Monday, April 26, 2010

Updated: Sony NEX photos

Hello everyone!

Things are getting a bit busier with how things are going with photography. Its going to get a lot busier in the next couple of months and more serious. Taking more chances and risking a lot. I hope it'll pay off because I'm taking a path that I wasn't even considering a couple of years ago. I've been talking a lot about these things with Marione and we have a whole lot of planning and organizing to do. I won't go into too much details now but when its all finalized, I'll be sure to let you guys know about it.

Now on to my tech news. Sony Alpha Rumors has posted up the first pictures of  the new Sony mirrorless Camera, otherwise known as NEX3 and there is also a NEX5.


Following from my previous post about the Sony mirrorless cameras I thought the flash would be integrated into the body but it seems like Sony opted to make it an external flash. This has its pros and cons but it is also unusual to see the flash mount is not the same as the Sony Alpha line. Also I also read that Sony omitted Super Steady Shot (SSS) which is in-body stabilization and used optical stabilization to help make the camera body more compact. Its just a rumor but if true, I think Sony would lose something that make its camera line up different to its competitors. I guess we have to wait till May 11 to see the specs.

I would also like to mention Sony winning three TIPA awards. TIPA stands for Technical Imaging Press Association and is comprised of a group of people with a large amount of expertise in the photo imaging industry where they test, evaluate and award the best products in a range of categories. This year Sony won the awards for the following:

Best Compact Camera: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX5V
Best Expert Lens: Sony 28-75mm f/2.8 SAM
Best Photo Frame: Sony DPF-X1000N 

Congratulations to Sony for winning those awards.


Thanks for reading and take everyone!

Photos #69-71

exposure: 1/4sec f/stop: 2.8 iso: 400

 I was with Marione at Gloria Jeans today just hanging out and talking about photography as usual. Had the chance to talk about our directions on photography and a few upcoming projects that I find exciting.

exposure: 1/40sec f/stop: 2.8 iso: 400

 I found this an interesting shot just because of the heart shape from the serviette dispenser. After eating dinner, thanks Marione :) I took out my camera and just took the shot.

exposure: 30secs f/stop: 7.1 iso: 100
cropped

Whilst I was out enjoying my tiger pie at Harrys with my sister, I was lucky enough to bring my DSLR and take a few photos of the view from where we were eating. I cropped it a bit at the bottom cause there was a lot of dead space and I wanted to get the feel of how the buildings stretched out.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Photo #68

exposure: 1/6sec f/stop: 2.8 iso: 400

This smiling little character has been named 'Smiley'. I didn't put much effort into his name obviously but I thought it would be interesting to use this character in different environments from time to time throughout this photo project. So here's Smiley just sitting on the edge of a window frame with some bokeh in the background.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Sony Mirrorless Camera to be released in late May

Hello everyone!

Just read some great news from Sony Alpha Rumors  that the new mirrorless cameras from Sony will be announced on May 11 and will be released late May just before FIFA begins. Its a great opportunity for Sony to release new products just in time for this major event. However, in my opinion I think it would have been more suited to announce and release the a7xx successor along with the 500mm f4 G series lens (that has been in the works for years) instead of the new mirrorless compact cameras but I guess it would make sense for Sony to release this new type of camera as soon as they can to gain more market share .

As far as I know there will be two cameras, the NEX 5 and NEX 3 and will have the following:

- 14 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensors
- In body stabilization (some claim it will have optical stabilization but I think otherwise for various reasons)
- In camera flash (again I think this for various reasons)
- 1920x1080 AVCHD recording (NEX5) 1280x720 AVCHD recording (NEX3)
- 3.0" 920,000k dot resolution screen
- Face detection, smile detection
- Sweep panorama and HDR (which will look great compared to point and shoot cameras)
- Support RAW
- Accepts SDHC and most likely Memory Stick Duo
- 11 point autofocus
- iso 200-12800
- Intelligent auto mode, aperture and shutter priority, manual and program mode, scene recognition




        At least three lenses will be announced with this camera:

        - 16mm f/2.8 (pancake lens)
        - 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
        - Not sure what this lens will be - possibly a telephoto lens

          Apparently these lenses will be made out of chromium which means the build quality will be great but a bit larger than micro 4/3s. I remember reading somewhere that Carl Zeiss will be making lenses for this camera system as well so that should be interesting to see. There will also be an adapter to use Sony Alpha lenses on this camera.

          Photos #59-67

          exposure: 1/1250sec f/stop: 4.5 iso: 800

          Just a quick silhouette of my mum while she was watching her Korean dramas on tv. Again with my other silhouette photo I used AEL (Area Exposure Lock) and voila. Its done. 

           exposure: 1/2sec f/stop: 2.8 iso: 400

          While I was walking in the city one night, I went to the crossing outside Woolworths and saw this homeless man with his face in his hands on the ground with his cap in front of him with some coins in it. Everyone gave him a strange look while they walked by cause it wasn't a place where homeless people would normally be at in that position. He was motionless and didn't move for a really long time. I dropped a dollar into his hat and he finally moved and looked up at me and said thank you. I don't know what he'll use that dollar for but I'll assume its for something that he actually needs like food.

           exposure: 1/20sec f/stop: 2.8 iso: 800

          This saxophone player has some really awesome tunes. He's a talented musician but then again, I've seen a lot of them around the city. Especially in Pitt Street, though I haven't been there many times lately. 

           exposure: 0.8sec f/stop: 5.6 iso: 200

          And here we have the door knob for my room. If you look closely you can see how messy my room is and of course myself in the reflection.

           exposure: 1/20sec f/stop: 9 iso: 200

          This is part of my time lapse video. The clouds weren't co-operating with the photos that I wanted to get for the video so I might end up going again to redo it. We'll see how it goes but I like this shot because of the orange glow from the sun. The glow didn't last long though because of the clouds but whilst shooting I made a few friends who were also taking photos of the sunrise.

          exposure: 1/10sec f/stop: 2.8 iso: 800

          The day after the Easter Show and this is the photo event that I really enjoyed going to. Although I already explained this in my previous blog entry I again have to say it was a great experience. I'll probably upload some of the photos from this event on my flickr.
           
          exposure: 1/30sec f/stop: 3.5 iso: 160

          Last day of the Easter Show and along with the other people on my stand, we got Irene (our supervisor) a card and flowers and another gift but I'm not sure what it was. Its become more of an annual tradition to do this and though we complain a lot about the show when its on, when its all over we all begin to miss it. Another year over and spending fourteen days with the people at my stand was really enjoyable. There were a lot of laughs and mucking around and a lot of new friends as well as friends from the previous years that were there. I think this year might be my last year working at the show but we'll see how it goes next year.

           exposure: 10secs f/stop: 29 iso: 200

          I know I uploaded a photo similar to this before but I had to do it again cause this time I had my tripod and my DSLR with me so it would be more steadier and better quality. I wish I went to the main arena so I could catch that machine dinosaur eat all those cars. I forgot what it was called.

          exposure: 15secs f/stop: 32 iso: 200

           I think this shot is great and I hardly say that about my photos. I mainly just like the way the light streams in this photo are everywhere. You really get the feel of how this ride moved in different directions.

          Tuesday, April 20, 2010

          Seven Hundred Photos

          Hey everyone!

          Feels good to be back to normal after working at the Easter Show for two straight weeks. Now I'm just waiting to get paid. So many things have been happening and its been a challenge to keep things in order. Again, I am behind on my photos but I'll have that updated real soon. Just finished updating photos on my facebook and now its my blogs turn to get an update.

          The day after the Easter Show ended I attended "Seven Hundred Photos" with Marione and I have to say it was a great experience! All the people there taking photos of different models in seven different rooms made it an incredible event. Marione and I took heaps of photos and we gained a lot of experience with how to deal with the way each room was set out as they all had different types of lighting.

          exposure: 1/60sec f/stop: 13 iso: 100
          w/ off camera flash

          This photo was taken in complete darkness with some eerie music to accompany it. This was my favorite room out of all the rooms. Used my off camera flash to get this lighting but wow it was fun. In a sea of Canon and Nikon cameras, I apparently received a lot of attention from my Sony camera and my flash which is always interesting to hear. 

           exposure: 1/60sec f/stop: 6.3 iso: 400

          As you can see one of the downsides to this venue is that the photographers, models and props had to squeeze into small rooms where it was really crowded with not a lot of room to move around. Either way it was awesome to see a lot of the photography community in one building. Can't wait for another event like this.

          On a different note, I was supposed to take photos at my friends event, Fashion in the Park but I was unable to go due to me not having the car. Thanks mum! I'll just have to wait till next year I guess.

          Not too much happening with JMCK at the moment. Looks as if everyone is busy or has other priorities at the moment which is alright but if anything happens, I'll be sure to blog about it. 

          With myself and photography I have quite a few events to shoot at and I'll also be returning to Up All Night (Photography company that takes photos at clubbing events) soon after my schedule frees up a bit. Also entering stock photography which is pretty exciting and can't wait to see how I go with that. For those that don't know, stock photography is taking photos and submitting them to websites so people can purchase your photos instead of hiring a photographer for what ever photo they need. With this, the photographer has to be perfect with lighting and how the photo is set out. Stock photos can include products, people, events, landscapes and other categories. A high resolution is recommended like the Sony a900 or a850 with 24.6 megapixels but seeing how that's way out of my budget, I'll just use my a350 with 14.2 megapixels which is still good.


          New Sony Video with more footage

          There's a lot more happening in the photography world and with Sony being the major sponsor for FIFA 2010, they are using this opportunity to show off their new interchangeable lens camera to be announced sometime in May. I can't wait to see how this camera performs and if it uses the same lens mount in Sony's DSLRs, I might be very well tempted to buy one and sell my Sony HX5v cyber shot camera for the compact DSLR image quality like camera. I'm still waiting on Sony's replacement for the a700 but I'm beginning to think it will arrive at Photokina in September, which is the world's largest photographic trade fair that happens every two years. Though not as big as Photokina I can't wait to go to PMA in Melbourne in June.

          Theres more news to talk about but I will save that for another day. I will also update my photo project tomorrow since its getting pretty late and I didn't think I would take this long.

          Thanks for reading and take care everyone!

          Monday, April 12, 2010

          Photos #54-58

           exposure: 1/25sec f/stop: 4 iso: 400

          Another day at the Easter show and I'm getting tempted to spend money everyday cause there's just heaps of food that look so nice to eat. Luckily, these cupcakes here were free! They tasted really nice and its one of those free promotions where you just had to sign your name and email and you get a free cupcake but in my case I took two. 

           exposure: 1/250sec f/stop: 5 iso: 125

          During one of my breaks I took a stroll outside to check out the rides. I stumbled to find one of the rides malfunctioned with people still on it. It attracted a massive crowd from the news crew, the ambulance, police, emergency services and the fire brigade. As far as I know, these people were stuck on this ride for about an hour or maybe more but its lucky that the ride didn't stop at the top of the roller coaster. 

           exposure: 1/30sec f/stop: 3.5 iso: 200

          Got off work at the Easter show early to meet up and catch up with my mates and to celebrate one of my good friends birthday. This was at Marble Bar, downstairs from the Hilton Hotel and I must say it was an awesome venue. Live band, good music and great atmosphere. Hope you had a good time Ben!

           exposure: 1/8sec f/stop: 3.5 iso: 200

           Tonight I was out with Marione and we drove to the famous, Harry's Pies at Woolloomooloo. This place always has a crowd of people eating at this shop and a lot of tourists come down to try the hot dogs and pies. Its been awhile since myself and Marione ate here, so thanks Marione for suggesting to eat here again =)

           exposure: 1/20sec f/stop: 3.5 iso: 800

           Back at the Easter show, I just wanted to show you how we spend some of our quiet hours at work. There are these novelty bows and arrows that work really well and they go really far as well. We modified the arrow and got rid of the suction cup and made a point at the end so it can pierce boxes or even this can, so you can imagine how sharp it can be.

          Wednesday, April 7, 2010

          Photo #52

          exposure: 1/8sec f/stop: 3.5 iso: 400

          This place is where I work and where all the showbags are stored till we give them out. It gets really busy here at times with everyone running around trying to fill the stock but we also get our boring times when we're just hanging out, talking, eating or just mucking around with the toys. Tonight was really boring so we just took a few photos in the stand to pass the time.

          Tuesday, April 6, 2010

          Photo #51

          exposure: 1/20sec f/stop: 3.5 iso: 400

          For anyone interested in arts and photography, I recommend going to the arts pavilion. With a gallery of interesting photos, its worth checking out. I wish I entered a few of my photos here so it could be displayed but I guess I'll have to wait till next year.

          Monday, April 5, 2010

          Photos #44-50

          exposure: 1/50sec f/stop: 2.8 iso: 200

          Went to the fish markets again! Really can't get enough of this place but I really like these ice cream sandwiches or ice cream biscuits. Can't remember what exactly they're called but they taste so nice! I like the vanilla one which is the one on the top right. I highly recommend that one!

          exposure: 1/13sec f/stop: 5.6 iso: 200

          After dropping Marione home I was outside their house and I just took a picture of the moon. Its not the best moon photo cause I didn't have my tripod but I like how the clouds are included in the shot. Not bad for a hand-held photo at that exposure.

          exposure: 1/20 f/stop: 3.5 iso: 3200

          It was my first day at the Easter show and these are what I'm going to need to survive the whole show. The pass for my entry, marker for drawing on the walls, box cutter to um cut boxes and chocolate cause its everywhere.

          exposure: 1sec f/stop: 4 iso: 125

          Just a photo of the ferris wheel at the show using my compact camera on one of my breaks. Though my feet are killing me while I was taking this photo, it was well worth the shot.

          exposure: 1/25sec f/stop: 4 iso: 400

          I see the fruit and vegetable decorations every year at the woolworths stand and I must say it always amazes me with what they come up with.

          exposure: 1sec f/stop: 8 iso: 125
           
          Another long exposure for hand-held and I must say the anti-shake on this camera is great. I'll always love light streams in photos.

          exposure: 1/30sec f/stop: 3.5 iso: 125

          One of my friends who worked at the Easter show last year made this cake for a competition she entered for the show and it looks pretty awesome. There is a lot of competition there and I suggest anyone who is going to the show to check them out cause there are a lot of interesting cake designs.  


          Friday, April 2, 2010

          Updated: Possible specs for Sony a7xx

          Hello everyone!!

          Just wanted to say its going to be hard to get any photos or some updates due to me working at the easter show for the next two weeks and I'm probably going to do quite a few 12 hours shifts and I'm going to be heaps tired when I get home so there might not be many photo updates soon. That doesn't mean I'm not taking photos but since I'm at the show I'm using my compact camera cause bringing my DSLR is too risky for me. I took a few shots of the woolworths pavilion and probably nearly all my photos will be easter show related. I would upload a few of my photos now but my card reader isn't really cooperating with me at the moment.

          On camera news I was looking on one of my camera sites for Sony DSLRs and there are specs on their new a7xx replacement. That new camera will be my next DSLR but with the specs that just came out, it looks too good to be true but I'm hoping its true =)

          Here's the specs:

          APS-C 14 BIT 15.4mp CMOS Exmor Sensor
          BIONZ II Dual Processor W/Accelleration Mode
          3.2" Sony OmLED Matrix LCD Screen (w/brightness, contrast, hue adjustments)
          New Top LCD Panel
          100% Coverage Optical Viewfinder with .94x Magnification (24 cross point AF overlay LCD grid) 29mm Viewfinder Relief
          New 24 Point AF System with 14 double cross and 4 wide angle sensors, 1 center quad cross low light AF sensor
          8fps High Speed Continuous Shooting (24fps -full resolution shooting in Accelleration Mode)
          ISO 64-25,600 Sensitivity Range
          84 Segment Smart Priority Metering System
          1300 Shot Battery Life Rating (w/new type NP-FM550H)
          60fps 1080p HD Video (w/low light mode) with optional Stero Mic imput jack
          82 Weather Seals, including main integrated seal on mount for all lenses
          14-124 F Degree weather rating
          Dim Light IR Mode for extraordinary low light fast focusing
          Pre-Shot Capture Mode
          Triple Shot HDR Mode
          Dynamic Range Optimizer II
          Sure Removal - Supersonic Dust Elimination System
          Quick Navi II User Interface- User Customizable
          Smart Axis/Rotation Digital Level
          Sensor Composition Adjustment (2 degrees any direction)
          Improved Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization (3-4.5 stop improvement rating)
          12 Stops E.V. Adjustment
          Interchangable Viewfinder Screens (6 types)
          8 Memory Recall Customizable Quick Access Settings
          True Vue Automatic White Balance Mode
          Dual SD Card Slots
          Super Main Sensor Live View
          Intelligent Preview (w/auto save feature)
          Dual Remote Commander Sensors (front and rear)
          Anti-Static Magnesium Body Panels w/Stainless Steel sub-frame
          AF Micro Adjustment +/- 30 Step Increments (for up to 45 lenses)-New 'Pro' Sweep Panorama Mode
          Dedicated Macro AF Assist Lamp
          Price $1,799.00 (USD Approx)
          Auto CA/Distortion Control (Jpegs only)
          GPS Ready (Hot Shoe accessory)

          Sony a7xx replacement - no specs yet officially released yet

          Considering it was April fools day when this was posted, some or all of these specs could be false.
          Thanks for reading!

          UPDATE: Rumors were fake =) It was just a dream...