Panasonic Announced Firmware Update for DMC-LX3

According to dpreview, “Panasonic has announced a firmware update for its Lumix DMC-LX3 digital compact camera. Version 1.3 improves auto white balance and general performance of the camera. It also rectifies minor operational issues. The latest version will be made available for download on the 1 June, 2009.”

Download link here, http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/LX3/index.html.

Source – dpreivew

My Gears – Canon G10 & Canon Speedlite 270EX

Had the Canon G10 for a week now and just picked up the Canon Speedlite 270EX two days ago. Comparing it with my Panasonic Lumix LX3, the Canon G10 shoot some real nice pics at ISO80, but above that, it simply is no match with the Lumix LX3. Still love the dedicated aspect change button on the Lumix LX3 but all in all the dials on the Canon G10 is much more easier for access and the size fits a guy with large palms far better. As for the Canon Speedlite 270EX, it’s compact, light-weight and great with the bounce. But mind you, there is no button apart from the on/off switch and lock key. All settings are set via the camera menu system.

My Gears – Camera Gears for My Taipei Shoot

Just came back from my week-long photo shoot in Taipei.  Before I took off for the trip, I took some pics on the gears I brought along and Gonna share with you all here.  Because I was to do a full four days shoot with some local models in Taipei, both in the city and out in the countryside, other than the camera and the full lens series, I brought with me the mobile lighting equipments for off-camera lightings. Check them out.

Sony A900, Carl Zeiss 16-35mm F2.8, Carl Zeiss 24-70mm F2.8, Carl Zeiss 85mm F1.4 and Tamron 70-200mm F2.8

Light Stands, Shoot-thru umbrellas and bunch of clamps and accessories

Sony F56 and F58 flash guns, Elinchrom Skyport Transmitter and Receivers

Lots of gels (from Photogels, LumiQuest and Honl Photo), Snoots, Barn Doors and Speed Grids (from Honl Photo)

New iPhone 3G Tariffs Plan

3HK just offered the new iPhone 3G tariffs plan.  Could it be because we’re getting closer and closer to the new generation iPhone which is due out soon? Check out the new tariffs plan here.

Source – 3HK

My Gears – Tamron SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro (Sony Mount)

Front view with my Sony A900

Side view

Top view

Got this lens for two weeks now and been out shooting a bit the past two weekends. Initial feeling towards the lens – great F/2.8 lens at this range, not a fast lens, great for portrait but okay with sports. Tamron Hong Kong now offering firmware upgrade to the lens but they can only do so by sending the lens back to Japan and it will take up to four weeks in doing so. Reviews on the firmware upgrade from the local forums indicated that the lens focus a lot faster and more quiet. Think I’m going to check it out after my two trips next month.

Will post up some pics over at my photo blog, Phooey Pics, later this week. So far I can say, for a third of the money in getting the G lens from Sony, I’m happy with this Tamron.

My Gears – Really Right Stuff L-Plate for Sony A900

The Really Right Stuff L-Plate for Sony A900

Ordered my Sony A900 L-Plate (US$140) from Really Right Stuff last Friday and received it yesterday, nice and fast service (well, US$33.74 shipping, LOL). Slipped it on today and took some pics. Initial feeling: nicely built, sturdy and works perfectly when switching from landscape to portrait. No more resetting the ball head and recomposing. Well worth it.

In Landscape Mode

In Portrait Mode

The Sirui G-20 BallHead

As for the ballhead, Really Right Stuff’s BH-40 seems to be the best fit but given the US$300+ price tag, too steep for me. Went down to Sham Shui Po today for a spin and found the Sirui G-20 ballhead for HK$550 (US$70) at Ying Kee, and it worked perfectly.

Source – Really Right Stuff

Phooey Pics – My Gears – Hoodman HoodLoupe Professional 3.0

New article posted up over at Phooey Pics on My Gears – Hoodman HoodLoupe Professional 3.0, check it out here.

First Look Pics from the Sony Carl Zeiss 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM

[Update: 8:30pm] Finally have time to take some more daytime shots, well afternoon shots to be exact, again of the Victoria Harbour. The distortions on the edge of the frame does not look too shabby at all, what do you think?

1/500 sec @ F9.0, ISO 200, 16mm

1/80 sec @ F8.0, ISO 200, 16mm

1/80 sec @ F8.0, ISO200, 16mm

1/60 sec @ F5.0, ISO 200, 35mm

[Posted: 11:53am]

5.0 sec at F14, ISO 400, 16mm on Sony A900 (click on pic to see full view)

Got the lens last night and hopped right out to the harbour side to take a test shot of the Victoria Harbour. The above pic was shot in RAW, straight out, no post-processing. Will try to shoot some daytime landscape pics today. Below I attached some closeups of the lens together with the other Carl Zeiss lenses I have.

The 16-35mm and 24-70mm side by side

the 85/1.4 on the left, 16-35/2.8 in the middle and 24-70/2.8 on the right

The hoods though look alike, are in fact different in size, ALC-SH106 on the 16-35mm and ALC-SH101 on the 24-70mm

My Gear – Sony Carl Zeiss 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM is in DA House

Woot, loving the lens. Will post some test pic tonight or tomorrow, stay tuned.

My Gears – Huey Pro – WOOT for Color Management

Finally got around to get some color management going.

Originally planned to go out and shop for a Spyder, went down to Sim City in Mongkok for a spin and saw the Spyder line on special at DC Fever, the Spyder 2 Express was going for HK$680 and the Spyder 3 Pro was going for HK$1,480. The plan was to go for the Spyder 3 Pro as I have two monitors hooked up for for my Lightroom settings plus the MacBook Pro for maneuvering around town and being able to calibrate multiple monitors is a must factor. In addition, being able to monitor constant ambient light is also a big plus, but as I was checking out other stores, I saw the Huey Pro (which performs the same functions as the Spyder 3 Pro) which have been out of stock for a while. Asked the guy at the shop and he offered HK$780.00, not bad at all and I grabbed it right away.

Got home, took me less than 30 minutes to calibrate the two monitors and the MacBook Pro, woot. As for the results, sure looks good.Woot for color management.

Ricoh LC-1 Self Retaining Lens Cap on My Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Thanks to a great guy on the DCHome forum, I finally got hold of the Ricoh self retaining cap LC-1 converted for my Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. Much work was put into scrapping and sanding the cap down to fit the LX3 perfectly. According to this guy, he got the idea from one of the Japanese camera forum in which he saw other guys doing the same conversion but in a much more primitive way, that being just plainly sawing the cap down and that results in a not so tight fit connection between the lens and the cap.

Woot to the guy and no more lens cap problem for me. The cost, HK$160.00. For more details, check out his post here on the DCHome forum (Chinese).

Phooey Pics – 58mm Fish Eye Lens for My Panasonic Lumix LX3

New article posted up over at Phooey Pics on the 58mm Fish Eye Lens for My Panasonic Lumix LX3, check it out.

Upgrade to MacBook Pro? Nah

Back in July I crossed over from PC to Mac and bought my first MacBook Pro.  Last week, Apple announced the new line of MacBooks and MacBook Pros.  I took a long look at them, the MacBook upgrade, though without the firewire now, it’s is still worth the upgrade especially with the new glass trackpad (with multi-touch gestures); aluminum case; LED-backlit display, integrated 256MB Nvidia video; and a smaller and lighter (half pound) body.

As for the MacBook Pros, I don’t see much added value from the new lines apart from the improved graphic display.  Gone are the matte screen (only the glossy ones are available); the portability (the new MacBook Pros are heavier), and most important of all, 20% shorter in terms of battery life.

I’m gald I didn’t hold off in buying mine back in July.  Wondering when the next upgrade will be.

For Sale – Sony UX-27

Sony UX-27

Finally putting up my Sony UX-27 on sale.  Email your bids to me at gadget@hkphooey.hk if you’re interested.  Prime condition.  Indicative price: around HK$4000.  Detail specs as follow –