) in Singapore (excluding decorative blue).

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