Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Our New Baby

HURRAY

The newest addition in our family of digital cameras just arrived today... fresh and super HOT! =)

THE HISTORY

We thought we'd forever be Sony digicam users. After my first point and shoot camera and our semi-DSLR camera, we decided to practice to become a pro so we joined the league of the DarkSide (coined for Nikon-users, used against Canon-users). Since we trusted so much of Sony's reputation on their digital camera products, we stick on their brand and purchased their semi-DSLR (Sony DSC-R1). When they launched their first DSLR product (Sony DSLR-A100), it didn't hit that much in the market. It's probably because Nikon and Canon are still the leading DSLR camera makers in the land.

THE DECISION

We definitely would not contest that Sony has become a brand name in point-and-shoot digital cameras. We owned a very reliable P50 and and R1 and we are happy with them. But, we don't like to be the guinea pigs in Sony's experiment of releasing A100. So we better stick to the leaders in the DSLR world. Now, what would we choose, a Canon or a Nikon? Both produces the best DSLR cameras. Remember, it's not the gears that will make a better photographer. What made Nikon stand out in our decision making is stability. Nikon DLSR models are not released every so often so we think that every new product they offer to the public has a very well thought of design and features. This analogy is similar to Nokia ang Sony Ericsson mobile phones. But still, it all boils down to preference.

THE MODEL

After deciding the brand, the tricky part is to choose the model. My first love is the Nikon D200. My heart goes for it but my pocket can't afford it. So we decided a model, the one I can afford without compromising the features and we found somewhat a morph of the best Nikon DSLR models, the D80. Here are the features that made our jaw dropped in awe.



Key features

  • 10.2 megapixel DX format CCD (1.5x FOV crop)
  • Image processing engine (similar to D200 / D2X)
  • 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 420 pixel sensor (same as D50)
  • 11-area AF system (new version of Multi-CAM 1000, similar to D200)
  • Custom Auto ISO (selectable maximum ISO, minimum shutter speed)
  • Configurable high ISO and long exposure noise reduction
  • Mechanical only shutter (maximum 1/4000 sec, flash sync to 1/200 sec)
  • Quoted 80 ms shutter lag (short viewfinder blackout; 160 ms)
  • Larger, brighter pentaprism viewfinder (x0.94 magnification)
  • Support for SD-HC (SD cards over 2 GB in capacity)
  • In-camera retouching
D-Lighting (shadow / highlight enhancement)
Red-eye reduction
Trimming
Monochrome
Filter effects
Small picture
Image overlay
  • Multiple-exposures
  • Compact body (smaller, lighter than D70/D70s)
  • Improved menu user interface (same as D200)
  • Higher capacity EN-EL3e battery (provides detailed information, same as D200)
  • Wireless flash integration (same as D200)
Marvin and I am now itching to go home to play with our new baby =)

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Hobby

I barely can't recall the time I got this very exhilarating feeling and a deep drive on pursuing on a hobby. I've been into sports (bowling), crafts, (cross-stitch and crochet) and culinary (baking). But none of these hobbies were financially funded so well and allocated a lot of time for practice so I can earn expertise.

When I was in elementary and high-school, I had completed a number of cross-stitched and crochet projects. All of them were just displayed and used at home. As for the sports I've got familiar with, I was able to hone my skills in bowling and won a couple of awards in our company's bowling tournament. Joined a bowling club at Alabang before but my work schedule hindered my desire to become a pro in bowling. I only play once in a while for now.

Then I was introduced again to baking while I was pregnant with our first child. Some goodies I've baked were posted here and here. I've even started selling my baked goodies and told myself that I'll venture into pastry business someday. But then again, my greatest resource which is time, didn't allow me to prosper and seriously obtain an expertise on baking. I won't tell that I'll forever don't have time for these desires of mine. The timing may not yet be the right one to say the least. The dream of becoming a pastry chef is still at the back of my head.

And here now comes my latest love affair, PHOTOGRAPHY. My passion in photography started when I acquired my first digital (and only one) camera in 2001. I was very proud to have the first 2.1MP Sony Cybershot digital camera in the office at that time. When we ruled out that my P50 needs retiring after a good 4 years of capturing memories, Marvin upgraded it to SONY-DSC R1 just last year after our first child was born. We're still apprehensive on jumping directly into DSLR cameras because we'll not make a business of taking photos anyway. So Sony R1, being a semi-DSLR is just a perfect practice camera for enthusiasts like us and it was indeed.

Now after a thousand photos practiced with R1, knowledge gained as an apprentice self-studying photography and its tools and being dearly inspired by a lot of photographers and their work posted I've browsed online, I've decided to slowly shift my career to my hobby which is photography and and someday be the best photographer that I can be. There's no harm in dreaming big. I remember clearly how our high school English teacher would always keep on telling us while climbing on top of a chair and extend her hands while saying, "Reach for the Stars!!!"

Friday, April 20, 2007

New Project

Don't be mislead with the subject. No I'm not working overtime in the office by this time (it's almost 1 am). I just got very excited since the domain we've registered is now up and running. And this is what I'm referring to as my new project.

It's kinda difficult to control the contents I want to post on my new site. It's totally different from the way I used to manage this blog. The term here is "control", and I'm really enjoying having full control on building my new page.

For those itching to know my new site... well, patience is a virtue. I'll post it here as soon as I created a decent design to make it a little presentable. =)

Stay tuned.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

A Blog that Speaks

It's been weeks now that we're having some discussions about buying a domain for a dedicated blog that would contain all the things we desire, learn and share.

We paid for the domain registration and hosting fees this morning. Decided to try out Yuga's hosting service. I've been an avid reader of his tech blog and I was also inspired by other bloggers so I decided to write my own stuff too.

We might still continue to update this blog on our family's affairs every now and then. Friends, just keep in touch.