A70's New Firmware

I was quite very busy the past few days and the new firmware for the A70 was posted on 16Dec without me noticing. My A70 is currently on 2.0.54 on Android 2.2.1 (FroYo) and i will update it to the current FW2.0.71 The firmware can be downloaded from Archos' site here. The changelog is listed at Archos' site here. I'm not really sure if I'm going to benefit on any of the improvements :p

BTW, I have collected all the golden eggs!
Found this [funny] screenshot (which is different from the one I got) from inverty.com:

Angry Birds Seasons, here I come!

The Golden Eggs

I'm hooked!
image borrowed from www.angrybirdsnest.com

It's been a long time since I was hooked on a game. Angry Birds' levels are witty and puzzling. I had to search youtube for solutions on some levels on how to get 3 stars. To get 3stars, its either you only use 1 bird to get rid of the pigs or do a maximum damage on their defenses (structures made from wood/ice|glass(?)/cement blocks|planks. The 'physics' of the game is just amazing!

I'm also hoping this game will come to the PC... so more people will get addicted :D

Squawk!!!

GingerBread

I'm pretty much impressed with the FroYo (Frozen Yogurt or Android 2.2) on the Archos 70 Internet Tablet.
It is really working like a small PC... and got me thinking... I want to replace the OS on my eeePC701 with the Android! The eeePC701 comes with 4GB solid state HD memory, 512MB RAM and Xandros OS. I have upgraded the RAM to 2GB already and it would really be interesting how would Android run on it with the Celeron 900MHz CPU. I'm not a techie person so I will stop here :D
The eeePC was bought just 2 years ago and it's getting much love anymore. I can use some apps here and there but not as useful or playable like the Android. An Android with a mouse... really something very interesting :D
More on Android at wikipedia. Android is now on its 2.3 version which is called GingerBread.

Symbian Nation

I was glad to find out that [Nokia] Sports Tracker is back with a more exciting look AND an updated apps!

I haven't used my N82's NST/GPS for a long time and when I did last weekend, I was in no hurry to use the data --- nowhere to upload I said to myself... so glad I was wrong.

Here's a screen capture from the new site and the link to the actual dashboard that you can play with a la google map:

I think everyone know by now that the N8 is out but I decided not to dump my N82. The touch screen, HD video and awesome camera is not for me (too expensive actually :D).
I love the N82 as it is.

So I decided to get something with a bigger screen and something that will complement my N82.

More to come ;)

Android Invasion

10 geeky things photographers do @ asia.cnet

:)

megastuck @ slex!

Stuck@SLEX

Shot, cropped and blogged from my N82

Coffee by N82

The Alien @ Starbucks

Shot, edited and blogged from my N82

Shrine of St Therese of the Child Jesus

I'm wondering if N8 would be easier to blog from :p
This shot taken, downsized and blogged from the candybar N82 \m/

UWA without FF

One of the reasons why I wanted to go FF (just like everyone else) is to optimize my wide angle lens like the Zenitar 16mm f2.8.Another reason is the DOF, but that's too technical to discuss here :P

Anyway...
Then the two mains reasons why I went the M43 way is the SIZE and WEIGHT.

Here's a shot of the Sony A700|16-80 (not even FF) and Panasonic G1|14-45.

And then I still kept on thinking about UWA...
Panasonic's 7-14 f4 ASPH Lumix Vario G already made some people in the industry to switch from FF to M43. It is that good!
and the only thing that's keeping me from getting it is the price (~USD1000+):P

M.Zuiko to the rescue!
Good thing is that Olympus' Zuiko decided to 'concentrate' on M43 and launched some really affordable M.Zuiko lenses and the M ED 9-18mm f4-5.6 is one of them.
at almost half the price of the Lumix UWA, the performance (according to reviews) is very impressive.

And so I'm totally dumping the thought of FF and might just get the M.Zuiko 9-18 for my UWA need.

Sony MDR-ED238

I left my Fischer Audio DBA-02 in the office last Friday due to an emergency and yesterday I ahd to commute on the way to the bowling center so I needed to dig my old pair of earphones:

I was ready to hear some 'crappy' sound but was quite surprised and delighted that they sounded very good - impressive actually for a pair of earbuds.

The picture shows how I tweaked the 'funnel' to bring out the treble.

The mids and bass are very good - think Senns?

I then wonder if this pair is worthy of reshelling :D

Featherweight 500mm Setup!

The Minolta RF Rokkor -X 500mm f8 and Panasonic G1

Some (excited) sample shots with bad light :P

Must mount on a heavy tripod :P
Or I'll just have to wait for a sunny day :D

Loving the M43

My adapters arrived last Sunday but was able to get them the other day.
I've already tried the Rokkor 45/2 and 50/1.7 on the G1 w/ the Fotodiox MD>M43 adapter:

and a sample shot with the 50/1.7MD:

Will test the SuperTakumar 55/1.8 soon.

Along with the adapters I ordered is the Raynox DCR-250.
"The lens includes a snap-on universal mount suitable for 52mm to 67mm filter size.
DCR-250 Super Macro lens obtains the maximum macro magnification power when set at the most telephoto position of zoom lens. The lens is made of high index optical glass elements which produce rich and razor sharp image." -from Raynox website

and a sample shot with the Lumix 20/1.7:
I don't have the Panasonic Leica 45/2.8 macro which sells for ~USD900 but I think the Lumix 20/1.7 + raynox DCR250 combo will suffice for my macro needs with the G1.
I also have the Tam90 on A-mount. I think I have to order another adapter :P

Oktober Fest

is on at dyxum.

Some of my shots with the KM7D and Tam90

Twins

Spikes

Hangers

Minolta MD Rokkor-X 42mm f/2

One lens that I'll be trying with the G1 when my adapter arrives.
It's gonna be a long wait :D
Shot taken on board a Canon digital SLR

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