When I needed a ceiling fan for our family room about 7 years ago, I was all set to buy whatever brand Home Depot had…but when I visited a friend’s house with their newly-installed ceiling fan, I just realized then that not all ceiling fans are created equal.

The ceiling fan was beautiful, moves air efficiently…and very quiet.  The brand?  It was a Casablanca.  I almost had a heart attack when I found out the price then (around $400)…but I was told that it’s all worth every penny.

Well, 7 years later: I still have that Casablanca Panama on our family room with nary a problem.  I was so happy with it that I had installed 3 more: one for my home office, one for the master bedroom, and one for my daughter’s bedroom (all Panamas)…I am planning to have the same fans installed for our 2 remaining bedrooms.

Popularity: 1% [?]

I received a BlackBerry Bold 9700 as my new electronic dog leash company mobile phone.  My Apple fanboy in me lamented for a few days on why my company hasn’t made the iPhone its standard mobile phone.

However, as I put the thing through its paces…I just learned that it’s not so bad.  Sure, it’s FUGLY and the lack of touchscreen makes it antiquated in comparison with the newer smartphones…but it gets the job done.  I installed GMail, Google Sync (for Contacts) and a few apps that I use a lot on my iPhone.

Now I have become that gadget freak that I never want to be: a gadget freak with TWO mobile phones.  Why is this so?  Two things: BlackBerry’s amazing battery life…and the ability to tether without having to root (a.k.a. “jailbreak”) the phone!

Popularity: 1% [?]

It pains me to see that instead of creating a Micro 4/3rds camera, you came up with this tragedy.  You created a new “standard” that nobody else would adopt.  Why do you keep digging your own grave, Ricoh?

A lens with built-in shutter AND sensor?  What were you guys thinking?  I mean, most seasoned photographers find it a challenge to create the most optimal image with just ONE sensor, and you came up with this?  Not only that, the sensor are of varying technology among lenses they came with: the 50/2.5 macro has a CMOS APC sensor, then the zoom has a 1/1.7″ CCD.  Great, two different sensors, not only do I need to switch mindset due to the change in DOF, I need to switch mindset on the light-capturing capabilities.

Never mind the fact that the lens contraption will cost a LOT.

Ricoh, did you even ask yourselves who would be the target market for this Frankenstein before you green-lighted the production?

Popularity: 1% [?]

…is what Ricoh GRD III should have been. Unfortunately, Ricoh is just too stubborn and short-sighted to realize this.

I think I should really start saving up.  My next camera will be the just-announced Leica M9.  Retirement funds?  Who needs that?

Update: OMYGOODNEZ…The M9 will have a suggested list price of almost $7000!  Even if I win the lottery I still won’t be able to afford to buy one.

Popularity: 1% [?]

I saw the GR Digital III announcement, and the first I asked was “Did the company finally got their heads out of their collective… and switch to an APS-C, or a 4/3rds sensor?”

…and the answer: you haven’t.  Still using a 1/1.7″ sensor.  I applaud the efforts of bumping up the maximum aperture to f/1.9.  But, guys, you can only bend the laws of physics to an extent…and two facts remain:

• There is only so much pixel you can cram in a small sensor without sacrificing (native) dynamic range and noise suppression capabilities.
• You cannot achieve shallow DOF with a small sensor, even with a lens of wide aperture.

Yes, I know, larger sensors are more expensive, and you will have to come up with a different lens design to match a larger sensor, which will make the camera even more expensive.  However, you there’s no way you can convince me that it’s going to be that much more expensive.

I’m not sure if you lost touch with your core users, or just a one-hit wonder with the original GR-D.

You will have to listen to what I’m saying this time, though.

Why?  Simple: the advent of Olympus EP-1.  If Olympus can design a small camera with interchangeable lenses, i can just imagine how much smaller it can get with a fixed lens.

Your turn, Ricoh.  Your batting average is getting dangerously low.  Get it right with GR-D IV, and I will max out all my credit cards to get one.

Popularity: 1% [?]

AlienBees finally started shipping their much-anticipated CyberSync Strobe Radio Triggers.  Fortunately, I happen to be one of the first people who got their grubby hands on this product.  Unfortunately, I’m also one of the first ones to express disappointment on this not-so-well-thought-out-designed product.

(more…)

Popularity: 100% [?]

With the announcement of the long-rumored Nikon D3 almost imminent (redundant?), here’s my take on what should be in Nikon’s next DSLR:

• WIDER dynamic range.  Manufacturers keep increasing MPs, when the real issue nowadays is dynamic range that is no better (sometimes worse) than your typical slide film.  I would love to see the day when I would not fumble with expensive ND filters.
• More cross-type AF points on the D200 replacement.  Having so many focus points is, um, pointless if only the middle one is cross-type!
• LCD display that you can view on broad daylight.  Come on, now.
• Automatic Depth of Field calculation (found in some Canon DSLRs).  I tell the DSLR the nearest and farthest subjects i want in focus, the shutter speed and ISO, it automatically sets the most optimum aperture.  That can’t be difficult.

Do I care if the next one is full-frame?  No, not really.  If I want a bigger frame, I would have gone with Large Format cameras. 

Popularity: 17% [?]

Thom Hogan just wrote a lengthy, thought-provoking rant on how a compact camera should be designed…which will cater both the casual user and the pretentious Galen Rowell wannabe.

I commend Thom for having the balls of steel of writing the article and even offered a huge sum of money for the first company to be able to produce this elusive camera (No, the Sigma DP-1 does not count).

I agree for the most part (do not want the built-in Arca-Swiss plate…yikes!  that would make the camera thicker than the M8!), but I think the write-up could have been much shorter.  And it goes something like this:

1. Take the current Ricoh GR-D…with its near-flawless user interface.
2. Slap a Bayer-pattern-designed 10MP APS-C sensor
3. Improve the horrid RAW processing…make it at least 3fps in RAW mode.
4. Keep everything else.  (Yeah, even the idiot mode)

Seriously, Ricoh is so damn close it’s not even funny.  Come on, Ricoh, I’m hoping you get this done for GR-D Mark II.

And I’m willing to pay…uh $699 for it.  No more than that.  Come on, Even the D40x sells for that price with the kit lens.

Popularity: 16% [?]

The Playstation Online Store is probably the most tacky, unintuitive online store ever conceived.  

The SIXAXIS controller is the worst OEM controller ever.  Not ergonomic at all…especially the shoulder trigger buttons!  Arggghh!! My wrists hurt.

I think the best way I can describe the game flOw is that…umm…it’s like watching a David Lynch movie.  It’s mesmerizing, and it’s hard to get what the story is all about…and just when you thought you got it…BAM!  you still don’t.  It’s evident that the SIXAXIS tilt control was tacked on.  This would have been so much enjoyable with the analog stick controls.  I still like the game.  Update: GAAH! That’s it?!  I finished the game already?!  I just bought it this morning!!

God of War without rumble takes the way the immersion.  Same with Gran Turismo HD.  Lack of rumble blows.  I can’t wait for the updated SIXAXIS controls with rumble…and Sony while you’re at re-designing the controller…add force feedback!!!  come on!  it can’t be that hard!

As of this writing, I am still upset that Sony hasn’t bundled an HDMI cable with their uber-expensive gaming machine.  I bought “Resistance” and I haven’t opened it because I’m still waiting for the HDMI cable I bought via eBay…for $3…I laugh at people who buy their gold-plated HDMI cables for $50 at their local electronics store.

Folding@Home for the PS3 rocks.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Quick rant: Seriously, Sony, you did not bundle an HDMI cable at this price?

Popularity: 18% [?]