Sennheiser 4.50 BTNC Hands On Review

I'm a big fan of wireless bluetooth headphone.  I own Bose QC35 (which is one of the best in the market now) and Sennheiser 4.50 BTNC is my second headphone.   To all audiophiles, Sennheiser no longer need introduction.  So, what is so great about this headphone?

Design of 4.50 is simple, light weight (as light as QC35) but very plastic feel.  Therefore it's very easy to smudged with finger prints even though the surface is not glossy.  However it doesn't impact on the sound quality.  The sound quality is equal or even better than QC35.  As for noise cancelling QC35 is still best in class.  Do take note that not many people like the QC35 noise cancelling effect.  Too strong of noise cancelling can cause uncomfortable to some consumer.

 

Even though noise cancelling is not as powerful as QC35 but it would not give you any uncomfortable feeling or I would say vacuum feeling.  4.50 offer a balance of everything.  It give above average noise cancelling, comfort, good audio quality, compact folding design and most importantly with an affordable price.  It cost USD199.95 retail price which is far cheaper than other competitors.

It do come with a soft pouch.  Not any of those hard case type but it's good enough to protect it from any scratches.  When you dump in your bag, it won't eat up a lot of space.

Finally, what do I think of Sennheiser 4.50 BTNC? Personally I would RECOMMEND to anyone who is tight on budget but still would like to enjoy a pair of quality headphones.  Do not expect many features on 4.50 as it's very simple and user friendly (QC35 doesn't offer many features as well, why worry?).  The only problem that I observe on 4.50 is for those who got bigger head.  After more than 2 hours wearing it your ears will feel uncomfortable.  Over the time I believe it will accustomed to your head after frequent usage.

Award Winning Vanguard GH-100 Pistol Ball Head

On this one fine day, while browsing the net, I accidentally found Vanguard GH-100 Pistol Ball Head.  I know that I might be a little bit late to saw it (as this product is already exist in the market for more than a year) and they even release GH-200 in the market.  I was looking for GH-200 but I can't get it in Singapore.  I only can get GH-100 here.

Anyway, after reading all the good reviews and finally have the opportunity to test this ball head myself.  My first impression is the rock solid built.  Second is the user friendly design.  With only 2 latch, I can basically adjust the position without sweat.  What I really like is the pistol design which brings a very good ergonomics. This is also the reason that this ball head won many awards.

After a few rounds of trying, finally I decide to bring it home to mount on my Sirui T-1205X.  If you ask me can it mount on Sirui tripods, YES.  If you ask me can it mount on other tripods such as Manfrotto, Benro etc... well... according to the sales person, YES!!!

Lastly, and most importantly I got it for SGD160.

For more info -> http://www.vanguardworld.com/index.php/en/pv/products/photo-video/detail-1-4-181-558.html

The Julie Project

When I first came across The Julie Project was in World Press Photo Exhibition in Malacca. This project is a photo documentary shot by Darcy Padilla, and the story is about the life a HIV positive lady name Julie. Darcy spend years on this project, from the joy to tears...

Few Hours With B+W ND110

I have lost touch with landscape photography.  In order to get myself prepare for my upcoming holiday trip, I decide to brush up my landscape shooting skill.  Somehow I'm lack of a good ND filter.  There are several market player for ND filters and various design as well such as square and ring type. 

Initially I was considering the square type, but I drop the idea because it's quite "bulky" with the bracket then I decide to go for the ring type.

After several consideration, I decide to go for B+W ND110.  Basically I was pretty much motivated by this video:

This piece of ND filter is not cheap and it cost me SGD125 but I decide invest it due to the importance of what a good ND filter can do to your photos.  I'm pretty much excited to try it out.  

Today, I decide to go for some field test in Lower Seletar Park at 12pm.  12pm is an odd hour for landscape shooters.  But to me, this is the best time to optimized the actual performance of ND110.  The results are quite impressive.  Here's my personal observation:

Pro:

1. It's built in solid glass with brass ring.

2. You can shot in any broad day light no sweat.

3. Easily mounted on the lens.

4. I accidentally drop it at about 1 meter high, and glass still looks good.

Cons:

1. Dark vignette still can be seen on the four corners on your photos.

2. When you mount on your lens, basically it's all dark when you view it in your viewfinder.  Therefore you have to focus/compose your photo first, then screw in the ND110, shot, remove the ND110 before going to the next shooting spot.

Here's the result of ND110 shot with Canon 5D + Canon 17-40mm f4 L +Sirui T-1205X tripod.  All the photos below are shot with exposure time of 30s, aperture 22 and ISO 50 and minor photo editing.

B+W ND110 is definitely worth every penny that you spend.  The results from the it is unbelievable.  Try it out and you'll know what I mean :)

Hotshoe Liquid Level For Street Shoting

A few weeks ago, I was out in Chinatown trying out some street shots with my Fujifilm X10.  The weather is good, Chinatown is pack with huge crowds and beautifully decorated for Chinese New Year celebration.  I'm very excited and simply can't stop shoting.  However the moment I try low angle shoting, DOOM! 7 out of 10 low angle shots are tilted!

I'm utterly dissapointed and start to consider cameras such as Canon G12, which offer tilting LCD display to help low angle shooters like me.  Then on one fine day, while reading some photography articles, I came across Hotshoe Liquid Level and I ask myself..."Hey man... this item is not only design for landscape shooters... why not get it and try on your X10??!!"

Straight away I rush to a nearby camera shop looking for Hotshoe Liquid Level.  Initially I thought the size for Hotshoe Liquid Level is standard design for all cameras.  But I was WRONG! In fact it got various designs for various cameras.  Fortunately I manage to grab one which is the same as Nikon and Canon hotshoe.  It only cost me RM15. 

Personally I think if any avid street photographers should get one.  You just pay a small amount of money that help your photo.  In the market there are many Hotshoe Liquid Level design.  But the one that I purchase is just nice for me as it doesn't looks bulky on my camera.  If you really plan to grab one, my advice is to bring your camera there and try it out before you purchase it to ensure it fits well into your hotshoe.

Without Hotshoe Liquid Level

With Hotshoe Liquid Level

Something For My Point And Shot

Recently I just bought a Fujifilm X10.  I'm extremely excited and happy with this little fella.  It come with a brown color casing.  Sad to say, the quality of the casing is a let down.  The design seems to be too ordinary and it just doesn't latch well to my X10.  The casing material is a disaster as I was expecting it to be leather. 

Anyway, I'm not totally dissapointed with it.  This is a very good reason for me to get a new bag! Let me repeat... I'M GONNA GET A BAG FOR MY X10! So, which one is the one that I'm looking for? Basically I'm looking for something simple yet trendy, good stitch, water repellent and of course with a few mini compartments for my batteries, memory cards and accessories.  Lowepro Streamline 100 fits all my requirement! 

Lowepro did not dissapointed me with the design and quality.  The padding inside the bag simply provide the kind of protection to my camera.  What really impressed me the most is the adjustable latch on the strap.  You can just simply adjust it within finger tip even with the bag hanging across your shoulder.  It also come with something where I called it as "tongue wiper".  It's a piece of cleaning cloth sewed inside the bag, whereby you can wipe your lens or camera with it (refer to the video below)... pretty innovative design.  This bag can accomodate my X10, one extra battery, one charger, my iPhone, my house keys and my wallet.  Not too bad ya...

However the only dissapointment is it only come with 2 colors, which are black and red.  It's not an issue for me as black is my preference, but those who doesn't like black or red, they might refrain themself from getting it.

Oh ya... before I go, how much did I bought it? If I remember correctly I bought it in between SGD60~80.  It's a Lowepro my friend... Lowepro...

For more info - http://www.lowepro.com/streamline

Tripod Review - Sirui T-1205X

I have been looking for a good tripod for quite awhile.  When I talk about tripod, popular brands such as Manfrotto and Gitzo always come into my mind.  However when I look into it's price, I'm totally terrified by it.  But of course there must be certain reason why their price is on the high side.  As I don't really do landscape shoting (most of the time I'm into portrait), therefore I'm looking at something that's affordable and of course the quality as well.  

Then I decide to do a little shopping survey.  I pay a visit to my regular camera shop (co-incidentally this shop is also a distributor for Sirui tripods).  After looking around, Sirui T-1205X caught my attention.  My criteria is pretty simple:

1) It's made of carbon fiber, which means it's ultra light (only 0.8kg).

2) The folded height is only 340mm (which is very portable! I can tuck into my sling bag easily!).

3) It come with 6 years warranty on all the manufacturing defects.

4) No problem for maximum loading weight up to 10kg.

5) Most importantly it only cost me SGD299! (well... some might think it's costly, but hey... think again.  If you compare with other carbon fiber brands, the price is gonna be way up high!)

So, all my criteria are met! However the max height is only at 1125mm.  I definitely won't recommend to any photographers who are tall but definitely not a problem to me.   The tripod come with a bag, ball head, release plate and some small accessories.

Probably many people might think I'm nuts for talking about Sirui tripods.  Maybe a little background about Sirui will help to enlighten everyone a bit.  Sirui originate from China, which means its a China brand.  It have years of experience in photographic equipment manufacturing and have offices in US, Canada and a small part of Europe.  

When I talk about China brand products, everyone is very skeptical about it.  My opinion is nowadays most of the products are manufacture in China.  Don't be surprise when you found statements such as "Design in US, Manufacture in China".  Basically it make no difference to me.  On the other side, this tripod come with 6 years warranty. Still worry? Come back to me after 6 years as I'm going home with it tonite!

For more info - http://siruicanada.com/tripods/t1205.htm