Got this as a gift from one of my customer, or should I call it a donation?

A customer asked me to help selling his Nikon AFS 28-70mm F/2.8 Lens, a rare WHITE or Grey colour version. He has not been using the lens for years, hence condition unknown.

Upon receiving his lens, I tested it myself. Sadly, some problems with the lens. The AFS motor seems to be of faulty. Focusing ring and zoom ring seems to be stuck. Still can use the lens in manual focus, but that is such a waste. After discussing with the customer, we agreed to send the lens to Nikon Malaysia for a check.

Few days later, Nikon Malaysia came back to me with a quote. AFS motor is faulty and the main circuit board is faulty as well. Those two things required full replacement. The cost of repairing the lens is as much if not more than what a black version of the lens would have worth in the used market. So I consulted my customer on that issue and he decided not to go for the repair. Taking the lens back from Nikon Malaysia we will still have to pay for the checking fee and postage, hence my customer decided to just DONATE the lens to me if I want to pursue with the repair myself. After some considerations, I decided to just go ahead and repair the lens and keep the lens for my own use after the repair. External and glass condition of the lens is actually near new or like new. It is such a pity if the lens is put to sleep or dissembled as part just like that.

Updated with some photos of my actual lens

Just a snap shot to see the focus accuracy and sharpness as well as bokeh of the lens.

It took Nikon Malaysia quite some time (1 month +) to get the lens done. Parts have to be imported from Japan so it is an expected duration. In fact, I would say the repair is quite fast already. I just received the lens back few days ago from Nikon Malaysia and after testing it on my Nikon D200 (yeah…I am still using this antic camera) the performance is really refreshing! Focusing is fast and silent! Everything works out well and picture is sharp and contrasty! I finally have a good lens myself…can now retired my faithful Tamron SP 17-50mm F2.8 lens (it has gone through snow, wind, sand, sea, mountain, farm…).

If you want to read more about this lens, please click the link below:

• http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/AFNikkor/AF2870mm/index1.htm

 

MAHA POWEREX

2010 Christmas & New Year Sales! Free Bag or Maha Imedion 2400 (4AAI240BH) Batteries!

Free Gift/s comes with the following Promotional package/s till 31st Jan 2011 or while stock last only!

• C204W (Free bag)
• C401FS (Free bag)
• C9000 (Free bag) (Free 4pcs Imedion 2400 batteries! Worth RM58!)
• C801D (Free bag) (Free 4pcs Imedion 2400 batteries! Worth RM58!)
• C800S (Free bag) (Free 4pcs Imedion 2400 batteries! Worth RM58!)
• C808M (Free 2 x MH-4AAI240BH)
• C204W + 8AA of Maha PoweREx 2700 or 8AA of Imedion 2400 (Free bag) (Free 4pcs Imedion 2400 batteries! Worth RM58!)
• C401FS + 8AA of Maha PoweREx 2700 or 8AA of Imedion 2400 (Free bag) (Free 4pcs Imedion 2400 batteries! Worth RM58!)

Purchase at:

• http://shashinki.com/shop/maha-powerex-m-13.html

I reported that my Samsung Galaxy S is having problem with its camera. The center part of every photos I took is always blur.

I went to the service center (Aeon Bukit Indah, 3rd Floor) to report the problem 3 weeks ago. The salesman is friendly and helpful enough to help me order the camera part from Samsung and promised me that he will call me when the part arrives. Within a week, I received a call from the salesman and the part is ready. I need to bring my phone + warranty card when doing the repair. I told him that I need the phone back ASAP, and he estimated 1-2 hours work to change the camera.

I was really tied up with my schedule and only last weekends I have the time to go there to have my phone repaired. The process is fast, only took around 30 mins to have it done. The salesman said this is the first time he repaired the phone, and it is actually very simple to change the camera inside.

I tested some shots and the camera seems to be working perfectly now.

(I left the mini usb cable in my office, so can only try upload some photos here later)

(uploaded by transferring the image via email from my phone to my computer)

My wife bought two mushroom seeds from UK Farm last week, and grow them at home. As according to the salesman, we can harvest 5 times before the seeds run out.

This is Day 1

This is Day 4

Where we put? At our bathroom actually, as the moisture and temperature is good there for mushroom to grow.

I think need a week to grow before we harvest it. Can’t wait to try out! Self-grown normally taste better…

Went and bought some florescent lights yesterday. I have wanted to add some extra lights to my office for a long time, finally yesterday went and bought the lights. Yes, I planned to DIY myself.

I thought it was easy job (it actually is easy), but then I fixed the wire wrongly and burnt a tube and 4 starters. Got so frustrated. Google for some schematic diagram and finally able to get the light to work. Took around 2 hours for me to wire and fix the light myself. It is very bright now in my office, which I think is good. It gives better mood / feel for the staffs that work here all day, no more “cloudy” feeling.

Learnt:

• Life wire always to the ballast
• Life is brown or red
• Neutral is blue or black
• Earth is green or yellow

Total cost? RM99.70 (not inclusive of the burnt tube and starters. Need to buy again the starters, I got a new spare tube.)

I think is cute, so took a few shots.

Went to UK Farm today. It is an activity organised by TUTA Skudai Chinese Methodist Church, Sunday School.

The place is around 2 hours drive from our church. We departed at 7.30am reached there at around 9.30am. Already quite a number of visitors when we arrived. Our group is around 70+ including children, parents and Sunday School teachers. There were one bus, 3 cars and 1 church’s van in the trip. Quite good participation from the brothers and sisters, and it is school holiday season now.

When passed by this (entrance) to the farm, I thought…must take picture of this lah…since this represent the name and entrance to the farm. I actually took this picture when getting out from the farm returning home. Started to rain already, so took the photo is a rush.

I dropped my camera bag when I took my bag out from the car when arriving at the farm.  I didn’t expect anything to happen to my camera or lens, since it is a camera bag (meant to protect the gear inside). I only realised something wrong when I took my camera out at the main hall of UK Farm, and my Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 lens was like half opened at the body of the lens. 17-35mm no longer working, and luckily can still shoot from 35mm to 50mm zoom range. Else it would be such a waste visiting the farm without able-ling to bring back photo memory.

Tested some shots, and built in flash seems not working well with the lens with overexposed result. Focus still seems accurate, so can still be used.

Main attraction in the farm is sheep. They have quite a few thousands of sheep I think. The farm is huge, and they provide open-air bus to bring you around, or you can chose horse ride (carriage). Since our group is big, so we chose the bus ride. First attraction is to see herb of sheep coming out from their “house”.

Then we continue seeing a sheep dog running, chasing and guiding those sheep. Need to walk quite a distance to the field, and Malaysia weather…HOT and SUNNY! I didn’t realize the grass is so nice until I edited the photo now.

The most fun part should be feeding the small sheep. Megumi really enjoying that. We got one bottle milk for each of us to feed the sheep. Additional bottle of milk costs RM3 each, quite expensive as the sheep can finish the bottle within seconds!

Not just Megumi, but I think all other kids enjoy the feeding too!

Next stop is to see the ostrich. There are 5 ostriches in the farm, Africa species with two toes according to them. Darker feather is male, while lighter feather is female.

We have the chance to feed the ostriches too, but they didn’t eat much.

After the Ostrich farm is another bus ride around the farm. They do have chalets for tourist to rent and stay there overnight. Looks good from outside. Maybe can try that in future if come with small family group. Final stop is to visit the mushroom farm. My wife bought some mushroom there…and also the self-plant type to bring back to grow ourselves.  (The mushroom are now in our toilet! Need dark and moisture place to grow)

Lunch is included and served by the farm. Simple meal but I personally feel that is delicious! My wife agreed with me too, maybe we all are hungry after the long walk and sweat.

We departed from the farm at around 3.30pm, and reached home nearly 6pm (can’t remember exactly, as I was too tired). I took a long nap at the sofa once we touched down…

Thank God for the wonderful trip organised by the Sunday School of Skudai Methodist Church. Do bring your children to Sunday School, become God’s sheep, for children will learn many good disciplines and knowledge in the Sunday School (every Sunday 10.30am).

For more info of the farm, you can visit their official website at:

http://ukfarm.com.my/

Ordered should I say, as haven’t reached my hands yet.

New staff joining ShaShinKi’s team, so need to get a PC for her. Will pass down my wife’s PC to the new staff, and get my wife a better PC.

Did some study and finally decided on the Intel i5 processor. i7 is overpriced both the processor and motherboard. Bought Asus motherboard this time, no more Intel as I think Intel is best on concentrating on processor.

Ordered also a new monitor:

Samsung PX2370

This is LED monitor. Not sure how good or bad it is as compared to LCD, 23″. I was hoping to get a 24″ monitor, but it seems like Samsung only has 23″ for LED at the moment. Quite affordable nowadays, RM760 for the above.

More later…

Just one shot…

My home farm…my wife said want to plant own vegetable…so we dig some area for home farming. Bought the quality soils…planted various vege. Started to grow now…

It took me quite a while to think of some pattern of the farm…so to show some modern look and not really farm in the house…

Here’s our farm…

Reminded me of the TV commercial…hahaaa…just have to grab my camera when seeing this in real life…

Megumi:”Papa…help…”

That’s her cousin sitting at the right watching…

I might look small…I priced low…but don’t under estimate me!

I am STRONG!

Some photos of my baby…

I was actually playing around with a Softbox Flash as in the picture below. Definitely very interesting light as compared to on camera flash.

If the above photos sucks…that’s because of my skill…not to blame the camera, model nor the softbox…

My wife’s computer died last night. Can’t boot up. Showing boot failure error. Changed the HDD and still the same. I suspect is motherboard problem.

I have two computers that use the same mother board (Intel DQ45CB Mainboard with 2 DIV output), both are having same problem of AUTO REBOOTING from time to time. Initially I suspect memory or HDD problem. Formatted HDD, swapped memory and still the same.

Now, my suspicious goes to the motherboard, and I think very high chance the motherboard is giving problem.

The same HDD in my wife’s computer, now I swap it to my computer (same motherboard, so no need to reconfigure), I can booth up smoothly. This shows that the HDD is fine.

Going to get another motherboard later…definitely NO INTEL this time.

Today’s sermon by Pastor @ my church…”What is wisdom?”

That’s a good title, set me thinking. What is wisdom?

Many people confused Proverbs 1:7 with wisdom. If you study carefully, you will notice that in Proverbs 1:7, the word knowledge is being used, not wisdom.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline. 

The actual phrase that referred to wisdom is in Proverbs 9:10.

10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

I like the word “Fear” in NIV version. In Chinese Bible, the word “敬畏” is being used. The Chinese word is a combination of “respect” + “fear”, where my personal interpretation is more referring to respect than fear, which in my personal opinion is having a totally different emotional feel than the English word “Fear”. Yes, fear we should to the Lord. When we fear, then only we will do things carefully, carry out task carefully. Fear of not achieving God’s standard, always do our best for the Lord.

Know your Lord, know Him, and fear be you to Him. He is almighty, all knowledge. He created us, He is justice, He is love. Once you know Him, fear be you to Him, and you shall have wisdom.

What is Wisdom?

It set me thinking…what is wisdom? From human point of view, wisdom can be the application of knowledge, use the knowledge that you have, in solving problems that you faced.

Is that the wisdom that what God wants us to have? Personally I would interpret wisdom as:

“Able to judge or make decision based on God’s standard.”

What’s the different between the first and the second? Application of knowledge, someone can apply his knowledge in doing bad things. We do not call that someone a wise person or having wisdom. That someone has knowledge, but does not apply his knowledge rightfully, so he has no wisdom. Now there is an important keyword in my sentence above – Bad Things. What is bad things? Different time will have different interpretation of what is right and what is wrong. Something that you did today could be good in today’s standard, but maybe bad in say 10 years time. Let me give you an example:

• Sex before marriage

This is NOT allowable in the old time, but nowadays, we can see this everywhere, especially in big cities or more modern countries. The standard of human is changeable, the moral of human is not permanent. In order to define wisdom, we need to stick to something that does not change, which in my opinion is God’s standard.

That is why in my definition of wisdom, I involved God’s standard. If we do not judge or do things as according to God’s standard, then we have no wisdom. Only if we can fear the Lord and judge things (make decision, carry out tasks) carefully, then wisdom of God will be upon us.

Just sharing, may God give me wisdom in writing.

Yes, that’s my new toy. Something that I can’t see nor touch, but can feel.

 

Just signed up for another dedicated server. My sites (PhotoMalaysia.com, Fotolah.com, PentaxWorld.com, BlogMalaysia.com…ShaShinKi.com) are too much for just ONE server to handle. Time to expand and migrate some of the sites to another dedicated server.

Here’s the specs of my new toy. I don’t want it to outgrow too much…so I have opted for the best specs (within my budget) possible.

Dedicated Server

• Intel Quad Core Xeon 2.53 Ghz Processor
• 8GB RAM DDR3 ECC
• 2 x 1000GB Hard Drive SATA2 7200 RPM
• 1Mbit Dedicated Bandwidth/Unlimited Transfer
• Direct connect to 6 Upstream IP Transit Providers

Migrating is a painful job. After two days, I haven’t able to move a site. I am moving my most important site first – www.shashinki.com. I hope everything will be fine and minimum downtime possible.

Learning new things everyday…

Got the time to play around with a portable flash softbox yesterday. I tried the 80x80cm version with my Nikon SB-26 attached to it. Wirelessly triggered using Phottix Strato. Manual flash output at 1/4 power.

This is the softbox. It is quite huge and heavy.

This is how Strato and SB-26 is being attached. Take note that I reversed the SB-26.

Result. I took quite a number of shots. It is definitely a very pleasant light from the softbox, I am hooked!

Where to buy?

http://shashinki.com/shop/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=ShaShinKi+Speedlight+%2F+Flash

Strato is here:

http://shashinki.com/shop/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=strato

ShaShinKi Photo Competition – November 2010 (Theme: Light!)

Theme:

• Light! 

(Show the impact & power of Light! It can be artificial light from flash, real sunlight, moonlight, torchlight…etc.!)

Prize:

Jusino LS-253 Professional Titan Quick Lock Series 3-Sections Tripod (Max Load 12kg) with BT-01 Professional Ballhead with Arca Swiss Quick Release System (QR Plate Included) (Max Load 8kg)

Important Dates:

• Submission: Now – 20th November 2010 (11.59pm Google Gmail Malaysia Time)
• Voting: 25th – 30th Nov 2010
• Winner Announcement: 1st – 7th Dec 2010 @

   http://www.facebook.com/shashinki

Guidelines:

• File Format / Size: Jpeg Only, File size: 200kb to 1MB (minimum 1000px on the width)
• Subject of the Email must be:

ShaShinKi Photo Contest – NOV 2010 – YOUR NAME

• Email your entry to sskcontest@gmail.com. One photographer is allowed only one entry per contest per theme per month.
• Do not include a watermark in your image, this is to ensure unbiased voting later on.
• No borders/frames are allowed.
• Winner must submit Original FULL Resolution File to claim winning prize.
• Photographer must type “Agree to ShaShinKi Photo Competition Terms and Conditions” when submitting / emailing the photo to the contest. Without the above phrase, entry will be disqualified. Please read ShaShinKi Photo Competition Terms and Conditions at:

   http://www.facebook.com/notes/shashinki/shashinki-photo-competitions-terms-and-conditions/16461909356120

If I took the D3s now…I won’t be able to afford the upgrade when D4 comes out (rumors said summer 2011). I am using D200 now, which I use it very roughly and sparingly.

Hmm…should I wait?

There is a D3s sitting on the rack waiving me to take it out…do I need higher megapixel? 1080i HD video? Hmm…

 

Available at:
http://shashinki.com/shop/photo-clam-korea-m-154.html

My Samsung Galaxy S is having problem now. The camera is not able to focus at far subject at the center. It is always blur at the center part.

I tested it side by side with my wife’s Galaxy S, confirming that mine is fault. Need to send it for repair under warranty, but I hate to be without a phone and not sure how long will it takes to get it done. Need to backup everything and reset my phone to factory default as I don’t want things inside my phone to get view by others.

Bad…

Jusino AX-253 Professional Traveller Series 3-Sections Tripod (Max Load 12kg) with BT-02 Professional Ballhead with Arca Swiss Quick Release System (QR Plate Included) (Max Load 15kg)

Yours truly with the AX-284 model.

On 3rd Aug, we went for dinner at a Korean restaurant in Johor. Order a meal set (RM178 I think) for 4. Quite ok. Some photos to share (took by my Samsung Galaxy S).

A portable softbox for speedlight!

First step, put on the HOLDER. It comes with velcro (spring type). No glue, no gum!

Front few after the attachment of the holder. See the reflector inner silver surface that helps to concentrate and bounce the light.

Attached the Softbox to the Holder via velcro. Again, no glue, no gum.

Another view. Basically, you are ready to FLASH!

Available at:

http://shashinki.com/shop/universal-flash-softbox-external-speedlight-flash-p-6223.html

We have modified our Facebook link at ShaShinKi, using FB Like Box, now it randomly selects and shows 6 Facebook users that LIKE ShaShinKi FB page.

Do subscribe / LIKE our ShaShinKi’s FB page, you might get show up at ShaShinKi’s page as well! (We have over a million hits per month!)

Thank you for those who have LIKED us! We hope to bring you the latest news and update via Facebook!

Today is the first Malaysia Day public holiday in Malaysia – 16 Sept 2010, in celebrating Sabah and Sarawak join into Malaysia to form the country.

Megumi, Lydia and I have some good time tanglonging in our garden. Of course, must take some photo to blog about.

Megumi is enjoying the moment…

Last year shot is here:

http://shashinki.com/blog/2009/10/05/mooncake-festival-2009-%E4%B8%AD%E7%A7%8B%E8%8A%82/

Sharing some photos of Megumi. I think the costume is really beautiful!

Preparing…

Lydia at the back, she is really proud to see Megumi beautifully!

Megumi was not feeling well that day, but she still want to join the events of her school. (We left in the middle to go and see the doctor and she was having fever till 38.4 degree C!)

Together with some other kids…

Some other shots…

Got some free time during this Raya holiday, so managed to do some clean up @ ShaShinKi store.

There are 3 major update that you will see on the shop front page, and several minor ones (for you to discover).

Clean Up 1 – Search Box @ Header

I have wanted this for a long time, finally able to do the codes and make the move. The old search box is at the upper right column, which has now been removed as I want to make the right column shorter with less items there.

Clean Up 2 – Top Menu

This should be a minor one, just doing some cleaning and tidying work. Not perfect yet until I figured out what to do next.

Clean Up 3 – Used Corner

ShaShinKi Used Corner is getting hotter and hotter, so I figured it would be good to put a dedicated BOX to promote our USED Corner so that it gives more exposure and better visibility to the products that YOU consigned with us.

• http://shashinki.com/shop/-c-26.html

There are some other cleaning work that has been done like tidying up pages, changing some colours of tables…etc. One that worth mention is the Shopping Guides at ShaShinKi, which has been updated with our latest look and design.

• http://shashinki.com/shop/guides.php 

Thank you for dropping by and we hope these minor updates can make your shopping experience @ ShaShinKi a better one!

 ShaShinKi Appointed as

 

Official Distributor of Jusino Professional Tripod
 
Jusino professional tripod and support system are manufactured by Zhongshan Baoyi Plastic & Metal Products Factory, founded in November 1999. Specialize on producing metal products, Zhongshan Baoyi obtains good reputation in home country China and international markets for its high quality and competitive price. Since 2002, Zhongshan Baoyi has been OEMed products for many countries including United States, Korea, Japan and Asia countries.Zhongshan BaoYi Photo Enterprise Co., Ltd. Established in 2008 through 10 years effort and advance, and have searched out our own brand — “Jusino” professional tripods and heads.

 

Introductory price!

http://shashinki.com/shop/jusino-m-163.html

Checkout for our Advertisement banner in DCM and HWM magazines September issue!