So the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 has landed on my lap, so to speak. And I just unboxed, explored and took a couple of shots using it. My initial impression? This advanced point-and-shoot camera is definitely a great buy. Will all the settings that you can tweak and use, you will feel like you’re using a DSLR in a diminutive body.

I can’t wait to test this baby outdoors on a road trip. In the meantime, let me share with you some unboxing photos of the Panasonic Lumix LX5, using my Canon 40D DSLR. If you will ask, I got the camera for Php 20,100 and the package comes with a 4GB high-speed SD card and the standard package contents.

Now, here are the photos.

I will definitely join this event – the Canon Philippines Photomarathon 2009.

The Canon Photo Marathon is a 1-day photo contest that lets you go out and shoot new images within the specified location or area. You’ll get the chance to compete against other photographers under strict contest deadlines as well. Just submit the images you’ve captured which will be subject to a panel of judges’ evaluation.

Your thematic creative instincts, as well as your ability to work under tight timeline pressures will be thoroughly tested in this exciting and unique competition!

You may register here.

Equipped with a Canon 40D as my primary camera and an old Canon 400D as back-up, I had my first ever wedding photo coverage last Saturday. I brought 3 lenses – 17-40mm f/4.6 wide angle lens, 75-300 mm lens, and a 50mm f/1.8 lens and a tripod. I didn’t get to use the 50mm though. I had the 17-40 always ony my 40D camera. Anyway here sample shots.

Incidentally, if you’re looking for a WordPress Plugin that you can use to integrate your Flickr photosets, I suggest you use this Flickr Photo Album for WP Plugin. Awesome!

Following Canon’s announcement of its upcoming 450D XSi, Nikon is not to let this pass without announcing its newest model – the Nikon D60 DSLR. So, how does Nikon follows up the highly successful Nikon D40? Take a look at following features:

I finally upgraded  my Flickr account into pro membership. With all the perks and features of a Flickr pro account, all I can say is – suweeet! For a cheap price of $24/year, the Flickr pro account is definitely a good service.

Although I already have a pro account at Zooomr which I got for free being one of the earlier users, I still wanted to have a Flicrk Pro account. Zooomr is a great photo uploading site as well, but I feel that Flickr being under the wings of Yahoo would render my photos and images safer. With Flickr, you’re photos are in good hands.

So, what are the features of a Flickr Pro account in case you don’t know yet?

• unlimited storage,
• unlimited uploads,
• unlimited sets,
• unlimited bandwidth,
• permanent archiving
• ad-free browsing and sharing

For a mere $2 dollars a month? I couldn’t ask for more. Check my Flickr account if you want to see some honest to goodness photos taken by an amateur photo hobbyists like me using my Canon EOS400 DSLR camera. And please feel free to leave a comments about the picture.

Got a package from Amazon.com containing two books about Canon DSLR photography guides. I used the Amazon voucher which I got from one of problogger’s anniversary contest. Sweet!

Anyway the two books are:

• Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi/400D Digital Field Guide
• Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi/400D Guide to Digital SLR Photography

Both photography books received great reviews from Amazon buyers. I can’t wait to scan (not read as I don’t read books) the two books and see if I can get some valuable tips and tricks from the pros.

I really need to brush up my photography skills as I keep on getting crappy photos from time to time. Maybe these books could help me.

As for the Amazon experience. I placed my orders last Nov. 1 and it took 13 days for the package to arrive. Definitely a good first time experience with online purchase.

Technorati Tags: Amazon, online commerce, digital photography, books

I was looking for some digital photography tips and tricks site when I came across this article from an equally great digital photography site. I must admit that this bucket technique is indeed ingenius. Who would have thought that you can use an old plastic bucket for digital photography?The idea is to use the plastic bucket not only as a background but also to prevent the flower from moving due to the wind. This will reduce the noise and create a vividly crisp macro shots of flowers.

I might try this out later and see if the result is any different from the macro shot I took of this flower.

Update: I didn’t realize that the site was Darren’s DPS. No wonder the articles are well written and very informative just like his problogger.  

Technorati Tags: canon, macro shot, photography tips, dslr tips