Archive for the ‘EOS’ Category

POTD: Stairs to heaven at Masjid Abdul Gafoor in Singapore

Sunday, July 26th, 2015

The Abdul Gafoor Mosque is in Little India off Jalan Besar in Singapore. * The information in this article was derived from Wikipedia’s article on the mosque.

The rear facade of the Masjid Abdul Gafoor is actually two stairs that ascend to the cupola at its rooftop. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The rear facade of the Masjid Abdul Gafoor is actually two stairs that ascend to the cupola at its rooftop. Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The area in which Masjid Abdul Gafoor was built is also known as Kampung Kapor, which was a centre of business activity for Indian merchants.

The mosque also served Muslims who worked at the old race course at Farrer Park.

The predecessor to the Masjid Abdul Gafoor at the location was an earlier mosque named Masjid Al-Abrar which was built in 1846 for the South Indian Muslim merchants and Baweanese syces and horse trainers living in the area.

The name of the mosque at the entrance. According to Wikipedia, “In 1881, a deed of assignment dated 14 November 1881 created the Dunlop Street Mosque Endowment or wakaf. The two trustees were Ismail Mansor and Shaik Abdul Gaffoor bin Shaik Hydert. Abdul Gaffoor was the chief clerk at a legal firm. The wakaf was created for the building of a mosque for the Muslim community in Singapore. The deed of assignment also placed in trust several other properties including a Muslim burial ground and a house in Race Course Road. The burial ground was closed in 1921.” Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The name of the mosque at the entrance. According to Wikipedia, “In 1881, a deed of assignment dated 14 November 1881 created the Dunlop Street Mosque Endowment or wakaf. The two trustees were Ismail Mansor and Shaik Abdul Gaffoor bin Shaik Hydert. Abdul Gaffoor was the chief clerk at a legal firm. The wakaf was created for the building of a mosque for the Muslim community in Singapore. The deed of assignment also placed in trust several other properties including a Muslim burial ground and a house in Race Course Road. The burial ground was closed in 1921.” Photo taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

(more…)

POTD: Masjid Abdul Gafoor in Singapore Kampung Kapor

Saturday, July 25th, 2015

The Abdul Gafoor Mosque is on Dunlop Street in the Kampung Kapor area of Singapore.

The visit to the Masjid Abdul Gafoor was part of an SG50 heritage photowalk organised by Canon Singapore, that also included visits to the Saint Joseph’s Church and Yueh Hai Ching Temple. I had the chance to try out the new EOS 5Ds and EOS M3 cameras. This photo was taken using an EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The visit to the Masjid Abdul Gafoor was part of an SG50 heritage photowalk organised by Canon Singapore, that also included visits to the Saint Joseph’s Church and Yueh Hai Ching Temple. I had the chance to try out the new EOS 5Ds and EOS M3 cameras. This photo was taken using a Canon EOS 5Ds and EF 50mm F1.4 USM prime lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

Originally built in 1907, the mosque was restored in 2003.

POTD: Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2015

Friday, July 17th, 2015

Here’s wishing all Muslim friends: “Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri”!

Hari Raya ornaments for the home, on sale at the night bazaar prior to the actual day. Photo taken with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II with EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens. It was so crowded you’ve got to keep moving. The fast 65-point autofocus of the 7D Mark II enabled many shots to be taken sharp despite the hurry. Photo credit: John Tan.

Hari Raya ornaments for the home, on sale at the night bazaar prior to the actual day. Photo taken with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II with EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens. It was so crowded you’ve got to keep moving. The fast 65-point autofocus of the 7D Mark II enabled many shots to be taken sharp despite the hurry. Photo credit: John Tan.

It’s Hari Raya Puasa today.

After a whole month of fasting during Ramadan, today is the day that our Muslim friends have been looking forward to.

A traditional henna tattoo being done on the hands of a gracious lady who accented to letting me capture the beautiful design on her hand. Photo taken with an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II with M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

A traditional henna tattoo being done on the hands of a gracious lady who accented to letting me capture the beautiful design on her hand. Photo taken with an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II with M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

(more…)

POTD: Who designed & built Eiffel Tower in Paris, France?

Sunday, June 28th, 2015

Photo of the Day: The Eiffel Tower is named after engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel. His company designed and built the landmark in Paris in 1889.

View of the Trocadéro framed by the bottom of the Eiffel Tower. 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.

View of the Trocadéro framed by the bottom of the Eiffel Tower. 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.

According to Wikipedia, “the design of the Eiffel Tower was originated by Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, two senior engineers who worked for the Compagnie des Établissements Eiffel”.

This was the dude who brought the Eiffel Tower into this world - Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923). The bust was unveiled in 1929 and is now at the base of the Northern leg of the Tower. 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.

This was the dude who brought the Eiffel Tower into this world – Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923). The bust was unveiled in 1929 and is now at the base of the Northern leg of the Tower. 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 tower was to serve as a centrepiece for the Exposition Universelle to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution.

Incidentally, the first time I visited the Eiffel Tower was in 1989, smack in the middle of the bicentennial celebrations of the French Revolution.

Gustave Eiffel bought the rights to the patent for the design which the original designers had taken out and eventually saw the Tower to completion in time.

As with all things new, the design met with opposition and criticism right from design stage till after completion – but history has proven that the design is technically robust and aesthetically appealing.

(more…)

POTD: Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

Saturday, June 27th, 2015

Photo of the Day: The Eiffel Tower is an iron lattice tower designed and built by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel in 1889 – as the entrance arch to the World’s Fair in that year.

Eiffel Tower as seen from the Pont d'Iéna. Taken with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II with EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens. Sepia tint added using Adobe Photoshop CC 2015. Photo credit: John Tan.

Eiffel Tower as seen from the Pont d’Iéna. Taken with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II with EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens. Sepia tint added using Adobe Photoshop CC 2015. Photo credit: John Tan.

At 324m tall, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris, and was the tallest in the world for 41 years from 1889 to 1930.

It was surpassed in 1930 by the Chrysler Building in New York City.

Roughly 80 stories high, the base is square with 125m on each side.

There are three levels that visitors can visit.

I like the lace-like design in the metalwork of the Eiffel Tower. 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 like the lace-like design in the metalwork of the Eiffel Tower. 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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)

Canon announces EOS 7D Mark II and other cameras & lenses

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Canon has launched the EOS 7D Mark II, PowerShot G7 X, N2, SX60 HS and three new lenses.The “Flag Off” event also showcased the PowerShot SX400 IS, SX520 HS and camera bags that were announced earlier this summer.

Update (28 October, 2014):

The Canon EOS 7D Mark II will be available in Singapore from early November 2014 at Canon authorised dealers at the following recommended prices.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II SRP (incl. GST)
EOS 7D Mark II Kit II (w/EF S15-85 IS USM) S$3,499
EOS 7D Mark II Kit (w/EF S18-135 IS STM) S$3,049
EOS 7D Mark II Body S$2,499

Update (24 September, 2014):

The Canon PowerShot G7 X is now available in Singapore for S$799.

Canon unveiled the EOS 7D Mark II along with three new lenses and three new PowerShot compact cameras at Photokina 2014 in Cologne, Germany.

Canon unveiled the EOS 7D Mark II along with three new lenses and three new PowerShot compact cameras at Photokina 2014 in Cologne, Germany.

The highlight of the event was the EOS 7D Mark II which was unveiled in conjunction with the global announcement at Photokina 2014 in Cologne, Germany.

EOS 7D Mark II

The EOS 7D Mark II is the much anticipated successor to the EOS 7D, and features a 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel Phase AF, high-speed continuous shooting of up to 10 frames per second (fps), and a 65-point all-cross-type Autofocus system.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

The APS-C DSLR sports dual DIGIC 6 image processors and ISO up to 16,000 (expandable to 51,200); with shutter release cycle rated to 200,000, up from 150,000 in its predecessor.

The camera weighs 820g (body only), has built-in GPS, and comes with double memory card slots for CF and SD cards.

It is expected to go on sale in the US in November for US$1,799 (body only) or US$2,149 (with EF-S 18-135MM f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens).

Three new lenses

(more…)

New DSLR: Canon EOS M2 MIL camera with Hybrid CMOS AF II

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013

The new Canon EOS M2 compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera incorporates Hybrid CMOS AF II for significantly enhanced autofocus (AF) performance. Available in black or white, the EOS M2 goes on sale in Japan in mid-December. Price TBA.

*The images in this article are from Canon.

The white EOS M2 (left) with EF-M22mm f/2 STM lens, and the black EOS M2 (right) with EF-M18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens.

The white EOS M2 (left) with EF-M22mm f/2 STM lens, and the black EOS M2 (right) with EF-M18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens.

The EOS M was first released in September 2012.

Its successor – the EOS M2 promises image quality on par with EOS series of digital SLR cameras but in a compact and lightweight design.

EOS M2 versus EOS M - according to Canon Japan.

EOS M2 versus EOS M – according to Canon Japan.

Compared with its predecessor, Canon claims that the new EOS M2 realises dramatically improved autofocusing performance and now incorporates built-in Wi-Fi in a body that is approximately 8 percent smaller in volume.

(more…)