Showing posts with label camera ramblings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label camera ramblings. Show all posts
May 21, 2011

In depth step to customise VQ1015 entry firmware~

Posted by Zaza Zarith

Hi guys,

It's been awhile since I've written any post. I'm writing this post after i received a comment from Mathias in Germany on where to download the files for customisation of VQ1015 firmware (Hi Mathias! :))

I have uploaded the files that I have used to edit my VQ1015 and so far it still works. For those who are interested to customise your VQ1015 firmware, you can download it here.

Since the editing process is kinda complicated, I decided why not I just explain on what I know on how to make this process happen. My VQ1015 model is the model without the built in memory.

Basically, when you have downloaded the files that I've uploaded, you will see three things in the zip file, one jar file named vqtest.jar and two folders ie firmware0612-2 and firmware0727-2 as per below:


The vqtest.jar file has to be opened with Java SE Binary for those who are using Windows.

Here's what you'll see when you open the vqtest.jar file:


The next step is press the 'Load' tab and this is where the two folders firmware0612-2 and firmware0727-2 will come into use.
  
In both files, you will see a file named YHTMMSF.BIN.  However, don't be confused! Though both files contained the similar named BIN file but they are totally different. I repeat, totally different. That's why it is crucial to save each BIN file in different named folders.

This is because the BIN file in each folder contains different RGB characters. Now what does this mean?

Basically, firmware0727-2 is actually a replica of the firmware which comes with your VQ1015. This is the file you will use to customise your firmware according to your preference whereas firmware0612-2 is the firmware to use if you want to produce a black and white photo with your VQ1015.

Now, back to the process on how to customise your VQ1015 firmware, press the 'Load' tab (see the one in Red box):


Upload the BIN file contained in firmware0727-2 folder and start tweaking the RGB according to your preference!


You will be able to see the effect of the changes to the RGB in the picture on the left (as you can see in my example below).

Once you have found the result you desire, save the customised firmware that you have edited. 

It is advisable to save the customised firmware in a different folder, eg edited firmware. 

Also note that the file must be saved in the same name as the original file.




Now, after saving the edited firmware, here comes the process of  transmitting the edited firmware into your VQ1015. This process has to be done very carefully as if it is done incorrectly, your VQ1015 could end up dead.

The first precaution is make sure that your VQ1015 is fully charged. We wouldn't want your VQ to be dead in the middle of transferring the customised firmware into your VQ.

The second precaution is take out your SD card during the transmission. 

Here's the process on how to transmit the edited firmware

1. Connect your VQ1015 using the USB connection.

2. You will see DCIM folder. Open the DCIM folder and you will see the 1001IMAGE folder.

 


3. Place the customised firmware file in the 1001IMAGE.

4. Safely remove the hardware. Once the computer notifies that hardware can be safely removed, pull out the USB plug. Wait until you hear a long beep followed by a short beep. 

5. Switch on your VQ and start experimenting your customised firmware by taking pictures to see the results!

Here's what I've got.


This is definitely not the best result that I have managed to get but it's all trial and error process until you find the perfect colour combination that you like.

Now, to make your VQ take black and white picture, simply repeat Step 1-5. However, for Step 3, instead of copy pasting the customised firmware, simply copy paste the BIN file contained the firmware0612-2 folder.

To revert to the original firmware given by VQ, repeat the same Step 1-5 however for Step 3, simply copy paste the original BIN file (which has not been tweaked) contained in the firmware0727-2.

For more information, you can go to this website: http://www.vistaquest.jp/index.php/ja/firmware

Hopefully my explanation is not that complicated and for Mathias,  happy tweaking :) 
  




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March 29, 2011

continued, EPL-1 and some of the members Part III

Posted by Zaza Zarith

This should be a short one.

Well, when one's got a basic lens, bokeh lens, what else does one need? A wide angle lens of course! Wide angle lens is a really good lens for landscape picture so that all the captivating scenes could be captured in one picture. Though a landscape might be beautiful, but capturing such landscape with basic lens would be such a waste as the detail of the surroundings could not be captured and such detail do make a difference to give a wow effect in a landscape picture. Well, this is all actually a recap of what I have read from numerous photoblogs...hehe~ But I have actually yet to capture landscape pictures or had the opportunity to use my JC Penny 28mm lens, another manual lens to accompany my EPL-1!




Got this lens at a really good price. Can't wait to see how it will perform. So, Ad, if you are reading this t, looking forward to our tentative plan to take pictures of the sunset...wohooooo~

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March 28, 2011

continued, EPL-1 and some of the members Part II

Posted by Zaza Zarith

So, after purchasing my first cheap lens...i became more greedy...and i desperately wanted to experiment bokeh with this new dslr and what better lens to do that than a 50mm legacy lens...so, after browsing ebay looking for a good deal, i found a 50mm f2 pentax-M lens. From the discussions on flickr, this lens fair just as good though some prefer 50mm f1.4 due to the high aperture. High aperture means greater bokeh but of course, high aperture means more money. so I settled for this one for now.






Now, as my pentax 50mm is a K mount lens, therefore I bought  myself a K mount adapter. I've been reading about the Pixco adapter. I bought it but unfortunately, it doesn't fair that well. Maybe it's just mine that is kinda faulty. It was too tight when I first attached it and getting the lens out from the adapter was a pain as it seems stuck. I managed to get it out later. But then the trouble comes again where when I tried using it again, the lens was wobbling when attached to the adapter, making it really hard for me to manually focus. The little screw on the adapter keeps on getting loose and therefore, I decided to buy another adapter. With respect, I'm not trying to give bad repo to Pixco adapter. It's just my bad luck and I really find it a hassle to return it. Plus, finding the right adapter for certain lens is a common problem and for those who are not willing to invest on expensive ones, hence my case. So, I bought a K mount adapter called Fotasy and it was just perfect for my 50mm lens...yahoo~


Now that I've got my 50mm lens and adapter in my hands, it's bokeh time. First, I tried the basic bokeh. As we all know, in order to create bokeh, we need to have a source of light. Crank up your aperture wide open and focus accordingly. And walaaa~



Now, how do you get a shaped bokeh? It was not that hard at all actually. All you need to do is first cut any shape on a piece of black cardboard paper. Make sure the shape is in the middle of the lens and covers your lens. For those who aim on getting a perfectly cut shape, you can invest on shaped puncher. I bought mine at Daiso, The Curve.





For those who are not as lazy as me, you can make a lens hood or a lens hood where you can slide the  different shaped cards for ease of use. If you followed my method, this is what you get:


Not too bad huh? :) Easy ain't it? Go and give yourself a try! It's definitely pure fun!








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February 10, 2011

a new member & some to the camera family :)

Posted by Zaza Zarith

Finally people! I get to buy myself a serious digital camera. EPL 1 :) I know, i know ... It's not the latest M43 or DSLR camera around but what the hell, the price is getting cheaper and plus, I have made up my mind and I don't intend on changing it.

The initial tests with the camera was a struggle being my ignorance with the features of the camera which is actually kinda basic if compared to DSLR, however after watching some tutorials of AdoramaTV on YouTube (for newbies, this really helps), reading numerous discussions on Flickr (thanks to all the ppl I got to know through Flickr by answering my silly questions, u guys r the best!) and reading my Dummy's Guide for EPL 1, I finally managed! Pheww ...

Neways, together with my EPL 1, I have added some other things to compliment my camera~ Some cool lenses of course!

Despite having the kit lens (which works superb outdoors during the daylight), it seems that EPL 1 works well with manual lenses as well. Being a M43 camera, EPL 1 can be used with manual lenses using third party adapters which you can find on ebay.

My first purchase was definitely the cheapest lens I could find ... haha ... So I bought a 24mm f1.4 c mount lens, which is unbranded and small. It's a fun lens and gives a kind of lomo feel to the digital pictures taken.

 taken using EPL 1 kit lens indoors unedited




Cute little thing aint it? Well, I bought mine on ebay and it was on promotion, so I grabbed it as soon as I can! hehe~ I bought an adapter for it as well~ 




 super thin c mount adapter


Wanna see the result I got with this teeny lens?


a picture of my kit lens, macro (notice the vignetting at the edge of the pics?)

 a picture of my favourite object of obsession (see the swirly effect?)





bokeh with the TV lens (bokeh was kinda harsh though)

All in all for RM60, i guess it's worth buying it if you wanna have fun once in a while and to get lomo feel to your digital pics.
Oh well, it's getting kind late. Will be continuing on the other lenses I bought later! Nite2!



 



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April 13, 2010

april gadget wishlist

Posted by Zaza Zarith


 

anti clockwise:
olympus E-PL1, fisheye lens attachment, c-mount adapter for micro 4/3, cosmicar 25mm f1.4, pentax micro 4/3 adapter














sx-70 and impossible project polaroid film




pentax auto 110 lenses


(All the pictures here are taken from various website and not one of my own)

Thanx to Mr Mijo@Mijonju from www.circlerectangle.com for answering my questions on cameras and thanx also to my flickr frens for sharing all the knowledge they have with me on cameras. without them, i am just an ignorant gal with zero knowledge about cameras...

Now that I have my list, all I need to do is win a jackpot...haha :D

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April 12, 2010

i need more space!!!

Posted by Zaza Zarith





currently, i keep my harinezumi and toycameras in one of this purses. it is decent enough and can fit one harinezumi and 2 keychain toycameras. but im thinking of buying something tidier and sleeker though.

picture from http://8storeytree.com 


came across this flip pouch while google-ing. it can fit two cameras or one camera and one charger. guess it is tidier coz the design is in square. but i wish there was something slightly bigger. plus, the price is not so cheap maybe coz it is imported from korea. dunno how harinezumi will fit in one of these though. however, love the birdie logo at the front...gives a personal touch to it. it is also available in tan and pink but i like cream colour the best.

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April 11, 2010

ultrafire rechargeable CR2 batteries

Posted by Zaza Zarith

yay!! the day i have been waiting for :) (thanx adelin)

finally i got my CR2 batteries i ordered from ebay. no more Energizer CR2 non-rechargeable batteries for my digital harinezumi 2.


The package comes with:

# 4 CR2 batteries
# charger
# cable for the charger
# 2 magnetic spacers



magnetic spacer

As you can see in the picture above, the two small metal pieces in between the CR2 batteries is what u call a magnetic spacer. Since the charger given in this package is a universal charger ie it can also be used for CR123A and 18350 batteries, the spacer is required to be used when charging the CR2 batteries to fill in the gap when inserting the CR2 battery into the charger battery compartment.

So where do we place the magnetic spacer?

The spacer is to be placed at the negative end of the battery. I tried both ways actually but i find it more convenient to place it at the end of the negative plat since the bottom of the negative plat of the battery is flat so the placement is much more appropriate and it is also proven that this position works since after 2 hours of charging, my battery charge has turned full.

For those who find it is quite a hassle to use the magnetic spacer, maybe you guys should consider buying the CR2(s) with charger especially to fit CR2 batteries.



* negative end of the battery*



 * the dual charger for CR2 (with spacer), CR123A & 18350 battery*


* another choice for charger - picture from www.dhgate.com *


important pointers

Since there is no user guide, basically the important pointers on how to charge ultrafire CR2 batteries are:
#  select the preferable charge ie 3.0 or 3.6 volt (i choose 3.0 volt as a safety precaution)
# insert the CR2 batteries together with the magnetic spacer in the charger compartment
# plug in the charger
# you will see the LED light blinking in red 
# once the battery is fully charged, the LED will turn into green colour (usually after 2 hours of charge, the light will turn to green colour).

  
* goodbye energizer !!! *


*  hello ultrafire~ :) *


The price

All in all, after conversion to MYR, the price for the package totals to MYR 78.00 and the shipping is free :) estimated arrival is around 2 weeks after shipping of the batteries from Hong Kong. 

for the link on ebay : Ultrafire CR2 batteries

for those using digital harinezumi, it is definitely worth investing on one of these.

hopefully these batteries will last longer than the Energizer batteries.

*cross my fingers*

p/s: always remove your CR2 batteries from your digital harinezumi 2 after use. after some observation, i noticed that when u leave your batteries inside your camera after usage, the battery drains much faster. its a good practice as well to avoid any battery leakage that would permanently damage your camera.

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March 17, 2010

Sigma DP2s - Improved auto focus

Posted by Zaza Zarith

Huhu...just watched Mijonju's video on youtube bout Sigma DP2s camera...there was a huge camera fair in Japan and he went there exclusively to take a peek on the camera...

Previously there were a lot of complaints about DP2s elder sister ie DP2 that the auto focus on that camera was super slow and after checking out DP2s, Mijonju has kinda confirmed that the auto focus now is faster. Argghhh...a faster auto focus and a huge sensor...i am tempted....i am torn between Sigma DP2s and Olmpus E-PL1...huhu...

But DP2s's price...no news but its definitely not gonna be cheap...huhu~ wish they sell Sigma in Malaysia...sucks really... :(


Sigma DP2s * picture courtesy of http://www.slashgear.com/ *


For more info on Sigma DP2s, click here

In the meantime, enjoy this slideshow of pictures taken with Sigma DP2 and DP2s from flickr.


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March 12, 2010

Rolleiflex Minidigi AF 5.0 MP - cute minidigi with a price of its own

Posted by Zaza Zarith


* picture courtesy of photo.net *

cute ain't it. well don't be mistaken peeps. this is not an analog film camera...no siree...this is a replica of the rollei tlr camera however it is digital!

this is the cute Rolleiflex Minidigi AF 5.0 MP.

never heard of Rollei? Rollei is a company in Germany which is well known for its film camera. This replica however is not entirely a product of Rollei but instead is a collaboration between a German manufacturer called Minox together with a Japanese manufacturer known as Sharan.

stumbled upon this camera while i was browsing pictures in flickr. 

previously it was available in 2 mps however it has been upgraded to 5 mps but i gotta say its kinda expensive for its size. add another few hundred MYR and u can get a dslr or a compact digital camera.  how much does it cost u ask? it ranges from MYR 1,700 to MYR 1,900. say what??! say wat indeed... thought of  considering it but after a  looky at the price...naah...dun't think so. not for a toycamera i suppose. is it worth it? hard to tell~ these kinda tiny cameras sometimes can catch u off guard and u will never expect wat kinda picture it will produce. but then again are we paying the price merely for its cute design? hmmm...somethg to think about.

though it might seem that there's two lenses on this camera (that's how it got its name...rolleiflex stands for twin reflex), don't be fooled. only one is functioning. it has crack level at the side and everytime a picture is taken, you will have to turn the lever to take the next picture. guess this feature was made so to give the feel of picturetaking using a classic and vintage camera. 

gotta say rollei is really brilliant by creating a cute design to this camera to draw the attention of the market and public. just look at how gorgeous it is and  it's available in red too?! one might buy it just coz of its cute and retro look. 

as for me, i'll just stash my cash, add in a few hundred and buy meself a compact digital cam instead. one should only invest their money for this minidigi if there's extra cash in the pocket.

click here for more info on this camera and rollei products.

see the pics taken with rolleiflex minidigi from flickr and judge for yourself whether it's worth it or not.


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to do list end of this month

Posted by Zaza Zarith

TO DO 

# buy rechargeable CR2 battery from ebay for my digital harinezumi 2 (using ad's card~) haha

# subscribing to flickr pro account (maybe) since they're making an offer (RM90 for one whole year subscription) which is WAAAYYY cheap... 

# renew my passport (with all this new cameras, it's a must to travel baby!)



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can i have my wish??

Posted by Zaza Zarith

no more cotton on, no more MYR 25 clothes in sungei wang and no more occasional visits to diary of an e-shopaholic website. i need to be stingy and save up every cent that i've got for this:


* picture courtesy of news.cnet.com*


Olympus E-PL1. Ain't it a beauty? this is what u call evolution people. As we can see, everywhere we go, people have been carrying dslrs around their necks to capture pictures and it has become a trend now in Malaysia. I love toycameras a lot, really I do, but I guess a dslr in hand would do no harm as well. I would really like to have one but for me the function is just too complicated for a newbie like me and i find it too heavy to be carried around everywhere.

Thankfully, im not the only one who thinks so. Thank god there's a genius out there who feels the same way as i do and decided to merge two elements ie the body of a digital camera together with dslr lens. and this is what u get. a compact digital camera. It is slightly bigger than a normal digital camera but definitely smaller than a dslr. With this camera, u can put it inside ur pocket and carry the lens in a small bag wherever u go and at the same time, u can capture dslr quality pictures.

Initially i really wanted a Sigma DP2 compact camera coz the picture produced by it is just way amazing due to its humungous sensor. however, some complained that the auto focus function was too damn slow and it eats a lot of the battery power. plus it is really expensive and it is not available in Malaysia. and the lens is fixed so u will not have the advantage of changing ur camera lens unlike a dslr camera. u r just stuck with one lens only. the company who produces Sigma DP2 have come out with Sigma DP2s to make up for the blunders they've made when producing DP2 however it is predicted that the camera price is gonna be around Euro 800 which is damn expensive after converting to MYR.

So, after receiving advice from an expert fellow blogger and camera-holic pal (thanx there), Olympus E-PL1 was gonna be my choice (if i managed to collect the money eventually...haha). It's gonna be launched in Malaysia this coming week and the price is kinda cheap for a compact digital camera which is around MYR 2,500. So it is quite an average budget if u are gonna invest ur money on a compact digital camera. even though the size of the sensor is not gonna be the same as Sigma's but the good side of it is the AF is much faster than DP2 and the lens of the camera can be changed. plus they have also managed to slot in  a pop up flash in cases where u wanna capture pics in low light.

this camera is really suitable for newbies like me since they have provided a simplified function for dslr wannabes and there's also the advantage of live guide mode. This live guide mode enables the user to view the pictures the camera will produce if certain effects is being used prior to capturing the picture. Sounds good right? For further info on the camera u can head on to Olympus Malaysia website which also provides a virtual live guide mode for testing.

Hope I'll manage to collect the money soon. I can do it!! :) 

Here's samples of pictures from Olympus E-PL1 group from Flickr

toodles lovelies~


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March 10, 2010

exemode sq28m pokedigi/fdc01 *updated*

Posted by Zaza Zarith


So i got myself a new toy camera! Yahooo!! bought it from Gala gala online shop which is the only online camera shop in Malaysia at the moment which sells this toycamera. Thanx gala2...got to tell ya, love their service. speedy and very prompt in answering my emails... :)

Neways, wat about this camera?

Actually, I've come to know abt this camera from a blog of a Japanese photographer who happens to love cameras and tells informative info bout latest cameras around the world. through him actually i've come to know about my baby, digital harinezumi 2... Arigato neh Mr Mijo@Mijonju :)

So, when i read his review about this camera (click here to see his page) and watched his video on youtube, i knew i could trust his opinion and desperately searched for the toycam. and i'm not dissappointed :D

Basically it is somewhat like vq 1015 entry, being it is a keychain camera. However, don't misunderstand my words, when i say it is "somewhat like" vq coz i don't mean it from the picture results perspective or the features though. besides the size, both are totally different keychain cams.

So which one is better?

Well, it is unfair for me to compare btwn the two coz each camera gives different effect. Based on my view though, here's the pros and cons between the two:


vq 1015

pros : 
- flexibility to change the resolution of picture
- self timer
- vignetting effect

cons :
- not-so good in low light
- one mode of picture only
- uses AAA battery
- 1.3mp


exemode sq28m pokedigi/fdc01

pros :
- 4 modes ; normal, monochrome, noise and vivid effect
- no need for battery (self charged in usb mode and battery can stand till one week per charge-depends on
  usage)
- 1.9 mp (slightly sharper than vq)
- takes better pics in low light

cons: 
- no self timer (not that i know of)
- fixed resolution
- lags in saving pics after taking pictures
- in some pictures, a thin line might appear (if u r unlucky)

However, just so u know, for vq 1015, the mode of the picture can be changed  to b & w through firmware installation provided by the creator of the toycam at their website however it must be done at your own risk. one wrong move, your camera could end up in the dustbin. besides that, there's also an editor for vq entry which allows the users to customize their own mode by tweaking the colour according to their preference. it does look interesting from the looks of the pictures in flickr but im not brave enough to try it yet. other than that, with vq, u can also experiment using IR filters or developed film to get IR effect. sounds really cool. so, vq entry is more of an experimental kinda toycamera. just broaden ur mind and maybe u too can figure out fun ways to get interesting pictures from vq.

But to those who are not adventurous enough or don't wanna go through the hassle, maybe exemode is for u.

As for me, i don't really know which category i fall under, so that's why i bought both! Haha.

toodles~

*updated*

after using fdc01, i find that the USB self charge feature in fdc01 could be of disadvantages as well:
1) there's no flexibility in changing batteries. so when going for travelling, it is quite a hassle since u can't change ur batteries unless if u travel together with ur lappie and there's also the hassle of bringng the usb cable as well;
2) the battery drains after one week despite the fact that the camera is turned off and is not used (I'm giving this statement based on my personal experience with my fdc01 but I dunno about others though).

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February 20, 2010

me, toy cameras & photography

Posted by Zaza Zarith

i have never been a picture taker. i was never photogenic and i've always dreaded looking at the outcome of my pictures and how the digital cameras have managed to focus on my imperfections. the only digital camera i had was a digital olympus camera and everytime i went for an event, i was just too lazy to take out my camera and capture the happenings around me.

despite all that, when my olympus camera broke for whatever reason i was not aware of (coz i seldom use it except for special occasions), at the back of my evil shopaholic mind, then, i had found a new reason to find myself a new one. and boy, didn't i know it was just not gonna be a camera. haha...

so, knowing how particular i am, i googled myself away, searching for the perfect kinda camera for me. at that time, i was totally unaware of the 'lomography' and 'toy camera' concept.

a cute mini polaroid-ish camera caught my attention while i was watching a show on tv one day, so soon after, i started doing my research. fujifilm instax mini 7s was the name of the cute camera, later i found out.

consequently i found other interesting, unique and wonderful cameras together with it on brilliant camera blogsites handled by really wonderful people who wish to introduce malaysia to the world of 'imperfection is also beautiful' kinda photography. i really do appreciate the effort of these camera blogsites coz 'sometimes', i gotta say, it is really hard to find these kinda thgs in the malaysian market. They have given an ordinary person like me, who can't afford an expensive dslr camera, resources and means to take beautiful pictures.

todate, i am a proud owner of  four digital toy cameras ie digital harinezumi 2, vq 1015 entry, agfa 505-d and fujifilm instax mini 7s. i don't intend to stop there... haha. a word of warning though to those who has the intention to indulge themselves in this field, be careful coz it is truly addictive. once you've started, you will be wanting more!

i gotta say, there are really brilliant talented genius people in this world. the creators of these cameras are among a few of them coz they have created these tiny, handy, low resolution megapixel cameras which magnificently produces nostalgic and beautiful pictures once u decide to snap away. despite how one might think what a waste of money or how useless these things are, i beg to defer and i totally disagree.

for a person like me, who doesn't  have a single creative enzyme in me, these cameras slowly taught me to be more creative and to see thgs in a totally different manner while having a blast as well :)

beauty can come in many forms and could also come from simple thgs. it is everywhere around us and i have come to appreciate everything i have around me and in my life.

truly, the clouds have never been so beautiful before this. now i have became a cloud junkie.haha.

and i've realised that life is too short. we should make every moment worthwhile and memorable and should take the liberty of documenting every single moment of it.

ok...toodles~

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