More photos can be viewed at my Facebook album HERE, HERE, HERE & HERE.
Friday, 10 December 2010
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Lens
Morio Ono, President and CEO of Tamron Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of optical equipment, announced the release of yet another groundbreaking lens: the world's most compact, lightweight lens with a 15x zoom ratio*1, featuring a 62mm filter diameter, VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization and Tamron's first standing wave ultrasonic motor system for SLR lenses, PZD (Piezo Drive) *2. The 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD (Model B008) DSLR ultra-high-power zoom lens for Canon and Nikon mounts will be released in Japan on December 20, 2010, with the development of a Sony*3 compatible mount at a later date.
Tamron 60th Anniversary Model
The 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD (Model B008) (referred to below as 18-270mm Di II VC PZD) is an astonishingly light, compact ultra-high-power zoom lens with a filter diameter of 62mm. Weighing in at 450g, this new all-in-one zoom lens is equipped with an AF unit driven by Tamron's new PZD (Piezo Drive)*2, an ultrasonic motor that delivers faster and quieter focusing when the autofocus is engaged.
The 18-270mm Di II VC PZD, will be easy to use and highly portable - a high-power zoom that will offer the user the versatility to shoot in a variety of situations. Its wide zoom range of 18-270mm positions the lens as an all-purpose workhorse for any photographic situation.
Product Features
1. The 18-270mm Di II VC PZD boasts the world's highest zoom range at 15x magnification for a lens with its compact size and light weight*1, with the added value of Tamron's proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization. At 450g, measuring 88mm in length (from mount face to the tip of the lens), and 74.4mm in diameter with a filter diameter of 62mm, it's a compact and easy-to-carry lens.
2. Silent, high-speed autofocus in a compact lens due to the incorporation of Tamron's new PZD (Piezo Drive) *2 autofocus technology.
3. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.49m throughout the zoom range and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.8.
Di II (Digitally integrated design): Di II lenses are for exclusive use with digital SLR cameras (with APS-C size sensors), with a suitably optimized optical design. These lenses cannot be used with digital SLR cameras with an image sensor larger than APS-C size, or 35mm film SLR cameras.
(*1) For SLR camera high-zoom-ratio lenses with 15x magnification capability. Current as of December 2010. (Source: Tamron).
(*2) PZD (Piezo Drive) is a standing wave ultrasonic motor system developed by Tamron. The motor is faster and quieter than DC motors when the AF drive is operated, and compared with ring type ultrasonic motors, it has an actuator that facilitates lens design and reduced size.
(*3) The Sony mount is not equipped with the VC image stabilization mechanism, as the body of Sony's digital SLR cameras has a built-in image stabilization function. Consequently, the lens with a Sony mount is referred to as the 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II PZD and does not include the VC description.
Ray of Light
Unfortunately... I was driving, so I can't grab my camera... and I don't want to stop the car coz I was kinda in a hurry to go to KB... so here u go... just using my 2 megapixel SE G502... sorry for the poor quality and poor angle... i took this while driving... huhuhu... owh... PS: don't take pictures while driving! it is very dangerous! huhuhu...
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Monday, 6 December 2010
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Princess launches BlackBerry service
BlackBerry Smartphone enthusiasts in Brunei will now be able to enjoy DST's highly anticipated BlackBerry service which was launched by Her Royal Highness Princess Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah yesterday.
The BlackBerry launch took place at the Empire Hotel and Country Club yesterday morning. Also in attendance to witness the event were Ministers, Deputy Ministers and officers from the government and private sector.
DST and Research in Motion (RIM) yesterday announced the introduction of this world famous service here in Brunei in the presence of their Royal guest.
In his speech, Idris Vasi, Chief Executive Officer of DST Group spoke of DST's milestone of taking a big step partnering with RIM, Canadian-based mobile industry players to deliver meaningful mobile data experiences to consumers and business users.
"Finding the right balance between investments in network infrastructure, software, services and smart end-points is crucial for us as we evolve from a consumer focused service provider to a consumer plus business-focused service provider.
He went on to say, "This launch increases our service and product portfolio and aligns us better with our customer requirements, as DST is always looking for innovative new services and capabilities to offer our customers."
Mr Idris Vasi added, "The launch of BlackBerry solution will increase the number of smartphone users in Brunei and should lead to a corresponding increase in data-usage and Value-Added Services from DST."
Meanwhile, Gregory Wade, Managing Director, Southeast Asia at RIM said, "Both business users and consumers in Brunei will be able to take advantage of the BlackBerry solution and enjoy easy access to the people and information that are most important to them throughout their day."
The BlackBerry solution serves to bring together smartphones, software and services for the convenience of easy wireless to email, messaging, social networking, phone, calendar, web, multimedia and other business or lifestyle applications.
DST offers three types of service plan, each with different pricing and features offered. The data plans are only available for DST post-paid subscriptions. They may opt to subscribe to a new plan or add to their existing Prima subscription.
BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) is priced at $25 per month and designed to fit smaller business and personal use where it allows access up to 10 supported corporate and personal email accounts. It also provides automatic synchronisation of messages between the Blackberry smartphone and email accounts.
Meanwhile, business customers or corporate group can opt to connect to the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution (BES). At $45 per month, it offers email or personal information management, corporate data and business applications.
For customers who wish to connect to all the features from both plans can subscribe for the combined BES+BIS data plan allowing organisations with an in-house email server and access to web-based email accounts in addition to the corporate email account priced $55 per month.
DST customers will be able to purchase the sleek and elegant Bold 9700 Smartphone BlackBerry and service registration will be available at the DST Carnival until December 5 taking place at the BRIDEX International Conference Centre in Jerudong.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience BlackBerry devices and services and other services and promotion offered by DST at the carnival.
The BlackBerry Service launching and DST Carnival are held in conjunction with DST's 15th anniversary, celebrating their many milestones in the field of infocommunication and currently reaching a base of 400,000 prepaid and post-paid subscribers for 2G and 3G networks.
Source: Borneo Bulletin
Joseon Detective Poster & Teaser Trailer
Synopsis
Based on writer Kim Tak-hwan's detective novel about a detective who chases a case about a woman who has committed suicide. It is directed by Kim Seok-yoon, who directed "Old Miss Diary - Drama" and "Old Miss Diary - Movie".
Release date in Korea : 2011/01/27
Friday, 3 December 2010
Qatar get 2022 World Cup
Qatar have won the right to host the 2022 World Cup.
Australia, South Korea, United States and Japan were also in the bidding process.
Qatar used its final presentation to FIFA's executive committee to promise ideal conditions for players to perform at their best in a World Cup and also for fans to be able to watch two matches a day.
Leaders of the Qatari bid to host the 2022 World Cup offered reassurance on Wednesday that scorching summer temperatures would not be a problem thanks to air-conditioned stadiums.
The lack of travelling would also help, representatives said.
"To produce their best, players need the best conditions," said former Mexico, United States, China, Nigeria and Costa Rica coach Bora Milutinovic. "There's nothing better than to play, train and relax in the same place."
"The long distances reduce the standard of matches by tiredness. In Qatar it is not necessary to travel. Conditions are ideal for the players to produce their best effort."
Hassan Al-Thawadi, CEO of the Qatar bid, said air conditioned stadiums would protect fans and players from the blistering heat and would also help football in other countries with high temperatures.
"All our stadiums, training sites and fan zones will be at 27 degrees Celsius, all solar-powered and 100 percent carbon neutral," he said. "The application for this technology goes far beyond stadiums.
"Heat will not be an issue whatever the climate and we want this to be a global lasting legacy," he said, adding that the stadiums could be dismantled and transported for use by poorer nations after the tournament.
Via: Eurosport
Russia to host 2018 World Cup
Russia have beaten England in the fight to host the 2018 World Cup.
England and Russia plus two joint bids from Netherlands/Belgium and Spain/Portugal were contesting the 2018 decision.
The announcement of the winning bid was made by FIFA president Sepp Blatter at Zurich's Messezentrum.
The 22 men on FIFA's executive committee heard half-hour presentations from each of the four competing European bids this morning.
Russia presented itself as a huge nation which had never before staged the World Cup, contrasting it with western Europe where all the major nations have staged the event.
Alexei Sorokin, the Russian bid's CEO, began by quoting Winston Churchill's famous description of Russia as "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."
He said: "We can understand this perception that foreigners have but it's a Russia...that no longer exists."
England may have suffered from a backlash against corruption investigations into FIFA members by BBC Panorama and the Sunday Times over the last two months. These investigations were criticised both by Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin and Spain/Portugal bid president Angel Villar Llona in his presentation to fellow FIFA members on Thursday.
Six FIFA officials were last month suspended following a Sunday Times investigations and on Monday, BBC Panorama claimed three other FIFA members had taken bribes in the 1990s.
The defeat comes despite an impressive presentation by England that was described by Blatter as "excellent and remarkable".
Prince William, David Cameron and David Beckham all sparkled but were all outshone by 27-year-old Eddie Afekafe, who works on Manchester City's community programmes.
Source: Eurosport
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Angry Birds Christmas Update Coming
Want to add a bit of anger to this year's Christmas season? Then let Rovio and Angry Birds help you out - thanks to an update coming to everyone's favorite bird-slinging, pig-hitting iPhone game.
It'll be a free update to anyone who buys or has already bought the Halloween version of Angry Birds.
Like the original Angry Birds iPhone game, Angry Birds Halloween sells for 99 cents on the App Store and gives users a number of new bird-flinging levels in a black-and-orange backdrop with different scenery.
However, unlike the core game, the Halloween edition did not expand beyond the iPhone, leaving Android users on the wrong side of the trick-or-treat spectrum.
A Twitter user, nickbouwhuis, poked Rovio in a message asking if the upcoming slate of Christmas levels would cost money. Rovio responded in its own Tweet, saying, "it's a free update to the Halloween game for iPhone and iPad."
So it sounds like the Christmas Angry Birds game will be exclusive to iDevices as well. Of course, Android guys can't complain too much since their version of the casual game is a free download while anyone with an iPhone or iPad has to pay for it. Rovio earns ad money for copies downloaded to Android.
This, combined with Angry Birds plush toys and iPhone cases, ensures that this year, the halls will be decked with boughs of ticked-off chirping instead of the usual holly.
Pitch invasion mars Birmingham City win
Ugly scenes marred Birmingham City's 2-1 League Cup quarter-final victory over local rivals Aston Villa on Wednesday with fans ripping up seats and throwing flares into the crowd after a post-match pitch invasion.
Hundreds of police with helmets and plastic shields ringed the pitch and forced fans back in the melee that erupted with the final whistle at St. Andrews.
"That sours it a bit for us," Birmingham manager Alex McLeish told Sky Sports Television.
"It doesn't look good when you see the fans running on like that and some of the carrying on and interaction between the terraces and the pitch. It takes us back to the Dark Ages."
The Football Association condemned the scenes of disorder that came on the eve of England hearing on Thursday the outcome of their bid to host the 2018 World Cup and opened an investigation.
Television images showed fans ripping up and throwing seats in the stands while others lobbed flares into groups of spectators.
McLeish said he was worried about possible sanctions but played down fears that the violence could have a negative effect on the FIFA decision in Zurich.
"I don't think that will affect the World Cup bid, I'm sure that has already been decided," he said.
Via: Eurosport
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Harassed by boom boom noise
Taken from Borneo Bulletin Opinion Page Dated 01/12/2010
For the past two weeks we have been hearing loud thumping music within the vicinity of Kiulap or Pusar Ulak.
This is densely residential area and I am very sure that the poor patients in nearby RIPAS hospital are within the booming noise radius.
It has kept us from sleeping and making us palpitate instead. Meanwhile it has disturbed my 6month old daughter's sleep.
I resent this intrusion and very angry that such inconsiderate neighbours are among us. I know this is a common problem all over Brunei and your paper does so well in highlighting this problem.
Please don't stop as we wait and hope for the authorities to impose laws that ban such wide spread noise pollution.
While waiting for help we can only pray and perform Doa for these people to realise their mistake and stop their selfishness.
- Anti-noise, BSB
I myself is also into car audio system, but at the same time, I'm also appalled at the attitude of some other car audio enthusiast... yes, being loud is fun... but please try to respect other people too... when you're in a residential area, respect the people living there as they might want to have some peace and quiet rest... i know, some of you might argue that there are other cars and/or bikes exhaust system that are far more louder than your car audio system, but that doesn't give you the excuse to ignore the comfort of other people... don't be selfish and don't let your ignorance to force the authority to force a ban on car audio system!
I have no problem with being loud, but be loud responsibly!
Nikon D7000 Review by DPReview
DPReview have posted their review of the Nikon D7000. Quote from the review, "In most respects, the Nikon D7000 is an excellent enthusiast's DSLR. The camera produces great image quality in most shooting situations, and it shines in low light, providing (just about) useable images right up to its ISO ceiling of 25,600 (equivalent). It feels swift and positive in general use, even in live view mode, thanks to greatly improved contrast-detection AF - not a traditional strength of Nikon's DSLRs. The D7000's buffer is decent, especially considering the large size of its files, but not in the same league as the D300S. However, although potentially irritating to a D300S user considering a second body, this shouldn't stand as a serious criticism of a camera aimed essentially at the upper end of the enthusiasts' market."
You can read the full review HERE.
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