Archive for the ‘Cameras’ Category
Sunday, July 13th, 2014
Did you know that there is an actual town in Austria which is called “Fucking”? And less than two hours’ drive to the east from Salzburg, you’ll hit the mountain named “Loser” which is also a popular ski resort.
Pit stop at Fucking, Austria. 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.
Fucking is a tiny miniscule hamlet about 40km to the north of Salzburg. This Austrian town is about 40 minutes’ drive from Salzburg.
Located close to the border between Germany and Austria, the town comprises a cluster of houses on either side of the road.
I wonder what else is not allowed in this idyllic town. But seriously, that’s just a sign to tell you that you’re leaving Fucking behind 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.
It is so tiny that less than 200m after passing the signboard that marks your entry into the town, you see the signboard that marks your exit from the town.
I’ve driven around Europe a fair bit and passed through many one-street towns – but Fucking is one of the tiniest we have driven through.
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Tags:A7, Apple, Austria 2014, Burghausen, Carl Zeiss, Franking, Fucking, full-frame, Galaxy, Germany, GO 2020, GPS, hell, iPhone, navigation, photography, photos, PND, potd, Samsung, Sony, TomTom
Posted in A7, Apple, Austria 2014, Cameras, Events, Gadgets, GALAXY, GPS, Holiday, MIL, Photography, Photos, POTD, POTD, S5, Samsung, Sony, TomTom, Travel, travel | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014
Photo of the Day: We chanced upon this charming town while driving en route from Munich to Salzburg. The castle sitting on top of the hill looked majestic while the houses along the river looked so colourful and quaint.
Burghausen Castle, which has a length of over 1,000 metres, is one of the longest castle complexes in the world, sitting along a narrow ridge above the town. 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.
We were driving from Munich to Salzburg when we chanced upon the quaint little town right beside the fast flowing Salzach River, which marks the border between Germany and Austria in these parts.
This photo was one of the first few shots that took with the Sony A7 that I had brought along for the trip.
The compact full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens camera did not disappoint and impressed with fast focusing, strong low-light performance and good detail throughout the rest of the vacation.
This photo was taken using the Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS full-frame E-mount zoom lens, which was really versatile for both street photography, portraiture and landscape shots.
If you’re looking for a compact travel camera but still desire good image quality, do check out the Sony A7.
The route that we were driving was a bit off the beaten track and we hadn’t expected to come across any touristy places along the way.
So imagine our surprise when we drove into this charming little town that was obviously a tourist destination.
After driving across the bridge straddling the Salzach, we stopped by the river bank and snapped some photos of Burghausen and its castle from across the river.
We didn’t realise at that time that by crossing the bridge, we had crossed from Germany into Austria, and that we were snapping photos of the German town from the Austrian bank.
The Austrian village on the other side of the river is called Ach and is so tiny you won’t find it if you do a search for it on Google Maps, although it’s actually marked on the map.
View of Burghausen Town across the Salzach River. By driving across the bridge, one crosses from Germany into Austria. 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.
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Tags:A7, Austria 2014, Burghausen, Carl Zeiss, castles, full-frame, Germany, photography, photos, potd, Sony
Posted in A7, Austria 2014, Cameras, Events, Gadgets, GALAXY, Holiday, MIL, Photography, Photos, POTD, POTD, S5, Samsung, Sony, Travel, travel | No Comments »
Friday, June 27th, 2014
The new 36.3-megapixel D810 caters to both enthusiasts and professionals. It now records Full HD (1080p60) video and offers a wide ISO range from ISO 64 to ISO 12800 (expandable to ISO 32 to ISO 51200). Hits the shelves in late July.
Singapore price TBA. US price US$3299.95.
Update (15 July, 2014):
The new Nikon D810, before we got our hands on it.
The Nikon D810 was officially launched in Singapore today at the Altimate lounge club in 1-Altitude at Raffles Place.
The DSLR will be available at S$4,888 (body only) from 17 July onwards.
The new Nikon D810 will be available in Singapore in late July.
The FX-format D810 replaces the D800 and D800E and does away with the OLPF (optical low-pass filter) in its 36.3-megapixel (7360 x 4912) CMOS sensor.
The Nikon D810 is powered by EXPEED 4 engine.
It features the EXPEED 4 engine from the D4s to give a bigger ISO range, better image quality and metering and faster burst speed.
The Nikon D810 ships with an electronic first-curtain shutter option, has a redesigned mirror mechanism to reduce vibration, and includes Auto ISO in manual mode.
For video, it can relay uncompressed HDMI output to an external recorder with simultaneous video display on the camera’s rear LCD display and external LCD monitor, while recording to the internal card (compressed).
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Tags:cameras, D810, DSLR, full-frame, Nikon
Posted in Announce, Cameras, cameras, DSLR, Gadgets, gadgets, newArrivals, Nikon, Photography, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 27th, 2014
Sony offers professional quality in your pocket with wider, brighter lens and built-in viewfinder in the compact body of the RX100 mark III.
Available in Singapore from June: S$1,199.
Sony Singapore invited us down for a hands-on on the camera which had just arrived earlier this morning.
The current RX100 II will continue to be sold with its price reduced from S$999 to S$899.
Both cameras will continue to be sold on the market with the RX100 II catering to compact camera users while the new RX100 III targets users looking for better performance and image quality and using it as a second camera to their DSLRs.
Here are the main features.
- Bright, wide angle ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 lens
- Clear, retractable OLED Tru-Finder™ with ZEISS® T* coating
- 20.1 effective megapixel back-illuminated 1.0-type Exmor R™ CMOS sensor and powerful BIONZ X processor
- 50 Mbps high bit-rate Full HD movies with XAVC S support
- LCD flips for easy selfies
- 4K still image output
- Evolved manual controls and new custom button
Here are the specifications of the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III.
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Tags:cameras, compact, Cyber-shot, launch, price, RX100, Singapore, Sony
Posted in Cameras, cameras, Compact camera, Cyber-shot, Events, Gadgets, gadgets, Launch, newArrivals, Photography, Prices, Sony, Specifications | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 20th, 2014
Sony has unveiled its most advanced compact camera using the 1-inch sensor. The RX100 III should be available in Singapore at the S$1,100-S$1,200 price range.
Update (27 May, 2014):
The new Sony RX100 III will be available in Singapore from June at S$1,199. The current RX100 II will continue to be sold with its price reduced from S$999 to S$899.
The new Sony RX100 III has a 24-70mm equivalent range, and maximum aperture range of F1.8-2.8.
The lens is much brighter than the 28-100mm, F1.8-4.9 lenses in the existing two RX100 models.
RX100 III with flippable LCD display.
Although the RX100 III uses the same 20.2MP BSI CMOS sensor as the RX100 II, it features the latest Bionz X processor and a pop-up electronic viewfinder and a faster lens.
The LCD display can now be flipped up by up to 180° for taking selfies.
The RX100 III includes Wi-Fi and runs Playmemories Camera Apps.
Video now includes full-sensor readout at 1080p and stored at up to 50Mbps in the XAVC S format.
(more…)
Tags:cameras, compact, Cyber-shot, RX100, Sony, specifications
Posted in Announce, Cameras, cameras, Compact camera, Cyber-shot, Gadgets, gadgets, Photography, Sony, Specifications | No Comments »
Thursday, May 1st, 2014
The latest and flagship store in the heart of Orchard Road in Singapore is the largest in South East Asia and features the latest innovations, gadgets and contents from the Sony group of companies.
The new Sony Store in 313@somserset mall is now open to the public from today, and operates daily from 10am to 10pm.
The 9,902 square feet flagship store is located at Level Two of 313@somerset mall and puts under one roof offerings from Sony Electronics, Sony Mobile, Sony Pictures, Sony Music and Sony Computer Entertainment.
“The new Sony Store 313@somserset truly embodies the ‘Be Moved’ experience. At this new Sony Store, we intend to showcase a new lifestyle that only Sony can offer,” said Atsushi Endo, General Manager, Singapore Marketing Centre, Sony Electronics (Singapore).
Besides being a showcase for the latest and most innovative technology Sony has to offer, from digital imaging, gaming and mobile, the store will also be used by Sony Music and Sony Pictures to host meet-and-greets with its local and international artistes and screenings of exclusive trailers and sneak peeks.
With a prominent video wall mounted on its store front, customers are invited to step into the wide and open entrance of the store with the dazzling and captivating visual displays.
The Sony Store at 313@somerset mall is located close to the Starbucks cafe at Level 2.
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Tags:Bravia, gaming, mobile, music, PlayStation, PS4, Singapore, Somerset, Sony, Xperia
Posted in Alpha, Audio, audioVisual, Cameras, cameras, Compact camera, Cyber-shot, DSLR, earphones, Entertainment, Events, events, Gadgets, gadgets, Games, Gaming, Gaming, headphones, Launch, Phones, players, PlayStation, Shopping, Sony, Sony Mobile, speakers, Tablets, tablets, Walkman, Xperia | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 29th, 2014
The new Samsung Galaxy K zoom packs in the image quality of compact cameras with the smartphone features of the Galaxy line of Android smartphones. Price & availability TBA.
The Samsung Galaxy K zoom will be available in three colours: Charcoal Black, Shimmery White and Electric Blue.
Samsung Electronics has announced its new “camera-specialised smartphone” – the Samsung Galaxy K zoom.
Side view showing the lens retracted and deployed.
The Galaxy K zoom is a smartphone that blends advanced digital camera technology with Samsung’s Galaxy mobile phone experience.
As a camera-specialised smartphone, the Galaxy K zoom offers an advanced technical camera system designed to offer the control and functionality of a dedicated camera, ensuring that the important moments are captured with good clarity.
The Galaxy K zoom is equipped with new retracting lens technology that provides 10x optical zoom in a slim and chic body.
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Tags:cameras, Galaxy, K zoom, Samsung, smartphones
Posted in Android, Cameras, cameras, Compact camera, Events, Gadgets, gadgets, GALAXY, Launch, Phones, Photography, Samsung, smartphones, Specifications | No Comments »
Friday, April 25th, 2014
Created in collaboration with Audi Design, the Leica T will be launched with two lenses available: Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18–56 mm f/3.5–5.6 ASPH and Leica Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH.
SRP:
- Body + 18-56mm lens: S$4,950
- Body + 23mm lens: S$5,250
Update (29 April, 2014):
The Leica T was officially launched in Singapore today. The camera will be available in Singapore from 26 May 2014 at Leica Stores located at Raffles Hotel Arcade, Mandarin Gallery and ION Orchard.
The Leica T will be available in either a natural aluminum finish, or anodized black.
Two additional lenses are also scheduled to appear in time for presentation at Photokina 2014 on 21 September.
- Super-Vario-Elmar-T 11–23 mm f/3.5–4.5 ASPH wide-angle zoom
- Vario-Elmar-T 55–135 mm f/3.5–4.5 ASPH. telephoto zoom
The mirrorless interchangeable lens Leica T camera features a 16-megapixel APS-C-format, CMOS sensor.
Opportunity to hands-on the Leica T.
On Wednesday 30 April 2014, from 10am – 4pm, lovers of pure photography and budding enthusiasts alike can hand-on the Leica T at an open house at the National Design Centre.
It is the first system camera from Leica to feature an integrated Wi-Fi module.
Pictures and videos can be wirelessly transmitted straight from the camera to a smartphone, tablet or computer, and can then be shared by email, or on Facebook or other social media.
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Tags:availability, cameras, launch, Leica, MIL, Singapore
Posted in Accessories, Announce, Availability, camera flash, Cameras, cameras, Gadgets, gadgets, Leica, MIL, newArrivals, Photography, Photoshop, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »
Friday, February 14th, 2014
It’s Valentine’s Day today. This year, it coincides with Chap Goh Meh – the fifteenth and final day of the Chinese New Year – which many consider the Chinese Valentine’s Day. Here’s wishing all lovers a most romantic day/night!
Lots of lovey-dovey couples here, in the form of hugging salt and pepper bottles. I took this photo at the Hakaniemi Market Hall in Helsinki, Finland in summer. There were plenty of such charming craft stores for tourists and local Finns alike. Taken with a Nikon D600 with AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens. Photo credit: John Tan.
In many places in the world that celebrate Valentine’s Day, boys buy flowers, chocolates and gifts for their girlfriends, wives, mistresses or lovers.
Actually, marketing practitioners should examine this so-called unique Japanese culture more closely.
Apparently, the practice has its roots in 1936 as part of the advertising campaign of chocolate makers in Kobe, but has captured the imagination of the Japanese populace such that it is widely practiced today.
Those chocolate makers must have been laughing to the bank, having created nation wide, recurring demand out of thin air.
Brilliant!
Sometimes the girl reciprocates.
In Japan, it is the girl who buys for the guys.
I know – because I received plenty on Valentine’s Day when I was in Japan.
The tradition in Japan is for girls to buy white chocolates (called giri-chocos – 義理チョコ) and give them to the guys.
This does not happen just between couples that are in a relationship.
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Tags:Finland, Finland 2013, Hakaniemi, Helsinki, holidays, Japan, NIKKOR, Nikon, photography, photos, potd, travel, vacation, Valentine's Day
Posted in Finland 2013, Holiday, NIKKOR, Nikon, Photography, Photos, POTD, POTD, travel | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 29th, 2014
Olympus has announced six new cameras and lenses, including the OM-D EM-10. These will be available from February to April 2014 onwards. All prices are yet to be announced.
Olympus has announced a slew of six cameras and lenses, including the much anticipated OM-D EM-10.
A short description, price and availability of each camera/lens is summarised below.
| Olympus OM-D E-M10 |
Available from February 2014 in Black and Silver. |
- Premium ultra-slim stylish body.
- Excellent image quality due to traditional optical and advanced image processing technology.
- Large, bright Electronic Veiwfinder (EVF) offers quick response time and clear visibility.
- 3-axis VCM in-body image stabilisation mechanism brings out the very best in every lens.
- 81-point FAST AF and 8 fps (TBD) max high-speed sequential shooting.
|
| Olympus OM-D E-M5 (Elite Black) |
Available (bundled with M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO) in March 2014. |
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Tags:cameras, lenses, MIL, Olympus, OMD, Singapore, Tough
Posted in Announce, Cameras, cameras, Compact camera, Gadgets, gadgets, Lens, MIL, newArrivals, Olympus, OM-D, Photography, Specifications, Zuiko | No Comments »
