Archive for the ‘Cameras’ Category
Sunday, October 19th, 2014
Photo of the Day: The weather in Singapore is Summer all year round. So a shower, be it in the stall or from heaven, or in this case – from a water spray in Sentosa – is always a welcome treat.

The red water jet spray stands dormant for the moment while the water sprinkler sprays cooling water droplets into the air. Photo taken using a Sony A7R full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, with a Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS telephoto zoom lens. Photo credit: John Tan.
We were at the “Port of Lost Wonder” in Sentosa in Singapore to enjoy the sun, sand and beach for the weekend.
The water theme park had this watery playground for little children to revel in slides and water sprays.
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Tags:A7, beach, Carl Zeiss, foam, full-frame, photography, photos, potd, Sentosa, Singapore, Sony, Summer, sunny
Posted in A7, Cameras, MIL, Outdoors, Party, Photos, POTD, POTD, Sony | No Comments »
Sunday, October 12th, 2014
Photo of the Day: St Peter’s Abbey is a Benedictine monastery next to the Salzurger Dom in Salzburg, Austria. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the German-speaking world.

The grand interior of St Peter’s Abbey, which was raised to the status of an Archabbey in 1927. This photo was taken at ISO 1250.
* All photos in this article were taken with a Sony A7 full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, with Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS full-frame E-mount zoom lens. Photo credit: John Tan.

The elaborate altar of St Peter’s Abbey. Photo taken at ISO 2500.
St Peter’s Abbey was founded in 696 AD by Saint Rupert, at the site of a church from the early days of Christianity.
Until 987, the abbot of the Abbey was also the Archbishop of Salzburg.
The current building was built in the Romanesque period in the 13th century, and completely renovated in the Baroque style in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The monastery also houses the oldest library in Austria, with some 800 manuscripts and 100,000 volumes.
The light within the Abbey was rather dim and I didn’t want to use any flash – so it was a good opportunity to put the reputed low-light prowess of the Sony A7 to the test.
The Salzburg Madonna
We found this beautiful statue of the Holy Mother and Child within St Peter’s Abbey and I looked it up on the Web afterwards.
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Tags:A7, Austria, Austria 2014, Carl Zeiss, Europe, full-frame, photography, photos, potd, Salzburg, Sony, St Peter’s Abbey, travel
Posted in A7, Austria 2014, Holiday, MIL, Photography, Photos, POTD, POTD, Sony, Travel, travel | No Comments »
Sunday, October 5th, 2014
Photo of the Day: We were strolling along a path at the side of a hill one evening when we came across a peaceful lawn that the path overlooked into. Inside the lawn were these two metallic sculptures at one corner, right by the hedge.

The two dogs seemed to be frozen in time, and yet looked as if they would come to life anytime and were about to pounce onto something in the lawn. Photo taken with a Sony A7 full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, with Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS full-frame E-mount zoom lens. Photo credit: John Tan.
“有一个宁静的傍晚,我在奥地利萨尔茨堡山边小径走着时看到了路边一个私人住宅的小草坪里摆设了两只铁雕小狗狗,栩栩如生;就好似将要向前扑跳,捕猎什么猎物似地。耐人寻味。” – 科技点心(微薄)
We had just finished visiting the Salzburg Fortress and were walking towards the Nonnberg Abbey when we came across these metallic sculptures in a quiet lawn.
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Tags:A7, Austria 2014, Carl Zeiss, full-frame, photography, photos, potd, Salzburg, Sony, travel
Posted in A7, Austria 2014, cameras, Events, gadgets, Holiday, MIL, Photography, Photos, POTD, POTD, Sony, Travel | No Comments »
Sunday, September 28th, 2014
Photo of the Day: The Salzburger Dom overlooks the Residenzplatz in the centre of Salzburg Altstadt (old town). It contains the baptismal font in which Mozart was baptised.

According to Wikipedia, during the second World War, single bomb crashed through the central dome over the crossing. Repairs and restoration were only completed in 1959.
* All photos in this article were taken with a Sony A7 full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, with Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS full-frame E-mount zoom lens. Photo credit: John Tan.
The Salzburg Cathedral – called the Salzburger Dom in German – is dedicated to Saint Rupert and Saint Vergilius.

The interior of the Salzburger Dom.
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Tags:A7, Austria, Austria 2014, Carl Zeiss, Europe, full-frame, photography, photos, potd, Residenzplatz, Salzburg, Salzburg Cathedral, Salzburger Dom, Sony, travel
Posted in A7, Austria 2014, Cameras, Holiday, MIL, Photography, Photos, POTD, POTD, Sony, Travel, travel | 1 Comment »
Sunday, September 21st, 2014
Photo of the Day: Brought my daughter back to where I had discovered this kindle of kittens last year. Lo and behold, they were all still there sans one or two who had been adopted or died.

This photo was taken just after the cat had scuttled into the safety of this drain as it eyed us warily with its dilated eyes. It was already twilight and rather dark in the drain but the A7R didn’t have any problems getting a focus on the cat, although I had to dial up the ISO to its maximum of 25,600. The result was not surprisingly grainy but it was amazing that we even got any shot at all in that dim light! Photo taken with a Sony A7R full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, with a 55-210mm E-mount zoom lens. 184mm, f/6.3, 1/250 sec, ISO 25,600. Photo credit: John Tan.
In particular, there was one black and white cat which I had photographed previously (see below).
“陪伴小女儿重游去年拍摄小猫咪的地方,发现当时只有几个星期大的小妈咪如今已长大了。连小女儿也觉得些许感概。但看到它安然成长,却也是一种安慰。祈福它与同伴们日后也能够继续安然度日。” – 科技点心(微薄)
We had so much fun comparing the fully grown cat with the photos that I’d taken of the kitten a year ago to affirm they were the same cat – the lines emanating from the corner of the eyes, and the stripes on the forehead.
The retirees looking after the cats confirmed that these cats were indeed those kittens all grown up.
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Tags:A7R, animals, cats, kittens, photography, photos, potd, Singapore, Sony
Posted in A7, Cameras, cameras, Gadgets, gadgets, MIL, Photos, POTD, POTD, Sony | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 17th, 2014
Olympus’ Flagship OM-D E-M1 has been re-launched with enhanced features for professional photography and a new silver coloured option. The Silver Edition will be available from November 2014. Price TBA.

The new silver version of the OM-D E-M1 has silver painted top and bottom chassis plates, with colour-matched buttons and dials.
The second-generation firmware for the flagship E-M1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera will be available to existing E-M1 owners for self-installation.

More pro features in Version 2 firmware.
Version 2.0 of the E-M1 operating firmware will come pre-installed with all new silver models of the OM-D E-M1 camera, as well as future-production of the black coloured models.
E-M1 camera owners can upgrade their cameras themselves to the new firmware 2.0 specification by downloading and self-installing the new firmware via the Olympus Digital Camera Updater app on their computers (with internet connection).
E-M1 firmware version 2.0 is expected to be available end September 2014.
New features enabled by the firmware upgrade include:
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Tags:cameras, MIL, Olympus, OM-D EM-1, OMD
Posted in Announce, Cameras, cameras, Gadgets, gadgets, MIL, newArrivals, Olympus, OM-D, Specifications | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 16th, 2014
The Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS (SEL1635Z) lens has a versatile wide-angle zoom range and is optimised for Sony A7 series 35mm full-frame cameras. Available in Singapore from November 2014. Price TBA.

Unveiled at Photokina 2014: Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS (SEL1635Z) lens.
The lens ships with Optical SteadyShot in-lens image stabilisation and is compact and portable.
It is built with dust and moisture resistant design.
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Tags:A7, Alpha, lens, lenses, Photokina 2014, Sony, Vario-Tessar, ZEISS
Posted in A7, Accessories, Exhibition, Gadgets, gadgets, Lens, MIL, newArrivals, Photography, Sony, Specifications | No Comments »
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.
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
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
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Tags:cameras, Canon, EOS, EOS 7D, EOS 7D Mark II, lenses, photography, Photokina, Powershot
Posted in Cameras, cameras, Canon, DSLR, EOS, Events, Gadgets, gadgets, Launch, Lens, newArrivals, Photography, PowerShot, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »
Saturday, September 13th, 2014
Nikon launched in Singapore today a new DSLR, a compact shooter, a 20mm prime lens and a flash. Price and availability TBA.
Update (23 October, 2014):
The Nikon COOLPIX S6900 (Black, White & Pink) is now available in Singapore, at a recommended retail price of S$419.
Update (20 October, 2014):
Nikon has announced the pricing information below. Available now.
- AF-S NIKKOR 20MM F/1.8G ED – S$1,099
- Speedlight SB-500 – S$319
- Nikon DSLR D750 with 24-120 KIT – S$4,079
- Multi-power Battery Pack MB-D16 – S$449
Update (24 September, 2014):
The Nikon D750 (body only) is now available in Singapore for S$3,079. The D750 Kit will be available in November 2014.
For every Nikon D750 (body only) purchased from 24 September 2014 to 5 October 2014, customers will be entitled to redeem a free 32GB SanDisk Connect Wireless Media Drive (worth S$139).
Redemption is available from 3–5 October 2014, from 11am–7pm at Funan DigitaLife Mall, in conjunction with the upcoming I AM FULL FREEDOM Nikon consumer event.

Nikon COOLPIX S6900 (left) and Nikon D750 (right).
The highlight of the launch is the D750, a “successor” for the aged D700 that sits between the D610 and the D810.
D750 Full-frame DSLR
The full-frame D750 is Nikon’s smallest and lightest FX-format camera and will be available in September 2014.

Nikon D750 DSLR
It ships with built-in Wi-Fi, vertical-tilting monitor, 24.3 megapixels, 91K-pixel RGB sensor, and high-speed continuous shooting rate of approximately 6.5 frames per second for both FX- and DX- format, all fitted into a slim and durable body.
The FX-format CMOS sensor and EXPEED 4 image-processing engine are packed into a monocoque structure framed by carbon fiber composite material (new material), and magnesium alloy to provide nimble durability.
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Tags:cameras, compacts, D750, DSLRs, DX, Flash, full-frame, FX, launch, lenses, Nikon, SB-500, Singapore, SPEEDLIGHT
Posted in Accessories, Announce, camera flash, Cameras, cameras, Compact camera, COOLPIX, DSLR, Gadgets, gadgets, Launch, newArrivals, Nikon, Photography, Specifications | No Comments »
Friday, September 12th, 2014
Sony has introduced the world’s first Full-Frame lens with power zoom capability. The SELP28135G lens is an addition to the Alpha E-mount camera system. Price & availability TBA.

Despite its heavyweight credentials, the lens’s compact dimensions and reduced weight are especially welcome in shooting situations where maximum mobility is needed.
The FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS (SELP28135G) offers videographers and film-makers a new creative tool for cameras such as the 35mm full-frame α7S, whether they are shooting 4K video, Full HD or stills.
The SELP28135G is compatible with all Sony E-mount cameras and camcorders.
Its focal length extends over an even wider 42-202.5mm (35mm equivalent) range when attached to bodies with an APS-C sensor.
These include Sony’s α6000/α5100 cameras as well as pro-friendly Super 35mm format camcorders like the NEX-FS700 or new PXW-FS7.
A constant F4 maximum aperture lets movie-makers and still photographers achieve beautiful depth of field effects and stable exposure control across the entire zoom range, from wide-angle to telephoto.
The needs of serious film-makers are catered for with Sony’s new ‘Smooth Motion Optics’ design philosophy.
Targeting the highest possible image quality when using large-sensor cameras, this advanced optical/mechanical design addresses three issues of prime concern to movie-makers: change in angle of view (‘breathing’) while focusing, focus shifts during zoom and movement of the optical axis during zoom.
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Tags:Alpha, E-Mount, full-frame, lens, photography, Sony, video
Posted in Announce, Gadgets, gadgets, Lens, newArrivals, Photography, Sony, Specifications | 2 Comments »