EOS 5D Mark II

After a week or so of teaser ads Canon has finally unveiled the successor to the venerable EOS 5D, the world’s first ‘compact’ full frame digital SLR. The EOS 5D Mark II boasts a new 21MP CMOS sensor, an expanded ISO range of 50-25,600 and a wealth of improvements and new features including full 1080p HD movie recording, live view, 3.0″ 920k dot LCD, DIGIC IV processor, increased battery capacity and sensor dust reduction.

UPDATE: Body-only prices: US: $ 2,699

Key features / improvements

• 21 megapixel CMOS sensor (very similar to the sensor in the EOS-1Ds Mark III)
• Sensor dust reduction by vibration of filter
• ISO 100 – 6400 calibrated range, ISO 50 – 25600 expansion (1Ds Mark III & 5D max ISO 3200)
• Auto ISO (100 – 3200) in all modes except manual
• 3.9 frames per second continuous shooting
• DIGIC 4 processor, new menus / interface as per the EOS 50D
• Image processing features:
  • Highlight tone priority
  • Auto lighting optimizer (4 levels)
  • High ISO noise reduction (4 levels)
  • Lens peripheral illumination correction (vignetting correction)
• RAW and SRAW1 (10 MP) / SRAW2 (5 MP)
• RAW / JPEG selection made separately
• Permanent display of ISO on both top plate and viewfinder displays
• AF microadjustment (up to 20 lenses individually)
• Three custom modes on command dial, Creative Auto mode
• Image copyright metadata support
• 98% coverage viewfinder (0.71x magnification)
• 3.0″ 920,000 dot LCD monitor with ‘Clear View’ cover / coatings, 170° viewing angle
• Automatic LCD brightness adjustment (ambient light sensor)
• Live view with three mode auto-focus (including face detection)
• No mirror-flip for exposures in Live View if contrast detect AF selected
• Movie recording in live view (1080p H.264 up to 12 minutes, VGA H.264 up to 24 mins per clip)
• Two mode silent shooting (in live view)
• New jump options in play mode
• HDMI and standard composite (AV) video out
• Full audio support: built-in mic and speaker, mic-in socket, audio-out over AV (although not HDMI)
• IrPort (supports IR remote shutter release using optional RC1 / RC5 controllers)
• UDMA CompactFlash support
• New 1800 mAh battery with improved battery information / logging
• New optional WFT-E4 WiFi / LAN / USB vertical grip
• Water resistance: 10 mm rain in 3 minutes

For more information, log unto : www.dpreview.com

New 5D to eclipse competition?

Canon has just added a mysterious teaser to its US website. The page shows a silhouette of a camera with the words ‘Destined Evolution… Be excited ! be anticipative !

CLICK here to see the US teaser

Children – God’s Treasure Trove

TRUTHS about Kids – Cherish them !

“To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today”  

A Child’s LOVE

A child’s love is like a whisper,
given in little ways we do not hear.
But if you listen closely
it will be very clear.

They often do not say it loud,
but in how they come to you…
Daddy, will you play with me?
Mommy, tie my shoe?

The many ways they tell you,
Changes as they grow.

Dad, I made the team today!
Mom, I’ve Got to go!

Pop, I need some money,
You see there’s…this girl at school.
Mama, I met a boy today and
Wow, he’s so cool!

Dad, I’ve got something to tell you…
I think she is the one!

Mom, he asked me to marry him.
Would you love him as your son?

Dad, I’ve got some news for you…
It’s going to be a boy!
Mom, I’m kind of scared of this,
yet I’m filled with joy!

A child’s love is like a whisper,
given in little ways we do not hear.
But if you listen closely,
it will be very clear.

They often do not say it loud,
but in how they come to you…
Grandpa, will you play with me?
Grandma, tie my shoe?

It is never ending.
A blessing from above.
Listen to the whispers
of a child’s love.

 

 

 

 

 

CANON High Performance EOS 50D announced.

Canon has today strengthened its EOS range with the addition of a powerful new digital SLR for advanced amateurs and semi-professionals: the EOS 50D.

With a 15.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 6.3 frames per second shooting capability and Canon’s latest DIGIC 4 image processor, the EOS 50D delivers a combination of superb high-ISO performance, shooting flexibility and image quality without any compromise.

KEY FEATURES
15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
6.3fps continuous shooting, max. burst 90 JPEGs with UDMA card
DIGIC 4 processor
ISO 100-3200, expandable to 12800
9-point wide area AF
3.0” Clear View VGA LCD with Live View mode & Face Detection Live AF
Magnesium alloy body, with environmental protection
EOS Integrated Cleaning System
HDMI connection for high quality viewing and playback on a High Definition TV
Full compatibility with Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlite

A new lens has been announced today in conjunction with the EOS 50D: The EF-S18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, with an equivalent focal length of 29-320mm, offers an 11x zoom range, close focusing distance of 45cm and a 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer.

For more information, log unto: www.dpreview.com or CANON Professional Network news.

Puppies Power !

A few days ago, our neighbour brought very cute 2 weeks old puppies to our house for the kids to play ! The kids had so much fun playing , cuddling & pampering the puppies ! What a delightful sight ! Seized every opportunity to capture shots of puppies for memories ! Aren’t they GEORGEOUS ?

 

The Students’ Work

Past months have indeed been very busy & satisfying as we successfully completed another series of Digital Photography workshops for private institutions as well as hobbyists. Personally I am blessed to see so many talented & good photographers in the making !

Some of them are naturally gifted with a creative eye & the passion to explore, learn & excel ! The good part as a trainer or facilitator is to empower them with digital media know to boost their self confidence and uplift them to new level competency to be a prolific content creator.

Here are some creative studio works by the students:-

CANDID Photography ( Fun )

Candid photography is best described by WIKIPEDIA as un-posed and unplanned, immediate and unobtrusive. This is in contrast to classic photography, which includes aspects such as carefully staged portrait photography, landscape photography or object photography. Candid photography catches moments of life from immersion in it.

Some photographers develop candid photography into an art form. Almost all successful photographers in the field of candid photography master the art of making people relax and feel at ease around the camera, they master the art of blending in at parties, of finding acceptance despite an obvious intrusive element – the camera.

It could be argued that candid photography is the purest form of photojournalism. There is a fine line between photojournalism and candid photography, a line that was blurred by photographers.

Photojournalism often sets out to tell a story in images, whereas candid photography simply captures people living an event.

What say you ? More importantly, ENJOY Capturing MOMENTS ! life is precious & great ! Live it !

Be anticipative ; Be fast ; Be emotional & of course, shoot with the RIGHT Tool !

Ashley playful

Ashlene in action

Sean in action

alethia cycling

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SONY Nature Camp 2008 @ Langkawi Geopark !

Sony Living with Nature Project

The Sony Nature Photography Project has adopted a fresh approach this year by combining the photography contest with the nature camp for a more activity packed and comprehensive learning experience to the students.

Like the previous year, this year’s project is open to secondary school students aged 13~19 years old. In the past years, the nature camp took place in Kuala Selangor Nature Park (2005), Pulau Pendidikan Belum-Temengor (2006) and Cameron Highlands (2007).

This year, we would like to invite students to once again join us for this Sony Nature Photography Project and win a ticket to the nature camp cum photography contest which will be held at Langkawi from 18~21 October 2008.

Activities at the camp include sight-seeing, educational photography lessons, games, photography contest and student projects based on nature conservation.

Students are required to create a team, register the team online at www.sonylivingnature.com.my and work as a team to go through 2 stages for this project.

Stage One:
Students must win a qualifying chance to participate in the Sony Nature Photography camp in Langkawi from 18~21 October 2008

Stage Two:
Selected winning teams will attend the 4-days & 3-nights camp in Langkawi, and to participate in the ‘Living with Nature’ Sony Nature Photography Contest 2008 to win more attractive prizes.

For more workshop information, please log unto : sonylivingnature.com.my

The environmental project is supported by SONY Malaysia with partnership with Malaysia Nature Society ; CLICK Magazine ; Ministry of Education.

I am honoured to be the trainer & facilitator for this program and look very forward to empower the students with digital media-knowhow this coming October 2008…

Wedding of Ian & Pamela

Ian & pamela

Pamela Quay

Quay Family

Ian Portrait

pamela portrait

Cool art that will mess with your head !!!

Check this amazing piece of illusional arts : -

What do you see here?
Do you see the word ‘LIFT’?
Or, a bunch of black splotches ?

GIRLS ARE ABLE TO SPOT THE WORD ‘LIFT’ EASILY.
MEN FIND IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE WORD ‘LIFT’ !

A face? . Or, the word ‘liar’ ?