Nikon 16mm Fisheye Lens

I have been wanting to get a fisheye lens for ages, finally I got the Nikon 16mm fisheye. It is not particularly expansive and I didn't have a problem about not going to be able to get enough use of it. But why did it take so long before I committed my money?

Well, it is a screw driven AF lens, no beautifully fast (and quiet) SWM motor inside. Despite at this focal length fast focusing is not that important, I struggled to think why I would get a non-motorised one if such a technology long existed and very feasible for this lens. Anyway, then I found out even the DX copy of the lens 10.5mm is also AF. My jaw just dropped to the floor. This man is not going to wait no more!

The Nikon 16mm fisheye is the only Nikon fisheye lens in its FX product line. That made the decision simple. The only other contenders were the Sigma offerings in which there are circular fisheye as well as rectangular fisheye. I think the rectangular fisheye is much more useable than the circular one. And the price difference between the Sigma and Nikon rectangular fisheye wasn't so different that made me want to steer away from Nikon.

The result? Love it! In fact I love it so much that for a while I left the wide angle at home and took out only the fisheye for my shoots. The first pic is one I took at a function room. The sides of the shelve is not curved in reality as you see in the picture. Love the effect! :)

Family/Children Portrait Photography

Bought a new mattress recently and was offered a big discount voucher for family portrait deal. Shame and salesman won't give me the discount instead of the voucher. I did find out details about the deal and thought to myself, "Boy, this is really expansive!" No, I mean really worth it! :D

Did my first family portrait on location - at the family home. I didn't get the chance to be there first to examine the environment, lighting, etc so I just brought along everything I have... Sorry, couldn't show you pics of it for privacy reasons but I do want to say a few words. I should have take a pic of the set without anyone inside... Keep that thought for next time!

It was fun! My 6 foot tall collapsible backdrop worked well as the wall to block out clutter in the background bringing the focus squarely onto the subject - the family and baby girl Olivia. It is not big enough for the whole family but for the baby girl alone, it is more than sufficient. The family had specifically requested for a black background in keeping with previous studio shots taken before. So I just let Olivia lie on it, curl up the end to make a really really simple black (or white) background. That worked well and Olivia was so nice she didn't put a mark on it at all. :)

Children are impatient, they need direction. And it takes patience and perseverance to work with them. But they are really lovely subject too. They brings tremendous joy. Thank you Andrew for engaging me for this job! All the best to your lovely family.

Poker Face

Poker night was an interesting shoot. All the expressions on people's faces. Don't think they are quite Poker Faces... because a poker face is a blank expression that does not reveal anything, not fear, stress, concern, lost, dismay and anxiety... Perhaps they are not happy with the paparazzi snapping at them! :P

Always shoot to the very end of the event. Despite the large number of chips the gentlemen (Michael) on the right had, he wasn't the biggest winner that night I was told later!

Adult Portraits

While I was shooting the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week this year, had to do a few portraits for a client for their web site and paper publications. Preparation is the word for the day. When I had a bit of downtime between shoots, walked around and found this really nice quiet secluded place - coffee shop right behind the runway that was being set up for a fashion parade. When the clients rocked up, I was able to tell them exactly where to go, settle them down for a cuppa to relieve any nerve on all parties (including mine!). I am happy with the result. :)

New Nikon Improvements on Caps

Did you know that Nikon has replaced the aged rear cap (LF-1) with a new cap design (LF-4). The new rear cap has much larger lens contact surface area thus provides much better seal than the one it replaces. It also has much bigger grooves for better grip. I should have thought of this since Nikon replaced the body cap since the introduction of D3s. It changed from BF-1A to BF-1B.

The new body cap and rear cap have matching grooves. Each also sporting a notch so you can feel where they should be coupled together even if you are working in complete darkness! More over, they (BF-1B + LF-4) form a snug fit unlike the old design (BF-1A + LF-1). Those who have the old ones would understand why I am so excited about this point. It keeps dust from entering the caps and then transferred to the lens. Of course, following Nikon's tradition, the new cap would fit on all Nikkor lens including those with or without rubber gasket. :)

However, there is a catch. I have posted here a long time ago about the front cap for Nikon teleconverters. It is called BF-3A. The old BF-1A didn't fit on the teleconverters. On the other hand, teleconverter's BF-3A does fit on the camera body. Guess what, the new BF-1B doesn't fit the teleconverters either; and teleconverter's BF-3A is a snug fit with the new LF-4 rear cap, which as said goes onto both camera body and teleconverters. So, In my humble opinion, BF-3A still wins!

Anyhow, the new rear cap LF-4 is a very nice improvement. Well done Nikon!

PS Today, (5th Oct, 2011) a remarkable man left us - Steve Jobs. What an amazing human being didn't go with the norm (as Arnold Schwarzenegger said, 'Steve Lived the California Dream') and cheated the lethal pancreatic cancer for 7 years before leaving us, without not taking his pride - Apple - back to the top of its game and revolutionalised the way we communicate and bring technology into our lives. A paper says Jobs lost his battle to cancer. There is nothing further from the truth. Consider his achievements, contributions, inspiration and influence and the prognosis for pancreatic cancer. He achieved much more in his field than what most just dream about. Thank you Steve Jobs and rest in peace.

Studio Photography

Started a new line of work this year. While I have done portrait before, work has almost 100% been on location in the past. On location shoot is a good challenge given the varying lighting condition and environmental factors that must be either utilised or otherwise overcome. Studio photography is supposed to be easy in some ways - lighting is controlled and time is on my side. However, as I Have discovered, this is far from easy. In fact, the learning curve is pretty steep. To begin with, I don't even have any idea how to create a white background... Let the fun begin! :)

Waverley Meadows Pre-school

Had an amazing opportunity to photograph a pre-school, the Waverley Meadows Pre-school. What I discovered is a school filled with lots of fun and warmth. It is a very colourful place with lots of teaching materials and activities for the kids. It has a large, well equipped outdoor games area, car park. It is next to a park and is a very secure aka safe environment for the kids.

Thank you so much Wendy for this job and accompanying me during the session. Thank you for the permission to photograph you and your kids. This is Wendy with her lovely kids. Love this pic! :)



















This is the chicken barn intended for the chickens I believe. However, it appeared that they prefer to congregate at this colourful playhouse above instead. Who can blame them?

I couldn't resist the temptation to get into the playhouse to snap a few close ups. I liked the experience and result, but am not sure if they share my feeling. ;)

Aerial Manx performing at Southbank Melbourne

My youngest cousin Wayne came over from HK for an English tour over 4 weeks. In fact, he is heading home today. It was a bit of all roller coaster ride with the course he enrolled in. But all in all, I think it was still a good experience and I hope he takes some fond memories back with him. Don't want to critic here... If you don't understand what I am talking about and you are interested or planning to go for such a tour, please write to me.

On Day 2, we went down to South Bank and saw this sword swallowing contortionist performing on the street. We stopped to look (and did the right thing to award the talented performer at the end). I little google reviewed the identity of the contortionist - Aerial Manx

WARNING: Unless you are Aerial Manx, don't do this!

Running around, I am serious, he was running, on all four up-side-down! See the girl holding on her knees, some ran away scared as he approached. :P



Fitting through 2 tennis racquets. The grommets actually put lots of marks on Aerial's back. Looked painful. And the rings... Aerial did warn us about the rings...

Thank you very much Aerial for posing to the photographer! :D







Next up is the sword swallowing act. It is a real sword. Unbelievable! With the sword all the way down the throat, he juggled three flaming torches as well.

To add to the drama, the fuel on the torches ran out and he had to bend down and refuel and light them up again. Amazing mate!

Here is Aerial Manx performing on Hey Hey It's Saturday. I reckon his ball skills rivals that of Lionel Messi of Barcelona!



Last but not least at Australia's Got Talents where he demonstrates sword swallowing and doing cartwheels. He survived. Speechless! XO

WARNING: Unless you are Aerial Manx, don't do this!