travelog

And so the journey of a Nikon D70s with its owner Ahmad Kamal has come to an end.

It was sold to a generous buyer. Complete with the kit lens 18-55mm, Sigma 70-300mm and the camera bag. It’s sad to depart with something you love and used it for so long.

It taught me about photography. I’ve never given it a special name for it, but we bonded greatly during the past 3 years. It took macros, landscapes, portraits and street. It did it all.

It had accompanied me to wherever I went and got to know new places and faces. It has been held by many people of different ages. It had endured harsh weather and climate, in rain and snow, from the freezing -15°C to hot and humid weather which reached till 41°C, from salty sandy beaches in Malaysia to high glaciers of Iceland. It had captured smiles and laughter during picnics and gatherings, and tears during going-away parties. From long shutter speeds to fast freezing action, it did it all. It made pictures that won competitions, and pictures that made to exhibitions.

I only knew that it was best at two things - the A and the M mode. They’re probably the most frequent modes I’ve ever used. It did badly at ISO 1600 though. Since his brothers and sisters like the D80, D90 etc. and his cousins, like the 400D, 450D, 500D etc. were born – with their new updated specifications and capabilities, it taught me to be patient and work with limitations. It knew that his brothers and sisters would do a better job at taking pictures, but it knew that I wouldn’t give up on it too. Well, you haven’t my friend.

The first trip it went was to Berlin, and the last was in its hometown, Mannheim. You still have a long journey my friend.

I hope the new owner will treat you well.

Last shutter count: 25323 shots.

Probably you have been wondering about that photo of mine from the previous post.

It was very foggy that day, on the December 7th, so I went out after class to shoot some foggy pictures. Haha. I was inspired by a flickr contact of mine, also from Mannheim, who had taken brilliant pictures at the same place.

It had already been noon, but still the fog hadn’t cleared up by then.

All taken with Olympus XA, Ilford Delta 100 pushed at 200 in Ultrafin Liquid 1+20.

welcome 2010 and goodbye 2009. it has been a wonderful year in terms of photography. i’ve learnt to develop my own b/w films, i fell in love with film a bit more than the year before, and i’ve got myself a new but yet lightweight camera (Lumix LX3) to replace my heavyweight Nikon d70s.

but 2009 was also a sad year. i’ve lost two friends unexpectedly last year. died from a tragic accident, and the other from cancer.

taking a step back, i’ve realized that i need to improve more in my studies. all year it has been like a honeymoon year (well not exactly, but kinda). there’s no time left to enjoy and relax. my deadline is a year or so more. i need to finish my studies before i’m left alone. get the job done would be my motto for this year. and i hope i will.