How to clean dust on front element of a SEL50F18?

I have just done cleaning the front element of my SEL50F18. I do not know how this brown dust snug into my lens.

So, what you need to do is to remove the front black ring ( refer below picture item no.1). There's a simple double tape underneath it, so no need to worry on breaking any plastic.Then unscrew the three screw (no.2).  Then remove this ring (no.3).You'll find a simple soft black seal underneath this ring not secured by anything. After that unscrew another 3 screw (no.4) of the front element and walla, it's better to use a forceps to assist in removing the front element. Please remove this element with care. There are few tiny thin shim (check the last picture) underneath this element and it is easily displace, damage and tedious to rearrange.

The tiny shim under the first element.

NEX + SAL35F18 + LA-EA2 Christmas

A very Merry Christmas to everyone.

This year it's TsingTao Beer.

Cheers.

This lens never disappoints

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Merry Christmas 2012 - Bokeh with the NEX + SEL50F18

Shot this, in one of the local shopping complex. Wishing everyone the merriest Christmas.

NEX + Minolta 100-200 F4.5 and ND Filter

This ND Filter really makes water effect soothing.

NEX5N + SEL50F18 Bokeh

Bokeh shot with the NEX and the  SEL50F18. I guess the bokeh is not that superb but it works.

Versatile Tamron 28-75 F2.8

I brought the Minolta 100-200 F4 and the Tamron to the beach yesterday. I left the Minolta untouched and was fully engage with the fast telephoto. I took this still close up and this wide view and came to the conclusion that Tamron 28-75 is fit for travel photography. Therefore, if you ask me, I believe a telephoto of 20-135 will be most suitable for travelling or holiday.

Zoo trip with the NEX5N + Minolta 100-200 F4.5 + Tamron 28-75 F2.8

A sample with the Minolta.

and this other sample taken with the Tamron. A tip if you plan for a zoo photography trip , only bring tele-photo and a fast one.

Macro Extension Tube + NEX5N + Minolta 100 - 200 F4.5

The best cheap NEX Macro combo that I have so far. The zoom capability and the peaking help me with the manual focusing. Distances required for focusing is about 150mm. The picture below was taken handheld. Not the best macro, but for a cheap combo, I think it is worth it.

This B & W HDR was taken on a tripod and cropped to make it nicer.

The Minolta 100 - 200mm F4.5 and HVL-F20S review

The Minolta 100-200 F4.5 is a cheap alternative for a zoom lens if you have the LA-EA2 off course.  I was about 10 ft from the stage. The AF  of the LA-EA2 (what's it call..aaa..ya..Phase Detection) is fast and accurate. Took the opportunity to used it at these young talented kids concert here in Kuching recently. Well  its not a really comprehensive review, but my mark on the Minolta is 3/5 and the flash also 3/5, mind you that the max sync speed of the flash is 1/160s ( professional wise - not good, but who am I to say, I am no pro).

Sony Nex5N + SEL50F18 Autofocus

The Autofocus might not be the fastest but it should be fast enough if your subject pause for a moment, just like the soft-shell turtle subject below.

I did not expect the results would be good as I was actually looking to shoot something else outside but it rained, so I shot my friend here in the aquarium instead.

Sony NEX5N + Tokina 11-16 F2.8 + HDR

I was looking for structures theme in my stock of lousy pictures, when I stumble upon this picture taken with the Tokina. It really is sharp for HDR. I am hoping to buy the SEL1018 in the future, however it the depends on the review. Have yet to see one of those released.

Sony Nex5N + LA-EA2 + Tamron 28-75 F2.8

Check out my retro s curve and filter play. Picture are taken in the heart of Borneo where my ancestor's land is being work out by my relatives. Though the NCR land has been there and belongs to my parents and relatives, surprisingly they have no papers supporting it yet.

Landscape Editing

Check out the raw file no editing compare to the edited version. Take your pick?

I'll pick the last version.

With some light editing + curve + saturation + color + gradient

                                      With some light editing + curve + saturation + color

Bau Gold Mine - Tasik Biru in Black and White

It was reported recently in The Borneo Post that an "International mining company, Olympus Pacific Minerals Inc, which is undertaking a feasibility study on the Bau Goldfield , near Jugan Hill in Sarawak, says prospects are bright for the goldfield to emerge as an important gold producer in Southeast Asia."

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/09/13/bright-potential-for-swaks-bau-goldfield/#ixzz26mOuQpz6

Anyway, the Bau old mine, the tasik biru was where I took this shot with the SEL50F18 and the HDR effect is amazing.

Minolta 100-200 AF + Sony NEX5N

Not the sharpest and fastest lens, but it does the work for those who have no issue with super sharpness especially at 200mm. Check out my sample picture of the Minolta AF 100-200 F4.5.

This guy will not stay put if you are too close. With the Minolta, this shot is possible. Wonder how I it would be if this is a F2.8G lens.

This is taken at full 200mm. Not sharp :(

Sony NEX5N + Minolta AF 100 - 200 mm F4.5 + LA-EA2

Some Sample photo of the Nex-5N and the Minolta AF 100-200mm F4.5 couple with the LA-EA2 of course. Not so clear, but the only option you can get for SGD 110.00. Picture of moving subject will be difficult with this, put up a sample of some puppies taken with 1/200s shutter speed.

 Is it not obvious that I am promoting my new blog!! Hehe..

Videography + NEX5N + Tokina 11-16 F2.8 and SAL35F18 + LA-EA2

The camera shutdown due to overheating after about 10 mins video recording on 1440 x 1080 MP4. About 7 mins was continuous recording with the Tokina 11-16 while another 3 Mins with the SAL35F18. I include some short clips in lower resolution for your sneak preview of the Sarawak Cultural Village  show. My comment on the show; great show! Makes me proud to be a Sarawakian.

Small clip of Bidayuh Dance

 

A larger clip of a Melanau Dance

Another short clip of the Melanau Dance.

NEX5N + LA-EA2 + Tamron 28-75 F2.8 + Singapore National Day 2012 Fireworks

I could n't get a nice spot, but I find this picture extraordinary for the Firework display of Singapore 47th National Day 2012. Thanks to the shaking of my tripod by the packed surrounding.

I have trade in my Tokina Lens with this Tamron 28-75 F.8 at Alex Photo in Peninsula Plaza. It was a swap. I know, its a lost but its better than selling it for RM1200 and buying a new Tamron . This Tamron seems to be in a 9.5/10 condition with box and my box I didn't bring. Having said this, kudos to trade in shops like this, it makes this hobby much worthwhile.

A little tips to those who plan to buy Singtel prepaid data package in Singapore. You can use unlimited Internet for SGD6 / day or SGD15 for three days and SGD25 for a week, check this link. However, You need to purchase a sim card worth SGD15 ( The card says SGD18-probably some discount) . Then you need to top up your balance to purchase the data package. There are SGD 10 and SGD 20 Top ups available, so do your accounting. When purchasing the data package, you need to be sure that you do every step as insructed and you have to be sure to reply through SMS your confirmation of purchase and receive a full confirmation from singtel as well. While doing this, ensure that your data networking is off or otherwise, you might finish your balance on expensive data charges (trust me, I wasted my SGD20  balance on this, in few minutes :(   ) .

NEX5N + LA-EA2 + SAL35F18 Test Picture

I tested the LA-EA2 and the SAL35F18 Combo. The DOF is shallow but it is sharp and the AF is fast cannot see much different than the contrast AF though. Anyway, the portrait of the cat that comes to our house everyday.

The crop eye.

Testing Tokina 11-16 and LA-EA2 and SAL35F18 on a Sunset

The Tokina can work with the LA-EA2 set-up but it seems to have some issue when used at slow shutter, some shots seems to be blown (overexposed). I do not know whether this is cause by the lens or firmware issue. The SAL35F18 work very well with the AF, however the freedom of focusing is rather limited.

A sample each from the sunset test outing (edited ).

LA-EA2 works with the Tokina 11-16 : Aperture and Autofocus

Finally, I upgraded my adapter to the LA-EA2. I cannot stand the fact that I cannot get to fully utilize the Tokina. Manage to trade in the LA-EA1 for RM200 at YL Camera Pudu. Surprisingly, the LA-EA2 is also cheap by RM10 there. This is a by far the best trade in camera shop in KL. I have asked around and none would like to trade in my LA-EA1. Only this shop would, and they are quite transparent since they have website with prices of the items they sale. They have wide range of camera items too. I would recommend them. However, they gave a low offer for my adapter.

Immediately tested the LA-EA2 and Tokina 11-16 aperture and walla!

 Who said this purple shining guy at Bukit Bintang, KL didn't budge.

The SEPHORA at Starhill , KL.

The Rainforest World Music Festival 2012 - Sunday : The last day!

The Tokina 11-16 in action on the last day of RWMF 2012.

The SEL50F18: My favorite during this festival.

For more shots go to this other blog.