My old and trusty D100.

I bought my first DSLR D100 in yr 2003.Somewhere in Feb,I think.During that time,D100 is the hot intermediate DSLR around.It cost around $2.7k for the body only.And I bought it together with Tamron 17-35 f/2.8-4,Sb28DX flash,Crumpler Bag and some other stuffs.Got lots of boses and big bags.Is my new toy! So excited.

I came across photogrpahy after I got my first digital camera,Nikon coolpix 885.Its a 3.2MP cam.Lots of limitations,lots of noise.The manual that came with it became my first photography manual.Its torn and worn.It contains lots of useful information about learning how to shoot and stuffs.Its a great manual!

Anyway,about my D100.I bought the battery pack subsequently and it provides roughly about 800+ shots from the 2 batts.
The specs of the D100 is as below.



- 6.1 effective megapixels rendering 3,008 x 2,000-pixel images
- Compact and lightweight (weighs approx. 700g/24.7 oz.)
- Low-noise CCD sensor
- 3D Digital Matrix Image Control for precise exposure control, adaptive auto white balance and optimal color accuracy
- High-performance built-in Speedlight with D-TTL flash control
- Three color modes offered for different workflow environments
- Five-Area Autofocus with Dynamic AF operation
- High-speed image processing provided by new one-chip system LSI
- Top shutter speed of 1/4,000 sec. and flash sync speed up to 1/180 sec.
- Plug-and-play USB 1.1 interface for quick computer connection
- On-Demand Grid Lines can be displayable in viewfinder
- Custom Settings can be selectable in the LCD monitor
- Compatible with CompactFlash™ cards Type I and Type II including 512 MB / 1 GB IBM MicroDrive™
- Nikon View 5.1 software (supplied) enables easy transfer and viewing of images on your computer also includes
rudimentary RAW file manipulation and conversion
- Optional Nikon Capture 3 software for excellent image management and remote operation
- Optional Multi Function Battery Pack MB-D100 accepts six 1.5V LR6 (AA-size alkaline) batteries or one or two Li-Ion
batteries for extended shooting capability. Features voice memo recording/playback function, vertical shutter release
button, Command and Sub Command Dials, AF start button and a 10-pin remote terminal

Its still a good camera and I am still using it till now.Can't bear to part with it.

Nikon D200!

D300 has come out!Lots of people selling their D200 now!I would say this is the best time to grab those D200 series alredy! Mai tu liao!Its already quite a big jump from D100 to D200. The auto focus mechanisms,the image quality,I mean the high ISO image, and lots of other stuffs!

Heres some specs of the D200.

-10.2 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor
-Image sensor features high-speed 4-channel data output and a newly developed Optical Low Pass Filter
-Advanced imaging processing engine with color-independent pre-conditioning and digital image processing algorithms
that achieve fine color gradations with exceptionally smooth, consistent transitions
-Newly developed 11-area AF system with selectable 7 wide-area AF mode and effective new focus area options
-3D Color Matrix Metering II with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor ensures accurate exposure control and white balance
-New image optimization modes help produce results more closely matching the intended results
-Near-instant response with 0.15 sec. power-up, 50-millisecond shutter time lag and 105-millisecond viewfinder blackout
-Fast 5 frames per second in bursts of up to 22 consecutive NEF (RAW) or 37 JPEG (Fine-Large) images
-Shutter speeds ranging from 30 to 1/8,000 sec. for full creative control
-Creative in-camera Image Overlay and Multiple Exposure effects
-GPS support for recording location-specific information along with shooting data
-Large 2.5" LCD monitor with ultra-wide 170° viewing angle for clear image preview and easy access to settings and
information, including new RGB Histograms and the new Recent Settings list
-Large new top LCD panel displays a wealth of information on settings and shooting status
-Lightweight, durable magnesium alloy body protected by enhanced sealing system
-Large, bright viewfinder offering 0.94x magnification
-New high-energy EN-EL3e rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivers the power to shoot up to 1,800 pictures on a single
charge, and provides detailed battery status information (Battery life figure determined by in-house test parameters)
-Optional MB-D200 battery pack extends shooting capability, enhances stability, and provides the further shooting potential
of added controls
-Built-in Speedlight with i-TTL flash control and full support for Nikon's Creative Lighting System
-Support for the Wireless Transmitter WT-3 enables direct cable-free image transfer to a compatible computer

This D200 can shoot and send pics immediately to a "server" for viewing.Isn't thats nice for any event?

Lumix FX-33!

Sitex is here! Time to buy buy buy again! Alot of friends asking me about which camera to buy. For me,I love the Panasonic FX series. It offers Mega OIS function to reduce handshake,blurry shots. And now,it has even come with the face detection system! So nice! And the price isn't that high also. About $500 plus.

Anyway,heres something about the FX-33.



FX33 has an 8.1-megapixel 1/2.5-in sensor, a Leica-branded 3.6x zoom lens with a wide-angle end equivalent to 28mm, a 2.5-in 207k pixel LCD monitor, the high-performance MegaOIS optical image stabilisation system and an improved Venus Engine III image processor delivering a maximum ISO of 1600. It also features Panasonic's new Intelligent Auto function, which is supposed to produce better results more easily.

Cameras are very smart nowadays.And I'm sure people would love this camera very much. =)

About Grado headphones.

I own a Grado SR80 headphones.A pair which led me to my new hobby.Its call head-fi.Wel,people play with Hi-fi,meaning speakers and amplifiers and stuffs.In head-fi,we play with amplifiers too.But our "speakers" are in much smaller version.Its call headphones.Hahaha...

I bought this pair of headphones a few yrs ago.Probably coming to 5 yrs old already.Its a big step towards listening to music.The moment you play your music with a good pair of headphones or earphones,you hear much much more details of the song,the music in it,the singer's voice etc.I was dumbfounded by the details which I never hear before.Its just so clear to me now.Its amazing!

I have my pair of Grado SR80 pair with my Xiang Sheng headphone amplifier (vacuum tubes amp) and my player is a Denon DCD-610.I shall talk about my equipment next time. =)

Anyway,for poeple who are new to headphones,let me introduce this nice and cheap headphones to you.The SR 80.



Features:
Vented diaphragm
Non Resonant air chamber
Standard copper voice coil wire
Standard copper connecting cord
Mini plug with 1/4" adaptor

They have good dynamics, with fairly punchy bass response and clean-sounding mids & highs. They can be a bit uncomfortable for some due to the earpad texture, but are fine for most wearers if you gently bend the headband slightly to better conform to the top of the head. They can be decently powered by a portable audio player like an iPod, Mp3 player, or laptop/PC, but a head-amp is likely necessary for maximized sonic potential.Llike me,I am using the Xiang Sheng headphone amp.

The SR80 use a densely pored foam-material 'donut' earpad that does not cover over the driver, which Grado now calls the "Large" earpad variety.Grado has also come out with a new, softer earpad -- appropiately called the "Soft" style -- which is much more comfy and made of a slightly softer grade of foam.But it affects the soundstage actually. Both current Grado earpad styles can be purchased separately on our official 'HeadPhone Accessories' webpage and are interchangeable with all Grado SR and RS headphones. The SR80 have a basic flexible vinyl-covered headband and metal height adjusters that connect the earpieces to the headband, allowing up and down adjustment plus 360 degree rotation. This feature is ideal for laying the headphones down flat for storage or transit. The straight 9ft connecting cable attaches to both earpieces, and comes terminated to a 1/8" (3.5mm) inch mini-plug.

You can mod the SR80 if you are adventurous enough.For eg,for me,I have cut away the 'wire mesh' away and tear off the white covering cloth.Results are better vocal.The vocal sounds as if shooting straight into your ear that kind.Imagine like the singer is singing straight at you.The bass is deeper.Great for jazz music which I like! =)

Next,is about good audio.I love Music!

I have lots of hobbies. From very expensive ones to those that are least expensive.
For eg. I love photography,its a very very expensive hobby,as everyone knows.Next,I love good music.I mean,from good audio equipment.Its an experiential kind of thing.U have to hear it,to believe it.Then u will know the difference between good audio equipment to those cheap audio speakers.

Nvm,I talk about good ear phones for now.It hsa a lot of mankers too.Sony,Audio technica... etc etc.
I am using Elecom now.Its not bad.Though not really fantastic but sure,it provides decent treble,vocal,bass to a certain extent.I have just recently get to know about this Denon ah-c700 model in ear earphones.

"The AH-C700 reference series headphones are sound isolating canal-type inner ear headphones which will reduce ambient noise allowing you to enjoy more of the music than ever before. For strength and stability, an aluminum housing has been used to achieve high rigidity so that dynamic sound is clear and on target.
The newly developed Acoustic Optimizer provides optimum acoustic characteristics by adjusting the sound pressure balance in front of and behind the diaphragm. Sound is more dynamic yielding clear bass with proper balance at the low to mid frequency range."

I bet this kind of earphones will work even better with a good amplifier!
Good earphones with Good Music. WOW! I love it!

I love Nikon Camera

Nikon Cameras has evolved tremendously over the years.Their AF speed has improved.Their metering has improved.Their sensor improved even more.Thanks to the great invention and research did by the people in Nikon.

For eg, their entry level D40 :

The Nikon D40 debuted just a few months ago, it was a significant moment for digital SLR cameras. The D40's incredibly affordable price made it a great option for budget-minded photographers looking for a solid professional-level camera, and virtually everyone who got their hands on it was satisfied by the high-quality images and comfortable.



Specifications of D40.

10.2 megapixels
JPEG, NEF file formats
Nikon F lens mount
Auto and manual focus
Auto and manual exposure
ISO 100-3200

The quality of their picture is very good I would say. If I were to compare my old D100 with this,mine surely lose man!

Not to forget the MIGHTY D3!

Well,as I mentioned before,Nikon has produced 2 very fine products again.
This time, its FULL FRAME! Meaning to say it has the same size as the normal 35mm film that we used. ie. The sensor is very big!

This is very good news for people who really need the super good quality pic size.But it will be an disadvantage as it does not have the 1.5X crop factor. Which is to an advantage to people who needs to shoot very far objects.Wiht 1.5X crop factor,a 300mm f/2.8 lens "becomes" a 450mm f/2.8 lens!

Anyway,let me share some D3 info first...

It has :

A Nikon-original 12.1-megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor, in concert with Nikon's exclusive digital image processing system, delivers breathtakingly rich image quality, while also reducing noise to unprecedented levels with even higher ISOs

Continuous shooting at up to 9 frames per second at full FX resolution and up to 11fps inthe DX Crop mode, offers uncompromised shooting speeds for fast-action and sports photography
Extreme Low-noise ISO range with Advanced Noise Reduction enables photographers to confidently select from 200-6400 ISO with an expanded range that includes Lo-1 (100 ISO)Hi-1 (12,800 ISO) and Hi-2 (25,600 ISO)

The 3.0-inch super density 920,000-dot VGA color monitor with 170-degree wide-angle viewing and tempered-glass protection makes it possible for even more critical image review

Fast, accurate 51-point autofocus with 3D Focus Tracking and three Dynamic AF modes deliver exacting autofocus precision at blazing speeds

Two LiveView shooting modes, Hand-held or Tripod, are perfect when shooting in a studio, remote situations or from challenging angles

Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System (SRS), with an improved 1,005-Pixel 3DColor Matrix Metering II, provides even more intelligent auto exposure capabilities, along with smarter auto white balance detection and faster, more accurate AF performance

Nikon's Self-diagnostic shutter system, tested to 300,000 cycles, is a clear indication of advanced engineering and durable construction

New Picture Control settings give photographers dramatically advanced color control with 4 preset options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome, as well as 9 customizable settings


This is very near to every photographer's "dream" camera.Is this yours yet?

About Nikon Cameras

I love Nikon Cameras.

Its made very sturdy and very suitable for rough use.

Now they have introduced new models! And they are the D300 and D3!

D300 is for the replacement of D200.

It has :

A new 12.3-megapixel DX-Format CMOS Sensor combined with Nikon's exclusive digital image processing system advances DX-format image quality to all new levels

The 3.0-inch super density 920,000-dot VGA color monitor with 170-degree wide-angle viewing and tempered-glass protection makes critical image review possible

Continuous shooting up to 6 frames per second, and up to 8 frames per second* with the new optional MB-D10 Multi-power Battery Pack, makes the D300 a powerful performer for a wide variety of shooting disciplines
* When using the EH-5a AC Adaptor or the MB-10 Multi-Power Battery Pack with batteries other than Rechargeable Li-on En El3e

Fast, accurate 51-point autofocus with 3D Focus Tracking and three Dynamic AF modes deliver exacting autofocus precision at blazing speeds

Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System (SRS), with an improved 1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, provides even more intelligent auto exposure capabilities, along with smarter auto white balance detection and faster, more accurate AF performance

Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System with self-cleaning ultrasonic sensor unit minimizes degradation of image quality due to dust particles

Two LiveView shooting modes, Hand-held or Tripod is perfect when shooting in a studio, remote situations or from challenging angles

New Picture Control settings give photographers dramatically advanced color control with 4 preset options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome, as well as 9 customizable settings
Rugged magnesium-alloy construction, advanced dust and moisture protection and a durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles make the D300 a perfect choice for photographers who demand high performance and handling agility.

With all these new features!Its a MUST BUY camera!