Photography – Page 10 – Peter Tan

GP Recyko+ Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries

To photographers, rechargeable batteries are as important as the photographic gear itself. These batteries power the cameras and flash guns. The common types are Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and Nickle Metal Hydride (NiMH). Li-ion are usually proprietary batteries manufactured for specific models of cameras only. NiMH on the other hand can be used on cameras that accepts AA-sized batteries which includes many compact cameras.

Photo by Wuan.

I have been using AA-sized NiMH batteries since 2003 when I bought my first digital camera. NiMH those days were unreliable. The power of some would be exhausted after only fifty or sixty shots fresh from the charger. The other disadvantage about these batteries is that they have poor power retention. Their power will be totally exhausted in about one week. That was the reason why I carry a pack of alkaline batteries for those “just in case” moments. Comparartively, alkalines are single use and expensive.

Photo by Wuan.

The older generation of NiMH batteries come uncharged. The new generation comes pre-charged. These include Sony Cycle Energy, Sanyo Eneloop and GP Recyko+. I have been using a set of four Sanyo Eneloop AA-sized batteries on my Canon Powershot A610 for two years now. Wuan has been using hers for the Canon Powershot A90 close to three years already. Both sets still retain their charge well after a few weeks.

Photo by Wuan.

Recently, I got the Nikon Speedlight SB-600 for the Nikon D60. The flash unit takes four AA-sized batteries. Wuan has been taking the Eneloop from my A610 to use in the SB-600. It is a hassle as when I need to use the compact camera, I have to retrieve it from the flash and put it back into the A610. When we were at Low Yat Plaza recently, I got I bought 2 packs of 2 AA-sized GP Recyko+ pre-charged batteries to be used for the SB-600.

Photo by Wuan.

One pack of 2 batteries cost RM32. The batteries come with a charger too but that costs RM88 per set and comes with four batteries. It is actually quite a bargain as I had previously paid RM150 for a charger only. However, I have 2 units of chargers that are still in working order. Over the next few weeks, I am going to test the Recyko+ to see if they are as reliable as the Eneloop.

AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

A few months back, I was really interested in getting the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G. It was not available in Malaysia then. One of several camera shops that Wuan and I went to last week at Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall had one unit on display. The asking price was RM1880. Another shop did not have stock but was willing to order one for me. He quoted RM1850 for the lens. That price was a real bargain. Wuan had offered to get the lense for me. I was very tempted to place an order but decided otherwise.

AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G
Photo credit: Nikon USA.

I then found out that Nikon Malaysia has brought in the newly released AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G. This is one of the few prime lenses that will autofocus with the D40 and D60. What really got my attention was the price. Nikon Malaysia’s website listed it at RM899. A few photographers at PhotoMalaysia posted in the forum that they got theirs for around RM790. Now, that is a price that is closer to my budget for my first large aperture prime lens. Hopefully I will be able to get my hands on one by next week.

With Victor Chin At DCIM Show 2009

Victor Chin delivering his presentation on The Imperfect Body - Challenging some photographic aesthetic values at DCIM Show 2009

Victor Chin talking about The Imperfect Body at DCIM Show 2009.

A few days ago, Victor Chin invited me to give a short presentation together with him at the DCIM Show that was to be held at the Mid Valley Convention Centre. The session was on Sunday. When I agreed to his invitation, I was half awake and did not give it much thought. The evening before the session, no thanks to my procrastination, I huriedly prepared a script and did a four-slide PowerPoint presentation.

Victor’s presentation was titled “The Imperfect Body – Challenging some photographic aesthetic values.” He showed a series of photographs of disabled people adapting and coping with their impairments from an artistic point of view. He shared with the audience about the various images that he took from his perspective as a photographer.

Peter Tan giving a talk about Disabled People and Photography at DCIM Show 2009

Peter Tan on Disabled People and Photography at DCIM Show 2009.

It was refreshing in a way because I seldom get to hear an alternative view other than those that are relevant to my advocacy work. I have attended two of his exhibitions on disabled people and it was only at that seminar that I had a better understanding why his photographs were captured from a certain perspective.

Truth be told, up to the time when I was supposed to deliver my presentation, I was unsure if the topic I had prepared was appropriate and whether the audience would fall asleep halfway through. My photography skills still leave much to be desired and there I was, slotted to speak just after an accomplished artist and photographer, and before an audience of serious photographers brandishing intimidating gears.

Victor Chin responding to an audience after the talk

Victor Chin responding to a question from an audience after the talk at DCIM Show 2009.

The title of my presentation was Disabled People and Photography. I spoke about how many disabled people are invisible from society due to the infrastructural barriers and how Victor’s photographs has provided an insight into the seldom-seen facets. I also talked about how I have used photographs for my advocacy work and how cameras are still inaccessible to people with limited hand function.

All in, I hope I had created some awareness among the photographers who sat through the session regarding disability. Photography and disabled people do not really mix well in Malaysia but through Victor’s effort in exhibiting his images on disabled people, disability may just been seen in a different light. Many thanks to Victor Chin for sharing his platform with me and for allowing me to present disability issues to a few more people at the seminar.