PhotoTech+Devotional: Good Ehh!

Meanwhile in a board meeting:

CEO:"Okay folks, you're in a board meeting so there's no excuse for you to get bored. C'mon, I need you to suggest any new products we can offer"
Creative Staff1:"How about mobile phones?!?"
CEO:"Bright idea! As if none of us have thought of that. Besides, Mr.Jobs seem to have permeated the mobile phone industry with his i..iProducts. I'm beginning to think he produced and directed the movie iRobot. Anyway, any other ideas?"
Creative Staff2:"Digital Cameras! ...sounds good ehh?"


Have you noticed that most electronics manufacturing companies nowadays are jumping into either digital cameras or mobile phone business? You might've heard of GE's digital cameras before. Yes, you read it right.. GE, your flourescent lamp and/or your fridge' brand. This company has unveiled more digital camera lines.

Here's one of 'em.

(image courtesy of GIC)

Well, competition among digital electronics manufacturers could mean a wide array of great new products to choose from :)

Hooray for modern tech! hehe, actually I'm talking about the devotion I read this morning. Check it out below. God bless y'all!

- Jep c",)


Today's Devotion

March 10

Hooray for Modern Technology!

Sing for joy, O heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel (Isaiah 44:23).

Scripture: Isaiah 44:21-28

Song: "Shout to the Lord"

We know people misuse the Internet-looking at the wrong things, talking to the wrong people. But it's great to use our computers for good things, isn't it? Many of us conduct business from our homes through the Internet. Research is simplified. We can buy and sell. And e-mail helps us stay in close touch with loved ones.

It's exciting, as well, to use computers to enjoy the magnificent things God is doing. Some churches and radio programs broadcast their services live, shows that can also be accessed later through video archives.

I love using the Internet to see what God is doing in churches all over the world. Using Google, I access God-tube and You-tube to see church worship teams playing a variety of music. I sing and worship with them. Mime and drama teams perform gospel truths right on my screen.

As with most everything God has created or allowed, it can be used for the good or the not-so-good. Computers are no exception. Let us use them for the glory of God.

Thank You, Lord, for the wonderful opportunities the Internet provides. May I use it only for good purposes, promoting the values of Your kingdom and growing in knowledge of Your will. Through Christ, amen.

(This devotion is from the book, 365 Devotions)

PhotoTech: Delilah's true love.. Samsung TL 500

Another breed of high-caliber compact digital camera was seen enticing tech-geeks and photo-enthusiasts at PMA 2010 held at Anaheim Convention Center last month. A worthy LX3 contender I must say, as it sports a wide angle and ultra bright lens @ f/1.8 (Canon and Panasonic are probably raising their eyebrows now since both their products, S90 and LX3 respectively, can only go as fast as f/2.0 aperture). The new Samsung TL 500 is a high-end digital compact camera with PSAM modes -- the functionality that you'd normally find in SLR cameras. It'll be officially out in the market second quarter of this year ('got this release timing info from Samsung's website).

So how is it compared with the tough pocket-able rivals? ..the prevailing & dynamic LX3 and the undaunted S90, that is.

Okay, allow me to pull the tech specs of these two from my previous blog and line up this new TL500 with 'em.

Effective Pixels
LX3 : 10.1 megapixel
S90 : 10.0 megapixel
TL500: 10.0 megapixel

Sensor Size
LX3 : 1/1.63" CCD
S90 : 1/1.70" CCD
TL500: 1/1.70” CCD

Lens Type/Build
LX3 : Leica DC Vario-Summicron Lens
S90 : Canon Lens-Shift System
TL500: Schneider-Kreuznach Varioplan Lens

Aperture
LX3 : f/2.0 (Wide); f/2.8 (Tele)
S90 : f/2.0 (Wide); f/4.9 (Tele)
TL500: f/1.8 (Wide); f/2.4 (Tele)

Focal Length
LX3 : 5.1-12.8mm (35mm equivalent: 24-60mm)
S90 : 6.0-22.5mm (35mm equivalent: 28-105mm)
TL500: 5.2-15.6mm (35mm equivalent: 24-72mm)

Optical Zoom Factor
LX3 : 2.5x
S90 : 3.8x
TL500: 3.0x

Continuous Shooting Speed (in FramesPerSecond)
LX3 : 2.5 FPS
S90 : 0.9 FPS
TL500: not mentioned

Image Stabilization Tech
LX3 : MEGA Optical Image Stabilization System
S90 : Optical Image Stabilizer System
TL500: Dual Image Stabilization System (Optical and Software)

Macro Focusing Range
LX3 : Wide 1cm
S90 : Wide 5-50cm
TL500: not mentioned

Built-in Flash
S90 : Yes
LX3 : Yes
TL500: Yes

External Flash Compatibility
LX3 : Yes, via standard hotshoe
S90 : Nil
TL500: Yes, via standard hotshoe

ISO Sensitivity
LX3 : Auto / 80 - 3200
S90 : Auto / 80 - 3200
TL500: Auto / 80 - 3200

Shutter Speed
LX3 : 60 - 1/2000 sec. (for Manual Mode, while PSA Modes varies)
S90 : 15 - 1/1600 sec. (only for Shutter Priority and Manual Mode)
TL500: not mentioned

Image Recording format
LX3 : JPG, RAW
S90 : JPG, RAW
TL500: JPG, RAW

Video Recording
LX3 : HD 1280x720p
S90 : Standard VGA
TL500: Standard VGA

Basing on the TL500 specs, apart from those details which are not mentioned anywhere yet, i.e burst speed and macro focusing range, I think this digital snapper will be very snappy in terms of delivering good quality image. It is slimmer than LX3 and almost the same size as S90. And it's in black! So what if it's black? Well, you know, black-colored devices have that professional look and they're more elegant. Anyhow, let's see if the numbers and all other features up there will translate to what we should be expecting from this newcomer.






TGIF! God bless y'all.

Ciao! c",)

What a computer and a man ought to say...

A computer might say, "I can do nothing without human"
A man ought to say, "I can do nothing without God"

Obviously, for an electronic machine to do its job, it must be connected to a power source and operated by human. Otherwise, it's gonna be just a piece of useless electronic device unable to carry out its purpose.

Likewise, I believe we also need to plug ourselves to a power source.. the source of our strength and just allow our loving Savior do His work in us. In John 15:5, Jesus said..
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Enjoy the rest of the day! ...Have a great Wednesday!

God bless y'all! c",)


I Need You
Artist: LeAnn Rimes

I don't need a lot of things
I can get by with nothing
Of all the blessings life can bring
I've always needed something
But I've got all I want
When it comes to loving you
You're my only reason
You're my only truth

I need you like water
Like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy
From heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through
I need you

You're the hope that moves me
To courage again
You're the love that rescues me
When the cold winds, rage
And it's so amazing
'Cause that's just how you are
And I can't turn back now
'Cause you've brought me too far

I need you like water
Like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy
From heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through
I need you
Oh yes I do

I need you like water
Like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy
From heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through
I need you
Oh yes I do
I need you
I need you

The joy of being responsible

This morning as I head towards the bus stop, the lady in front of me threw her used tissue like nobody cares. Noticing that there were people behind her who saw what she just did and perhaps realizing that she's in Singapore, she immediately picked the litter up and threw it in the nearby waste bin, hehehe. If no one's looking, do you think she'll take that extra effort to pick it up again and place it to where it should belong? I don't think so. Well, sometimes some people feels obliged to do what's right only when there are people around 'em, agree? :)

Sabi nga sa isang sikat na ad sa ating bansa..
"Sa mata ng isang bata, ang isang pagkakamali ay nagiging tama kung ito'y ginagawa ng mas matanda."


Basura
Artist: The Youth

Tapon tapon tapon nyo
Basura nyo, itapon nyo
Tapon tapon tapon nyo
Basura nyo, itapon nyo..


(image grabbed from my flickr page)

PhotoTech: Powerful Point-and-Shoot Digicams

Since Panasonic's award-winning compact digital camera was launched mid 2008, snappers up to now are still waiting for its price to go down. And it doesn't seem to show any signs that the price will drop like what you'd normally expect in most electronic gadgets after certain months of existence, even with the rumored LX4 successor. LX3 has gained tremendous praises from various photographers, be it from amateur or pro. The 24mm wide angle lens and the f/2.0 aperture, the first in this category I believe (not to mention its twin brother D-LUX4 from Leica), has allowed users to shoot better quality images in low light conditions without the need for flash (which is good as built-in flash tends to ruin the image than deliver a fine picture, I mean on some occasions).

Nikon’s high-end compact P6000 have tried to measure up with LX3’s capability but failed, and this product earned various criticisms from enthusiasts instead. I guess this is what the manufacturers will get when their Engineers focuses more on design aesthetics. Canon's G-series (G9/G10/G11), on the other hand, have tried to steal the crown by offering feature-rich compacts with longer focal length and larger pixels. But the steep price of this series and the bulkier & heavier body had caused some potential buyers to look for alternatives.

Still, Canon will not just sit and watch Panasonic rule in this digicam category, so they've introduced yet another powerful compact camera under their Powershot line, called the S90.

By just looking at ‘em, which do you think is better?


(images courtesy of neutralday.com, actually I just grabbed them, hehe)

Well, there’s only one way to find out…


The Battle of the Titans.

See for yourself if this new product from Canon will get them to sit on the "Superior PNS throne" =)

Effective Pixels
S90: 10.0 megapixel
LX3: 10.1 megapixel


Sensor Size (Bigger is Better)
S90: 1/1.7" CCD
LX3: 1/1.63" CCD


Aperture
S90: f/2.0 (Wide); f/4.9 (Tele)
LX3: f/2.0 (Wide); f/2.8 - F/8.0 (Tele)


Focal Length
S90: 6.0-22.5mm (35mm equivalent: 28-105mm)
LX3: 5.1-12.8mm (35mm equivalent: 24-60mm)


Zoom Factor
S90: 3.8x
LX3: 2.5x

Digital Zoom: Same @ 4x


Macro Focusing Area
S90: Wide 5-50cm
LX3: Wide 1cm


Built-in Flash
S90: Yes
LX3: Yes

External Flash Compatibility
S90: Nil
LX3: Yes, via standard hotshoe


ISO Sensitivity: Same @ Auto / 80 - 3200


Shutter Speed
S90: 15 - 1/1600 sec. (only for Shutter Priority and Manual Mode)
LX3: 60 - 1/2000 sec. (for Manual Mode, while PSA Modes varies)


Image Recording format
S90: JPG, RAW
LX3: JPG, RAW


Video Recording
S90: Standard
LX3: HD


No doubt Canon S90 offers promising features in a smaller package. And we may not be comparing apple to apple here, but if you're considering getting a compact digital camera with a wider view and fast lens, S90 or LX3 is for you. Of course, it really depends on one's preference. Biased pa rin ba? haha =)


For the detailed specifications, you may visit these links:
Canon Powershot S90
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

c",)

PhotoTech: Point and Shoot!

Just as when shooting images/videos becomes literally using a device to..

..."point and shoot"


Although this pistol camera (Doryu 2-16) was developed in as early as 1954, people became aware of its existence when it appeared in various gadget webbies and was favored as one of the coolest gadget of the week. This was invented intentionally for Japanese Police officers doing surveillance tasks. So it's not for everyone. It's not even a toy. Imagine a typical photographer using this to take photos, I'm sure police officers will seize him.

But even if it's used for surveillance, I don't think it'll be as effective as using a regular or a spy camera. Oh well, weird gizmos are being developed nowadays anyway. Blame it on the tech! haha.

ciao!

PhotoTech: Suffix

It's not a surprise seeing high-end dSLRs integrating HD video capability, as digital camera manufacturers continues to explore advance features they can incorporate to their products.

Like this new D300s.


So what does the "s" stands for?
"Sunod?" (in english "next," hehe)
or "Same?" ("same same but diff'rent," as per Thais)
or maybe "Successor?"

Okay, it means "superior," at least according to a photography website I saw. But what I did observed was, when a modern electronic device gets minor improvements, manufacturers add 1 letter suffix to the product's model name (eg. 6230-->6230i or D300-->D300s). And if it's a true product upgrade, they increases the model name (eg. D80-->D90, D60-->D5000, et al)

If you're a li'l upset why Nikon introduced D300s just to find that it's almost the same as D300 only with HD movie-recording capability as its key difference (to which it is really not a big deal to some photo-enthusiasts), well fret not! Because it's more than just that.

Check out this video:


What I especially like is the dual card-slot that can accommodate both the Compact Flash and SDHC :)

So what do you think? a worthy upgrade? Oh well, I'm sticking with LX3 c",)

ciao!

P.S. Did you notice how many "S"'s I used in this entry? haha!

PhotoTech: 1, 2.. smile ..and project!

Okay Nikon, are you in a rush or something? Because I'm kinda stupefied by how your products evolve. You were the first to introduce dSLR video-capability. And now a projector in a digicam? Well, I ain't saying anything.. I'm just.. overwhelmed, hehe

So when will the big contenders Canon, Panasonic, and Sony be launching theirs? It seems they got hit by Nikon's cannonball for not being the first to introduce this digicam innovation =)

I wonder what will Nikon be bringing to the table next.

Here's another first from Nikon.. the COOLPIX S1000pj..

PhotoTech: Lights, camera, action!

First Nikon incorporated video capability into dSLR. Then other digital camera manufacturers took the same route. But Panasonic didn't just took the same path, they were singing along while they were following the yellow brick road!

(image courtesy of Trend Hunter)


Apart from the 1080p HD video recording and its built-in stereo microphone, you may opt to accessorize by attaching an external microphone (as shown above) to produce a true HD video with clear digital sound.

They say this Panasonic Lumix GH1 is a feature-rich camera and better compared to its rivals Nikon D90 and Canon 5D Mark II. A hybrid camera, that is.

Wait.. here comes the Photographer... errm, the Director! :)

Lights, camera, action! =P

PhotoTech: Sigmazooka!

Ever thought of the idea that weight-lifting and shooting photos can be done at the same time? Nope, I'm not talkin' about getting a weight lifter to be your photoshoot model. I'm referring to this new breathtaking ginormous glass from Sigma. The new ultra telephoto zoom lens Sigma APO 200-500mm F2.8/400-1000mm EX DG.

So lugging around a heavy duty tripod is must if you will opt for this lens, unless you want to pump up those biceps while you're out and about doin' your exciting outdoor shoots. I'd like to call this glass the Sigmazooka!

Here's the specs:

Features a fast aperture of F2.8 at 500mm focal length and F5.6 at 1000mm.

Lens Construction : 17 Elements in 13 Groups
Angle of View : 12.3 - 5 degrees
Number of Diaphragm Blades : 9 Blades
Minimum Aperture : F22
Minimum Focusing Distance : 200-500cm / 78.7-196.9in.
Maximum Magnification : 1:7.7
Filter Size : Diameter 72mm (Rear)
Filter Size : Petal-type Hood
Dimensions : Diameter 236.5mm X Length 726mm 9.3 in. X 28.6 in.
Weight : 15,700g/553.7 oz.
Corresponding AF Mounts : SIGMA, CANON, NIKON

(photo grabbed from gizmodo site, courtesy of Juza)

PhotoBlog: iPhoto's Saturation Treatment and What is Color Space?

On this post I will talk about two things. iPhoto's unusual saturation treatment and basic info on Color Space.

iPhoto Saturation Treatment (?)
When I started using iPhoto, I was already contented with the simple image editing capability it can offer. Until the need to put a text on a certain image I'm editing sprung up, I began searching for a more advanced yet FREE photo-editing software. Because getting a licensed photoshop will cost me an arm and a leg.

Anyway, I spotted a certain degree of saturation embedded on every image I open in Apple's iPhoto [and Preview]. It only became pretty evident when I was tryin' to do serious manipulation of one particular image through Gimp. I initially thought it was a flaw on GIMP since it's just a free software. But after comparing the initial display of images on both iPhoto and GIMP, and searching the net to see if other users have noticed the same snag, it was actually iPhoto's unusual behavior. (You will also observe this if you open an iPhoto-edited picture on Gimp/Photoshop as it will prompt you that the image you are opening have color profile attached to it -- an ICC or Camera RGB profile in a technical term). I initially did not consider this as an issue though, because iPhoto's way of bumping up colors before you do any form of adjustments is quite remarkable (to some extent, hehe). Of course, more often than not, images with a fair amount of saturation is more striking than a normal picture (non-PP'd images I mean). This is why, I believe, there's a "vivid" option in most digicams.

"Should I get bothered with this?" some people unaware of this might ask. Probably you will, once you get a li'l pedantic about the images you want to share to your friends. Or once you engage yourself into digital photography, where you will begin to appreciate colors and recognize between a dull and vibrant colors. You will also find the need to pay attention to this color details as you start publishing your images to the web. I'm sure you don't want surprises like being convinced that your images look just perfect, believing that you (or iPhoto for instance) have properly adjusted and balanced the color tones, only to find out that they look dull on somebody else's browsers. This is where gaining some knowledge about "color space" comes into play.

Color Space
The picture you see on your screen MAY not display the same vibrant colors on other monitors (even if the monitor is calibrated). What I'm trying to say is, if your photos are posted on the web, some people viewing them may NOT likely see the same lively colors you expect them to experience. Like some photos I initially published on Flickr (which I immediately replaced after discovering this), they appear with vivid colors on my laptop. But I got a bit flustered after seeing them on another computer that uses IE browser. Which revealed that mac-based browsers would actually display slightly different colored images from that of a windows-based browser. Just to clarify, I'm not implying any superiority or flaws between the capabilities of these browsers, applications, and systems I'm mentioning here. It's basically about the browser's color management. Internet browsers they treat or handle color attributes quite differently. You will be inclined to think that some sites accepts your photos as they are (whether or not there's an embedded ICC profile in your images), while other sites (Flickr, for example) simply removes them. To be safe, just use the Adobe RGB or sRGB as your working space when editing images so as to retain a balanced or as much color as possible.

This is critical if you're designing a webpage or showcasing your precious digital snaps. To some, this may just be a fraction of what they're doing, but to professional photo-enthusiasts & web designers, I believe this will play a significant part as they do their usual image post-processing. So I think a good understanding of color space is as important as not losing details from your original [raw] images. Well, I'm not gonna talk much about color space here because I found a site which provide a good discussion of what color space really is, and why it is important (especially to digital photographers and web designers).

check out this link to know more about this.
(I just want to give credits to TECHtata, and Ryan Brenizer who authored and shared this good article [see link] that offers a straightforward explanation of color space basics)

Hope you find these useful. c",)

What's new?

Ey hey! I'm back after over a year! =)

So waddup? What's new?

Well, I'm revamping all my sites including my existence here in blogger sphere.
- First off, I'll be updating or removing the dead links. And will try to avoid, in as much as I can, adding external (video) links as I have no control over 'em.
- Then I'll be adding a few useful and interesting (at least for me, hehe) gadgets [or widgets] on my page, like what you see now.. my flickr badge and a chat box.
- And last but not least, of course I'll be posting new blog entries! (I have blog extension, btw, on multiply i call iBlog that contain some reflections and inspirations -- lifeblog entries, that is. While this blogger page will house the rest of my online journals, perhaps mostly techblogs & photoblogs.

That's about it for now. ciao!


c",)