B+W XS-Pro MRC Nano 72mm and 58mm UV (010M) Filters
People often say that camera lenses are expensive and one should get UV filter to protect the front lens elements. These UV filters, as the name implies, filters out the ultraviolet spectrum of the light although newer digital cameras, nowadays, do not really need these as they have inbuilt UV filter in the camera body. So these UV filters (in front of the camera lenses) are there to prevent that little nephew of yours from poking his chocolate smudged fingers directly onto the lens.
UV filters typically cost between an affordable $10 to ridiculous prices in the range of hundreds but what are the differences between the few hundreds and the $10 piece? To list a few, they are:
- Light transmission quality – Depending on the manufacturing process and material, they have different light transmission quality, some cuts off quite a fair bit of light as it passes through the filter, some cuts off lesser. In general, the higher light transmission quality, the better.
- Surface coating - No coating, single-coat or multi-coat. These coating, in general, reduces the effect of light flare. Coating may also make the filter easier to clean. In general, multi-coated filters manage flares better
- Filter thickness – The thicker the filter, the higher the chances that you get vignetting effect on your shots which might be undesirable for most. In general, the filter should be as slim as possible with front thread for you to attach other filters on it (e.g. ND filter)
Therefore, the UV filter that you are choosing will affect your image/picture quality. I’ve bought cheap UV filters and slightly more expensive filters (from B+W). Honestly, I felt that the B+W XS-Pro MRC Nano UV Filters (010) are worth every penny. To understand why, read on until you get to the pictures test.
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This is the package that comes with the Yongnuo YN-468 II eTTL II Flash
I’ve been looking around for a speedlite flash gun ever since I saw one in action in a dim cafe. The outcome is unbeliveable, the subject is properly exposed at higher shutter speed. So one can be drunk and still take sharp images. Ok, probably not entirely drunk, I think tipsy would be better word.
The Canon Speedlites like the Canon Speedlite 580EX II and Canon Speedlite 430EX II are pretty expensive and you might not need all those expert features. If you are like me, just need a simple flash gun that automatically set the flash power base on my lens-to-subject distance (TTL) then you are reading the right post. The reason for the e-TTL/e-TTL II is because I am bad at manual flash power settings (at the moment) so I would prefer technology to handle all those while I concentrate on composing my shots.
So at the end of the day, the flash gun I am looking for should:
- be compatible with my Canon EOS 60D
- be able to correctly expose my subject depending on my lens-to-subject distance
- cost less than $300
- Support slave triggering
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Diablo III - The game that you have been waiting for
Alright guys and girls, for those interested in trying out the Diablo III, do be reminded that they are having a Diablo III Open Beta Weekend! Basically from Saturday, April 21 at 03:01 GMT+8, until Tuesday, April 24 at 01:00 GMT+8, you will be able to log in, team up with friends and play the five heroic classes (Barbarian, Demon Hunter, Monk, Witch Doctor, Wizard) until level 13!
Time to save the World from the impending demonic invasion (again)!
For more details, refer to this post on Diablo III Open Beta Weekend.
Simple packaging for the C-Loop
For those who are used to side-slinging the DSLR, perhaps you would like to check out the C-Loop Strap Mount Solution from Custom SLR. With the C-Loop, the strap mounting position is relocated to the bottom of the camera, allowing you to reach out for your camera, swing it back up to your eye eye, the correct side up!
The swivel strap mounting point eliminated issues like:
- entangling straps
- strap running across the view finder
- strap getting into the way while transitioning from landscape to portrait shots, vice versa
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Nice apricot and orange banded himalayan salt lamp with slight shades of pink and peach
Himalayan salt crystal lamps are made from salt crystals rocks formed by nature hundreds of millions of years ago and mined from deep underground from the foothills of Himalayas. When warmed up, healthful negative ions lift off the surface of the salt lamp and help to cleanse and improve the quality and freshness of the surrounding air.
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Palawan Beach on a sunny day
Sentosa Boardwalk from Vivo City
Got my first DSLR, a Canon EOS 60D, from the IT Show. Did not really try out a DSLR before hand so was a bit lost on how to change lens, what settings to toggle as the amount of buttons quadrupled (cos I was using the Canon S90 previously).
Brought the Canon EOS 60D along to the company’s outing at Sentosa. Took a couple of panagraphs. For those who do not know, panographs/panography resembles uber wide angle shots. Click on the photographs to view a bigger image.