Rough Groove

My Archos is dead!

If not for my stupidity when I climbed Mt. Tapulao a few weeks ago, my portable hard drive would still be working! After my bag got wet in the downpour, the Archos Gmini 120 stopped working. Now, it would not charge anymore. Its really a loss for me as this device is quite indespensable especially that I shoot exclusively on RAW. Now, I only have two options:

- additional 2GB compact flash cards or
- EPSON P-2000

The first would be good but with limited storage, it won’t really do for long shoots.

The latter, is the most convenient which supports viewing the Canon 350D’s RAW files but just too expensive.

Hmmm, bonus already budgeted.

My new camera gear

My camera gear in full setup:

- Canon DSLR 350D with 2GB Rixdata CF card
- Canon EF-S 17 - 85mm IS USM with EW-73B lens hood
- BG-E3 battery grip with extra battery
- Hoya HMC 67mm UV(N)
- Hoya 67mm circular polarizer

Been using it for the past few weeks and its cool! A great improvement from my Canon Powershot G5. Its fast, noise levels are low and handy. The battery grip is recommended, however, since without it, its just too small for my hands.

Tomorrow, photoshoot, Pahiyas Festival in Lucban.

Related posts:

Canon 350D DSLR
Canon EF-S 17-85mm IS USM

Canon EF-S 17 - 85mm IS USM

A great walkaround/travel lens that’s been receiving great reviews. Despite its not an L lens, its still expensive. Got it for around P31,500 at Avenue Photo in Hidalgo from P37,500 original price in mall outlets. While the aperture is f/4 - 5.6, the image stabilizer (IS) feature makes it possible to take shots, handheld, in poor light as it affords a 3 stops equivalent exposure.

Because this is an EF-S lens, for now, its only useable in Canon’s 300D, 350D and 20D DSLRs and have an equivalent of 28 - 135mm lens in 35mm/full frame cameras.

But it would have been better if this was a faster lens.

Canon 350D DSLR

350D? 20D? 350D? 20D?

So confusing at first but considering that the 20D is scandalously expensive for the same photo quality that I finally settled for the 350D. Been reading the forums and reviews and comparisons of the two equipment but I have to go with the cheaper option. List price is P65,000.00 at Canon outlets but some stores sell it at dealer’s price. I was able to get mine for just P57,000.00 with a free Canon jacket and Canon Philippines warranty. Add to it the battery grip BG-E3 and an extra battery and it went to just P67,000.00. All from JT Photoworld. I went to Watson’s at Hidalgo near Quiapo and got a 2Gb compact flash card for P9,300.00 compared to the store just beside it at P10,500.00.

Next in the horizon: EF-S 17 - 85mm IS USM to replace the not so good EF-S 18 - 55mm kit lens. Digital photography is damn expensive!

Wireless broadband internet

My wireless broadband internet connection has just been setup a few minutes ago c/o Meridian Telekoms and its quite fast. Now, I don’t have to bring my notebook computer to the internet cafe just to download emails.

The wonders of technology!