Severely damaged Canon EOS 350D with EFS 10-22mm lens

I found this photo on my old flash drive. Just to share with everyone a lesson learned the hard way back in 2009. I was taking photo in Port Dickson using my Canon EOS 350D with EFS 10-22mm ultra wide lens. Due to laziness, I just bring the Manfrotto MODO tripod to support the system (FYI, MODO only support point and shoot!). After a few shot, I decided to change the location, thus I just grab the tripod with the camera mounted and walk. Out of sudden, I feel that my tripod become weightless and I heard a loud thump behind me! I knew something terribly wrong happened. When I turned over my head and I saw the camera lying on the floor with the filter glass shattered over the floor. The grip shutter also fallen apart. There's nothing much I can do and I realize that camera actually slided out from the head. The interlock actually gives way due to the weight of the camera and lens. Lesson learned, never use a small tripod that are not meant for big job!. Damage caused - RM895.

Jane + Vliam Wedding Day

The photographer for Jane and Vliam pulled out last minute. I was called in to shoot their wedding day. I wanted to try something new after long break from shooting wedding. Shooting cinematic video and photo for wedding is totally different. I am mixing the way we see in video into shooting this wedding. A pure different look.

Find out more at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheewooi/sets/72157626894733098/with/5802104803/  or www.cheewooi.info

Bangkok International Motorshow 2011

Here's some of the shot taken during 32nd Bangkok International Motorshow at IMPACT Challenger, Don Muang, Thailand.















See more at my flickr!

Velocity Angels Search 2009

Finally, manage to spend some time to process these photo taken during DCIM Show 2009 in Midvalley Exhibition Center.

Never format a 16GB Compact Flash (CF) card with your camera!

I learned my lesson yesterday when I happily bought a new 16GB Kingmax Compact Flash (CF) card for my DSLR from DCIM shows 2009 in Midvalley.

After I purchase the CF card, I immediately pop it into my 350D WITHOUT formatting it. It works like charm. The total image remaining indicate 999 even on RAW quality. I was really amazed with it. I tested a few shots and it works perfectly.

Till I get back home, since this is a new card, I normally use my camera to format it. I did it as usual for my camera. I go to the format card menu in 350D, it indicate total of 14.5GB memory space available. Without think much, I just pressed OK. There is goes. About 30 seconds later, the card is ready. I was shock when I check the capacity on the card. It indicate 7.5GB instead of 14.5GB!

Still unable to convince myself, I switch off my camera and turn it on again after remove all the battery, CF card and leave it for 1 minute. The capacity still the same 7.5GB!

The very next thing I did was to remove the card from the camera and popped in to my card reader. I used Disk Management from Windows XP to check the partition, surprisingly there's total of 2 partition, one active partition 7.45GB and another one is also around 7.5GB but unknown partition.

There's no way you can delete the partition from disk management tools. The option just grayed out!

Luckily, I had my friend's Nikon D2Xs with me. A little desperate, I try to use the D2Xs to format my card. Woalla! It works again after I formatted it with D2Xs. I recheck the capacity again in my computer and it indicate total capacity of14.5GB!

Lesson learned: 16GB CF card can be use on my 350D but DON'T ever use camera to format it! Use a computer instead to format it with FAT32 file system.

After I did some google from the web, I found that most of Canon camera having this problem. 5D Mark I (Please note it is not Mark II) problem solved with upgrading firmware, but then there's no firmware upgrade for 30D and 350D.

Canon Camera that might have problem:
1. 350D, 300D?
2. 20D, 30D
4. 5D Mark I (NOT Mark II)

So far Nikon camera haven't encounter this problem before.
1. D300
2. D2Xs

I am uncertain about older model for Nikon like D70, D70s, D100, D200, D1, D2x etc..

Please check out the link below for more information regarding this.
1. http://mikewren.com/transcend-16gb-formatting-kludge
2. http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3304
3. http://davidnaylor.org/blog/2008/04/problem-and-solution-16gb-compact-flash.html

Gothenburg, Sweden

This is the third time of my visit to Gothenburg, Sweden. As usual 17 hours of total flight from Kuala Lumpur to Gothenburg. My flight with KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) to Amsterdam was not a pleasant flight. It took 12 hours from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Amsterdam Schipol International Airport, Netherlands. It was a long haul flight in a Boeing 747. The flight is rough due to heavy turbulence when flying across the air space of Russia. The economy seat in KLM Boeing 747 is narrow. Forget about leg space between your leg and the seat in front. It is barely more than 10cm. Luckily, I manage to sleep for 9 hours most of the time inside the flight and seated beside the aisle.



View Larger Map


I arrived at Gothenburg Lanvetter Airport on Sunday morning. Not far away from the baggage claim area, I spotted a taxi driver holding "Husqvarna Construction" plate on his hand. When I walk toward his direction, he smiled at us and greet me good morning.

It took me 20 minutes from Gothenburg airport to Elite Storia Avenue Hotel in The Avenue Street, Gothenburg. I arrive at the hotel 2 hour earlier than check in time. I was told that the room is not available yet. I just drop my baggage into the baggage locker room, get myself prepared to roam around the surrounding.

Cafe in the park

Winter scene in Gothenburg, Sweden

Frozen canal and some city architechture in Gothenburg.

Gothenburg city is beautiful in winter. This is the first time, I experience winter in Scandinavian city. Most of the street and park is covered with snow. The ambient temperature is around 0 - 4 degree in the day time and -8 - 0 degree at night. Did you know that the entire population in Sweden is only 9 million, out of 9 million, 2 million in Stockholm, around 700k in Gothenburg, and the rest in other location.

Street scene in Gothenburg

Frozen canal beside the park

My legs getting tired after spending 2 hours strolling on the street. I've been walking non stop lugging 3kgs of Lowepro Fastpack 350 behind my back. After walking around the main street of Gothenburg, it's time to fill up my empty stomach. My initial plan is to had my lunch in Hard Rock Restaurant, Gothenburg. While I am walking towards Hard Rock Restaurant, my eyes suddenly spotted a group of 20 people queuing up in front of the restaurant called "Joe Farelli's Italian-American Kitchen" beside Hard Rock. Everyone was queuing up and waited anxiously for the restaurant to open.

The menu is written in Swedish and the best thing is I got no one to help me do the translation. I try to make a few guess what's written on the Menu board in front of the restaurant. Well, I only understand 165 SEK (1 Swedish Kronor = RM0.46) per person on what is written on the menu. The first thing came into my mind is 'buffet brunch'! I was correct when I asked one of the waiter what's their menu today. The buffet brunch was nice and it's different from Asian country. For around RM85 you pay (A rough convertion from 165SEK) , you get to enjoy pork ribs, pizza, salad, chickens, hams, bacons etc. A typical Italian and American cruisine in Gothenburg. It is worth every kronor spent! The taste is wonderful.

I finish my brunch buffet around 1pm. Went back to the hotel, check in every tom dick and harry. Take a slow shower after 18 hours of flight from Kuala Lumpur. I feel refreshed after the hot shower. Without wasting time, here I goes again to the street of Gothenburg with my camera. I leave my lappie in the room.

A famous statue located between the theatre and the end of Avenue Street.

The iconic lipstick building at the port

I spend whole day roaming around the city on Bus number 11 a.k.a my both leg. I only have one day spare to roam around the city. The rest of the way, I start my business meeting and training from 8.30am till 9.30pm everyday.

On the last day, flying out from Gothenburg to Amsterdam is smooth and easy. Unfortunately, my colleague and I had some problem with the immigration when we going through Passport Control at Amsterdam Schipol International Airport.

We were called to the immigration office. According to the immigration officer, they suspect the authenticity of our passport due to the dot at the photo is round instead of square one. We have only 35 minutes to board our flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Our passport was sent to their security expert to verify the authenticity of the passport. Within 10 minutes, we're lucky that they manage to verify our passsport is original. I doubt whether our Malaysian Immigration Department doing their job properly or not. This brings a lot of trouble to the traveller who travel frequently to other continent where they are bias towards Asian. Anyhow, it's a great experience learned.

Finally manage to catch our flight on time and get some rest on the journey back home.

Famous river for salmon fishing in Jonsered

Red building in Jonsered

CLICK HERE for more photo of Gothenburg.

20 best selling DSLR in Japan!

The latest survey acquired from AkihabaraNews.com revealed that Canon lost market shares to Nikon in DSLR market in Japan.

The Japanese Website BCN Ranking has the 20 bestselling DSLRs in Japan for the Year 2008. I'm surprised to see how popular Nikon is, nearing leading rank…

Here's the full list:

1 Canon EOS Kiss X2 with 19.1% Of Market Share
2 Nikon D60 10.9%
3 Nikon D80 10.6%
4 Nikon D40 9.1%
5 Canon EOS Kiss Digital X 8.4%
6 Canon EOS 40D 6.7%
7 Sony α350 4.2%
8 Nikon D300 3.3%
9 Sony α200 2.6%
10 Nikon D90 2.2%
11 Canon EOS 50D 2%
12 Nikon D40x 1.9%
13 Canon EOS Kiss F 1.8%
14 Sony α300 1.7%
15 Pentax K200D 1.6%
16 Panasonic Lumix G1 1.4%
17 Olympus E-510 1.4%
18 Olympus E-520 1.2%
19 Olympus E-420 1.2%
20 Nikon D700 1%

A few things though... Some of these models are pretty new, like the G1 Lumix, while others are kind of old. It's interesting to note that Nikon has seven cameras on the list while Canon only has five.

Looks like Nikon leading the DSLR market...

Lighting diagram

Picture speaks louder than word. Have you ever wonder how do you manage to carry your message across especially a simple message like describing how that guy or girl look like? The best way is still draw or take a photo of that particular person and show it.

Trying to explain how you light a portrait it's like trying to presenting people your idea of getting that particular shot. It takes hell out of time and patient to describe your lighting setup whether verbally or on paper. I found this site particularly useful for those strobist wannabe to present their idea and give other people a better view on their lighting setup.

CLICK HERE for DIYPhotography.com lighting diagram, planning and explaining and Web based SDG Studio Lighting Studio.

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.

Digital control black box

I am RM800 bucks poorer today. Why? Can't imagine I spend RM800 bucks on a 80 litre black box (it's not the black box that used in the aircraft to track the evidence if there is mishap!). What is so special about this box? Purchasing this box is like buying insurance foryour investment. WTH? A box can protect investment? Yes, the investment I refer to is my precious photography equipment.

This is actually a dry box. Dry box are famous in Asian country due to relatively high humidity (>60% RH). High humidity is enemy to the lens. High humidity (>60% RH), with temperature range of 30'C and in enclosed dark area is the best place for fungus growth. Once the fungus grow in your lens, basically you can say bye bye to the lens. Fungus not only eat up your expensive lens coating, but also deteriorate your lens optical quality. There's no 100% assurance that the fungus is completely remove even though you sent your lens for total cleanup. When the fungus is cleaned, this also means your lens coating is cleaned too.

To prevent fungus growth, there's few option. Fungus is growth is heavily depends on the humidity of the environment. Low humidity will prevent growth of fungus (<55% RH).You can either store your lens in direct sunlight and good ventilation area, or store it inside your back but put a lot of silica gel or store it inside the dry box. The first method discussed is the easiest, but not practical. The second solution seems to be good, but only apply when you are traveling and for temporally solution. You don't want to keep on changing the silica gel. The last one is costly but also the easiest way to store your equipment. Drybox are used to control the humidity of the content inside the box. It will automatically adjust the targeted humidity level. You only need to set it once and leave it there, the electronic unit will take care of the humidity. Take your lens when you need to use it and put it back once you had finish using the lens. No worry on changing silica gel, or ventilated area with sunlight.

I made my decision to get this AIPO dry box when I see some of my friend's expensive photographic lens and equipment are damaged by fungus. I bought this AIPO 80Litre drybox for RM800. It's the cheapest digital control dry cabinet available in our local market that comes with 5 years warranty. The service is also easily available once there is a problem with the drybox. This box also utilize TE (Thermoelectric) condensation drying method - a low power, low noise and high efficient dryer.

Selection of dry box depends on the amount of equipment you wanted to store. Even though you have only 1 body and 2 lens for the time being, you might wanna consider getting a bigger one to accomodate additional lenses or equipment you might purchase in the future. Choose wisely depends on the amount of equipment to store. The optimum humidity to store lenses, media, paper and battery are between 45% - 55% RH. Don't be too greedy set the control too low eg. 10%RH you might ended up having a crack rubber door due to too dry environment.

Lastly, investing in a drybox is a step to protect your expensive lenses. IMHO, dry box give you better overall control humidity compared to silica gel etc. Think about this, what going to happened to that expensive lens if there's a fungus grow inside it? Replacing the coating and cleaning definately cost more than the value of a medium sized drybox.

CW.

SuperGT Round 4, Sepang International Circuit

Last weekend was a wonderful and enjoyable weekend for me. I was hanging out in Sepang International Circuit (SIC) since Friday till Sunday. The SuperGT Race was a thrill especially when racing under hot and humid condition in Malaysia. SuperGT race generally divided into two main category - GT500 for 500 HP cars and GT300 for 300HP cars. SuperGT is different compared to Formula 1 in term of the car and rolling start. Production cars are used in SuperGT race. Which also mean, those car you can buy from manufacturer if you have loads of disposable cash to spare such as Nissan Skyline GTR 35, Toyota Soarer SC430, Honda NSX Type R, Ferrari F430, Porsche GT2 etc.

Nissan Skyline GTR dominate the race of GT500 by becoming champion and first runner up for the race where as Subaru Impreza dominate the race for GT300.

Many spectators attended this event, not for the cars but the hot sexy Japanese chicks instead. They average age between 18 - 25 years old. Most of them have their main job as dentist, nurses, engineer etc. They are soft spoken, active and some of them have killer eyes. Most of the guy killed by their eyes added with their cute and sexy act.


Not to my surprise, I took more than 2000 shots in these three days in RAW format. I have hard time trying to select a few best one to put it here.

We did a darn thing when we were there. On the race day, during the Pit Walkabout session, we somehow manage to sneak into the paddock without the knowledge of the security. We sacrifice the pit walk about session. We stays on top of the roof of the paddock until the pit walk session finish. Then we walk behind the paddock and find a few interesting subject to shoot beside the racequeen and the cars. We also manage to get ourself into the starting grid session where we really enjoy the race and the starting grid process.

Once the race started, we headed back to the GT Restaurant. The food was catered by Pan Pacific KLIA and bloody expensive. 1 can of carbonated water cost RM5 and 1 bottle of 500ml mineral water cost RM4. A SuperGT Burger cost RM25 (Not that big and takes half an hour to prepare!).

Again, we back to the track when the race ended. There were tears and joy in the driver face. Some are darn too happy to win the race, some of them fainted and sent to the hospital by ambulance.

Three of us hanging there till 7.30pm before we call it the end of days for SuperGT because this is the last SuperGT in Malaysia. There won't be any SuperGT next year.

We were tired, but experience and exciting day out in SIC.

Addicted to L Lens

Recently got myself a copy of Canon 70 - 200 F2.8 L telephoto lens. I haven't got a chance to test it till recently. Been to birding, test shot of few telephoto end at 200mm. I would like to conclude that the optical quality was superb compared to my other EFS lens.

I did a comparison test between this lens and Tamron 18 - 250mm lens. Both at 200mm, exact exposure setting and mounted on tripod. You can easily differentiate and judge which photo comes from which lens.

I think I addicted to L lens. If the poison goes deeply into my heart, I won't hesitate to replace my 17 -85 IS EFS lens to 17 - 40 F4 L and 24 - 105 F4 L IS lens. It will cost me an arm and leg.

The con's part about these L lens is their optical reach. 17 - 40 is a little short and 24 - 105 is not that wide (Unless I change my DSLR body to EOS 5D).

Sigh, photography cost a lot. There are always a lot of opportunities to spend on gears, but the quality of picture taken so so only....

I need moolah. Moolah moolah come to me.... Lottery lottery strike on me....

*sigh*

Some Updates and my gorrilapod

March was a busy month for me and and the end of first quarter for year 2008. Time flies by. There is a lot to do. I was busy preparing my interview for my United States VISA which has been approved. I was lucky to get 10 years multiple entry VISA. Husqvarna Asian Technical Conference was over and it was a great experience to held and organize such a an event in the company I work for. Tired but yet get to eat a lot of superb food.

I expect my friend to bring back my iPhone from U.S. and I have no time to go back Penang to get my new iPhone. Anyhow, 6 pcs of iPhone in my shopping list for my upcoming trip to Bradenton, Florida, United States. I don't know how to bring it back.

Last Sunday, went to Pudu Plaza for Clicque photo fair organized by YL Camera and Futuromic. Mostly Nikon, Tamron, Jenova, Ricoh and Joby product. I am a Canon user. The Joby Gorrilapod caught my attention. This is the tools you need when you travel a lot and bringing tripod (even if it is a carbon fiber) is very very messy. Just imagine you have to gone through immigration checking and check in luggage. I got myself a Gorrilapod SLR Zoom. The biggest brother in it's range. Can support to a maximum of 3kg (A 70-200 F2.8L IS and 1Ds Mark III)and include 3/4 thread to mount tripod head. Damaged cost - RM159. I think it is fairly priced and a very very useful item for traveler.




From my past experience, it like an idiot carrying a Manfrotto 099ProB with K2 Benro Ball head walking around in Europe. The tripod itself with head already near to 5kg! So this is the best tools so far. Easy and fast to set-up anywhere, any surface condition.

Today the first day of April. It is April Fools, but can't fool around. I have list of to-do things before I depart to the states. Still busy as usual.

How nice would it be if there's 48 hours in a day... Are day dreaming again...