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) 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 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)

7 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.

kkk_4233.JPG

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

kkk_4232.JPG

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? :P

The lens is now available at ShaShinKi.com:

http://shashinki.com/shop/images/imagecache/250x250_TA-2875MMF28.jpg

RM1,295.00

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

3 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
eb-bht-pppfb-cover.jpg
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

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Clean version

kkk_4061-ns.jpg

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?

kkk_3702.JPG

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. :)

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

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):

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

dsc_0016_c01.JPG

dsc_0016_c02.JPG

dsc_0016_c03.JPG

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.

ShaShinKi.com sells Aipo Dry Cabinet (Digital Series) Now!

Posted on May 7th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

[ShaShinKi.com]

Aipo Dry Cabinets (Digital Series)

ShaShinKi.com is now the official dealer of Aipo dry cabinet in Malaysia.

All dry cabinets come with 5 years warranty.

All price shown with FREE Shipping within Penisular Malaysia.

Full range at:


AIPO Digital Series AP-102EX Dry Cabinet (102L) RM980.00

AIPO Digital Series AP-132EX Dry Cabinet (132L) RM1,095.00

(more…)

1 comment.

TIPA 2008 Awards

Posted on May 6th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

TIPA 2008 Awards

tipa2008.jpg

TIPA has announced the 2008 awards to various categories in the photography fields. A quick scan see no sign of Pentax in the list. Some worthable mentioned:

  • Best D-SLR Advanced went to Canon EOS 450D, which was supposed to be the beginner DSLR for family, but obviously has won the heart of many to be in the Advanced category.
  • Nikon D3 as expected has won the Best D-SLR Professional category.
  • Nikon D300 has won the Best D-SLR Expert category.
  • Sony Alpha 200 has won the Best D-SLR entry-level.

That’s all for the DSLR categories. Sorry…no sign of Pentax (nor Olympus…).

Below are the winners of various categories:

D-SLR entry-level Sony α200
D-SLR Advanced Canon EOS 450D
D-SLR Expert Nikon D300
D-SLR Professional Nikon D3
Medium Format D System Sinar Hy6 series
Ultra Compact Digital Camera Samsung NV24HD
Compact Digital Camera Panasonic LUMIX FX-500
Superzoom Digital Camera Fuji S100 FS
Entry-level Lens Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS
Expert Lens Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm F2.8-4 SWD
Professional Lens Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm F2.8G ED
Prestige Camera Sigma DP1
Innovative Design Manfrotto ModoSteady 585
Flatbed Photo Scanner Canon CanoScan 8800F
Small Format Photo Printer HP Photosmart A826 - Home Print Centre
Expert Photo Printer Epson Stylus Photo R1900
Multifunction Photo Printer Canon PIXMA MP970
Large Format Printer Epson Stylus Pro 11880
Fine Art Inkjet Paper Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Silk
Imaging Storage Media SanDisk Extreme Ducati range
Imaging Innovation Casio EXILIM Pro EX-F1
Photo Software Apple Aperture 2
Colour Management System X-Rite ColorMunki Photo
Accessory Metz Mecablitz 48 AF-1 Digital
Digital Accessory Wacom Cintiq 12WX
Photo Frame Sony DPF-V900/DPF-V700
Expert Photo Projector Panasonic PT-AX200E
Professional Photo Projector JVC DLA-HD100
Film Kodak Professional New T-MAX 400
Camcorder Panasonic HDC-SD9
Mobile Imaging Device Nokia N82
Retail Finishing System KODAK Adaptive Picture Exchange(Apex)
Photo Kiosk Sony Compact Picture Station
Photographic Display Samsung SyncMaster XL30 LED BLU
Photo Service CEWE Photobooks
Storage Back-up LaCie 2big Triple

More info at:
http://www.tipa.com/awa_2008.lasso

0 comments.

Brand New Canon EOS 40D at LOWEST PRICE!

Posted on May 2nd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Brand New Canon EOS 40D at LOWEST PRICE!

Japan Import Set (one year ShaShinKi.com Warranty (with official Canon Japan warranty. For warranty claim, send to ShaShinKi.com shop in Perak, we will send to Canon Japan at our own cost)):


Canon EOS 40D (10.1 Megapixel) Interchangeable Lens SLR Digital Camera Body Only
RM3,395.00


Canon EOS 40D SLR Digital Camera with Canon EF-S 17-85mm IS USM AF Lens
RM4,495.00

0 comments.

40 Millions Canon Lenses!

Posted on May 2nd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Canon has achieved their total EF lenses selling record to 40 millions as in February 2008!

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Canon EF lens was first selling in March 1987, when they first introduce the new EOS series with fully electronic lens mount in BIG lens mount size!

In Jan 2006, Canon has achieved 30 millions production of their EF lenses, and just around 2 years time, another 10 million accumulated! (Imagine the profit they are making…)

canon1_02l.jpg

Currently, there are 64 lenses offered by Canon to the world market. If you are rich enough…you can try collect every one of it… :D

0 comments.

Very hot product! TEKQ Professional 233X Ultra Pro CompactFlash (CF) 8GB Memory Card (Lifetime Warranty) @ RM155!

Posted on May 1st, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

The very latest and now selling product at ShaShinKi.com!

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

http://shashinki.com/shop/images/TKQ-CF233X-8GB.jpg

Original price = RM255.00. By using the discount code below, you will be able to get a RM100 OFF! Making the memory card price only RM155.00!

Discount Coupon Code (-RM100 Off!): TEKQ-1 (key in the code in the Payment Page at ShaShinKi.com)

Free PosLaju Shipping within Malaysia!

TEKQ Memory card is made in Taiwan (the kingdom of world famous memory card makers), with product life time warranty. The speed of 233X ensures that you are not only getting the big 8GB memory space, but also the high speed performance for your digital SLRs!

Only available at ShaShinKi.com, for a limited quantity for this special offer price only! This offer is originally valid for PhotoMalaysia members only, but now I am offering it to my blog readers. ;)

Happy shooting unlimitedly! :D

2 comments.

ShaShinKi.com Design Version 2

Posted on April 22nd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

I have again spent my last weekend in updating the design of ShaShinKi.com, trying to give a more advance and elegant look to it.

The homepage or door to ShaShinKi.com store is still the same. The major changes is the shop part.

shashinki-home.jpg

In my initial design theme, the main colour is black, with gradient grey and white. My wife said that it is not so good to make the website looks so dark, so I change the background to something more refreshing, but not too bright or unfriendly for the eyes.

I chose red as the main colour of the background, not the bright eye piercing red but dark elegant red. I want the feel of big curtain in an orchestra hall, presenting the store of ShaShinKi.com to the world. :)

Here’s a thumbnail view of the site:

shashinki-v2-april-2008.jpg

Besides the background, I have also changed the infobox bar colour to something more 3D and also enlarging the font so that it can be read easier.

(more…)

2 comments.

Search ShaShinKi.com for photography products

Posted on April 20th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

Search ShaShinKi.com for photography products - Cameras, Lenses, Accessories…

Testing to see if the codes will work or not.

Update:  Yes, it works! :D

1 comment.

New Product Page Design at ShaShinKi.com

Posted on April 14th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

I spent the last weekend in redesigning the product page at ShaShinKi.com, I am pretty happy and satisfied with the results…so here to share with you all my excitement. :D
I have always wanted to make the product page more user friendly, clearer and easier to browse. With my limited knowledge in php, I have to spend extra time to try and error.:P

Here’s the results:

ssk-newproductpage-design.jpg

What are the changes?

1. Product image has moved from right to left.

2. Bigger product image (250 x 250px) now, give clearly view of the product.

3. Clear listing of Brand, Category, Model #, Stock Status, Price and Quantity selection.

4. For product/s with Option, it will be shown below the Price before Quantity.

5. Boxed Picture. Personally I find this makes the image neater to show.

6. Brand name Clickable, to browse products under the same brand.

7. Added a title bar “Product” to the right column of the product page.

I hope this gives a better shopping experience to my customers at ShaShinKi.com. You can see the actual product page in action at:

http://shashinki.com/shop/nikon-full-frame-digital-12mp-live-view-9fps-p-1167.html

Happy shopping! ;)

0 comments.

Sakura Blossoms in Japan

Posted on April 8th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

This post is not a family post…but photography post of some of the scenes I captured during my family Sakura visit to Hiroshima city.

Below is the must visit place for those who visited Hiroshima. The ruptured building was previously the City Hall of Hiroshima before World War II. Atomic bomb exploded right on top of this building…this is the remaining and always serves as a remembrance for the young generations to come.

kkk_2047.JPG

While adults are enjoying their chit-chatting under Sakura trees, childrens love to play bubbles around… :)

kkk_1804.JPG

Yes…everybody just love to sit under Sakura trees and enjoy their meal. Some did BBQ there as well. Weather is nice, not hot and not too cold.

kkk_1999.JPG (more…)

6 comments.

What types of RAW files does Epson P-5000 & P-3000 support?

Posted on April 8th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

As of March 2008, Epson P-5000 and P-3000 supports RAW format images from the digital SLR cameras listed below:

Manufacturer Model
Canon EOS 5D, D30, D60, 10D, Digital Rebel, Digital Rebel XT, Digital Rebel XTi, 1D Mark II, 1Ds Mark II, 1D Mark II N, 20D, 30D, 40D**
Epson R-D1, R-D1s
Fuji Film S2 Pro, S3 Pro
Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D, Maxxum 5D
Nikon D100, D1H, D2H, D2Hs, D1X, D2X, D2Xs, D70, D70s, D80, D50, D40, D200, D300**, D3**
Olympus E-1, E-3**, E-300, E-330, E-410**, E-500, E-510**
Pentax *istD, *istDs, *istDL, *istDs2, *istDL2, K100D, K10D
Sony DSLR-A100, A700**

The camera models listed here have been tested by Epson and were found to be compatible. Other camera models may be compatible, but have not been tested.

** In order to view RAW images from these camera models, make sure you update your P-5000 & P-3000 firmware to v1.20.

Firmware download at:

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/s…

0 comments.

Professional Ballhead Comparison

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

For those who are interested…

ballhead-compare.jpg

Markins - the Winner!

Markins are now available at:

http://shashinki.com/shop/markins-m-83.html

1 comment.

Digital Camera Focus Accuracy Test Method - INDEPTH FOCUS TEST

Posted on March 20th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

After testing over hundreds of lenses…I have come out with a focus test method that I felt is most convincing to myself. I call it:

INDEPTH FOCUS TEST

There are many focus test chart flying around in the internet, I have printed out some and test them using my Nikon D200 DSLR. However, I found those test chart to be NOT ACCURATE, as it mainly influenced by the position and accuracy of the focus sensor of your DSLR. Some DSLR tends to focus on the subject that is of higher contrast or nearer to the sensor. Some differs.

In order to eliminate the camera focusing sensor position “error”, I developed the INDEPTH Focus Test method, there the camera focus sensor will have no problem in locking focus onto the target, and can give accurate focus photo for evaluation.

Below is how I tested lenses that I ordered for my customers at ShaShinKi.com.

Put two cards (with wordings, eg. namecard, so that you can check sharpness of the wordings later) on your table, one with a lens cap at the bottom so that it is around 1cm higher than the other. Focus on the lower card and take a shot (make sure your shutter speed is above 1/200s, or use flash to freeze motion). Take another shot with focus on the upper card.

Distance between card is around 5mm, separated by a lens cap.

img_0011.JPG

When you focus on Card A, Card B should be blurred (out of focus).

When you focused on Card B, Card A should be blurred (out of focus).

Check the sharpness of both shots. It should show sharp on your focused card and blur on the opposite one. Same as the second shot.

Repeat the above test at different focal length if your lens is a zoom.

After the close distance test, try take a few shots at infinity or far distance. Again, choose a subject which have some clear wordings on it so that you can check the sharpness and clarity on your camera LCD screen later.

If your lens is good, all should be sharp. :)

(Updated on 20th March 2008 with picture. A picture is worth a thousand words…)

0 comments.