Finally...

Yes, been missing from here for a while... Not surprising since most people are now moving onwards to social networks like Facebook. Heck, most of them also started to post their photos there instead of having it hosted somewhere and link it here...

But I think the reason for me to be missing from blogging is that... Well, I have nothing much to blog about. Pretty much because I have been grounded since my last travel, and after retaining my silver in Krisflyer. As far as I can tell, I have a trip to Korea end Nov and a short trip to US in Dec, just before Christmas.

I have also not been taking any photos, except once, just to try my hand at event photography, and I have to say, I don't think I am cut out for it... This was for the YOG flame journey which my company has taken part in, and they were asking for volunteers to go and line the road to cheer the company representatives running that 100m stretch (in total 400m since there were 4 reps). Oh, had another event, also for the company - a training done at a local hotel, the marketing person wanted some shots which there was no budget to get someone to do it...

Which inevitably leads to this observation that people tend to have this perception that if any of your photos turn out nice/very nice, means you can take anything... So when they see my travel photos, which I had to point out that it does not usually include people and events, they naturally think that you can take any photo and will turn out good!

Tried my hand at events such as the golf tournament... not really that good, tried my hand at weddings... I'll leave it to the pros, although I did get some $$ out of it once, but that was like the most stressful time of my life! Did also a few trips of photography in Cambodia which was passable but I think not a lot of wow shots.

Anyway, the next big trip is finally firming up... Yes, Alaska here I come... Ok, sorry, not that soon, I have to wait till end May 2011 for it. However, I am counting down the days, looking for ways to improve my chances of getting a higher VCP, so that it can pay for the trip.

The other would be the soon to be released D7000 camera body. After the recent issues faced with the D70, I think it's time to move to a new cam body and well, what do you know, D7000 is coming out, and looks like the cam body to go for as the replacement.

Had actually looked at D300s, but since the announcement of D7000, been looking at the specs, and the previews... Seems to be a good alternative to D300s. Of course there is still some difference between them, since one is a semi-pro (I think) but flagship of the DX cam body, while D7000 is still considered a mid class but consumer (I think) cam body.

Compared to the D70, D7000 looks good!!! 39 AF points, 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor, with ability to do some video, almost 100% viewfinder, 2 new custom user settings, ability to support GPS for geotagging, etc, etc, etc.

Need I to say more?!?!

Oh well... Will be heading to the D7000 launch on 29 Oct, where will finally get the chance to lay my hands on it to play with (I hope, but then there are like 120 people in the same event...). Need to find out when it hits the retail stores, which rumours has it that it will be on 28 Oct. Have a feeling it would be snap up fairly quickly, wonder should I just grab it or wait for the review to come...

Definitely need to get it by Hari Raya... My Korea trip will be the following week, want to get it to test it out in the field during this trip... Then there is the US trip... Hopefully by the time Alaska trip, I would be familiar with this cam body... That would save me a lot of issues to hassle with during the trip.