FN Gathering at Focus 2009

FN (Fotografer.net) held a gathering at Jakarta Convention Center on February 28, in Focus 2009 Jakarta Photo & Digital Imaging Expo (February 25 to March 1). Like the previous years, this gathering was to encounter FNers together usually meeting online only. One hundred and fifty free-pass cards were distributed in six hours, showing FNers' enthusiasm to join this gathering - to get FN's information, FN's plans, heap around, get to know each other and share one another.

As FN administrator, Kristupa Saragih gave a welcoming note and some FN-related information. Meanwhile, Wiwin Yulius as MC made the gathering more lively. In this Focus arena, FN and Exposure magazine also opened a small stand to display their merchandises. RB Isworo, Dodi Sandradi

Beauty in the Jungle at Mangrove Forest

Tamasya@Indonesia community made a model and landscape hunting last Sunday (3/1), with "Beauty in the Jungle" as the theme. Participants began hunting at 9 am, and ended at 2 pm. Most of them had gathered at 8 am at the meeting point, to finally go together to the location. Seventeen participants, who were caught in the rain in the morning, then went ahead to Muara Angke mangrove forest - Pantai Indah Kapuk, North Jakarta. For most of them, it was the first time they went there. As a whole, the hunting lasted well, because the participants were appreciative and cooperative, and both of the models were also trying optimally to give what the participants' needs. Robert Adolf Izaak

Affordable SLR-Styled FinePix S1000

Fujifilm introduces the successor to the wildly popular FinePix S1000, the FinePix S1500, ideal for advanced amateur photographers who are looking for an affordable, SLRstyled digital camera. The 10-MP FinePix S1500 is wrapped with an eye-catching black casing and has a Fujinon 12x optical zoom (33mm-396mm equivalent). Also Full Manual Control, Face Detection with Automatic Red Eye Removal, instant zoom, Continuous High Speed and Panoramic Shooting modes and Movie Recorder on VGA quality at 30 fps. Its powerful feature set is the large 2.7" high-resolution (230k dots) LCD, electronic viewfinder (EVF) and ISO levels of up to ISO 1600 at full resolution. It debuts this month at a retail price of US$ 249.95. pixelperfectdigital.com

Kopata Held Sunday Morning Hunting #10

After being delayed for several weeks, the tenth Kopata's (Komunitas Photographer Amatir Jogjakarta) hunting (Sunday Morning Hunting #10) was held on Sunday, February 22, at Griyakoe, Pakem, Sleman, Yogyakarta. From 8 am to 4 pm, it was participated by 41 people and two models. The theme was "lucu-lucuan" (silly things), divided into two sessions. The first was briefing, introductory and "family photographing", and the second was the shooting session. It ran well and joyous, because of the pleasant location and cooperative models supporting. Meylan Fredi Ismawan

Epson R-D1xG Updates R-D1 and R-D1s

The R-D1xG, Epson's new rangefinder digital camera, updated the original R-D1 and R-D1s modes. Released in the previous February 26. Retaining the same 6.0-MP APS-C CCD sensor, it offers a larger 2.5" LCD screen, 32 GB SDHC media card support, EDiART image processing and a snap-on grip. It also still accepts Leica M-mount lenses or earlier Leica screw mount lenses using an adapter.

Compared to SLR, rangefinder does not have mirrors, causing no mirror "blackout" while snapping a picture. It is also quieter in operation because it lacks the reflex sound of the mirror moving. Because of that, it is ideal for use in quite environments, like weddings or theater. Though rangefinder's body is typically more compact than SLR, R-D1xG is estimated to be priced much more expensive - at US$ 2,000. It starts shipping in April. cameratown.com

P1 Pico (Pocket) Projector

P1 Pico Projector is a pocket-sized mini projector from AAXA Technologies. Having only six-ounce weight and 640-by- 480 pixel resolution, P1 offers 1GB memory, a microSD slot and an onboard media player. It means, P1 can decode most media formats and play them straight from the projector.

Additional features include a built-in speaker, 1,000-to-1 contrast ratio and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The battery can be replaced and lasts 45 to 60 minutes, depending on speaker use.

It is available from the company's online store for US$ 260. You can also buy a US$ 15 AAXA P1 iPod A/V cable so you can adapt audio and video files to your Apple iPhone, iPod and iTouch. nytimes.com

LensAstra Grand Launching

About 116 people lived up the LensAstra grand launching (photography community of Astra group) on February 15. This grand launching was opened by Leovan Widjaya, the chairman of Lens Astra and attended by committee from 34 International Astra branch offices.

This was held in PT United Tractors environment and was performed in a symposium and model hunting with 11 models. Before the "Sexy Model with Heavy Equipment" hunting started, participants were given tips by Januar D. Though it was raining, the model hunting was kept going on like it had already planned. Antonius Yuniarko

Exotic Toba Trip II by TPC

From February 20 to 22, TPC took place an Exotic Toba Trip II hunting. There were five spots became targets; Tarabunga, Muara, Bakkara, Ginjang forest and Dolok Tolong.

It began with the participants gathering at Merdeka Walk at 10 pm on the first day. By 24 participants, the Toba Lake became the most favorite photographing target - the people beside the lake, fishnets spread everywhere, cultivated field, etc. On the last day, human interest also became their target, by photographing at the Bakkara ex-chieftain's house.

Though the weather was not so good, the trip prolonged and tiring was exciting for participants. There might be another trip coming. Petrus Loo

Nikon Bridges Compact Camera and DSLR

If ever desire compact camera and DSLR at the same time, the powerful 24x zoom, 3.0" LCD screen with vari-angle tilt function, vibration reduction and high sensitivity camera, maybe is what you need; bridges between a compact camera and a DSLR.

It is Nikon Coolpix P90 that offers 35mm-equivalent of a 26mm wide-angle to a 624m telephoto and is capable of shooting pictures as close up as 1cm. High-speed continuous shooting up to 45 shots at 15 fps means it is ideal for sports photography. It can even record images before you've pressed the button. While its 12.1-MP and sensitivity up to ISO 6400 excels in almost any shooting situation. You can set it to full automatic or various manual settings using the camera's four exposure modes (PSAM).

It will go on sale on 13th March 2009 at US$ 399.95, comes supplied with a USB and audio/video cable, strap and software suite for Coolpix CD-ROM. Available in black only. photographyblog.com

Two New Canon IXUS Successors

Remember the IXUS 85 IS and 80 IS? They are now replaced by two new digital IXUS models, IXUS 100 IS and 95 IS, launched to strengthen Canon's reputation for excellence in digital compact camera design. Their generous resolutions, 12.1-MP, allow printing for huge A2+ size retaining outstanding image detail. They also deliver ultra-fast operation, and outstanding clarity and color reproduction because of the addition of Canon's DIGIC 4 processors.

The 100 IS has 18.4mm wide stainless steel body, finished in a choice of silver, black, gold or red. It also includes the option to shoot HD movies (1280 x 720, 30fps) with HDMI connectivity. While 95 IS offers an ultra-stylish, take-anywhere alternative in silver, grey, blue or pink, also a fun movie capture at VGA resolution.

To be smart and slim with these two models offering 3x optical zoom and 2.5" PureColor LCD II, you can start hunting the 100 IS by the mid of this month at £299.00, while 95 IS has been available from the mid of the previous month at £249.00. ephotozine.com