Syikin Photoshoot

Model: Syikin
Location: Bukit Jalil
Actually the main thing i am experimenting with there is to use a fl-50R with an umbrealla mounted and a fl-36R as a fill light from behind the model.

Microsoft Windows 7 mini review

Performance 5/5

I just install Microsoft Windows 7 on my Celeron desktop and i can say it is superb! The performance of the operating system is much more better than Vista Ultimate.

Installation experience 5/5

Installation is smooth. No error and all drivers is automatically installed.

Application compatibility 4/5

So far all my application like vlc lanplayer, warcraft III works fine.

Virtualization 3/5

I notice Virtual PC 2007 is not supported in Windows 7 but i can install and use it without any issue. However there is some noticable performance issue. The default Virtual XP mode and the new Virtual PC for Win 7 cannot be install on my machine cause it says my hardware dont support virtualization. It sucks. Why cant microsoft learn from Vmware

Media player 4/5

The new media player can play avi/divx file out of the box however i notice some pixelization on some of my movies. I tried with VLc player and the result is the same. I guess it must be some codec issue.

Wireless connectivity 5/5

I can connect to my Belkin wireless AP effortlessly

Dreamscene is disable by default. Perhaps microsoft realize this crappy feature sucks too much processing CPU power. On a high end machine it is not a problem but running dreamscene on a celeron machine will use up to 40% of the CPU power. In Windows 7 the dreamscene feature is replace with a wallpaper changer. U select your photo collection and set the timer to change the pic based on your preset interval.

Aero glass is supported even on my low end shared build in Intel graphic card.

If you have an old piece of hw like me and it struggle to run on Vista, i suggest u downgrade to Windows XP or upgrade to Windows 7. Your life would be much more better.!

Mininova.org is dead.!!

Mininova the site which host thousands of torrent seed has finally come to an end when the court order them to remove all non content based distribution.

Javtalk have the same fate too but more drasticly. The entire site is gone!!

Will the world become a better place without these 2 sites? well let wait and see.

Olympus EP-2 Gathering in Malaysia

We are invited to Royal Selangor Pewter in Setapak for the Olympus EP2 Gathering.(more like a prelaunch thingy)

1. Venue 4/5 (too far)
2. Food 5/5 (the cafe food is superb. Hagen Diaz ice cream. rum + raisin is yummy.)
3. Experience 4/5 (they loan us the EP2 to shoot. too bad no babes to shoot)

My view on Ep2

1. The Diorama effect is superb. Good for photoshop noob like me. Any tom dick and harry cna produce a tilt shift lens effect.

2. The viewfinder is incredible. Very large and crispy. however viewfinder + EP2 make the overall look not cool. I still prefer the ala EP1 overall vintage look.

3. The AF is not improve in any way. I still feel that both Ep2 and EP1 AF speed is the same.

4. Price ?? is a turn off.. You are paying extra for the view finder.

5. The color shift effect is cool too. another nice add on to the art filter


Conclusion

I would not dump my EP1 for the EP2

Disclaimer.:- All image taken using Olympus Ep-2 is using a pre production unit and firmware. So the quality might not be that good. My comment on the AF is also based on this pre production unit. Therefore the final unit might have faster AF or better IQ

Birding with Olympus EP-1

Well i tried out Olympus EP1 + 70-300 for birding. Not too bad actually. The high iso really helps here. Autofocus as usual is slow but you have to anticipate the movement of the bird. But the weight of the EP1 +70-300 is really light.!! it is a very compact setup. Try comparing a D700 + 600mm lens and you will know what i mean. Having say that i does not mean EP1 is better than D700. What i am trying to say is for casual shooter the EP1+70-300 is sufficient. If you are a commercial shooter by all mean get the D700.