Tuesday, 16 September 2008

Sony A700 Firmware V4 Update

It has been a while since the latest firmware Version 4 for A700 been leaked on the cyber community. I have been waiting to get the 'genuine' version and finally it's up on Sony Europe site!

The improvement and solved issues:
  • The choice to select auto exposure bracketing (single & continuous) with 3 shots in 2 EV steps has been added.
  • The choice to turn [Off] the High ISO NR feature has been added.
  • Improvement of the image quality in high ISO setting.
  • Improvement of the auto white balance and D-Range Optimizer performance.
  • Improvement of reliability for communication between camera body and vertical grip.
Just update the firmware in my camera and everything is up and running. A few test shots on high ISO seems it has improved (or psychologically maybe!). Time to shoot more to get the best out of my A700!

Tuesday, 19 August 2008

Emirates Cup 2008

Following last year's Emirate Cup, I have received an email notification few months ago for Emirates Cup 2008 featuring the host Arsenal, Hamburg, Juventus and the star-packed Real Madrid.

Unlike last year where I bought the first row tickets behind the goal which allowed me to take some nice pictures, this year we bought the middle tier for an overview of the pitch, more expensive seating but I don't quite like it coz even my longest zoom can't reach the distance effectively.

First match was Juventus vs Hamburg, don't know any of the Hamburg players except for the Dutchman Van der Vaart who wasn't in the line-up. Juventus were a different team after the relegation crisis two seasons ago which seen many new faces in the team. Anyway still glad to see Del Piero, Camoranesi, Jaquinta the world cup winners playing.

How many of them do you recognise?

Del Piero is old but still good.

Claudio Ranieri the familiar face in English football, coaching Juventus now.

Olic scored two goals and eventually Hamburg beat Juventus 3-0

Arsenal played Real Madrid in the second match.

The bright young gunners and the new Zidane - Samir Nasri, he's very good indeed.

The gunners.

Real Madrid players warming up.

Another young star Carlos Vela showing off some skills.

Gunners in colourful boots - Diaby in yellow, Van Persie in blue, Adebayor in green and Sagna in white.

The ex-MU player Gabriel Heinze was the boo-boys target of the day.

Adebayor scratching his butts before the match.

Guess who's back? Eduador who had a terrible injury last year is back to the Emirates.

First team line-up, probably not the real first team for Real Madrid but it's still packed with stars.

Adebayor and Van Persie kicked start.

Sagna headed off a high ball to Robinho.

Even though Arsenal lost two key players before start of the season but it's still a team to watch with all the young gunners rising.

It's Jerzy Dudek! Didn't expect the ex-Liverpool goalie to play for Real.

Van Nistelrooy came on second half.

Van Persie brought down, Adebayor stepped up to take the penalty and scored the only goal of the match.

Arjen Robben came on! He was one of my favourite who has wasted his time at Chelsea before moving to Spain.

Eventually Hamburg won the Emirates Cup 2008.

See you at the Emirates next year!

Monday, 18 August 2008

Schmap Bath

Although I don't make a living from photography, but it's always a delightful things when the photos are being recognised by some people, even though just a small group of people.

I have a photo published in The Star paper back in the late 90's which won me RM50 which was a small achievement for myself during that time. That was a photo of 3 little guinea pigs of my neighbour hanging on the glass cage. Unfortunately I didn't keep a copy of the paper cut and don't even remember where the printed copy has gone.

I was happy that photokaki put my photo on the front page last year - ya they change it like few times a month but it feels good to have one of mine on the front.

One of the photo published in Dyxum Galleries Exhibition #39 early this year.

And recently I received an email in flickr...

Schmap is actually an online travel guide which I have never heard before but it should be something to have its 5th edition in the making.

It is not one of my favourite picture but certainly I am more than happy to have it included in the guide.

It's just a small thumbnail picture on the website.

With my name on it, hehe... nothing to brag about but it's a small encouragement to myself.

I am eager to change profession to a job which I truly enjoy but unfortunately that will only realise when I can make more money from photography than what I am doing now in order to survive, that's the reality in life.

Tuesday, 5 August 2008

The 'Not So' Happening

Can't believe it has been 3 months since I last blogged. Since I broke my hands I think I've been very lazy and still so even it's fully recover now.

Watched 'The Happening' directed by M. Night Shyamalan yesterday and I couldn't believe it's from the same man who directed 'The Sixth Sense'.

Half way watching the movie I already thinking there what kind of comments people will give, it's a complete waste of time when I suppose to study for my final exam. One of the worst I've ever seen in many years.

I wouldn't tell the story but some comments from IMDB just made me laugh:

"This is a joke, right?"

"A terrible screenplay and poorly acted"

"The happening is not happening"

"Awful doesn't cover it"

"If it's intentional, it's still a bad film"

"Will someone just confiscate Shyamalan's typewriter"

"An insult to intelligence"

"The crappening"

and many more...

Can't agree more than the above said, in fact many people joined IMDB to made their first comment on a movie after watching this, that was what I initially wanted to do.

I'm glad I didn't spend to watch this.

Saturday, 3 May 2008

London Mayoral Election 2008

Not long I registered for London Elects. I am qualified as I have already lived here for more than a year.

On 1st May, I casted my vote for Boris Johnson of the Conservatives, for his promises to reduce the rising crimes and more importantly to get better value for the taxpayers' money. He has got character and great sense of humour.


Boris in Top Gear.


Boris' great tackle on a Germany player in a charity match, in the rugby way.

I haven't even voted in Malaysia before. The mayor in Kuala Lumpur is not elected but appointed by the government despite of the uncountable complaints of its poor performance and corruption scandals.

Perhaps it's time to give the people a choice.

Sunday, 6 April 2008

Spring in UK

Summer time has arrived in April but this morning when I look out from the window...

The surroundings were covered in white..

Breakfast in the snow.

Is it the climate change? I just hope there'll be a warmer summer this year.

Alpha 2008 Lineup Update

Early this year I've posted my 2008 line up. In 3 months time I have tidy up the lineup, adding few lens and sold the Sony A100 kit with the Dicain vertical grip.

So the updated 2008 lineup will be:

Back row: Sony HVL-F56AM, Minolta 70-210mm F4 'Beercan', Minolta 3600HSD (supposed to let it go but decided to keep it a little longer til I get a right price)
Front row: Sigma 10-20mm, M42 Jupiter 9 85mm F2, Sony A700 with Tamron 17-50mm F2.8, Tamron 90mm SP F2.8 Macro, Minolta 50mm F1.7, M42 Helios 135mm F2.8

The last thing I want on my list this year is the Sony VG-C70AM vertical grip.