Changi Meet-up

The Pentax user group on Clubsnap is slowly but surely growing. Evidence of this was our latest group outing to Changi Village. As the plan was to catch some sunrise shots, the meeting time was a very early 6.30am. Many of us were there to learn from night86mare who never fails to wow us with his landscapes.


Tripods galore... DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited

Unfortunately the weather was dull and dismal with the sun obscured by thick cloud. And it didn't take long for the storm clouds to prematurely end a very short photo taking session. Didn't really have the chance to use much of my gear, though I have to say it's a weight off the shoulders when carrying a Gitzo CF tripod around. Anyway here are some of the few shots that I took, all with the K20D.


DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited


DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

While the weather may have dampened the photo taking opportunities, like all good meet-ups the company was good and so was the breakfast offerings at the the food center. Pentax meet-ups are fun affairs and I'll definitely be on the look-out for the next one coming up.


DA 21mm f/3.2 Limited


DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

In Praise of Carbon Fibre

Over the years I've tried many tripods, finally settling on an aluminium Manfrotto 190Pro for a period of time. Not too heavy and not too big and having owned several Manfrottos at one time or another, I was pretty much satisfied with the build quality.



Just recently however, I made the switch to a Gitzo 6X carbon fibre tripod because I was offered a good deal for it. What a difference in weight and err, price wise! The Gitzo G1157 is pretty compact but I dare say matches the features of the Manfrotto with a substantial weight saving. This model has recently been replaced by the newer G1540 with the newer G-Lock design which increases load capacity quite a bit. If price is a consideration, the more affordable Basalt models (carbon basalt mix) is an option. These models weigh-in somewhere between the full carbon and aluminium. Whichever the model, Gitzo is unmatched quality wise.

I've kind of resisted buying Gitzo in the past because I felt the twist locks seemed slower to setup. Well the new models lock quicker and a tad faster than the flip locks of the Manfrotto. I've matched my Gitzo with a Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head and it's a perfect combination that's pretty light and sturdy. Thumbs up for a great tripod.