It's sad when people have no pride in their own work and think it's ok to buy other people's work, passing it off as their own.
I am referring to creatives, or creatives in training, who think it's alright to download images online, be it paid or stolen, and passing it off as their own.
Where is your sense of achievement, your pride and your honour?
Or have we become a society so in need of instant gratification, with minimal effort that people actually see this as not wrong? Have we become so lenient in this respect that we think this is a trivial matter? It's NOT ok to buy stock images from stock libraries and call it your own. It is NOT ok to take images from someone else's account and say it's your work.
Either way, it's a sad day when one trains in the creative field yet does not have any pride in creating their own results, instead relying on "vending machine instant results".
Honestly, get some backbone, some of you. You know who you are. Have some pride. Unlikely you're reading this but if you buggers are, it's time to have some pride and honour.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Shanghai4 TLR shots
Here are some shots taken with the recently acquired Shanghai4 Twin Lens Reflex camera.
Initially, I was worried that the few specks of dirt on the picture taking lens and even the mirror would affect the picture quality, but apparently not. Either way, I've since sent the camera in for servicing (overly tight shutter due to dried lubricant, uneven lens plate surface and usual stuff that occurs with vintage cameras) and re-leathering. Basically this would mean pasting back the same leather so it holds on for a few more years of handling, or at least 1 year I hope.
Other accessories added include 2 X 34mm UV filters and 1 X 34 to 35.5mm step up ring, plus a 35.5mm Hoya metal lens hood.
This camera does not have a built in exposure meter, so having no handheld meter on hand, I used the caveman method of argaration. Used my trusty Nikon F601 to meter, took note of the aperture and shutter speed settings, then adjusted on the Shanghai4 accordingly or as close as I could. This resulted in less than ideal exposure but did give me a rather wider latitude for error and made the bulk of my focus areas' exposure decent enough. I cannot wait for my Sekonic L308 handheld meter to arrive in January 2009. :saliva8zc:
Here're the pictures, taken with Kodak Tri-X 400 B/W film. This camera will predominantly be shooting B/W.
One thing to note, if you're not looking to do multiple exposures, you must remember to advance the film after each shot because if you don't, the shutter release STILL fires. So all you purely digital pundits who wanna go into something like this, better get used to the PROPER photography techniques or you'd end up like this....
Yep, even as a seasoned FM2 user, where I need to manually advance the film after each shot, this mistake was made at least twice on this roll of film. Considering there were only 12 exposures, that's a 17% error possibility per roll. Sheeesh. I do kindda like the effect of this particular screw up though. :lol:
No post processing was done other than to resize it to 800 pixels wide and add a watermark.
Initially, I was worried that the few specks of dirt on the picture taking lens and even the mirror would affect the picture quality, but apparently not. Either way, I've since sent the camera in for servicing (overly tight shutter due to dried lubricant, uneven lens plate surface and usual stuff that occurs with vintage cameras) and re-leathering. Basically this would mean pasting back the same leather so it holds on for a few more years of handling, or at least 1 year I hope.
Other accessories added include 2 X 34mm UV filters and 1 X 34 to 35.5mm step up ring, plus a 35.5mm Hoya metal lens hood.
This camera does not have a built in exposure meter, so having no handheld meter on hand, I used the caveman method of argaration. Used my trusty Nikon F601 to meter, took note of the aperture and shutter speed settings, then adjusted on the Shanghai4 accordingly or as close as I could. This resulted in less than ideal exposure but did give me a rather wider latitude for error and made the bulk of my focus areas' exposure decent enough. I cannot wait for my Sekonic L308 handheld meter to arrive in January 2009. :saliva8zc:
Here're the pictures, taken with Kodak Tri-X 400 B/W film. This camera will predominantly be shooting B/W.
One thing to note, if you're not looking to do multiple exposures, you must remember to advance the film after each shot because if you don't, the shutter release STILL fires. So all you purely digital pundits who wanna go into something like this, better get used to the PROPER photography techniques or you'd end up like this....
Yep, even as a seasoned FM2 user, where I need to manually advance the film after each shot, this mistake was made at least twice on this roll of film. Considering there were only 12 exposures, that's a 17% error possibility per roll. Sheeesh. I do kindda like the effect of this particular screw up though. :lol:
No post processing was done other than to resize it to 800 pixels wide and add a watermark.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Cheapskates & Dishonorable Prospects + Low Ballers = Ugly Singaporean
Ok, so I decided to list my entire Canon EOS system for sale, which comprised the following:
EOS 350D DSLR
18-55mm kit lens, superb and hardly used. So seldom is it used I do not even have sample pictures of pictures taken with the lens.
BG-E3 battery grip
Original Canon battery
Third party Canon battery from East Gear
Remote switch RS-60E3
UV filter for 18-55 lens
Flash hot shoe cover
LCD protected from day one
Low shutter count of less than 2600 shots fired
All for a low low price of $650!!!!
At the same time, I also listed my Metz flash for sale, the 54 MZ4i with SCA 3102 M3 foot adaptor, which allows for ETTL function on EOS 30D, 400D, 300D & of course the 350D. This was seldom used and I was throwing in free AA rechargeable batteries and the charger(the batts and charger are not new of course but still gives as good as day 1).
As with me, every thing that came in a box would be provided in a box, including all original plastic wrappings etc. In fact, someone commented that my equipment gave the impression that it was not even used at times other than some user scratches where there were moving parts or where materials rubbed against each other, eg flash hotshoe.
Here's where it got interesting.
Prospect 1 sends me an SMS:
P1: Hey, willing to sell your kit lens separately?
Me: Not unless I can find a buyer for the body, in any case, what price are you looking at for the kit lens?
P1: $40 (WTF have you been smoking? Where can I buy some?)
Me: Not at that price, sorry.
Prospect 2 enquired about the Metz flash through SMS:
P2: Hey, sent you a message about the Metz flash, does it work with 30D and 400D? What adaptor foot is being used? M2 or M3?
Me: M3, yes, it works with both 30D & 400D :-)
P2: Great! Can lower?
Me: Sorry it's abit hard to lower, but what's your budget?
P2: $400 (ok, quite decent but still too low)
Me: Sorry dude, $400's too low, best I can do for you is $420.
P2: Ok, with batteries?
Me: Yep, everything there as stated.
P2: Zoom head works? Cos some sellers I checked out, zoom head doesn't work.
Me: No worries, mine works perfectly. You can test.
P2: Ok deal!
Me: Ok when do you wanna collect? Tomorrow around Bugis at about 6?
P2: I stay Yew Tee and study at SIM, can meet West area? (YOU ASK FOR LOWER PRICE AND NOW YOU WANT DELIVERY!?!)
Me: Er dude, already shave off $30, and I live in the East. West abit too far, sorry.
P2: Ok lor, Bugis.
Me: Righto, see you tomorrow then.
Interlude: In between he sends me several SMS's asking me details such as where I bought it from etc and asks for pictures of the flash to be emailed to him that night to which I agreed. After emailing him and then sending him an SMS to tell him that pictures were sent, he replies with this kicker...
P2: My sincerest apologies. I have decided to go with Metz 58 AF or 580 EX II instead.
WTF!!!! You claim your budget is no more than $420, and now you expect you can get a much more expensive flash at that price? Geeez!
Prospect 3, sent through Private Message:
P3: Willing to sell your 350D battery grip at $50?
Me: No. (F**k off if you think it's only gonna be marginally higher than your princely sum of $50)
Prospect 4, calls me regarding the Metz flash:
P4: YA! You wan sell your Metz frash ijjit? (quoted as how he spoke)
Me: Er... yea, you are?
P4: I am Mr XXXX (name deleted for privacy reasons)
Me: Oh hi, yea selling it.
P4: Cannot go lower ah?
Me: Nope, this is a nett price, already losing money for a superb flash which I won't be needing.
P4: How much you bought it for that time ah?
Me: Close to $600
P4: Oh no lah, too high, my budget is below $400
Me: Ok, sorry. Bye (and again, piss off, low balling vulture!)
07 November 2008. NEW ADDITION TO THE LOWBALLERS HALL OF FAME:
Prospect 5 sends me an SMS regarding my Flash:
P5: Are you willing to let go of flash at $400?
Me: Lowest price is $420 sir. $400 without batteries and charger ok for you?
P5: What is the reason for sale? Can get at $420 but can give me one month personal guarantee against defects? (WTF! 1 MONTH! You spending $420, not $4.2 million or even 10% of that!!!! WAKE UP LAH! Even buying a 2nd hand body does not give you 1 month personal warranty!)
Me: Even cam don't have 1 month personal warranty dude. The most I will give is 1 day personal warranty as this is used with a digital system. Please be reasonable. Reason for selling is cos I am switching to a Nikon system (I am trying real hard to be fair to myself and the buyer. It's a digital DSLR, you shoot, you transfer to your comp, you see results, you like/dislike, simple yes?)
P5: Sorry to offend (yea like it's gonna help, you already offended with a lowball price but the ultimate is your request for 1 month personal warranty!) but I always ask when I buy in case seller not selling as advertised. Looking for a good flash to keep and you have nothing to be afraid of if flash not spoilt (no, you're right, but I have something to worry about should YOU spoil it whilst it's with you for that 1 month. You think I am a sucker ah? Suck shit lah!)
Me: And should you damage it within that 1 month? It's not about being afraid. These things get used regularly and you can't guarantee while it's with you for 1 month nothing's gonna happen. You can do a complete check before buying and my warranty stands. Sorry it's not to your liking. Perhaps someone else will give 1 month.
P5: Ok I understand your concern but I'll be responsible and take responsibility should it spoil due to my error (YEA RIGHT! JUST LIKE I WILL BE A SUCKER AND BELIEVE YOU WILL ADMIT IT'S YOUR FAULT? F**K YOU!). Will look around again and contact you if I can live with your terms. (Good luck mate, let's hope there's a desperate enough seller out there who's willing to give 1 month. I'm not the one, too bad asswipe) Thanks very much for your time.
Me: It's ok, everyone's looking for a good deal. The fact that I have sold several times with no negative comments is enough for me. Good luck (Yes, you're gonna need LOADS of it with that kind of request you just asked of me, fartknocker.)
Geeez, one born every second..... lowballers, seriously, this is a USED equipment sale for a pittance. Stop being so tight fisted! Photography IS an expensive hobby. If you want warranties, go brand new. Now piss off and get a life!
Seriously, some Singaporeans are a low balling lot that ask 1001 questions, agree on a sale and then back off. Have some honor and pride will ya?
I dunno about some of you but personally, if I agree on a sale, I follow through with it. It's called honor, pride and self respect but I guess some people are too low and too cheap to even take any notice of that.
Having said that, there are great prospects around, who just want a fair deal. For those, I'll go the extra mile and offer them a little something extra, throw in a freebie or 2 if you will.
Random thought of the day - Some Singaporeans are too cheapskate, low balling or dishonorable and I take no pity with them.
EOS 350D DSLR
18-55mm kit lens, superb and hardly used. So seldom is it used I do not even have sample pictures of pictures taken with the lens.
BG-E3 battery grip
Original Canon battery
Third party Canon battery from East Gear
Remote switch RS-60E3
UV filter for 18-55 lens
Flash hot shoe cover
LCD protected from day one
Low shutter count of less than 2600 shots fired
All for a low low price of $650!!!!
At the same time, I also listed my Metz flash for sale, the 54 MZ4i with SCA 3102 M3 foot adaptor, which allows for ETTL function on EOS 30D, 400D, 300D & of course the 350D. This was seldom used and I was throwing in free AA rechargeable batteries and the charger(the batts and charger are not new of course but still gives as good as day 1).
As with me, every thing that came in a box would be provided in a box, including all original plastic wrappings etc. In fact, someone commented that my equipment gave the impression that it was not even used at times other than some user scratches where there were moving parts or where materials rubbed against each other, eg flash hotshoe.
Here's where it got interesting.
Prospect 1 sends me an SMS:
P1: Hey, willing to sell your kit lens separately?
Me: Not unless I can find a buyer for the body, in any case, what price are you looking at for the kit lens?
P1: $40 (WTF have you been smoking? Where can I buy some?)
Me: Not at that price, sorry.
Prospect 2 enquired about the Metz flash through SMS:
P2: Hey, sent you a message about the Metz flash, does it work with 30D and 400D? What adaptor foot is being used? M2 or M3?
Me: M3, yes, it works with both 30D & 400D :-)
P2: Great! Can lower?
Me: Sorry it's abit hard to lower, but what's your budget?
P2: $400 (ok, quite decent but still too low)
Me: Sorry dude, $400's too low, best I can do for you is $420.
P2: Ok, with batteries?
Me: Yep, everything there as stated.
P2: Zoom head works? Cos some sellers I checked out, zoom head doesn't work.
Me: No worries, mine works perfectly. You can test.
P2: Ok deal!
Me: Ok when do you wanna collect? Tomorrow around Bugis at about 6?
P2: I stay Yew Tee and study at SIM, can meet West area? (YOU ASK FOR LOWER PRICE AND NOW YOU WANT DELIVERY!?!)
Me: Er dude, already shave off $30, and I live in the East. West abit too far, sorry.
P2: Ok lor, Bugis.
Me: Righto, see you tomorrow then.
Interlude: In between he sends me several SMS's asking me details such as where I bought it from etc and asks for pictures of the flash to be emailed to him that night to which I agreed. After emailing him and then sending him an SMS to tell him that pictures were sent, he replies with this kicker...
P2: My sincerest apologies. I have decided to go with Metz 58 AF or 580 EX II instead.
WTF!!!! You claim your budget is no more than $420, and now you expect you can get a much more expensive flash at that price? Geeez!
Prospect 3, sent through Private Message:
P3: Willing to sell your 350D battery grip at $50?
Me: No. (F**k off if you think it's only gonna be marginally higher than your princely sum of $50)
Prospect 4, calls me regarding the Metz flash:
P4: YA! You wan sell your Metz frash ijjit? (quoted as how he spoke)
Me: Er... yea, you are?
P4: I am Mr XXXX (name deleted for privacy reasons)
Me: Oh hi, yea selling it.
P4: Cannot go lower ah?
Me: Nope, this is a nett price, already losing money for a superb flash which I won't be needing.
P4: How much you bought it for that time ah?
Me: Close to $600
P4: Oh no lah, too high, my budget is below $400
Me: Ok, sorry. Bye (and again, piss off, low balling vulture!)
07 November 2008. NEW ADDITION TO THE LOWBALLERS HALL OF FAME:
Prospect 5 sends me an SMS regarding my Flash:
P5: Are you willing to let go of flash at $400?
Me: Lowest price is $420 sir. $400 without batteries and charger ok for you?
P5: What is the reason for sale? Can get at $420 but can give me one month personal guarantee against defects? (WTF! 1 MONTH! You spending $420, not $4.2 million or even 10% of that!!!! WAKE UP LAH! Even buying a 2nd hand body does not give you 1 month personal warranty!)
Me: Even cam don't have 1 month personal warranty dude. The most I will give is 1 day personal warranty as this is used with a digital system. Please be reasonable. Reason for selling is cos I am switching to a Nikon system (I am trying real hard to be fair to myself and the buyer. It's a digital DSLR, you shoot, you transfer to your comp, you see results, you like/dislike, simple yes?)
P5: Sorry to offend (yea like it's gonna help, you already offended with a lowball price but the ultimate is your request for 1 month personal warranty!) but I always ask when I buy in case seller not selling as advertised. Looking for a good flash to keep and you have nothing to be afraid of if flash not spoilt (no, you're right, but I have something to worry about should YOU spoil it whilst it's with you for that 1 month. You think I am a sucker ah? Suck shit lah!)
Me: And should you damage it within that 1 month? It's not about being afraid. These things get used regularly and you can't guarantee while it's with you for 1 month nothing's gonna happen. You can do a complete check before buying and my warranty stands. Sorry it's not to your liking. Perhaps someone else will give 1 month.
P5: Ok I understand your concern but I'll be responsible and take responsibility should it spoil due to my error (YEA RIGHT! JUST LIKE I WILL BE A SUCKER AND BELIEVE YOU WILL ADMIT IT'S YOUR FAULT? F**K YOU!). Will look around again and contact you if I can live with your terms. (Good luck mate, let's hope there's a desperate enough seller out there who's willing to give 1 month. I'm not the one, too bad asswipe) Thanks very much for your time.
Me: It's ok, everyone's looking for a good deal. The fact that I have sold several times with no negative comments is enough for me. Good luck (Yes, you're gonna need LOADS of it with that kind of request you just asked of me, fartknocker.)
Geeez, one born every second..... lowballers, seriously, this is a USED equipment sale for a pittance. Stop being so tight fisted! Photography IS an expensive hobby. If you want warranties, go brand new. Now piss off and get a life!
Seriously, some Singaporeans are a low balling lot that ask 1001 questions, agree on a sale and then back off. Have some honor and pride will ya?
I dunno about some of you but personally, if I agree on a sale, I follow through with it. It's called honor, pride and self respect but I guess some people are too low and too cheap to even take any notice of that.
Having said that, there are great prospects around, who just want a fair deal. For those, I'll go the extra mile and offer them a little something extra, throw in a freebie or 2 if you will.
Random thought of the day - Some Singaporeans are too cheapskate, low balling or dishonorable and I take no pity with them.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Cross Processed!
It's been awhile since I've done any film shots with slide film and this time, I tried using cross-processing. Pictures were taken on Fuji Velvia 100 slide film but processed as normal negative film to give it weird funky colours. I love the results and I think I'm gonna do lots more cross processing from now on.
My personal favourite. Love the funky colours on this one.
On the same day, I also took pics using my trust Nikon FM2, again on slide film. All pics shown here were taken using the tack sharp Nikkor Micro 55mm f/2.8 lens, a superb lens for closeup work. However, the results were totally different, being more grainy with the colours being rather bland. Perhaps it's the film type, Konica, if I am not wrong.
My personal take, I love my Nikon FM2 and definitely will want to use it a lot more these days. Nothing beats the tactile feel of film so I have sent in my old Nikon lenses for servicing. I am now also considering switching to Nikon for my DSLR so if anyone is looking for a well-maintained, less than 2600 shutter count Canon EOS 350D with battery grip. Canon remote switch and kit lens, do let me know.
My personal favourite. Love the funky colours on this one.
On the same day, I also took pics using my trust Nikon FM2, again on slide film. All pics shown here were taken using the tack sharp Nikkor Micro 55mm f/2.8 lens, a superb lens for closeup work. However, the results were totally different, being more grainy with the colours being rather bland. Perhaps it's the film type, Konica, if I am not wrong.
My personal take, I love my Nikon FM2 and definitely will want to use it a lot more these days. Nothing beats the tactile feel of film so I have sent in my old Nikon lenses for servicing. I am now also considering switching to Nikon for my DSLR so if anyone is looking for a well-maintained, less than 2600 shutter count Canon EOS 350D with battery grip. Canon remote switch and kit lens, do let me know.
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