Pavilion Decoration Video

The iPhone X Camera

I take my phone everywhere and being an avid photographer, the most accessible phone I had most often were my mobile phone. Over the years I had been carrying many phones and the decision on which phone I chose to buy had how good the camera was being one of the top point of consideration.

The original iPhone did not have a good camera. Back then, the best camera phone I had used was the Nokia N73. Despite only having a 3.2MP camera, the Zeiss optics it carried made for some really great photographs. That sort of crystallised on me the idea that a camera phone may be enough for everyday snapping.

Then came the iPhone 4. For the iOS platform, it showed that Apple was taking photography seriously. A few Android phones then entered the picture with the HTC One being one of my early favourites. In early 2015, I discovered the Nokia 930. It had on it the best camera I had ever seen. And till this day, I could argue that it was still a capable shooter despite being almost 4 years old.

Now, my second phone was the Huawei P10 Plus. With its Leica optics, the photos especially the monochrome were just amazing. I still took it around during weekends as I shot around town. But now, I have a new contender for the best camera phone. The iPhone X.

Right off the bat, there was something natural about the photos. There were some element of over processing from the camera but they weren't as obvious as the Samsung. The photos did not over saturated and at low ISO, they appeared realistic. The focusing was
snappy and there were plenty of third-party apps for post-production of our snaps.

Last weekend, I took the phone out for a spin around Bukit Bintang to capture the Xmas decorations. I was practically blown away. The photos were much better than I expected. Coupled with its capability to capture 4K videos at 60fps, the camera feature is a winner.

In terms of monochrome snaps, it still lacked behind the Huawei. But for sheer overall joy, Apple clearly had the right formula here. Just for the camera alone, it was definitely an upgrade from my iPhone 7 Plus, although I do understand that the iPhone 8 use the same camera module as the X although with a narrower telephoto second sensor.

I'm definitely looking forward to more snaps from the phone...

Deepavali at the Malls

Last weekend, I had the chance to hit the town for a quick walk. It was the weekend after Deepavali and the decorations were still up. It had been a while since I had the chance to go out with my camera and explore.

I was lucky enough to be able to stop at both Suria KLCC and later Pavilion and I just could not resist the chance. It was just too good ....

The one at Suria featured a couple of giant peacocks in the middle of the main foyer. With their long tails and shimmering lights of the main atria, the colours were just great.

The decorations at Pavilion was slightly different. It was more traditional with large kolam filling up the main floor. The other day, they had a dance troupe doing their merry dance there. Quite a spectacle ...

I wished that I had time to explore Nu Sentral which is located right in the heart of Brickfields ....

Merdeka

Despite certain Ministers claim that KLites lacked Merdeka spirit, I think it was more to do with certain unpopular individual rather than lack patriotism. With the SEA Games coming, Malaysian would be coming out in droves to support our home team I was sure. And with that, the Merdeka spirit would be soaring high.

Unfortunately, the statement by the said Minister seemed succeeded in only making himself unpopular. Life for the KLites would still go on. These KL folks are more likely to love their country than the Minister would think. Most of them studied abroad and had a sense of belonging to return home making a living here.

Maybe the Merdeka spirit for the minister was different from mine. So, good luck to him then ....

Don't Judge Me

Yes! That was Pikotaro in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. With Anita and the kids in Port Dickson and me being post-call, I did not plan anything for the day. Hunting for food, I decided to go out. A quick search on the net and I learned that there would be an event all weekend at Pavilion and as part of the event - called Japan Expo Malaysia - Pikataro of the PPAP fame would be making an appearance.

True to the precision of Japanese timing, Pikatoro appeared on stage just after the advertised 5 pm start. The place was already packed when I arrived and I decided to perch myself at one of the upper floors. Hence the vido was taken from the sixth floor right parallel to the stage. Not great but it did the trick I supposed ....

So, here we go .... I have a pen ...