Dreaming
Forget about Ricoh GXR, I think I will get this instead. After all Mr William Henry Gates III just gave me half his stocks. Yeah.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Ricoh GXR review
DPReview just posted their views on the GXR, a very controversial machine, judging by the responses on the forum. The fashionable thing among camera makers is a compact interchangeable lens camera system, even with Nikon rumored to have something coming soon. So what do the minds at DPR have to say about my big crush.
The 3 authors decided to split the review based on the 2 available lens units, starting with the APS-C size module, rightly, as they stated each module creates a totally different camera. They compared it to Lecia and the micro 4/3rd systems, and strangely the Canon G11. They should have included comparisons to DSLRs since the idea is to have same or similar image quality, but compact size. But that Canon choice does show up the limitations of the 4/3 system.
So what do I conclude from a quick read of the review?
It is expensive, that is Ricoh, though not the stratospheric prices like Leica. Recommended retail price in Singapore for the GXR A12 50mm is about $1797. Tough on most wallets for a "compact" that you cannot squeeze into a trouser pocket. However if you consider the equivalent setup on a DSLR, example Canon 450D (same megapixels) with a 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro, which cost $1498, you pay $300 for a reduction in weight and size. Of course a cheaper setup would be possible, which comes to the argument that is stirring up the forum.
Quite a few think the GXR system is simply ridiculous, or to quote one passionate reader "Dumbest idea ever, only a fool would buy this crap". Incidentally this same person has with evangelistic zeal been repeating to Ricoh apologists that the system is inherently heading into a dead end and costs $$$$$$.
The problem is Ricoh's system turns what is normal on it's head, people generally abhor abnormality. You buy lenses you keep while the body is changed, upgraded, that is normal. Disposable lens and sensor? It's unnatural!
Yes Ricoh's concept is indeed an expensive route to go, especially if one intends to collect modules. It is theoretically very versatile and not restricted to only lens and sensors. The unfortunate thing is nothing is firm and dark clouds on the horizon
Judging the A12 module on it's own merit, it is a very competent prime lens camera. The images looks good, especially the high ISO, something I have been looking for, without needing a DSLR. The four thirds system do not seem to give me that and frankly if I am going to start a lens collection, I would rather get a DSLR. Serious compacts like Canon G11 and Panasonic LX3 frankly are almost as good as 4/3 systems and are truly compact, so I have kind of written them off. (Just read that 4/3 systems are picking up in popularity, ha, guess I prefer to be contrary)
Somehow the GXR is beginning to look a lot like the photographic analogue of the iPad, an expensive bridge between a DSLR and compacts. Except Ricoh is not the marketing giant Apple is, and definitely not as arrogant.
What is a fanboy to do in this situation?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Ricoh GXR
The latest development of this quirky camera system is both interesting and disturbing. A little cut and paste description first
The APS-C sensor coupled with a 28mm equivalent lens is really not surprising, considering Ricoh was one of the earliest to have 28 mm wide compacts. Most disturbing is the release date, a tentative Winter 2010.
What could be holding up the final product? Problem with developing a 28 mm lens? Unable to pair it with the sensor optically? Difficulty with software algorithm? It would make development of more large sensor modules doubtful.
The P10 module seems to be basically a souped up CX3 with RAW capability, which is a good thing, and presumably also with PASM modes. Disturbing is it looks like they are cobbling current small sensor technology into a supposedly high end high priced compact system. I hope it is not an act of desperation to make up for non-existent modules.
The latest development of this quirky camera system is both interesting and disturbing. A little cut and paste description first
1. | Camera unit RICOH LENS P10 28-300 mm F3.5-5.6 VC* (name tentative) | ||
• | With an original Ricoh noise reduction function and a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, this camera unit expands the photographer's range of expression by making it possible to shoot high-quality images in scenes ranging from low light to bright light. | ||
• | Featuring a high-magnification 10.7x (28-300 mm) optical wide-angle zoom, this unit has 120 frame/second high-speed continuous shooting ability plus a wide range of other functional capabilities such as RAW image recording, image settings adjustable to nine levels, multi-target AF, and much more. | ||
• | Start of sales planned for the summer of 2010. | ||
* | The "VC" designation indicates that this unit has the vibration correction function developed independently by Ricoh. | ||
2. | Camera unit GR LENS A12 28 mm F2.5 (name tentative) | ||
• | Featuring a newly developed 28 mm fixed-focal-length GR LENS, this camera unit achieves high resolution and high imaging power. | ||
• | A 23.6 mm x 15.7 mm (APS-C size) CMOS sensor is used. The combination of this sensor with the GR ENGINE III image processing engine enables the camera unit to shoot high-quality images with smooth tone gradations as well as high definition and low noise. | ||
• | There is a manual focus ring that can be used for precise focus adjustments. | ||
• | Start of sales planned for the winter of 2010. | ||
The APS-C sensor coupled with a 28mm equivalent lens is really not surprising, considering Ricoh was one of the earliest to have 28 mm wide compacts. Most disturbing is the release date, a tentative Winter 2010.
What could be holding up the final product? Problem with developing a 28 mm lens? Unable to pair it with the sensor optically? Difficulty with software algorithm? It would make development of more large sensor modules doubtful.
The P10 module seems to be basically a souped up CX3 with RAW capability, which is a good thing, and presumably also with PASM modes. Disturbing is it looks like they are cobbling current small sensor technology into a supposedly high end high priced compact system. I hope it is not an act of desperation to make up for non-existent modules.
Junk Food
Golden Arches presents Deep fried curly processed potato.
Eating junk food is such a perverse past time, couch potato picking on potato snack. What else is worse is a billion people are struggling hungry daily.
The biggest tragedy in this whole situation is junk food is irresistibly addictive. No wonder it's such a growth industry, as is sadly, it's twin; the slimming industry.
Golden Arches presents Deep fried curly processed potato.
Eating junk food is such a perverse past time, couch potato picking on potato snack. What else is worse is a billion people are struggling hungry daily.
The biggest tragedy in this whole situation is junk food is irresistibly addictive. No wonder it's such a growth industry, as is sadly, it's twin; the slimming industry.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Simple Foods
Mee Siam from Royals Cafe. A classic dish with a rich twist of coconut milk.
Korean Hotplate of Octopus and Chicken at Parkway Parade Banquet Foodcourt
A bit of indulgence after being chili free for a month
Mee Siam from Royals Cafe. A classic dish with a rich twist of coconut milk.
Korean Hotplate of Octopus and Chicken at Parkway Parade Banquet Foodcourt
A bit of indulgence after being chili free for a month
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Soup
It seems simple, dunk a few things in water, heat and serve. Yet just tweaking the balance of ingredients and application of heat means a soothing comforting potion, rather than simply just flavoured water.
The coffeeshop Food'R'Us which serves this, just gets it right. Not too thin and not too heavy that it becomes a herbal potion. They also serve simple set meals which are quite affordable, for the area anyway.
There is also the very famousHougang Geylang Lorong 29 Hokkien Fried Prawn noodles. Frightfully sinful and with heart clogging richness, it is popular.
The coffeeshop is part of Le Peranakan Hotel, which lies along the foodie stretch of East Coast Road.
The coffeeshop Food'R'Us which serves this, just gets it right. Not too thin and not too heavy that it becomes a herbal potion. They also serve simple set meals which are quite affordable, for the area anyway.
There is also the very famous
The coffeeshop is part of Le Peranakan Hotel, which lies along the foodie stretch of East Coast Road.
Chinese New Year
People's Park Complex is 40 years old, and still towering over Chinatown. A perfect little gaudy guide to those navigating the narrow streets, which are filling up with a new wave of immigrants.
There is a whole load of different sights sounds and smells which various visitors add to, especially since it is the weekend before Chinese New Year.
Celebrating by loading up with junk food and tacky souvenirs. Fun isn't it
People's Park Complex is 40 years old, and still towering over Chinatown. A perfect little gaudy guide to those navigating the narrow streets, which are filling up with a new wave of immigrants.
There is a whole load of different sights sounds and smells which various visitors add to, especially since it is the weekend before Chinese New Year.
Celebrating by loading up with junk food and tacky souvenirs. Fun isn't it
Friday, February 05, 2010
Ricoh CX3
Back to normal broadcast.
Ricoh has released their latest Point and Shoot camera for the masses, well, not quite the masses since most people don't know Ricoh makes cameras. Still they do churn them out with clock work precision, every 6 months. I started with the R5, then skipping 5 siblings, I got the CX1. Of course I had to dump the elder boy on MY elder sibling first.
The difference with this release is the Back Illuminated Sensor. Ricoh went shopping at Sony's and got this, which supposedly gives it better light sensitivity. The samples seem better than CX1, but just got to wait to try it out. I have had some grief with the CX1 in dark lecture halls and auditoriums where photos at ISO 800 became bad impressions of impressionist paintings. Flash photography results in horrible uneven lighting, something I have always hated about Ricoh cameras.
Coupled with the new heart is a newer brain, it inherited extra brain power from the GRD III, and, and, wait for it, an option to modify the in camera noise reduction! That is good for a Raw-less camera. So now you can do either Impressionism or Pointillism, your pick. Though not holding out much hope for flash photography, it is not an issue for me. I am not a flasher.
The final interesting feature is that Ricoh has joined the HD video race at 720P. Now I can spam the world with high def trash on YouTube, buahahahaha!
So am I tempted yet? A firm not-so-sure. It has the 3 distinct advantage plus a few miscellaneous bonuses (Cat face detection??), but I guess I still have a big crush on the GXR.
Back to normal broadcast.
Ricoh has released their latest Point and Shoot camera for the masses, well, not quite the masses since most people don't know Ricoh makes cameras. Still they do churn them out with clock work precision, every 6 months. I started with the R5, then skipping 5 siblings, I got the CX1. Of course I had to dump the elder boy on MY elder sibling first.
The difference with this release is the Back Illuminated Sensor. Ricoh went shopping at Sony's and got this, which supposedly gives it better light sensitivity. The samples seem better than CX1, but just got to wait to try it out. I have had some grief with the CX1 in dark lecture halls and auditoriums where photos at ISO 800 became bad impressions of impressionist paintings. Flash photography results in horrible uneven lighting, something I have always hated about Ricoh cameras.
Coupled with the new heart is a newer brain, it inherited extra brain power from the GRD III, and, and, wait for it, an option to modify the in camera noise reduction! That is good for a Raw-less camera. So now you can do either Impressionism or Pointillism, your pick. Though not holding out much hope for flash photography, it is not an issue for me. I am not a flasher.
The final interesting feature is that Ricoh has joined the HD video race at 720P. Now I can spam the world with high def trash on YouTube, buahahahaha!
So am I tempted yet? A firm not-so-sure. It has the 3 distinct advantage plus a few miscellaneous bonuses (Cat face detection??), but I guess I still have a big crush on the GXR.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Apple Cart (Updated)
So it's official. The iPad. (It's not on the Singapore Apple site as yet. What's new?! Second Class Customer)
The device is almost as boring as the name, offering nothing new from the smaller and older iPhone.
Biggest difference is just that - Big. Does wonders for old folks (relatively speaking) like us. (9.7" vs 10" is not a lot, but why not 10" or 10.1"??)
Apple is now using their own chip once again, a 1Ghz A4 chip and probably the same technology that powers the current macbooks. The iPad runs for 10 hours and a standby for 1 month?! Got to see to believe. Good if it doesn't explode, considering how much power it is packing in the half inch slimness. Ok I am being mean with that. (Apple loves beveling to give an illusion of slimness)
Dislike the thick thick bezel around the screen, makes it larger than necessary. Give me edge to edge screen! No expansion slots, an SD slot would be useful for transferring data, bluetooth is less useful for me. (SD expansion comes optional. Mr Jobs? it should come standard for USD$500!)No options for 3G or more connection? Probably tethering to iphone? So it has 3G models. (Oh yes unlocked! Oh no micro-sim card! What?! The great Jobs giveth and the great Jobs taketh)
iBook is their new app, with 5 publishers as partners. At least they acknowledge the Kindle as the forerunner device. I bet iBook store will not work in Singapore. We maybe full paying customers for the device but we won't get the service.
With the higher horsepower under the hood, they have ported iWorks over to the pad. That I think is a good move, as it is a well designed software that is actually usable. Definitely a netbook killer. Running iWorks on hackingtosh netbook is still frustrating at best. Though I don't think it would be easy doing a full document either. Catch? It is US$10 for EACH of the iWork module.
No true multitasking as in running 2 apps simultaneously. Would like to be able to shuffle between apps rather than tap-home button-tap and restarting each time.
Most importantly, it starts at USD$499, just close to SGD$700. Yet to see if it is worth it. The very first successful netbook Asus EeePc cost around the same with less storage, with a web-cam, built in SD reader. Would the iPad have the problem of the flash disk failing from multiple read-write? Of course the current batch of netbooks have far more storage and better video capability and cheaper. Hard to compare speed as they are running a full desktop operating system as opposed to mobile OS.
"Our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price"
Magical? Revolutionary? Boring and indulgent, to quote Mr Cowell.
So it's official. The iPad. (It's not on the Singapore Apple site as yet. What's new?! Second Class Customer)
The device is almost as boring as the name, offering nothing new from the smaller and older iPhone.
Biggest difference is just that - Big. Does wonders for old folks (relatively speaking) like us. (9.7" vs 10" is not a lot, but why not 10" or 10.1"??)
Apple is now using their own chip once again, a 1Ghz A4 chip and probably the same technology that powers the current macbooks. The iPad runs for 10 hours and a standby for 1 month?! Got to see to believe. Good if it doesn't explode, considering how much power it is packing in the half inch slimness. Ok I am being mean with that. (Apple loves beveling to give an illusion of slimness)
Dislike the thick thick bezel around the screen, makes it larger than necessary. Give me edge to edge screen! No expansion slots, an SD slot would be useful for transferring data, bluetooth is less useful for me. (SD expansion comes optional. Mr Jobs? it should come standard for USD$500!)
iBook is their new app, with 5 publishers as partners. At least they acknowledge the Kindle as the forerunner device. I bet iBook store will not work in Singapore. We maybe full paying customers for the device but we won't get the service.
With the higher horsepower under the hood, they have ported iWorks over to the pad. That I think is a good move, as it is a well designed software that is actually usable. Definitely a netbook killer. Running iWorks on hackingtosh netbook is still frustrating at best. Though I don't think it would be easy doing a full document either. Catch? It is US$10 for EACH of the iWork module.
No true multitasking as in running 2 apps simultaneously. Would like to be able to shuffle between apps rather than tap-home button-tap and restarting each time.
Most importantly, it starts at USD$499, just close to SGD$700. Yet to see if it is worth it. The very first successful netbook Asus EeePc cost around the same with less storage, with a web-cam, built in SD reader. Would the iPad have the problem of the flash disk failing from multiple read-write? Of course the current batch of netbooks have far more storage and better video capability and cheaper. Hard to compare speed as they are running a full desktop operating system as opposed to mobile OS.
"Our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price"
Magical? Revolutionary? Boring and indulgent, to quote Mr Cowell.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Apple Cart
We interrupt our irregular broadcast for a special look at the latest crop to land in the Apple cart.
As my tiny group of fellow bloggers know, Mr Jobs will be introducing something new, something shiny and definitely expensive. There has been many rumors for a long time and like a watched pot, it is finally boiling. The latest and most credible to bubble to the surface is IT will be a tablet running iPhone OS, basically an iPhone that won't fit into any pants.
One thing for sure, it will be all operation shock and awe, and all the devotees will be waving their hands and credit cards in anticipation. Mr Jobs knows how to work the crowd and this will all happen in about the time I take to drain my Ipod Touch battery.
Wait wait, I am NOT a Apple Devotee. It is a love-hate relationship between Apple and me, but I am still interested in what is happening.
Skipping over the history with the iPhone (which I refuse to own), let's have a quick thought about the IT thing.
Tablet. I think it is a natural progression from the traditional notebook computer, mobility is all the key. People want untethered power. Netbooks are unwieldy, even Hackingtosh-es, with their boot-up time. Smart-phones gives that instant satisfaction of connecting to the internet but lack the power and screen space.
Hence the IT. Nothing really new actually, so many others have tried and still trying.
Ah! but what will emerge from the Temple of Style? Stay tuned
I am looking forward to having a 10"-11" machine to use. The iPod Touch is just straining on my old eyes for reading and I get instant ADD trying to read e-books. Now mono-purpose e-books would be good, but face it, I web surf 99% of the time, e-book feature would be more a bonus than a primary requirement. Hopefully they would have boosted the brainpower to make a very responsive system even faster. Multitasking beyond music playing in the background I wish.
The other bug-bear with the iPod Touch is online banking. Sure some banks have apps, but the one that has my hard earn money captive does not. Yes, DBS, I am talking about you. Also I cannot view this blog in its entirety, mainly the cool Cool-Iris 3-D wall inserted. So full web compatibility would be my wish.
We interrupt our irregular broadcast for a special look at the latest crop to land in the Apple cart.
As my tiny group of fellow bloggers know, Mr Jobs will be introducing something new, something shiny and definitely expensive. There has been many rumors for a long time and like a watched pot, it is finally boiling. The latest and most credible to bubble to the surface is IT will be a tablet running iPhone OS, basically an iPhone that won't fit into any pants.
One thing for sure, it will be all operation shock and awe, and all the devotees will be waving their hands and credit cards in anticipation. Mr Jobs knows how to work the crowd and this will all happen in about the time I take to drain my Ipod Touch battery.
Wait wait, I am NOT a Apple Devotee. It is a love-hate relationship between Apple and me, but I am still interested in what is happening.
Skipping over the history with the iPhone (which I refuse to own), let's have a quick thought about the IT thing.
Tablet. I think it is a natural progression from the traditional notebook computer, mobility is all the key. People want untethered power. Netbooks are unwieldy, even Hackingtosh-es, with their boot-up time. Smart-phones gives that instant satisfaction of connecting to the internet but lack the power and screen space.
Hence the IT. Nothing really new actually, so many others have tried and still trying.
Ah! but what will emerge from the Temple of Style? Stay tuned
I am looking forward to having a 10"-11" machine to use. The iPod Touch is just straining on my old eyes for reading and I get instant ADD trying to read e-books. Now mono-purpose e-books would be good, but face it, I web surf 99% of the time, e-book feature would be more a bonus than a primary requirement. Hopefully they would have boosted the brainpower to make a very responsive system even faster. Multitasking beyond music playing in the background I wish.
The other bug-bear with the iPod Touch is online banking. Sure some banks have apps, but the one that has my hard earn money captive does not. Yes, DBS, I am talking about you. Also I cannot view this blog in its entirety, mainly the cool Cool-Iris 3-D wall inserted. So full web compatibility would be my wish.
Battery life should be improved with more real estate, the Touch just lasts 3-4 hours if I play games. Wonder if that would increase the weight. Come to think of it, pretty scary if the instances of exploding iPods should repeat here.
As with all Apple products, I know IT will be bugged by deficiencies after the initial infatuation is over. IT will probably still be tied to iTunes, which I am not fond of. Definitely expensive, worse if it has mobile connection. The iPhone mobile plans turn me off. And, will I need to pay to upgrade the operating system like my Touch? (That is another story for another post).
The famous "myth" of Apple being easy to use is actually a veneer that covers an inflexible system. I agree Apple products are pretty straight forward to use, but explain to me why I cannot switch off the Auto - Login page for WiFi that pops up when connecting the Touch. The Touch sometimes think Wireless@Sg is a totally foreign network when in a different hotspots and safari pops up to the login page. Totally unnecessary when I have a app for login in 2 taps. Close that pop up and the WiFi shuts down, and said app is useless. Dark thoughts cross my mind in situations like that.
Actually this up and down relationship is not a surprise. After all, their logo is a half eaten apple, you just don't get the whole thing.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Light and Life
Singapore Garden Festival 2008
The Singapore Garden Festival is a biannual event that celebrates the artistry of Mother Nature, choreographed by human hands. It is also a mass dance of shutter bugs, camera up, camera down, flash, flash snap.
The one thing I hate is having to negotiate the contorted bodies obstructing the displays. Seriously, do they think their cutesy poses would make them even remotely as beautiful or interesting as that above. Stay out of the frame please!
Singapore Garden Festival 2010, 15 - 22 July, Suntec City. Please hold the bunny ear fingers and enjoy the natural beauty instead.
Singapore Garden Festival 2010, 15 - 22 July, Suntec City. Please hold the bunny ear fingers and enjoy the natural beauty instead.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Julie/Julia
Just seen the movie. (Who has time and energy for books?!!) . So how does this chick flick relates to this blog? The film recreates 2 lives and connects them visually in seemingly disparate worlds.
Ok Ok I am definitely no film critic but I can appreciate the different themes.
Who am I?
This question bothered both Js. What are we doing with our lives? Where are we heading?
What am I doing with this blog?
Passion.
Julia found her place in life and pursued it passionately, tenaciously. The scene where she is intensely slicing onions into a small snowy hill is the cover picture to her life as a chef. Of course it is also a masterclass in comedic acting by Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci. Very subtle, very simple and very funny.
Food
The love of food binds these two women separated by time and distance. Interestingly, there were very few scenes where the food is clearly seen, although they were carefully prepared. The DVD extras (who has time and money for Cinema??!!) had a small section on the food and I think the director Ms Ephron mentioned the limited shots even though she loves "food pornography"
Food pornography is why I am writing this post (see I did learn a little about setting up the scene). Most casual photographers like me will have a collection of food photos. It is a primal connection between the eye and the stomach. Very few can resist. Yet like the movie, food while taking centerstage does not overwhelm everything else. The plate, the table and silverware, all are part of the scene, without which the food falls apart and has no meaning.
The final scene, where Julia and Paul enter their kitchen, settles into their position and culminates with Julia rejoicing is masterful in its simplicity. Each kitchen element naturally in place, a low evening light with long gentle shadows on the floor. On opposite side of the scene, Paul seated looks up at Julia standing with her book in hand. It is a beautiful study of still life.
That would be something I aspire to.
Just seen the movie. (Who has time and energy for books?!!) . So how does this chick flick relates to this blog? The film recreates 2 lives and connects them visually in seemingly disparate worlds.
Ok Ok I am definitely no film critic but I can appreciate the different themes.
Who am I?
This question bothered both Js. What are we doing with our lives? Where are we heading?
What am I doing with this blog?
Passion.
Julia found her place in life and pursued it passionately, tenaciously. The scene where she is intensely slicing onions into a small snowy hill is the cover picture to her life as a chef. Of course it is also a masterclass in comedic acting by Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci. Very subtle, very simple and very funny.
Food
The love of food binds these two women separated by time and distance. Interestingly, there were very few scenes where the food is clearly seen, although they were carefully prepared. The DVD extras (who has time and money for Cinema??!!) had a small section on the food and I think the director Ms Ephron mentioned the limited shots even though she loves "food pornography"
Food pornography is why I am writing this post (see I did learn a little about setting up the scene). Most casual photographers like me will have a collection of food photos. It is a primal connection between the eye and the stomach. Very few can resist. Yet like the movie, food while taking centerstage does not overwhelm everything else. The plate, the table and silverware, all are part of the scene, without which the food falls apart and has no meaning.
The final scene, where Julia and Paul enter their kitchen, settles into their position and culminates with Julia rejoicing is masterful in its simplicity. Each kitchen element naturally in place, a low evening light with long gentle shadows on the floor. On opposite side of the scene, Paul seated looks up at Julia standing with her book in hand. It is a beautiful study of still life.
That would be something I aspire to.
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