At the oval.

The oval is a cluster of old black and white bungalows. They were used to housed foreign troops pre-independece Singapore. Now its a cluster of restaurants and a big airport themed playground. I usually bring Idris here to burn off some steam, more like a morning exercise routine. All of these photos taken using the SMC Takumar 55mm 1.8 and the Xe2. Honestly, I would recommend people to come here. For the fun.

Idris and Wan.

Trying out a different position.

Came down the slide.

Sticking his tongue out.

Wan feeling giddy.

Su.

Having fun.

Missing the fun.

Heard on the radio about controlling children's usage of their mobile devices. I think the discussion was a bit off centered. I think its not the children who need to be taught on controlling the usage of their mobile devices, its EVERYBODY!

I took this on my xe2 and the smc takumar 55mm 1.8 Focus was off and I had to crop this picture. But clearly, they would have more fun without the mobile phone.

Missing the fun.

Colonoscopy

Had one just now. Together with endoscopy. This is in preparation of the bariatic sleeve surgery that I am scheduled for on 30th July 2018.

I was awake for both procedures and it was interesting, painful at times.

Still on liquid diet. Some cheating took place  when my sister and her family came to dinner with us at the hospital. Mostly dinner there for me is just a cup of black kopi. Kosong.

Su drove me back. I wished I had taken some pictures because it was a lovely experience. And the sound system in my car rocks!

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More pictures from the takumar.

Pictures of Idris. And the out of focus background. Enjoy.

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This is sharp.

Without a doubt this lens is sharp. But most other 50mm lenses are sharp too. What makes it special is the total package it possesses. The out of focus background for example and how it makes the picture nicer. How the sharpness of the lenses does not necessarily means it has to be at the center.

All in all, it's what the lenses can produce that endear it to you.

But this takumar 55mm is sharp.

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Takumar 55mm 1.8

After seeing what the contax 1.7 can do, I decided to try out my Tak 55mm 1.8. I can help feeling that I am missing something. Maybe I was not looking at the right place or direction.

Picture of the camera set was provided by the em5 and the Olympus 45mm 1.8.

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Went to KKH

Sent Idris to KKH today for follow up. It seems he now has eczema on his skin. Due to the drying action of the medicine for his itchiness.

This is Idris before making our way to KKH. Taken using the Contax 50 1.7.
I am loving this lens more and more everyday. Its compact and feel simple enough to use. It is simple to use. Feels like the time I was using my Nikon FM2 and the nikkor lenses. Its shorter than the 50mm 1.4 by about a centimetre thus making it more compact than the 1.4.

Now I am wondering about the rokkors and the other 50mm 1.7 lenses that I am missing out because I want the widest apertures...
Got it for USD$110. I think that that is a good buy.

A smile for the day.

Another one.

My son's chair in his room. Beautifully rendered.

CY 50mm 1.7. xe2

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Pictures from the contax 50mm 1.7 planar c/y

One of the first pictures that I took using my xe2. I have to say the focussing is much nicer than the 1.4

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Ktph

It's was a gloomy morning today when I went there to see the dietician. I hope it's not a bad omen, as though I believe in them.

Part of khoo tech phuat hospital.

Redmi.

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Contax 50mm 1.7.

Just took delivery of this lens. Hope it will lives up to the hype.

Here is another picture of it.

7 artisans 25mm 1.8

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Contax 50mm 1.7 c/y mount

Just took delivery of this lens. Can't wait to try it out.

Redmi

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Optifast

It has begun. My first meal supplement. Objective is to shrink my liver. Makes it easier to reach the stomach. Taste like biscuits in strawberry milk.

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Hard meal

The last hard and proper meal I had before going for my soft diet. Getting ready to go for my bariatic surgery at the end of the July.

Redmi

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Children

The girls are my wife's cousin daughters. I don't know what they are to me but they are ever so sweet.

Pictures taken when they came over just now. My two sons really enjoyed their company.

Xe2 with 7 artisans 25mm 1.8

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Minolta 40mm f2 m.

http://vintage-camera-lenses.com/leica-summicron-c-40mm-2-minolta-m-rokkor-40mm-2/

URL to refer to one of my most missed lens. Bought it twice and sold it twice. Missing it so much.

Price has gone up. If I ever get another one that will be the last lens that I will ever buy.

Idris. A few weeks old.

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Breakfast.

Today, the plan was to wake up early and then go for breakfast at our favourite breakfast haunt. Its at bedok corner. We have been going there even before we were married. And the food, although I can bet some would say not the best in the world, is friendly. Friendly people that sells you food that results in the food being twice as nice.

We woke up quite later than expected. We had brunch instead of breakfast and from there we went to KTPH to deliver my urine sample. 

I had prata for brunch.

Prata for me.

Bedok Corner Food Center

Enjoying our brunch.

Taken with the 7 artisand 25mm 1.8 and the xe2.

7 artisans 25mm 1.8

Shot on my Fuji xe2.

From the longer lenses, I have chosen the 7 artisans to be my xe2 partner. I had this lens for quite some time already and I really like it. Maybe I was lucky but I think I got a good copy. Many on the net gives disparaging remarks on it's corner sharpness etc etc. I think it's performing admirably.

My son, going to school on a Monday.

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Pic of the incoming.

This is a screen shot of the incoming nikkor 50mm f2.0

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Nikon 50mm f2

One of the cheapest lens that I found on eBay. Read up on some reviews and decided to jump in and get one for myself.

I know I told myself to concentrate on the Carl Zeiss collection but for $60. It's a Nikon and I already have 4 of their lenses.

1. The 85mm f2

2. The 35mm f2

3. The 35mm f2.8

4. And the Carl Zeiss 85mm 1.4 planar Nikon mount.

Should be here soon. From Japan.

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Bibik Siti

This is my Bibik. Another one of my aunties. From my father's side she is the second eldest of my father's siblings. I was told that she had helped my family in times of needs in the past. Because of those reasons, my late mom willed it that we will help her however we can. 

Just like her husband, she is never without a smile on her face.She had to go through cancer treatment and Alhamdulilah, she came out on top. The gentlest Aunty, she loved to bake and when I was younger, her pineapple tarts are the bomb! Delicious.

Pentacon  135mm 2.8

Uncle Mat

This is Uncle Mat. Short for Selamat. Selamat, in my language means safe. Picture is a bit soft because of a lack of focussing skills. Not because of the lens.

Uncle Mat is married to my Aunty or Bibik Siti. A loving couple and have 3 kids of their own they still are ever so loving. Their youngest is about to be married to somebody who I am sure would be fun to be with.

I remembered when I was younger, much younger, I would sleep over their place even though their place is ever so small. From them I learned that space is what you make it out to be and I would always feel warm and loved whenever I was there. That place used to be in Toa Payoh.

What I remembered most about their place was their unique fridge. It had a digital clock on the door and four small buttons on it. I really don't know what those buttons are for but I would not stop pressing them everytime I am there. 

Uncle Mat used to be a drummer in a band. Serious. Now he walks with a cane with a smile ever present on his face.

Pentacon 135mm 2.8

Cherry filled donut.

Took this using the Pentagon 135mm. If not for the fact that this is my very first 135mm lens, I would say this lens is very under priced. I got this for $80. Amazing. There are others which are more expensive but I think this is a good starter kit. It has a built in lens hood and its built is amazing. It is metal and glass. No plastics and yet its not that heavy. It is heavier than the Super Takumar 105mm but that a different focal length altogether.

There is another version, made by Pentagon too, also 135mm. This other one has 16 aperture blades and can be had quite affordable too. I wished I had known then about this other 135mm, but now after getting the 6 blades version, I wished I did not.

My niece.

Between f2.8 and f4. I think it's acceptable..

Pentacon 135mm 2.8

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Pentacon sample images.

Lots of reviews on the net states that's it's soft wide open. I found the pictures from mine are quite acceptable.

Anyway shot mainly in black and white today. A picture of aunty sunah.  Sooc. Xe2. 6 blades pentacon 135mm.

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Pics from my pentacon

Might be bringing this lens out for the kenduri later although my first choice will be the em5 with the 17mm and the 45mm. You definitely cannot cock up with that set up.

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Could not sleep

Did not sleep well yesterday night. Right ankle had this throbbing pain. Too tramadol this morning and predinosolone. Seems to be working.

To delivery of my pentacon 135mm 2.8 yesterday.

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Alone.

First time being left alone while I am on the wheel chair. I think I can manage it. Usually I will be on the bed.

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It's late.

It's almost eleven pm. My left foot is throbbing. Not in much pain, just uncomfortable pain. But pain nevertheless.

Can sleep because it's bothering me. 

Drizzling outside. Love the sound of the rain drops as it hits my windows. But it's not cold. It's warm. 

I can only imagine those who are still working at this hour. I used to. Working in a 7-11 during my late teenage years. Can't find meaning in it. Glad I left. 

Me. 

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Idris. Now what.

Picking up su from the airport this late evening. The 4yo can't for his omak to be home. Told him to take a nap after lunch so that he would not be asleep when it's time to go to the airport. And lo and behold, he did.

Half an hour later he woke up, went to the toilet and asked if we could go to the airport. Told him to nap a bit more. And he did. This from a boy who seldom nap.

45 minutes later, he came in my room, hair totally dishevelled and with a straight face,

"Abah. I have taken my nap. Now what?"

I can't possible tell him to nap again right?

Abah

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

4

4
The magical number this year. This is my youngest's 4th year celebrating Hari Raya with us. And every year he reminds us how magical it was when it was just us and my eldest. Its never the same when its with him, though. There is always a magical layer whenever he is around. His carries his wit around him, and yes, he can be very lovable and huggable. Looking forward to the 5th year. Here are some pictures, taken with my Fujifilm gear.

At Safra Punggol

In the car.

Pouty Mouth

Going to school for Eid celebration.

Ever so smiley.

With the bear.

Smiley bear.

Playing with his nerf gun.

With Hana, his cousin twice over.

Pizza face.

While grabbing something for dinner.

Ever so happy.

Tools
The camera, a tool to capture the moments for when you look back at those moments, it capture not just the pictures but the emotions too.

Prints.

Canvass
Decided to try out Brilliant Print as it was recommended by several of my friends. Sent an image file to be printed and it turned out to be fantastic. Price was a bit steep, so I will only use them when I really need to.

Foam Boards

Wife introduced me to a cheaper alternative. Images printed on foam boards. Much more affordable. True, foam board prints does not have the richness of canvass prints, but they will do for displays on my walls. Today, I am sending them a third batch. They can only be found on facebook, and the name of the shop is Master color. Turnaround can be as quick as a day.

Some of the pictures which I sent for printing today...

Idris and the Bear.

Gorgeous's family

Darling and her sister.

With my in laws.

My dad's siblings. (repeat order)

Hopefully I can get them tomorrow.