Camera Sensor Sizes

The size of the camera sensor can affect
1. the angle of view of the lens (crop factor);
2. noise leve; and
3. dynamic range

Different image sensor size
Medium format - 51x39mm
Full frames (FX) - 36x24mm. e.g.Nikon D3, D700; Canon 1D, 5D

DX format (DX) - 24x16mm for Nikon, 22x15mm for Canon, 21x14mm for Sigma. e.g. Nikon D300, D90; Canon 50D, 450D. Note that Nikon APS-C sensor is the largest of all. :D
Compact cameras - ~8x6mm.

Sensor Sizes

Refer to the charts above, compact camera sensors are about 9 times smaller than the APS-C and 20 times smaller than the full frame format.

In terms of noise performance, the desirable properties of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and sensor unity gain both scale with the square root of sensor area. Therefore, typical DX and FX DSLRs will have a SNR that is sqrt(9)= 3 times and sqrt(20)= 4.5 times higher than a compact digital camera respectively.

Because of this, DSLRs can offer high-quality pictures even at high ISO, while compact cameras tend to produce grainy images. Typically, noise starts to be noticable for
FX - @ ISO 3200+
DX - @ ISO 1600+
Compact - @ISO 200+

The noise level is also exacerbated by pixel count where higher number of pixels means a higher pixel/mm2 (higher pixel density) and hence noiser image.

Different sensor types

Present from Grace

14-24mm Wide Angle @ Chinese New Year’s Eve

Went to Yum Cha and movie on Chinese New Year's eve. Also tested out the Nikon 14-24mm lens. The lens is very wide, capable of pretty much fitting everything in the frame. Rule of thumb is to get up close and fill the frame, but pay attention to distortion and DOF.

Yum Cha @ Regal

14mm Wide angle inside Regal

Getting up close @ 14mm

Make use of perspective distortion to exzagerate your objects creatively.

雞批 and 蝦餃

How many dim sims did we have?

We then went to see "Yes man" by Jim Carrey @ the Readings

Coming Soon: The Tale of Despereaux

Extreme shot @ 14mm, ISO6400, f/2.8

Waiting for the movie to start

Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8

An addition to my Nikon collection is the 14-24mm f/2.8. Consider that Canon and Nikon are increasing their prices in Feb, 09. I hope I have struck at the right time to get this amazing wide angle lens.

This lens first came out in 2007, so a fairly new lens, but undoubtly rated as one of the top lenses.

The lens has a maximum picture angle of 114 degrees

Finally, my complete set of fast lens

Left: Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8

Centre: Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8

Right: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8

The lens certainly makes my D700+grip look small.

Travelling to Germany

This year my travel plan starts with Germany. The trip will take place in winter, in time to get away from the cold weather here. Since Germany acts as the centre rail connection hub to Denmark, Holland, Poland, France, Austria and Italy, I would regret if I didn’t go to some of these places.

This is the inter and intra rail connection of Germany. Places that I also plan to visit are France and Italy.

To prepare for this trip, I shall be getting the Nikon AFS 14-24mm f/2.8..knowing that it takes the widest lens to capture Europe’s classical antiquity :P

No doubt this is a quality lens. See the cross section of this lens

Nikon D300 (DX) Vs Nikon D700 (FX) High ISO Performance

Despite the superior high ISO performance of the D300, there is still quite a gap between FX and DX in this area (high ISO performance), in particular @ ISO 3200+.

I am very sensitive to image noise, even images taken @ ISO 1600 with the D300 can be a worrying. However, I have no problem shooting @ ISO 6400 with my D700.

Original Image

Images below are 1:1 cropped. Click image to view in detail.

Left: Nikon D300 @ISO1600; Right Nikon D700 @ISO1600

Left: Nikon D300 @ISO3200; Right Nikon D700 @ISO3200

Left: Nikon D300 @ISO6400; Right Nikon D700 @ISO6400

Left: Nikon D700 @ISO12800; Right Nikon D700 @ISO25600

MY DIY bounce cards

Large version of my DIY bounce card

Lite version of my DIY bounce card

The Dragon within me 龍的傳人

Nikon, Canon and Sigma BIG Tele Lens

When I was browsing some camera gear on the internet, once again I came across images of some of the biggest lens from Canon, Nikon and Sigma. O_O

Canon 1200mm f/5.6

Nikon 1200-1700mm f/5.6-f/8

Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8

Sequential Shots @ Surfers Paradise

On my 2009 Birthday

What's a better gift than a beautiful day on your birthday ? Time flies, yet again it is my birthday. Thanks Grace for spending time with me. We started off having lunch at the Great India.

Left: Chicken Tikka Masala - Boneless chicken pieces roasted in the Tandoor,then finished off in the chefs unique minit.

Onion Kulcha - Round leavened bread, with chopped onion and spices.

Coconut Rice - Cooked with coconut cream and caramelized onions.

Right: Ghetu Masala - Succulent large cubes of lamb marinated for 48 hours, then skeweredand smoke roasted over flaming charcoal, finished off in a rich Tandoori Masala sauce

Garlic Naan - Leavened flour bread with a touch of Garlic.

Pullau Rice - Mildly spiced fried rice.

Out time at Great India. The food was great

Great India Interior

We then walked to TE PAPA to see the Colossal Squid which is suppose to be the biggest Colossal Squid ever caught.

The Colossal Squid Exhibition

4.5m Colossal Squid

Other Exhibitions at Te Papa

Afterward, we headed to the Loaded Hog for drinks enjoying the beautiful summer weather, while everyone is working....:D

Panorama View from The Loaded Hog

Us at Loaded Hog

To finish off, we had a quick bite at The Chicago for dinner.

Choosing carefully for our dinner....

Left: Hurricane Burger

Right: Texas Meat Lovers

Oh.........Looks yum

The old fashion way....using the hands.