Dead and hot pixel...

On 16th August 2008, it's time for team China to showcase their fireworks in Malaysia International Fireworks Competition in Putrajaya. I went there to brush up my fireworks photography skills. As usual, I carried my 9kg big tripod and all my gear to a nice spot. Set up everything and ready to shoot. The firework performance was impressive. I manage to get a few decent shot.

Reached home about 1am. Tiring and exhausted. I manage to copy all the photo into my 500GB external HDD before I go to bed.

The next day morning, I nicely open up the photo I took last night. I got a shocked. WTF! How come there's so many "colourful pimples" on every photo! I thought I was still dreaming. But then when I look closely on one of the photo taken, gosh! it is DEAD PIXEL! Situation got worst, when I found out that every photo contain dead pixel.

What is dead pixel? Dead pixels are elements on the CCD that do not work at all. This is determined by checking the RGB and luminance value of the pixel. In case of a lens cap shot this should be close to black. If the pixel is instead white or almost white it is a dead pixel.

Damn it! There goes my fireworks photo. I google and find my way through the web. Manage to get some information from Dpreview.com forum on curing dead pixel on Canon EOS 350D. Frankly speaking, it does not help much.

I manage to get some tips and guidance from Photomalaysia.com on how to test your camera for dead pixel accurately using a special software. You can download the software HERE! (by Starzen Technology).

I am a RAW shooter. I am using Canon therefore I use Canon Digital Photo Pro to process all my RAW (.CR2) images.

My step to prepare image from camera:
1. You will need your DSLR, lens (any lens will do, as long as you have lens cap) and of cause the CF card (or SD).
2. Put on the lens cap into your lens.
3. Set your AF mode to MF.
4. Cover your view finder and make sure there's no stray light goes into your viewfinder.
4. Now set your internal camera setting( ISO 400, F16, Shutter speed at 30 second, RAW image quality)
5. Fire the trigger.
6. Wait till the camera ready.

Step to prepare image for Dead Pixel test
1. Copy and save your RAW (.CR2) as TIFF format using Canon DPP (Without any post process)
2. Open Dead Pixel test and plug in your image in TIFF format.
3. Check the result how many DEAD pixel and HOT pixel you have.

What next? Send your camera to service centre for check up and remapping or replace your camera CCD sensor.

Beijing Olympic 2008 logo

08.08.08 mark the greatest day for China. Beijing Olympic 2008 opening ceremony dazzled the whole world by showcasing their ancient culture and civilizations, inventions and fireworks around the city. The performance together with the projection effect is simply WOW!

Have you ever think of who come out the idea of Beijing Olympic 2008 logo? Check out the video below how the idea of logo comes from...

PC Fair II 2008 - My View

PC Fair is Malaysia largest information and technology fair organized by The National ICT Association of Malaysia (PIKOM). PC Fair started off in year 1995 where is was organized in Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur and The DOME (KOMTAR) in Penang. Today, PC Fair made it step into Malayia Books of Records and it's the largest ICT Fair in Malaysia. PC Fair is held in 13 location around Malaysia.

Well, that's the history and glamour part of Malaysia. Many people think that PC Fair = Cheap / Bargain Stuff. I would say their perception on PC Fair is totally untrue. I been to PC fair since 1995 and never missed any of it. From KOMTAR DOME to PWTC and the latest location in KLCCC (Kuala Lumpur Conference and Exhibition Centre) for more than 12 years. Things were cheap when it was held the first few years. Lately, most of the stuff sell in the fair are low quality China made product. My opinion, PC Fair is like a chance where all the dealer would throw out those low quality China made product at ridiculious low price just to finish off their stock.

My friend has been asking me should they go to PC fair and get their PC or laptop. I don't really like to shop in PC fair. There is a reason behind it:

1. Many offers in PC fair are equally same as normal price item you can get in Low Yat Plaza (LYP). Price the same, just you have a few free gift and extended warranty. Especially for branded laptop like Apple, Toshiba, Fujitsu etc...

2. PC fair is bloody crowded and full of people. To find a parking space in KLCCC will take you at least an hour. Lots of young and old will come to the fair either for shopping or lurking for pretty and sexy ladies. I had seen a good looking Indian guy handing over his card to those sexy ladies on recruitment for "job" that promise high income.

3. Warranty issue. Can you imagine you bought an MP4 player at a dirt cheap price with 24 hours warranty? It is ridiculous isn't it? What if luck is not on your side and the player rip apart after 24 hours? There goes your investment, it's like paying RM50 for a MP4 player that can last for 1 day. PC Fair is a place where most of the dealer will throw away their outdated product for a dirt cheap price but with an extremely short warranty. Some even not warrantied.

4. Where to find the dealer? Yes, I bet some visitor don't even know they bought their product from the company unless it is clearly stated in the receipt. An example case like you bought a product in PC Fair from Dealer A. 2 weeks later, you have some problem with your product. You desperately need to get back to the dealer that you purchase your product from. But you have one problem, there's no dealer's location and detail printed on the receipt. What are you going to do with the product then?

5. Some scumbag and irresponsible dealer. Like I said earlier. Most of the dealer take PC Fair for granted as to dispose their old and outdated stock in a dirt cheap price. On top of that, they might think of just sell and dispose the product. After the product is sell off, they are clean from the product. They don't need to provide warranty on the product itself just in case the product fail after 2 weeks.

In short, PC Fair is good for windows shopping but not if you wanted to shop for your computer product. I rather shop in lowyat than having the hassle from finding parking to joining the crowd in PC FAIR.

Anyhow this is my opinion after I've been visiting PC Fair for the past 12 years.

Share with me your opinion and thought on PC Fair.

CW