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.

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.

A quick update (sorry the post is in Malay):

Ada kawanku seorang ni tengah sakit. Tiap kali aku dengar khabar orang sakit tenat, atau tengah nazak nak mati, tiba² aku teringat Tuhan.

Bila nak exam pon, tiba² ingat Tuhan? Masa susah² jer ingat Tuhan. Kenapa begini?

Kenapa masa senang lenang tak pernah ingat Tuhan? Subuh pon kadang² terkantoi.

Sudah 23 tahun dan kamu Kamal. Abah kamu umur ni dah kahwin, sudah ada tanggungjawab, sudah kerja. Kamu ni masih lagi belajar, tapi tanggunjawab kepada Tuhan pon kadang² lupa.

Tuhan tak pernah lupa hambanya. Tapi kenapa hamba²nya lupa kepadaNya?

Semua ini adalah soalan retorik. Bak kata Nabil si raja lawak yang aku rasa tak lawak mana pon, “Lu pikirlah sendiri!!”

Mengenai kawan aku tu. Dia sekarang dalam ICU. Mulanya ingatkan sakit perut biasa je, sebab cirit birit. Lepas tu masuk ICU terus, sebab tiba² tenat. Doktor diagnose mula² sakit melioidosis. Dapat jangkitan bakteria di Malaysia. Tapi minggu lepas doktor kata test untuk penyakit tu negativ. Jadi, doktor taktau sakit ape sekarang ni. Jadi doa²lah untuk dia yer, walaupun kamu tak kenal dia.

Okeh, sekian.