New Photography Gear
Yes, I recently got some new gear 
Canon EF 50mm f/1:1.8 II
Excuse the crap quality photo, I’ve got bad lighting in my room
Got this from J One Camera Service in Amcorp Mall. Great prices there, and since they’re not some big firm like Bintang Maju or Fotokem, you get relatively great service. Jason quotes you great prices everytime, there’s no need to bargain till the cows come home. Got this with the filter. Initially, I tried out the Tamron 70-300mm f/1:4-5.6 from him too. Also got some “grab-it-now” price for that from him However, I was rather disappointed with the Tammy’s hunting focus, as there’s no HSM or whatever. I’d take it instead of Canon’s 55-200mm anyday tho
Reason why I didn’t get it then? I want the Sigma APO DG Macro version with the same zoom range. One thing tho, at 300mm with a 1.6X crop factor EOS, it’s rather, impractical, I wouldn’t say useless. It becomes almost 500mm. Well, I’ll have to try out the Sigma.
Back to the 50mm, it’s a great lens, produces superbly smooth bokeh. Great for protraits and closeups, I’d say. However, do take note that the minimum focusing range in it is only 1.5 feet, not good. My kit lens does better than that. Get extension tubes of a Hoya 4X Close-Up filter if you need to do Macro Photography with this lens.
My complaints? Noisy focusing due to absence of USM and there’s no f-stop or focus indicator on the lens barrel, unlike the 50mm f/1:1.4, which also has USM, but costs about 4X more. I love this lens for it’s price and rather powerful optics. Jason still has plenty of stock, go see him if you’re in the vicinity of Klang Valley.
Bokeh when cranked to f/1.8
The 50mm produces rather sharp and clear photos for its pricing
Another example, this time on a mint condition Nikon F5, I have no idea why I was shooting Nikons when I use Canons…
The next thing I got it what every dSLR/SLR photographer should have in their arsenal. It’s something very basic…
It’s a bag =D
A Lowepro water-resistant bag to be exact.
Got this from Shong Lee in 1-Utama, the one located on the upper-level of the Promenade, not the Kodak centre. Look for the elderly man there, probably the owner, he’s the carefree type, gives good price-cuts.
I got the Rezo 160 AW. I’ve always loved the Rezo model, it’s got a good, clean, simple, functional and practical design. It’s anything but bad. Plus it’s designed for digital stuff, so it even has a built-in microfiber cloth to protect your screen from scratches from the also built-in memory card pocket or your camera strap. Very practical. Something else that the brand boasts about is the patented AllWeather (AW) cover, which is just like a mini form-fitting raincoat for the bag itself. This AW cover stows neatly in the front of the bag. It makes it waterproof from the already good water-resistant material outside. It’s going to be really useful for my SuperStar Virgo cruise in 16 December 2007.
Ample space for your gear
Built-in memory card pocket
It feels like it’s built like a tank. Like it’s really designed to protect your camera gear with all its got. It’s inside is lined with soft brushed tricot, which keeps cold and moisture out (put in a desiccant, but they include one). Outside, it’s made with high-tech stuff like water-resistant micro fiber, ripstop nylon and Lowepro’s 600D TXP™. 600D TXP™ feels soft and nice, something like velvet, but it’s water-resistant. In fact, just about the whole bag is water-resistant, but don’t expect to soak it into standing water without getting your camera gear wet
Overall, I have no complaints on this one, it’s great, it’s got ample space for a dSLR body with a standard zoom lens attached, plus 2 lenses or a lens and an external flash and accessories. If you ever find it small one day when you have more equipment, you can always add SlipLock cases to it’s side. People who got their bags together with their camera kit might find getting a premium bag like Lowepro, Tamrac, Bagman, or Crumpler paying, well a pointless premium. got a bag with my EOS 400D too, but it’s not that good, my camera gets cold in the morning and it supports only one camera body with a standard zoom lens attached, it’s the form fitting type, not even a single extra compartment.
I’d say get a Lowepro bag, it’s worth every penny spent. Tamrac isn’t water-resistant, and doesn’t like shout out “Look! I’m a photographer” as much as Lowepro, so it’s cheaper overall. Bagman isn’t as good as Lowepro or Tamrac, thus it’s cheaper too. It’s even rather childish to me. Crumpler is quite good actually, but doesn’t look anything like a camera bag.
That’s all for now. I hope to get the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG 1:2 Macro.
Angers Me
I was browsing the net on Singapore, a country I have always loved, more than any, including my own. I managed to find a website called STOMP just now. I was scrolling around the page, till i went to the end. And it stopped me. I stopped right at the Most-Viewed section. There was a picture of this poor old man and the article titled “Ang Mohs bully old trishaw rider”. Fyi, Ang Mohs mean caucasians, in this case brits.
I, of course clicked on it. And just halfway through reading it, i was already really angry. These idiots over here, got a trishaw ride with 67 year old Mr. Lee Shee Lam in Singapore at night. Probably with a combined weight of 200kilos, these asshats were mocking Mr. Lee and even recording the video. One of them uploaded the video on YouTube to the public, which raised Singapore’s anger over the issue. I’m sure am freaking angry as hell now! Seeing such angry comments, the uploader, identified as Bo Davis, removed the video and apologised, saying “looking back, I think we were insensitive. But bullies, no”. Oh come on, don’t deny it and justify. Well, thanks to a seriously angered Singaporean, he requested the video and re-posted it right after the removal. And those asshats can’t do a thing.
They were seen in the video sniggering while saying cruel stuff like “2mph? I can walk faster than this!” Then why didn’t you? Cause you’d rather not tire your lazy asses out, correct? And why don’t you try peddling a rickshaw with 200kg worth of load in your 60s? I would then be very pleased to record a video of each of you doing that, post it up on YouTube as revenge and for those angered to admire. And also laugh just as you did.
And as a stupid finishing, they initially agreed to pay Mr. Lee S$15 for the ride, but pretended to be robbed after the ride and ran off into a cab without even paying a cent. My blood is boiling right now. Mr. Lee even asked for just S$10. I quote from blogger Alvin “Putting aside their race, nationality, or even gender – what these three grown adults did is not only childish, but extremely cruel. … If these three clowns want to be famous by posting such a video on Youtube – let’s help them achieve their goal and make them notorious instead.” So very true instead.
Talking about poor Mr. Lee, here’s what I read from DailyMail.
Mr. Lam was working again last night in the Clarke Quay area where he is licensed.
He recalled the incident with a grimace and said: “I’d almost forgotten about it, but I was very angry when they ran off without paying.” He had no idea they were making fun of him because he does not understand English too well and had no idea they were filming him. “They agreed to pay for the ride but then refused and ran away. I couldn’t understand why because I did my best to give them a safe ride.
“I am a bit slow when so many people are in the rickshaw, but I am not a youngster any more, like they are. Perhaps when they get old they will know what it’s like!”
“I’m not going to worry about them any more,” he said. “I am sure they are now sorry they did this to me.”
How can he not be angry? I know I would. He really has tolerance
Link to re-uploaded video: Clicky
Link to donate: Clicky
For bloggers, let’s unite and sound out about this saddening issue.
I hope at least see Mr. Lee someday, maybe in December when I go to Singapore. At least donate to him or give him some business
I’m happy to know that Mr. Lee loves his job, and didn’t take the bullying seroiusly. He just brushed it off with bad luck… And I really want to teach these 3 asshats a lesson. Be fair to people and have respect for elder ones.
Forgive me if this post went too far, I was really angry when I read about this.
Some more links
Mr. Lee and a kind tourist image
Daily Mail article (it’s good to know the world is knowing about this right now)
Phew.
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