New ERA!!!!!

This says it all. Goodbye old school chemistry, hello new age quantum science!

It took me a loooong while to make this particular click-of-the-mouse. I have considered digital technology, know that the benefits out weighs the deficiencies that I may get, but if it wasn't the quake and tsunami in Japan, I wouldn't have made this purchase now. Yes you heard it right, it took me an earthquake to make this decision.... no it's not really supposed to be a joke, but here's why.

I was waiting for Nikon to announce the replacement of the D700 camera because I really want HD video capability that the current Nikon doesn't have. I knew that if I were to get a camera now, the D700 will be the camera of choice. The the disaster in Japan took place. Soon after, people started to talk about Nikon's production being halted and prices of professional and semi-pro cameras will rise due to shortage of stock. I didn't really take it seriously because I simply didn't think this was right. Furthermore, price hike usually happens to goods that are in high demand, such as food supply. High-end electronics is the last thing I thought will be affected.

One night, I checked the price on Amazon.com. It was still intact. The next morning, the price has already been raised with only two units left. That was the time when I decided to go with it. I clicked on the holy button!

A few hours later, I checked back and the price on Amazon.com has raised by $300 in total.

So it is indirectly because of the earthquake, but it directly because of the price hike.

That said, how is it? How is it? How is it? How is it? How is it? How is it?

Here's the new photos from the Everglades......

















Lastly, I don't know if this guy is contemplating or constipating.....


So what's the verdict?
Well, for the most part, convenience and versatility! First of all, I can make all the adjustments on board while shooting, especially ISO settings which I could not on a 35mm SLR. It is convenient because I can just come home and pop the pics onto my computer directly. No more running to the photo studio to develop the negatives. No more scanning them strip by strip, and no more heavy photoshop work. It was quick. Also, I was able to do HDRs easily because I can get precise and consistent framing. With negative, it will be impossible because of the imprecision of scanning.

It takes the old lens just fine, except I have to first program them into the camera so it knows what aperture it's on. This is annoying because I have to go through the menu each time I change the lens. I don't think this affects the actual metering, so I can still tolerate it.

Another thing is my telephoto, being a cheap lens, is having challenges performing on this camera. I have a hard time getting sharp images due to motion blur. For some reason, this issue is quite serious on this camera body. I have to push the shutter speed up to about 1/800 or 1000 to get a decently focused image for most of the time. This means ISO will be very high, like 800 or 1000. Either I have to get better on holding the lens(heavy!) or get a better lens! May be I should invest in a mono pod.... I don't really know yet.

Well, the end is also the beginning and I'm sure this will be more and more fun to do, but before we take off into the new era, here's my tribute to my good'ol Nikon F4S.

Key West

Key West, one of the most southern tip of the United States, and definitely the most southern island that is accessible by road in the United States. So it's like road to dead end.... right?

Don't panic, this photo isn't exactly real. Here's the truth!





Back to the real deal. I knew nothing about Key West. I just know that it's close to Cuba, that it's accessible by this highway that has an incredible history, and that a part of the movie True Lies was shot on the highway. I also hear about the Hemingway house of cats and the roosters that rule the island, also the famous Key Lime pie. I also hear that on the way there, there is this key that has deers, endangered ones. There was also rat problem once.... all of these is me watching too much Discovery and National Geographic.


Beach on one of the keys on the way to Key West.


Decomissioned causeway sections, left to rot.

In my mind, I painted Key West as a tropical island with beautiful beaches and coral reefs, and that the place is resort-like, much like what you would expect from the likes of Hawaii.

So we set off for Key West, driving down the Overseas Highway enjoying the scenery. I was looking forward to the trip because I really want to get away from the boring routines of my life. I want to go somewhere to do nothing. I don't even want to know what the plan was going to be. Heck I'd be happy just sitting under a coconut tree and stare into the horizon all day with the waves in the background. Then, I arrived at Key West.



Hmmm.... this is Key West??? I asked myself. Here we are, Duval street of Key West! My friend said. All I could see are pubs and bars with tons of douches walking around. This is Key West?????

















So this is it, the truth was told. Key West was nothing but over developed tourist trap.

Yes we went to the Hemingway house and saw the cats.

Yes we went up to the light house and saw what every one did.

Yes we went to see the southern most point thingy that says we are 90 miles from Cuba.

Yes we rode the Conch tour train.

Yes we had Key lime pie.

Yes we went to the (I forgot what's the name of the place) to watch the sunset and see a bunch of people spit fire.

Yes we stayed at an expensive but stinky h/motel.

No the beach sucked and it stunk too.

It made me want to jump into the sea and escape to Cuba.








Just a few more photos of Key West HERE