Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque, Kuala Ibai, KT/ XT2 16-55mm f/2.8
Bought XT2 Fujifilm camera before my trip to NZ last few months and I paired it with a 16-55mm f/2.8 Fuji lens. My shoulder is not that strong anymore and I don’t consider carrying 2 DSLRs while traveling is traveling ‘light’.
I hope that I made the right choice as migrating into a new camera system is expensive … at least for a freelancer like me.
Horses at Kuala Ibai, Kuala Terengganu/ XT2
Last month Fujifilm Malaysia organized a trip to Kuala Terengganu and I tagged along with the other 100 over Fujifilm camera users, gathered together to capture the essence of Kuala Terengganu. A very interesting trip and it was an opportunity for me to learn more about this new tool in my hand. So, I took a few photos of the event and share it here.
Batu Rakit beach, Kuala Terengganu/ XT2
Bought my D810 way back in 2014 and it was at her own ‘class’ during her time. And technology has changed a lot since then. Cameras are getting lighter, user-friendlier and super fast nowadays … I feel old and left behind with my old D810/ D800E. But quality wise, my images in my old camera is still superior compared to XT2 though 😆 … sour grape!
Young warriors/ XT2
After using this XT2 for over 3 months now, I kinda like this small camera. Small yet a very powerful tool. The XT2 camera ergonomic feels just right in my small hand. The lens is superb too and the price is still within my budget (to be honest , I don’t prefer spending my money on gadgets … I prefer spending it on my traveling instead)
This investment would last me for a few years, so I keep telling myself each time I decided to add more Fuji compliance gadget to my collection. And, with all the technology advantage embedded into this new camera … it’ll help me focus on the only one important thing which is my CREATIVITY.
I compiled more photos during this Fujifilm X trip in my Matsuda’s Zenfolio. Please check it out here but it is still not complete yet as I take time looking at my photos and decide what should I do with it … yes! not a pro yet in organizing 😂😂
Pak Ali kite maker of Terengganu/ XT2My new tool XT2 Fujifilm with 16-55mm f/2.8
Gotta run … bye.
Cheers,
MM
ps: … saving my money to get myself the new Nikon D850.
The weather was unpredictable during our stay in Batanes Island, Philippines last week.
Strong wind, cloudy sky and scattered rain here and there … had made my hunting (for lights and colors) more challenging than usual but experiencing the “heaven on earth” kinda landscape that surround the island … has lighten up my heavy heart.
The crispy clean air had magically chase away my stubborn Indian cough that had been ‘lovingly’ sticking to my throat for weeks (after completing 2 courses of antibiotic the cough still linger).
The island is so spacious … empty hills and mountains with only green grass field and a few here and there trees. It entice the feeling of flying in me … the wanderer me riding the wind while exploring the hills surrounding the island lol.
Free flying with just the wind … no glider and no paramotor engine needed here
After a few days being surrounded by the gloomy weather, we decided to take a short boat ride to the nearby Sabtang Island (30-45 minutes boat ride away). A small island with estimated around 1800 people and they are economically depending on the sea (most are fisherman).
We refused to be at the mercy of the weather. Hunger for light and colors … we were all over the place … exploring the island until there were no more light left on the horizon.
At 2pm: We arrived at the Sabtang port
At 3:15 pm: Some maintenance work at San Vicente Ferrer Church
We spent our afternoon looking for the perfect spot to shot sunset at the not so nearby (about one our ride on an open-style truck) fishing village. The weather at Sabtang Island was not as bad as it was in Batanes Island … so we were expecting a nice sunset that afternoon.
For those who love to shot people or streets, Batanes and Sabtang Island is obviously not for you.
As for me, I adore beautiful landscape but I need subjects on my landscape … and these islands are so secluded that you need to be extra creative to be able to capture the gorgeous view with your camera.
Internet connection in Batanes Island is super duper weak … but my life has never been depending much on the wifi connection anyway … so, it was not a big deal to me (how I wish). Being an introvert, staying disconnected from such need towards creating extra noise for attention is always my ultimate goal.
At 3:45 pm: Spotted a secluded beach on our way to the fishing village
At 3.47 pm: Still here for a quick shot around the secluded beach
So, we were hanging out at the village enjoying the afternoon breeze, waiting and praying for a colorful sunset. It was kinda cool hanging around with the villagers while watching fishermen unloading their catch of the day to the shore.
At 4:30 pm: We hang around the fishing village
At 4.30pm: Fishermen loading up their catch of the day
At 4:30pm: Hanging around the beach while the fisherman uploading their catch of the day
At 4:30pm: Looking at dried fish at the hanger facing the sea
At 4:30pm: Still hanging around here waiting for sunset
At 5:30pm: Still walking around the village looking for moment
Dried fish hanged along the village
Sunset at Sabtang Island
I have a few more interesting shots of the sunset in Sabtang that I would probably upload it to my Zenfolio photo profile later. It was a very interesting afternoon indeed. We were lucky to have a clear sky that night … so, our next target for the night was … hunting for milky way.
At 4:00 am: Practicing my seeking a signal skill
At 4:00 am: Still practicing my seeking a signal skill
Milky way across an old light house in Sabtang Island, Philippines
At 4:30am: Hunting for the gorgeous milky way
AT 5:40am: Watching the first morning light
At 6:30am: With my warm and lovely friend … an unexpected companion
At 6:45 am: My new pet dog
I met all kind of unexpected warm souls while traveling. Souls that warm my heart and this new companion that I met in Sabtang is one of a kind soul.
At 6:45 am: My new pet dog
If I can have a dog of my own … I want this type of dog.
He accompanied me during my early morning shot, he followed me everywhere during my sunrise moment, he lead my way around the bushes on the hills, he sat with me on top of the hill and he accompanied me while I was enjoying my golden light moment … darn! my yellow grumpy cat at home doesn’t do that … gosh! I want a dog … I bet if I have a companion dog like him … I can wander alone, confidently around beaches and bushes in Malaysia taking pictures of beautiful local landscape … I need a dog!
But … with Malaysian crime rate hiking up day to day … I think I will need a bulldog as my companion dog 😛
At 5:50am: Trying to catch the morning light behind the cloudy horizon
Honestly, I felt a bit discontented with this trip … reason being that the unpredictable weather had made it hard for me to experience the true light and the genuine color of Batanes Island. Too bad huh… but who knows one day I might have a chance to visit Batanes again.
I am preparing myself for my next trip to Maiga Island in Semporna, Sabah on Thursday next week. More landscape and milky ways to feed my D800 lol. Wish me luck ….
Cheers
MM
p/s Dada Macusi … in case if you are reading this. I will make it a point to call you up next time if I happen to visit Philippines again, there are so many places to explore there …and chasing whales in Babuyan Island sounds so cool 😛 . Take care …
MATSUDA MASHIMARU 