Gotten myself a new Olympus OM-D E-M1 !

Yes. As updated in my post : Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark ii Announced & My Initial Thoughts, I have gotten myself a new Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera, together with its kitlens, the Olympus 12-40 f/2.8 Pro lens.

I've gotten one since Olympus Malaysia extended its promotional offer for the E-M1. It came with 2 years warranty, and a free Olympus 45mm f1.8 lens.

The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM Art Lens and the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens are out !

Wow... These 2 lenses are on my wish list to "complete" my range of lenses for my Sony A7 ii and they are out! Currently I am using the Sigma 35mm art lens adapted to Sony a7 ii via the Sigma MC-11 converter.

12-24mm + 35mm + 85mm... Should be enough of a range for most photography.

Now I just have to save enough money... :D

I wonder how long it will take?

There are currently no reviews for the two new lenses yet, but first impressions are out.

Updating the Sony a7ii Firmware from v3.10 to v3.20

Since I do not see any complaints online about the firmware messing up the camera, I went ahead and updated my camera firmware today. The firmware has been made available since September 23, 2016. I downloaded it at the Sony website here: https://esupport.sony.com/US/p/model-home.pl?mdl=ILCE7M2&template_id=1&region_id=1&tab=download#/downloadTab

Gear acquisition syndrome. Calm down and think it over. Sony a6500 product announcement.

Sony A6500 at a glance. (Screenshot from Sony.com)

It's no longer a rumor that Sony is coming out with its new Sony a6500. Sony has just announced their new APS-C flagship here: http://www.sony.com/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras/ilce-6500. Among its highlights are the built-in 5-axis image stabilization! It also has a new processing engine, a touch-screen and a whopping 425 phase detection auto focus points ! The earlier announced Olympus OM-D  EM-1 Mark ii comes with only 121 phase detection auto-focus points (release date still unknown, tentatively end of this year). Even the Fujifilm X-T2 has only 91 phase detection auto focus points.

Places to visit in Malaysia: Fonion Cultural Resort (峯年文化聖城), Melaka

I had the opportunity to visit a newly opened (since 9 September, 2016) cultural resort in Melaka, Malaysia after a visit to the Malaysian Academy of Han Studies with a group of primary school teachers. It is called 峯年文化聖城 or Fonion Cultural Resort.

It is interesting to see the place filled with structures which are with a glance, resembles to those usually found in Chinese temples or parks.

Photos are taken using the Olympus OM-D E-M5 with Kowa Prominar 8.5mm f2.8 MFT lens.

龙龟

Visit to the Malaysian Academy of Han Studies 馬來西亞中華文化教育中心, Melaka

As a member of the parents and teachers association of my daughters' primary school, I had the opportunity to visit the Malaysian Academy of Han Studies in Melaka two days ago. It was part of our initiatives to expose the teachers more to the teachings of Confucius called dizigui 弟子规, which is widely practiced to instill discipline, filial piety and good practices as a human being living in harmony with others and the environment.

Many people, including teachers, have the common misunderstanding that dizigui is only for young children. In fact it's applicable for people of all ages. 

We must not stop learning, and of course must not stop being a good human being. We all have the responsibility to take care of ourselves, our parents, our children, our friends, our colleagues, our community and our environment, the planet earth where we all live in.

Below are some snapshots taken using the Olympus OM-D E-M5 with the Kowa Prominar 8.5mm f2.8MFT lens or the Lumix 14mm f2.5 lens.

The beautiful circular courtyard

A quick visit to Zoo Negara, Malaysia's National Zoo

I just had a quick visit to the national zoo today. I had very little time to take photographs of the animals as I went there with a group of primary school children this round. So, I brought along the Olympus OM-D E-M5 together with the Olympus 12-50mm kit lens only. I expected myself to be taking more group photos and just a few animal photos.

Below are photos of some of the animals.

Bangkok: Sea Life Ocean World

During my trip to Bangkok, my friend, Joy, brought my family to visit Sea Life Ocean World, one of Bangkok's tourist attractions at the city centre. Located within Siam Paragon shopping mall, it's easily accessible using the BTS. It's just next to the Siam BTS station.

It opens daily from 10am until 9pm. As we reached there in the evening near 6pm, we got the "Late Savers" tickets for foreigners at 645baht each adult and 515baht for each child (originally 990baht for adults and 790baht for each child). 

All photos are taken using the Sony A7 ii with the Sony Zeiss 35mm Sonnar f2.8 ZA lens.

A huge lion fish swimming in the aquarium.

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark ii Announced & My Initial Thoughts

It's Photokina 2016 and Olympus has just made its announcement on its new flagship OM-D line camera, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark ii. I watched the live feed video and wow! I am very impressed! (My initial thoughts after the jump.)

The following is the official recording by Olympus Europa - Olympus Photokina Press Event LIVE from Cologne, Germany.

Note: I have included the video-link fast-forwarded to start 17 minutes into the recording.

[00:00] When the announcement starts.
[00:50] Olympus Head of Imaging Business Unit, Mr. Michael Handa, talks about the development and vision of the imaging business for photographers.
[10:00] Olympus Europa OMD Brand Manager, Mr. Ali Kiani, talks about the specifications of the E-M1 ii .
[21:15] Olympus Pro lens Line-up

Simple Portraits of a Watch - the G-Shock G-Steel GST-S110BD-1B

Having gotten myself a mini-studio light tent recently, I took photos of all things small which are of interest to me.

I find watches are very suitable for this "mini assignment" for one.

Come'on. It's just for fun ! And it's very easy. :D

The Setup

All photos are shot handheld with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera and Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4 lens, minor edits in Lightroom CC. The watch is put inside the ProoCam Mini Studio Light Tent.

A recently acquired G-Shock G-Steel model. (GST-S110BD-1B) © Edward Chen Photography

Natural Joy Vision at Young Place, Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok

My family was invited by my friend, Urapa (Joy) Watanachote, to her eye clinic, Natural Joy Vision, in Bangkok. It's located in a small business area at Sukhumvit 23, which is near the Interchange 21.

Her guru/consultant, Dr. Amajith Swain, showed us the way to the clinic one fine morning.

We took the light rail transit in Bangkok called 'BTS' and exit at Asoke station in Sukhumvit. We walked through Interchange 21 and then followed him to Young Place.

Map to Natural Joy Vision

Using the Telezenitar 135mm f2.8 APO Legendary Russian Lens on Sony A7 ii

I have the Telezenitar 135mm with me for more than a couple of years now. To me it's a sharp and fast medium telephoto lens. The only "weakness" is that it's a manual focus lens. I used the lens on my Nikon D800e (the lens is in Nikon F mount) and after a few uses it ended up in the dry box until I even put it up for sale. (It never got sold as I had reserved it for a friend who eventually didn't buy it.)

Using the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 ii on the Sigma MC-11 Canon EF to Sony FE Mount Converter

© Edward Chen Photography

This is a subsequent post from my previous post on using the Sigma 35mm f1.4 art lens and the Sigma MC-11 mount converter kit. I have brought along in my recent trip my Canon EF 50mm f1.8 ii and attached the lens on to the Sigma MC-11. Below are some photos taken during my travel to Bangkok using this combination on my Sony A7ii.  

First Impression: Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EF and MC-11 Mount Converter/Lens Adapter for Sony E Kit

Photo from Shashinki.com. [Clicking the photo brings you to their website]

The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is a beautiful lens. I had the Nikon mount version months back and it was one of my favourite lenses until I traded-in that lens for a Tamron 15-30 VC. It was a move I have regretted since, mainly because its signature DOF feel and sharpness is hard to beat. It's a heavy lens no doubt but it's worth the weight.

Shooting with the ProoCam Easy Go Portable Mini Studio Light Tent with LED Light

ProoCam Easy Go Portable Mini Studio Light Tent with LED Light

Photo from ShaShinki.com

I got hold of the ProoCam Easy Go Portable Mini Studio Light Tent while attending a recent photography club meeting in Petaling Jaya. Famcart was having a booth behind the meeting hall and I was curios as to how a small lighting tent like this can be useful. 

At Last ! I am blogging !

Hello there, and welcome to my blog!

I have been procrastinating to start blogging my photography related thoughts for quite some time now. Imagine that I've actually created my domain name "http://edwardchen.photography" more than 2.5 years ago!

If you haven't known me already, I am an enthusiast /freelance photographer from Shah Alam, Malaysia.

More about me...