KOH KHO KING

Nikon SB-800 Speedlight Repaired

Posted on June 6th, 2009 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

My technician repaired my faulty Nikon SB-800 speedlight. The LCD panel of my SB-800 is not functioning, no word being shown.

The SB-800 has been serving me for nearly 4 years, and I bought it used for less than RM800 4 years ago. The backlight on the LCD panel was not working during the day I bought it, I did not realize it until a later date, but still it serves nicely. Now after the back panel completely gone, it was time for replacement of the LCD panel, and it is nice to have the backlight on the LCD panel, as I have in some cases needed to check the flash setting at night that I can’t.

Good to see the LCD panel backlight:

As usual, Lambency on my SB-800 99% of the time.

For those who need flash repair services, can contact ShaShinKi at:

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

0 comments.

Google Adsense now with FLASH ads!

Posted on July 10th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

Yes, you read the title right. I just noticed few days ago that Google is now delivering FLASH banner ads to their customers! Yes, that includes me.

Flash ads has been so popular and common in advertising world nowadays. Small file size but able to deliver amazing effect and attract much more attention than static or GIF animated ads.

No, not all sites are now flashed, it depends if an advertiser wants to put his or her flash ads on your site or not. I guess the price for flash ads isn’t going to be cheap…but the gain back is definitely worth it.

Let’s hope more will notice the ads…good for both advertiser and publisher.

0 comments.

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.

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.

Memory card speed test

Posted on January 16th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

How fast is your memory card? How fast is your camera writing and reading speed? How fast is your computer writing/reading speed? How fast is your card reader?

Does it really matter?

A friend of mine, Aaron Kok took up the trouble and spent time to do the test below. Hope you will find it useful.

Camera - 1D Mk3

PC - Sony Vaio notebook - Centrino 2ghz

Card Reader Tested

- Buffalo PCMCIA CardBus (RCF-CBA)

- Buffalo MCR-A27

CF Card Tested

- Sandisk Extreme IV 4GB

- Sandisk Extreme III 2GB

- Lexar Pro 2Gb 80x

- PenDrive 4Gb 155x

SD Card

- Kingston 2Gb Elite Pro SD

Tests are NOT scientific, just done to satisfy myself to purchase cheaper cards . Tho keep in mind on reliablity. So far only cards have failled me is kingston CF and Lexar Pro. Kingston was exchanged for Sandisk and Lexar was replaced. Lexar works fine now.

Buffer Clearing Tests. 6 shot burst. Time calculate from 1st shot till camera stops writing via the write light..

Test done by taking photo of a clock and taking final shot when buffer clears. Error of approx +-1 sec. All these are done via eyes and just the windows clock, not an actual timer.

Compact Flash

- Sandisk Extreme IV 4GB - 6 seconds

- Sandisk Extreme III 2GB - 6 seconds

- Lexar Pro 2Gb 80x - 10 seconds

- PenDrive 4Gb 155x - 20 seconds

SD Card

- Kingston 2Gb 50x Elite Pro SD - 6 seconds (it feels as it it clears much faster, will need to do more bursts to test)

There are differences in some card when it clears the buffer. Some will show the buffer dropping smoothly, some clears 1,2, then wait, then clears another 3, then wait and clears ones.

Card to PC - 200MB Multiple RAW Files

Buffalo PCMCIA

- Sandisk Extreme IV 4GB - 20 seconds

- Sandisk Extreme III 2GB - 20 seconds

- Lexar Pro 2Gb 80x - 25 seconds

- PenDrive 4Gb 155x - 30 seconds

Buffalo USB

- Sandisk Extreme IV 4GB - 15 seconds

- Sandisk Extreme III 2GB - 13 seconds

- Lexar Pro 2Gb 80x - 20 seconds

- PenDrive 4Gb 155x - 18 seconds

Credits to:

• http://www.aaronkok.com/ 

0 comments.

Animated avatar

Posted on November 16th, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Family.

I just created TWO Avatars for myself. I like animated avatar so that it gives more LIVE feel than just static avatar, here’s to share/show:

How to do it? The original avatar is creation is from:

http://www.sp-studio.de/

I then added the background and camera+flash myself. Added glowing light around the body too.

Then create another copy with closed eyes. Everything else is the same.

Then merge these two photos using animation studio, set the timing, duplicate some.

Done.

Repeat the same steps for flash light effect.

2 comments.

Head up…press up…can tahan long time this time!

Posted on November 2nd, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Family.

I tried putting Megumi in press up position again today, with a supporting pillow under her chest. To my surprise, she can tahan very long time today! I didn’t really time it, but more than 15 mins without screaming for help or having her head falling down. (click the link below for head falling down action… )

http://shashinki.com/blog/2007/10/01/press-up-on-25th-september-2007-9pm/

I even have to time to call my wife from kitchen and have my time to setup my camera and flash to snap snap snap…

Here’s the proofs!

(more…)

0 comments.

made in Japan…BCG injection mark

Posted on October 30th, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Family.

Those newborn baby in Japan, or even if not born in Japan, there is BCG injection in October for all newborn babies.

In Malaysia, BCG injection was given on the same birthdate, same as Taiwan. However, in Japan they have a fixed date for BCG injection carried out by the city office. So, some babies can be 1 month old, some can be 3 months old…different age. There are few different sessions of BCG injection a year, ours was in Oct for Megumi. City office will send a letter to inform you the date to go for injection in the city office health care center nearby.

(more…)

3 comments.

Sample photos using Lambency Flash Diffuser

Posted on October 26th, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Family, Photography.

Here are some photos of my wife and baby using Lambency flash diffuser.

With flash, I was able to shoot at lower ISO and higher shutter speed, hence getting sharper images. You probably won’t notice much different from my previous other photos posted here, as 99% of the previous photos that I have posted are without flash (hence natural feel) at high ISO and are not very sharp (still looks good for online presentation, but not so sharp when you do bigger prints).

Some may asked:”what is a good flash photo?”

My answer:

• Not having harsh bright spots/contrast on the subject.
• Not screaming to viewer “THIS PHOTO SHOT USING FLASH!!!”
• Very soft or no shadow at all.
• Illuminate the subject evenly, including the background.
• Not blinding the subject (direct flash is often too powerful that blinded and angered the subject).

Below are some photos taken using Nikon D200 + SB-800 + Lambency with flash head vertical upward (without dome):

(more…)

5 comments.

Lambency Flash Diffuser

Posted on October 23rd, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

I just received my Lambency Flash Diffuser last week. Tried it last night and I am totally blown away by the results!

Lambency Flash Diffuser

The shots look so natural that you can hardly notice flash was used! I shoot in portrait mode, with flash pointing directly upward to the ceiling. Lambency is without the dome.

The results? I will post it later tonight.

Built?

Lambency is made of soft rubber material. It has translucent effect, allowing light to pass through it. Inside surface is textured, my guess is to allow better light transmission from inside to outside. Yes, did I mention that the material is soft? You can bend and crumpled it to your bag and there will be no crack on it. The rubber looks and feels soft and durable in hand. Quite thick and heavy. Yes, quite heavy. If you set your flash at 45 degree or 60 degree angle, a slight movement will have the head goes down again, due to the heavy weight of the Lambency.

Fitting?

I ordered one for my SB-800. I must say that my first thought when trying to fit the Lambency to the SB-800 is that my staff must have sent me a WRONG model! Width will fit onto the SB-800 nicely, but height doesn’t fit so well. It seems that the SB-800 is a bit too thick or the Lambency is a bit too small in height. My staff checked and confirmed with me that she did send me the right model for SB-800.

So, but using some brute force, I can fit Lambency to my SB-800. First try is difficult, subsequent tries make it easier and easier. I guess the rubber needs some exercise to get it soft and expand a bit. Yeah…I later brutally pull the Lambency in several directions and it seems to be able to slot onto the SB-800 easier (but still not so easy) now. On the plus side you can be sure that the Lambency will not drop off your flash even with a big knock here and there once you slot it in (tightly). (my SB-800 life might get shorten due to the frequent brute force applied onto it).

Copyright?

Lambency is apparently copy of Gary Fong Lightsphere, with some “improvements” made. Due to the general design of the diffuser, I am not sure if the product is patented or not, as Gary Fong seems not able to stop the China maker from fabricating and selling it all over the world! Yes, you can now find Lightsphere in USA, UK, Europe, Asia, etc.! If the product was indeed patented, Gary Fong would have made a fortune by just suing every single shop/company that sell Lambency. Just a wild guess…this might be the reason why Gary now turn to WhaleTail and promote whaletail as a better product than Lightsphere. WhaleTail seems to have more obvious design variant, easier to patent I guess…

Last word…

Nevermind about the design or patent issue, if you haven’t got a Lightsphere or Lambency, go get one and your flash photography will never be the same again!

Related reading:

• http://shashinki.com/blog/?s=lambency

2 comments.

Got a new toy today!

Posted on October 21st, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Just received a new toy today from Malaysia…

Yeah! Crumpler the Seven Million Dollar Home!

(more…)

1 comment.

Fantasia…

Posted on October 16th, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Rojak.

The best American idol that I have ever watched! A true singer and performer, singing from the heart that can touch people.

0 comments.

Ebay auction - Nikon SP Rangefinder 2005 Limited Edition and AIS 50mm F1.2 Lens

Posted on October 10th, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

I got two items on ebay now…will end in a week time.

0 comments.

Drinking Milk…

Posted on September 22nd, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Family.

This is the whole scene when I took the toes photos in the previous post. My wife was feeding Megumi with soya milk. I love the scene, so took my D200 and snap snap snap…no flash, ISO800, Tamron SP 17-50mm lens.

the whole scene picture…

- horizontal view of whole scene -

- little hand holding bottle closeup -

- face closeup -

Uploaded many photos today…hope you all enjoying reading…I hope this serves as a good growing memory of Megumi… God bless and good night…

2.42am, Saijo, Hiroshima, Japan.

2 comments.

Double eyelip…now you see…now you don’t…

Posted on September 22nd, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Family.

Normally few seconds after wake up, you will see double eyelip on Megumi’s eyes…here’s a quick snap…

Sleeping soundly & happily…a good dream?!

My D200 shutter sounds awaken her…(take note of the eyelip)

FLASHED!

Not so happy with people disturbing her sweet dream…(actually I accidentally fired a flash…very harsh and bad…)

2 comments.

Ebay - shashinki

Posted on September 11th, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography, Rojak.

I found and discovered something interesting on ebay today.

3 comments.

ASKA Tripper V Speed?

Posted on September 4th, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

One of the most important aspect of a Photo Storage Device is the download speed of photos to the device or so call backup of memory card during shooting. Some device can take upto 20 mins to backup a 1GB memory card, while the fastest that I have known to date is NEXTO Ultra ND-2525 which can backup a 1GB memory card in less than a minute. Since I got some extra mood today, so I tested the speed of ASKA Tripper V. Backup memory card data to Tripper V is very very easy. Insert the memory card and press the COPY button, copy will start immediately.

Once it finished, it will play a nice piano sound twice (no, the sound is not disturbing). Then it will show a message Completed. You must press the OK button before you can continue. There are two types of COPY function in ASKA Tripper V: Normal or Quick Copy. Normal copy is the slow type. During copying, the LCD screen will still remain ON and you can see the copy status bar showing in real time how many files or data has been copied. Quick Copy is also called as High Speed Copy. During Quick Copy, the LCD screen will go black and the Copy button will flash the blue light. Default is Normal Copy, but can be changed in SETTING to Quick Copy.

80 Files 988MB Data (Imation CF memory card, 2 years old, maybe around 60X):

• Normal Copy = 3 mins 12 seconds (http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp shows similar results of 3 mins 23 seconds in their test. Not extremely fast in today’s standard.)
• Quick Copy = 1 min 52 seconds (http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp shows similar results of 1 mins 34 seconds in their test. Pretty good by today’s standard.)
• ASKA website claims the time to be 88 seconds with high speed CF memory card, which must be in Quick Copy mode. Memory card does play an important role in backup/download speed, so with faster card, the time should reduce. (more…)

  0 comments.

ASKA Tripper V - Design

Posted on September 2nd, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

Part TWO from me.

Here’s some views from various angles of the ASKA Tripper V.

Made in Japan product. Input power is 5V, but the power adapter provided is 100-240V worldwide compatible, so no worry when traveling oversea and charge the Tripper V in country that uses 100V or 240V power voltage. Tripper V is said to have 70GB download capability from one full charge of battery. (more…)

4 comments.

Remote Flash CLS on Nikon D200 + SB-800

Posted on August 29th, 2007 by foong.
Categories: Family, Photography.

Today I tried CLS (Creative Lighting System) on my D200 + SB-800. Got to learn on how to set the camera and flash into REMOTE mode.

Here’s the instruction that I thought of sharing and keeping reference for myself:

on D200

• Menu
• Pencil Menu
• e Bracketing/Flash
• e3Buil-in Flash
• c Commander Mode

on SB-800

• Press SEL button for 5 seconds
• Flash menu
• REMOTE
• Press SEL button for 5 seonds

Some tips:

• You must have your built in flash pop up, else it will not trigger the SB-800.
• You can set to have the built in flash disabled, so all flash power will only be from the SB-800 and no light from built in flash.

1 comment.

Aska Tripper V = Epson P-5000 Killer?

Posted on August 28th, 2007 by foong.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

Aska Japan has introduced a new PSD (Photo Storage Device) ~ Aska Tripper V. Available in 40GB, 80GB, 120GB and 160GB version. 40GB and 80GB are limited edition only available direct purchase from Aska website, while 120GB and 160GB are available from big stores in Japan.

I tried search for reviews or information online on this product, but couldn’t find any except the “news release”. There is however an interesting comparison of various PSD speed and specs at:

http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/portableHD.htm

Download speed from memory card is an impressive 10MB/s speed, versus Epson P-5000 of 7MB/s. So, theoretically it is 30% faster than the Epson P-5000. (more…)

5 comments.

Choosing Camcorder in the market

Posted on July 14th, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

I did some study recently on which digital videocam to buy as well recently, here’s what I think:

Media Type:
1. HDD type of camcorder is not practical at the moment. The highest 120GB in Sony can only record 13 hours of high def video quality. Transferring and backuping those space is going to be troublesome. Worse if HDD failed.

2. DVD type is not practical as well, as one DVD is only 15 mins of high def recording.

3. SD (secure digital) memory card? Hmm…maximum is 8GB SDHC at the moment, can record around 12~15 minutes of high definition video. Quite useless IMO…

4. I end up chose miniDV, as I find it easier to store and miniDV is cheap (RM15 or US$4 per tape).

Video Quality
There are standard type and high definition type in the market nowadays. After seeing and comparing the quality of standard type with high def type, the answer is clear. Although I do not have high def TV at the moment as well, but achieving the video on high def format is definitely the way to go for me. The video quality is totally different, like watching VCD vs DVD.

After deciding on the above, the rest is easy as there are not many high def miniDV camcorder in the market. In Sony range, there is only one model at the moment, DCR-HC7.

I read the review at cnet and some other sites in the internet. I too have actually made up my mind on choosing Sony only camcorder, as it is always known to be the best. However, if you checked some reviews in the net on miniDV high def camcorder, you will notice another popular model: Canon iVIS HV20. (There is no high def miniDV from Panasonic.)

After reading and comparing Canon HV20 with Sony HDR-HC7 in a store (actual products), here’s what I found:

1. Sony LCD is not as bright and as contrasty as the Canon LCD. Both are of same size, but Sony one is dull.

2. Sony design is nicer, very classy. Canon one felt like plastic, Sony is silver metalic.

3. Canon is using standard ISO type of hotshoe (for flash or light or mic). Sony is special Sony hotshoe design, must buy Sony only accessories.

4. Sony is using memory stick for still photo, Canon is miniSD.

5. Canon is cheaper by around RM400.

6. Canon high def format is full 1920 x 1080 picture, while Sony is 1440 x 1080.

7. Canon has a drawback on sound quality, it records the sound of motor in the camcorder. Not sure about Sony.

8. Canon has better low light recording than Sony, in COLOUR. While Sony has night shot mode, but all becomes green/grey (B&W).

9. Canon HV20 has very fast focusing speed. Point your camcorder to different distance and subject, immediately it change and refocus. Fast, definitely FASTER than Sony.

So, I end up getting the Canon iVIS HV20.

2 comments.

Apple iPhone in USA on 29th June 2007

Posted on June 5th, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

0 comments.

The Song of Amazing Grace, written by John Newton.

Posted on May 31st, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Rojak.

0 comments.

Clocks

Posted on May 15th, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

Found something interesting last night…

(I have to removed the flash codes as it makes the layout of my blog run crazy after I upgraded to WordPress 2.2)

It is a flash type of Clocks. I have installed it on my PentaxWorld.com and CaptureSG.com websites.

0 comments.

TIPA Award 2007 Winners

Posted on April 28th, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

TIPA Award 2007 Winners

The “European ‘Oscar’ of the Photo & Imaging Industry, 2007″ is what TIPA like to call themselves has been announced and the winners in no particular order are :

• D-SLR Entry Level Camera - Nikon D40x
• D-SLR Expert Camera - Pentax K10D
• D-SLR Professional Camera - Canon EOS-1D Mark III
• Medium Format Digital System Camera - Hasselblad H3D
• Rangefinder Digital Camera - Leica M8
• Ultra Compact Digital Camera - Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd
• Compact Digital Camera - Nikon COOLPIX P5000
• Superzoom Digital Camera - Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ3
• Multimedia Digital Camera - Samsung i7
• Entry Level Lens - Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm F4-5.6 G (IF) (ED)
• Expert Lens - Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
• Professional Lens - Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8 L II USM
• Prestige Camera - Rocoh Caplio GX100
• Innovative Design - Olympus µ770 SW
• Flatbed Photo Scanner - HP Scanjet G4050
• Small Format Photo Pinter - Canon SELPHY ES1
• Expert Photo Printer - Epson Stylus Pro 3800
• Multifunction Photo Printer - Canon PIXMA MP810
• Large Format Printer - HP Designjet Z3100
• Fine Art Inkjet Paper - Hahnemühle Photo Rag Pearl 320
• Imaging Storage Media - Lexar Professional 300x CompactFlash
• Storage Back-up - Epson Multimedia Storage Viewer P-5000
• Imaging Innovation - Samsung Smart Touch User Interface
• Photo Software - Apple Aperture 1.5
• Color Management System - X-Rite i1PhotoLT
• Accessory - Manfrotto 190XPROB
• Digital Accessory - Delkin SensorScope
• Expert Photo Projector - CASIO XJ-S35
• Pro Photo Projector - JVC DLA-HD1
• Film - Kodak Portra II
• Expert Camcorder - JVC HD Everio GZ-HD7
• Pro Camcorder - Sony HDR-FX7E
• Mobile Imaging Device - Nokia N95
• Digital Minilab - Fujifilm Frontier 550
• Photo Kiosk - HP Photosmart Studio
• Monitor - EIZO CG 211

0 comments.

Sakura and the bird

Posted on April 6th, 2007 by KhoKing.
Categories: Photography.

Was hoping to take some sakura flower shots few days ago, but saw a pair a birds on the sakura trees. Shifted my focus onto them instead, and here’s a shot that I feel can share with the world.

For me, close-up of a bird is boring. I hope to capture bird in their nature environment, hope this flower give you some idea of what I am trying to deliver.

Camera: Nikon D200

Lens: Nikon Nikkor AFD 200mm F/4 Macro

Handheld without flash. Auto ISO and fixed shutter speed at 1/360s to avoid handshake.

0 comments.