29 October 2011

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f1.4

This is one of the reason I was so eager to get the NEX-5N. On discovery of bokeh lens, where it has a smaller f number, can be used on NEX-5N. The downside of it is the manual focusing.  The first discovery was the Noktor 50mm f0.95 lens. This lens is produce to mount directly to NEX series camera. From then onward I discovered more of third party lens can be fitted to NEX-5N with an adapter. Thanks to SooHK, who directed me to look at the Voigtlander brand.
  

Also there is this guy at KPLF 2011 event, shown me his lens on NEX3, and he was kind enough to walked me through on how the lens is easy to use with the NEX series camera.


After some time spend on surfing the net and some shopping. Then decided to get me one of it. 3 items by the same brand was put into my basket. The lens 40mm at f1.4, the lens hood and the most important part the adapter that allow the lens to sit on the camera. I was adviced to get the adapter by voigtlander, as it is connecting the lens and the camera tightly.


The lens is smaller compared to many lens I have come across. It is heavy, at 290 gram (lens, lens hood and adapter), 55 gram heavier than 18-55mm NEX lens. 2 rings is given, one for the apperture and the other for focusing.


As long as I have used camera, this is the first time I am taking photo through manual focusing, which I find not easy. Even with the peak focusing feature in NEX-5N, I might not get the focus at the right place. That is about 20 percent of the the shots with this lens will be out of focus. The next resolve, is using the manual focus assist. Where the NEX-5N will enlarged the focusing point, where I can ensure the focusing point is sharp enough for a shot.

It is fun to use, the weight is something I love about. And it is a classic designed. And it is still being produced. The best part, it is affordable for me. And definitely a collection.

Other lens that are similar to this, requires me to pay 6 times more. As this lens allow me to have less depth in my photos, which makes me want to use it at all time in street photography. But it is not a wide enough for some shot. Hmm... I guess I will have to wait for my pocket to fill up and get a wide angle with smaller f stop. Have not seen any below f2.

One more disadvantage of this lens, the closes distance from subject is 70cm away. I get annoyed everytime I want to take a photo of food. For potrait, the distance is okay.

Now I wish I had the black color NEX-5N...

18 October 2011

KATA MARVELX 20 DL for NEX series

I was paging the internet for a pouch than can fit the Nex5N. Came across KATA website, after some browsing, found it in the holsters section. There is 2 type that can fit nicely for the Nex series, one is with additional pouch attached at the bottom to store additional e-mount lens (KATA MARVELX 40 DL). The other one is as shown below.

So of I went hunting for it in Lowyat, but failed to find it. And so happened KLPF was started the next day. In the KLPF event I found it, was so exicited as I can get one. Moreover I was surprised that they do has it, since it is fairly new in the market.

Front view of the bag. The material used here is different from the other 4 faces of the bag. And the logo is boldly imprint on a rubber piece and stitched to it.

 Rear view of the bag. As can be seen 2 strap for the belt. So it can be used as a belt pack. Either with your own belt or a with waist strap accessory.

Right side of the bag. I found it interesting, with a rubber hole where the bag strap goes through it. A white lining surround the rubber thing. A metal loop attached to the nylon strap, this metal loop is a thick one, and I was surprised that it is used on a small bag. Overall, it gave a luxury feel.

A close look on the left side of the bag. A zipper with a logo etched to it on both sides. I like the zipper alot. But there is only one metal zipper head as the other 2 are just plain nylon.

The left full view. The shoulder strap comes along with the bag has a clip with a safety hook to avoid the clip accidentally detached from the bag.

A opening at the top of the bag. It is closed with 2 zippers. The 2 zippers can be zipped from one end to the other end. It is nice to have the front and top as one piece. On fully unzipped, the flap can be open all the way to the middle of the front of the bag. This allows easy access the the camera and also the camera can be easily deposited into the bag. The zipper can be zipped closed to the back of the back.

There is a pocket on the left which can be opened and closed with the metal head zipper. It can store some memory cards and also the Nex standard flash unit. On putting in the flash unit and zip closed will caused a bulge. This bulged also caused a dent on the inside of the casing, the camera managed to fit nicely. This has makes me leave this compartment for memory cards only. And the flash unit stored away unused. Hmm.. actually I have never plan to use the flash unit, due to a viewable high ISO of Nex 5N.

A mini detachable pocket, for 1 or 2 memory cards. The reasons to max at 2, is that this pocket is attached under the top flap with Velcro. Since the screen of Nex camera on the top instead of at the side, it is advice not to force zipped, to closed the bag with many memory cards in the pocket and attached under the top flap. As it might gives unnecessary pressure on the camera's LCD. What I did is put the memory cards in the pocket and placed it in the side compartment together with the flash unit. The flash unit can be attached to the camera and place it into the bag and it fit snugly.

I like this bag alot. It is small enough for me to hang it at the side of my waist. And it is useful to me for quick draw and quick deposit of my Nex 5N. While it hangs at the waist, the zipper can be zipped closer to the body to avoid accidental unzipping of the zipper. There goes my choice to hang on the shoulder too.

Not to forget to mention, that I also get to carry the bag with the handle which is placed on the top of bag. Good thing about the handle is that is does not lie flat on the top of the bag. So I can easily hooked my fingers to the handle and take the bag with me. The handle is made in tube form, not the one piece nylon type, therefore it is comfortable to carry.

The one missing piece is the All Weather cover. This I found it on the Lowepro Apex 10 AW. Earlier this was one of my choice, the Lowepro. The finishing of the Lowepro is made to handle rough situation. So I was torn between the 2 bags. The nice look and lower price of Kata bag made me took it. As for the cover to protect the bag from rain, I am planing to use a shower cap.

12 October 2011

Nex-5N + 16mm lens - Pouch

On purchase of this gadget, a camera pouch was bundled. It fits Nex-5N with a 18-55mm lens. But the camera will be loose if it is fitted with 16mm lens.

This has triggered me into innovation mode. Wanting to make a smaller and fitting pouch, off I went in search of materials. A soft thin sponge with cloth stick to it on one side, which happened to be a A4 thin pouch with a zip, that can fit an iPad. And thin foam which are available at book stationary store. With 2 items, thread and needle of I go creating one pouch with a zipper. What trigger me into this was the size of the original pouch which took up some space in my mini backpack.

And below are photos of it.
   



As the camera also comes with a shoulder / neck strap, which I rate as cumbersome, no doubt it is useful. I would rather use a wrist loop just like those come with the compact camera that I had before, Canon S90. There on the table was a piece of nylon strap which was recently left there to rot. I was glad that it didn't went into the bin. With a few stitched the strap appeared and become a permanent to the camera.

These new accessories is home made which is not as good as those in the markets. Just because I like to do some handy work and this are the simple ones and also comes cheap. I had stitched my self another accessories to support my newly acquired camera pouch. Will put it up later.

Rasa Utara Restaurant

Thanks to this article http://soohk.blogspot.com/2011/09/restaurant-rasa-utara-at-berjaya-times.html. I was being led to this place.

I have been passing it a many times. But didn't went in as first thought is the price. From a glance at the menu which was placed just outside the entrance. The choices are more toward dishes rather than individual serving.

On the day I decided to give a try after what SooHK has experienced. I was quite excited at the indivdual meal served. So on arrival at the indoor entrance, I browse the menu, as the waitress approaching me. First I questioned on the menu, "..do you served individual meal, like fried rice, nasi lemak...". I was shown the noodle section. Which was not a lot choices (as it was lunch time). And that is the only section for individual meal. She suggested that I can order one of the dished to go with white rice. Which was not to my liking. I gave a second chance on the noodles available. I was asked to be sitted, then I ordered a Laksa Kedah, scripted on the menu is Tun Dr. Mahathir's favourite. An top with a Air Cincau Mata Kuching.

While waiting....


There goes the kitchen. Not many Malay food restaurant features their kitchen to the customer like this. One get to glimpse the food preparation.


On seeing the stairs, I was curious as to whether there were any seats up above. So I queried the waitress and was told that it was meant for those who put up a reservation. The sittings were divided into two sections, outdoor and indoor. Indoor with air conditioner, that is where I had placed myself.


There goes the noodle I had ordered. Quite interesting and simple. Mint leaves, cucumber, onion, fish, leaks, chilly, carrot and the laksa noodle. The soup was sour. But when eaten together with the noodle it is just nice. After a few spoonful of the noodle and the soup, it get spicy. At the end I sweat even in the air conditioning area. This was how exciting the Laksa has given to me. And Laksa is meant to be sour and spicy at the same time. 


Air Cincau Mata Kuching, served with ice. It is the first time I have tasted this. Most likely it is available out there somewhere, just that I didn't notice or looking for it. The taste of this drink, sweetness of mata kuching with the crispy cincau.


Entrance facing a main road. With tables and chairs on the walkways. At nite it will a nice place to sit and dine.


The breakfast set and also not to miss the evening tea break set. I might go there to try out the breakfast. As it would not be a cheap one for me. 


Here is what the outdoor entrance looks like. Abit on the kampong style with a modern touch.


This entrance is access from the inside of Berjaya Time Squares. This was where I went in the restaurant.


And the billed.


Actually this restaurant has a lot more interesting food which I would like to try. But to try it out, I need a group of people with me. Or else I have to order a dish at a time. That mean I have to visit the place as many time as the available dishes. How absurd it is.

If you have a gang who would like to take Malay food this is one of the restaurant to try out. Or if you want to know how Tun Dr. Mahathir like his food, this is your chance.

Now I have to plan my next trip there. I am wondering who wants to join me.... 

Note: The article above is based on my experience, I am not paid to produce this article.

10 October 2011

Dragon-i Restaurant, La Mien.

Was at IKEA, as wondering around looking for any sign of new item that worth my deposit of interest. Then went over to the Curve to sample Border's book. And also Daiso to hunt down the item for self made tools.

Next came the interesting time, lunch hours. Started to look for outlet with food that will filled my growling tummy.

Found this outlet with the word Dragon-i on it. Almost missed it as it is placed at the end of the Street at Curve. That was not my first time in Dragon-i for lunch. But it was my first time in this outlet in the Curve.

As normal, dishes with white rice were ordered, but that day we decided to try out the individual meal.

La Mien, was my choice. Ok, my bad as I forgot to record the actual name given to this and the other meals I had ordered. On one glance it looks like curry noodle, which made me drool, as curry noodle is one of my favorite. And it is fresh hand made noodle.

The sauce has a mixture of taste, which really tested my taste bud. A light sourly taste with a little spicy added to the thick sauce. The sourly taste bring me to the taste of laksa, but not as heavy as laksa. Taste of peanut is heavy. I even thought it tasted like the satay sauce. This sauce is something new to me. Not everybody likes peanut. I like it but not crazy about it.



Then the steam chicken rice with lap cheong and mushroom, this is good. The chicken is soft. Can't really explain the taste. It seems like oyster sauce is used.  


The last, fried rice. Not something special but it is good. Where this boy loves it.

At times when we are in this kind of restaurant, we tends to order the dishes that are served with plain rice. And we seldom give a second thought to order the invidual meal. Where it does surprise us with the good taste.

No doubt the famous food is the steam dumpling. This dumpling is much spoken in the internet world.

And in this outlet I get to see the chef doing the noodle. The dough is pulled multiple time. Each pull is accompany with a half fold. Each pull make the dough thinner. In the end, it become the strings of fine noodle. So the name, la mien

09 October 2011

Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival

There is an ongoing event in Mid Valley Megamall. KLPF short for Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival. It started on Friday and will end on Sunday. 

Entrance to the event.


Camera on sales, not only that, there are other outlets selling photography related items. Bags, tripod, camera accessories, and many more.

There is even a tour booth, Apple.


New camera from Nikon is on display too. A mirrorless system.


For those interested in Lomography, it is there too.


There is also a sales on mini photo studio.


Seminars is given away free. Just be there to catch it.


These are just some of the happenings. So it is still not late, as there is left one more day.

I might be going there again. As I missed getting myself a waist strap. And I got a camera bag for my Nex-5N. Will share it out later.

More info at http://www.klpf.com.my/

06 October 2011

Sunway Pyramid Lighting with Sony NEX-5N

I have been passing this place almost every night. The lighting beautiful. Caught my eyes. And I have been reminding myself to capture the beauty of the light. So armed my self with NEX-5N, my new gadget. And also to get my family to go along to enjoy the environment.


Once enter, there will be 2 directions, either turn right or go straight. Now the above is the go straight direction, which is heading to Sunway Resort Hotel.

Above is the front of the hotel. I was there and took a photo of my family. Ooops.. these people in the photo above are not my family. They were there to take an opportunity to frame a memory for themselves.

There goes a little boy doing some recording on paper. Not sure what was captured on it.

This was opposite of the hotel, across the road. It has a Malay theme to celebrate Hari Raya.



Got closer to it and framed it. There was a pair of them. I captured one, as the other is left for you to explore.


This is the main entrance to Sunway Pyramid.

Not sure how long this is going to stay. As they might be replacing with a new one or none. Most of the time it will be decorated for a celebration. So this one is wishing Selamat Hari Raya.

For locals, if you have not seen this, you might want to take an opportunity to bask in the beautiful lighting.

For those visiting, you might want to see it for yourself. As the photos may not picture the actual experience.

05 October 2011

Soong Kee Beef Noodle

 After listing a few choice to dine, we decided to go for beef noodle. And there are a few beef noodles outlet within Kuala Lumpur. And the dry version was selected. This shop's histories can be found in the internet. And there are many comment and views too. Now I am one of them going to the shop and taste the noodle which I have taken since 1995.


The number of customers are that many everyday. If I am late I might not get a sit. Sharing table is encourage by the staff working there. So if you are with a large group of friends going to lunch at this place, do be advice to reach earlier to avoid disappointment.


The menu is simple. Dry noodle with mince beef is the standard. Next the choice of soup, beef ball only or mixture of beef tripe with beef ball. And there are also choice of size on the noodle and also the soup.


The above noodle is recommended. They do have other type of noodles. This one is a large size. Mince beef and sawi. Mixed it together to get the sauce evenly onto the noodle, as the noodle is tasteless.


Beef balls and tripe. If you can take tripe, rcommended to try them out. Else if you are on the conservative side, then all beef balls.



There goes the department producing the delicious food. The same corner since the first time I enter this shop.

Located at a junction, as it is a corner lot. The whole building is bathe in yellow, easy to find.

Okay now this is another outlet to be added in lunch list, if you have no problem with taking the beef.


04 October 2011

Architecture & Human Rights: Urban Installation

A signboard is erected at Dataran Merdaka, Kuala Lumpur. An event about Architecture and Human Rights: Urban Installation. Sort of celebrating World Day of Architecture in year 2011. The event take place from 3rd till 18th October.







There is a structure made of plastic bottles. On first sight, a boy was setting the bottles in place. I was wondering where are his parents and was he the artist for the structure. At the same time tourists are around.

Then came a mother trying to pull the boy away. But he refused to budge from his place and continue to re-arrange the bottles. There comes the answer, the boy is a tourist.

Tourists were taking opportunity to capture this.

On the other side is the frame with colorful strings. Seems like signify the color of Malaysia national flag. Now what else can be found there, as today is only the second day.

I will update here once new structure can be found.