Some camera accessories bought from amazon

I have been on a shopping mood recently for my camera and Gopro session accessories. I bought 3 items from amazon, Joby handphone mount, amazonbasics Gopro mount and Manfrotto pixi evo mini tripod for my XT-1. Also, I have been pondering if I should get a real tripod as well.

For the mounts, there is nothing much to talk about. The Joby mount is all hard plastics (other than the spring catch) and looks to be durable for me. As for the mini tripod, it is pretty big and has some neat functions. Overall, it is a well designed and sturdy enough to hold up to 2.5 kg load on its ball head which is great. I hope it can be good companion to my XT-1.

Here are the pics:

Items

Amazonbasics Gopro tripod mounts

Joby handphone mount package

Looks big on my hand

Wide open, the legs can be extend by 5 stops

Sliding switch for normal or low mode

Fujifilm 55-200 lens

As father's day is approaching, i decided to get myself a present which is a telephoto lens which I have been considering for a while. It is to complete my basic lens collection, a prime, a general purpose and a telephoto lens.

This lens is not new, it has been in the market for a couple of years and it has pretty good review although the reach is not that far. There is a super telephoto lens which is released not long ago but it is too expensive for me. I think this current lens should be able to satisfy my needs.

I buy this lens online from amazon as it is much cheaper than buying it locally. A few hundred bucks difference (including taxes) and I don't know why. So I decided to get it. It arrived in around 2 weeks time.

For the reviews and unboxing videos, there is a number of them online. As I am still a amateur, I will just show the pics in this post. I took the pics using XT-1 + 18-55mm lens.

Box

Contents

Lens and the included storage cloth

Tenba DNA 11 and Fujiflim XT-1 grip

Recently, I noticed that I need a hybrid kind of messenger bag that can be a camera bag or a messenger bag. After some research, I came across this brand Tenba. They specialized in making cases and different types for bags for different equipment.

The bag design and functionality looks good to me. It looks like the grey is a very popular color and so I get the more uncommon color which is olive green. I thought of going for the red but the feel is not that nice to me.

Moreover, it is not that easy to find locally. So i decided to buy online from amazon.

Also, the free leather cover wrap that comes with my camera (XT-1) purchase previously doesn't feel good at my hands. So I decided to get a proper grip extension and the price from amazon is slightly cheaper if I bought locally. With this both items, I can have free shipping.

For their respective detailed review, there are quite a few online as these products are not new and has been in the market for quite a while. I will just take pictures of it.

Grip packaging

Grip itself, workmanship is very fine to me

Bottom view, Allen key is included

DNA 11 front view

Back view

Camera insert, can be removed to become a everyday messenger bag

Pockets on the inserts for small stuffs

Spacious enough for me as a everyday bag

Kinda feel like rubberized base and it is water resistant

When it rains, you can protect the cover. Nice

With the cover on

Back pocket for documents

Pockets on the front flap

Pockets on the side inside the bag

Pockets for water water I guess or may be compact tripod

Mini review for DNA 11: Personally, the workmanship is good to me. Details are well taken care of and there is plenty of storage that I like. It looks like it can last a long time to me. Overall a good purchase to me. 

Fujifilm XT1

Recently, I saw this trade in deal on Fujifilm Singapore for XT1 which is not exactly a new but a very good model released last year. Since I have my EM5 for almost 3 years and I don't exactly have many lenses (perhaps just m4/3 kit lens + 4/3 telephoto). I have decided to get a new system with this trade in deal as my dad has a EM 5 as well. And all the recently purchased accessories I can pass it to him.

Also, I don't see a point in having the same system. So with the deal above, I am able to get 400 bucks off the list price 2499 (XT1+18-55 lens). Moreover, the free gifts (worth 1200) which is very  worthwhile to me like another prime lens XF 35mm F2 R WR, some misc stuff and a 150 worth of NTUC vouchers. Essentially, the camera body + 18-55 cost less than 1000 bucks which is worth it for a well built and good quality camera. For professional reviews and unboxing, there are quite a number out there in the web so I will skip this part.

Below are the items pics:

The standard package

Free gifts (prime lens, Leather case, another 16GB SD card, extra batt, cleaning kit and 150 bucks worth of NTUC vouchers).

Olympus MMF3 4/3 to m4/3 adapter

As you may know, I am a Olympus camera user although not a avid user. I still have a long way in playing photography as I only used it once in a while. From 4/3 to m4/3, I do not have much lens collection but I have telephoto lens for my 4/3 last time. But now with m4/3, i can't mount it.

In order not to waste it, I need this adapter MMF 3. It has been quite some time in the market now. There are also some third parties adapter out there that has mixed reviews, but i stick to the original one although it may cost a bit more.

Here are the pics:

Box

View 1 with cap

View 2 with cap

Full view 1

Full view 2

Some wordings

Looks good for outdoors

dismounting button

Samsung Galaxy A5 2016

I was on a hunt recently for a spare phone for my IP6. I used to have Asus Zenfone as a spare but one of the SIM slot is dead. Therefore, I decided to get a new one but must not be too expensive and I came across this improved version of the Galaxy A series, last year model was not impressive although it has a metal body and it feels kinda like IP.

However, this year they released a improved version and the overall feel is like their flagship model S6. It has a metal frame and glass back. It feels premium is a way and so far I saw three models A3, A5 and A7. And for the local version, it uses Exynos 7580 Octa processor and dual SIM rather than Snapdragon/single SIM in other countries.

A5 size feels right for me since I don't have a big hands. It is slightly bigger than my IP6. For the detailed specs, it is available at the website. To me, it is quite a lot of useful features built in like fingerprint, FHD screen, camera OIS etc. The MSRP is is 598SGD but the price can go as low as 490SGD at some shops. So it seems kinda reasonable for the pricing in my opinion. 

Here are the pics:

Box

Box

Package

Phone front view

Back view

Side view

Side view

Top view

Bottom view

SIM 1 with MicroSD slot at the side, SIM 2 at the top

Mni review: The overall usage seems pretty smooth and touchwiz UI has become smoother compared to older version found in my old tab 7.7. It feels lighter in the load although sometimes it encounter some short lags. For the price, I can't complaint much since this is mid range phone.

For the camera, I feel my IP6 pictures is better and hopefully they improve the camera with some software update (perhaps can be as good as S6). I kinda feel the camera has the potential to be as good as S6.

Holiday Inn Glenmarie

Recently went for a short trip for work in KL. But this hotel is near to the Subang airport. Therefore, I took the plane from SG to Subang on a budget airline. The airport is more like a domestic one. Really small but it has the basic facilities there like shops, food etc...

From the airport to the hotel, it takes about 10mins with smooth traffic so you can imagined it is not far. As this hotel is stationed beside a country club. It is more like a resort style of hotel or perhaps chalet. For my room, it is a small hotel + 1 bedroom + 2 washrooms. One in the hall and the other in the room.

The room seems pretty old, I heard from my client that this hotel has been here for quite some time. Here is the room pics:

Hall

Another view of the hall (toilet is opposite the pantry)

Bedroom

Bedroom washroom

Basin

Bathtub

 Mini review: The whole room feels humid although it is air-conditioned. Perhaps because of the golf course just outside the room. The bedsheets somehow feels moist to touch, may be it is just me. But the bed is really too soft for me, didn't actually have a good rest for 2 nights.

Overall, it is just average to me. But it will be great for small families or couple. Do take note, there is not shopping centre or any food centre nearby. You will need to take a cab out to eat or call room service, there is a couple of restaurant within the hotel.