FM2 + 85mm f/1.8

A little quick update. My latest addition to my poisoned path of photography.

Can't wait for next week to fetch my new baby from my bro Tan Chin Hong's place. Many thanks to him for sourcing and purchasing it for me ^.^

The Loaf, Langkawi

The Loaf is a Japanese style bakery & bistro in Perdana Quay in Langkawi. The Loaf can be found in the row of building in a very European styled architecture facing  fleets of yacht and sails parked at the marina of Perdana Quay. Very relaxing atmosphere where you can enjoy a piece of nice pastry in a tranquil environment. Nothing you can find in busy cities and other popular destinations. The Loaf features a wide selection of world class pastry in traditional and creative style. Also in their menu, they serve fresh and healthy selection of A-la-Cart food and beverage to suite everyone's taste. Little that I know that, the bakery is actually owned by our Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir. Once you entered the bakery, you will see a big banner Chef Yosuke Imai, Champion of "California Raisin" contest proudly displayed. Truly a world class bakery found only in Langkawi. The Loaf now have several franchises around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor if you are too tight with your schedule and still like to have a taste of their great pastry.
This our second time visiting to The Loaf actually. The first was in 2008 when me and my crazy gang of 13 came and create havoc in Langkawi. Our gang leader Mr. CH Tan and her wifey recommended us to The Loaf. It was really happy trip and also very memorable for me and Furby. ^.^

The Loaf, a Japanese style bakery & bistro in Perdana Quay in Langkawi.
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/2000sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

Furby at the entrance of The Loaf.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/1000sec, f/2.8, ISO 200

Vast selection of bread freshly baked to suite everyone's taste.
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/30sec, f/4, ISO 200

Nicely arranged and comfortable interior.
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/60sec, f/4, ISO 200

Cozy couches is optional if one is interested for a relaxing treat of delicious bread. This is also the table me and my crazy gang sat the first time we visited The Loaf. Brings back memories.
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/15sec, f/4, ISO 200

My 12-24mm found his distant family members. ^.^
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/20sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

Lovely Furby waiting patiently for the freshly baked breads to be served.
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/100sec, f/4, ISO 200

Bon Appetit
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/80sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

My favorite breads - Butter Croissant, Fungi Cheese and Sausage.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/40sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

Healthy spaghetti with zucchini, mushrooms and tomatoes in pesto sauce is our choice of the day.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/40sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

European styled back streets at Perdana Quay. Furby poses after a delicious meal at The Loaf.
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/800sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

Sniping Paparazzis

Ever wondered how gossip magazines get their pictures of celebrities in bikini? Behold the paparazzis in action. Sniping their prey with cannons and bazookas. Sure to land their finishing shots.

Picture copyright by www.kenrockwell.com

New Lens Collection - Nikkor 35mm AF-D f/2

     My lens collection have got another upgrade with the addition of the Nikkor 35mm AF-D f/2. The 35mm f/2 is a great fast wide angle lens for the full frame (FX) camera body. But equipped on a cropped sensor (DX) camera body, it is transformed to a fast normal lens (with a 1.5x crop factor, the focal length become 52mm).

     Already in my collection, the Nikkor 50mm AF-D f/1.8 which is supposed to be the fast normal lens. But when equipped on my D90 (DX body) it becomes a little telephoto side (with a 1.5x crop factor, the focal length become 75mm). At times I find it a little hard to frame my pictures as the magnification is rather big at 75mm and the minimum focus distance of 45cm it adds to the difficulty to compose up close. However it makes a great portrait lens at 75mm, no doubt about it.

     The 35mm f/2 has a great close up feature with minimum focus distance of 25mm! Taking pictures up close sure is convenient. At wide open f/2, the sharpness is remarkable (at center, corners seems to be a bit soft according to various reviews) and the bokeh produced is marvelous. It has a compact size of 65×44.5 mm, just slightly bigger and longer than my 50mm f/1.8. Makes a great set up for a casual day photography and attracts less attention compared with big zoom lens. Of course it is a full frame lens and a AF-D lens hence it will be compatible with any FX body and film SLR in future. Ngek ngek...


Some shots of the 35mm AF-D f/2 took in my room yesterday.
Set up: D90 with 50mm f/1.8 at 1/60sec f/2.8 ISO200 Nissin Di622 fired from upper right at 1/32 power.


Set up: D90 with 50mm f/1.8 at 1/200sec f/5.6 ISO200 2 x Nissin Di622 fired from lower left and right at 1/32 power.

 Sample test picture with the 35mm AF-D f/2:

Portrait of our villa's new cat.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/100sec f/2 ISO200