xty

Wow, that is a shock. I purchased a DiImage A200 a few months ago but have no reason to consider selling it. It does an excellant job for me and was purchased after countless reading of reviews. The only issue I would have are the accessories (batteries, cables, lenses, etc.). Maybe need to stock up on them now. Sony is pretty far down my list for digital cameras if I did decide to upgrade later to a dSLR.

I agree that if you are happy with it and it does the job, no point in worrying about it. I'm quite happy with what I have. The only camera I would like to change it for is way out of my reach at more then 120,000 baht (EOS D5 dSLR).

Don't know if it will fit A200, but for A2 recommended accessories are:

- External flash: Sigma EF 500 DG Super (Minolta mount) has gret features. Similar with Minolta 5600 HS but a lot cheaper. When I'd decide to keep A2 and not going for DSLR (Canon/Nikon), I'd buy this one, but unfortunately it's a bit hard to find with Minolta mount.

- Lenses? I don't think so for non-DSLR like Ax. But for tele converter, Olympus TCON-17 is quite cheap and gives a good result.

- For backup batteries, you can use generic NP400. It's very cheap. I have 2 of them and not different as the original Minolta one.

One side to keep, another side to exchange with DSLR.

The JVC Everio G model interests me. It's a mini harddisk-based camcorder where it records directly into MPEG2 format files so you don't need to capture manually by USB/Firewire cable and capturing software.

If you were having:

- Flawless KonicaMinolta DiMAGE A2

- Microdrive 4 GB

- Spare batteries

- Cokin filters

- UV filter

what would you do?

a. Keep it because this is your first digital camera and you love it

b. Keep it because this is the best camera of its class so far and you love it

c. Sell it because KM's shutdown and worried for the future

d. Keep it because even KM shutdown, it can be an antique brand for collection

e. Keep it because even KM shutdown, hoping that Sony will continue the support

f. Sell it because you had a wish to buy DSLR

g. Wait for PMA exhibition end of this month

Make a choice please...

Instead of having white stripes for shrinking the photo to 6"x4", why don't you use the space for useful information such as date taken and title of the photo?

Recently I created a simple Photoshop CS action and JavaScripts that do:

1. Resize the Canvas to 3:2 which suited for 6"x4" (script detects landscape or portrait mode)

2. Paint some pattern for the background instead of plain white canvas

2. Take some info (original date taken, photo title) from EXIF. The title I put in User Comment field earlier using ACDSee.

3. Draw the info text in additional layer

4. Flatten the layers

5. SaveAs to JPG with different name

I automated (batch process) this action for my 350 sheets of photos to be printed. I leave it running and take a shower. Burn to CD when finished. And off to photo store at MBK for printing

Here are the samples:

I'm not that keen to automotive, but my friend does. He said Thailand is one of the source for car accessories (interior and exterior) and the price also is not very expensive. He asks me if I can bring some (not specified yet) when I take vacation to my country to be sold again there. So where is the automotive marketplace in Bangkok? Is there a problem (fee, customs, etc) to bring larger quantity (few boxes) by cargo?

I've picked a few models from the website of the shop you mentioned earlier and with the exchange rate I found from SCB website compared a few items with fotofile prices and it seems fotofiles are cheaper than that shop.

The exchange rates of THB-IDR in Bank are ridiculous here, you see the big difference of buy and sell. IDR 200 (1/0.005) vs IDR 454 (1/0.0022). I know because I regularly transfer money to Indonesia. In Bangkok Bank it was THB 1 = IDR 215, while SCB you mention even worse THB 1 = IDR 200 (1/0.005). Well it's the fact that Indonesian currency is not popular. Therefore I never use direct THB to IDR, instead I buy USD here and transfer it there. Once I transferred several thousands USD using this method, the difference was 10000 Baht.

I always refer the rate to xe.com for approximate rate. Okay, it's not the actual rate you buy or sell because it's the average/mid-market rate. After all, I use it only for reference. And if I apply it among the different currencies (to compare prices), I think it's more "fair".

Now, let's say that I have 63900 Baht of 20D kit price in fotofile. I exchange to USD using SCB today's selling rate (39.72 Baht) and I get USD 1608.76. I bring USD to Indonesia and exchange in BCA bank (klikbca.com - popular bank in Indonesia - not the best rate though comparing to money changer) for today's buying rate of IDR 9250 for 1 USD and I get IDR 14.881.030. I spend 12.995.000 for the camera kit. And I still have more than IDR 1.8 millions (approx 7500 Baht). There you go...

xty, have you checked out Photo Thailand on the 3rd floor of MBK which is owned by the same owner of Fotofile? I've been to the shop in Pantip too (one near escalator right?) and I'm pretty sure Photo Thailand has a LOT more selection of LowePro bags to offer as well as all brands of the filters you mentioned and manfrotto tripods than Pantip store. Though, I haven't bothered to compare prices between two stores on filters or tripods yet but I think fotofile was cheaper than Pantip store as far as LowePro bags are concerned.

I don't recall the location of Photo Thailand. What I know are SP Camera, Nikon, small store (ground floor, the other long alley of fotofile), small stall (near escalator, I think 4th floor). I'll try to check there when I go to MBK again.

I don't know about Jakarta price, but I found some of the products at fotofile/photo thailand to be cheaper or as cheap as the cheapest price I can find at resellers or on internet in Japan, such as Canon's EF24-70mm f/2.8L and EF 70-200mm f/2.8L lenses which I bought at fotofile, while another new lens I'm interested EF 24-105mm f/4L IS is 35% more expensive at fotofile than cheapest price I could find in Japan. I would be surprised if you can find these lenses I bought at fotofile for less in Jakarta. To my disappointment, EOS5D wasn't as cheap at fotofile as I expected it to be, so I bought it in Japan with battery grip + extra battery + soft body case, all in all for B10,000 less than 5D body only price at fotofile.

Okay, let's check. Here are the prices I get from jpckemang.com vs fotofile.net

THB 1 approx IDR 240

Canon EOS 20D Kit with EFS18-55mm : Rp 12.995.000 = 54145 Baht (FF=63900 Baht)

Canon EOS 20D SLR Body : Rp 11.995.000 = 49979 Baht (FF=59900 Baht)

Canon EOS-1Ds MarkII : Rp 66.950.000 = 278958 Baht (FF=292000 Baht)

Canon EOS 5D : Rp 28.995.000 = 120812 Baht (FF = 139000 Baht)

Canon EOS-1D Mark II N : Rp 39.500.000 = 164583 Baht (FF=204000 Baht)

Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM : Rp 12.164.800 = 50686 Baht (FF=54000 Baht)

Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 L USM : Rp 11.353.800 = 47307 Baht (FF=48230 Baht)

Canon EF 24 - 105 mm F4.0L : Rp 12.995.000 = 54145 Baht (FF=N/A)

Going to Jakarta for next camera/gear shopping?

I haven't seen any shop in Thailand that has better selection of LowePro bags than Fotofile (1st Fl) or Photo Thailand (3rd Fl) in MBK. And as you said they do have Hoya filters as well but you're not likely to find either of products cheaper anywhere else in Thailand... As to LowePro bags I found their price to be only about 10 - 15% higher than Japan where I bought LowePro beltpack last year.

This evening I went to the big photo store (4th floor) at Pantip Plaza. My observation:

They have many selection of filters from some brands (Marumi, Kenko, Sigma, Hoya). They have one Hoya UV HMC Thin 67mm, the one I want, for only 1090 Baht. That's cheap compare with Fotofile's 2200 Baht for non-Thin. Unfortunately the product is defective.

They have also the many selections (than other stores in Bangkok) of Sigma lenses, Manfrotto tripods and Lowepro bags. Though they don't have Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW model. Fotofile doesn't have only one or two Lowepro bags as they sell their own brand. The price also is not the cheapest one.

For reference I check Lowepro Nova 3 AW 2950 Baht. That is very expensive comparing to the photo store at Seacon for the same model for only 2300 Baht. Well, I wouldn't dare to compare in Jakarta (JPCKemang.com) for as low as 1670 Baht. Canon 50mm f/1.8 II 4900 Baht vs 3180 Baht at JPC.

You can see the difference is about 30-40% more expensive in Bangkok. I don't know yet other stores. I heard JPC also is importing from Japan. So I guess 10-15% higher than Japan is not correct. I don't understand why in Bangkok is more expensive, the fact that the general living cost and prices in Jakarta is actually higher. Could it be because of higher import tax? Or because of farang? Don't know...

Well, have no choice. I guess this Friday I'll ask my friend, who is going to Jakarta this weekend, to buy there.

I'm looking for some Hoya filters (UV HMC & CPL HMC) and Lowepro bag (SlingShot 200 AW). Where are the main distributors/resellers in Bangkok for these stuffs?

I know I may try some shops in MBK or Seacon, even I've visitted there. But either I can't find the exact types I'm looking for or the price are ridiculously expensive (2 times than "normal price in US or Jakarta"). In fotofile MBK, for 67mm Hoya UV non-coated, they charge 1200 Baht and HMC type is 2200 Baht. In Jakarta (jpckemang.com) I can get the UV HMC with only 940 Baht.

Taken with my first ever digital camera (Umax Astra cheapo point and shoot) in year 2000. The viewfinder was not accurate at all, so I need to slide the angle, but turned out like this

I guess you knew already mine

http://www.pbase.com/xty

It's been months I didn't update. Have plenty of "good" photos but no time to edit

Your “Grand Mosque” photo was much better than the one that you posted xty.

Left you a message on that one (win13 ).

Thanks for the comment Khun Win

That pic I took without tripod. The outer gate was locked. I shoot from outside by pressing the camera against the gate to reduce vibration And it was very hot and humid, the lens and UV filter got fog after taking out from the cold (in the car with AC).

One thing I still can't do it properly is for example to shoot some city or street lights without burnt-out highlights. If I use smallest aperture (F/11 in my KM A2 camera), I have to set the speed longer which often causes hot pixels or more noise. If I use big aperture (F/2.8) with faster speed, burnt-out highligts often occurs. Mostly the former one might do better. I just need to experiment. That if I have the time.

Do you have a sample picture with this "burnt-out highlights"?

Here's the pic I took last December at Christ Church in Bangkok (ISO 64, 0.8 sec, F/2.8). I don't like the burnt-out lights at the front. That if I use large aperture and "faster" shutter.

And if I crop 100%, you can see the smudged or hot pixels (red/blue).

I wonder how those good-reviewed low-noise mid DSLR (like 20D) can do.

I printed 16"x20" (in Fujifilm shop in Jakarta) from 8MP TIFF (from RAW) for couple of my night shots. It turns out great even when I look closely. Details retained, no noise or smudged pixels. Off course the original pic also needs to be good & sharp.

Last weekend I printed more than 300 sheets of 4"x6" at Silver photo store in MBK (2nd floor). I'm very satisfied with the result. I think they did more color saturation and exposure balancing. Didn't ask if they can print big size.

If using tripod, I don't have problem shooting at night or in the dark. But often I forget to bring one when needed

One thing I still can't do it properly is for example to shoot some city or street lights without burnt-out highlights. If I use smallest aperture (F/11 in my KM A2 camera), I have to set the speed longer which often causes hot pixels or more noise. If I use big aperture (F/2.8) with faster speed, burnt-out highligts often occurs. Mostly the former one might do better. I just need to experiment. That if I have the time.

Here's one pic (more at pbase.com/xty/lights) I took while I was in Bahrain. I put the camera on the bridge railing for 4 secs. I held my breath, not to reduce the vibration, but hoping that it didn't fell off 20 meters to the ground

My camera (fujifilm F810) does an 8 megapixel shot but I can up that again to a 14 effective megapixel shot.

What is the difference between the two?

So in conclusion, when you buy a camera, make sure to see the effective resolution (real sensor's resolution) than advertised maximum resolution (interpolated). Similar to optical zoom (real lens zoom) than digital zoom (interpolated).

Though most of them are blocked by Sathorn road's buildings, almost every one or two week I see fireworks. I suspect the location somewhere near Chao Phraya - Wat Arun/Grand Palace. Sometimes they light around 19:00-20:00, but today at 21:45.

So what's up in Bangkok? I'm desperately want to know the schedule, occassions/festivals, who, exact location, or anything about this. So later I can see from close distance and take some nice photographs.

Though most of them are blocked by Sathorn road's buildings, almost every one or two week I see fireworks. I suspect the location somewhere near Chao Phraya - Wat Arun/Grand Palace. Sometimes they light around 19:00-20:00, but today at 21:45.

So what's up in Bangkok? I'm desperately want to know the schedule, occassions/festivals, who, exact location, or anything about this. So later I can see from close distance and take some nice photographs.

P.S. I have a DSLR, Olympus 8080.

IMHO, Olympus 8080 is not DSLR camera (interchangeable lens, mirror+pentaprism), it's a digital prosumer or slr-style camera. It means advanced/professional consumer camera which shape like (D)SLR. Olympus E1 & E300 are DSLR, as well as Canon 20D/350D, Nikon D50/D70s, KonicaMinolta D7D, D5D, etc.

If you do find a class in Thailand it will almost certainly be in Thai.

How good are your language skills?

Not more than directing a taxi driver and numbers

Did you go to the PhotoFair last month? A good exposure to the photography market here in BKK.

You are right because most of the clubs and photography related links are placed in the Thai search engines.

I initially thought I was talking to locals and forgotten this is an English forum.

I was about to go there on that weekend, but then at that time there was sudden unexpected incident that I had to go back to my country

How about those photography clubs in BKK?

Just a thought because in Singapore we can find a photography clubs or studio workshops easily.

If that is really a niche, I may consider start one here.

I'm not sure if Thai people in general like photography a lot (enthusiasts to professionals). Not many professional photo stores here. Or maybe because I don't understand/read Thai at all so I don't know if there are many photo clubs/websites here.

Now since we have in BKK Siam Ocean World at Siam Paragon, I need some advise on how best to take photos, since it will cost me the entrance fee 450 odd baht.

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Since you never been there, better ask someone who has. At least to ask the environment, position, and ambience light condition (bright, dim, etc). Never been to Siam Paragon but I assume it will be dark/dim as other Sea Worlds.

In that case you can prepare before. And at the place make sure you:

- don't use polariser which will make 2 stops down on exposure

- select the best position to avoid reflection/glare on the glass

- use fast lens (for SLR/DSLR) and big aperture (f/1.8-2.8) to compensate dark/dim ambience and fast moving fish (need faster shutter, 1/125 should be OK)

- use tripod if allowed

- use RAW format (if your camera support) or set white balance to TL to compensate blue/green color cast of water (to add more red/yellow)

- don't use flash which can reflect on the glass (assume the light to the tank is enough), unless you position your camera on or very near to the glass

Hope these help.

Though not sure if I can spare some times at night or weekend, I'm also looking for photography courses (offline) for beginner-to-intermediate skills.

I still can't figure out how online photography course can do well?

I guess we still need two-way interactive communication (know your camera, measuring lights & exposure, practice in the field, opinion on results, etc). If it's only one way, reading a book might do as well.

Would anyone know if there is a good source for carbon fiber tripod and head in Bangkok,  or is it better to buy one in the US before I leave?

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If you can buy and carry, better to buy in US. The price might be cheaper and you have plenty of choices.

I wish I could go to US to buy some accessories (flash, Cokin filters). Maybe someone is willing to buy and bring for me from US, I'd pay here in Bangkok.

Hi All, I was wondering whether you know the market in neighboring countries as well. Taiwan and Malaysia to be specific. Thank you! Chris

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If you don't bother about warranty and can fly to Middle East (Dubai to be exact). You'll get cheaper laptops than South East Asia. One year ago I got mine (HP Compaq nx9105) at good price where in SEA it can be up to 1.5x more expensive (with same or different brand with similar specs).