My New Olympus 45mm F1.8 Lens

Poison – can kill.

But Poison in term of photography enthusiast is not to kill but worse than that ….

It means "buy buy buy" !!

“What am I talking about?”

Yes, this is the common jargon that we used to tease our fellow buddies when one is being influenced by another person thinking to buy some new camera gears such as lenses, accessories etc. 

When one said something in the FB that he is interested in something, the rest of us will response by encourage him to “buy, buy, buy” the thing!! So, ended up the person will buy the thing finally.

The best way for not being “poison” is to practice “See no evil, think no evil” ……. If you don’t see it, the desire won’t be awakening. 

However…. Can you really stand it?! I think chopping off finger also doesn’t work. 

With the recent launch of Olympus 45mm f1.8 prime lens, many of us have been poisoned by those who bought it earlier. Special thank to people like Yeow, Robin, KY and also some Pen buddies …. With their persistence, intentionally or unintentionally, they kept telling us how good the 45mm lens is. They post many beautiful photos using 45mm lens in FB or their blogs, it makes you crazy about it. They are “so kind” to let you try and play with it … Once you accepted their offer … THAT IT!! NO TURNING BACK! YOU HAVE BEEN POISONED!!

Below is one of the photo I took using Yeow’s Olympus 45mm f1.8 lens, photo taken on Yeow himself, look at the result …. Beautiful isn’t it? (Tricia see this photo, immediate wanted to “BAU” him… wakakakakaka … LOL)

Capture using EPL2 with 45mm f1.8 Lens (in low light condition without flash)

I keep my desire deep-deep into my heart, try not to spend any money .... but Today! OH!~

Today, I ended up in Mid-Valley Shopping Mall visiting Olympus Product Road Show. I decided to drop-by at one of the Olympus shop in Mid-Valley to check out the 45mm f1.8 Lens … In fact, the shopkeeper didn't even push hard on the product, I already being “sold” mentally by my Pen buddies.

Capture Using EPL2 with 45mm f1.8 Lens

The 45 mm lens is made for portrait shooting. It is perfect for portrait shooting. However, for Macro shot, it is not suitable, this is due to the nearest distance from the object to the camera is 1.64ft. Then I recalled that the lens diameter is suitable for the macro converter lens … so I asked the shopkeeper for trying, after I had hooked up the macro converter, wow!! The result was fantastic, I think I can get as near very near from the subject.

Without hesitation, I bought both the 45mm Lens with the Macro Converter Lens.

I tried to take a few photos using the 45mm Lens with Marco Converter at my Pentax CCTV Lens and I truly love the result. It's awesome as blurring effect had made the lens like floating on the air ...

I really love the blur background, my CCTV Lens like floating

My journey of buying did not end there, I was having a good time checking and admiring display of camera in Olympus Booth. There are many skin designs on Pen Cameras at Roadshow Booth. Some camera skins are so beautiful and cool. I have taken photos to share with you …. It is really fun to look at those cool designs.

At the end of the day, My beloved Pen have changed a new cloth, it looks wild, sexy and extraordinary.

My EPL2 with new skin

Now, I think I need GREAT COURAGE to take my camera out as this is too sexy for a Man to carry around ..... Hahahaha.

The End.

Shutter therapy at Scott Kelby International Photowalk

Have you heard about Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk? Recently, a friend sent me a FB event invitation to join a photowalk activity at central Kuala Lumpur. After going through their website link, I realized the photowalk is famous not only locally but internationally too. The Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk is well known. It attracted many photo enthusiasts from all over the world to join their website. It encourages member to be leader leading photowalk group. The event will then be published online. Team members are welcome to participate photowalk nearby their cities.

Thank to Raja Indra Putra who had started a Photowalk activity in Kuala Lumpur on October 2, 2011. Out of curiousness and also "some push" from my "K-poh" Pen Lovers buddies, I decided to join them.

It was a perfect sunny Sunday morning. Approximately 50 participants gathered at Central Market. It was a big group, majority were using Big Big DSLR especially the N and the C .... but as a Pen User, our camera size are much tiny ... Luckily, we knew the true power of what our PEN Camera can do, at least non of us are having inferiority complex while standing side by side with those "giant camera" man. Hahahaha ..... (Honestly, I sympathized them for carrying such a heavy camera gears walking around Kuala Lumpur).

Look at all these people, they are so eager to rush for Shooooooooooting.... Wakakaka! By the way, few of my Pen Buddies were standing at the right hand side, some with the V peace sign, they are the PEN BUDDIES that in love in Olympus Pen cameras, we called ourselves as PEN LOVERS. 

Raja Indra Putra was given a briefing before we start. He is dedicated and responsible person. He photostated many road maps. I think he worry us will get lost in the concrete jungle  ... hahahaha ... Nevertheless, this is not an easy job for him especially we are so mischief . We appreciate his efforts ... to stand our "monkey business". LOL!

The best time for street shooting is at the morning, you are not only getting some warmed sunlight and lesser people on the street but you can also captured many hardworking people busy setting up their store ... You will feel the heart beat of a city life ..... It's wonderful feeling.

A friend told me that he doesn't feel comfortable shooting people at the street. He worries people would be ticked off with his action and scolded him. So far, my experience told me this type of incident is very rare especially when you take photo in Kuala Lumpur. People at the street are generally polite and friendly. They are used to tourists taking photo in the city. As long as you are carry with smiling face while you're shooting, they would response positively. Just be polite to them, when they notice you, give them a generous smile. Sometime, if you want to capture their responds, you can ask permission first or do some small talk with them. Let enjoy each other company ..... it is one of the fun thing we do while we are in street photography.

The Scott Kelby International Photowalk has a photo competition after the event, participants are encourage to submit their best photo for selection. Well, I have submitted the above photo  .... this is actually a signboard on a Bus and it happen that my friend was walking by ... I took the opportunity to snap the photo ... just a split second ... luckily I was fast enough to capture this moment. I kind of like this one. Unfortunately, not being selected ...... Wahahahaha ..... cry !!!~ 

If you wish to view what photo has been submistted ... you may check out this link. 

The whole journey took approximately 3 hours .. It covers Petaling Street, nearby, there is a Indian and Chinese Temple .... We also walk to the St John Institution, one of the oldest school in Kuala Lumpur which established since 1904. 

Well, before we end our session, all our Pen Buddies decided to do our "Signature" Jump Shot to signify the End of our PHOTOWALK SESSION.

The Jump Shot is so funny ... and all of them are DAMN CUTE LAH ~!

Wakakakakaka .. hahaha ..... non-stop :)

(That's why I said it is a De-Stress Shutter Therapy) 

If you want to view more photo, please visit my flickr side .... click here

The End.

Wonderful moments in life.

It has been a long while for not updating my blog. I felt sorry for it as if like a bad mother who gave birth of a baby and leave the baby without proper care .... Isn't I am like that now being overlook my beloved blog? Haha...

I am running out of idea what to write because I am busy with my new job. Being in senior management team, it is not just a nine to five job, extra efforts are required to put in. It is not just follow a simple job description but responsible to think of new ideas to increase business in the organization. In addition.... Need to spend time on system and manpower issues so that the company is running efficiently. The list can go on and on....

Therefore, It is simply NO TIME to blog .....

Ding, Ding, Ding ..... Stop thinking NO TIME !!!

Life is like that, the more you said no time, the more you find no time. I always joke with my friends, never say you have no time, because only dead people no time, as long as you are alive, you have time. It is matter of priority, maybe sometime we had too engrossed into something whereby your time has dedicated too much to a particular areas and regretted many wonderful things in life.

It is good to pause your life for a while to look at some beautiful things in life....

Recently, I brought my younger son for a swim and it was a wonderful moment to see my kid enjoying the cold dip in the pool. I took the opportunity to capture some wonderful moments using my camera. Children grow up very quickly, just a blink of eyes, they will all grow up. Don't miss this golden opportunity to spend time with them.

Thank to my Olympus PEN EPL2, at least I have captured those images....

One day when they all grow up ...... And I become an old man, those photos that I took, will be my great companions in life.

Never miss those wonderful things in life... Especially with your kids. Please pause and look around :)

A Day Trip to Tanjung Sepat

I always wanted to go Tanjung Sepat …. 

This is because I have been hearing people talked so much about this place and also seeing many blogs reviews. Therefore, this year’s Hari Raya public holidays, I decided to bring my family for a day trip to Tanjung Sepat.

There are two routes to the place, I can go either travel the Klang route via Banting or take the north south highways via KLIA . After my research, I opted for Klang route, simply because I can stop by for a nice breakfast at the famous Klang Ba Kut Teh.

What can we do if without google map ? It is so convenient to know places around. I just type “Klang Ba Kut Teh” … Walahhhh!! … here come the Klang map that pointed out various places selling Ba Kut Teh … Through my local friend Carina’s recommendation … she suggested the famous Teluk Pulai (Claypot) Ba Kut Teh.

The efforts of looking for this place pay off after we tasted the food. Wow!! Mamma Mia … the soup tasted so good. Rich taste of herb and the meats were so tendered soft. Yummy! I really enjoy it. I specially love the dry Bah Ku Teh, it added some dry sotong floss to make the food taste better. It was an excellent breakfast. No wonder this place is so packed. This place has at least 5 to 6 Ba Kut The stores but the one that I eat, is fully packed with people, many people standing beside the table waiting….

This place is highly recommended.

After a heavy breakfast, we continue our journey to Tanjong Sepat . One the way, we stopped by Morib beach. In my memory, this place is very much “deserted” because I don’t find the beach interesting at all. The landscaping is too flat. During low tides, the ocean tides went off so far from the beach. I can’t even see the tide when standing at the beach.

Nevertheless, the place was nicely done up with food stores, convenient shop and wash room facilities. It is a great place for family outings. Many people took opportunity of this holiday season to visit here. You can see many children were running around.

I see many people are flying kites there, even the adults. It is a beautiful scenery that made out with family bonding …. 

We continue our journey to Tanjung Sepat.

Before long, we reached our destination … Well, it wasn't so much that I expected, it was just a small fishing village and gave me the feeling that it looked like Jinjang Chinese Village nearby my house. Majority populations here are Chinese. There are many Chinese Seafood Restaurant around, I guess we Chinese love eating … 

First thing we do is to look for the very famous Pau Shop that everyone blog about it. In fact, it wasn’t difficult to find. However, when we reached there … Oh My Goash !!! The queue was so long and so packed, I admired people enthusiasm for queuing under the hot sun. I tried to spy around at the counter, the queue wasn't moving. Workers were rushing to do the Pau, customers were standing there waiting for the Pau to be steamed, worse till the counter has one big signage stated everyone can only buy 5 pieces of Pau !!

Long Queue of People buying Pau

Making of Pau, even little boys helping up family business

Being an impatience person and decided not to queue. I rather visited nearby shops. I spotted a Coffee Shop, according to the shop owner, they have been selling the coffee for more than 40 over years. So I bought some, hopefully it will taste good. (P.s. i just tasted it, super rich in aroma and taste excellently, best coffee standard.)

I saw a hawker store selling frying ice cream, out of curiosity, I asked the store keeper to show me how he hot fried the ice cream .... In fact is very simple, the ice cream was wrapped with bread, and it only fried in the hot oil for a while until it turned golden brown. The ice cream is still solid inside when first bites.

Oil Fry Ice Cream ... Unique way of making ice cream

We drove surround the place, we found Ganofarm, famous of selling Ling Zhi mushroom. Beside doing the mushroom business, the owner turned the place into resort with accommodation and restaurant. They built wooden bridges extended out to the sea … it is quite a cool set up.

Ling Zi Mushroom - Famous with Health Properties

Colorful Bridge

Unfortunately, the cleanliness of this place was disappointing, everywhere is so dirty. Many tables were left unclean and things left overnight from yesterday dinner. Plates, beer bottles, cups, waste tissues  and bones were everywhere. It was a terrible scene. I guess could be short of helpers during the festive seasons?

I paid a blind eye for all those and looked for some nice spots for photo shooting … this place is kind of unique for photo shooting, unfortunately, the weather wasn’t good at all. Although it was a sunny day but the sky looked hazy and grey white … emmmm...

Where is my blue sky and white clouds ….!! (I shouted !!)

I'm blaming our neighboring, every years in certain time, the monsoon wind will carry the farm burning smoke from Sumatra to Malaysia … it is so so so hazy and unhealthy. All my photos come with pale white … 

Ah Yah~~

We also visited the Lover’s Bridge …. It is a long bridge and I think it has the length of approx. 0.5KM to 1 KM out from the mainland. Toward the end, fishing boats were parked there. In fact, the Lover’s Bridge is a good place for photo shooting, but due to the heavy crowd, too many people walking in and out at the bridge … makes me difficult to capture some nice photos.

The weather was humid hot, my family cannot stand the heat and we decided to go home early. So, I can’t wait for the sunset … Ah yah! So I leave the place around 5 pm …

Before we hit the road, we drove back to the Pau Shop again hoping lesser crowds.

OH!! OMG!

The queue was even longer than the morning session … I can’t imagine that, wondering how nice is their Pau … I decided to leave without eating their Pau, maybe it tastes better in my imagination then actually eat it! LOLs.

During the way back, we stopped near the Restaurant Asam Batu Laut to shoot some fishermen boat ...

Maybe one day I will re-visit this place again but definitely not on a public holiday……

Happy Steamboat

Steamboat is the famous cooking style among Chinese. It is a way of enjoy our meal by a group of friends or family seated together on a round table, at the center of the table, a hotpot of simmering soup will be placed there. Then we will add in raw ingradinets such as sliced meat, lefty vegetables, seafood, wantan, dumplings, fish balls, mushroom, noodle and many more .... The soup usually is chicken stock but some of us love to replace with curry soup or tong yam thai soup ... Wow! hot and spicy !! That the best way of enjoying our meal!! While chatting with friends, we are cooking the food directly on the hotpot.

Yummy !!

I don't really like steamboat because of the heat, I prefer having it up in Cameron Highland where the place is cooling. Nevertheless, this steamboat I'm having is damn great and yummy. Is not the steamboat but is the people that made it great!!

I even called it a "happy" Steamboat dinner ... why!!?

Simply because I am having dinner with a group of awesome buddies, my camera buddies !! BTW, thanks to Koon Yik for buying this dinner. The reason that he is buying us dinner because the hit rates on his blog review on EP3 Olympus Camera achieved his target.

 Look yummy, isn't it

 Added onto the hot pot, surely yummy. Yeow is really happy, laughing loudly. He brings many joy to us... He always the center attraction.

This is the three fellow I used to have secret TT ... hahaha... Mun Keat, Yeow and Simon ... the three KAI SIN KUO, it means happy fruits that bring joy to many.

Ban ! ban! The fanny side of Simon.

Yong always has his won unique character ... you you .. I unfriend you !!

Wonder why is Koon Yik keep clapping his hands ... maybe he is giving himself a pat at the shoulder  ... Brovo.. , well done for hitting the hit rates in the blog review !!


Thian Jin is expert in buying cameras ... from E620, to EPL1, then E5 and now he is having EP3 ... one of the expert in photography.

Robin is my friend cum my mentor in photography, he has tough me many things about photography. BTW, Robin is very famous in Blogging, quite international standard liao, many people know about him and his review. And meow meow (Gerald) is very friendly to others. I think he has the most patience heart ... both are from East Malaysia.

CCC is the only fellow without PEN, but we still welcome him because he is a very nice person .... we all hope one day he can repent and return to PEN family ... Wakakakaka !!

In fact, I have taken many photos during that night ... however, it is impossible to attach all photos in this blog. Therefore, I decided to upload all those photos to my flickr accounts and copy the html code link to my blog so that you too, can share the happy moments with us.

The End :)

Changes in life

It has been a long time of not updating my blog. There are many changes in my life. First, I quit my seven year's job, secondly, I moved into a total new industry. I am jumping from hospitality industry into agribusiness and food service equipment industry.

My new job is full of challenges, but I think I will survive. Hee hee, this is called confidence mah.

I just gone thru a 5 days intensive orientation, and it is just the tip of an iceberg. I need to understand more about the businesses and products. So, I predicted the coming months will be busy and tune into heavy learning mood, and blogging will become secondary. I hope you can bear with me.

In hand, I have two blog post materials but until today, I still couldn't find any opportunity to write it down. one is the happy steamboat that I wish to share, the other one is the recent TT (Photowalk) in KL. The uniqueness is Yeow managed to loan 3 units of newly launch EP3 camera and a 12mm f2 lens from Olympus for testing. I also asked Yeow to loan the 3 lens converter, ie., wide, fisheye and micro lens converter for testing because I have intention to buy.

Now, blogging is become easier because I purchased an IPad. The add on blog press, an IPad blogging application, is very useful for me. I can now write blog offline or anytime, any place I like. It is going to be easier for me.

Wow.... Infact this blog post was written using iPad blogpress.

Below photo was taken just now while I was having a cup of coffee.













Posted using BlogPress from my iPad