It was a rather successful endeavour, as I managed to snatch a couple of new/old cameras…

These will be my first ventures into the world of film photography, so hopefully I will be able to share some new, creative endeavours, soon.

Related posts:

1. Australia Day, Photography and Cosplay thoughts
2. How quick thinking and a bowl of rice saved my Lumix GF1
3. Waiting for inspiration…

To give some background, the Photo Marathon was a daylong event, where 12 themes are presented (6 at the start, 6 half way through). A photo for each theme must then be presented; with photos [in theory] taken in the order the themes are given, with no Photoshop/Aperture/ whatever editing allowed.

Examples of themes for the Canberra event included “Light”, “Evolution”, Earth Hour (which was that night) and my entry number (70). It was really well organised, with entry into the National Zoo and Aquarium included.

Naturally, I was eager to participate in this event, and it started off well. However, about an hour into the 12-hour event, tragedy struck. Attempting to fulfil the theme “Upside-down” I was taking images of the National Library as reflected in a pool of water. I had my Lumix GF1 sitting on a tripod along the edge of the water….

I turned around for just a second to assist my brother with his tripod, in that time; I heard a splash and turned to see my camera sinking into the water, it was only a few seconds, but it was enough to get water into the body and into the lens (the same lens I’d waited months for Panasonic to supply…).

My gut reactions were to do all of the right things, pull it out, drop the battery and memory card out and then proceed to dry it off as much as I could.

As I had to refrain from turning the camera on, the Photo Marathon was cut short, but that was the least of my concerns (although I was pretty disappointed it happened BEFORE I made it to the Zoo…)

Over the next few days, the camera and lens were alternated between spending time in the sun and in a container of rice. Rice apparently is a natural desiccant (absorbs moisture). After a couple of days doing this to draw the wetness out of the camera, I dared put the battery back in.

It worked…

The lens seems fine, with no noticeable blemishes, the body operates fine and its taking photos just as well as it did before going in the water. There was some condensation on the LCD screen that lasted about a week, but that cleared up gradually and now it’s fine.

A couple of test photos, let me know if you notice anything that doesn’t look right (besides technique issues…):

So… if you ever have a camera end up in the drink to the following:

• If not already, turn it off
• Drop the battery/memory card out
• Get as much water out of it as quickly as you can
• Open all compartments (battery, flash, and connector sockets) and leave it in a warm spot, to help evaporate the water.
• Store the camera in a container with rice, pour rice into the container, place a sheet of plastic (like a bag) onto the rice for the camera to sit and seal well
• DO NOT TURN IT ON FOR AT LEAST 3-4 DAYS, be confident its dry before turning it on again

After having such a good week, there’s nothing worse than wondering if your expensive camera will ever be the same again, but be patient.

Related posts:

1. Mushies and the Lumix Vario G 14-45 lens
2. Lumix DMC-GF1 Arrives + First Shots
3. 2010 National Multicultural Festival – Canberra

I had to dig out my old Leica point and shoot to take this one. I do like how the 14-45mm looks on the Lumix GF1 body. It’s similarity to the appearance of a rangefinder is emphasised with this lens. The only real gripe I have with this lens is the size of the focus ring. Having been used to the 20mm prime lens, with a focus ring about the same size as the zoom ring on the one above (the wider one), the focus ring on the zoom lens feels fiddlely. I realise that its comparable to the setup on SLR lenses, but its just feels odd when switching between the prime and zoom lens.

However, that is my only real concern, it is a great lens, and is much quieter than the 20mm lens, especially the auto-focus.

A couple of test shots, of some mushies growing the veggie-patch.

I like the above shot, especially as it was naturally lighted. It came out well.

Of course, just for fun, a pic of the pup. He’s very camera shy for some reason, so he’s not the greatest of photo subjects…

Next Saturday is the Canberra Photo marathon, which I have entered, so hopefully this time next week, I will be able to post another photo update (with some exotic animals, or so I’m lead to believe…)

Related posts:

1. Lumix DMC-GF1 Arrives + First Shots
2. The Panasonic Australia Experience
3. Waiting for inspiration…

I suppose I should start off with my standard photo updated. I’m really hoping to be able to take a lot more, higher quality, photos in the near future. I’ve made the investment in the equipment, so I may as well, but I discovered that I really am quite limited at the moment. I am still waiting for a 14-45mm zoom lens to arrive. Whilst the 20mm pancake lens I have currently is producing blow-my-mind images and DOF effects, it’s not that brilliant at the landscape architecture shots that I like to do [I believe in a good balance between landscape and close photography]. The prime lens is a little limiting when trying to shoot objects further than, say, 20 meters away. I don’t know if this is standard, but its probably just my technique. I noticed this especially when I went to shoot Parliament House.

On a separate note, I think I may finally make my first venture into the world of Cosplay… I have been a bit of a closeted fan of the anime/manga culture, and it had only been recently that I have really actively entertained that interest. I don’t know why I haven’t earlier, I think I may have had the idea that there was some sort of stigma attached to, particularly Western, fans of anime and cosplay, as though it was something weird. I have resigned myself to the fact that I am myself rather weird, I really dislike following the mainstream.

I have a bit of a soft spot for the PS3 game Valkyria Chronicles, made by SEGA. I was the first anime style game that I really enjoyed, so fittingly, the cosplay I am considering would be as a member of Squad 7. Such as this costume produced by Cosplay Station.

I’ve made the pledge to myself, that in the time between now and when University restarts for the year, if I look after myself, i.e. increase my fitness, save some money and find my first place to live, I’ll organise a Squad 7 cosplay in time for this years SMASH.

Related posts:

1. Mushies and the Lumix Vario G 14-45 lens
2. Solio, Saber and more test Shots
3. First ever HD video test

I’ve discovered the great potential for exploiting the shallow depth of field that can be produced from an F/1.7 lens, but also realised, because I have never shot with a lens of that spec. before, I really have quite a lot of practise ahead of me before I’ll be able to take great shots.

A depth of field test done on my previous purchase, a Leica C-Lux 2 compact, which is essentially a rebadged Lumix Compact. As a result, I already feel at home with the Lumix’s menu layout:

Well, thats about it for now. I’d only really just gotten home from the work trip and headed straight out to the camera store to pick it up. I’ve been almost 3 weeks for it to arrive, so sure enough, when it actually does make it to the store, I’m about 400 KMs away, forcing me to wait just one more day. At least I now have the weekend ahead of me, so hopefully over the next few days, I’ll be able to upload some more images as well as some HD video (the camera is capable of capturing HD720 video). The 20mm lens is not stabilised, so I may be limited to what I can do, but I’ll give it a shot. Exciting!

Related posts:

1. Waiting for inspiration…
2. First ever HD video test
3. Mushies and the Lumix Vario G 14-45 lens

I guess the main reason the new version of the blog has gotten off to a slow start is due to the fact I’m still waiting for a new toy to arrive. I have a brand new Lumix DMC-GF1 on order with the local camera chain here in Canberra.

I’ve ordered the two available lenses, the 20mm prime (pictured above) and the 14-45 mm zoom. This will be the first interchangeable lens camera I’ll have owned. My current camera is a Leica compact (essentially a re-badged Lumix compact), which has served me well, but I’ve pretty much reached the limits of its capabilities.

I was so excited to discover the Lumix GF1. The first well executed micro four-thirds camera. I am really attracted to the idea of a small form camera, with the advantages of changeable lenses that you get with SLRs.

Waiting for my order to arrive, I’ve been reading up on reviews and picture/video samples. I can’t wait for it to arrive. When it does, I’ll share my creations through this blog. I’m already planning projects to do so that I can give the camera a good test.

Oh wells… more updates soon.

Related posts:

1. Lumix DMC-GF1 Arrives + First Shots
2. The Panasonic Australia Experience
3. How quick thinking and a bowl of rice saved my Lumix GF1