retro is the new modern.

FACT: I love lovvvveeeeeeee cameras!
Where shall I start? The camera-loving began with the awesome top of the range Canon Powershot s40 (i think) 5 MEGAPIXEL point and shoot camera. Then decided to downside to some little Pentax… to the Lomo film cameras….then my first pro-sumer camera Ricoh GX100 and in New Years earlier this year, I finally took the big plunge to get a DSLR!! W00TTT

Probably the ultimate camera that a camera collector aspires to is a Leica. I’m sure a lot of people can’t justify paying $8000 – $10 000 for an M8 or M9 Rangefinder camera, let alone about $30 000 for a Leica S2. But, the white edition M8 is to die for!! Leica actually updates their camera in really long intervals compared to all the other camera manufacturers: about 10 years on average between major upgrades.

Leica’s first digital rangefinder: Leica M8
in Limited Edition White

This is the newest release by Leica, the M9.

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Recently, there has been a new market of cameras: Micro Four-Thirds. Think of it as kinda a transition between Pro-sumer and Digital SLRs. I love the retro design of these cameras and the picture quality is definitely on par with the some of the DSLRs out there. I suppose you can say these are more “affordable” than the Leicas above with the price at the moment between $900 – $1500.

Olympus PEN EP-1
New Micro Four-Thirds

Panasonic DMC GF-1

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There are also those classic cameras like the Rolleiflex Twin Lens Medium Format Camera. These were first made in 1929 and I’m sure if you watch really old black and white films, you’ll see one of these.
Rolleiflex 2.8F

Rollei have tried to follow the digital trend as well with the MiniDigi. Although it has only 3 megapixels and a 1.1 inch screen, I would get it simply because its a Rollei!

Currently, I’m on the look out for a film SLR. Can anyone point me to a decent one? I reeeally realllyyy want a Rolleiflex too!! Browsing on flickr for photos of cameras is not doing me any good.

iWood.

After getting the iPhone 3G [S] (yes I caved and upgraded the 3G), I’ve been searching around for means of protecting it. I don’t like to admit it, but I can spend hours trying to find a nice case for my iPhone. So I’ve previously tried silicon cases, snap-on back covers, leather pouches and invisible shields. I came across these Miniot iWood cases which have impressed me the most.

What makes it even better is that you can uniquely design it yourself by selecting the type of wood and personalising it with either a logo or a message.


Here’s a review from iLounge.

A premium case comes with a premium price tag: 80 Euros

Maybe a birthday pressie for me? Anyone?

/http://www.Miniot.com

S for Speed – iPhone 3G ‘S’

The new iPhone – “3G S” has just been officially announced.
While its physiques remain much the same as the iPhone 3G, its really the guts that has been beefed up. It comes with larger storage (16GB and 32GB models), 2x times faster processor speeds than its predecessor, 3.2 Megapixel auto focus camera, video recording, and everything else the new OS features. http://www.apple.com/au/iphone/iphone-3g-s

Apple iPhone 3G S will be available in Australia on June 26th. All those with the current iphone can upgrade their software on June 17th!! My favourite features of the new OS are MMS, landscape keyboard, spotlight search (search anything in your phone, emails and ipod). See the other features here: http://www.apple.com/au/iphone/softwareupdate/

I actually expected it to look a little more “new” physically so a bit disappointed in that regard. But definitely could do with the faster speeds of the iphone 3G S. Thinking I should wait until I upgrade my current iphone to the new OS until I decide whether or not new physical iphone is worth buying.

Your thoughts?

Found an introduction video.
Hello, awesomeness!

latitude.

I’m currently doing a case report on Google’s latest technology: Latitude.
Basically what it does is that it uses the GPS in a compatible mobile device to track your location and share it with your friends around you. Its just like geotagging – only you are tagging yourselves, not photos. Its compatible with Blackberry, S60, Android and Windows Mobile devices (as long as you have the GPS hardware in-built in your phone). Google assures that you have total control of the privacy and whether or not to accept requests from those who want to see your location so you don’t get randoms stalking you. Actually, even if they are not randoms, having acquaintances, co-workers or friends ‘track’ your location is kinda invasive. I suppose if you really want to avoid them, at least you know which areas to stay away from. Good thing is that GPS isn’t exactly accurate all the time and usually gives the area of where you are, so inaccuracy may actually a good thing.

Will you jump on board with this new technology? Cos after all, its lame if none of your friends play along.

I’ll give it to google for developing this for convenience and when you’re on holidays. Also, it maybe useful for some industries. But the actual thought of it is quite freaky, yeh? Since mobile phones are nearly like computers nowadays, can there be phone hackers??

I think its only a matter of time.

another microblog.

T U M B L R

Am I getting harder to follow?
[All my links are under 'Bloggerhood' to the right.]

Writing an entry in wordpress takes some effort while just micro-blogging on Twitter or Tumblr is easy on the go cos its all mobile baby. More ppl should get with the program and take advantage of the awesome convenience of mobile devices. Its the shizzzz!

G10.

This is definitely worth the hype.
Feels great to have more than 2MP in my pockets; actually I now have a whole 14.7MP. Although it can take a 14.7MP quality photo, realistically, 5 – 10 MP is quite enough as most people won’t print a photo that size anyway. Still, for those people who like clarity when zooming up to detail, or those who just find it amusing zooming up ppl’s flaws, then a higher megapixel wouldn’t go astray.

Someone suggested that I should shoot in RAW format cos there’s a lot more flexibility when it comes to post-photo editing. Downside to this is that the file sizes are massive and photo-editing takes some time to do.

protection.

No. Its not the first thing that springs to your mind sickos!
I received a forwarded email about theft which I feel obliged to share with everyone.

wannabe lomo.

All you iPhone users and photography enthusiasts must try the Quadcamera app !
Its like the continuous shoot mode on ya digicam or much like Action Sampler & Super Sampler from the Lomography range of toy cameras. You have total control of the time interval and the number of shots taken can either be 4 or 8. With selection of effects like vivid, dull, grayscale, bright and hi-contrast, you’re bound to make your photos a little more interesting.

Anyone have it? Welcome to link me with ya works. Also, I would love any suggestions and opinions on any worthwhile apps to download.

j’s iPod update.

Just a quick post before getting some work done.
Really been into the alternative rock scene lately, and maybe its partly cos of the mood I’ve been in lately as well.

I’ve had Copeland putting me to sleep lately. Their airy smooth voices are quite calming.

Since ‘She will be loved’ and ‘Sunday Morning’, I haven’t really listened to Maroon 5; until now. Keep it flo’in~~

And quite possibly my favourite HK rock group, Dear Jane, has released this single from their new album which will be available in April. Can’t wait!!!

P.S Watching that vid really makes me wanna get the Lomo Colour Splash & LC-A+!!!!

INQ or out?

Remember the good old days of social networking like Hi-5 and Friendster? We have seen some failed attempts of networking sites (“Tom” from Myspace keeps emailing me to return to my abandoned account and Ovi is Nokia’s somewhat unsuccessful attempt at being Facebook.) But social networking now has become such a massive thing for us all. Facebook and Twitter are the ones I see having the most potential at having the highest growth in the next couple of years. Facebook has nearly booted instant messenger out the door as well now – how many people really chat on MSN these days, when all you need to do is just leave a post on their Facebook wall or heck, just use Facebook chat! Imagine life without these now…

I remember when internet was first introduced to mobile phones. Slow, expensive and very very few mobile sites. Even up until today, you still get people being reluctant to have internet access on their phones simply because of the misconception that it will cost them a fortune. Many of us are living on a tight budget but still want to enjoy the convenience and entertainment from technology, here’s an inexpensive solution: Enter INQ1 mobile (pronounced ‘Ink’).

INQ1 rolls out in Hong Kong!!