Photography: Canon PowerShot Pro S3 IS

I can never be still when I take a photograph, especially when I am taking macros. Mostly I manage to come out with great pics because I set my camera to fast-shutter. All I need for my photos to look great is an Image Stabilizer (IS).

On Canon's IS technology Amazon.com says,

"Canon's optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology counteracts camera shake to reduce image blur when shooting stills or recording video, essential for handheld shots at longer focal lengths. IS allows photographers to shoot at shutter speeds up to 3 stops slower for reliable flash-free photography in low light conditions."

The Canon IS series was introduced to me by one of my photography-crazy friend. My fiancée had already gifted me the super-cool Canon Powershot A80 (which I am currently shooting with) and it is a great camera in the 4.0 MP range. And that's the only feature that outdoes the Canon S2 IS. The S2 IS had a 2.0 megapixel CCD.

The plus point in the IS series is the IS (Image Stabilizer) itself. The S2 IS, the predecessor to the All-New S3 IS also had a 10x zoom, which is good by any standards. It's falldown, for me, was the 2.0 megapixel CCD.

The sleek black Canon S3 IS makes an able sucessor to S2 IS. Apart from the IS technology, it brings together a 6.0 megapixel CCD, 2" LCD, with 12x of optical zoom and ISO levels that range from 80 to 800. Another great feature is the powerful video function. The S3 IS records video at 30 fps in VGA quality. Plus you can create 60 fps QVGA video for a slo-mo playback. Also available is Widescreen shooting. Oh yes, you can shoot in a 16:9 format (2816 x 1584 pixels). And you also get a completely independent movie button so that you don't have to toggle between modes.

With 20 shooting modes, including fast-shutter Sports mode, Night Snapshot for night shots, Snow and Canon's My Colors photo effects, Canon S3 IS is a great camera for shooting whenever you want.

July 23^rd is 1 month 3 weeks away, so, make sure you get it before it become belated.

Price: $499.99

Books: On Writing

"Here's a man who write-write-writes his demons away. A writing factory who lives to write and writes to live." Chuck Palahniuk says this about Stephen King in a little write up "Sleepless in London" as he talks about reading "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft". I haven't read a lot of King but he does churn out a lot of books. The one I read, "Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger" was too surreal for my own good. Meaning, anything but good. The same is the case with Amy Hempel's widely acclaimed - "The Harvest."

A book about the Craft by the master of the Craft. A book that is "essential reading" for a writer.

Paperback: 320 Pages
Price: $8

Watches: Skagen Men's Black Leather Watch 643LSLB

Watch this Watch. It's not mega-expensive like the Swiss Army one but it looks good. And a black dial means "buy-it-now". I've been wearing steel since I am wearing watches. It's time for some warm and soft leather. The dial looks good too. I haven't put on that kinda dial for a while too. The smaller seconds dial (maybe) looks damn cool too, specially the red seconds hand.

Overall a nice looking watch. Not too big, not too small. Just quite what I'd wear on my wrist.

Price: $50

Books: V for Vendetta (Hardcover)

Just came back from V for Vendetta. And what a movie. Made me wanna buy the graphic novel right then and there. So here it is on my wishlist, waiting all ready to be in my bookshelf. The original V for Vendetta graphic novel was written and illustrated by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. I found a hardcover edition by Vertigo Comics on Amazon and already added it to my wishlist.

The book seems to me an updation of George Orwell's classic satire, 1984. I have already searched for the book all over the city and even in other cities but haven't found a copy. So will have to wait for the opportune moment.

Hardcover: 296 pages
Price: $35

Watches: Men's Swiss Army Centinel 24562

I never go out of my home without a wrist watch on me. Watches are a necessity. An important part of dressing up. And might well be some status symbol.

The Centinel 24562 from Swiss Army is one such watch. This leather-strapped stainless-steel chronograph is a must have for me. Buy it.

Price: $298.00

Apparel: Men's Clarks England Racer

Shoes are good. Moccasins are better.

Genuine handsewn moccasin construction featuring full-grain leather or nubuck upper. Lightweight, shock-absorbing EVA molded footbed. Flexible, slip-resistant, rubber lug driving outsole.

Black is evergreen.

So go ahead and buy a pair. One for me. One for you. One for everyone who cares for you (meaning: me).

:) :D :))

Really Bad Writing.


Price: $85

DVD: Good Night, and Good Luck

Now here's a movie that I loved through and through. Strong, calm, moody and perfectly shot. George Clooney knows his film making. I've already seen this excellent political drama thrice and am all ready for another round. David Strathairn delivers a solid performance with a deep and somber voice. The whole 1950s setup is brilliant and the black and white print rocks. A movie worthy of my DVD Collection. Good Night, and Good Luck.

DVD
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Price: $18

Audio: Taxi Driver [Soundtrack] [Import]

Just caught on Amazon, Taxi Driver Soundtrack. Bernard Herrmann's classic soundtrack conducted by Herrmann and Dave Blume has 18 tracks from the Martin Scorsese's timeless masterpiece, Taxi Driver. The tracks include the famous theme from taxi driver and my favorites, .44 Magnum is A Monster and Diray of a Taxi Driver. Plus, the cool looking retro album cover is a big reason for buying the CD with closed eyes.

Audio CD
Format: Soundtrack
Price: $14