A Major Upgrade - Fuji X100V

Good gosh, time flies! I somehow have not updated my blog for yonks! So much so, that I had bought sometime in February 2020, the newly released Fujifilm X100V as an upgrade to my existing first-gen X100. I skipped the next four versions, and got the X100V which has some major improvements in the sensor, processor, viewfinder, lens and body weather resistance. Since it was in special introductory offer, I also purchased its wide and tele converter lenses.

Have a look at more X100V pictures....

A Pocket Rocket!

I think my search for the pocketable digicam is over...my previous ones like the Lumix FX55 and Sigma DP2 both had image quality issues, but with this Sony RX100 that I purchased in Aug 2012, not only can it fit in my trouser or shirt pocket, but it produces amazing pictures through its wonderful Carl Zeiss 28-100mm (equiv.) f1.8 - f4.9 zoom lens. Very easy to use and filled with an incredible amount of advanced features, from multi-frame auto-aligning mergeable photos as well as HDR to automatically generating a second image cropped according to what it thinks is a better composition than your original person shot!

Sony did some fantastic tricks to ensure that although it packed 20MP into a 1" CMOS sensor, it can control noise to a minimum even at high ISOs and give us fast response in AF and continous shooting or video.

You need a pocket-sized digicam because 1) the best camera is the one always with you, and 2) the need for discretion at some events, like visits to the hospital, going to funerals, attending meetings at office, etc... yet you would like to capture moments of these scenes. So far, the RX100 has done an excellent job!

More cool pictures of my Sony RX100...

X100 Firmware v1.21

Fuji has recenly released an update to the X100 firmware - I've installed this and it has made much improvement to the usability and performance. Focusing speed and accuracy has got better, and you can now reprogram the RAW button, just like the FN button! Here's a photo I recently snapped:-

Another New Toy

Although my Nikon D700 is the killer DSLR for assignment-type work, most of the time you just want to carry with you a light compact that is not intimidating to other people. Thanks to Fujifilm that released their Leica-like X100, an APS-C sized sensor rangefinder-like digicam, that doesn't just have superior image quality but looks beautiful too. I bought this in early April 2011 for RM3,888 and got the leather case for free.

My New Toy

I don't carry my DSLR all the time. But my Lumix FX55 follows me everywhere. However, its image quality kinda sucks. So, I wanted a better yet compact digicam. After some reading, I decided on the Sigma DP2 that uses the APS-C sized Foveon X3 sensor paired to a 41mm-equivalent f2.8 lens. It costs a bomb - RM2,985 - but delivers exploding picture quality.

Have a look at the DP2..... and some test pics...

Kata 3N1-30 Bag

When shooting outdoors, I find the Crumpler 7MDH a little inadequate, especially when I want to use my superzoom Sigma 150-500mm lens. I needed a sling-type bag that allows for quick retrieval to equipment, and at the same time can also be setup like a backpack. After doing my research, I settled for the Kata 3N1-30. You can see it below compared to my existing smaller Lowepro Photo Runner and Crumpler 7MDH.

Read my review at DPreview and see more pictures of the bag.

Nikon MB-D10 Battery Pack

I finally decided to buy this as it makes it easier to hold the camera for portrait shots and gives a good balance when paired with long lenses, like my Sigma 150-500mm. Also, it raises the speed of my D700 to 8fps and extends the battery life. At the same time, I purchased a Maha PowerEx 8-cell charger and 12 pcs 2700 mAh batteries.

You can see my D700 with the MB-D10 attached.....

Sigma Monster

My DSLR lens arsenal is now strengthened with the new super-tele zoom Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 APO DG OS. This will be very useful for my travel and nature pics. When I bought it, the shopkeeper was surprised how light it was. It is well made and is quite handholdable, balancing nicely on my Nikon D700. With its built-in optical stabiliser, shooting at max zoom is not a problem, with the image becoming almost rock-steady in the viewfinder after a second or so once it kicks-in. So far, my initial tests showed that the lens performed well, focusing accurately and quickly, with sharp images that are rich in contrast and natural in colour. I liked that the zoom ring is a little stiff - this makes it stay in place and not creep. A further zoom lock switch makes for safe lugging around. As a bonus, it fits in snugly unmounted into my Crumpler 7MDH with the rest of my photo equipment! It costs me an affordable RM 3,840 and is certainly an eye-turner...

Take a look at my Sigma monster....

Whaletail Clone

I fancied a more elaborate flash diffuser than the one provided with the Nikon SB-800. Mainly needed it for better outdoor night pics and also indoor shots of portraits with softer shadows. I liked the idea of Gary Fong's new Whaletail, but it costs a bomb. I discovered a clone version which performs virtually the same, yet costs almost a 1/3 of the real thing.

See some test pics of the Whaletail clone...

Sigma 150mm f2.8 APO Macro DG HSM

I just bought this lens, having decided to delay my purchase of the Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR, since there were rumours of an upgraded version to appear possibly in PMA 2009. In any case, the Sigma offers 1:1 macro and can double as a portrait lens. My initial tests of it on my Nikon D700 showed that it delivered excellent sharpness and quick focusing, with typical Sigma colour and contrasts. It also feels lighter than the similarly sized Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8. With a great build quality, a pinch-style lens cap, and removable tripod collar, for the price of RM 2,350, I think this lens is a steal.

You can browse several more pics of the Sigma 150mm lens....

Testing DX on FX

To make sure my existing set of DX lenses work properly on the new Nikon D700, I went to the FT Mosque in KL and took several snapshots using the Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye, 18-200mm VR and Sigma 30mm f1.4. The DX lenses performed very well.

Check out more DX lens testshots.....

Nikon D700 and 24-70mm f2.8

At last, having been a happy owner of a d200 for the last 2 years, I'm delighted with my purchase of a new D700 (that costs RM8,600) with Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 (RM5,200).

You can see my D700 at http://harun.zenfolio.com/p329250002 :)

Sample pics taken with D700 at http://harun.zenfolio.com/p491578885

Well, all i can say is that it performs very much like has been said by many satisfied users. I've only done some quick snapshots, but already found that its AWB is surprisingly good, and so is AE, which doesn't underexpose like the D200, and of course, superior image quality with hardly any noise at high iso. Very easy to use, esp. coming from the D200, with improved ergonomics, like the multi-selector with centre button (no more accidental navigation), zoom in/out buttons (why didn't they do this before), playback and info button (better layout of screen data), marvellous hires lcd and vf, liveview (no more neckaches during tripod work or awkward pov), virtual horizon (actually found it useful and is quite sensitive). even the shutter sounds snappier. on the whole, no complaints.

The 24-70 is such a pro lens there's not much to talk about. it just delivers. matches and balances very well with the D700.

Anyway, the shots were taken in 14-bit raw, processed in nx2, and the fullsize jpgs can be viewed and downloaded here:-

http://harun.zenfolio.com/p491578885

Crumpler 7MDH

I needed a larger camera bag than my current Lowepro Photo Runner, which is too small to fit my flashgun along with my DSLR and lenses. After much research, I settled on the Crumpler Seven Million Dollar Home that I purchased in KLCC for RM 379. It's an excellently built shoulder bag with plenty of space and padding inside. Best of all, it doesn't look like a camera bag, making it less of a target for thieves.

More photos of the Crumpler bag.......

Vosonic Multimedia Storage Viewer

I just received the VP8860 on 23rd July that I purchased from http://www.shashinki.com/ for RM1,450. It has a 250MB SATA harddisk and can view several types of files, including RAW photos, movies, and MP3 audio. It also has an FM radio with earphones supplied, voice recorder with built-in mic, video recorder from a video source, and supports direct printing function. With a large 4.3" TFT LCD of 800x480 hires, it's a joy to view your images and movies, and it's pretty fast and easy to use.

A few more pics of the Vosonic....