New Gears in the House XXVIII

I dropped my camera in New Zealand back in July. It was disastrous as my initial planning was to stay there until mid-Oct. A dropped camera means a broken lens & lens filter. I had no choice to repurchase another lens in New Zealand. It is actually cheaper to buy camera equipments in Malaysia.

I ordered the same Tokina 11-16mm lens the next day and it only took them another day to ship it to me. I received the lens on the third day. Awesome service and speed.

I decided not to buy a lens filter in New Zealand as it is too expensive. I only repurchased it after I've reached Malaysia (from Yannick, my trusted camera gear supplier). Plus, I've bought another remote cable from Shashinki.com to replace the damaged one. It took RM 362 to repair the damaged report port on my camera as well.

Price: NZD$ 838 (RM 2,134.39) + RM 250.00 + RM 26.00 + RM 362.00
Discount: -
Net: RM 2,410.39

Total spending to date: RM 21,485.42

New Gears in the House XXVII

I am so sorry that I've gone missing for a year! My life changed quite a lot in the past 1 year. But, I'm back!

This time, I am adding an additional lens to my collection. The Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX. This is an ultra-wide angle lens with fix f/2.8 large aperture. After joining several astrophotography trips previously, I've found that my Sigma 8-16mm falls short on the widest aperture (and I'm struggling to capture a nice pic of the Milky Way) and I need one large aperture lens for my astrophotography needs. I am considering letting go my Sigma 8-16mm. Nevertheless, 8-16mm is a perfectly fine lens for landscape and I really loved it.

Price: RM 1950.00 + RM 250.00
Discount: RM50
Net: RM 2150.00

Total spending to date: RM 18,713.03

New Gears in the House XXVI

Sometimes I really like to buy from Shashinki.com. Its fast and convenient.

Back to the topic, my 1st tripod was severely damaged in my Sabah trip, hence I have to find a replacement unit.

I bought this tripod while I'm in Kundasang, Sabah, using my friend's iPhone 4. And when I reach home, the tripod was delivered to my door step next day.

(The tripod at its highest)

(At its lowest)

(Closer look at the Jusino AX-254C)


(One of the leg can be removed and used as a monopod)


(Carbon Fibre!!)


(The tripod legs can be reversed for easy storage)

Although this is not a popular brand like Manfrotto, but it is a Carbon Fibre tripod, which is what I dream for. Its light and yet durable.

I have not really try it out yet, but certainly it is better than my old tripod. I can now shoot low angle pictures!

Price: RM 728.00
Discount: -
Net: RM 728.00

Total spending to date: RM 16,563.03

Kota Kinabalu - Sabah Trip 2011

This is a year full of trips for me.

Kota Kinabalu (KK) is located East of Peninsular Malaysia. Perhaps the most famous attraction is the Mount Kinabalu, which is the tallest mountain in Borneo.

I was hoping to snap some sunset pics near the beach during this trip, but too bad I missed the chance.

Oh well, we had some great seafood though.

(Scallops)

(Cockles)

(Clams)

(Crab)

(More crabs!)

(Lobster)

(Prawns)

For the first 2 nights, we stayed in KK town (Grand Borneo Hotel), the hotel was quite cozy and clean.

(This is how a standard room looks like)





(Sutera Harbour, a harbour beside KK Town)


(All 6 of us)

We even went snorkelling at Manukan Island & Sapi Island (no pics as I did not bring my camera), whereby Sapi Island being the best spot for snorkeling in my opinion (the current in Manukan Island is rather strong that day, making us hard to swim & less fish near the shore).

For the 3rd night onwards, we stayed somewhere near the foothills of Mount Kinabalu (Kundasang Village), in a resort named Kinabalu Pine Resort.

(I like this place so much!)

(A great place to relax but too bad the weather was not on our side)

(Relaxing)


(HDR with some strong winds = no good)

I did plan to take some pics of star-trails or even pics of milky way here, but raining for two consecutive nights......my plan was ruined!

(A short clip showing the view from my balcony)

There ware nothing much to do in Kundasang, perhaps the most interesting place I went was a dairy farm near the resort.

(The view of Mount Kinabalu's peak from the farm)

(Fresh milk!!)

The weather was quite cold though (around 13°C I guess with some strong wind). This was my first time going a trip with my secondary schoolmates, it was fun although I did not managed to take those pics I wanted (sunset, stars...etc).

Ulu Bendul 03

The 3rd visit to Ulu Bendul.

Some lethal accident happened not long ago, drowning 3 kids. This that place is not crowded like usual.

(I have no idea what these creatures are, they are in a large group, and dosen't fly away when disturbed)

EDIT: Psocoptera sp, provided by Wong Chun Xing


(My first Lantern Bug)



(Natural light shot - not really nice as it moved)

(A very common Weevil)

(I'm getting this spider [Heteropoda boiei] every time I go Ulu Bendul)

Not much interesting bugs to share today.