Destination Nowhere

A typical Chinese temple usually has these decors on its root. Strange thing is they seems like heading nowhere, other than flying away to the sky. If you wonder what are they, the first one is a little guy riding a cock (sounds a bit... better not go there ;), followed by a kylin (Chinese unicorn), then probably a phoenix, a lion and lastly a dragon.

Cropped from 46 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/8 sec, f/10, -0.7 EV
smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II

The Anti-ISA March

It happened on the evening of 27-Sep-2008. News report here.

Click here for slide show.

82.5 mm equiv, ISO 800, 1/3 sec, f/5.6, +0.3 EV
smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II

Office Evening Skies

Something not uncommon from my office's window.

#01

27 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/3 sec, f/6.3, -2.0 EV
smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II

#02

27 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/2 sec, f/10, -2.0 EV
smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II

#03 - Taken from the same spot, but portrait softened in Paint.NET.

Poor Man's Macro Rig

I've came across a magnificent spider shot in flickr recently, and realised that the reverse-lens macro technique being described by the photographer is universal and applicable to every SLR (digital and film) out there, possibly bridge camera as well.

After some readings on the topic, I am convinced that my little Pentax can do the same with just the only 2 kit lenses that I have, albeit both of them are zoom lens.

While a reversing ring that join both lenses is optional, yet it's very handy and much practical than hand-holding the 2nd reversed lens.

Some important notes:

1. Manual focus is a must.
2. It's much easier to focus by moving the camera, instead of using the focus ring.
   
3. Use a folded paper block to fix the aperture control level on the 2nd lens (the one being reversely mounted) to its largest/widest setting. The example shown is applicable to Pentax's K-mount lens only. Other manufacturers' mount should have similar level/control, except earlier lenses which has manual aperture control built-in.
   
4. The subject must be strongly lighted.
5. The flash on camera body will not be able to help. Just turn it off.
6. The DOF will be extremely shallow; so expect to see a blank blurry screen in your viewfinder during earlier attempts. Try move your camera closer to/further away from the subject slowly. Practice makes perfect.
   
7. At the smallest aperture (f/32 in my case) for the 1st lens (the one that being installed onto the camera body), the photo taken shown some strong vignetting.
8. Be patience.

Some extra notes for using 2 zoom lenses together:

1. Set the 1st lens to its furthest zoom end, and focus to infinity.
2. Set the 2nd lens to its widest end, and focus to the closest distance.
3. The longer zoom lens should be the 1st lens, while the shorter lens to be reversely mounted as 2nd lens. This is to avoid vignetting.
4. Vignetting will be visible if you widen the 1st lens and/or zoom the 2nd lens.

Additional reading:

1. Reversing Lenses for Macro Photography by Phil.
2. Reverse-Lens Macro Photography [tutorial] by Stephen Elliot
3. Macro Photography - Wikipedia

Here is my latest attempt with the reverse-lens macro on an electrical shaver.

ISO 800, 1/4 sec, f/5.6, +0.0 EV
smc DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED &
smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II (reversely mounted)

Yet another macro practice shot

Apparently a static object makes a wonderful subject for macro practices.

ISO 800, 1/25 sec, f/5.6, +0.0 EV
smc DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED &
smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II (reversely mounted)

The coin's diameter is 19mm.

82.5 mm equiv, ISO 800, 1/160 sec, f/8, +0.0 EV
smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II

Practice Shot - Macro!

It's badly composed and wrongly focused, but I am thrilled. Can you imagine, I can get macro (read: 1:3.6) with just my 2 kit lenses. :)


Wonder what the object was? Click here.

Kuala Lumpur Tower in Sunset

My effort to wear that extra kg to office paid off when the evening sun cast a glorious skyline before it sets for tomorrow routine.

HDR from 27 mm equiv, ISO 100
smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II

Practice Shot - The Moon on Her 19th

Sharpened in Picasa.

100% crop from 300 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/30 sec, f/11, +0.0 EV
smc DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED

The moon snap was shot through my kitchen window.

Practice Shots - The Moon

I was trying to shot the moon for quite sometimes since my DC days. Finally I managed to get a somewhat satisfactory result with my new toy, with some "little" helps from Picasa, of course. ;)

You might wonder why 19th? Why not 15th when the moon was at her best? Well, weather is something I wish I can control. :D Anyway, the next 15th is definitely on my target.

100% crop from 300 mm equiv, ISO 200, 1/4 sec, f/10, +0.0 EV
smc DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED

I was shooting under a tree.

207 mm equiv, ISO 200, 0.6 sec, f/4.5, +0.0 EV
smc DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED

Panorama from Wetland

I like panoramas. They are more effective to tell how an environment looks like. While there are plenty of software around for post processing of panoramic photos, I like the autostich most. It's free and powerful, yet easy to use for casual purpose.

Below are 2 panoramic view of Putrajaya Wetland that I went last Sunday. Click for a larger view.

#01 - Swamp.

#02 - Another swamp, this place is closed to public.

Wetland, Putrajaya.

It's been a wonderful Sunday with plentiful of sun shine. I took the opportunity and went to the Putrajaya Wetland for some practices. The place looks deserted, and I hardly see any other visitors around.

Swans are easily spotted.

300 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/320 sec, F7.1, +0.0 EV
smc DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED

Some cranes are nearby too, somehow they like to rest at lamp posts.

300 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/160 sec, F5.6, +0.3 EV
smc DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED

It's quite hard to frame them in motion.

300 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/160 sec, F5.6, +0.3 EV
smc DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED

Pelican.

300 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/400 sec, F10, -1.0 EV
smc DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED

Wild orchids.

300 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/160 sec, F5.6, +1.0 EV
smc DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED

The sky was so nice and I just can't resist the temptation to shoot it. :D

27 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/400 sec, F8.0, +0.0 EV
smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II

An early half-moon.

Cropped from 300 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/250 sec, F6.3, +0.0 EV
smc DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED

A by-product when I was attempting to shoot the moon. The white blurry spot is where the moon was.

300 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/320 sec, F7.1, +0.0 EV
smc DA 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 ED

Sunset at Wetland.

27 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/100 sec, F5.6, +0.0 EV
smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II

Rainy Days...

It's been a frustrating week as it has been a rainy week for every evening. So I was left with my Gundam model for shooting practice.

MS-18 Kämpfer

56.3 mm equiv, ISO 100, 1/60 sec, F4.5, -0.7 EV, Flash comp. -0.7
smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II