Nikon D90

May 13th was the day I got my D90 at Digital Walker, V-Mall, Greenhills. I got the body only as it was already too late for me to change my earlier request (yeah I know I should've gone for the kit). But anyhow, this was a major purchase for me for the year, given its pricetag. No regrets here though. I sold my D60 for the D90. As for the lens, I just got the nifty fifty--the cheaper variant only. Overall, I can say that the 50mm f1.8 and the D90 are made for each other--you'll just love the sound coming from the motor!

2 days after securing the D90, I tested it out in the "Island of Imagination"--Camiguin. Sample below:

Find more on my online gallery via http://gallery.mac.com/ricpacs

Nikon Speedlight

The last time I wrote about a speedlight was when I was deciding which one to get--between the Nikon SB-600 or the Nissin Di622. I ended up getting the Nikon speedlight in Manila last month (now you know this is such a late update!). I was satisfied with this purchase--until I found out that it can only be set as a remote. In addition, I wasn't too sure about the D60 anymore at that time since its flash can't even wirelessly command the SB-600, much less all other speedlights.

So I was looking to either push it up to the D90 or just invest in some good lenses--decisions, decisions. But since the D60 (like the D40/x) doesn't have any built-in motor, buying cheaper not-so-new lenses would be useless unless of course if I had already mastered the art of MF-ing (no, it's not what you're thinking). I can learn MF-ing, but I don't think I have much time. The newer lenses with motors would work perfectly with AF on the D60 but are more expensive. So I had to decide.

Take screenshots off the BlackBerry with it unhooked

I love this nifty little priceless app called CaptureIt. You can take screenshots off your BlackBerry with it unhooked. For those who are just new into the BlackBerry world, taking screenshots before CaptureIt arrived require BlackBerrys to be hooked up to the PC (yes, not on Macs!). But all that has changed--thanks to the TheTechMogul. For the latest version (v1.4) here's the OTA download link--just point your BlackBerry's browser to http://www.thetechmogul.com/CaptureIt/CaptureIt.jad

The above screenshot is the latest off my homescreen with RyleePac as the wallpaper subject.

*NEW* BlackBerry 8900

I forgot to update my blog that I had gotten my new BlackBerry 8900 in the afternoon of February 18th, that's 4 long days after my birthday. I had planned on getting a new one--first choice was a Bold due to its availability locally--in time for my birthday but failed. I tried to ask Globe for one even if I'd pay for it upfront but they never gave me due to some technicalities--one of which is the fact that they only offer it to corporate subscribers and I'm just on an individual (or regular) subscription, you know--but religiously paying my monthly dues... oh well.

Anyhow, thanks to another BlackBerry addict from PhilMUG (member amf), and because he posted that he got his 8900 from ebuystore.com.ph (MNL-based ebay powerseller), now you know what happened next (yup, I'm so predictable at times). So I sought the help of yet another BlackBerry addict from PhilMUG, world-renowned writer Butch Dalisay (click it for his Wiki spot)--asked him to get it for me so he can inspect before shipping it over to Cagayan de Oro (just to be sure everything's accounted for) and so he did (thank you Sir!). I just wired him the money via bank deposit. And that was it, after a day-full of waiting, the beauty of a gadget finally arrived and knocked on the door!

For more information about the BlackBerry 8900, check out its official page. Finally, I now have GPS and Wi-Fi in one device! Now, if you'd ask me where my BlackBerry 8320 went, I had it sold to a friend--after I replaced the trackball and the faceplate so it'd look new and feel new.

Which Flash Gun?

For weeks now, I've been contemplating on getting a flash gun for my Nikon D60 that I bought, I think (if my memory serves me right), last month. I still have not decided between these two, the Nikon SB-600 or the Nissin Di622. The former has more features and can seamlessly be integrated with the camera--of course, that's how it should be as they both carry the same brand anyway. Problem is, there's not even a single unit here in Cagayan de Oro.

Meanwhile, the Nissin Di622's specs look promising as well. All over the web, people who have used one claim that it's better than the SB-600, except that people haven't really answered the "can it command?" question. I guess that's up for me to find out. Here's the deal though, there's like over 7 units available locally, unit costs about PhP 9,500 but there's no warranty, not even 24-HRS! How wicked can that get!? Uh, decisions... I'm running out of time as I need to practice flash photography before I actually get my hands dirty in the real world of photography...

If you were in my shoes, which would you get? SB-600? Di622? BTW, I forgot to note that the SB-600 is about PhP 12,000 and up.