Envy

I always envy those who have plenty to write on their blog. I mean, blogging does take away a significant amount of time, right?

Anyway, I was on this website and I realise that there were some opportunities for me to showcase some of my pictures, namely my minolta 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 lens. So I took out the lens, fitted in on my 7D and went out of the house. Only to realise that my neighbour's door was open and looking through the gates, I saw Glynnis. She was there with her grandfather. They were there to take back the gas hose. Actually my neighbour has shifted out of his flat last weekend. The house is now pending for handover this Friday and I should be able to see who would be my new neighbour.

So there I was, my my camera et all, and there was Glynnis. A photo opportunity! So I did, I took some pictures of her with her grandfather. Half way, I stopped. I felt a tinge of sadness. I wonder if this would be the last time I see her. Yup, reality has a way of creeping up on you doesn't it.

Today is Adam's birthday. Bought Mad Jack's cakes for his classmates and his form teacher has a mini celebration for him in class. She whatsapp me some pictures and I am so happy that she did that. Su is in Harvard, Boston now, so I guess, this would be her second time missing his actual birthday. I bet she is devastated.

Anyway, there is a surprise waiting for him when he comes back, or if the deliverman is late, then he will be waiting for the surprise.

Slim

Rambutan

Rambutan! There were so many of them! And they were sweet! I could not remember which camera I took the pictures with though so pardon me just this time!

Had a heck of a time trying to get them off from the branch and onto the ground though. Had to use a long bamboo pole. It was not as easy as it looked! But the reward was worth it

By the time we left kampong, there were still so many left. One of the neighbour told us to climb and cut off the branches, but who would want to climb?

Just like the mangosteen, it was fresh!

Slim.

LadyBug

This was the first time I saw a real lady bug. Picture taken with a Nex 5, 18-55mm lens. I saw this lady bug as I was surveying the jungle that was once the kid's garden. I shudder to think as to what would happen to it the next time I go back. Judging from my mother-in-law time table, it should be after Hari Raya. That is at least two more months! Oh well, I hope by that time, my sunflower plant would have flowered.

My mom has started to undergo radio therapy. She looks so frail now. She has to go for ten session and today will ber fourth. I know she is trying to keep her spirits up, but I can't help but to feel so sorrow.

My neighbour above me came to our house the other day. She wanted to inform us that she is moving house. Her family and her, would be shifting to Holland V. According to her, she did not want to shift but her husband has been nagging for them to move. Nice lady. She told us that she is suffering from a relapse of her cancer. Great, another one.

Slim.

Garden

This was the state of the kids garden when we first arrive. It was overgrown with grass and weeds. Was I demoralized when I saw the state. Since we reached kampong around 5.50pm, there was little that we could do except to appreciate the situation. I appreciate it so much that I wanted to burn everything in it! But then I remembered the effort it took to plan those seeds.

Too bad non of my corn grew. A sunflower stalk could be seen growing though, and that made me smile, just a little, but I smile nonetheless. The next morning, me and Su bought a pair of shears and my mother in law, Su and I proceed to make the garden more er, presentable. We did a good job though. Picture taken with 18-55mm, Nex 5.

Slim

Kampong

Went back to kampong over the weekend. Just family, my mother in law, my nephew and I. Was hoping to see and savour the mangosteens that was last seen hanging from the mangosteen tree. Alas, almost all had fallen to the ground. The picture on the right, was taken with the 30mm macro 2.8 on the 7D.

Was very happy when I manage to taste the mangosteen that was just hanging from the tree branches just moment ago. It was sweet, cool and the juice would flow out of your mouth as you suck on it. I don't think that any pesticides were used though, so you could say that it was organic! Ha ha.

The rambutan was next!

Slim

Lotus Paste

I am so excited. I just got myself a new lens. Its the Sony 30mm 2.8 macro. It all plastic, thus its light. Its in APSC format so should be perfect for my NEX5 camera. The picture is of the top of my lotus bun and taken with my 7D! See! It even works with my 7D!

Look at that sliced almond! It cost me $280. Much cheaper than a used 100mm macro! Yup, brand new!

I saw an ad for this in clubsnap. The guy wanted to sell this for $250! Used! I mean, add $30 bucks more and you could get a brand new unit. Will be taking more shots with this lens soon. Seriously, with the 30mm in APSC, it is like 50mm in 135mm! This is the focal length which I have been missing! It focusses to 0.129m. Macro to 1:1! Amazing!

Its plastic though, even the mount is plastic!

Ok catch up with ya all!

Slim

I got a new toy.

I bought a new camera. I bought the nex 5 from Sony. The picture on the right is taken by it using the 16mm pancake lens. Its the view from my study room.

I have registered its warranty and I have upgraded the firmware. Seemed to be running fine. I bought it for SGD$1199. About $100 less than the RRP from Sony and other major shops. I chose the silver colour as it goes well with the two lenses. I am so excited.

I wanted to buy this camera ever since I have seen the commercial. Actually I have been aiming for a full frame dslr such as the alpha 850 or the 900. But it was just out of my budget. This was just right except for one thing. I already owned a compact, a panasonic lx1 and two dslrs. But when my wife asked if there was a compact she could take with her for her trip to NY, I jumped at the chance to sell her the nex 5 idea. It worked! I went out and bought it the very next day!

The panasonic just became too obsolete! Shoot anything with iso 200 or above and images became too grainy. The 5d, with lens is just too bulky. So, I think, the nex 5 fits the bill nicely.

I hope to bring it out soon and try it out. Seemed very inviting. Maybe I should visit sony center in wisma and see if I could get the lcd protector.

Oh by the way, my mom is getting worse. According to my father, she can't walk now. She should be undergoing physiotherapy now.

Will keep you posted.

Sarah's 7th Birthday

This is a picture of my family. It was taken yesterday using my Minolta 20mm 2.8 at 3.5, I think. Anyways, this was at Mad Jack, Whitesands Shopping Center.

Had a great time! Mom and Dad came, although they were aghast looking at the prices. But that did not stop them from trying out the steak and the salmon!

I had a triple deck chicken burger, named the Blue Mountain burger. Su had the Thai green curry with rice, Adam had the nasi lemak with fish fried in fish and chips batter, Risa and Sham had this very big leg of chicken. My sis had the fried mushroom, she is trying to be a vegetarian. My youngest sis had the...I can't remember while Sarah had the Penne pasta with cream sauce. Very not nice.

We then ended the dinner with the mad and rich chocolate cake. We then drove to Woodlands to spend the night in my mother-in-law's place.

I am at home now, watching the news. There are no games tonight so I think I will have a good night's rest. Its youth day by the way. Me and Su had planned to go JB or to check in this hotel in Johor. And also to drive back to Rembau. But my dad went fishing in Mersing. That would lave my mom alone. So I guess thats the reason as to why we did not leave the country. There is still the national day holiday coming this August.

Slim.

Nerf Gun

This is the nerf gun that I won in the competition. Well, I did not exactly won it, it was given to the top 30 finalist. I was 17th by the way. It is kind of cool, because it can fire two darts at the same time. Although the reloading action is similar to a shot gun, it is time consuming. The recoil is stronger than the other nerf guns that I have tried.

Oh and the black tip darts, they whistle during flight.

The picture is taken using my tokina 28-70 atx pro 2.6-2.8. The guns are off limits to Adam as the new school term has started. It is a long weekend this weekend due to youth day being on a Sunday. I guess, both Adam and his cousin could not wait to mess around with the guns eh?

Slim.

I am legend

My noisemaker said, with all sincerity, that I am a Legend. Pleased but a bit shocked, I ask him why he called me a legend. He said only legends can win the nerf gun (or something like that) and that he is proud of me. How was that for a belated father's day present!

I entered in the nerf tournament at Plaza Singapura with my noisemaker. He scored 560 points and I scored 1260 points. As it was, I was in the top 30 so I was invited to attend the finals. I did, just for the fun of it. My noisemaker was so excited that he started to say things like "you can do it, Abah", "be strong" etc etc. I ended up being in the 17th position and in so doing I received a medal, and a double barrel nerf gun, which according to the nerf people, is not in the market yet.

The top four received cash prizes. Anyway this is my noisemaker's blog. He is in the nerf phase right now, and the good thing about it is, he has done lots of reading on the subject. In my book, any kind of reading is good reading. I love him so much!

Slim.

desaru 2010

This a collection of the pictures I took while I was in Desaru with family and friends. 16th-18th June 2010.

Slim.

Seedling

Took this picture using my 90mm Tamron macro SP. Not the newer (Di) type, whatever.

Took this while Adam was doing his assessment books. School going to reopen next week, so I figure that he should get started to be in for school.

The picture shows a seedling of a plant that Adam planted. I would think that it is a morning glory plant. Looks kind of sick though. I did not water the plants for a week as I was holidaying in Desaru. Oh well. Hope this one survive.

Slim.

Durian Belanda

Soursop. I love the taste of soursop. I use to frequent Serasi food court near Singapore botanical garden during my NIE days. The glass would be full of pulp and the juice would be so sweet. I missed those days.

The pictures, taken with my 35-70mm f4.0, are taken at Desaru Fruit Farm. What I was told would be to bring the food home and place it in the rice container. Then it will ripened and be fantastic. It'll take at least 24 hours though.

I just bought a pair of badminton racquets, both pink and costs me $200 altogether. Phew! I am now off to play a few strokes with Adam.

See you.

Slim

Durian

This is a part of the rm$26/kg durian. The total weight was 2kg. Phew! Expensive. We bought only one and shared among 10 people. Ha ha! It was very nice. Then we bought another for rm$6/kg. What can I say, no fight lah!

We bought this at Desaru fruit farm. We did not go into the farm however as it will cost us rm$18/adult and we are not allowed to pick the fruits off the trees. So, why bother?

But we did enjoy the fruits as we bought cut fruits such as jackfruits and longans. All in all, I'd say its the company that makes the durian taste best.

Slim.

Pancake

I took the picture using my new 35-70mm f4.0 (Thanks Joe). This shot was taken using available light with my KM 7d. That is Adam having pancake for breakfast.

This was in Pulai Desaru. I organised a trip for 6 other families and we spent some 2 nights there. There is a new hotel in Desaru. Its call lotus desaru. I'd recommended it over Pulai. Don't ask me why lest I get sued.

Anyway, we had a blast there. We had a seafood dinner on a floating restaurant and we provided a feast for the mosquitoes as well. After which, we went on a boat and went out looking for and at fireflies. Awesome. All in all, it was a very nice trip.

Slim.

35-70mm f4.0 macro

Its in my hands now. The 35-70mm macro f4.0. Not that its an exquisite lens but it is of an exquisite condition.

The picture on the right is a sample shot. Shot at f4.0. Sharp eh?

And as a bonus, I got a 70-210 f4.0 beercan! All in all they cost me $440.00. Will post more pics of it as I make more use of it.

Slim.

The kids garden

This is a picture of the kids garden. It was taken with my Konica Minota 7D with a 28mm 2.8.

The garden is right next to the house and you could view it through the many windows from the house. Currently it has potatoes, sunflower, chillies, and garlic growing. Oh, and don't forget the ants that are having a great time there too.

Adam and Irsyad helped to make the beds.They initially planted garlic, onions and potatoes but the potatoes and onions did not grow. So I replaced the onions with corn and planted sunflowers on the empty bed.

Slim.

Rubber plantation

The picture is taken at around 8 in the morning. It shows the rubber plantation which is just outside my kampung house's main gate.

I have been wanting to get this shot ever since I saw the place. As you can see, the plantation is huge. Sometimes, there will be a herd of cows or buffaloes grazing in it. That will be an interesting shot wouldn't it?

Anyway, this was taken with my Konica Minolta 7D with a Minolta 28mm 2.8. Taken at 5,6, I think. I bracketed with a few shots, and I think this is the best. No PP done.

Went to kampung thrice within the first 2 weeks of the June holidays. It's a long drive, about 4 hours or more, and it can get pretty dangerous. But the place is so peaceful. True, there are many things that needed to be done, but nobody rushes you. I planted about 4 seedlings when I went there last, two mango trees, a jackfruit tree, a longan tree, a curry leave tree, sunflowers and corn. Don't think I will be back there soon, but my mother-in-law will. Hope the plants will have grown.

My mother-in-law, sheesh, she is the most hardworking one. Non-stop working from dawn to dusk. My wife too. But then everybody was working at their own pace. So everybody was happy.

Su's aunt from Shah Alam came to visit and so did some of her other cool cousins. One of them is a performer.

Having a headache now.

Will post more pics, god willing.

Minolta 5d

The pic shows the Konica Minolta 5d with the 50mm 1.4 stuck on it. This camera belongs to Adam. I bought it for him, and the life of me, I can't understand why I reach out for this camera instead of my 7d.

I just love the ergonomics. Together with the short prime lens, it feels good! Anyway, the pic is taken using my KM 7D and a 28mm f2.8. The one thing that has kept from jumping ship to another system is the intensity of the colour of Minolta lenses. Something that even the newer Sony lenses seems to have missed.

I got the camera used from somebody who stayed in Jurong West. $500 bucks! Inclusive of a 18mm-70mm kits lens. At that time it was a steal. Now, its damn expensive since a brand new alpha dslr can be had for $800 bucks!

Slim.

35-70mm f4.0

Been using the minolta system for as long as I have been into photography. Stopped when my 600si broke, disintegrated is a better word for it and picked up a used 8000i when a friend needed his wedding to be taken.

Stopped shooting altogether when Minolta took a long time bringing out a digital slr.

Bought the 7d, battery grip, and the flash gun on the first day it was sold in Singapore. Bought it at Singapore Expo. Remembered it like it was yesterday. But the 6.1 MP does have its limitations.

So I am now aiming for Alpha 900.

For those not in the know, Konica bought over Minolta and Sony took over next. As a result, older Minolta lens like the all metal, all glass, no plastic, 28mm f2.8 lens I have stuck onto the body in the picture can still be fixed onto newer bodies like those made by Sony.

Saw an ad in clubsnap on the 35-70mm f4.0. Been wanting that lens for a long time. Primarily because of it compactness and its sharpness. You can read the review here. I hope it still is in good condition.

I think I will post up single photos in every one of my post from now onwards. How about that?

Slim.