The new firmware for E72 i.e. version 22.007 finally came out. But it was not yet available for my Malaysian E72. I already know that in order to get my phone updated I need to change its product code from the existing one to European’s code (I changed to 0584221). The list of code for E72 is available here (I have corrected the link! Sorry guys). I make sure I jot down the code numbers (well just copy & pastelah in today’s era isn’t it? ).

I downloaded & installed Nemesis Service Suite (NSS, beta & free). Restarted my PC, connect my E72 to the PC using PC Suite mode. Go to Phone Info & click Read. All my phone informations are there. Then in the product code box, I entered the European’s Code that I like & then just click Write. Everything finished in less than 30 seconds.

Then I upgraded my new European’s E72 to the new firmware using Nokia Software Updater.

Downloading took some time as usual according to Streamyx’s 1 mbps package reputation. But once done, I thought nothing had happened because I need not to reinstall everything back as what happened with my upgrades previously. But when I dial *#0000# my firmware has already changed & the best part is I believe that the miss-character-when-typing-fast has gone! Yeaa!! I am not sure what else this new FW did to my phone. I am yet to explore the difference but when the typing bugs disappeared I am already very happy!

Nope….the new FW only lessen the missing-character bug a bit but it is still there. Must wait for a major FW upgrade! So……what did this new FW improve? I don’t know!!!

It is a poorly built phone!!

If I type fast, some character will be missed. I need to go back & enter the character. It was not there with E71. Some users reported the problem only limited with the keys on the numpad.

As mentioned in my previous post, E71 has a solid built. Not E72. The battery cover is loose. The keyboard especially the bottom part near the mic is also loose.

I taped my phone with gaffer tape to stop the ‘moving’ cover.

Bugs are everywhere. Especially in multimedia department. The gallery is slow, super slow & RealPlayer crashed many times & even reset my phone.

I wanna repair the loose part & tried to send it to Zitron (the distributor in Malaysia) & to my amazement, I can only send it during office hours where else those AP sets can be repaired even during weekends. So guys, instead of buying Zitron sets, just buy CSL or any AP sets. The warranty is longer & the repair is easy. The best part is, it is cheaper!

Many feel that the phone is disappointing. Me too. The E71 is a great phone. I bought the same phone again after I lost one in Medina in Dec 2008. So finally, after all these frustrations, should I keep my E72? Unfortunately the answer is YES. Because I still hope especially the ‘miss-character syndrome when typing’ will be gone with the new firmware. So Nokia please release the best firmware for this potentially great smartphone.

Yeehaa…..! Finally I chose Nokia E72 over the iPhone. The main reason is $$$ vs. specs. It is so obvious that E72 is so much cheaper compared to iPhone & has so many features compared to iPhone. What iPhone might has that is better then E72 (and Symbian S60 v3) is its look, feel & ease of use…..well…maybe.

I bought Zitron’s phone with one year warranty & has the compatibility with Chinese character. I prefer unit without the feature but my worry with AP sets is the firmware upgrade. Some of my friends with E71 AP set last time has to wait longer for their phone to be able to download the latest firmware.

OK now….what is my impression of this E72?

Form Factor

Maybe because of familiarity………I feel E71 is better. E72 is slightly heavier & bulkier. And it felt less solid than E71. One major contributory factor is the battery cover. E71 has clips (or latch) on both side of the cover compared only one (at the centre) for E72. This cause E72 cover to move & felt loose whenever I use the phone.

The keyboard is better than E71. It is more responsive or tactile than E71. But I need to get use with the smaller space bar.

The optical Navi key also need some familiarization. I prefer to switch it off  for the time being.

The new arrangement for top buttons and menu or icons arrangement also need some time before I am confortable with it.

The sim card tray is way cool than E71. Yup, it has the tray now as compared to E71 but I am not the type that swap my simcard that often, so this feature is not that important to me.

The mini USB and microSD card covers are different than E71. I prefer the rubber type of E71. The flash light function is cool. Maybe useful somehow but that is something I don’t really use every day.

USB charging!

Yes!! Now I need not to bring my charger. I can now charge my phone with only my USB cable. And that is so cool. Well…most phone now already have such feature….but not having one in E71 is troublesome especially when E71 battery is pathetic. I need to charge daily basis & sometimes it didn’t even last half a day if I forgot to close some apps that were using 3G.

What’s inside!

The battery! This is one good thing I read about E72 & I am now testing its capability with my maps on, bluetooth on, 3G on…..

Memory is huge man! Now I install almost everything in the phone memory.

Internet seems faster than E71.

The 5MP camera is better. Now no need to press keypad number 2 to focus…it has autofocus feature now.

The firmware is 021.024.246 and it still has the ringtone bug like E71.

GPS performance seems no different than E71. Reception is also the same.

The font is not! E71 font is better. I need to use larger font size so that it looks better for my 40+ years eyes.

Overall

E72 is a minor upgrade from E71. I would say E71/E72 are great business phone. You won’t be wrong with either one of them. I still hope Nokia fix & finally release its threaded sms i.e. Nokia Conversation. That is one major feature for every phone in the world. One feature that almost make me to buy iPhone…..

Recently I need to bring 4 passport size photos for my daughter’s school registration. Instead of paying RM12 for 4 photos from the usual photo shop, I decided to do it myself. I grab my camera with 85mm lens, a tripod, a light stand with reflective umbrella & 2 flash guns. I don’t have any commercial backdrop so I made sure the wall I chose for the background is homogeneous in colour. I also made sure my child didn’t sit to close to the wall to avoid the shadow.

Once the picture has been taken, I transferred them to my computer. I used Adobe Photoshop as my only tool. Just follow the pictures below, one-by-one & you should be able to do it yourself. Just one note, there are many ways of doing this thing. Google & you’ll find it.

To summarise every thing:

1. Take a good portrait with clean same colour backgroud.
2. Transfer the picture to Photoshop.
3. Crop the picture 3.5cm W x 5cm H at 300 dpi.
4. Select only the subject (I used Magic Wand & fine tune with Quick Selection Tool & Define Select) – Please do it till ‘pixel’ level.
5. Copy the subject (save in the clipboard)
6. Then create  3.5cm x 5cm empty white background file
7. Create whatever ‘digital backdrop’ you like (in my example I used gradient tool)
8. Paste the picture.
9. Position the subject properly using Move tool.
10. Merge all the layer. At this stage you already have a 3.5cm x 5cm photo.
11. To print 4  3.5cm x 5cm photos in one 6 in x 4 photo paper, you must arrange 4 of photo you created on a new 4 in x 6 in photoshop document.
12. Many ways to do that. Simplest method is copy once & paste 4 time & then arrange them.

Good luck.

Since my last post about threaded SMS on E71, I just rely on 2 apps for SMS, the built in Nokia Messaging and SmsChat. While I love SmsChat layout, it lacks so many other basic function of a SMS app. Example, you can’t paste anything you copied to clipboard and you can’t even forward a message to another person. For new message you won’t be able to add multiple contacts i.e. you won’t be able to ’spam’ your friends SmsChat was last updated on Jan 2009. It is about time for Symbian Wave to release a new & better one.

I am still hoping for the release version of Nokia Conversation but it is even worse, last update was in Dec 2008!

Somehow I miss my Palm’s threaded SMS but since Palm Pre won’t be available in Malaysia soon……I guess I better look at iPhone. *grin*

Java is my favorite photography place. I have been to Jogja few times. The first trip was Feb 2008 where I ‘accidentally’ went up Mount Merapi. Spent extra few days exploring Borobudur & Prambanan. Then in August the same year we went up Mount Lawu & Mount Bromo. In Feb 2009 we went to Dieng Plateau. In October last few months we went to Danau Toba in North Sumatera.

This coming March, we plan to revisit Bromo & to go further East to Ijen Crater. This is our detail plan:
Day 1 – Mon

• 1200 Arrived at Juanda Airport
• 1300 Lunch at Surabaya (Ibu Nuraini’s restaurant)
• 1500 Travel Surabaya – Sidoarjo (where the mud flood occurred but we won’t stop here) – Pasuruan – Probolinggo – Ngadisari
• 1900 Arrived at Ngadisari & stay overnight here (Cold)
• 2000 Free & easy (Sleep early please, we have to wake up at 2AM)

Day 2 – Tue~ The most hectic day! The photography day!

• 0300 Travel to Cemoro Lawang (entrance of Tengger-Bromo-Semeru National Park) – Please pack something for breakfast as I do not know where or when we can have one.
• 0400 Travel by 3 4WDs (6 persons, about IDR450,000 ~ RM150 per jeep)
• 0500 Sunrise from Penanjakan (Make sure to wear suitable jacket, cap, glove – it is cold up there. We pray Fajr here – bring some water for wudu’)
• 0700 Descend to Lautan Pasir & Mt Bromo (Dust everywhere. Never change your lens here. Wear mask if possible. Horse ride optional & expensive too)
• 0900 Continue to savannah (near Mt. Bromo)
• 1100 Continue to Pane, Regulo and Gembolo Lake (at Panupane Village)
• 1400 Travel back to hotel & lunch along the way.
• 1500 Free & easy – Stay another night here. The place is cold. Plenty of human interest opportunity I guess.
• Those who wish to arrange private trip to Bromo again with motocycle or the like, please do so during this time. Expense on your own but please go in a group. Try & catch sunset at Bromo if you want.

Day 3 – Wed ~ The traveling day

• 0800 – Travel Ngadisari – Madakaripura Waterfall (At Lumbang). Can mandi-manda here.
• 1200 – Travel Probolinggo (lunch here) – Bondowoso – Jampit.
• 1800 – Arrived at Jampit. Stay overnight here (a coffee plantation area & KIV stay at Arabica Guesthouse – Tel: 08113505881)

• 1900 – Free & easy

Day 4 – Thu ~ Kawah Ijen day

• 0400 – Check-out from hotel/guesthouse. Please pack some food. Travel to Paltuding (the post to Ijen, fee about IDR20,000 each – please have a face mask ready). We try to catch sunrise at Kawah Ijen, a 1 1/2 hours hike (3KM) from Post Paltuding.

• 1400 – Continue the journey to Banyuwangi – Check in into a hotel here.
• 1600 – Human interest at Muncar till dinner
• 2000 – Get back to hotel & free & easy

Day 5 – Fri ~ Going back to Surabaya

• 0800 – Travel to Baluran National Park (I guess this is the usual tourist site)
• 1300 – Continue to Surabaya (a long bus ride! ~ 5 hours). We will see what is good to shoot along the way.
• 1800 – Arrived at Surabaya
• 1900 – Free & easy

Day 6 – Sat

• Outing & shopping in Surabaya

Day 7 – Sun ~ Fly home

• 0800 – Last breakfast together & straight to airport

A bit busy lately. Few workshops & conferences in between. The never ending meetings & research. Now a bit free to continue the story of our trip to Danau Toba.

In Day 1, after had our lunch at Simarjarunjung, we went to Parapat to meet other Indonesian friends but along the way we stopped at many beautiful places. We photographed a lot of farms including a tea plantation at Sidamanik.

We reached Parapat a bit late, maybe around 5:30PM or something. Pak Pulus, Rusdy etc were already there shooting The Pesta Danao Toba annual event. We shot sunset at Parapat & then join the fun shooting various Batak traditional shows there.

Then at about 8:00PM we rode a ferry to Samosir Island. It was a slow 45 minutes ride to the main island on Toba Lake. We checked into Samosir Village hotel after a quick late dinner at Bernard’s Restaurant. The next very morning, Day 2 of Danau Toba trip, we shot sunrise from the hotel’s area.

Then we had a quick breakfast, shower…before photo touring the rest of the Island.

Later in the afternoon after a simple lunch, we moved to the northen site of the island. I would say that this is the climax of the Danau Toba trip. Photographing people of Tao Toba was a great experience in my life!

That’s the end of Day 2 at Danau Toba!! Will continue the Day 3 pictures later.

Due to works especially, I am not able to update this blog as often as before. Having said that I managed to squeezed some time to go to Medan & then to Danau Toba to capture its beauty after I saw Doc Budies’ pictures. I know that October is not the best month to visit Danau Toba but I just can’t wait to see the landscape with my own eyes. I called my buddy, dR Ali who as I expected will say yes to go with me. Then Badang also sms/emailed me his eagerness to follow us. Emran also wanna go but his father fell sick & it is better for him to stay with his family.

To cut the story short, I made a few calls & emails to Dr Budie & on 10th October we flew to Medan, my first time to Sumatera.

Me & Ali drove to Badang’s house in Danau Kota on 9th Oct just before Marghrib. Reached Badang’s house at about 10PM. Slept in Badang’s house & Joe, Badang’s friend sent us to LCCT at about 4:30AM 10th Oct.

One extraordinary incident happened, Badang left his Nikon D700, an expensive full frame DSLR which is great for landscape in his drybox at home!! At first me & Ali pity him but later we teased him “kaw-kaw”. How can one forget to bring camera to a photography trip!!!

We boarded AirAsia AK450 to Medan ontime. Upon arriving at Medan, we were greeted by a man inside the terminal building who shouted my name. I was so surprised! How can someone know my name here. Then he introduced himself as Doc Budi’s friend. Oh! Wow! We bypassed all security & immigration checks. We went straight to collect our baggage & Dr Budie was already there waiting for us. He must be ’some body’ in Medan……

However the humble Doc Budie immediately ushered us to his car & we drove to a Petronas station. Another suprise for us! A Petronas station in Indonesia! We had our breakfast there. There we waited for Pak Johnny & Dr Anwar. We exchanged souvenirs there. Pak Johnny is the admin for Toba Photographer Club. And we got ourslef a nice TPC vest! Dr Anwar is a O&G specialist who own a private hospital.

Badang & Ali enjoying teh tarik at Suria Petronas, Medan.

So many things to tell, but let me just summarise what we did in Medan & Danau Toba.

Day 1 – 9AM-6PM – We were driving in 2 separate cars, me, dR Ali &  Badang in Doc Budi’s car. Pak Johnny & Dr Anwar in Dr Anwar’s car driven by Dr Anwar’s driver, Pak Nordin. Our aim is to reach Parapat, a small town in Danau Kota by 4PM to meet with more photographers who were there for the Danau Toba Festival 2009. We stopped at various places. But we packed our lunch first because we were told that there will be difficult to find good muslim reataurant along the way. We then continued our journey and the first place we stopped for photography was Penatapan, a rest area where we were able to see & photograph Medan.

Market by the roadside. How creative way to strap the ducks like that.

View from Penatapan.

We continued the journey & stopped at various places for photograph. Some farmers & their farms, church but the highlight of the day is the breathtaking scenery at Sipisopiso. I am not so impressed at the waterfall….but the scenery of Danau Toba!!!

The paddy field.

The farm again & the dramatic clouds.

The farm again. I think this is cabbage.

Danau Toba.....approaching Sipisopiso.

Danau Toba from Sipisopiso.

Same view minus the tree.

A panoramic view.

Last, but not least at Sipisopiso is the waterfall....

We stopped at few more places after that.

Not really sure where this is.

Then finally, we stopped for lunch at Restoran Pandang Simarjarunjung.

Lunch at Simarjarunjung.

I’ll continue later.

In my previous blog, many moons ago, I sounded skeptic with this film or rangefinder photography.

After a while….after readings many blogs, postings in forum & meeting with friends, I think I have changed. I am now believe that all these different ‘genre’ of photography complement each other. I may personally don’t like certain ‘genre’ but it doesn’t mean I have to hate the pictures because beautiful pictures are beautiful pictures regardless how it was produced – yup, even photographic.

I also believe than one can’t and shouldn’t compare rangefinder to SLR. It is like comparing apple to orange. It is not the same & remain different forever. Those skeptic about the super expensive Leica M series are actually jealous on how some people managed to fork out thousands of dollars or Malaysian Ringgits to buy a camera that doesn’t have auto-focus. But I am not implying that those skeptic individuals have no money…. *grin*

Seeing so many beautiful photos especially from DPR and especially Leica Gallery I believe that this camera produce good pictures but….a BIG but here, it is NOT the camera that capture all those moments well. It is the person behind the viewfinder. I believe that if the same persons given even P&S, they can make wonders.

Does this mean I am gonna buy a rangefinder? Ha ha ha….not yet. Don’t have RM50K to spend for this baby as yet.

p/s Leica X1 is however looks delicious….

I love photographing at beautiful & scenic not-for-usual-tourist kind of places. Been to few jungles & mountains, locally or in Indonesia. Been searching for the perfect back for ages. I have a lot of camera bags. All of them are Lowepro. From Nova 4, Off-trail II (sold), Computrekker AW (sold), Inversion 200AW, Computrekker Plus AW, Top-loader 75AW and Primus AW. My favorite at the moment is the Primus but it is not ergonomic & killing my back for a long hiking. For someone with prolapsed disc, this is not good. During the last outdoor adventure up to more than 2000m high Mount Rinjani, I can’t simply carry my own bag, the Primus. I had to rely on the porter to carry all my bags. But I soon discovered than carrying heavier loads with my Deuter Quantum 55-10L, a proper backpack for hiking, seems ‘lighter’ than the Primus. Therefore I believe that a suitable bag matters.

Since then I have been searching for a suitable solutions for such activity. These are few possible solutions:

1. Use my Deuter Quantum plus Lowepro Toploader (over my chest) – Cons: I find it difficult to descend with huge bag on my chest. It was difficult to see my own step. And the number of lenses able to be carried is limited & I need to use pouches for each lens & put them inside my Quantum. Pro: Easy access to my camera (and one lens) – therefore more picture or else, I will just use my P&S.
   
2. Buy Domke inserts & put it into my Deuter Futura 35L. I’ll put the rest of the stuff like cloth, jacket etc on top of the camera. Cons: It will be a nightmare to remove the camera from the bag during the hiking. Meaning less picture from the DSLR. This combo is just meant to carry the camera & lenses from point A to point B.
   
3. f-stop bags!! Just found out about this bag & its extraordinary Internal-Camera-Unit (ICU). The ICU serves as paddings for the camera & lenses, and the best thing is that it has special access to all the camera & accessories. However I still need to put down the bag to get the camera. So, I can take out the camera but it won’t be handy. And the major cons is the price! A Tilopa + ICU = USD290. And the courier charge from US to Malaysia using UPS is another USD280!! More pictures of f-stop gears’ products available here.
   
   (source: http://www.fstopgear.com/now/media/gallery/66-action-shots/139-gerd-riegers-tilopa-setup-20080612)

So for now, I may have to choose Option #1 as I don’t have to spend anymore $$. I just need to descend slowly.

Me with the toploader when climbing Mount Nuang in Selangor.

Logo designed by Rejimus Mongolius.

Date:
23, 24 & 25th October 2009 (Fri-Sun)

Venue:
Kem Zabri, Tasik Banding, Grik

Objective:
To learn & share photography knowledge & experience in the natural environment

Contents:
1. revision on basic photography & composition
2. Landscape photography & editing
3. Macro photography & editing
4. People photography & editing
5. Special photography – HDR, IR & Lighting

Concept:
Nature Photocamp was the brain child of dR Ali. He mooted the idea of having an almost free or at least very affordable knowledge sharing concept of practical photography training with no business intention at all. In this kind of Photocamp, even the instructor needs to pay their own fee, travel entirely using own expenses instead of getting paid for the knowledge he/she shared in many other workshops. We believe that the more one share his knowledge & skill the more he will learn. We never have the intention to compete with other professional workshops by the real professional in the field. We just merely provide alternative.

The fee is shared among ALL participants & committee.

Secondly, the photocamp is a practical session. Less talk, more action (shooting). Mentor-mentee concept applied here. Participants will be split into smaller groups & they will learn from one-another.

Why Advanced Edition for this time round? Because participants will be exposed with special photography like HDR, IR & basic concept of lighting beyond the use of flashlite.

Previous Photocamps:
1. Nature Photocamp Basic @ Ulu dong – Nov 2008
2. Nature Photocamp Basic @ Jeram Perahu – Feb 2009
3. Nature Photocamp Basic @ Jeram Mak Nenek – May 2009

Itinerary:

23 Oct 2009 (Fri)
2PM – Registration
3PM – Briefing – Ayahsu, dR Ali
4PM – Boat ride to Kem Zabri
5PM – Check-in & afternoon tea
7PM – Free & easy
8PM – Dinner & solat
9PM – Landscape, Macro & HDR – Mr Ali Shamsul Bahar, Mr Liew & Mr Dashuki
11PM – Supper & Adjourn

24 Oct 2009 (Sat)
5AM – Daily briefing & Solat
6AM – Breakfast
7AM – Jungle trekking – Shoot rafflesia, waterfall – Landscape & macro photography
12PM – Lunch
3PM – Afternoon break
4PM – Trekking – Macro photography
5PM – Lookout Tower – Sunset
7PM – Free & easy
8PM – Dinner & solat
9PM – Lighting & IR – Mr Azraie & Mr Ali Shamsul Bahar
10PM – Feedback & photo discussion
11PM – Supper & adjourn

25 Oct 2009 (Sun)
5AM – Daily briefing & Solat
6AM – Breakfast
7AM – Visit to Orang Asli settlement – People/portraiture/lighting
11AM – Morning break
12PM – Closing
1PM – Lunch
2PM – Check-out, boatride to jetty & end of photocamp

Committee:
Project Leader – Mr Sukairi
Secretary – Mr Norhisyam
Treasurer – Dr Jamalludin
Photocamp Coordinator & Chief Instructor – Ali Shamsul Bahar
Logistic, Accommodation & Safety – Ayahsu
Design – Mr Azraie
Souvenirs – Badang
Photo Contest – Dr Jamalludin

Cost:
RM150 inclusive of meals, accommodation, training material, boat ride & one piece of t-shirt.

Next Photocamp will be on 14-15th Nov 2009 at Ulu Dong, Raub, Pahang. For details, please visit www.luarbiasafoto.com.

p/s Oh btw, there is no more vacant place available. The seats were all taken within24 hours. Sorry. Please visit the website regularly.

Just wanna share my bit on my workflow. Oh btw workflow here means how one manage their photos i.e. from the memory card (CF or SD) then to storage medium then how they catalog, insert metada including the copyright statement.

At the moment I have been using ACDsee Pro 2.5. Mine is pretty simple, I sort my photos by date. All photos are kept in folders reflecting their date. First folder for the year, then month & days. Few problems, it is quite common that I share photos from multiple dates in one CF. Sorting the photos into the designated folders is not a problem but to insert keyword is indeed troublesome. I need to select photos with similar characteristics & to store them first, then select another group of photo, insert relevant metada & store them again.

Doing that many times is not really a hassle but the waiting is like hell especially when I shoot raw most of times. Waiting one time is OK…but need to wait many time is hell.

I tried Adobe Bridge as it has great compatibility with all Adobe software but Bridge is slow.

I have been using the same workflow since time immemorial but recently I encountered problem. I failed to search for photo I already tagged in ACDsee! Haiyya. Need a lot of time guessing when the photos were shot. Google brought me to various sites & blogs & many recommending Lighroom. So now I am trying Adobe Lightroom. So far it is faster than even ACDsee. Great! Will archive all my photos again.