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Manila Memorial Park 2009

Forgive me for the title. I know it sounds like a contest or some race. :)

To pay our respects to our dearly departed, last Sunday we decided to go Manila Memorial Park ahead of everyone. We didn't want to get caught up in the traffic and busyness of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. As always, it was more like a happy picnic at a park under the sweltering heat of the sun! Our last visit to the cemetery seemed so recent. Last year Julia was still so tiny and Emily still had short hair.  I couldn't help but look at last year's pictures after seeing the photos that I took last Sunday. Too bad Ate Mary and her family weren't able to join us. And Lanz too.

Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to seeing them this weekend as we go trick or treating!

Enjoy the pre-Mark II pictures!

Mark This Day

It was yesterday, actually. Christmas came early. I can't contain my excitement! I have the camera of my dreams! I'm a proud owner of a Canon 5D Mark II! And this wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of my parents. Thank you very very much, Mama and Papa!  :)

I am truly blessed. I never imagined I'd get my hands on a great camera this soon!

The first few shots I took affirmed that I made the right choice. I forgot all about the new features of the Canon 7D. The pictures are so clear and sharp! Very far from the pictures shot using my Canon 400D. Noise level delivered as promised. Very minimal. Even at high ISO levels I never thought I could use, pictures are usable still. With my 400D, I stop at ISO 800. But now, I can go as high as ISO 3200! I attached my Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L lens and I am just impressed! Now I know the full frame difference. Simply breathtaking! The video recording capability is amazing too! I like how I can easily focus and defocus on subjects when shooting videos.

Canon 5D Mark II mounted with Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L Lens

I can't wait to take pictures! I'll be using my new camera this coming halloween when my nephews and nieces go trick or treating. You have to watch for their costumes lovingly made by my sister. I'm also doing the prenuptial photo shoot of a friend who's getting married very soon. I'm definitely bringing this camera.

But wait, there's more! As a freebie with the camera, I received this small box and look what's inside...

You'd think it's just miniature model of the 5D Mark II, but better, it's a USB drive! Cute!

Pictures taken with Canon 400D mounted with Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens.

7D or 5D Mark II? The Verdict.

I've been enjoying photography with my Canon 400D for approximately three years now. I'm impressed that it still can deliver good shots vis-à-vis later camera models. The lenses and accessories greatly help.

But I'm so grateful that I'm already up for a camera upgrade. I told myself before that the next camera I'd have is the Canon 50D. However, the advent of the Canon 7D gave me options. And after a Canon salesperson talked my father into getting a Canon 5D Mark II, my options widened even more!

After much research and deliberation, I've trimmed it down to two options - Canon 7D or Canon 5D Mark II. Still, choosing between the two camera models is as difficult. Both models have their strengths and weaknesses. Let me share with you the features I liked and disliked.

Canon 7D

I Like...

• that it has flash. Come to think of it, I had stopped using the pop-up flash of my Canon 7D since I got a Speedlite. Nevertheless, it's still good to have a pop-up flash especially when the Speedlite batteries die.
• the 8 frames per second capability for continuous shooting. This is so good for jump shots! Hehehe!
• its 19 AF points.
• the wireless flash commander.

I Don't Like...

• that it's not full-frame. I'll explain later why this is a big deal for me

Canon 5D Mark II

I Like...

• that it's full-frame. I recently got hold of the digitized film pictures I took years ago with my film camera Nikon F55D (Yes, I was once a Nikon user). Looking back, I'm appreciating the beauty of having a full-frame camera. Since I already have a 400D, which is not full-frame, I just think it's better if I get a full-frame camera this time.
• that pictures will have less digital noise. Noise level in pictures is one of the issues that photographers take into consideration when getting a camera and scrutinizing pictures. With Mark II, I'd get clean images even at ISO 3200!

I Don't Like...

• that it has no flash. I don't understand why this camera doesn't have a pop-up flash. I've read somewhere that adding a flash affects weather-proofing the camera. Oh well.
• that continuous shooting is up to 3.9 frames per second only. The 7D stomps Mark II in this department.

Honestly, there are other features the 7D has that the 5D Mark II doesn't. I searched the internet for information to help me make the decision including my favorite KenRockwell.com that taught me about the full-frame advantage. It's really a tough decision.

But I've made up my mind.

Alexis Marie

Last Monday, my cousin Mardee gave birth to a baby girl! Of course I just had to take pictures of newborn Alexis Marie. I just love how black-and-white looks on baby pictures. Priceless!

I've been unintentionally taking a lot of baby pictures lately. I don't mind though. Their cuteness will surely make anyone smile.  :)

Click here to see more pictures of Alexis Marie.

More Julia Pictures

As you can tell, Julia is my most willing (or should I say non-objecting) model. I think she has learned the concept of the camera already. Whenever I'd take her picture, she would approach me after the flash goes off to see herself in the LCD. Clever!

Here are the latest pictures I took of Julia: 

  

To see the whole set, click here.

Ondoy and the Filipinos

I originally wanted to write something about my own typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) experience, but I realized being stranded on the road for more than eight hours is nothing compared to the accounts of other people. I really feel for the people who virtually lost everything and whose lives were endangered. Some of them are my friends. I'm thankful, on the other hand, that I'm blessed to be able to extend assistance.

If there's one good thing that came out of this tragedy is that it brought out the heroism in every Filipino. I'm impressed with the number of people who helped the victims by donating goods or expending their time and efforts. Bayanihan was truly felt by many. Good job, kababayan! Filipinos once again proved to be a dependable race. 

We hope to see more of the noble trait in everyday life.