A World Through Lenses

Star gazing with Canon EOS 7D

phoenix — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:45:56 +0000

Last night the sky was clear with no cloud coverages. My friend and I drove to a farm near Pickering and did some star gazing. I brought my camera gears along to do some simple astrophotography.

First easy target for the camera is the moon. I’ve posted my photo of the first full moon of year2010 before. Beautiful as the full moon is, it is actually too bright and does not have enough contrast on the moon surface to see some of the craters. A new moon will actually offer much better details than a full moon because of the contrast provided by the shadows on the moon’s surface. Last night is 2 day past moon’s first quarter, the moon is actually about 57% full. However it still offered enough shadows on the moon’s surface so that some more details can be seen.

The same gear as the last moon shot was used. Canon EOS 7D was coupled with Sigma 100-300 F4 & Sigma 1.4x teleconverter all sitting on the Manfrotto 055 Pro tripod. This gives me a relative stable platform for the camera and an equivalent focal length of 672mm. The following photo was shot at ISO 100, F11 @ 1/100th second.

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Permalink | Tags: Moon, Star Trail | Categories: Landscape, Photography | No comment

Yorkville Exotics

phoenix — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 01:11:30 +0000

Went to Yorkville Exotics Car Show today. This is a new car show that started this year in the downtown heart of Toronto. I got a bit restless waiting for my new car to come from Halifax so I wanted to go there to check out the other exotics before my exotics arrives. The show is primarily sponsored by Ferrari and Porsche so the car that’s on the show is also only Ferraris and Porsches. Since I was just dropping by quickly during noon time, the lighting will be horrible, and I’m not going to spend too long at the show, I only brought my point and shoot. So unfortunately the photos are all pretty bad to my standard.

But anyway here goes.

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Permalink | Tags: Ferrari, Porsche, Tesla | Categories: Miscellaneous | One comment

Volks Hatsune Miku Encore Package

phoenix — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 01:04:11 +0000

I have posted back in 2009 that I purchased a pre-painted resin figure of Volks’ Hatsune Miku from e2046. This particular Hatsune Miku resin kit was original released by Volks Japan in Wonder Festival 2008 at an price of ¥14,490. It was later released by Volks Japan as a 1/6 PVC figure in August 2008 with an MSRP of ¥7,140. Now e2046 sells recast resin garage kit as well as pre-painted recast resign figures. And in case you are wondering, yes they simply made copies of the original kit and sell these copies. Now I do try to avoid these recast figures, but because garage kits in Japan are very expensive and very limited in production quantity, it is not always possible to get my hand on the original. And because garage kits are typically produced in such tiny small quantities and that they do not have any lost of market outside Japan, I do from time to time buy recast garage kits from places like e2046. However, if possible, I do still want to get my hand on the original.

Around end of 2009 and beginning of 2010, Volks Japan did another re-issued version of this figure as an “Encore Package” during Comiket 77 (December 29-31, 2009) and New Kit Exhibition 2010 (January 1-11 2010). And so my quest to get the original started.

Hatsune Miku Encore Package 1/6 PVC by Volks (初音ミクアンコールパッケージ). Original Sculptor Milchstraße (ミルヒ・シュトラーセ). Released on May 2010 with an MSRP of ¥7,560.

Here’s what the box looks like, front and back.

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Permalink | Tags: Hatsune Miku, Vocaloid | Categories: Figure, Toys | One comment

Alter Saber Alter Maid

phoenix — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 02:12:56 +0000

I’ve purchased Alter’s Saber Maid PVC a little over two years ago. A little over one year ago, I’ve purchased a Dollfie Dream Saber and the Dollfie Dream Saber Maid costume. Give the fact that I own a number of PVCs, nendoroids, as well as a Dollfie Dream Saber, and that I also own Saber Maid in both PVC and as a dollfie dream costume, you can conclude that I’m definitely a fan of Saber maid. And when I see that Alter will be releasing a PVC of Saber Alter in maid costume, I just had to have it.

Saber Alter Maid 1/6 PVC by Alter (アルターセイバーオルタ　メイド Ver.). Original sculptor 倉本育馬. Released on May 2010 with an MSRP of ¥8,000. (Yes it is from the same sculptor and same manufacture as the original Saber Maid PVC but now a little cheaper.)

The box shots front and back. The box is very nice, black box with only silhouette of Saber showing through the matte black color. So fitting for Saber alter.

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Permalink | Tags: Fate, Saber | Categories: Figure, Toys | No comment

Nendoroid – Tohou Project’s Hakurei Reimu & Kirisame Marisa

phoenix — Sat, 29 May 2010 21:55:30 +0000

The Touhou Project, for those who don’t know is a Japanese games series that’s primary danmaku (弾幕 which literally translates to bullet curtain) scrolling shooter. The game is developed by a single person: ZUN of Team Shanghai Alice (上海アリス幻樂団). It’s called danmaku because the screen is often filled up with bullets that you have to dodge in between. Even though I’m not all that good with these shooter games but I do love to play them. I find these games to be much more challenging and enjoyable than a lot of today’s games where graphics is everything while the game itself offers no challenge to the player in one form or another.

Good Smile Company started to make Touhou nendoroids in 2009. The first one is Hakurei Reimu, However, it was only offered during Comiket 76 (August 14-16, 2009) as well as on a few online shop that does not ship outside of Japan. It can also be ordered on a handful of Japanese online shops that also doesn’t ship outside of Japan. Because of that, I didn’t get my hand on it. Soon more Touhou nendorids were released. In January 2010, Good Smile Company released Hakurei Reimu’s friend Kirisame Marisa as a nendoroid. And with that, I finally geared up and bought both Hakurei Reimu and Kirisame Maris off Yahoo Japan Auction. Another Touhou character that I liked, Remilia Scarlet, will be released as a nendoroid in September 2010. I’ve got my order placed with one of the online shops she’s available in and had it shipped to a package forwarding service in Japan so that I can finally get my hand on it for a more nominal price.

Okay let’s start with Hakurei Reimu. Here’s her box shot. As you can see she’s pretty old. Nendoroid series #74.

Nendoroid Hakurei Reimu by Good Smile Company. (ねんどろいど博麗霊夢). Original sculptor Nendoron (ねんどろん). Released on August 2009 with MSRP of ¥3,000.

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Permalink | Tags: Hakurei Reimu, Kirisame Marisa, Touhou | Categories: Nendoroid, Toys | No comment

Nendoroid – Takamachi Nanoha & Fate Testarossa

phoenix — Thu, 27 May 2010 17:05:55 +0000

Just days ago I posted my long over due Alter Takamachi Nanoha Stand By Ready PVC. I’ve got more Nanoha goodies piled up here that went unopened for some time — Good Smile Company’s Nendoroid Takamachi Nanoha and Fate Testarossa.

Nendoroid Takamachi Nanoha The Movie 1st Version by Good Smile Company (高町なのは) Original sculptor Yoshio (よしお) [LOUGH]. Released on February 2010 with MSRP of ¥3,500.

Box shot.

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Permalink | Tags: Fate Testarossa, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha, Takamachi Nanoha | Categories: Nendoroid, Toys | 2 comments

Alter Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st Nanoha Takamachi

phoenix — Tue, 25 May 2010 18:10:15 +0000

So here’s a figure that has be sitting in the box for a while waiting for me to find the time to take photo of her. Ever since I purchased Alter’s Fate Testarossa and Yagami Hayate figure. I always wanted a Nanoha figure to go with the two. And of course it must be a Nanoha figure of a equivalent size so that it can be displayed beside Fate and Hayate properly. And of course Alter delivered in the form of this Alter Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st Nanoha Takamachi Stand By Ready.

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st Takamachi Nanoha -Stand By Ready- 1/7 PVC by Alter (｢魔法少女リリカルなのは The Moview 1st｣高町なのは -Stand By Ready-). Original sculptor 爪塚ヒロユキ. Released on March 2010 with an MSRP of ¥9,800. Notice this is the same sculptor that sculpted Alter’s Fate Testarossa and Yagami Hayate.

Here’s the box shot.

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Permalink | Tags: Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha, Takamachi Nanoha | Categories: Figure, Toys | No comment

Chogokin VF-27 Gamma Lucifer Valkyrie

phoenix — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:47:11 +0000

In anticipation of Macross Frontier movie, not only did Bandai re-released all of their Chogokin VF-25, they also released a new VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie. This fighter belongs to Brera Sterne, Ranka Lee’s older brother. And since I already own VF-25F Super Messiah Valkyrie Saotome Alto Custom, I want to make sure that the next Valkyrie that I own is a bit different form VF-25F. This VF-27γ is the perfect one for me. Ever since the Macross Frontier anime, its delta wing design has captured my attention (I always loved the delta wing designs in fighter jets). So now it’s releasing as a chogokin toy that’s fully transformable, I just had to have it. Luckily AmiAmi is doing 50% off shipping promotion right now and so EMS shipping from Japan seems really cheap even for a heavy item like this.

Bandai DX Chogokin VF-27γ Lucifer Valkyrie Brera Sterne Custom (バンダイ DX超合金 VF-27γ ルシファーバルキリーブレラスターン機). Released on February 2010 with a MSRP of ¥16,800.

Here’s the box shot. Much smaller and simpler box when compared to the VF-25F Super Messiah Valkyrie Saotome Alto Custom.

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Permalink | Tags: Macross Frontier, Metal Toys | Categories: Mecha, Toys | 2 comments

Bandai Chogokin Fireball Drossel

phoenix — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:49:49 +0000

Drossel von Flügel is the main character in the Toei and Disney Channel’s Fireball anime shorts. There’s already a Figma Drossel, a Nendoroid Drossel, and the Fireball Winter Package DVD that comes with a special ski version of Drossel. Even though I like Drossel’s design I never got the original figma release because it seems to be very flimsy. Despite I love nendoroid, the nendorid Drossel is actually one of those that I really don’t like. Nearly all of the nendoroids release so far are cuter than their normal counter part. Such cannot be said for drossel. The only thing I liked about the nendoroid Drossel is the fact that it’s got the LED lights in her eyes. Now this, Bandai Chogokin Drossel, is probably the best drossel released. Combining everything. The joints are metal and feels solid, has just about all the accessories and parts that was seen in the anime. And best of all, her eyes lit up just like the nendoroid.

Bandai Chogokin Fireball Drossel (バンダイ超合金ファイアボールドロッセル). Released on February, 2010 with MSRP of ¥7,980.

Here’s the box. Front and Back.

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New cameras

phoenix — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:05:10 +0000

I’ve just received something interesting. Two mysterious black boxes. Both black cube as a flip top opening with Canon EOS marking on it. Just what is inside those boxes? What is this something that seemingly has to do with Canon EOS, something photography related, here doing in the toys and dollfie category. And just where do Kanu Unchou fit here? Well you will just have to read on to find out.

As the myth behind these black boxes are revealed…

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Permalink | Tags: Kanu Unchou | Categories: Dollfie, Toys | 2 comments

Recent anime related merchandise purchases

phoenix — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:35:25 +0000

I’ve received some not so usual purchases recently and decided to take a few casual shot of these items and make a post about it. The first is the complete set of Kara no Kyoukai (空の境界) Limited Edition DVDs. I actually didn’t get a chance to watch Kara no Kyoukai until end of 2009. Watched it and really liked it. Now I was not really blown away by the animation nor was the story that drove me to really like the series, they are good but not the driving factors for me. The one that drove me to spend such a large amount of money to buy this entire DVD set from Japan was that, the concept and philosophy within this series (with many references to Buddhist teaching) are very much similar to what I have established myself. Typically a series that want to just through in a few ideas tends to have many holes even at a very high level. But this series, I found that I actually agrees with their reasoning process and view of the philosophy, and that intrigues me so much so that I ended up buying the entire series from half a globe away.

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Figure/doll photography 121 – Blurry photos – How to tame the focus

phoenix — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:01:29 +0000

This is another figure/doll photography 121 post. I’ve heard from many people as well as seen from many forum posters that they can’t seem to get sharp images for their figure/doll. Some of these people simply didn’t know to use the macro focus mode on their point and shoot camera. However, a lot of them are new users of D-SLRs or have switched from point and shoot digital camera to D-SLRs. In this post, I’d like to explore some of the difference between a point and shoot digital camera and a D-SLR that may cause new and unfamiliar user to get blurry photos. I will also explore a few things on the D-SLR and are specific to D-SLR that may cause blurry photos. I will be using nendoroid, standard PVC figure, as well as doll as my subject. As usual all photos in the post have higher resolution images linked so click on the thumbnail to see better details.

Be aware, this post is image heavy and may take a bit longer to load.

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Permalink | Tags: Kanu Unchou, Saber | Categories: Dollfie, Figure, Nendoroid, Photography, Toys, Tutorial | One comment

Figure/doll photography 121 – How to produce black background

phoenix — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:00:21 +0000

I’m going to call this a figure/doll photography 121. It’s not a 101 because even though what’s presented here is what I know of, it may or may not be correct. It’s not a 123 since I’m not really providing a step by step instruction. So some where between 101 and 123, I hope this becomes helpful to someone. And through that, the knowledge is transferred from one to another, and hence the name 121.

Black background, there are a lot of myths about it. There are talks about how to use black seamless paper, black cloth, or even black velvet behind the subject to create it. Then there are talks about using post production editing tools such as Photoshop to achieve it. However, neither of these approaches produces what I would call a true black background. Black background material is always visible due to light reflection, even black velvet shows up under some lighting conditions. And then there are many cases where the use of background material is just not practical or not possible. Photoshop on the other hand, will product a true black background, but typical masking technique to mask out your suject will produce an unnatural edge around it, this is on top of the amount of work needed to mask the fine details. In this post, I will try to walk through my technique in creating what I would call a true black background, just like what I have done below for Dollfie Dream Kanu Unchou. I’ve used this technique for many years now, mostly for floral photography but used sparsely for figure photography as well. however it can easily be applied to much bigger subjects such as dolls, real people and even other bigger subjects that you might want to photograph. And it’s all done straight out of camera with no background material and no Photoshop work.

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Permalink | Tags: Geranium, Kanu Unchou, Katsuragi Misato | Categories: Dollfie, Figure, Photography, Toys, Tutorial | 7 comments

Nendoroid – Megurine Luka

phoenix — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:11:32 +0000

Even though I never actually posted an full post dedicated to nendoroids, but I am actually a nendoroid (Official Nendoroid web site in Japanese) collector. I’ve owned over 20 nendoroids to date include: all five Suzumiya Haruhi characters, three Suszumiya Haruhi WonFest bunny girls, all ten of Lucky Star character with different versions, and the Mikkumiku Kagami, Itoshiki Nozomu from Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei, Saber lion, Hatusne Miku. And today I’ve just added Vocaloid Megurine Luka to my nendoroid arsenal. Well I always felt that nendoroids are more thing that I play with rather than a real collector item. But seeing how I have accumulated such a large number of them from the past, I think I should post some of them so they don’t feel left out from my collection.

I actually had to fight hard to get Megurine Luka.For some reason that she sold out on pre-order really quick and I actually wasn’t able to pre-order her from any of my usual Japanese shops. In the end I was only able to get my hand on her right on her release date. I refreshed few site’s web page like mad and was able to find stock on Hobby Search. Purchased her quickly but when I checked back later in a few hours, it’s all gone. Funny how she was not even available from Amazon Japan while most other nendoroids are. Then because I wanted to try out the SAL shipping method, I had to wait for quiet a few weeks for her to arrive from Japan. After all that, I’m glad that I finally have her.

Nendoroid Megurine Luke by Good Smile Company. (ねんどろいど巡音ルカ). Original sculptor Ageta Yukiwo (あげたゆきを). Released on January 2010 with MSRP of ¥3,500.

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Permalink | Tags: Hatsune Miku, Megurine Luka, Vocaloid | Categories: Nendoroid, Toys | 2 comments

Chogokin VF-25F Super Messiah Valkyrie

phoenix — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:15:05 +0000

Bandai DX Chogokin VF-25F Super Messiah Valkyrie Alto Type was originally released on January 2009. Later, two add-on packs were released that’s available in the Bandai’s Tamashii shop in Japan only. One for the Super Pack and the other for the SMS display base. I didn’t get a chance to get it back at the beginning of 2009. Qhen I looked around at the prices later, they were high and so I gave up. Now as Macross Frontier movie is scheduled to be released, the VF-25F is released together with Super Pack as well as the SMS display base all in one single package. The paint color was slightly different to match the movie release, all the rest are otherwise the same as the original release. Best of all, I don’t have to pay extra for deputy service or fight in lines to get the add-on packs. It arrived before end of 2009 and it was sitting on my filing cabinet for a long time. Now finally I took some photo of it.

Bandai DX Chogokin VF-25F Super Messiah Valkyrie Saotome Alto Custom (バンダイ DX超合金 VF-25F スーパーメサイアバルキリー早乙女アルト機). Released on November 2009 with a MSRP of ¥16,800.

Here’s the box shot. It was a very nice box with colorful prints of the valkyrie in different forms.

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Permalink | Tags: Macross Frontier, Metal Toys | Categories: Mecha, Toys | One comment