Google Nexus 6P

So after 2 years, I finally decided to upgrade my phone.

The plan was to upgrade it every year given the low price of the Nexus line, but when last year's Nexus 6 was HUGE, and cost as much as an iPhone, I decided to pass, plus I wasn't too keen on the build.

This year however, since there were two Nexus phone, and with the price brought back down to the range I wanted, all that I had left was to choose between the 5X or the 6P.

Personally I would have preferred the size of the 5X but in terms of specs, the 6P would be able to last 2 years and perform better should I skip a purchase again in 2016.

Size bump aside, and apart from the front firing speakers which is honestly life changing (why don't phone manufacturers do this more often? I don't recall this being patented), the camera quality is something I can really appreciate coming from the older Nexus 5. iPhones have generally enjoyed great photography but in 2015, it's good to see more Android phones keep pace.

Below are shots taken in various conditions and I can say I'm really happy thus far. None are post edited.

Indoor low light, shopping mall had its lights turned off as it was only 7am. Auto HDR

Same as above. Auto HDR

Back light washed out sky, but still manageable.HDR

Indoor with mall lights on. HDR

Indoor regular living room lighting. No HDR

Outdoor sheltered. No HDR

Indoor Florescent. No HDR

Indoor incandescent light. No HDR

Indoor incandescent light. No HDR

Besides the rear shooter, the front is pretty awesome too, 8mp, and wide angle, I'm not a selfie person, but when I do, I take a photo of my cat and I indoors.

Why no iPhone? Really boils down to price, After a lot of reading and user reviews from Android users, I am convinced that I can handle an iPhone now that iOS9 has a lot of the functions I want in a phone, but to put into perspective.

Nexus 6P 64gb - $899
iPhone 6S+ 64gb - $1,388

Overall I've no regrets with the phone, glad with the purchase!

Saberstrip 1 & 2

Finally got myself a second set of rechargeable batteries from Funan today, I've been wanting to get another Yongnuo, but then knowing I had the Olympus flash, it would be a waste not to use it, so I got batteries instead and cut the second tube this evening.

Can't wait to test it!

Whipping Out the Grado SR80s and Creative Xmod

Quite a random entry, I google back and realised I've had the Creative Xmod as early as 2007, yet of recent years I haven't found myself taking time out to appreciate music with it. Mostly I use it as an external sound card these days.

Paired with the Grado Labs SR80s, this thing is still a wonder. It's no "audiophile" certified quality, but it's enough for me. I tend to keep the 3D surround sound off when it comes to music, the X-Fi is all I needed, and with songs that lean towards the more acoustic and vocal side, this thing is a dream to listen to.

It's been awhile, spent about 45 minutes going through a few tracks on my music album and I'm really glad I made this purchase 8 years ago. =)

Making a DIY Saber Strip + Test Shot

After watching an episode by Zack Arias on his one light tutorials, he introduced the Saberstrip, an alternative to using shoot through umbrellas for photography. The biggest advantage I saw in it was its ability to withstand wind as compared to those umbrellas.

Found  DIY tutorial online and modified it with my own tweaks. Link HERE.

While the website's setup cost US$30, the whole set up I had cost less than $5 (US$3.70?)!!! My tubes were bought off a framing shop I walked pass one day, the uncle had no use for them and thus I managed to convince him to sell it off. I think they can't cost that much if you get it from an art shop either anyway.

The initial test shot was very harsh, and without any form of diffuser, the flash which was technically aimed at the ceiling anyway, kept leaking light upwards which came crashing down and filling the background. Not having a diffuser also meant that light reflected off the saberstrip was harsh and concentrated on certain areas of the body.

I ended up with a last minute tweak cause I was lazy, and made do with a plastic bag wrapped around the thing to reduce light shooting upwards and to allow a more event spread towards the subject.

The results? Yay! 

Can't complain for the price, and I was pretty worried with the catch light but it didn't turn out as bad as I'd hope (of course the plastic bag was huge la).

Glad to have given this experiment a try, Sunday night not wasted. =)

Inov-8 Roclite 295 - Women's Color

I don't usually buy colored shoes, but when I do, I tend to lean towards the women's colors.

Got these babies as part of an upcoming project, decided to snap a few shots for keeps before they start to get dirty.

Skateboard Purchase

Well, since Colin and Al have gotten a deck, I figured I'd get one to join in the fun, but I wasn't keen on investing in a new board, luckily there was a really nice looking deck for sale on carousell at about $100 off if purchased brand new.

What a steal! Camera theme some more =P

Spinworkx Kendama

Too cool! Coming soon to the Spinworkx store, keep a lookout this Friday the 13th!

Lenny's New Swag

So Lenny got out the night before and came home without his collar and ID Tag. I did a search for about an hour around the neighborhood but no luck. Did another search the next morning and nothing turned up.

Ended up buying a new collar for the fella. Orange this time round. =)

sOMEThING PHASER

Decided "why not?" and while at Spinworkx picking up two Kendamas today, I tried my hand at the Mystery Box. Lucky 13 it was.

Posted it on Instagram and within 20 minutes I received 3 offers.

Not selling though I don't think I'll really play with it either. It's in a way to support Hiroyuki since I've been meaning to do so but always too lazy to buy anything new. =X

On the Steamer

It didn't very long to convince me to get a steamer for the office, since I'm really quite into food (duh), it was more of a "how much? so cheap? ONZ" kind of response I gave before I found myself online purchasing my very own electric lunch box.

Tested it out today and I'm really happy with it, this was meant for two but the mumster didn't come to office in the end, so less rice for me, and more meat, veg, and eggs.

Good meal =)

New Kicks! My First Converse

I like Converse shoes mainly for their price range, back in the day a regular pair will only set your back $50 while other shoes were priced at $100 and above.

Thing is the design wasn't that much to my liking, and I never got around finding a pair that I liked, then again I hardly shop so I seldom go into a shop specifically looking at designs.

I chanced upon this in Malaysia and for RM159 (S$62) and since it wasn't the usual style of Converse, but something I would very much prefer, I went ahead and got it, which is about time since my pair of Box Fresh sneakers look like a mess now, those have been my kicks since July 2013 so it's time to retire them.

KT Tape - Treating the Top Foot

About a week ago I decided to buy another roll of Kinesio tape from KT Tape to sort my foot pain out.

Problem is though I had taped it correctly, I was treating the wrong problem, I didn't have the same ankle problem I had the first time, this time it was a problem with the upper of my foot.

A quick search led me to another method and after application, it seems to be relieving the pain correctly this time round.

Taping in Green (KT Tape)

Thank goodness no real injury yet, just a sore ankle from lots of running. Decided to buy a roll of KT Tape and give it a try.

I hardly wear kinesio tape, and so today's application, I think I went a little to light on the wrapping, it could have been tighter but I guess it's better than nothing.

Hope the soreness goes away soon enough.

Westone UM Pro 10

Prior to this, I had actually gotten a spare Westone One second hand at $60 from a seller who wanted to get rid of it, but then after awhile I made a stupid mistake and in the process damaged the wires which rendered it useless.

Decided I needed to get new buds. Was contemplating between the W10 and the UM Pro 10, both base models by Westone. The W10 had a slightly warmer sound but ever so slightly only that it was negligible for me. The main diff was that the former is $299 and the latter is just $219. Since the W10 had volume controls and mic, I figured I wasn't going to pay $80 more for that additional piece which I doubt I'll use often, so the UM Pro 10 it was then.

Package Received

Got a text from my officer back in Jurong Camp regarding a mail he wanted to send out to my address, I didn't know what to expect, but after awhile it finally reached my door step, and it turned out to be key chains!

He's a proud Fuji owner and takes really awesome photos, and since he had no use for this, he figured to pass it on, a really nice gesture! I actually have a set already, but hey, the more the merrier.

Thanks Sir!

Bukit Timah Summit Running

Did a solo site recce this morning to check out the condition of the ascend from Dairy Farm to Bukit Timah Summit, pretty happy with the distance though I was pretty tired from lack of sleep these past few days.

Got to finally try out the Compressport calf guards as well...I've never really had any impression of compression wear, especially for the tights, but the calf guards really do help, pretty good stuff!