Personal Project: Photobook on my Vietnam Trip

 

As mentioned earlier, I had the opportunity to travel to Vietnam for business purpose, and I was able to squeeze out some free time to travel  around Hanoi and it’s nearby provinces during my short stay there in April. Since then, I had compiled some of the pictures and my writings into this book. It’s more like a sharing of my thoughts, feelings and emotions while travelling to Vietnam for the very first time.

And again, I would like to apologize that this book was written in Chinese instead of English. As with my other personal projects, I’m more comfortable to write in Chinese, as I felt that I can express myself better through this language. For those who are interested to check it out, please feel free to click on the link here to download and read on your own leisure. Hope you enjoy this book of mine. Do drop me a comment if there’s any.

Thank you and have a nice day!

Upgrading your TCL-X100 and WCL-X100

Alright, after a few posts ranting about 2018, it’s time to get back to business and talk a little about photography!

Fujifilm released TCL-X100 II and WCL-X100 II together with X100F. Essentially, the Version II is the same as Version I (physically and optically), with the only difference being the Version II has built-in magnet that allows the X100F to automatically detects the conversion lens and apply the necessary picture profile directly.

For those who owned the Version I conversion lens, or you do not wish to purchase the much more expensive Version II lenses to couple with your X100F, there’s a workaround that was shared by glueing magnets to the inside of the conversion lens. This is a dirty and gritty method that not everyone is comfortable about (at least I’m not). There’s another “cleaner” and “safer” method that you can use. This company called “Larry Gadget Supply” from China has made a simple solution for you to convert your Version I lens to Version II.

What’s in the box is essentially a metal ring that has magnet embedded inside. What you need to do is just to locate at which position (should be somewhere near the f2.8 area when you turn the aperture ring all the way to Auto) the magnet ring will trigger your camera to detect it and register the profile. There’s a video tutorial showing you what to do, just follow it and you’ll be fine. Once located, just stick the metal ring onto the back of your conversion lens and you are done. The camera will now detects your conversion lens automatically!

So, for those who owned the Version I conversion lens or those who don’t want to spend extra for Version II, feel free to use this cheap method to get the same result. Till then, happy shooting!

Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix 2017

 

Last year was the first time I got a taste of Formula 1 live action courtesy of my friend. I got to watch the Free Practice 1 and 2 sessions and I must say I was hooked by it. Hence, I decided to purchase a full 3 days ticket myself for this year’s Singapore Grand Prix. There was talk that this might be the last time for Singapore to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, but in the end it was good to hear that they will continue to host until 2021.

 

Singapore Grand Prix has always been a special one. It’s on with the longest lap time and the most turns and corners. It’s a street circuit that built from all the familiar streets that I passed by on daily basis. Hence, it added a touch of familiarity and coziness when seeing the Formula 1 race cars blazing passed all the familiar landmarks around the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

 

If you are a Formula 1 or racing fan, please try to experience the race in live for at least once in your lifetime. The roaring of engines, the smell of burning fuel, the smoke from brushing rubber, and above all, the atmosphere and the crowd is simply amazing. Singapore Grand Prix goes a step further as you will get to be just a few feet away from the race track due to the street circuit’s design, which literally puts you in the action itself. Other than the race itself, there were other races such as the Ferrari Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia going on throughout the weekend. Besides that, there were also concerts and performances by popular artists around the world. I went for the One Republic concert on Friday and it was awesome!

 

I spent time exploring every corner of the tracks on Friday and snapped some pictures along the way. On Saturday, the qualifying session was so intense that I can feel the rush of adrenaline and the increase of my heart beat! In the end, Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel managed to snatch pole position ahead of the Red Bull duos. Yes, I’m a big fan of Ferrari team.

 

The race day itself was eventful. I was there right before the first corner, and once in a blue moon, the cars from the front row got wiped out. Yes, my Ferraris and a Red Bull just crashed right in front of my eyes during the first ever night race in wet condition. What the hell had gone wrong?? Anyway, the remaining part of the race was just cheering for Ricciardo whenever the safety car was out and he got to close down the gap with Hamilton. Too bad he failed to seize the opportunity in the end. Hamilton drove a better strategy and race overall.

 

There goes my first experience of a full weekend of Formula 1 Grand Prix. Very interesting and addicting indeed. Will I be back again next year? Probably I’ll just go for one day instead, we’ll see. These are pictures taken throughout the weekend. Most of the pictures were taken during the free practice sessions. I didn’t want to waste it for not indulging on the actual moment itself. I can live with less picture, so I just enjoy every moment to the fullest. Till then, looking forward for more Formula 1 Grand Prix experience in the future.