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Greetings all photo enthusiasts !! 1) This a private mailing list for photographers in Singapore, so that
we
2) If you wish not to receive any mails, or if you have any photography
3) Depending on the amount of news, you should be receiving one update
every
4) I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information posted, but I'll try my best to verify the information before putting it up.
Best regards,
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Issue #10 Dated: 22 Dec 1998
*** CONTENTS ***
Okay, and in this issue of "Photography Happenings !!", we have:
1) Announcements
2) New Products
3) Website Reviews
4) Events in Singapore
5) Photography tips
6) Bargains and special offers
7) Classified Ads
________________________________________________________________________________ * ANNOUNCEMENTS * A Milestone Issue
This issue marks the 10th issue of "Photography Happenings!!". For the past 6 months or so, this newsletter has undergone many little changes to make itself more useful to the Singaporean photographer. I am glad to say that although the creation of each issue was time-consuming and tedious, knowing that more than 300 local photographers stand to benefit from it is a gratifying thought. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the regular contributors for their support and help, for bringing to my attention the various new products and happenings in Singapore, and in contributing technical tips. Their contribution have been vital in ensuring the success of Photography Happenings. The newsletter will continue on its current goals, which is to inform readers of new products and photography happenings in Singapore. In the past 6 months, many new products such as the Canon EOS 3, the Minolta Maxxum 9 and the brand new Nikon F100 have been launched. Photo clubs and photography underwent many changes. "Photography Happenings !!" hope to bring all these info and more to you. Subscribers are welcome to recommend any changes and new directions you might want to see. Any help or contributions from the readers will be extremely appreciated. As you might know, I've just finished touring some parts of the United States and Thailand, and I am in the process of selecting and printing the best shots from the thousands of images. I hope to be able to finish a presentable portfolio of the images soon. Also, I will be co-conducting the NUS P.S Intermediate Photography Course held on 9th Jan (see "Events in Singapore"), so those interested in upgrading their skills and techniques might like to come for the course. Christmas is around the corner, and all of you can start making your Christmas wishes. (I wish that I can find a complete set of Hasselblad 503CW with 3 lenses in my Christmas stocking on Christmas morning !!) Just make sure that you don't forget about the spirit of giving - donate to the poor Salvation Army guys who stand around the whole day at Peninsular Plaza and Funan Center. To make up for the long break between issues, this special issue is
packed with more info (20kb). Finally, I wish all subscribers a Merry Christmas,
and all the best in your photographic adventures in the new year 1999 ahead.
New Articles
a) Trading Passion for Glory (Http://home1.pacific.net.sg/~nelson88/passion.html) b) Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF Review
[Total list membership stands at 302] ********************************************************************************
* NEW PRODUCTS *
Rated the #1 digital camera by a leading independent products testing
The Coolpix 900s featuring a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens, 3 mode metering,
* 8 MB CompactFlash removable memory card - stores up to 48 images
Check out the Coolpix 900s at this site: http://www.nikonusa.com/products/products.taf?id=240 The Coolpix 900s, more than a digital camera. It's a serious photography tool.
<Contributed by Hilarion Goh>
New Nikon Camera - Nikon F100
Nikon has just launched a state-of-the-art camera, the Nikon F-100. It will not replace the F90X - rather, the F-100 is positioned between the top-of-the-line professional model F5 and the F90X. The F100 looks like a smaller version of the F5 and has included as standard many features that were optional on the F90X. Significant changes include multiple-point focusing and exposure bracketing. The F100 comes with a optional vertical grip that includes a secondary command dial.The F100 is expected to be substantially more expensive than the F90X, but actual price and the date of release in Singapore is not yet known. For more info on the new Nikon F100, visit the following websites: http://www.nikonusa.com/products/photography/f100/f100.html http://www.hyperzine.com/scripts/hzget.cgi?1883 http://www.klt.co.jp/Nikon/PPD/New_Products/F100/Product_Details/Features/index.html
New Mamiya RZ Lenses
For landscape and interior photographers, check out the new M 50mm f/4.5 ULD/LA. This wideangle lens is able to stop down to f/32 for a impressive depth-of-field which makes it ideal for achieving hyperfocal d.o.f. The ULD designation means that this lens utilizes ultra-low dispersion optics to correct for apochromatic errors and a floating element is used for optimal near/far focus change. The last two lenses are short barrel lenses. The M 75mm f/4.5 L SB lens
and the M 180mm f/4.5 L SB lens are designed to able to focus at infinity
when used with the just-introduced Mamiya Shift/Tilt adaptor. The adaptor
allows the user to correct for perspective correction to some degree, emulating
limited view camera movements. However, with conventional lenses, the ability
to focus at infinity is lost due to the extended lens-to-focal-plane distance.
The 2 new SB lenses are made to correct for this shortcoming. To use the
2 SB lenses as normal lenses, simply use the new extension tube NA 703.
******************************************************************************** * WEBSITE REVIEWS *
Singapore-based Photographer launches new Online Photography Gallery
Peter Walker, a photographer based in Singapore, has announced the launch
The new site is much improved. It further builds on the
gallery metaphor,
http://www.peterwalker.com
PhotoServe - Professional Photography Portfolios and Gallery
http://www.photoserve.com/
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* EVENTS IN SINGAPORE *
Centrepoint Christmas Photo Collection Contest
If you've been taking photos of our Christmas facade decorations since
3 Top Prizes:
There is no limit to the number of entries. For the rules and regulations, please collect your entry form from the Information counter at Centrepoint Shopping Centre. Closing date is 31 January, 1999. For more information, please contact the Advertising & Promotions
<Contributed by Mervyn Sek>
Intermediate Photography Course
The National University of Singapore Photographic Society (NUS P.S) will be organizing an Intermediate Photography Course for all photography enthusiasts. This course is targeted at those who have a basic understanding of photography (i.e how to use an SLR to make proper exposures) and wish to learn more intermediate techniques to improve their pictures. It is priced very modestly to encourage students to pick up photography. All photography enthusiasts are welcome. The details are as follows:
Date : 9th Jan 1999
To sign up for the course, pls e-mail to Mervyn at mervyn_sek@hotmail.com The course covers various intermediate techniques such as using filters, night photography, compositional skills, basics in landscape and portraiture photography and many many more. Each topic covered would be illustrated by appropriate slides to show you the technique used. You can find the same topics covered in books, but the difference here is that you have instructors going through the techniques with you and clarifying any doubts that you might have. For those who do not know how to get to NUS LT 15, there'll be a representative from NUS P.S to bring you there. We will leave for NUS in 2 batches, at 12.30 and 12.45 p.m. The meeting place is at the bus interchange TransitLink Ticketing Office. Take bus service No.96 if you wish to go there on your own. For a complete listing of the course syllabus and more information,
see the following website at:
http://homex.s1.net.sg/user/gkoh/intermed.htm
(Editor's note: I'll be conducting half the course, so if any of the list members have any queries, you can meet me for discussion during or after the course.) ********************************************************************************
* PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS * Demystifying the Zone System
Those of you doing advanced photography might be interested in the Zone System. Pioneered by master landscape photographer Ansel Adams as a way to visualize the final tonal output of a scene in the resulting image, the Zone System quickly became the standard by which many serious B/W printers staunchly followed. It soon achieved a cult status, given its seemingly complex nature. There are many books on the Zone System available at the bookstores, but here is a online version of the Zone System at : http://www.photodo.com/templates/display.lasso?show=482 Be forewarned though, that the Zone System is strictly for the diehard
black and white photographers. Others who are not seriously in B/W photography
or do not have the sufficient technical background will find it extremely
difficult.
Simplify ! Simplify !!
If you find that your images don't say anything much about the subject, your images are probably too cluttered with unneccessary elements. The best solution then is to simply your images. How do you do that ? a) Crop the photo By cropping the photo tightly, you are going in for the essential elements only. Zoom in close to get rid of unnecessary details that contribute nothing to the purpose of the picture. Ask yourself, "does this element help contribute to the message of the picture ? No ?? Crop it off !!" b) Change your viewpoint By walking around your subject, you can change the background of the
subject so that unneccessary elements are not reflected in the background.
Many beginners shoot as soon as they see a subject, without considering
many factors that separates a ordinary photo from a great photo. Don't
be hasty - take your time to examine the subject, and decide how you want
to portray the subject before even raising the camera up to your eye. Try
it, and your photos will definitely show a marked improvement.
******************************************************************************** * Bargains and Special Offers * All bargains and special offers listed here are received from contributors
and other sources. I shall not be responsible for any misinformation.
Kodak EPP and E-6 processing at special prices at RGB Color
Cathay Photo Special Year-End Offers
<Pentax>
<Rodenstock Enlarger lenses>
******************************************************************************** * CLASSIFIED ADS * (Disclaimer: the list maintainer will not take responsibility for any
transactions carried out through this classified ads.)
Wanted - Canon EF 80-200/2.8L
Seeking the above lens. Please email details (price, condition, age,
etc) to
WTB - Manual and Box for Minolta APS S1 camera
I need a APS camera manual - Minolta APS S1, with the box if possible. I sold the unit to my friend recently but i lost the box and manual. I am willing to pay if necessary for anyone who has it and willing to part with it. Please contact me at kokwah@swiftech.com.sg <Andrew> WTB - Slide viewer
<Dave>
That's all, folks !
Your friendly list-maintainer,
Visit the official "Photography Happenings !!" website at:
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