Upgrade or Downgrade

I have no idea on how did I end up with such topic. Hahaha. Seriously. So upon browsing Facebook, one of my favorite concert photographer went live on her birthday and it's been a while since I read updates from her and since I'm also busy with reality, I fail to get real time updates from people I follow. 

I wasn't able to watch her live but I saw it hours later, she  unbox her new camera and lenses. I'm aware that she already switched gear a year ago or two but I never know or read anywhere on why I just thought that it was just another work or a sponsored one, until I saw her video. 

She totally switched from Canon to Sony. She explained why she did and it wasn't a sponsored one well maybe at some point it is but she also believe in the product so it's also a personal decision. I was somehow sold and tried to do some research about the new camera line of Sony again after years.

I, on other hand switched from a Sony point and shoot to a Canon DSLR. Well it wasn't a total switch since it's more of upgrading than switching. I decided to upgrade for a lot of reason but I also ditch Sony since their early cybershot series have a vibrating problem and from my own experience, the issue with the zoom when zooming in it zoomed out and vice-versa or sometimes it doesn't work. 

One of my favorite blogger uses a Sony A series and I continue to wonder why but her photos are so good that "what is your camera" usually end up on the comment section of every post. 

It's been years since I upgraded and nowadays everyone is ditching the SLR ideas since it's heavy, it's hard to bring every now and then most especially during travels, there's no zoom in or out unless you are carrying a zoom lens. Mirrorless are the thing now and because of curiosity, I just look at the price of some popular like the Lumix or FujiFilm even before having the knowledge of the magical upgrade of Sony. 

Another person that switched was a YouTube vlogger that I just started to follow and she also total switched from Canon to Sony. She laid out her reasons and for a moment I'm sold. Hahaha

I'm thinking of switching or adding up another point or shoot with my DSLR maybe later this year or next year but the bigger problem was, I'm not usually out and about to have beautiful scenery in front of me but I'm really considering getting a Sony soon or not. lol. One more problem is, should I keep my Canon SLR or not? but I love shooting manually! Huge problem but I don't know yet. We'll see if I will switched or upgrade. Or I can still have both then figure it out later. Better have both worlds than nothing. :)

"Don't stop capturing those moments"

Double Check

When I discovered how to use Ebay late last year and when I already know how usually we can get an international package, I ordered not too much but I already bought several items from all over the place and I was never asked to pay more than 100PHP ($2.30) on the post office until the arrival of my Canon 24mm where I was charged 1,135PHP ($26).

The box says it all, its a Canon 24mm lens and I was surprised that it was already on different box sealed with a PHL POST tape not an international box when this came from Korea. I want to compare it with a used Dr. Martens that I bought from UK (which I haven't blog about) that is literally much heavier/bigger and a little bit more expensive than this lens but I was never taxed more than 100PHP. 

I'm not against on charging me more than 100PHP but it's also a bit funny and annoying at the same time most especially if I already received a huge box than this. Maybe because it's Canon but dang it the Dr. Martens (Bethan) cost more than this lens. Haha. Even it was already used but still, used docs usually have bigger value. 

I don't know on how they compute taxes and all but if it's because of the price then it's reasonable but if you will just depend on the box itself or even on the country where it is from, then they should have some reality check. 

Dr Martens (Bethan)

For now, I'm really done shopping because it's time to save up.

Prime . Zoom and Filters

Its been a year with my 600D and it was a very long journey. I love having my camera with me on special occasion even though its heavy and bulky but at the same time I'm having a love and hate relationship with my kit lens which is 18-55mm.

Fortunately, my uncle own a couple of lens and I already experienced using a 50mm 1.8 and a 18-200mm but its also time to own a zoom and a prime. In a span of a year, I know what I'm going to get because I feel so upset couple of times for just having a 18-55mm and luckily DB Gadgets offers lenses that its cheaper than anywhere else.

Prime . 40mm aka pancake lens

I read couple of reviews about this and its a good to go lens than the 50mm 1.8 but still the nifty-fifty is on my list. 

you can check my photographs using this lens here.

Zoom . 55-250mm

I was a bit confused if I should get this or the 75-300mm but once you hit that on google, people will advice you to get the 55-250 rather than the 75-300. And I listened to them and because of IS since its a very big factor when it comes to the pictures.

Wheel of Filters from Photojojo that I purchased via Californila

If you know the story in here then you'll know what I'm pointing out when I got this despite of buying any lomo camera because its a little out of my budget as well as the film and developing part but I admire lomo users and I'm still have one film camera.

If you want to check my photographs using the filters, you can check it here

You can read on how I got the Wheel of Filters here

I got the 40mm and 55-250mm and my 600D from DB Gadgets

"If your photographs aren't good enough, you're not close enough" - Robert Capa

Next Level

I always wanted to try photography ever since 2, 3 or 4 years ago and I got my Sony TX5 that time. I have a little regret from it but what can I say I still enjoyed my camera so much and she is there for me for the last 2 years. And my little problem about it was its zoom button having that problem for a year now and last year I planned on getting a Canon DSLR as a Christmas and Birthday gift and I know I deserve to have one. It's not just because its "IN" but I do believe in myself that I have a little talent when it comes to photography (yeah, I know myself like that).

I got a Canon EOS 600D right now and so far so good still learning some techniques and I think I'm doing good at it. Though I want to attend some workshop or something, I also want to do like doing a concert, sport photography (but I think that's too high for now) or maybe just captured what I really want to be captured. I'm not good at shooting people, I like shooting the natural movement of people, stolen shot as some called it (something like concert and sports photography thing), I'm weird like that. I still got my TX5 and no plans on giving it out or something because it also take good quality photos and it feels good to have a point and shoot, where you can have with you in your purse all the time and a DSLR.

 It comes with a 4GB memory card and I got so stupid that I copied almost all my test shot on my laptop (over 2000 photos) and I just deleted most of it and I didn't delete it on the memory card and the next time I tried to transfer the photos on the laptop again, it got corrupted. SMH . 

So here are some test shots that left from my first batch of photos from 600D.... 

I almost thought of getting a 60D but considering myself as a starter, I got contented with 600D and maybe the next thing will be some lenses HAHAHAHA! 

Youtube has been my friend when it comes to some tips and stuff and I've been a subscriber of DigitalRev on youtube for a while now and I make sure that I got the right tips from Kai, Lok and Alamby and my favorite was "Impress no one but yourself" from the 50 Photography Tips. 

For now I'm alright with my 18-55mm lens and I created a Tumblr account to post some shots that I took on random days, if some stranger will be reading this post, I mean you, you might want to check my photographs at http://byaeivrynrv.tumblr.com/ .

btw, I bought the camera at DB Gadgets , they have cheaper price compare to the mall but make sure the product you want to avail is available. :)

Venting on a Random Post

I don't really like doing a post like this but I'm bored so this is technically a product of boredom but still posting the truth here (I'm not posting this so people know what to buy for me but if you insist well, thank you) and this is just more on material things I know I own some people's trust and that's more important for me but behind every person there are things we still want, right? ;)

Its Christmas time and meaning my birthday is also just around the calendar too. HAHA

For me, gadgets should be treasured and if I'm going to buy one I'm making sure that I know everything about it. I do research for the specs, read some online reviews or watch videos on youtube testing the specific product because if you want to purchase something expensive you should consider that you can use it for 3 to 5 years (or lifetime) before shifting to a new gadget or product but if you have a lot of bills in your pocket then why buy every other 6 months or maybe every other day .. Some people don't think about that but some does, so am I.

This list are not on based on what I really liked most to have right now, it's just random.

1. a Point and Shoot Camera

Galaxy Camera - if you are planning to buy a camera, I do suggest this to you it cost ₱ 30,000 below. The good thing about this it's Wi-Fi ready and have an Android OS meaning you can download some apps from Google Play and just like any other Android device you can enjoy it here. 21x zoom is awesome and I just watched some video testing it and I'm impressed. but if you're doubting about this maybe you can get a Canon or a Sony point and shoot.

Canon D20 - speaking of another point and shoot camera, I do also like this because it's a sport camera and maybe an all year round camera because it's water proof, dust proof, shock proof, etc. and it's handy. I don't think I need more explanation about this because its an all year round camera!

-- I still have my Sony TX5 and I still love it but if only I would trade that maybe I'll get one of these. I might just choose the Canon over the Samsung Galaxy Camera because I like how it's an all year round camera :)

2. Apple Products 

iPad Mini - I like this mini but the only think that I don't like about it was its chip. Still on A5 chip when they can use A6x just like the iPad 4. I think it will be better if you they put a latest chip here but oh well, Apple release new products every other 6 months (?). So probably there will be a new one by April or May 2013.
But I like it, it's handy than the usual iPad.

iPad4 -  the latest iPad. I think I'll rather get this that the iPad mini because its chip is A6X (the latest one) maybe you can use it for almost 2 - 3 years because Apple is so generous and keep on releasing new products every now and then.

iTouch 5 - who doesn't want this? hahaha its like an iPhone without the benefits of a phone. lol

-- I still have my very lovable 3rd gen iPod and I think she need to retire but I want to give her more company. haha but if I have to choose one from these 3, I think I'll get the iPad4.

Macbook Pro - Who doesn't want a decent laptop right?

-- I still have my ACER laptop but man, it's dying ... I have it for 4 years already. I think a Macbook Pro will be a good replacement to it ;)

3. A New Phone! 

Blackberry 9790 - I love blackberry when everyone is hating it. haha! I'm not a fan of Android or iPhone because I don't like the fact that you use your phone as a game console so I want them to be separate from each other. So yeah, I'm still on the side of Blackberry. hahaha

4.  Canon 600D

I want to take my photography skill to be on the next level so yeah, I want this and maybe I need it too. lol

5. A Concert Ticket

I love watching concert but mostly I only watch foreign acts (sad truth) but I love listening to OPM, and I really want to go and watch some bands on some bars I know a couple of events but situations are not permitting me to go but I really want to go maybe next year I'll be around some gig bars. For now, I don't know everyone that will be joining SMASH but I really want to see All Time Low again and maybe experiencing SMASH is just like Warped or Bamboozled or Reading and Leeds (oh I guess you can't compare SMASH to that because it's very different) .. but since I already got ticket to Paramore show I just want a SMASH PROJECT ticket, Lower box will do. ;)

6.  SHOES

Yessss . A Jeffrey Campbell Lita - I love boots and this will be a perfect addition to my shoe collection (if I really do have a shoe collection) HAHAHA I love and want this baby. 

and of course a new pair of Dr. Martens (here's a link of what I want from Dr. Martens new collection) 

I think there's nothing wrong for me posting this, well as the title says it all. :p

I'm not asking anyone to give me anything from the list but if you really insist .. oh well, Thank You! <3

Shameless post. HAHAHA