Raynox Super Macro Conversion Len DCR-250

I got a macro lens but it wasn't enough since we got 2 photo enthusiasts at home and 2 camera. Being a cheapskate, and not wanting to spend a bomb on another macro len for the other camera, I decided to look for something else that I can add on to a "normal" lens and I found the Raynox DCR-250 Macro Conversion Len.

There are 2 advantages to this. First it would cost me much less and secondly, if we go out, I can mount a zoom len on 1 camera and a macro lens on another and I am ready to take picture of close up and distance objects.

I bought it from MS Color. It cost $125.00 which was pretty decent compared to $800.00 to more than a thousand for a macro len.

Nature Photography

If there is one thing I learnt the past few times that I tried to take pictures of creepy crawlies outdoor, it is that I got no patience. The damn thing is so difficult to do. Ever since I got hooked on taking these slimy things, I realised that taking such pictures is not simply a matter of locate the insect, point and shoot. 

First, there is a need to get the right equipment so that the insects can appear real big in the photo. With my previous kit lens of a standard 28mm - 55mm and another zoom of 55mm - 200mm, it was nearly impossible to take any nice picture. The best I could do was take one and then crop it which was a bit like cheating.

Next, even with the right gear, I need the subject to stay still and insects? how do they stay still? The grasshoppers and dragon flies are easier but the bugs, butterflies, those are a nightmare.

And if they do keep still, then its the wind blowing and blowing and a little bit of movement means my photo goes blur blur...

My friends said use tripod, monopod whatever but it is easier say then done especially when the insects are all over and most of them are not exactly in accessible view and need some contortion to get near.

Maybe I need to get somebody to teach me?

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I got a marco lens but with 2 of us in the house taking pictures, it wasn't enough and being a cheapskate, I got a cheap new toy to add on to the kit lens and hopefully get some good results. 

Following photos were all taken with the Nikon D60 + 55 - 200 mm kit len

200mm Aperture Priority

80mm + Raynox Super Macro Conversion Lens Manual

Little Critters

With no running to do, my weekend has gotta kinda boring. So when M goes for her runs, tagged along (actually not much choice there, have to be the driver). So when the occasion calls for it, decided to turn photographer. First up was the  TNF 100 Challenge 2nd Progressive Run at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

While waiting for the runners to return, went around the trails looking for some subject to snap. First came across this little critter - a cotton stainer bug as I later found out. I also found out it was damn tough taking this sort of 'macro' photo without a proper macro lens. 

Cotton Stainer Bug

I was using a 55 - 200mm len initially for the runners but for the bug, no matter how I zoom, or stand far away, I couldn't get a clear sharp picture. So I switch to a 28 - 55 mm len but didn't fare much better. I didn't dare go too near in case I scare off the fella but standing far away means I couldn't be able to get a nice close up. In the end, went with all the possible permutations of manual focus, auto marco, plain auto on manual mode, aperture priority, shutter priority, full auto and finally got one which I think is decent enough.

It was the same with this grasshopper. So the lesson to take away from this session was macro photography of nature needs a steady hand, a good set of macro or extension len  of which I have neither and a tripod which I have but hate to carry around.

A weeks later was back at the same place. This time for some trail maintenance under the TNF 100 programme. While clearing part of the place, the Princess unearthed 2 little critters:

A hammerhead flatworm which we mistook for a slug.

Hammerhead Flatworm

A Black Eye Litter frog which we thought M killed with her changkul but fortunately did not.

Black Eye Litter Frog

Both these latter photos were taken with the Canon SX210 compact camera. Again, we found it wasn't easy taking such photos with the camera without the necessary accessories even if set on macro mode.

Canon SX210

Got sick of the crappy image from the Casio Exlim. Was hoping that will drop it during one of the runs so that got excuse to go and buy a new one but it never happened. Decided to bite the bullet and just get a new compact camera. One that I can carry around easily, light enough to run with and yet powerful enough to do all sort of things that a DSLR can. And volia I think this is it!

The Canon SX210. Last year edition but it suit me fine cause it means cheaper. And just look at the features.

14.1 megapixel
28mm to 392mm
F3.1
Image stabilizer
Macro: 5cm
Mode available:
- Auto
- Aperture priority
- Shutter priority
- Program
- Manual
- Usual preset modes

Others: 

Color Accent

Color Swap 

Smart shutter - no more timer!

Fisheye effect

Miniature effect

Stitch

HD movie

3 inch LCD

More specs than my current Nikon D60 DSLR and at a fraction of the price!

Fishy Business

1 more month to go before the move and it’s time to start packing up. The first one to go are the poor fish since there is no immediate plan for a fish tank at the new place. But despite my best efforts, I can’t find anybody to flog off the tilapia or Tila as it is known.

So what to do? No choice but to take up the suggestions of some evil friends from FB and [insert music – deng deng deng deng]. But how to kill something that I seen grow from a mere 3 cm to almost close to 8 inches? Must do it the most humane way.

First catch it first. The poor thing could sense its fate and put up a big struggle splashing water all over the floor. Seriously got no heart to put a knife through it so put it in a bag and stuff in into the freezer. At least cannot see or hear the struggling sound as it flaps its life away. 2 hours later, remove it and dunk it into a pot of boiling water! Yes we gonna have steam tilapia the Teochew style. After steaming, add some ginger, salted vegetables, cut chilli and voila. Dinner is served!

Er apart from me, nobody else knew the steam tilapia on the table was poor former Tila. I picked up the chop stick and then….it opened its eye and mouth and jumped off the table. There was absolute mayhem in the house. Everybody was shocked and stunned and the kids started jumping around. In the confusion nobody knew where Tila landed and finally when things had calmed down a bit, we started looking for it. But it was nowhere to be found!

And then we heard a purr from Toby, our cat. There was a wicked grin in its face! Can it be? Oh no………

Big Fish

This is the fish that the Princess caught some months ago. Back then it was just a teeny weeny fish about the size of a small thumb joint. Look at it now. Almost a foot long from head to tail.

Front view. It's not dead!

Same fish with a little bit of DI

Unfortunately, with the forthcoming move, this fish will have to go. There is currently no plan for any fish tank in the new place. Anybody want to adopt a fish? Or maybe I should just eat it?

Btw, can somebody confirm what chiclid is this? Is it a red tilapia?

Flash

Got something to complement my toy. Been meaning to get one for the longest time but some how heart pain to part with close to $400 for a Nikon SB600.

Finally after scouting around for so long, settled on this Tumax DBT386. This is a Hongkong made flash. Not that many review on the web site since it is fairly new. What was available was a mixed bag of praise and brickbats.

Anyway stingy me decided to take the plunge anyway.The more impressive specs* of the flash was what sold me in the end. In fact, the sales guy said it is more close to the SB800 than SB600 which was my original choice. My more camera savy colleague who accompanied me to the shop thought I was a bit crazy to just buy like that without finding out more. He wasn't too impressed with its weight and felt that it was not powerful enough. But for slightly under $200, I deemed it worth taking the risk. For good measure, I also took a CPL and a remote shutter release. Now all I need to do is to find time to play with it.

*1) Guide number: 45

2) Zoom range is 24 to 85

3) TTL with full manual control(iso,zoom,fstop,power ratio),

4) Built in wide panel and reflector

5) Built in optical sensor

6) With LCD

Anyway, this shop, artworkfoto, got some amazing stuff for a small little shop in the middle of nowhere. Check it out. They now have some promo going on.

Taking Aquarium Photos

Been trying to take a decent photo of the fish tanks. So did a lot of research and finally got round to taking it.

1. Get a tripod - check
2. Set to aperture priority and set to lowest aperture possible - check (lowest was 4 on the camera)
3. Set ISO to 400 - check (heck kiasu a bit went on to 800)
4. Switch off all other room lights - check
5. Use manual focus - check
6. Set camera at slightly higher angle - check
7. Forgot anything?Yeah...... how to stop the *&%#%( fish from swimming so that they can stay in focus!

2 Exhbitions

Was at the Singapore Motorshow yesterday. This year's show is a big disappointment. Down from the usual 2 floors to 1 floor. Only Honda, Nissan and Subaru are there. And no exotic cars. Only a few souped up cars. And the so called pretty ladies who were supposed to grace the cars. I think Abigail looks better! Lucky don't have to pay for the tickets otherwise be cursing and swearing.

On the way home, saw this goldfish exhibition at Eastpoint Mall. Goldfish not really my type of fish but still took the opportunity to take some photos.

Exhibition

Catch of the Day!

The lone surviving koi has died after sticking it out alone for oh so many months. Poor fish. Bad enough that we had to relegate it to a tank, but the pleco was forever chasing it. Somehow I am amazed it survived more than a year when all its other fishy cousins has gone to that great big ocean long ago.

Anyway, with its demise, this free up the tank for the long overdue conversion to a shoreline theme tank. The plan is to have some crabs, lobsters and maybe mudskipper and archer fish. So this evening, went down to Lower Pierce to begin the first phase of the conversion - catch some lobster. Why buy when you can get em free? As usual, Alicia managed to catch some prawns, a small lobster and what looked like a goby. Good enough to start.

  The mud lobster and prawns 

Is this a goby? 

But before going further - anybody need a common pleco?


And this is the other tank that I have with the number of fish shrinking by the day:(

Nikon D60

Finally after months of procrastination and taking the opportunity offered by the IT show, got the latest Nikon D60 - improved version of the D40X. This one come with VR, self cleaning blah blah blah...Came with these freebies - a camera bag, Nikon tripod, screen protector, pen brush, cleaning cloth, 2gb SD card and a card reader.

Also decided to add on a 55 - 200mm lens and 2 UV filters to complete the first one.

Took a first shot. Compared with the Canon A510's.















The skill still sucks though. So I guess it's not the tool but the man wielding it that matters:(