Monday April 27
 
22:33
 
GH1 – First Outside Sample

Need to find more time to play with the GH1, especially working out how to control the video. In the meantime, here are some samples taken outside today. Not art, just wandering.

Saturday April 25
 
15:29
 
I Couldn’t Resist…

I bought a Panasonic Lumix GH1 – the first DSLR(like) camera to do HD video properly.

Check out my first testing of high ISO.

Thursday April 23
 
14:39
 
This Can’t Be Real…

…can it?

Lasik at home.

Of course it’s a hoax…. right? ;)

Tuesday April 14
 
16:32
 
Nikon D5000 Design FAIL

Nikon D5000 with tilt and swivel screen! Great?

No. Stupid.

Why?

- Live view is too slow to use handheld, so for handheld photography the tilt and swivel screen is useless.

- The screen opens down, under the camera. If it opened to the side, the screen would be useful for taking photos and video of yourself – but since it opens underneath, it can’t be used for that. On a tripod the screen would be blocked by the stand. On a table you can’t fold the screen under the camera.

Well done Nikon – how to screw up a design. A tilt and swivel screen and live view system that is only useful for a subset of tripod work.

Like the D60 the D5000 can’t use Nikon’s wireless flash system and it doesn’t have a built in focus motor. Like the D90, it’s heavy. It’s takes the bad from the D60 and the bad from the D90 and whacks them together. Sure it’s got ISO 6400 and 11 point AF – but if you want them, you’d get a D90 rather than a crippled, fat, overweight D60.

You don’t need a full review of the D5000 to see its shortcomings. The only thing good about this camera is that Nikon is at least moving away from a fixed screen – but they’ve missed the mark by a long chalk.

You can check the latest US price and release date of the D5000 here.

Monday April 13
 
15:41
 
Beautiful Woman Clock

This has just become my favourite fun Japanese website. Bijin-Tokei 美人時計 means “Beautiful Woman Clock”. Every minute the site refreshes to show a girl holding up a sign showing the time. Each girl seems to get three to four photos. Sometimes you get the bonus of two girls (but they’re never kissing, no matter how long you watch for)!

The girl above is:

Saori Echigo
Birthday: 1986/9/3
Home: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Blood Type: AB
Height: 167cm
3size: B:- W:- H:- (-cup)
Occupation: Dental hygienist
Favourite Website: Ameblo

I bet there’s quite a few who would like to “up skirt” Ms Saori, eh eh, nudge nudge wink wink. Unfortunately the “Contact” link above the photo on the Bijin Tokei site doesn’t put you in touch with the girl ;)