Canon EOS 60D - My new toy...

It has never cross my mind that I'll need a new body in near time. It all hits when my current Canon 350D start some weird behavior firing the external flash during my "sotong" friend's wedding day (fortunately I'm not the sole photographer). It even more convincing when my "jelly fish" friend lost my CF card after the morning ceremony end.

Well, I do further test on my 350D and confirm that it'll trigger the flash, but only when it feels good (which means I have no idea when it'll fire, and it won't). Ok, I'm not the pro, but at least I know all the control of my dslr after using it for 5 years. I'm sure that the flash is attached properly and the flash is on trigger mode.

After asking on the price, wah......it is so much cheaper compare with 50D! Ya, there is some catch on the pricing:
1. No more metal body.
2. Joystick is gone (replaced with 8 direction pad on the 2nd scroll ring).
3. No more weather shield.
4. lower fps (not really much lower, from 6.3 -> 5.3). But I suspect this is due to the larger count of pixel on the sensor, 15Mpx -> 18Mpx.

But, there are lots of extra added in as well:
1. Articulating screen.
2. 1040,000 dots (3:2) LCD screen.
3. Higher ISO -> 6400.
4. Auto ISO mode with ISO limiter.
5. Full HD movie.
6. Wireless speedlight control.
7. Infra-red remote shutter release.
8. Lighter weight and smaller body design (compare with 50D). It feels nice in my hand!

So, based on all the above, I decided to get 60D instead of 550D which is in the same range as my 350D (must upgrade at least half a class. :P)


350D and 60D sitting side by side, you can see that 60D is not much bigger compare to 350D from the front.


If compare from the top, the 60D looks much larger. The mode dial and power switch is at different side, really need sometime to get use to it. But the extra LCD screen at the top is really nice and helpful.


Compare from the back. The 60D with LCD facing in, but can see that the screen size area is really lots of different! I really like the new screen, the old 350D LCD sometime make me frustrated as you can't really judge well by just looking at it (too small), especially for group photo where you thought everyone's eyes are open but when examine at pc, damn, there are 1 person with eyes close...that's why I really appreciate the 60D's 3 inch screen. :P


The new mode dial...


The 350D mode dial, which I prefer this more, really like the shining metal ring. :P


60D view finder size, much larger compare to 350D.


350D view finder, which sometimes I found it a bit small...:P


60D 2nd scroll ring with the integrated 8 directional pad. It needs sometime to get used to using it, currently I'm still try to getting used to it so that won't accidentally press the directional pad while I try to use the scroll.


350D 4 direction pad, it is really slow to try to change setting using this.


The top LCD screen at the right side. I like this!


60D articulating screen!!!!! Love this.


350D screen.


60D sign, placed on top instead of bottom like 350D.


350D sign.


60D, ISO 6400


60D, ISO 1000


60D, ISO 2000

Ya, 60D ISO can go by 1/3 step!!!!!! nice......

Basically, eventhough Canon decided to strip off some X0D features, I'm still satisfied with the camera. Really amazed with how much advancement of the technology just after 5 years. :P

Compact camera - Which one is the best as of today?

Recently, lots of friends keep asking me which compact is the best now. It is really not an easy question to answer since the line between compact, semi-pro and dslr is getting more and more blur nowadays. Just in time, dpreview also has a new group review on the high end compact camera. Below is the link:

dpreview Q4 2010 high end compact group review

If you ask me, I'll choose either Panasonic Lumix LX5 or Canon S95 for the reason of the real compact size. If I'm going for pocket size, I'll choose definitely S95. If it is about size, functionality and controls, I'll choose LX5.

but if it is all about the zoom, then Nikon P7K will be the best. So, until the end, it is all about what you need and  what kind of features you want. We can always say a lot about the camera, but until you hold it only you'll know which you really like and want. :)

Lumut - Swiss Garden Damai Laut

This is a 2 days 1 night gathering trip with my coursemates, that I'm glad that lots of us were able to make it. As more and more commitment I had, it is really hard to meet with some of them to have a teh tarik session eventhough we are close to each other.

Swiss Garden Damai Laut is a resort with golf course, and it seems to be a favourite place for golfer (I don't play golf, so I just make a guess). If you are planning to go there for a holiday, there are 2 things you must prepare:
1. Check the golf competition schedule - so that you can avoid the busy days at the resort.
2. Bring your GPS!!!! Seriously, without my GPS, I'll had thought I went the wrong way. The place is secluded and hide far inside where you'll need to pass a 5 - 7km route which cut across a palm estate.

Due to this, you better get ready and find out for eating places as well. We had travel 30mins to Lumut town and end up with eating KFC. :P

The resort is impressive, very well build and maintained (forgot to take a shot of the lobby). The staffs are professional and their well verse english make me feel like I'm in the western country.


After check in to the seaview room, this is the view from the balcony, really nice. Too bad that the sky is cloudy and there is no nice sunset to see.


At the balcony, I'm not sure if they just repaint everything or they had maintain it so well.


Hallway to the bathroom, look at the mirror!


There are also some tea and instant coffee for your teatime.


View of the room from the door, the king size bed is nice, the room is clean and tidy (well, before we mess it up. :P)


The rattan evening chair near the window. The window is so huge that you can really have a good view once the curtain is drawn.


Another view of the bed.


There are plenty of place to put your stuff, and there are 2 complimentary drinking water as well.


There are slippers prepared for you as well.


Our shoes stop at the walkway.

Lots of boats and ships at the sea...

One of the restaurant...well, as a Malaysian, to eat a bowl of noodle at RM25 is definitely not an option. So, if you want to save money, better check on the restaurant nearby before the trip. Also, you definitely need to drive. Tips: We drove half an hour to Pantai Remis for seafood at dinner time. :P

The room come with complimentary breakfast for 2 at "The Garden Terrace" restaurant.


Inside the restaurant.


The buffet style breakfast, there are nasi lemak served as well...


The walkway to the beach, you are supposed to walk down this lengthy staircase to the beach.


Water sport that you can participate in, if I didn't remember wrongly, you can have 30mins of free kayaking for each room or guest. There are still other water sport as well, also basketball and archery (free!).


Well, I think butterfly is a rare guests at the beach, found it while walking on the beach.


The beach. There are actually 2 sides, this side you'll need to walk down the staircase shown above, while watersport is at the other side.


The resorts provides transport to Pangkor Island, not sure if this is the boat to bring you there. :P


Seashells, there are lots of seashell on the beach, which means you need to becareful when walking on barefoot.

There are still lots and lots of activities at the resort - sunset cruise, golfing, visiting Segari Turtle Sanctuary and etc...didn't really take lots of photo since this trip is about gathering, so more talking and kapsiao than photography. :)

Overall, a good place to visit and relax, the lobby is cozy and windy plus the sunshine, definitely good for family trip.

Swiss Garden Damai Laut Resorts:
Website: http://www.damailaut.com/
GPS coordinate: 4°15'35"N   100°35'29"E

A short trip to Taiping - Taiping Lake Garden

As we are attending wedding dinner of my wife's best friend at Taiping, we got to stay one night near the famous Lake Garden thanks to the friend, arigato gozaimasu!

So, since we are there, no harm to have a walk around the lake. The lake is really huge and it takes you a while to go one round. Well, we didn't go one around, we just walk along some stretch only.


One side of the lake view, too bad no blue sky and white cloud......which means give me an excuse to revisit. :P


Portrait time, wife and daughter...


The happy pose, love this photo a lot.


The jetty where you can rent the boat and go round the lake in another way.


Nice tree!!!!



TIf you like to fish, this is a good place.


Oops, dead fish.......

Taiping is really a good place for retirement. :)

Taiping Lake Garden:
GPS Coordinate:  4°51'18"N   100°44'56"E

My new toy - Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro

Ok, I had own the lens for sometimes, since I had collected quite some photos since then, it is time to give a short review after hands on the lens.

So, firstly, the lens I owned is the Canon EF 100mm USM f2.8 Macro lens. So, note here, there is no "L" as I really have budget concern. Also, when your boss has an equivalent "L" lens, it is better for me to get the lower range. :P

Firstly, lets look at how it looks like:

                  Non L version (my lens)                                       L version  (my boss's lens)

The lens cost me RM2.2k (inclusive of a Kenko Pro-1D UV filter).

Now lets look at the results:
Still objects:














Portrait:

Ear portrait. :P I really love the details from the lens, juicy......





Below is the link to another entry where all the photos are taken with this lens:
Penang Butterfly Farm Macro shots

In short, I'm very satisfied with the lens, really likes the details given from the lens!