Photo exhibit sponsored by Fujifilm.

Got this from facebook, via Vicky Abay.

Updates we want to see for the HS50EXR.

I hope Fujifilm updates the firmware of this fine superzoom without introducing new model superzoom camera.
We wish to see the following features in future updates of the firmware.

1. Better automatic exposure control in EXR AUTO mode. The camera tends to OVEREXPOSE in most shooting scenarios.
2. Snappy faster focusing in P or Program mode as in EXR AUTO.
3. Time lapse photography feature.
4. Bulb or T speed settings.
5. More special effects like fisheye and better multiple scenes mode.For example, side by side shooting should leave the unshoot side totally black.
6. Better battery power indicator. As it is, the camera suddenly turns off without warning after shooting many scenes.
7. Smartphone control integration.
8. Wifi image transfers from camera to PCs.
9. Any utility software should work in Linux.
10. Better glues for the leatherette strip covers.
11. Additional saved user control settings.
12. GPS feature

More sunbird photos

Beautiful sunbirds

You will seldom catch, if ever, sunbirds in highly urbanized places. Unlike the ubiquitious house mayas, sunbirds are somewhat shy, unless they are intent on feeding on flowers. We have cordias in our home province and the long orange flowers ensure that sunbirds will not have competition for the nectar. Here are some photos I took last Saturday, with my trusty HS50EXR camera.

Wifi cards are getting cheaper, are they worth the hassle?

I do not like to remove the SD card from the camera and attach it to the card reader slot of the PC to transfer photos. I also do not like attaching the camera usb cable. Such "mechanical" procedures can damage the sdcard or worse the delicate microusb port. I already experienced a damaged 32 Gbytes FUJITSU SD card! These high capacity cards do not come cheaply. The thin plastic sdcard body covers can get brittle from too much handling.

Yesterday, I bought a 16 Gbytes Transcend WIFI sd card. It costs me P2,500 at Perfect Shot, SM Annex, SM North. The lady promised me that if it will not work, then I can buy equivalent cost goods from the store. Our HS50EXRr camera is listed as compatible with the SD card and in fact the MENU of the camera includes an Eye-Fi transfer selection!

You need a smart phone (iPhone or Android) and the Tanscend WIFI SD card app to make it work. You will also get a dedicated special "free" card reader when transferring the contents via a PC usb slot.

It is simple to use but we will post instructions here later.





And here is a photo I transferred yesterday using my Starmobile smartphone.

A curly twisted beautiful luhang-dalaga pedilanthus tithymaloides

I was lucky to shoot this this beautiful cultivar?/hybrid?/form? of pedilanthus tithymaloides plant at Quezon City Memorial Circle. I noticed some of the leaves and the stems look like those of luhang dalaga, so I am guessing it ia a pedilanthus titymaloides. My camera which is now my favorite when not shooting the moon(Canon SH50SX beats it for that unusual subject) is the relatively heavy superzoom Fujifilm HS50EXR digital camera.




With internet searches, I found the following candidates as descriptions of this form: marbled jacobs ladder splish-splash and bizzare contorted twisted .
I hope in time I will know the exact matching tradename or cultivar name.

How to ensure Flash is ready to fire

I am sometimes surprised why the flash does not work when I am in program mode and the built-in camera flash is released for firing by depressing the button beside the flash bulb unit. Cconsulting the Internet gave the following guidelines in Program mode:

1. The camera must be set for STILL IMAGE shooting, i.e., not in VIDEO mode.
   
2. The camera must not be set in macro mode.
   
3. The camera must not be in movie shooting mode.
   

By ensuring the above conditions are satisfied, the camera flassh will be always ready to fire. Be merciful when shooting people with flash. The camera is speedy enough even in low natural light conditions. Practice holding the camera steady when you desire NOT to use the flash. Have two photos for insurance, one without flash, and the other with flash.