Simple HD Video Solution

Over the past week, I have had two friends (both recently had their newborn baby) come to me asking my opinion on a good portable HD camera solution. Interestingly, both asked what my thoughts of the Flip HD were. Nothing against Flip cams (since I have the original cam and love their simple interface for youtube uploads), but I told both friends that I personally use my trusty Canon SD630 point-n-shoot for my all of my current video clip recording needs and if I were them, I'd consider the following point-n-shoots for their upgraded HD recording capabilities. My main argument is that this is a compact all around solution for stills and HD video. Both friends were surprised that HD recording is becoming more popular to point-n-shoots. I thought this would be post-worthy:

First Choice: Canon SD780is (on sale at Amazon for $249)
I've always had Canon for my point-n-shoot solution. I find their cameras the best for a portable solution, even out performing Nikon (which is my brand of choice for the full size DSLRs). In additional to amazing still images (even at higher ISO setting), this new SD780 features a 12.1 megapixel resolution and 720p HD recording (1280x720). This bad boy even comes with a mini-HDMI out for your big screen. The best part it, all for less than $280 (MSRP). It also comes in a black finish which is really cool! (bonus: if you want more manual control, Canons in general are popular amongst the hacking community to unlock professional features for free!)

Second Choice: Pansonic Lumix DMC-LX3 (Very hard to find: Amazon $639)

For those interested in more classic SLR control and wants to have a high quality Leica DC Vario-Summicron wide angle lens, step up to the popular Lumix LX series. The previous generation of the LX series (LX2) was a huge success amongst camera fanboys. The LX-3 has some improvement over the previous. I am not claiming to be a camera expert so I will leave the review of its features to the pros. This camera is a bit more costly than the Canon SD780is, so I feel like you'd have to be somewhat interested in photography to commit to this one. Never the less, its a great still and HD(720p) recording portable device. One thing to note is the LX series always take pictures and recording in 16:9 format, which in itself is kinda cool.

Review: Case Logic Small Digital Camera Tripod PVT14

People often dismiss the importance of a tripod; and I am not even talking about spending $700 for a full size tripod for your DSLR. Sometimes a small counter-top tripod for your point-n-shoot can benefit your outcome by making up for its slower shutter speed (that causes image destabilization), for example: group-photo, macro shots for your eBay needs, or if you are a blogger, then product review photos can be sharper and more stabilized.

This is exactly why Case Logic 6 PVT14 Small Digital Camera tripod is going to be my new best friend. The going rate for this tripod is about $10 shipped from Buy.com (MSRP $29). I've seen other brands that looks identical so it could very likely be an OEM out of China producing it and reselling them to be branded as various products in the U.S.

This tripod is about 6" in height when its fully collapsed for storage. The structure is completely made of plastic ball joints so it is totally flexible allowing you to position your camera in various heights and angles. Each of the grey rings on the ball joint is made of rubber to provide maximum grip depending on the way you shape its stance. The ball joint offers total flexibility and advantage over other small tripods made of sticks in most extreme scenario, you can wrap the legs around a pole to hang the camera upside down. Enclosed are some photos for your reference.

When I get together with my uncles (whats up Uncle Toby and Uncle Mark) from the West Coast, we love to hunt down some fine cuisines. The point-n-shoot cameras come in real handy to capture those beautiful presentations so we can salivate at a later time. With this tripod, I can take sharper images than before. Tip: to maximize your camera performance, I would set up each shot with a timer as any movement in pressing the down the shutter button can cause the image to be blurry rendering the tripod useless!

I've included some images for your reference, click to enlarge.

Nokia GPS Location Tagger

I got a chance to test out Nokia's Location Tagger application from its Beta Labs. This app can be used in conjunction with compatible phone's GPS and camera to record the geographic location (longitude/Latitude) for each picture taken from Eseries and Nseries phones like the E90, N95 and N82. According to Nokia, this should work with all Symbian S60 3rd edition phones w/ integrated GPS or external bluetooth GPS. Geo-Tagging will be an important meta-data for photography in the future; and currently, smartphones with integrated GPS is a convenient way to start such implementation. I foresee future point-n-shoots and DSLRs to come equip with some form of Geo-Tagging feature.

Nokia's software is pretty cool and simple to use. To get started, simply launch Location Tagger app and let it find a fix for satellite signal (on m N95, I kept the slider open, since thats how it is for me to use my GPS normally, once I got a lock on Satelite signal, I can close the slider down to shoot photos). It took me about 30 seconds before getting a full satellite read. After that, use the "hide" command or just launch your camera. You'll notice a small green logo on your camera/LCD screen which indicates the Geo-Tagger in action.
After taking each shot, the application will tell you that it has been tagged. If you upload your 'geo-tagged' images to an application like PicasaWeb, Google Earth or Flickr, it will show you the location each picture has been taken from automatically. Please find a couple screenshots of PicasaWeb Google Maps integration using a picture I took this morning.

Mitsuwa Supermarket, a popular Japanese Market Chain, this one is in Edgewater, NJ.

Mobile Experience Asia: Camera Galore

I have an uncle in Taipei whom I’ve spoken less than 100 words all of my life. Largely because this guy is a big time scholar and I just never have the right things to talk to him about (and the fact that I’ve lived in US most of my life).

This time, however, things are a bit different. I brought my Nikon D80 everywhere I go; and my uncle and I started to talk a lot more all because of my new found interest in photography. It turns out that he has been an avid collector of some fine equipment since the 80s (mostly using macro shots for his work as a marine biologist).

He ended up taking me to a famous neighborhood in Taipei known as the “Camera Rows”. Think of having JR, Adorama, Ritz Camera and B&H all together and multiply by 10 in one small grid. Prices here are competitive (but I have noticed Amazon.com does offer similar pricing). Considering these are brick and mortar operation, the price is right.

Please find some photos of the “Camera Rows” and a private collection of my uncle’s treasured film cameras (ie. Hassleblad 503cx, Leica R7, Leica minilux, Minolta Dynamax 7000i, Nikon FM2.

Fun fact: Did you know Leica is working closely with Panasonic in developing digital cameras…? In fact, the Panasonic LUMIX LX2 is a popular point and shoot using Leica’s lens design, this model is often sold out due to popularity (now I am on the hunt for one!!!)

Camera Collection Gallery:










Taipei "Camera Rows" Gallery:

Lowepro Fastpack 250 Review

(Image Gallery Uploaded Here)

In preparation for an upcoming trip, I am looking for a carry-on solution for my mobile gadgets: laptop and digital SLR. The requirements are:

1. Fits a laptop up to 15.4"
2. Fits a Nikon D80 SLR w/ 18-200mm Lens attached
3. Extra room to spare for other items... flexible
4. Must be in the form factor of a backpack... not messenger bag

All of the above has been satisfied by the Lowepro Fastpack 250.

The laptop compartment has a convenient side-loading entry. Many other bags uses the zipper behind the shoulder straps making it difficult to open or close the laptop compartment. The bag is very well padded all around.

The camera sits on the lower portion of the front compartment which allows for the bag to stand up (not top heavy like other backpacks requiring the SLR to be loaded towards the top). The camera compartment also has A LOT of room to spare. I have a D80 w/ 18-200 lens attached and it still has room to spare in front of the lens (2-3 inches clearance) and top of camera area (possibly meant for a small speed light attached). One of the problems with other backpacks I've seen is that the camera compartment doesn't allow the space for a large lens attached to the camera body.

Like other Lowepro designs, sitting next to the camera are 4 customizable compartments for accessories like additional lens or speedlight. The best part about this bag is unlike others, it doesn't force you to use all of its available compartment for camera-related accessories. The top front compartment is roomy for anything you want. There are two more smaller compartments on the front side of the bag for accessories... very convenient for traveling indeed. For a finishing touch, there is also a water bottle net on the side and a "cell-phone" sized pocket on the left shoulder strap.

Overall, I am very happy with this backpack; I will upload some pictures shortly!

Tip from Toby: Whenever you have a laptop/camera bag combination. Insert the laptop so the LCD/LID faces away from the camera body. Upon impact, it prevents your laptop LCD being shattered or cracked.

Update: (05/05/2008) - I've taken this backpack along with me to my trip to Asia recently. Having spend 3 weeks on the road with this bag, I must say it worked out well for me. The bag provided adequate protection and storage space for my laptop, DSLR and handycam. Overall, the size of this bag is a bit bulky but is necessary to hold enough of items to help me with my air travels. It fits in the airplane overhead compartment just fine, but may be too bulky to stuff under the seats. When riding in cars, the bag is at the awkward size where its kind of big to hold on your laps but if you set it on the floor, you'll have to make your feet twist a certain way which makes long rides uncomfortable. Again, the storage is more than adequate, the side pocket was handy to stuff stubs or bottled water on the go and the top storage compartment was big enough for me to roll-out my adidas track jacket into a ball and stuff it in. I am very pleased with this purchase.

Robbers use Camera Cell Phones

Robbers use Camera Cell PhonesAccording to inq7.net newsfeed following a story printed in the Philippine Daily Inquirer "ROBBERS have also gone high-tech, using cell phones equipped with cameras to spot potential victims."Apparently, a "syndicate" that operates on the Philippine railway system take photographs of their "would-be victims" using the camera on the cell phone. The photo then gets