Alhamdullillah, finally my Hoya HMC 49mm ND-400 Neutral Density 49mm Filter which I purchased through eBay has arrived safely. I always wanted to try slow shutter photography and few of my friend suggested that I should puchase the ND400. Why 49mm? The ND400 filter is for my Sony Nex 5N (SN5N). Currently I’m using two system, one is my old and trusted Canon EOS 20D and later is my SN5N which I always use for my stock photo photography. At the moment I’m using Tian Ya ND8 + ND Grad for my slow shutter photography. Two of the ND400 is for my friend as I only need one for myself.

I purchased the Hoya HMC 49mm ND-400 Neutral Density 49mm Filter from eventcameras at eBay. A highly recommended seller which has a  super swift deliver 🙂

The Hoya HMC 49mm ND-400 Neutral Density 49mm Filter reduces light values by 9 stops to less than 1/500th of its original intensity and allows safe photography. It can also be used to achieve super slow shutter speeds in daylight to render moving subjects invisible. Neutral Density filters have several uses and offer the possibility to achieve otherwise unachievable results. ND filters appear grey and reduce the amount of light reaching the film. They have no effect on color balance. This neutral density filter has three main uses:

1. To enable slow shutter speeds to be used, especially with high speed films, to record movement in subjects such as waterfalls, clouds, or cars.
2. To decrease depth of field by allowing wider apertures to be used, which helps separate subjects from their background.
3. To decrease the effective ISO of high speed film (above ISO 400) and allow it to be used outdoors in bright situations. Multicoated to minimize reflection at the filter surfaces which reduces flare and ghosting. Neutral Density factor: ND400x (exposure adjustment = approx. 9 stops, reduces ISO 1/500)

© 2013 Shamsul Ismin | Hoya HMC 49mm ND-400 Neutral Density

Below is one of my recent slow shutter photography using a Tian Ya ND8 + ND Grad filter mounted to my Sony Nex 5N. I hope to do much much more better using the ND400. I can’t wait to try out the ND400 Filter, I will post the photo later 🙂

© 2013 Shamsul Ismin | Air Terjun Sungai Kroh | Malaysia

Attended my Wife Best Friend Siti Noorahayu Majlis Akad Nikah at Masjid An-Najihin Bandar Sri Permaisuri. Akad Nikah is the formal contract of marriage or also commonly known as the marriage solemnization or wedding vows. This marriage contract is an Islamic requirement and that happens when the bridegroom seals the “contract” with either the bride’s father, or an authorised person called “wali” who is either the bride’s male sibling or uncle or very close relative, but nowadays usually the “imam” of the nearby mosque or his authorised deputy. The wali represents and takes the place of the father of the bride in conducting the akad nikah, and this delegation of duty must first be formally agreed before the akad nikah proceedings.

I’m not the official photographer (OP) for the event, just merely a guest. It has been a while since my last wedding assignment and it’s fun to see the OP doing their job. It’s the responsibility of the OP to capture the moment of the marriage solemnization. In my opinion a marriage solemnization is full of emotion and history. It’s the beginning of a wonderful journey and a photograph has the power to tell stories. Here is some of the photo that I managed to capture using my Sony Nex 5N + E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS.

© 2012 Shamsul Ismin | The Solemnization of Adam Rinealdo & Siti Noorahayu

Nik Mohd Hshamudeen, a traditional ring maker does a demonstration during the Malaysia National Craft Day 2012.

© 2012 Shamsul Ismin | Malaysia Traditional Heritage Series | The Ring Maker

Exif Info:
Camera: Sony Nex 5N | Exposure: 1/80 sec | Aperture: f/5.0 | Focal Length: 43.0 mm | Lens: E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS | ISO Speed: 1600

Attended the “Meet the Pros” Session organised by Wedding & Portraits Photographer Malaysia (WPPM – www.wppm.com.my). Congratulation to all the speakers for a very informative and interesting session.

Speaker:

• Mr. Patrick Low – The Secret of Professional Photography Mr. Daniel Ooi – Be Yourself. Create Unique
• Mr. Chai Kok Leong – I See Light!
• Mr. Simmon Cheong – Why Post-process
• Special Appearance: Mr Eddie Putera – Making Beautiful Picture of People

© 2012 Shamsul Ismin | Wedding & Portraits Photographer Malaysia  – Meet the Pros Session

During the Sony Alpha Outing to Kuala Sepetang on the 25th November 2012, I’ve the opportunity to visit the famous Mak Jah Prawn Noodles Restaurant (Restauran Mee Undang Mak Jah).  The specialty of Mak Jah’s Prawn Noodles are in the XXL Size of the fresh-water prawns served to the customers. Of course you know that when the prawns are fresh and so meaty then the gravy would have the extra subtle sweetness which makes the gravy so tasty. For the Mee Udang Special – XXL size prawns, the noodles are priced at RM11.00 per bowl and consists of about 7 humongous prawns.

If you are from Kuala Lumpur, you can now get it in Wangsa Maju. It has been in Wangsa Maju since July last year and it is a privilege to be able to savour this northern prawn delicacy in Kuala Lumpur, you need not travel down Perak or Penang for such food. The Mee Udang Special are priced at RM12.00 per bowl, an additional RM1.00 compare to Kuala Sepetang.

© 2012 Shamsul Ismin | Mak Jah Prawn Noodle of Kuala Sepetang

Exif Info:
Camera: Sony Nex 5N | Exposure: 1/160 sec | Aperture: f/8 | Focal Length: 30.0 mm | Lens: E 30mm F3.5 Macro | ISO Speed: 800

Charcoal factory in Kuala Sepetang 280 km about 3 hours from Kuala Lumpur is a coastal town located in Perak, Malaysia. The town was formerly known as Port Weld after a former Governor, Frederick Weld. Interestingly, only thirty year old mangroves are harvested for the logs. It is also enlightening to know that to ensure continuity, those trees which were fell for charcoal making are being replanted.

© 2012 Shamsul Ismin |  Kuala Sepetang Charcoal Factory

Exif Info:
Camera: Sony Nex 5N | Exposure: 1/3 sec | Aperture: f/10 | Focal Length: 16.0 mm | Lens: E 16mm F2.8 + Sony Wide Angle Adapter | ISO Speed: 200

© 2012 Shamsul Ismin |  Kuala Sepetang Charcoal Factory

Exif Info:
Camera: Sony Nex 5N | Exposure: 0.8 sec | Aperture: f/4.0 | Focal Length: 16.0 mm | Lens: E 16mm F2.8 + Sony Fisheye Adapter | ISO Speed: 200