19.6.10

New Era of "small" DSLR Camera

Since the pass two years, Micro Four Thirds system have been taking place on the DSLR market. The pioneer being Olympus and Panasonic, have set out a new course, which has obviously become a hit with the consumers like me. Well, almost one year I wish to have one Olympus E-P1, then finally (collected enough of "hobby fund") decided to have one which combines the size of compact camera with SLR image quality.

There is a lot of enthusiasm for Micro Four Thirds, causing others to also assign their R&D department to create a similar concept. Including Sony and Sumsung, with their introduction of the Sony NEX-5 and NX10 respectively. Despite of image quality, those manufacturer also aims on photographer at entry level, which with affordable trial price. For sure, I am so happy with that.

First of all, Olympus come out with E-PL1 which has its build in flash as demanded by most consumers and the price is much lower because of its plastic body (instead of metal). Then Lumix has its G series, DMC-G2 and its sister DMC-G10.


Lumix DMC-G10 is Panasonic's latest addition to its G family of m4/3 cameras. It is, in short, Panasonic's attempt at creating a strong competitor to Canon and Nikon's entry-level DSLR line-up and at the same time attack the entry-level consumer who may be in the market for an ultra-zoom point and shoot or, barring that, a standard pocket camera. The price for Lumix DMC G10 shall be around 599 USD (approximately RM 1940) compare to G2 which offer at the price range above 799 USD (approximately RM2800). The main different is that G2 features a brand-new touch-sensitive, articulating LCD screen, with touch controls.

After considering the price and the feature, I was hardly decided to buy Lumix DMC G10. Build in flash, view finder, handy, changeable lenses (though I don't know how and what lenses to use yet) and one more important thing is I like its user friendly operation buttons with rear dial, which I found easier instead of pressing plus or minus buttons.

The feature of Panasonic Lumic DMC G10 (See the main part of Lumix G10.)

TypeLive MOS Sensor
Effective pixels12.1 Megapixels
Total pixels13.1 Megapixels
Aspect Ratio4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1
Colour filter typePrimary colour filter
MountMicro Four Thirds mount
TypeContrast AF system
Exposure meteringProgram AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
AF modesFace detection / AF Tracking / 23-area-focusing / 1-area-focusing
AF lockAF/AE LOCK button or Shutter button halfway pressed in AFS mode
AE lockAF/AE LOCK button or Shutter button halfway pressed
AEB3,5,7 frame, in 1/3 or 2/3 EV Step, ±2 EV
TypeFocal-plane shutter
SpeedStill Images: 1/4000 ~ 60 and Bulb (up to approx. 4minutes)
ReleaseRemote control with bulb function by DMW-RSL1 (Optional)
SettingsAuto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / Flash / White Set 1,2 / Color temperature setting
ViewfinderLive View Finder (202,000 dots equivalent)
MagnificationApprox. 1.04x / 0.52x (35mm camera equivalent) with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1
EyepointApprox.17.5mm from eyepiece lens
Dioptre connection-4.0 ~ +4.0 m-1
Monitor3.0inch / 3:2 Aspect / Wide viewing angle
CoverageApprox. 100%
BrightnessBrightness (7 levels), Color (7 levels)
HotshoeTTL Auto with FL220/FL360/FL500(Optional)
Second Curtain sync1st. Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync.
Still image typeRAW, RAW+Fine, RAW+Standard, Fine, Standard
Pict. bridgePictBridge compatible(Print size, Layout, Date setting is selectable )
BatteriesID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack
Dimensions124 x 83.6 x 74mm / 4.88 x 3.29 x 2.91 in (excluding protrusions)
Weight (body only)Approx. 558g

Cool huh? 
But I have not seen any Lumix DMC G10 in Malaysia...and most of the camera dealers never heard of Lumix G10!! Is it my illusion??


27.3.10

Ipoh so called famous chicken bean sprout - - disappointing

Besides Penang, Ipoh shall be the famous place for delicious food in Malaysia.

After quite a long time of planning, finally I made my first time truly to Ipoh!
Heard a lot of how nice the food in Ipoh, and I was given a "must try" list...

Before go on with happy experience in Ipoh, I would like to highlight the terrible Lou Wong...so called "famous" chicken bean sprout!

There are a few chicken rice shops in the area, but unfortunately I pick the wrong one perhaps.. the name of the shop Lou Wong, with a plat hanging in the middle of shop written "The Most Famous in Town: Specialized in Chicken Bean Sprout and Kuetiao", and the shop was almost full house.. so much so I wonder that Ipoh chicken rice tasted so "uniquely" or it was something wrong with my taste bud?
This photo was intentionally up side down! Just like the description and the real was totally "up side down"!

The rice was just plain white rice, not the usual oil rice...what I can said was worse than "economy rice" at hawker stall, which at least with nice pandan leafs smell... perhaps, the business was too good and the oil rice just out of stock?? and simply gave us the ordinary rice but unordinary price? I wouldn't know because it was my first (and the last) visit.

Okay, next the chicken served... then I realized all the oil missing from the rice came to the chicken...
Super oily, stale, tasteless or just the taste of black soy sauce I can tell... and the worse part was the chicken still raw...
I was so upset of why coming all the way so far even the chicken rice of the kopitiam next to my door is much much much better than this "Ipoh famous chicken"!

Next, the bean sprout... I thought its very easy to be prepared... shall be no problem... but I really surprised that it could be spoiled too...the whole plate was full of pepper...none of us know how to appreciate it...perhaps pepper's lover??

The so called "most famous" might be the most lousy, perhaps on the odd day...you will simply spend RM32 for such a terrible Ipoh food.
I am sorry to share such a bad experience in Ipoh here..but don't be disappointed, there are still other really nice food in Ipoh...such as dim sum, soy bean curt, salty chicken and more...

6.3.10

Prawning - Fishing prawn - My new hobby

Recently, my friend took me for prawning.. and I love it after all..

Prawning or prawn fishing is a hobby..like fishing but it can be an indoor game with pay-pond..all equipment provided..

Pay-pond usually be just a shop lot, big pond with aeration system in the middle, occupying 80% space of the shop, and chairs are provided surrounding the pond.

The shop will provides you a simple stick with color marked "floater".. then you just hook a tiny piece of chicken liver as bait (provided as well) and throw into water..
Prawn could be anywhere in the pond..just wait patiently.. suddenly you will see the sign when "floater" sinking down.. then faster pull!pull!pull!!!!!

For a first timer like me, you would scream uncontrollably.. then the next second, the prawn was flying above you head..and your friend beside have to be careful.. haha.. as if I was pulling out a shark..

Well, after one and a half hour, I got 1 prawn while my friend got 2, and the other 3 were given by tauke.. so we have 6 yummy oven baked fresh prawns happily..

Mr. Prawn
No. 15, Jalan PJS 8/12, Dataran Mentari, Petaling 46150, Selangor.
(Near to Sunway Pyramid)
019-2388252

13.12.09

Teluk Kumbar Seafood Restaurant

Today, lets go to one of the best Penang famous, delicious, fast and cheap, seafood restaurant.
Using so many terms to describe is indeed very true!

Teluk Kumbar Seafood Restaurant, How You.
How You in mandarin word means good friends. So, the price is friendly and you can enjoy the precious and delicious at the same time with you good friends.

Though its wooden house with simple furniture, its clean, close to nature and nice scene...


First thing must eat is the Satay here. Satay, meat prepared with special spice on a stick, and then grilled with charcoal...serving with cucumber...
 
 
 
After enjoy the "appetizer", we have deep fried squid...which are crispy and yummy...
 
Next, which is kind of seashell, we called "Kappa" in hokkien...serving with herbal soup and little of alcohol... the freshness of the seafood and the flaming alcohol and herbs were such a great combination... you would instantly feel stronger and enlighten...
 
Besides seafood, we have this pork ribs served with black soy source... its so juicy and delicious... the pork rib has been specially remove the bone, and prepared with the source with a little of sweetness and salty...no other pork chop of any restaurant can beat this "Pork Rib King"..
 

Again, the price is truly cheap and worthy, three of us ordered for 6 dishes is only RM50++

4.12.09

Fun Game for Group - Go Kart Racing

Shah Alam Stadium. Good racing circuit and space.
Weekends beside shopping mall, movie and food, here a good entertainment, go kart.

Here you can show off your driving skill, speed limit is on your foot, no summon but have to follow some rules of the game also... and the best thing is you can enjoy the drift without worry the cost of rubber tyres..


Everyone can be a racer here... see who is the champion on the road! 
Before play, you will be ask to sign the agreement of risk your life for this game...you may write down your will also...

After briefing, get set and GO!

and this is me...hehe...looks pro right???

but shamefully was third place from behind...

After 12 laps of drive, tired and muscle pain...kind of exhausting exercise too...