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.