Quingdom.com

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.

Ideas on Rechargeable Batteries?

Hello my dear readers! 

I need help in choosing the best rechargeable battery available in the market. I need batteries for my Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash and I think it's wise to use rechargeable batteries instead of the disposable ones. It's more economical and friendlier to the environment. I started using GP PowerBank rechargeable batteries, but I'm not impressed with both the charger and the batteries. The green light of the charger turns on even if the battery is not yet fully charged, so I could not really tell if I have charged the batteries long enough. I don't think I get to maximize the batteries' potential since power runs out faster than disposable batteries.

Do you have recommendations on what rechargeable batteries to use? Or better yet, are there rechargeable batteries specifically designed for the Canon flash?

Need your help badly.

Thanks!

Bow,

Is It Time for a Haircut?

Please excuse my conceit.  I was supposed to have a haircut a week ago, but I wasn't able to due to my full schedule.  Again, I have to postpone it because I already have work tomorrow.  However, I'm now thinking twice if I should have my hair cut.  It may be a mess at this point, but I'm thinking I could grow it a little longer, and the scruffy effect might just look good on me. In my dreams!

What do you think?  And if you have any suggestions on hairstyles that would look good on me, I'd really appreciate them.

Bow,

P.S.
I took vanity to the next level and made a website banner, that won't be posted at the top of this site.  That is for sure!  Here, take a look:

Running Out of Space

Oh dear.  I'm having a tech dilemma here.  I'm running out of disk space!  Help!  What's left is 2.43 GB!  Nothing can fit with that amount of space!  I'd have a hard time uploading one picture from my SLR.  What should I do?

AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule?

I concede.  I'm done with our Linksys wireless router.  We found the installer CD, but I have been halted by the password since my first attempt to reinstall it.  The very first time I configured the router, I don't remember entering a password, so I really don't understand why it's now prompting me for one.  I already tried "admin," "1234," a blank password, and even trying to set it up with the famous 192.168.1.1 (thanks to ER and Kat-Kat), but nothing seemed to work.  I think I already had too much so I handed the reins to my brother.

The only solution I can think of right now is to get a new router.  With that, I'm considering AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, or Time Capsule, since most of our computers are Mac.

I've read some reviews to supposedly aid my decision-making, but I'm surprised at how customers see AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule.  It's either they really like it or really hate it.  With the high price tag that comes with Mac products, buying one is admittedly a major decision.

If you can shed some light on my predicament, I'd highly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Pictures from Apple.com.

Slowing Down

Just want to inform everyone that due to technical reasons, I may not be able to update the blog as much as I would like to.  Our wireless router went down and I still have to re-install and re-configure it.  Unfortunately, I no longer have the start-up CD.  I'm using Linksys Wireless-G 2.4 GHz Wireless router, so If you have a CD I could borrow, or know how to make it work without the CD, please inform me.  I'd really appreciate it.  I hope to be back on track before the new year starts.

Thanks!

Bow,

Thinking of Switching Image Host

I've been using Photobucket as my image host way back since Blog-City days.  Too bad Blog-City took down my site, probably due to non-payment.  Hahahaha!  I was a student then and it was my mother who paid for the one-year subscription.  I'm now employed and happy with TypePad.  Going back to image hosting, I now use Photobucket to host my blog-related images like the signature, subscribe to RSS feed icon and the newly created contact icon.  For hosting my photo sets, I've turned to Jalbum.  What I really like about Jalbum is the flash-based viewer that prevents photo-grabbing (Sorry to burst your bubble, Ate Mary.  Hehehehe!).

It's about time that I upgrade to a paid account.  Either I upgrade my Jalbum account or switch to another host.

I'm toying with the idea of switching to Flickr.  What do you think?  Though I won't be able to use quingdom as my username (it's already taken.  Damn!), what that keeps me wanting Flickr is the photobadge and the unlimited space.

Do you have any other image hosting suggestions?  Comments will be highly appreciated.

How Did It Go?

So, I gave in to the invitation and went to the specified venue for the screening.  Call time was at 2:00 pm, but as usual, I arrived early.  I was already there at around 1 pm.  In response to their request to come in my best corporate attire, I dressed in my ever-so-reliable white gusot-mayaman.  I was impressed with interiors. Very very chic.  I sat at the suede sofa for about an hour and a half and waited for the interviewer.  Due to boredom, I took some pictures using my camera-phone, which you could see at the bottom of the post.

The interview was barely 30 minutes.  Anyway, the position turns out to be a property consultant.  For its job description, I'd be in-charge of inviting investors and seeking property buyers.  Generate sales.  I did have an inkling that it would be that kind of job.  Though the work seems lucrative enough with all the incentives and bonuses, I'm still thinking if that job would really fit my personality or if I could sustain it.  

What do you think?  You think I can handle this job?  Need your suggestions. :)

Have to go.  I'm off to The Old Spaghetti House and try to visit Julia for some "family affairs."

Registered Domain

I already purchased a domain name for my site, however, I can't seem to make it work. I've set it up with TypePad, but it's asking me to upload or republish everything again, which I don't know how, unfortunately...