KOH KHO KING

July 2008
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Nikon D700 FX Full Frame DSLR = RM10300 & Nikon SB-900 @ RM1995

Posted on July 1st, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Dear Valued Customer,

1st of July 2008, Nikon has announced something exciting today and we are proud to have the latest products included at ShaShinKi.com! Actual release date is 25th July 2008 in Japan and we are taking pre-order nows for the camera and flash.

Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera Body Only (FX Full Frame 12MP CMOS, Live View, Image Sensor Cleaning) (Japan Import)
Date Added: Tuesday 01 July, 2008
Manufacturer: Nikon
Price: (REMOVED)

Nikon SB-900 Speedlight i-TTL Shoe Mount Flash (Guide No. 34/111.5 (ISO 100, m/ft))
Date Added: Tuesday 01 July, 2008
Manufacturer: Nikon
Price: (REMOVED)

To view some of our latest / new products, please visit:

http://shashinki.com/shop/products_new.php

Thank you!

_______________
Yours sincerely,
KOH KHO KING
Founder / Director
ShaShinKi.com - Malaysia Online Camera Shop!
http://shashinki.com

0 comments.

Nikon SB-900 Speedlight and Nikon PC-E 45mm F/2.8

Posted on July 1st, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Two photos…

Don’t see much changes from SB-800 from the front view…don’t have the rear view at the moment…but I am sure very soon we will see it…price? 429 euros (RM2,208.50). Street price should be lower, but I think it should still be significantly higher than SB-800.

SB-900 is more mean for full frame FX DSLR.

Interesting normal micro lens. Should be good for product shots. FX compatible.

0 comments.

More Photos of Nikon D700…

Posted on July 1st, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

There isn’t any reason for us NOT to believe that Nikon D700 is real now…

Yeah…FX format…same sensor resolution as Nikon D3, 12.1MP (are they sharing the same sensor? Probably, as the ISO range is same from 200-6400 as well).

I think it shares the same hard coated glass LCD screen as Nikon D3. There is no catch for external cover for it like in D300…

Weather sealed…reminds me of Nikon F6…looks like a professional camera with external battery pack.

Not any smaller with MB-D10 as compared to D3 (right). Ok, taller but less wide.

Now…what will be the price? Some said USD4000 MSRP (convert from Euro pound), but I think that is way too high. I would rather go for D3 if D700 is only marginally cheaper.

Nevermind, wait first…not that I can get one now even if I have the USD4000…

0 comments.

More News on Nikon D700…and a Nikon SB-900 Flash / Speedlight! (in German Magazine)

Posted on July 1st, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Today, there are even more news on Nikon D700…in a German magazine!

Pictures below are taken from dpreview forum:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1021&thread=28457712

Sorry, I can’t read German language…but the new SB-900 flash sure looks attractive!

Actual news should be released by Nikon in end of July or early August.

0 comments.

Nikon PC-E Nikkor 24mm and 45mm

Posted on June 30th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Two New Lenses from Nikon?

Together with the D700 rumors, there are two new lenses in the leaked brochure…

PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D
PC-E Micro Nikkor 45mm f/2.8D ED

Wait…I think the PC-E 24mm and 45mm are not new news…I have blogged about it before:

http://shashinki.com/blog/2008/01/29/nikon-new-range-of-tilt-shift-lens/

Still…good to see the lenses coming soon…

0 comments.

Nikon D700 Coming Soon?

Posted on June 30th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

There has been rumors in the internet on Nikon D700. The most recent (not so recent…already been a month) is some handphone snap photos of D700 brochures by a printer (will he lost his job for this courtesy?). Below are some of the handphone photos from this kind heart person…

The prism seems quite low…Nikon D3 prism is very high. Full frame for D700 with low prism?

Large, bright viewfinder! (more…)

1 comment.

Leica Noctilux 50mm F/1.0 Limited Edition (100 units)

Posted on June 24th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Leica is discontinuing their legendary 50mm F/1.0 lens. There will be a limited final 100 units production before ending the production life of this lens…here are some of the limited edition pictures:

This is sure a luxury and keeper for those who can afford it…available in July 2008.

0 comments.

Rumor? Nikon Nikkor AF-S 100-500mm F/4-5.6G ED IF VR III

Posted on June 23rd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Saw this rumor in the net at http://www.thaidphoto.com website…looks quite real…

Specifications

VR III system offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed 5.5 stops faster (when used with compatible camera bodies incorporated with Nikon’s O.B. VR technology), or 4 stops faster when used with conventional camera bodies
Two VR Modes: Normal mode or Active Mode for when taking pictures with extreme movement
Automatically detects when photographer is panning and compensates
5 Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements minimizes chromatic aberration and provides higher resolution and superior contrast
Lightweight Magnesium die-cast construction (approx. 5.2lbs) with tripod mounting foot
Internal Focusing (IF) design for smoother focusing and great body balance
Nikon’s exclusive Silent Wave Motor enables ultra-high speed autofocusing with exceptional accuracy and super-quiet operation
High-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating offers superior color reproduction and minimizes ghost and flare
Rounded diaphragm (9 blades) for natural blur
New tripod mounting foot design, compatible with Arca style quick-release system
Compatible with Nikon TC-14E, TC-17E II, and TC-20E II Teleconverters, AF operation only with TC14E II

0 comments.

Sony New HVL-F58AM Flagship Flash! Cool design!

Posted on June 23rd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

I think this flash looks really cool! Didn’t know there can still be such improvement to a flash…

SAN DIEGO, Jun. 19, 2008 – Sony is expanding its a (alpha) system of accessories to include the new HVL-F58AM flash unit with exceptional features for versatile and flexible external lighting control.

Quick Shift Bounce and Expanded Versatility
This new flash features a new and innovative Quick Shift Bounce system. It offers more creative ways to achieve lighting, flash and bounce angles you may not have been able to experience before.

The flash head can pivot 90 degrees left and right on a horizontal axis in addition to the conventional up and down vertical adjustment. With this system, the camera and flash unit can keep the same orientation regardless of portrait or landscape shooting. This gives a higher degree of flexibility when arranging the direction of light.

For example, you can take full advantage of the flash unit’s built-in bounce card even during portrait shots since the flash head can maintain the same orientation as it would in the landscape position.

Enhanced Operability and Ease-of-Use
A powerful performer, the HVL-F58AM flash unit features a maximum guide number of 58 at 105mm and ISO 100. It recycles (or recharges) in as little as five seconds, approximately 55% faster than the predecessor HVL-F56AM model, so you are ready to capture the next shot. And because it features a quiet recycle charge, there’s no whine to distract you from your subject.
It also has a large, easy-to-read LCD screen that is about 13% larger than its predecessor’s. Its intuitive control layout makes it easy to control flash functions and configure the settings based on your shooting needs.

Wireless Auto Flash Control
This new flash has wireless auto flash control so you can remove the flash unit from the camera and easily light subjects from different angles. Photographers can create soft shadows to add depth to their images and avoid the strong shadows and hot spots that can occur with front lighting. The HVL-F58AM flash unit can also control the ratio of lighting from several off-camera flash units.

Up to three groups of flashes can be set up for optimal, complete control of lighting via a wireless connection. Flash output ratios can be adjusted automatically without having to do tedious exposure calculations. Additionally, you can fire a modeling flash to preview flash effects before taking the picture. Even with multiple units, the modeling flash fires according to the flash ratio you have set.

Advanced Features for Optimal DSLR Performance
One of the flash’s most advanced features is its sophisticated zoom control that automatically optimizes illumination angles that are suitable for either APS-C size or 35mm full frame sensors. This control reduces light “fall-off” at the periphery of images.

It also has an advanced white balance compensation system that gathers color temperature information, complimenting the white balance information reading of the camera. This achieves more accurate results when the main unit is in auto white balance mode.

Other features include: high-speed synchronization at shutter speeds of up to 1/4000 of a second, ADI flash metering, manual flash and zoom (six levels), multiple-flash, and a supplied mini-stand for greater wireless freedom.

Price and Availability
The HVL-F58AM flash unit will ship in September for about US$500 (RM1650) at sonystyle.com, Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), military base exchanges, and authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin online on Jun. 20 at www.sonystyle.com.

0 comments.

Nikon Malaysia Promotions @ ShaShinKi.com!

Posted on June 22nd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Nikon Malaysia Promotions @ ShaShinKi.com!
16th June ~ 15th July 2008 or while stock last only!

Visit http://shashinki.com/shop/ for more info!

0 comments.

Canon Digital SLR Camera Shutter Duration Test Information

Posted on June 3rd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Many speculations have been flying around in the internet regarding how many count Canon DSLR camera shutter can last. Instead of just guessing around, I have decided to refer to Canon Japan themselves. Yes, need words from Canon Japan themselves in black and white (or colour) instead of just verbal talk.

Here’s what I found in Canon official camera brochures:

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III - 300k shutter duration test

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III - Did not mention in the brochure, other than just “Accurate Highly Durable Shutter”. However the shutter picture is same as the 1Ds Mark III picture, so I would guess it to have the same 300k shutter duration test as in 1Ds Mark III. (more…)

3 comments.

Speed Test of TEKQ Professional CF 8GB 233X + Buffalo MCR-A30H Card Reader/ Writer

Posted on May 30th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

Since I have both products in hand, so instead of asking others how is the speed of both (main interest in TEKQ speed), so I did a simple read and write test to the memory card.

TEKQ Professional 233X Ultra Pro CompactFlash (CF) 8GB Memory Card (Lifetime Warranty)

Buffalo MCR-A30H/U2 30 in 1 USB 2.0 High Speed Memory Card Reader Writer

The Buffalo MCR-A30H/U2 30 in 1 USB 2.0 High Speed Memory Card Reader Writer is among the fastest USB reader/writer in the market nowadays, so this should eliminates the bottleneck of the writing or reading speed of the memory card withhold by the card reader/writer.

Test Files

Total File = 472 Jpeg files
Total File Size = 2.01GB or 2,164,224,000 bytes
Computer = Fast USB port (latest PC with 3GB memory and over 250GB free hdd space
Time measured using online stop watch, hand/human accuracy = +-2 seconds

Results

Read time (copy files from memory card to PC) = 108 seconds (18.61MB/s)
Write time (copy same files from PC to memory card) = 371 seconds (5.42MB/s)

4 comments.

Sample Photos from Carl Zeiss 50mm F/2 Macro ZF Lens

Posted on May 28th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

I got this lens few days ago for one of my customer. With his permission, I tested the lens to check for focus accuracy.

I must say that I really like short macro lens. You can go so close to your subject yet still be able to focus.

Depth of field from macro lens at such close distance in macro mode is very very shallow. This creates a very interesting effect especially if you are shooting some “interesting” subjects. For macro, most would have choose to shoot at F11 or more. For portrait or children photography, you can try shoot at the widest aperture, you will love it!

(more…)

2 comments.

Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Lens (A09N II with built in motor for Nikon F)

Posted on May 25th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Tamron has recently announced an update version of their very popular 28-75mm F2.8 lens to incorporate built in motor to the lens for the Nikon mount version. This means that the new lens will now be compatible with Nikon D40, D40X and D60 DSLR cameras. Of course, this new version is also fully compatible with all other Nikon DSLRs including the latest D3 and D300. This is a full frame lens, so yes it is fully compatible with Nikon D3…but who on earth that can afford a D3 will want a third party lens on their camera?

The lens is now available at ShaShinKi.com:

RM1,295.00

Lens is directly import from Japan and will be checked/tested before sending to customer.

0 comments.

eBook: Portraiture Post Processing for Beginners by Banhup Teh

Posted on May 23rd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

I am very proud and please to announce that Dr. Teh (dtbh) very first ebook on “Portraiture Post Processing for Beginners” is now available at ShaShinKi.com!

Portraiture Post Processing for Beginners
by Banhup Teh

Price = RM89.70 or US$29.90

Banhup’s ebook on Portraiture Post-processing for Beginners helps you understand and master the way he processes most of his images. With detailed information on the steps he takes during the workflow, you’ll find the steps very easy to follow. It is like leading you by the hand throughout the process!About the Author / Photographer
(more…)

0 comments.

Let’s talk about design…

Posted on May 21st, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

In the busiest shopping street in Osaka, Japan…when night fall…these people will just sit by the side and rest there…no, they are not begging for money…

Noisy version

Clean version

Which one do you prefer?

2 comments.

Hiroshima Atomic Dome at Sunset

Posted on May 15th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Took this photo today…

I want to emphasis on the golden sunlight on the dome…so I purposely underexposed the shot by 3 stops, and then enhanced it further in PC.

What do you think?

0 comments.

A 3 minutes play with Nikon D3 at ISO 6400

Posted on May 15th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Family, Photography.

Went to an electronic store today (in Japan) and got the chance to test and play play with a Nikon D3. I got my new TEKQ Professional 233X Ultra Pro CompactFlash (CF) 8GB Memory Card (Lifetime Warranty) with me, so was able to slot it in and do some test shots and bring them home.

My best model, Megumi was just beside me. Her mum was shopping in a store nearby.

The camera was set to ISO6400 by the previous user or store owner, I did not check the initial setting before taking shots of Megumi…but I think it is great that it is set that way and I can see how good the D3 performed at such ISO! Lens used is Nikon AFD 50mm F1.4.

All photos below are none edited or sharpen in my computer. Only resized and cropped for web sharing purpose.

Here’s a shot that I took (resized for web purpose):

Below are 100% crop (click to view in full):

I must say that I am very very impressed! Not only details are still pertained, but colours are very well and no shift to weird colour matching at this high ISO! (which is always a problem in my Nikon D200)

(more…)

2 comments.

PhotoMalaysia server under emergency maintenance

Posted on May 12th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

I received many emails today from members of PhotoMalaysia, asking why their accounts being suspended (it is not) and why PhotoMalaysia site is down (true).

PhotoMalaysia is undergoing an emergency maintenance that must be carried out at the moment. This is not in our schedule actually, as we normally would inform our members in advance before the down time. However, this must be carried out in order for us to continue serving.

Please bare with us for the down time of PhotoMalaysia. Things are under control and PhotoMalaysia will be back to serve more securely, faster browsing and better services soon!

Yours sincerely
KOH KHO KING
Co-Founder / Administrator
www.PhotoMalaysia.com

1 comment.