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...

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.

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.

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/

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.

Chua Lam @ Lot10, 29 September 2011

Read a news in Facebook about Chua Lam appearance in Lot10. On arrival a press conference with Chua Lam was on-going. After the press conference ended, a session with fans begun, where fans get to have his signature on his book and a photo with him.

Manage to capture a few photos.

NEX-5N: picture of it

I am newly attached to one beautiful and petite individual... what more with it's shine under the light. It makes my finger dance on it..

Okay, below are the shots of what I had bagged last week.

Love the way this camera allows me to hang it on my finger. The feel of an DSLR I am owning, but in mini size. It makes me feel at home.

On using the camera, I discovered it kept focusing even though my finger is off the shutter button. So I go guessing the reason. First thought, was it a defect? So I went to the screen and start searching the menu and do some settings. Still it kept focusing whenever I move the camera to different objects with different distance. My mind went racing around for others possible cause. On discussing the matter with friends, they gave me the idea with their questions. Maybe it is meant to shorten the time in capturing the scene. So... this must be the reason, more to console me self.

I was surprised when the first day of playing with the camera. The shutter is loud. It feels like what the DSLR did, ka-chunk. On multiple shot, I thought I was shooting with a machine gun with silencer. Anyway, I got myself used to it. This also mean that I am no longer can be stealthy in the public.

One of the bundle item, the flash unit. I have not till today used it on the camera. Never thought I will want to use it. My reason is that the camera can produce shots good enough for me on higher ISO.

This is a replacement for my earlier S90, which was sold. But it seems the two are of different group. What triggered me to look at NEX-5N is the versatility of NEX-5 which a friend of mine is using. The size and the capabilities are amazing to me. Light weight is a bonus. And more importantly I had a budget. Now with this purchase the accounting book went haywire. And thanks to the articles over the net, which has gave this camera a it's own light, which led me to it.

With the ability to change lens, I am looking forward for new lens or any third party with E-mount. My future addition will be a zoom 55-210mm and a fast prime lens at 35mm. As current I am also shooting with Canon 1000D via 50mm f1.4, which has intrigue me with no ends.

The camera bag that came free with the camera on purchase, fit nicely when using the camera with 18-55mm lens. When the camera fit with the 16mm, it is loose. Anyway this is the only bag I can rely on at this moment. I am my the way to complete my own creation, that will fit the camera with 16mm on it (will share the photos on it once it is completed).

I would like to say more, but the news has covered most of it.

Lastly, I am wondering why I was so eager to had one of this NEX-5N after knowing that is was going to have a click noise on video shooting. Still wondering....

Photos above was shot with HTC Desire HD.

Nex-5N @ ISO 800

While waiting for transport, I was testing out the camera. Fix the ISO at 800 and result above.This copy is a convert from RAW to JPEG and reduction in size.

It is also a place for my dinner. Favorite order, Nasi Lemak Special and a cup of Xi Mut Tea hot.

Provides magazine in limited choices. Newspaper. At time I will just order a milk tea and browse the available mag.