Ferdz Decena Blog: Digital Dispatches

Field Test: Eagle Creek Twist Pack 22

Filed under: Field Test,Gears — Ferdz @ 3:00 pm 5 Aug 2010
Eagle Creek Twist Pack 22

Using the Eagle Creek Twist Pack 22 as Backpack and Trolley Bag

A good reliable bag is an investment, that’s why I try not to scrimp out on the quality as I know most of my valuables would be packed inside. I don’t want my bag having torn shoulder straps from weight and tears from its sheets. On my recent travel to Palawan, I was able to try out Eagle Creeks’ Twist Pack 22 bag. It’s a very versatile travel bag with wheels.

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Hands On: Canon PowerShot S90

Filed under: Field Test,Gears — Ferdz @ 9:56 pm 16 May 2010

The Canon PowerShot S90

The Canon PowerShot S90

Small is the next big thing when it comes to digital cameras nowadays. When Panasonic made a hit with their advance compact LUMIX LX3, camera manufacturers saw the demand for a small pocketable camera boasting high image quality. Canon a few months ago revived their PowerShot S-line when they released their top of the line compact G11. Sporting a similar sensor and Digic processor as the G11, the new Canon PowerShot S90 is smaller and more compact. I was able to take this camera on a test drive when I went for a two vacation and here’s my long overdue quick hands-on impression on the S90.

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Field Test Review: Sony Alpha A550

Filed under: Field Test,Gears — Ferdz @ 6:36 pm 22 Jan 2010

Odos Ongkoy, South Cotabato (Sony A550, f 5.6, 1/1250, ISO 200, 18mm, out-of-camera)

Before the on-set of the holidays late last year. I introduced the Sony Alpha A550 with Sony DT DT 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 SAM here. And after about three weeks with the camera, here is my express field review of this DSLR. Three weeks is actually a short time to really get to know a camera. Some people can run the entire lab test they want but it is different with actual usage and application of the camera in the field. I wasn’t able to fully utilize all the camera features here because of the short time and also of the holidays but I think I covered the important aspects of the camera below. Note that most images here are out-of-camera JPGs (OOC) with only resizing and watermark done on the images.

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5th Gen Nano, the iPod with Video Recording and FM Radio

Filed under: Field Test — Ferdz @ 10:34 pm 1 Dec 2009

The new iPod Nano 5th Gen

The new iPod Nano 5th Gen

Among the iPod lines, it seems that the Nano, which sits in the middle of the pack had made some drastic changes both in shape and features. Now here comes the 5th Generation iPod Nano and built into it are new features like the Video Recording and the FM Radio which are not yet present in the current generations of iPods. Apple Philipines distributor was kind enough to send in a test unit to play around with for a while. I took the Nano up on a long road trip up north to rough it out in the Ifugao Mountains.

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Olympus E-P1 Diary Part 2: Shooting Portraits using Natural Light

Filed under: Exposures,Field Test,Gears,Photo Tips,Photography — Ferdz @ 11:17 am 5 Nov 2009
Alodia Gosiengfiao (Olympus E-P1, ISO 800, 17mm Pancake, F2.8, 1/80sec)

Alodia Gosiengfiao (Olympus E-P1, ISO 800, 17mm Pancake, F2.8, 1/80sec)

It took a while for my second installment of the Olympus E-P1 Diary as I took my time in actually using the E-P1 in various situations. One interesting challenge for the E-P1 is on shooting portraits using its current kit lenses, the 17mm f2.8 Pancake and the 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 Zoom. I shot most of the portraits here under natural lighting conditions as I rarely travel with flash or any reflectors since these are personal travels. It is interesting how the Olympus E-P1 fared in this situation.

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Olympus E-P1 Diary Part 1: Shooting Stills and Videos at Concerts and Events

Filed under: Field Test,Gears — Ferdz @ 4:02 pm 10 Oct 2009
Fort Canning Concert grounds at F1 Rocks @ Singapore

Fort Canning Concert grounds at F1 Rocks @ Singapore (14-42mm Kit Lens, f4.4, ISO 1600)

On my first stint with the Olympus E-P1, I find myself in situations where I have to shoot concerts and events. That means I had to shoot in low-light and high ISO most of the time. I know and many other Four Thirds critics that this is Olympus’ Achilles Heel. First off, this is not meant to be an extensive field test review but practical and real world use of the camera on what possibly most people would use every day.

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Life is Art with Olympus Art Filters

Filed under: Exposures,Field Test,Photography — Ferdz @ 8:03 pm 6 Jul 2009
Cubao X Wall collage and Electric Guitar (Pin Hole)

Cubao X Wall collage and Electric Guitar (Pin Hole)

“Seems like another gimmick to me” is my first thought when I heard about what seems to be a regular feature among the new Olympus line of DSLR cameras – the Art Filters. Honestly, it made me scratch my head. There are 6 preset creative effects found in the camera, namely Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale and Light, Light Tone, Grainy Film and Pin Hole. I had the chance to play around with their relatively new mid-range DSLR Olympus E-30, which is the first Olympus DSLR to incorporate the feature and see what these filters can do. I need not travel that far to try out the Art Filters. Here are some shots taken along the streets of Binondo, Graffiti in Intramuros, some shops in Cubao X and also a few high rise from Makati.

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