Blog de Donovan Tan

A lot of people asked me if they are actually selling computers or something else. They do sell computers and lots of other related things. Accessories, games, anti-virus, etc. They just do things a little different from other PC Fairs that we know. And the one in KL certainly attracts quite a lot of attention.
I'm going to be very honest here. My intention was to experience how is it like to be photographing at KL's PC Fair. Seriously, it is a good place to learn how to get your portrait shots right and those models there, they know how to make it easy for you.
And its not just me who is there for photography, there are hundreds of them. Some with really expensive equipment that I can only dream of. Any way, having gone through my 1st ever PC Fair photo shoot which I'm quite pleased with the result, I am already looking forward for the next one in about 4 months time.To me, it is literally a R&D. I looked back at those photos and found room to improve those shots. Its just part of a life-long learning.These are some of my favorite shots. The response that I've got from facebook and my friends have been quite encouraging. So I'll continue to work on it.

Many people have asked me why did I choose a Sony Alpha over the more popular (in Malaysia) Canon EOS or a Nikon. Working at a camera shop, I had the chance to try out all the cameras within my budget. So I know very clearly which camera suits me best. Without much hesitation, I choose the Sony Alpha 550 !

Here's why.


Its been 3 months (as of 1st August 2010) since I bought my DSLR and I'm extremely please with it.

I've tested it with several other of its competitors like Canon's 500D and 550D, and also Nikon's D5000 and D90 and now I'm pretty sure I made the right choice.

Why? I'll start from the outside of the camera. The handling is pretty good, fit my hand perfectly. The excellent buttons lay out which places the most commonly used buttons at the disposal of your right hand.

But what matters most of course is the inside.

• 14 Megapixels. GOOD
  
• Excellent battery life. GOOD
  
• In-body auto focus motor. Beats Nikon's D5000
  
• Live view mode. Not only it gives you a quick auto-focus and face detection, changes in settings such as White Balance can be seen as you change them. BEATS THE REST
  
• LCD screen that you can tilt for low or high angle shots.
  BEATS THE REST
  
• ISO up to 12800, higher than the rest.
  
• ISO performace, better than all recently Sony Alpha(s) (though I have to admit D90 does better)
  
• Quick continuous shooting of up to 7fps. BEATS THE REST
  
• SteadyShot. The in-body image stabilizer works just like all of its competitor's IS/VR but better in a few ways.
  1. its in the camera so you'll get the benefit in every single lens you use.
  2. This indicator at the right bottom corner of the LCD screen/View finder.It tells you how much your hands are shaking and lets you stabilize before shooting. And that, I tell you, is very useful. ONLY SONY ALPHAS CAN DO THIS
  
  
• HDR. Quite simply, BRILLIANT !!!

*click to enlarge*With the HDR you can come up with photos like this. THE REST OF ITS COMPETITORS OF TODAY, CAN NEVER DO THIS

Well, as far as I like this camera and I want to say its perfect, unfortunately, ITS NOT. NO product is perfect any way.

• The price is a bit more expensive than the rest.D90 has a 18-105 kit lens and if you want to trade in your 18-55mm kit lens for something similar to that of Nikon, it will cost more.
  
• No video function *NOT BOTHERED*
  
• metering is only reliable like 90% of the time if you don't give the camera time.
  
• Lacks ISO customization. You can only go from Auto,200,400,800,1600,3200,6400 or 12800. Only the Auto setting can get you in between those numbers but then, ITS OUT OF YOUR CONTROL. (This being the only fault that bothers me)
  
  

Its been difficult to move on...
Knowing you since secondary school until now. The times we spent together as friends makes it impossible for me to ignore your presence.

Accepting the fact that I lost a close friend is hard but then you were more than just a friend.

Understanding my own feelings is something I've always very slow at. Something happened inside me. I only knew about this when I started to feel the jealousy after your overseas trip.

Thought about it long and hard, I finally decided to take the risk and tell you the truth. Even after you told me your plans to go to a foreign land, I still wanted to let you know. I had to.
Then came the days where you can only be seen in a virtual world called 'internet'. I tried finding you, I swear I did but all I got from you in the end was 'BUSY'.

After that I was accused of committing a "crime" which the accusers is as "guilty" as me. GONE ! The friendship, the plan on my confession, everything we had became nothing but a part of history that cannot be repeated. LOST !
.....................................................................................

Now that things have turned out this way there isn't much I can do. Tried talking you to but you wouldn't answer me. Its okay because there isn't much left to say.
I'm glad I had a friend like you in my life. I'm happy that I had that 'somebody' I wish to be with when I'm alone.I apologize for all my wrong doings. For all the wrong things I did, all the wrong words I said that might have caused you distress.

You are leaving soon. I just want to sincerely wish you a life filled with happiness and joy as you discover your new life in the foreign land.

I don't know what else I can say... Good Bye.