GAS!

For a change, I stopped myself from acquiring more lenses and decided to get adapters for my M43 camera.

Gear Acquisition Stopped :D

This shot was taken before I sold some of my MF lenses. I retained the real keepers/sleepers and so I am excited to be able to use them with the G1.
My M42 and MD Rokkor lenses

First on the list will be the (all black) preset Takumar 1:3.5/135 that is very hard to find.
I chanced on one site claiming it's one of the sharpest 135mm out there.
Can't wait to try it on the G1.

On Duty Meal

Last 18Sep we shot a debut birthday celebration at Palm's Country Club and we (the photographers) were served our own food - hotel style:
Am very grateful to the celebrant's family :)

Olympus M.Zuiko 14-150!

and it just keeps on getting more interesting:

Info/images from slrgear.com/Olympus:

(From Olympus lens literature) The new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm is not only near-silent, it is also light, compact and extremely fast to focus -- perfect for shooting portraits or other subjects in the middle distance. Its trademark Micro Four Thirds portability and superb optical performance are ideal for capturing spontaneous, high-quality still photos or movies. Olympus' near-silent focusing technology ensures the new lens can record HD movies with excellent sound, eliminating the whir that can otherwise ruin movie playback.

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 will be available in November 2010 for an estimated street price of $299.99, in black or silver.

14-150 for $299.99?! I'm all set! :D

Cosina Joins Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group --- Wuhoo!!!

Just after I got my pancake Lumix 20/1.7, I learned that Cosina - makers of the venerable Voigtlander fast prime lenses joined the MFTSSG.

That 25/0.9 sounds very interesting... now waiting for the pricing :P

'Baby Leica'

I had the pleasure of using the Leica M9/Noctilus combo last Saturday. I've compared some shots from the Noctilus 50/0.9 and
it's miles away from what I can get from the Lumix 20/1.7.
The M9/Noctilus 50/0.9 is really dream combo for photography.
Congrats to Lightshapers for having one :)

The G1/20f1.7 combo however did not disappoint, in fact it was very impressive.
Just don't compare the shots side-by-side w/ the M9/Nocti combo :D
The G1/20f1.7 is my Baby Leica :)

Happy 6th, Enji :)

Taken with Panasonic DMC-G1
with Lumix G 20mm f/1.7
[ISo400|1/30s|f/1.7]

Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f1.7
^available at Amazon currently for USD345^

Finally, after a long wait -

I was able to acquire this lens for my Panasonic Lumix G1

(Micro Four Thirds) ^snapped with N82

And sample shots with the G1|20mm combo all at 1.7 (I think) Liking it already :)

Reversed Comply T100s on the DBA-02

This tames the high to my comfort level.

More notes for the Fischer Audio DBA-02 IEMs

Listened to Mad About the Classics before I hit the bed and I must say these are very resolving IEMs. The DBA can easily extract those 'nuisance' like musicians preparing/playing/moving about and maybe audiences clearing their throat - that were caught on the recording.

It's the very first time that I've fully appreciated Track 18 In the Hall of the Mountain King, from the subtle playing of instrument until the grand finale - no pun intended.

I'm a sucker for Vivaldi's Four Seasons and I've never heard Spring|La Primavera this way before, the violins sounded like they should - friction (plucked or drawn) on the strings can be heard clearly with their own characteristics - like I can sense the sizes of the violins.

The DBAs can really present the orchestra clearly and without confusion and this is just using the Fuze as source. Impressive!

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri :)

Fischer Audio Master Series DBA-02

(my notes as posted on head-fi.org and www.headphiles.org)
Okay, got my pair now and the sound is very very promising despite the well known out-of-the-box-sibilant-sound and I must say it's not that very offensive sibilance type, it's like a ribbon type tweeter sibilance - it's like there are more brass than usual. Not sure if I'm making sense here.

Anyway, the bass and midrange and soundstage I already like \m/ Wishing more from the bass department though. The mids is kinda grainy.
Darn earbuds have no L/R markings :p I'll do something about that later.
For now, let the burning-in begin... my ears are getting crazy.
Source: Sansa Fuze

I will concentrate on two tracks first before and after burn-in: AIC MTV Unplugged Brother and Metallica's Struggle Within.

with the UE SF5(v2)

Red=Right!

After 1hr of pink noise via FM, the treble has already wised up... the different sounds at each shake of the metal shaker in Brother is already very discernible. Still on the sibilant side. I'm not changing tips until it has fully burned in.

The midrange wised-up as well after 1hr. Still splashy scraper sibilant after ~2hrs though
I'm still hoping the highs will wise up.
I am currently rejoicing - I can insert them on my ear like they were custom made for me I am using the stock tips btw.
Unbelievable, Glen Frey's (Eagles: Hell Freezes Over) voice is sibilant even with letter T's

Custom fit! :D

more notes:
The mids after ~6hrs: It has very good presentation/separation (lead and background/backup) with male vocals (The Doors - Riders on the Storm) but not so good with female vocals (Jane Siberry - It Can't Rain All The Time). UEsf5(v2) to me is better in this regard.

General: It sounds livelier (more treble energy i.e.) directly compared to my tweaked T50RP and the DBA-02 really sounds big like wearing a headphone. Soundstage seems to project outside the IEMs and my head - I like! Attack of the Bass is there when needed (Carmina Burana - O Fortuna) and very dynamic (Gustav Holst, Levine - Mars, The Bringer of War) - I have to be careful on the volume though or my ears will bleed at the sudden Attack of the Highs. It does classical music very well \m/

I think I will tune T50RP's bass w/ the help of the DBA-02s.

foobar>musiland02us>dddac>daredmp-5>dba02w/fiberfill|grayhybridtips