Test shots: SAMSUNG NX300

Here's a few sample shots courtesy of my new SAMSUNG NX300 Mirrorless!

- NO FILTER OR EDIT -

 

Comments are welcome

john.alfred.mckay@gmail.com

 

 

Cellphonephotography - gobii45

So the gobii45 has been in my midst now for close to a week... here are some of the images that I've captured testing the device... hope you like one or two images... :-)

Table Mountain at rest - from the deck of Cape Town Station

Cape Town Hub - from the deck Cape Town Station

Samsung building with sun - from deck of Cape Town Station

Table Mountain draped - from Cape Town Gardens

Park bench enlightened - Cape Town Gardens 

Park Bench invitation - Cape Town Gardens

Winter's Day, Cape Town Gardens

Cabled, with Table Mountain in background - Kuils River

My Citi Skyline - Cape Town

The Loop, my favourite building in Cape Town Loop Street

Long Street, from Dorp Street corner, Cape Town

Yellow door, take me home - in Metrorail Carraige

Look up to Cubicles - Tower Block, Dorp Street, Cape Town

Quick snack as train pulls into Cape Town Station.

gobii 4.5 IVP review

I've been unlucky the past few weeks with my Blackberry Cellphone giving me issues... and more so, the person repairing it! I needed access to the "virtual world" and made a hasty decision to purchase the gobii 4.5"touchscreen from kalahari.com - or was it a hasty decision.

gobii 4.5 Touchscreen IVP

Over the past few days I've tested the device - and saw more advantages as I went along. It also helped that I've always wanted an Android device with dual SIM capabilities. And what with FREE Delivery, shipped within 24hours AND 200Mb Free per month from Cell-C, priced ever so nicely at R1699.

Basically the phone offers GREAT value for money. Everyone I've showed it to is impressed by the build, and always guesses the price MUCH MUCH higher than it actually is. The battery is okay, but I find its similar to the Blackberry's battery life. Obviously the more you utilise the device, the more battery power you'll use up! But its gets me through my day - and I'm testing the camera quite a lot these days.

I''ll recommend this phone to everyone who is looking at a cheapy Smartphone offering big value.

For the phone specifications - refer the website...

Weekend Madness!

Jordan, aged 3 (Left) and Jodie, aged 7 (right) - Jojo (My Pride and Joy)

AH! Another weekend went by in a flash. But what an unexpected weekend it was! Got to see an old friend, Jovan, after many a few months! My brother-from-another-mother had some free time to come and see me again - But it made me think, perhaps it had more to do with his interest in my old ride, my pride-'n-joy, my 1971 P510 Datsun 1600. I seriously hurt my baby, and my old PitCrew Jovan always had a soft spot for her - he just loves to hear her purr! :-)

Jovan's Ride [Front View]

Jovan's Ride [Rear]

On the family side, we bonded some! Needless to say I tried filling my bridge camera with memories and more.... Wifey made some serious time available to spoil the girls with some hair-time (LOL!) and they just wanted to show off the length and such... no ribbons or nothing tied up! What a pleasure.

Jodie had a birthday party to attend - a friend from school! What a lovely couple we met (the parents of the school friend). The rest of the family ended up roaming the mall waiting on our princess! Then wifey did the unthinkable. She took the "apple-of-my-eye" and ended up with Jordan getting her ears pierced! My heart was in my chest, feeling like it wanted to explode as I ran out of the shop waiting outside for the inevitable. But as always, Jordan was brave to the end and only "cried a little!" I couldn't handle it!

Why you hurt me? Jordan with new earrings (just shot in!)

Jordan relaxing afterwards (waiting on Mommy)

All I can say is, it was a lovely weekend... even ended up designing something with my son to end it all... A concept for him and his friends...

What more can a father ask for?

Finally! Kuils River Shuttle!

FINALLY! The unthinkable happened! Metrorail put Kuils River back on the map!

This morning, for the first time I've been a Metrorail Commuter, a train actually left Kuils River station, destination Cape Town at 06h30. And wonder by wonder, it was an EXPRESS train exclusively for Metro Plus ticket holders... * Smiles-all-around * Read article here...

I must say... for the first time that this service ran... the train was QUITE full. Okay, maybe its expected with  the way Metrorail has operated their services over the last couple of months. But I guess that the Business Express has opened their eyes - noticing the amount of people requesting access to a train from the Kuils River station as base! All you need do is look around and see how the area has evolved over the years. Also if you look at how full / empty certain trains go once the train passed Kuils River station!

The train also runs in the afternoon, at 16h15 from Cape Town station, Platform 21. Unfortunately the train was not announced on the "normal" boards and the train was a tad empty. But all in all I think it was memorable for a first run.

For once I want to say: Well done Metrorail... We appreciate it!  (^ ^,)

Another Lost Post

Wow! The post are now becoming very far in between.... what happened... A lot I can tell you. "Things" are just keeping us busy. Call it what you want, but it seems "something" is just stealing our time, little by little.

I've been searching the net the past few months and realised I wanted to take better pictures! I have become more and more interested in photography and would love to take as many pictures of my children while they are still young and feel to have me around. They are my world and I just want to preserve all that goodness!

So I have checked out a few possibilities... I've looked at bridge cameras, but more and more the SLR Cameras are starting to look very interesting - bear the prices! Then, there's the age old fight about a Nikon DSLR against the new competition.... say the Canon ranges.

But as I'm not a professional, the thought is still there... would a DSLR be an investment for a novice like me? Won't I be wasting my money if I were to spend it on a typical DSLR? And, as I'm NOT into constant upgrading, I should buy the best I can afford at this stage, in at least a dual lens kit.... RIGHT?

Just a few weeks ago, I came across an article on the Nikon D3200. And I was amazed! I've been looking at the Canon 600D or the 650D cameras... and suddenly the Nikon shined bright. I've always believed the Nikon to be more of a professional camera vs the more "user friendly" Canon's... but I think I've changed my mind and am leaning toward NIKON being more "user friendly." But as most online comparisons go, to each his own - everyone has their own preference.

And what do you think I did at the end of it all? I bought me a bridge camera in the end... taking certain future expenses into account. Mind you - I still want a DSLR, but for now the price of a bridge camera suits my pocket.

What's happening?

I really don't know what's going on... I just don't get to uploading ANYTHING per this blog! Only reason I'm doing this now is because - yet again - I'm stuck sick at home... awaiting another check-up this comiing Friday! Story of my life!

What I have managed to do is keep my OTHER blog updated (kinda) and happy - AllAboutDatsun.blogspot.com as well as my Facebook Page. Its easier (for me) uploading comments there than a PROPER blog post! Its weird.

Jodie showing off her medal (at the school evening)

But such a lot of AMAZING things have happened in the past few weeks I've been away here... My daugher Jodie received a Diploma from her school (with a medal) for her excellent performance in ALL learning areas. What a joy THAT was (came as quite a surprise too!).

Jordan enjoying her ride-on car! Watch out!

Then Jordan Riley had her 3rd birthday... and we were elated to spend such valuable time with her, spoiling her... we also used the opportunity to get her potty trained... we only had to suffer 2 or 3 days... we were amazed! Okay - to be fair - we have tried before!  :-) 

Not forgetting, just before Jordan my father also celebrated a birthday! Precious times! Also a quick shout-out to Loxton, his wife and my cousins, Natalie and Madelein! There are more, but I can't always keep tab. That my wife does for me! LOL!

Uncle James - ONE in a MILLION! We miss you!

We also had some sad times... I still expect my uncle James Murray to surprise me with quick call, SMS or visit... We were caught totally off-guard with his passing... we miss you... RIP.

Zeandre and my son Revano at the "masked 21st"

Our God Child, Zeandre-Ann also turned 21 in the "down period." Its not always we get to spend time celebrating someone's life - and Zeandre really deserves a life full of happiness, joy and blessings from above. Then with someone like Geraldine to lay down her footsteps, there's not a lot that COULD go wrong, hmm?

And now we're looking forward to our leave days, holiday with family. Pity my wifey has a few things holding her back - even just a little - but that's part of life. Or is it? Then lastly, to my mom who passed her final 3rd year exam and will be capped for her 3year degree next year January! We're so proud of you! You are truly an inspiration to us all!

I should make time for the blog... Let's see what happens...