Can’t really say I love the country…but I can definitely say I like the country. Lovely weather, lovely people, lovely food…just a bit too costly the living…
Souvenir brought back from Perth visit.
Celebrating my beloved wife, Lydia’s birthday…
First, I created a banner for her, posted up at ShaShinKi on the 11th May 2012.
http://shashinki.com/images/birthday/lydiabirthday2012.jpg
Second, I bought a birthday cake. Secret Recipe Chocolate and Strawberry cake. Megumi’s favorite. 
Megumi’s loves strawberry, and later only she realized that the cake she chose does not have strawberry on top. Too late to change, so I told her we will go get a pack of fresh strawberries, better than those sugar coated smallberries on cake.
See Lydia putting the BIG Strawberries on the cake.
Third, I bought a small present for her. A wrist bracelet.
Fourth, we celebrate together and enjoy the cakes.
The excited Megumi!
Lighting up the candles…(hey…don’t count!)
Family photo
Happy Birthday, my dearest!
My third Petrol pump, RM145.50 for Primax 97, 50.174 Litre at RM2.90 per litre, 25 April 2012.
Yeah…expensive. Each full tank can last me around 550km. 26.45 cents per km. Hmm…expensive.
10.96 Litre / km. Hmm…costly.
Pump every 2 weeks, so still quite ok.
The car manual said the car will only starts showing actual consumption after 2000km drive. So will see how…
Bad News…I found two chips on my car windows. One left, one right. 
Good News…my windows didn’t break or crack but just chipped.
(The above image is just for illustration purpose only…not the one I encountered today…credit to http://wn.com/grass_cutting)
I already tried to avoid when seeing those grass cutter. Stop at far, still…unlucky got the stone flies to my car. I only hear stone hitting sound, didn’t go down to check until I got home.
Next time have to reverse 100m away!!!
A family shot.
First shot, Emmanuel smiling…
Another shot…Megumi smiling…
Took over 30 shots, burst using my D3s. 
Just finished a buffet lunch with my family at Grand Paragon Hotel, Johor Bahru.
Not lot of variety, but the food is nice and delicious. The very few buffet place in Johor that my wife and I will return for more.
Asked one of the waitress to help snapping.
Megumi just love Orange! Or anything that is SOUR!
My first plate…
After an hour of fest…we are almost done. Taking the “tea”…
If you wonder what camera I used above to have such effect…
Nikon D3s + Nikon AFD 16mm F2.8 Fisheye Lens. Very interesting lens, great on full frame and I have a lot of fun with it!
Hahaa…not that he can turn now, but he can head up!
We turn him chest down, and he can head up to see us. 3 Months old…he is quite strong.
(Every parents think that their babies are always the strongest, cutest, smartest…etc., while others are just shitty smelly naughty monters…)
Megumi was accidentally caught by the power gate today.
We thank God that she is fine, unharmed. Thank you Lord for protecting her.
Megumi was so scared, and we thank God that she has faith in God, and she prayed to God to save her. Her faith is even bigger than ours. Pure, sincere faith. Just like what Jesus said in the Bible, we (adults) should have the faith like a child in order to enter heaven. Megumi’s believe is from the bottom of her heart, and she really believes it!
Thank you Lord.
(Megumi is a Japanese word, which means Grace, the gift from God.)
Less than 24 hours…hopefully…
Which one will you choose?
Mini Cooper S (RM23,8560)
Volkswagen Beetle (2012 model, estimated to be above RM200k for 2000cc version)
Peugeot RCZ (RM223,888 Manual version 1600cc OTR price)
Just for fun…
Have a family shot today…
Took by my mum
This one took by me…
Close up of Emmanuel
My little princess. Cute hair style.
Nikon 85mm f1.4 lens is often referred to as the “Portrait Lens”. An ultimate lens for whoever wants to do best portrait shots.
But…is it truly needed? Can you actually shoot at F1.4?
Having the chance to test out the AFS 85mm F1.4 lens today, so I did some family shots. What can be more meaningful taking your own family member’s shots than others? 
The purpose of owning a 85mm F1.4 lens is to use the F1.4 aperture, instead of stopping down to F2.8 or F4 or even F5.6…but of course a faster lens does help brighten up the viewfinder of your camera, making shooting more fun.
So…I did some shots with aperture set at F1.4, just to test out how sharp the lens is…and how possible it is to use such shallow aperture in portrait shots.
This is one of the shot that I took. Focus is on Lydia’s eye on the left.
This is 100% crop.
To be frank, I am surprised by the sharpness the lens produced, and of course thanks to the D3S great focus module that is able to keep the subject in focus!
I have owned and tried several others Nikon 85mm lens. Eg. AFD 85mm F1.4, AFD 85mm F1.8, AIS 85mm F1.4, AIS 85mm F2. I have sold them all, as I find the those lenses were too long when use on 1.5x cropped sensor, and is very difficult to keep up with the focus / sharpness in actual shot.
Focused on Emmanuel’s eye on the right, but as he kept moving…so is a bit hard to shoot. Anyhow, the camera and lens still able to freeze the motion.
Another shot with Megumi doing her homework.
Thanks to the AFS motor (Silent Wave), the lens focus fast, silent and accurately on my D3S. I have to mention D3S here as different camera will have different AF performance. Also, on D3S, the true 85mm focal length is materialized, and a true KING of portrait lens is shown.
Though just a brief testing with the lens, I must say I am impressed. My thought of 85mm F1.4 impossible to use has now changed, and I shall enjoy shooting more at F1.4 if I owned this lens in future.
Some photoshop guru managed to get a facelift to the Peugeot RCZ, which I think is AWESOME!
While I like every bit the rear part of RCZ, I really don’t like its front part. It is just way too ordinary for a car like that. You can’t tell if it is a RCZ or 308 from the front, until your eyesight move to the middle double bubble roof design of the car and get a peak at the rear part of the car, that’s where the modern sporty looks kick in.
In the facelift above, while I don’t really like the LED light design at the side, but the MOUTH outlined by the silver / white colour is just AWESOME! Give a much fierce look to the car!
Let’s compare the original design of RCZ below…
Which one do you prefer?
There is an animated GIF file with before and after facelift…
You can see that not only the bumper is changed, but the Headlight as well. Hmm…
I did mentioned that the original RCZ design is very much like the 308 design…and I just found out that the facelift picture above is actually a photoshop from a 308 facelift!
Hmm…it seems like RCZ is going to be like 308 again if they both uses the same facelift design…hmm…nevermind…I think RCZ still looks nicer with that facelift…better than the old original…
Went a Nasim (Peugeot Distributor in Malaysia) showroom yesterday to see the RCZ in person.
Made a phone called, confirming that they have RCZ in their showroom.
Arrived there with my wife, and I am surprised to see both Pearl White and Haria Grey in their showroom. It is NOT in stock, as they two cars were already sold, ordered from KL to customers in JB.
Not that I am going to buy one piece on the spot, so it doesn’t matter. I only want to check out those cars in person…so that I can have more elements to dream on later.
In Malaysia, Nasim only import two colours: Pearl White and Haria Grey. (You can have 8 different colours in UK, and that’s haven’t take into account the limited Asphalt version.)
Of course, I think it is the right choice by Nasim to get the Pearl White and Haria Grey (or Charcoal) Colour into Malaysia. These two should be the most sort after colour.
If you checked Peugeot UK website, you will see that Pearl White is actually a more expensive model, similar to any other car makers that offer Pear White paint, normally you will have to fork out RM500-RM1000 extra for luxurious colour. In Malaysia, both colours are selling at the same price.
Dark colour cars do look more macho, fierce, and handsome…but that’s not my taste. You will have to keep your dark colour dark polished all the time, even after single wash, you will notice spider web scratches on the surfaces already. It is so hard to maintained a dark colour car. The one in the showroom, I can actually see some polish wax leftover at the edges of the car. It should have been polished recently, before deliver to the customer. Who will want to see his / her brand new card with spider web scratches?!
Dark does look good from far though…
Checking out the Pear White version, stunning! It shines, glows, and has a very mild milky / yellowish colour on the paint. I would say is very nice and elegant look, even at close up.
This is the actual Pearl White version offered in Malaysia…with the “UGLY” dark colour rims…
In comparison…see how good the car looks with silver rim?!
The rims have such a beautiful design, but when in black, you CAN’T SEE IT AT ALL!!!
Nasim does not allow customer to customize their RCZ like what UK have. You only have the following options basically:
1. Colour: Pearl White or Haria Grey
Nasim by default pair the Pearl White with dark interior leather, while the Haria Grey with light grey interior leather.
Pearl White comes with 19” ‘Sortilege’ alloy wheels – onyx black, while Haria Grey comes with 19” ‘Sortilege’ alloy wheels – midnight silver.
NO, you can’t change any of the above, your only option is White or Grey body paint.
While I love the Pear White in every bit…including the dark leather, but I just hate the dark rim. What a pity! You spend so much money yet you can’t choose the colour of rim that you like! (Hahaa…as if I already bought…)
Black looks in photos (after newly polished)…
2. Manual (200HP) or Auto (156HP)
Manual is RM5000 more expensive, but if you can afford a RM220k car, RM5k should not be of a consideration.
At Nasim website, it didn’t mention if Cruise Control is included or not, so I checked out both car units, and yes both have Cruise Control there. It is good to have, especially when driving on Highway.
GPS Navigation? Sadly, it is not included in Malaysia’s RCZ. Nasim opt for the cheaper viewer instead. In UK, this costs 1,225.00 pound (RM6k) before VAT. Too bad not in Malaysia’s RCZ.
The Experience…
Sitting inside the RCZ, you will actually notice that the view is quite limited when are you in the driver seat. The car is quite low center of gravity, but not extremely low. The problem is the windscreen. I actually feel quite squishy on the windscreen, not as wide as my other normal cars (Wish, …etc.). The rear view mirror is actually blocking some of the windscreen as well, and the left right bars are actually quite thick, blocking again some important views from left and right corners. I am not sure how safe it is in actual driving, but definitely not very good impression to me.
Specs said the interior is made using Nappa leather. I am not sure what it is…supposed to be a very high quality leather. My feel is that while the leather is smooth, it doesn’t really give me any elegant feel inside the car. As what I have mentioned before, the steering wheel looks boring, even with leather. I would prefer a wood decorated type…or maybe not…have to feel then only know.
RCZ is ORDINARY when viewing from the front. Yes, is BORING and ORDINARY. It is just another Peugeot, 308, 407…etc. all uses different headlight design, and huge Peugeot logo at the center. Very eye-catching for the first time, but when you see all these 3 cars together…they looks so very similar and hence…BORING! I dreamed if only RCZ can have a totally revamped front design…to make it a clear distinguish from the rest of Peugeot family.
However, turning to the back of the RCZ is where all the bells and whistles is all about. It is like the Audi TT, but nicer and more modern look! Lovely curvature, the light blends with the body shape perfectly! The Lion logo looks great! The only improvement that I can think of would be a TWIN left and right exhaust system, making it more POWERFUL like!
You can lift up the rear spoiler manually with a push of a button in the car, but remember to close it down when you leave the car, as it won’t close down unless you manually close it yourself. The sales manager told me that it can be dangerous for some naughty hands to push the spoiler down and break the hydraulic system inside.
Manual or Automatic?
This is a killing question as well. Malaysia sold MORE Automatic transmission RCZ than Manual transmission version. Yeah…thanks to the traffic jams…manual car with clutch pushing up and down 100 times per trip (200 times round trip…or more), will require you going for foot massage every week!
However, it is such a waste to have a such a nice car in Auto, no? I have been driving Auto car almost all the time. Manually should be a little bit more fun to try out…but RM220k is not a trial and error game. You bought, no return and you better live or die with it.
Manual version has some extra features, besides 200 HP engine, it has the so called Music air coming into the HiFi system of your car, making those sitting inside hear more VROoom sound when pressing the gas. The two RCZ there were Auto, so I am not sure how good that manual sound it.
Taking about sound…I did start the RCZ (thought I can’t test drive it yet), and I am NOT impressed. There is no powerful sound like what we are expecting from a Ferrari…(am I asking too much from a 1600cc engine car?!). Doesn’t SOUND like a sport car…
Accessories?
While you can’t get any add-on accessories from Nasim, but they do help you to get some extra make up for your RCZ if you want to. I asked briefly…
1. VCool tint = RM2800 (take note that Puspakom will NOT approve any tint filter on your car windows…so this can only be done after you registered your car)
2. ??? body coating / polish = RM2200
If Only…
Yes…that’s a IF ONLY…I were to buy one…I will choose the Pearl White version, Manual Transmission…and asked nicely the sales manager to help me get a Silver Chrome rims if any Haria Grey owner is looking to swap.
VKool? No thanks.
Polishing? Maybe…will have to check that out first…
RM220k? Dream on…my wife said.
Just upgraded to Astro Beyond yesterday.
I have been quite reluctant on the upgrade initially, for a few reasons:
1. Astro is trying to “force” user to upgrade, by downsizing the viewing size of their normal Astro.
2. Beyond is expensive…
Went to my sister in law house on Friday, she mentioned that she just upgraded, and the price is actually cheaper. I was surprised. Came home and on Saturday, I gave Astro a call.
I have actually called Astro a week before, asking about adding Astro On Demand package to my existing subscription, and add also Movie channels, how much would it costs? Hmm…a prohibitive RM180+.
Astro Beyond, with some HD quality movie, and extra channels, price at RM150+ (before 6% tax). Yes, is cheaper than the normal Astro subscription.
However, one thing worried me. The Astro service personnel on the phone said I have to change my house existing cable to HDMI cable. It is quite a tedious work if that has to be done, as my living room has wall furnished with wooden backdrop. I am not going to let them destroy that. Anyhow, I told him, just let the technician come and check what is the solution.
Yesterday, the installer came. He said I don’t have to change cable, unless my current cable is having too weak signal (which isn’t. I get over 70% signal strength).
So, install new satellite disc, new decoder, HDMI cable only from decoder to TV, new card, etc.
Done! and the signal strength is over 90%! Most probably due to the bigger disc and newer disc (clean).
My Sony LCD TV is now is able to show movie and shows in FULL. No more downsizing, and can actually enjoy the real quality of HD TV!
Got poisoned with this car recently. It is not an ultra luxury car, at around RM220k, still quite prohibitive for me.
The look is stunning, killing. The speed isn’t the purpose of buying this car. You don’t race with this type of sport car, but merely to attract the turning head / attention and get special parking in front of hotel lobby privilege.
Peugeot official website uses flash in the design, which makes browsing a pain with low speed internet connection, and you can’t really download the photos from there easily. I have a big monitor with me, so I print screen some shots that I think are nice and share them here…for my own dreaming purpose…feel free to dream together!
I don’t really like the interior design of RCZ, not as luxury as I would have expect from a sport car. The steering wheel can be made much better, with cruise control buttons and audio control on it (they are now placed below the signal and wiper handles, so you got in total 4 handles around the steering). Old design, I don’t like it. They should have used the 508 steering!
I also don’t like the buttons in the middle dash board. Can be made better, and the clock while is useful can be improved with a watch maker (Tag Heuer?).
The handbrake…why so tall?!
The seat, while it is nice that Peugeot uses high quality leather, I just don’t like the one piece back design till your head. I prefer the head back to be of separate. Why make it so tall?
While I am saving my money for the dream car…Peugeot, go improve the interior design of the RCZ and make it a more lusting car!
Below are from Nikon website.
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撮影カメラ
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D800
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シャッタースピード
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1 秒
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絞り値
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f/8
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焦点距離
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15mm
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測光モード
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マルチパターン測光
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撮影モード
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マニュアル
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撮像感度
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ISO 100
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ホワイトバランス
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色温度 (5,000 K)
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ピクチャーコントロール
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スタンダード
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画質モード
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RAW (14-bit)
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レンズ
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AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
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 撮影カメラ：D800
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撮影カメラ
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D800
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|---|---|
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シャッタースピード
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1/200 秒
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絞り値
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f/4.5
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焦点距離
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160mm
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測光モード
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マルチパターン測光
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撮影モード
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マニュアル
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撮像感度
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ISO 640
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ホワイトバランス
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オート2
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ピクチャーコントロール
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「スタンダード」で撮影後、Capture NX 2で「ポートレート」に変換
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画質モード
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RAW (14-bit)
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レンズ
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AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
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 撮影カメラ：D800
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My mum taking care of Emmanuel during Sunday service.
He is a good boy…sleeping soundly… (no sound actually)
I like how the pillars framing the shot, while the light from the window still able to light up Megumi’s face perfectly.
I like the expression as well.
Using Nikon D3s, the camera is able to focus at no time and capture the moment.
The cheapest Nikon lens that you can get for your D3s…
While not a bit down grading the quality of your D3s.
Sharp, sharp, SHARP!
This lens by no mean is of cheapo built. For me it is solid, with metal rear mount. Of course, the use of plastic, but that makes the lens light and of course cut down the production cost hence consumer is able to enjoy such great lens at great price!
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Autofocus Lens
Used to be made in Japan during the old days…the one mounted on my D3s is the Made in Japan version, but is the AF none-D version. What is D? It is actually an extra technology Nikon embedded in the lens, to be able to give the Distance information to your camera, hence able to do 3D-Matrix Metering, and is said to be able to give more accurate result in exposure to your photo.
Nikon has recently released a new version of the 50mm F1.8 Lens, the AF-S version, which built in silent wave motor, making it compatible with entry entry level DSLRs (D3000, D3100, D5000, D5100…etc.).
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S Nikkor Lens
Price? Almost double of the AFD version, what a pity. Reviews said that the AFS version is able to produce a better bokeh quality. Built quality does feel better than the AFD version.
If you don’t have any 50mm lens yet, go ahead and get one! Get and USE it!
Starbuck said it was my lucky day today…I ordered one Green Tea Frappuccino and they gave me another cup for free (I end up drinking Java Chip).
(Use Cloudy white balance to purposely give the warm moody feel as in Starbuck environment.)
Megumi’s mum just bought a bright red umbrella, so I asked Megumi for some photo session…and of course getting some fresh air in the garden instead of watch TV all day long…
Another shot with the umbrella…
Later my mum brought Emmanuel out for a walk…for the first time…joining Megumi for the photo session…and boy…Emmanuel seems excited!
Emmanuel was first time outside in the garden.
Then we called their mother out to join us… (my mother as photographer…see! D3s can also be handled by a newbie!)
Lydia and Emmanuel…
Megumi joining the shot…
My mother and Emmanuel…
My mother, Megumi and Emmanuel.
After bath…can you see the bird?
Sleepy?
Feel fresh after bath…good mood…
Another angle…
Must have Megumi as well…
Emmanuel at bath…very identical to Megumi at bath years ago!
This is Emmanuel
This is Megumi
Searched up and down…in and out…some said can use, some said cannot.
I gave up…reading.
Went and took out a Jobo SD/SDHC/SDxC to CF card Type II Adapter to try for myself on the D3s. No, cannot fit. The Type II adapter is just half a mm too thick. There is no way you are going to be able to insert a Type II card into a Type I slot.
Piled open the Jobo SD/SDHC/SDxC to CF card Type II Adapter, figured out if I can throw away the casing, there might be chance that I will still be able to insert the adapter into the D3s Type I slot.
After some careful surgery on the Jobo, it is now naked. I slot in a Sandisk SDHC memory card into the Jobo adapter, then carefully insert it into my D3s. It is a try an error process, as without the CF rails at the side, you can’t really tell if you have inserted the card correctly into the PINSsssss of the CF slot in the camera. Warning! If you accidentally bent or broken the CF pins inside the camera, it is going to cost you $$$ to get it repaired! I figured out that since D3s has TWO CF slots, so I can just risk one slot for my experiment.
After some effort, I was able to insert the Jobo adapter into the D3s. Yes, it works! D3s can immediately detect and read the SDHC card in the Jobo adapter. Shooting is fine as well, all photos are recorded perfectly onto the card.
Now it comes to the main purpose of the experiment. Getting Eye-Fi to work on my D3s!
This is actually the easier part, as there is no modification required on the Eye-Fi. Just slot in the Eye-Fi to the Jobo naked adapter, then carefully insert it to the D3s, and done.
But…before that, you need to actually setup the Eye-Fi on your computer. It is an easy process as well. Just plug in the Eye-Fi card to your computer with a supplied USB adapter, and the software inside the Eye-Fi will prompt you for installation. Just follow the screen instructions and you are done.
Now…does Eye-Fi works? Yes, it does! In fact is works like wonders!
This is how the Eye-Fi Center software looks like. No, you don’t need it as a photo sorter or whatever, just use it to configure the setting of your Eye-Fi.
The Eye-Fi card that I used is the best version from Eye-Fi: Eye-Fi 8GB Pro X2 SDHC Memory Card
With the capability of transferring RAW file, and some other advanced features. (read comparison at Eye-Fi website: http://www.eye.fi/products/compare-cards)
In short, as a summary, Eye-Fi + Naked Jobu SD/CF Adapter, works like wonders! Transfer speed is amazingly fast via home wireless network! A 3-4MB Jpeg file is transferred within 5 seconds. RAW file is less than 10 seconds. I am impressed! I saved lots of my time for product shots, without having to pull out the memory card, plug into my card reader, then computer, then copy to my computer, then only I can edit. See how many steps and time it saves!
For those who do studio works, I can imagine Eye-Fi being a real helper in your studio work!
A note on D3 / D3s user. Make sure you set your D3s “Auto Meter Off Delay” to 1 minute or longer. Default is 6s. The reason is because after shooting, Eye-Fi needs the camera to provide it powers to transmit the files via home wireless network to your computer.
For Android or iPhone user, you can download Eye-Fi app from the market. Installed to your phone, configure it and you can then have Eye-Fi sending images to your phone while shooting! (You need to enable WiFi on your phone to connect to Eye-Fi wireless network).
It works! It works like wonders! Amazing product, amazing technology. I am impressed.
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