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************************************************** * PHOTOGRAPHY HAPPENINGS !! * * Photography news in Singapore * ************************************************** 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 #4 Dated: 18 Sept 1998
*** CONTENTS ***
Okay, and in this issue of "Photography Happenings !", we have:
1) Announcements
2) New Products
3) Website Reviews
4) Events in Singpore
5) Sales and bargains
6) Photography tip
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* ANNOUNCEMENTS *
Bigger Issues
It seems like what started off as a private mailing list for local photographers suddenly has a large following. And the issues get bigger and bigger every time. I don't know if it is a good thing (for me) !!! Current issue is at 17Kb. In this issue, Safra Photography Club has sent me their planned activities. If you wish to announce your club's activities, pls mail me a short description of the event with the details like date, time, venue, price and vacancies. Membership of this mailing list now stands at 260 exactly.
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* NEW PRODUCTS *
For those who always thought that black and white film must be processed
in black and white chemicals, here's a piece of news for you: there is
a species
There are now 3 brands of such chromogenic B/W films:
Ilford and Konica films are the newest on the market, though Kodak's film is just one-year old. Ilford's XP2 Super replaces the original XP2, and is supposed to give sharper images and more neutral B/W prints. Konica's VX400 is brand new, as Konica has never offered such a film before. It comes in 24 exposures, while the Kodak and Ilford come in 36-exposures. The Kodak film has been on the market for a year, and has been very popular. Faced with the stiff competition from Kodak, Ilford revamped its original XP2 to this version of XP2 Super. There is a test between these 3 films in a recent issue of a photography magazine (can't remember which one). P.S: I was VERY impressed with the T400CN film when I saw it at Kodak's HQ last year, during a Q-Lab session conducted by RGB Singapore. The film has very fine grain and high-contrast. I've since used it very frequently and successfully for my B/W work. Check out the new competition !!! You may have problems convincing your neighbourhood colour lab to process
the film for you, since most of them have never seen B/W chromogenic films.
Try to keep the box of the film, and point to them that it is a C-41 process
film. It may help, but it doesn't always convince them. Go to another lab
then.
2 new Nikon lenses confirmed
28-70 f/2.8 D IF ED: Front element is aspherical.
80-200 f/2.8 D IF ED: tripod collar
Hot news !!
New Tamron Lenses
Tamron introduces a zoom with the largest zoom range, with the new Tamron AF 28-300/3.5-6.3 LD Aspherical IF. The lens has 15 lens elements grouped in 14 groups. The closest focusing distance is 1.26m at 28mm and 0.82m at 300mm. Tamron also introduces an SP AF 14/2,8 Aspherical Lens. It has 14 elements in 12 groups including two Hybrid Aspherical Lenses. The shortest focusing distance is 0.20m. The Tamron 28-200 Super is now available with Tamron "Adaptall" mounting which allows the lens to be used with a wide variety of Manual Focus Cameras. (Photodo News Release) ******************************************************************************** * WEBSITE REVIEWS *
Yahoo Photo Resources
Yahoo has recently started "Yahoo Clubs". Curently ther are 21 clubs whith vairouse flavours from "photo answers" through medieum format to specilist groups such as Nikon and Cannon. Whilst they are not a substitutes for email list and bulletin boards
they do offer on-line chat using java for any one interested
http://clubs.yahoo.com/Entertainment___Arts/Creative_Arts/Photography/Complete_Listing/
(From Julian Young in a posting to Medium Format Digest)
Which Brand To Choose ?
For those of you just starting out in photography, and feeling confused about which brand is good, here's a link with some comments about the various brands of lenses and cameras. http://i31www.ira.uka.de/~klaus_s/manufact.htm I'm not endorsing any of his comments, so take it with a pinch of salt
!!
Chris Bitmead's Homepage - Technical tips
Check out his homepage for lots of articles about equipment and techniques.
http://www.ans.com.au/~chrisb/index.html
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* EVENTS IN SINGAPORE *
Safra Photographer of the Year competition
Safra Photography Club is one of the most active photography clubs in Singapore. Their annual photography contest is a great draw for many photographers. Here are some of the information about the competition: - The competition is open to all citizens & PR of Singapore - All entries must be hand delivered to SAFRA Photo Club at SAFRA Bukit Merah (Level 5M) by Fri 16 Oct 98 5.00 pm - Topics:
- Monochrome, colour or both. Any film or paper. Each print must be in 8R or Super 8r & must be mounted separately on cardboard with 2.5 cm (1 inch) border. You will need the entry form. - Entries will be judged on: visual communication, pleasing composition,
- Prizes Champion:
5 Merit Prizes:
- Pls take note:
- Obtain the entry forms at any SAFRA club. A fee of $5.00 per
participant except for members of SAFRA Photo Club.
For more info, contact SAFRA Photo Club during office hours at 3714136/137.
(Thanks to Mervyn Sek for providing the above information)
Safra Digital Photography Talk and Mount Everest Slide Show
Safra Photography Club will be holding a Digital Photography Talk on
30 Oct 98
Also, on Fri, 27 Nov 98 at 8pm, there will be a Mount Everest Slides
Show
Both the events will be held at Safra Bukit Merah Clubhouse Function Room, at Level 4. They will be free of charge to non-members as well. Don't miss these great opportunities. For more info, contact SAFRA Photo Club during office hours at 3714136/137.
(Thanks to Steven Yee, Editor of SafraPC Click magazine for the above info.) ********************************************************************************
* SALES AND BARGAINS *
Classified Ads on the Internet
Some members of the list have asked me if it is possible to have a section for buying/selling stuff. I think that is not very feasible, for the following reasons: - The issues take some time to come out, you may not want to wait
That is my personal opinion. If you guys think it is a good idea, I may try to implement it if there's enough support. I'm democratic you know !!! Meanwhile, I've listed some sites which you guys and gals can do the
trading:
http://classads.com.sg/htmls/camvid4sale.html
(PacNet classifieds
- Selling)
http://scicblc.nus.sg/~photosoc/classified.html (NUS Photographic Society Ads) http://www2.commerceasia.com/classi-ads/leisure.htm
(SingNet classifieds)
RGB One-day Turn-around offer
This news pertain mostly to professional photographers. RGB Singapore is now offering a one day turn-around for its services, at no extra-charge !! This shoudl prove popular for those who want their output cheap, good and fast. Their services include : Flat copy, Duplication, Color Enlargement Printing, Film Processing, Duratrans (Kodak lightbox trans), Duraclear (Kodak clear base trans), Mounting / Lamination + many others photo processing services. And it costs only S$1 for Xerox A4 Color Laser Copy Service for a limited
period only. Call RGB Singapore at (65) 392 5355 for further information.
******************************************************************************** * PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS * Removing Jammed Filters
Try to press them against a rubber mat (eg. flat rubber floor mat) or the rubber soles of your shoes (make sure the sole is not too dirty !). Alternatively, if you are at home, the rubber gloves used for washing dishes will allow you to have a good grip on the filters without having to grip them too tightly. Warning: never use the general purpose lubricant WD-40 on your equipment.
It is a very light oil for machinery, and slides off very quickly. It also
tend to attract dust. No matter how you couldn't get your stuff to come
apart, never try to use WD-40.
Looking behind you
The next time you see a glorious sunset, look behind you. The setting sun produces the warmest and softest light you'll ever see. Yet many people, in the blinding glory of the setting sun, fail to turn behind to see the magnificant light that is cast on the other subjects. So the next time you're with a group of photographers intent on shooting
a setting sun, turn around and shoot something different.
Using Canned Compress Air
For those of you who uses canned compress air to blow off dirt from
your lenses, be careful of how you aim that can ! Other than compressed
air, there is also liquid propellant in the can. If you hold the can inverted
(upside-down), or tilt it too much, you risk spraying out the liquid propellant
which freezes on your lens, destroying the lens coating or even the lens
itself. So make sure that the next time you use canned air, hold it around
20 cm away, and hold it upright !!
________________________________________________________________________________ That's all, folks !
Your friendly list-maintainer,
Send any comments(commend or condemn), or information to me at:
nelson88@pacific.net.sg
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