Nex-3 after two days

After two days with Nex, I've taken more than 500 photos. Most of them were in iAuto, and some in PASM. It's a joy to use. The tilt lcd brought another level of framing as I didn't have those features in my already-sold a700. The menu(some complained that its a bit tedious to adjust settings) didn't bother me much. From experiences, I've gotten to know what settings to use and adjusted it prior to shooting.

Here are some random shots taken at my niece's birthday last night.


Wife and sis.


With niece. Flash was used here.




How I wish I have this hair. Would be nice for the upcoming Search-Wings Double Trouble concert that I'm attending next week.



Then I tried the anti-motion-blur mode where the camera will take six high-iso photos and merged them into one. Good for low-lit areas.


22mm, f4, 1/15 at iso 6400.



Small cameras must be kept small bags. My Benro is too big so I bought a beltpack for RM80 from Ah Siong at CPL, KK plaza. Besides, I sold off the Benro to a friend who just bought a used a300.


Lesser known brand but at least it does the job properly.


Just nice to store Nex with 1855 and 16mm pancake lens.

Sony NEX-3

After three weeks of going up and down to Mega Avit Sony Centre at Wisma Merdeka just to get my hands on the Nex, finally I came face to face with it. I'm not going to give much specs about Nex though as you can find a lot more information from the net. When I reached there, there's only one black Nex 5 with 1855 kit left, as three units were after taken after they reach here earlier this week. Luck was on my side though(maybe a sign that I should get one...hehe) that the next shipment of Nex arrived few minutes after I was there. There were boxes of Nex 5 with different kit configurations and the smaller brother Nex 3 all in front of me. Decisions decisions!



I grabbed both, tried and felt the ergonomics and almost 20 minutes later, I bought one. Nex-3D(D means twin kit 1855 and 16mm f2.8 lens), black colour. Main difference between 3 and 5 is the movie. Nex 3 record videos in HD, while Nex 5 record movies in full HD glory. Nex 5 is easier to hold because of the bigger grip and it has magnesium alloy body, while Nex 3 is plastic. The lens however, are metal.



So why did I choose 3? It has the same price tag as Nex 5 with 1855 which I intended to get earlier but I get an extra lens. Who knows I might need it one day. Photo wise, I'll let you be the judge. All photos in jpgs, no pp done except resizing and I let the camera in iAuto mode just to see how it would perform as a 'PnS'. No flash used except the one with the self portrait with sunset background.





Brought it outside for some street shooting.






Wifey took this. Apart from the shiny facial structures, I like how it performed here.


Pity no blue skies today.


Went to Wisma Merdeka food court.


Thinking of Nex accessories already....:p









Just found out that mine was using the Version 1 firmware. Version 2 update was released by Sony recently which add 3D sweep panorama and improved battery life. Can't wait for tomorrow for outdoor shooting to see how it would perform. Would Nex replaces a dslr? I'm not very sure but it would be a great companion to you existing kit.

Kampung Punang, Lawas

This evening, a friend and I went to Punang to catch the sunset. I did go there last year for the same purpose but the weather didn't do me a favour. It was raining on our way there, but upon reaching the place it was dry. Thank goodness!



However, on the other side(right) of Punang, black clouds were gathering, bringing in heavy rain.


Luckilly a boy alerted us about this, a first-time for me.


On the other side.


These boys were supportive enough to jump into the water a few times for me to take photos.




Can you see the letter?


Azmi, my colleague.

Kokol.....again???

:D Yes! It's another photoshoot at Kokol. One thing for sure the sunrise will always be different everyday. The first time I went to this place, the sun was rising on the right side of Mount Kinabalu, but yesterday it was on the left. The sight, as usual was breathtaking and we were lucky that it wasn't foggy.



I brought along my newly-bought tripod and a silver/gold reflector. The reflector provided us with some nice portraits.


Joshua who came from Miri, brought along the poisonous Minolta 70210 f4 aka beercan.


No female models, male models do just fine.


Boy


Chua.


Some extra editing with words.


Here's behind the scene look.

Anyway, I will bid farewell to my larger system very soon to embark into a project that is not photography related. Photos in the future will be handled by its smaller, cuter sibling.

Tobilung's Mongigol traditional dance

The Tobilung's referred the 'mongigol' as the 'dance of eagles' because the rhythm and the moves replicating the movement of an eagle in the sky. It was said that once upon a time, a young Tobilung girl saw an eagle which was looking out for prey in sky. The flapping and spreading of the wings looked like a dance which inspired the girl to create the what is now 'mongigol'. Nowadays, this traditional dance is often performed during Kaamatan(Harvest Festival) or weddings.

Last week, I witnessed this dance which was organised by my sister in-law for her final-year project. My mother in-law played a part too by playing the 'kulintangan'.



Wifey tried her skills on the 'kulintangan'.


The gongs.


Kulintangan close-up.


Each produces different tones when hit.


Five players needed to perform the music for mongigol.








The decorations on the costume.


Back view.

I did record the whole dance using a handycam but yet to edit the videos. Will upload the videos once it's finished.