Canon PowerShot G16 + TC-DC58E @ Badaozi Fishing Port 八斗子漁港

20250501

This Canon PowerShot G16 digital camera, launched in 2013, has been with me for over a decade. I've changed its lithium battery three times, and currently, all functions are still working well. Despite the convenience of immediate editing and uploading with an Apple iPhone for everyday photography, which has become a handy tool, I still often take this digital camera out to experience the feeling of operating a camera. The Canon PowerShot G16 features a 5x zoom lens with a 135 equivalent focal length of 28mm-140mm. To maintain image quality without using digital zoom, I can attach the original 1.4x teleconverter lens (TC-DC58E) from Canon, extending the telephoto focal length to 196mm.

這台2013年上市的Canon PowerShot G16隨身數位相機，我已經使用了十幾年了，鋰電池也換過三輪，目前各項功能都還很正常，雖然Apple iPhone手機拍的照片具立即編輯和上傳的便利性，已經成為日常生活照的攝影利器，有時候我還是常常帶這台數位相機出門，回味一下操作相機的感覺。Canon PowerShot G16的鏡頭具備五倍變焦，135等效焦距是28mm-140mm，為了能夠在不使用數位變焦，維持原解析度的影像品質下，可外掛原廠1.4倍望遠鏡頭(TC-DC58E )，讓望遠的焦距達到196mm。

Canon PowerShot G16

Canon PowerShot G16 + TC-DC58E (1.4x Tele-converter)

During a recent visit to Keelung's Badaozi Fishing Port, I exclusively used the Canon PowerShot G16 + TC-DC58E for photography. The weather that day was overcast, and the camera's white balance faithfully portrayed the simple fishing port, lacking the vibrant tones of smartphone photos, which made it feel like a true representation of what was seen. Several small fishing boats equipped with high-wattage lights were moored in the port, used for attracting light-sensitive fish or squid during nighttime fishing, also known as 'lantern fishing'.

這次到基隆八斗子漁港一遊，就完全使用Canon PowerShot G16 + TC-DC58E來拍攝。當天天氣是陰天，相機本身的白平衡忠實的呈現樸實的漁港，少了智慧手機照片的鮮豔色調，讓人感覺到這才是真正的所見及所得。漁港內停了數艘釣小管的漁船，船上裝載有高瓦數的電燈，夜間可吸引趨光性的魚群或小管靠近捕撈，也稱作燈火漁業。

Canon EOS 5D2 and Carl Zeiss lenses @ Neidong Forest Park 內洞森林遊樂區

2013,6,23

Personally, I think the greatest contribution of digital SLRs to the photography world is the revival of traditional manual lenses. In the digital age, it allows enthusiasts of old photography to experience the tactile sensation of old lenses again, while introducing the charm of these lenses to new photography enthusiasts. Before Sony mirrorless cameras entered the market, the Canon EOS 5D/5D2 was always the preferred choice for adapting traditional SLR lenses. I have personally adapted Contax/Yashica, Nikon, and M42 series lenses. The biggest challenge when adapting traditional manual lenses to digital SLRs is focusing. Apart from using a full matte focusing screen for naked-eye focusing, there are generally two options: (1) replacing the traditional split-image focusing screen to fully restore the traditional focusing method, and (2) adding a focusing chip to the lens adapter ring to restore autofocus (AF) focus confirmation functionality. These aids somewhat increase the convenience of manual focusing, but the precision ultimately depends on individual skill.


個人覺得Digital SLR對攝影界最大的貢獻，就是讓傳統手動鏡頭可以復活，在數位時代讓老攝影同好回溫老鏡手感，讓新攝影同好體驗老鏡魅力。在Sony無反相機上市前，Canon EOS 5D/5D2一直是轉接傳統單眼相機鏡頭的首選，我自己就轉接過Contax/Yashica、Nikon和M42系列鏡頭。傳統手動鏡頭轉接Digital SLR後，最大的挑戰是對焦，除了全磨砂裸眼對焦屏裸眼對焦外，一般還有兩種選擇 (1) 更換傳統裂像對焦頻，全部回復到傳統對焦方式，(2) 鏡頭轉接環加裝對焦晶片，回復AF對焦點確認功能，這些輔助多少增加了手動對焦便利性，精確度就看個人功力了。




Left to right: Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/135 T*,
Makro-Planar 2.8/60 T* C, Distagon 2.8/28 T*

Canon 5D Mark II and Samyang 500/6.3 Mirror @ Dragon Boat Competition 龍舟比賽

In the era of single-lens reflex film cameras, Tamron's reflex lens 500mm f8 was sufficient to rival the quality of original manufacturer lenses, becoming the preferred choice among third-party lenses. In the digital single-lens reflex era, the three major third-party lens manufacturers no longer produce such lenses. The more common option on the market should be Samyang Optical's reflex lens (as well as other rebranded versions such as Vivitar, Rokinon, etc.). The reflex lens I have on hand has a specification of 500mm f6.3, with an aperture half a stop wider than f8. This means that under the same lighting conditions, the shutter speed can be increased by half a stop, for example, changing from 1/90 second to 1/125 second. Another advantage is that when manually focusing with a single-lens reflex camera, the optical viewfinder will also be half a stop brighter, making focusing a bit easier.

在單眼底片相機時代，騰龍(TAMRON)的反射式鏡頭500mm f8已足以媲美原廠鏡頭的成相品質成為副廠鏡頭中的首選。在數位單眼時代，三大鏡頭副廠都不再推出此類鏡頭，市面上較普遍的應該算是Samyang光學的反射鏡了(還有其他貼牌如Vivitar, Rokinon等)。手邊的這顆反射鏡規格是500mm f6.3，光圈較f8大上半格，也就是相同光線條件下，快門速度可快上半格，例如1/90秒變成1/125秒，另一個好處是使用單眼相機手動對焦時光學觀景窗也會明亮半格，讓對焦容易一些。


Reflex lens Samyang 500/6.3, 反射鏡頭 Samyang 500/6.3

The first outdoor shooting test happened to be on the Sunday before the Dragon Boat Festival. The dragon boat heats were in full swing at the Dajia Riverside Park in Taipei. I was sitting on the grandstand near the finish line, holding a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the Samyang 500mm f6.3, which was a relatively lightweight combination for a super telephoto lens. Since it can only be manually focused, when shooting moving objects, I had to first decide on the focusing point and then make minor adjustments when the object approached. Fortunately, there were many dragon boats, which made manual focusing manageable. Perhaps because the heats were conserving their strength or aiming for participation rather than victory, there weren't many actively competitive teams. After watching for about an hour, I finished testing the lens and went back home.

首次外拍測試剛好是端午節前一個週日，台北大佳河濱公園的龍舟預賽正在如火如荼的進行中，我坐在終點站附近的看台上手持著Canon EOS 5D Mark II Ma 和 Samyang 500mm f6.3 還算是個超望遠鏡頭輕便組合，因為只能手動對焦，拍攝移動中的物體時須先決定好對焦點，等物體接近時再微調拍攝，還好龍舟比起汽車相對滿很多，手動對焦還能應付。也許是預賽保留實力或是志在參加不在得名，積極衝刺的隊伍不多，約莫看了1個多小時，測試完鏡頭後就打道回府了。


This team was very diligent; they were still putting in a lot of effort when returning to the starting point. They should have a chance to make it to the finals. 這隊伍很盡責，返回起點時還是很賣力，應該有機會入決賽


The dragon boat in the background faintly reveals the famous "donut" bokeh of the reflex lens.
背景的龍舟隱約出現反射鏡有名的甜甜圈

For exciting photos, please refer to the dragon boat competition album.

精彩相片請參閱龍舟比賽相簿。

Canon 70-200/4 L USM @ Apricot Flower Forest Farm 杏花林

2013.2.14

The 9-day Lunar New Year holiday is already in its second half, and Taipei is enjoying rare sunny weather, perfect for a spring outing and flower appreciation. The news mentioned that Yangmingshan is crowded with visitors during the flower season, so we opted for the less crowded Maokong. The Apricot Flower Forest Farm is located on Lane 45 of Laocun Street in Maokong. On a small hillside, it is adorned with red and white apricot blossoms and a few blooming cherry blossom trees. The farm is not large, and it took about an hour to explore while enjoying the blossoms. There are nearby farmhouses where you can enjoy tea or a simple meal. Today's menu included braised pork with radishes and radish soup, bringing good luck for the new year :)

春節9天年假已進入後半段了，台北難得出太陽，是個踏青賞花的好天氣。電視新聞上說陽明山花季人潮眾多，所以我們往人潮相對較少的貓空走。杏花林農場在貓空老泉街45巷，一個小山坡除了種滿紅白兩色的杏花外，也點綴幾株盛開的櫻花樹。農場範圍不大，邊拍邊看也花了1個小時，旁邊有農舍可以泡茶或享用簡餐。今天的菜色是蘿蔔燉肉和蘿蔔湯，真是新春好彩頭 : )


Apricot Flower Forest Farm 杏花林 

Canon EOS 5D MarkII
Canon 70-200/4 L USM, B+W NL-2 Close up lens



Apricot Flower Forest Farm 杏花林 

Canon EOS 5D MarkII
Canon 70-200/4 L USM, B+W NL-2 Close up lens

For more flower appreciation, please visit the Apricot Flower Forest Farm album.

更多賞花請至 杏花林 相簿。

Canon EOS 30D and Zeiss @ Cingjing Farm 清境農場

2009.11.20

This winter, I took my family to Cingjing Farm for the first time to stay in a homestay and see the sheep. In the afternoon, the verdant grassland was dotted with herds of sheep grazing peacefully. However, whenever tourists with feed approached, the sheep would flock over in groups. It was my daughter's first time getting so close to the sheep. At first, she was hesitant to touch them, but after gradually feeding them several boxes of feed, she confidently played with the gentle sheep, even hugging them tightly.

The next morning, from the balcony of our homestay room, we could witness the sunrise. The sunlight suddenly burst out from the ridgeline of distant mountains, and the rows of homestays on the farm seemed to immerse us in the morning glow of a European countryside. In this brief 20-minute period, I captured the most serene and peaceful photos of this trip.

今年冬天第一次帶著家人到清境農場住民宿看綿羊，午後的青青草原，綿羊成群的低頭吃草，但只要碰到手中拿著飼料的遊客，就會成群結隊的靠過來。女兒第一次這麼親近綿羊，原先還不敢摸牠們，後來一步一步地餵牠們吃了幾盒飼料後，女兒也很放心的和性情溫和的綿羊玩了起來，甚至抱著綿羊不放。

隔天清晨，在民宿房間的陽台就可以看到日出，陽光從遠山的陵線上忽然蹦了出來，農場邊成排的民宿彷彿讓人置身歐洲田園的晨曦之中，這短短的一、二十分鐘，我留下了此行最寧靜最祥和的照片。

As my current Canon AF lens options are limited, I only brought along the Canon EF 17-40/4 L USM and the Carl Zeiss Sonnar 1.4/85 T* (Contax). The former served as a general zoom lens (27-64mm), while the latter functioned as a telephoto lens for capturing distant scenes (136mm). This combination has recently become my standard travel setup. For beginners using a Canon APS-C camera, I recommend the Canon EF-S 17-85mm/4-5.6 IS (27-136mm) as a versatile travel lens.

由於目前手中的Canon AF鏡頭有限，所以僅攜帶了Canon EF 17-40/4 L USM 和 Carl Zeiss Sonnar 1.4/85 T* (Contax)，前者當一般變焦鏡頭使用(27~64mm)，後者當拍攝遠景的望遠鏡頭使用(136mm)。這樣的組合最近已經成為我的標準旅遊配備，至於Canon APS-C相機的初學者倒是建議挑選Canon EF-S 17-85mm/4-5.6 IS (27~136mm)作為旅遊鏡。


Photo 1: Gentle sheep on the verdant grassland 青青草原上溫馴的綿羊

Photo 2: European-style homestay in the tranquil morning 寧靜早晨中的歐式民宿

For more photos, please refer to the Cingjing Farm album.

更多相片請參閱 清境農場 相簿。

Canon PowerShot A570IS

2009.9.5

For most people, a point-and-shoot digital camera is just a matter of convenience and style. But for me, who has transitioned from film to digital, I hope to find a digital point-and-shoot camera that can be used for 5-10 years and has complete functions.

Here are the criteria I set for my point-and-shoot camera:

• Optical viewfinder: If the battery runs out, you can still take pictures for a while by turning off the LCD. When the sun is strong outdoors, the LCD is not bright enough, so you still need to use the optical viewfinder.
• Traditional AA batteries: Not only do point-and-shoot camera models change every year, but lithium batteries also change frequently. It is also becoming increasingly difficult to find batteries for old point-and-shoot cameras.
• Date timer: The date timer must use an independent button battery. Now, most point-and-shoot cameras use rechargeable batteries on the motherboard. It is very troublesome if the rechargeable battery breaks.
• Complete photography functions: Functions such as Av, Tv, P, M, exposure compensation, flash compensation, and image stabilization are essential.

After careful selection, I chose the Canon Power Shot A570 IS at the time. I still think it can be used for several more years.

隨身DC對大多數人來說就是輕便時尚，但是對我這個從銀鹽走到數位時代的人來說，我希望能找到一台能用5~10年，功能齊全的數位DC。 

• 光學觀景窗: 電池快沒電時，只要把LCD關掉，還可再拍一陣子。戶外陽光強時，LCD亮度不夠，還是要回歸光學觀景窗。
• 傳統AA電池: 不只DC款式年年更新，就連鋰電池也常改朝換代，老DC的電池也越來越難買。
• 日期計時器: 日期計時器要採用獨立的鈕扣電池，現在的DC幾乎都是用基板上充電電池，充電電池壞了是很麻煩的事情。
• 攝影功能齊備: Av, Tv, P, M, 曝光補償, 閃燈補償, 防手震 ...等功能必須齊備。
  

精挑細選下，當時挑了Canon Power Shot A570 IS，用到現在覺得它還可以用上好幾年。

My point-and-shoot digital camera 我的隨身DC


On Saturday afternoon, I took my daughter to class. I usually park my car in the underground parking lot of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. After parking my car and walking up to the square, it was around 6:00 pm. Depending on the season, the sky may still be sunny or overcast at this time. With a point-and-shoot camera in hand, you can find beautiful scenery everywhere.

 
周六傍晚帶女兒去上課，車子習慣停在中正紀念堂的地下停車場，停妥車子走上廣場約莫是六點出頭。隨著季節時序的差異，這個時間天空可能仍是太陽高掛或佈滿著雲彩，隨手拿起DC，美麗的景色隨處可得。


Photo 1:National Theatre in the sunset glow 夕陽餘暉下的國家戲劇院


Photo 2:National Theatre hidden in the alley 隱身巷弄中的國家戲劇院

Other photos can be found in the DC A570IS album.

 
其他相片請參閱 隨身DC A570IS 相簿.

Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/135 T* @ Sanxia Tzu-shih Temple 三峽祖師廟

2009.8.23

About 15 years ago, I visited Sanxia Tzu-shih Temple with my office photography colleagues. The two things that caught my eye at first glance were the carvings on the stone pillars and the wooden carvings of the lions. The detail of these carvings is not something that can be seen in ordinary temples. Later, in order to protect these works, the stone pillars were fenced off. It is no longer possible to observe them closely. However, the lion carvings on the railings can still be carefully examined. I hope that this masterpiece of art among Taiwanese temples can be preserved forever. I will continue to visit it, now with my wife and daughter, and in the future with my grandchildren (PS: in the future, 20 years later). 

第一次到三峽祖師廟大約是15年前，跟辦公室的攝影同好一同到訪。當初第一眼吸引我的地方一個是石柱上的雕刻，另一是木雕的獅子，這些雕刻的細緻程度在一般廟宇是看不到的，後來應該是未了保護這些作品這些石柱已經用鐵欄杆為了起來，想要進一步觀察已經不大可能，不過護欄上的祥獅木雕倒還是可以仔細端詳，我希望這座台灣廟宇中的藝術傑作可以永遠維持下去，而我也會不斷的造訪，現在帶著老婆女兒，未來帶著孫子(PS:2o年後的未來吧)。

This time, I brought a Canon EOS 30D + Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/135 T* (equivalent focal length of 216mm in 135 format) to shoot the decorations on the temple roof and the lion carvings on the inner hall railings. The Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/135 T* is the most affordable telephoto lens in the CONTAX SLR camera series. It is a member of the three entry-level lenses, along with the Distagon 2.8/28 T* and Planar 1.7/50 T*. With these three lenses, you can handle almost any occasion. Friends who want to play with traditional film cameras can go to the second-hand market to find them. It is definitely worth the money.

這次帶了 Canon EOS 30D + Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/135 T* (換算135片幅焦距為216mm)用來拍攝廟頂的裝飾和內殿護欄上的獅子木雕。Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/135 T* 這顆鏡頭是CONTAX單眼相機系列裡最平價的一顆望遠鏡頭，和Distagon 2.8/28 T*，Planar 1.7/50 T* 同列為三顆入門鏡頭，有這三顆鏡頭幾乎可以應付所有的場合，想玩傳統底片相機的同好可以到二手市場找找看，絕對是物超所值。


Photo 1: Image of Twin Dragons Fighting for the Pearl at Sanxia Tzu-shih Temple 三峽祖師廟雙龍搶珠


Photo 2: Image of Lion Carvings on the Inner Hall Railing of Sanxia Tzu-shih Temple 三峽祖師廟內殿護欄上的祥獅木雕

Other photos can be found in the Sanxia Tzu-shih Temple album.

其他照片請參考 三峽祖師廟 相簿。

Canon EF 24-85mm f3.5~4.5 USM @ Wanlidong, Kenting 墾丁萬里桐

2009.7.31

In the past, I would always stay in a hotel or hostel near Kenting Avenue when I visited Kenting. This time, I stayed at the U-Live Resort in Wanlidong, which is closer to the Ocean Park. The resort is located right next to the Wanlidong intertidal zone. In addition to the resort's various water facilities, another fun activity is to go to the intertidal zone in the evening to catch crabs or hermit crabs, and to get close to the reefs and the sea. However, Kenting is really hot in the summer. The water I dipped into was not the cool water I was expecting, but rather warm water.

 
以往到墾丁玩都是住在墾丁大街附近的飯店或是民宿，這次則是住在離海生館較近的萬里桐--悠活麗緻渡假村。度假村正好位於萬里桐潮間帶的旁邊，除了度假村內的各項戲水設施外，傍晚前到潮間帶抓抓螃蟹或寄居蟹，親近一下礁石和海水也是另一種有趣的玩法。不過，夏天的墾丁真是熱，餃下泡的不是期待中的冰涼海水，而是溫溫熱熱的海水。

 

 I used my portable digital single-lens reflex zoom combination, Canon EOS 30D + Canon EF 24-85mm f3.5~4.5 USM.

 
我的隨身數位單眼變焦組合 Canon EOS 30D + Canon EF 24-85mm f3.5~4.5 USM。



Photo 1: Wanlidong intertidal zone 萬里桐潮間帶

Photo 2: The moon was already high in the sky when the sun set 夕陽西下時月亮已經高掛夜空

For other great photos, please see the Wanlidong, Kenting album. 

其他照片請參閱 墾丁萬里桐 相簿。

Canon EF 24-85mm f3.5~4.5 USM @ Cijin Lighthouse 旗津燈塔

2009.7.30


This year, we decided to let our daughter, who is in kindergarten, go on summer vacation. So I took her back to Kaohsiung. My mother would join us two days later, and we would go to the Pingtung Ocean Park to see the beluga whales. In the meantime, besides going to the Children's Playground at Dream Mall, I planned to take my daughter on an educational trip.

Everyone in Kaohsiung knows that the only way to get to Cijin Island is by walking through the harbor tunnel or taking a ferry. We only had our legs, so we chose the latter. In the morning, we took a bus on Fifth Avenue to the ferry pier at Xiziwan. The ferries come and go very quickly, and we didn't have to wait long. After boarding the ferry, it took about 10 minutes to dock. Once we got off the ferry, we were in the heart of Cijin. The lighthouse we wanted to visit was about 15-20 minutes away. We finally found the trailhead to the lighthouse based on my memory from 10 years ago. It was a hot day, and we were sweating profusely after climbing a short hill. My daughter was only able to climb the hill successfully with my encouragement and coaxing.

The wind on the mountain was strong, and it made us feel refreshed. I was busy taking photos, while my daughter was busy getting stamps in the exhibition hall. I made a promise to her that we would go to the Hengchun Cape Lighthouse to get a stamp two days later, with a map of all the lighthouses in Taiwan full of stamps.

I used my portable digital single-lens reflex zoom combination, Canon EOS 30D + Canon EF 24-85mm f3.5~4.5 USM.

今年我們答應讓上幼稚園的女兒放暑假，所以我帶著女兒回高雄，兩天後媽媽再來跟我們會合，一起去屏東海生館看小白鯨。這兩天的空檔除了去統一夢時代的兒童樂園玩，我打算帶女兒來個知性之旅。

高雄人都知道，要到旗津不是走過港隧道就是搭渡輪，沒有交通工具只有兩條腿，我們選擇後者。一早我們就搭上五福路上的公車，來到西子灣的渡船口，渡輪來來回回的速度很快，幾乎不用等。登上船後約莫10分鐘，就已經要靠岸了，一下船就是旗津最熱鬧的地方，離我們要去的燈塔大約15~20分鐘。好不容易憑著10年前的印象找到燈塔的登山口，大熱天爬一段小山坡就滿身大汗，女兒也是在我又催又哄的鼓勵下才順利地爬上了山。

山上的海風很大，讓人覺得暑氣全消。我跑進跑出地忙著拍照片，女兒則忙著在展示廳裡蓋紀念章，我跟她約好，帶著蓋滿紀念章的全省燈塔地圖，兩天後我們還要去鵝鑾鼻燈塔蓋紀念章。

我的隨身數位單眼變焦組合 Canon EOS 30D + Canon EF 24-85mm f3.5~4.5 USM。



Photo 1: Cijin lighthouse 旗津燈塔


Photo 2: From the Cijin Lighthouse, overlooking Kaohsiung Harbor 從旗津燈塔俯瞰高雄港

For other great photos, please see the Cijin Lighthouse album.
其他精彩照片請參閱 旗津燈塔 相簿。

Canon EF 17-40/4 L USM & Carl Zeiss Sonnar 1.4/85 T* @ Taipingshan and Cui Feng Lake 太平山與翠峰湖

2009.7.18

The first time I went to Taipingshan was with my girlfriend (who happens to be my daughter's mom), and that was about 10 years ago. I remember it was autumn, and the mountain was freezing cold. Unfortunately, the Taipingshan Mountain Resort didn't have hot water for showers, and due to unfavorable weather the next day, we missed the chance to visit Cui Feng Lake. Ten years later, my wife's company organized a staff trip, finally giving me the opportunity to witness the beauty of Cui Feng Lake.

After having lunch at the mountain resort, we took a small bus and walked a short mountain trail. Then, a group of us switched to a nine-passenger minibus to head towards Cui Feng Lake. We arrived at the lake around 3-4 PM, and mist had already started to rise. The vastness of the lake was concealed, with occasional glimpses of the scenery along the shore when the sunlight brushed through. It is said that the view during sunrise is more captivating, offering a clear view of the entire lake. However, I personally prefer the ethereal beauty of Cui Feng Lake veiled in a thin mist.

In recent years, with global warming, high-altitude lakes like Cui Feng Lake fall into the high-risk category. How long they can be preserved remains uncertain. I sincerely hope that global efforts to combat climate change prove effective, emphasizing energy conservation and carbon reduction – a responsibility shared by everyone. 

第一次去太平山是和女朋友(就是我女兒的媽啦)一起去的，已經是10年前的事了，記得是秋天，山上冷得不得了，偏偏太平山山莊還沒有熱水可洗澡，隔天因為天候不佳，也就沒有去拜訪翠峰湖了。10年後，老婆的公司辦員工旅遊，終於有機會一睹翠峰湖的樣貌。

中午在山莊用完午飯，搭了碰碰車，走了一小段山林步道，一行人便換上九人座小巴前往翠峰湖。到達翠峰湖的時間大概是3~4點左右吧，已經開始起霧了，整個湖面有多大看不出來，偶而有陽光掠過才可以看到岸邊的景色，據說日出的景色更吸引人，可以看到整個湖面，相較之下我還是比較喜歡這披著一層薄紗的翠峰湖。

這幾年來全球暖化，像翠峰湖這種高山湖泊也是屬於高危險群，能夠保存多久沒有人知道，希望全球的抗暖化行動真的有效，節能減碳，人人有責。

Due to the limited Canon AF lenses I currently have, I brought along the Canon EF 17-40/4 L USM and the Carl Zeiss Sonnar 1.4/85 T* (Contax). The former served as a general zoom lens (27-64mm), while the latter acted as a telephoto lens for capturing distant scenes (136mm). This combination has recently become my standard travel setup. For beginners using Canon APS-C cameras, I recommend the Canon EF-S 17-85mm/4-5.6 IS (27-136mm) as a versatile travel lens.

由於目前手中的Canon AF鏡頭有限，所以僅攜帶了Canon EF 17-40/4 L USM 和 Carl Zeiss Sonnar 1.4/85 T* (Contax)，前者當一般變焦鏡頭使用(27~64mm)，後者當拍攝遠景的望遠鏡頭使用(136mm)。這樣的組合最近已經成為我的標準旅遊配備，至於Canon APS-C相機的初學者倒是建議挑選Canon EF-S 17-85mm/4-5.6 IS (27~136mm)作為旅遊鏡。



Photo 1: Taipingshan 'Pong Pong Car' Station 太平山「碰碰車」車站


Photo 2: 'Pong Pong Car' speeding through the cypress forest 檜木林間疾駛而過的「碰碰車」


Photo 3: A glimpse of Cui Feng Lake amidst swirling clouds 雲霧繚繞的翠峰湖一偶

For more photos, please refer to the Taipingshan and Cui Feng Lake album.

更多照片請參閱 太平山與翠峰湖 相簿。

Canon EF 24-85mm f3.5~4.5 USM @ Beitou Hot Spring Museum 北投溫泉博物館

2009.6.27

It's been two years since I last visited Beitou with my family. The last time, we went to the library, but this time we decided to visit the Beitou Hot Spring Museum. There are two things that attract me about the Beitou Hot Spring Museum: the tatami-floored grand hall, which was once used for guests to rest after bathing, and the stained-glass windows next to the large bath. When the Beitou Hot Spring Museum was first opened, the tatami-floored grand hall was open to visitors. Sitting on the tatami mats really makes you feel like you're part of the history of the entire Beitou Hot Spring Museum. The stained-glass windows are said to have been designed for guests to enjoy while bathing. Imagine soaking in the hot springs while admiring the colorful glass that is illuminated by the golden sunset. All the fatigue of the day will instantly melt away.

I used my portable digital single-lens reflex zoom combination, Canon EOS 30D + Canon EF 24-85mm f3.5~4.5 USM.

距上次和家人一起到北投已經有兩年了，上次逛了圖書館，這次改逛溫泉博物館。溫泉博物館有兩處吸引我的地方，一是當年泡湯後供客人休息的塌塌米大會堂，另一個則是大浴池旁的彩繪玻璃。溫泉博物館早年開放時，塌塌米大會堂是可以進入參觀的，坐在塌塌米上其實更仁讓人覺得與整個溫泉博物館的歷史融為一體。彩繪玻璃據說是設計給泡湯的客人觀賞的，想像泡溫泉的同時欣賞著金色夕陽透射的彩色玻璃，一整天的疲勞瞬間消失殆盡。

我的隨身數位單眼變焦組合 Canon EOS 30D + Canon EF 24-85mm f3.5~4.5 USM。


Photo 1:  The stained-glass windows 溫泉博物館大浴池旁的彩繪玻璃

Photo 2: The hot springs bath 溫泉博物館大浴池

Other great photos can be found in the Beitou Hot Spring Museum album.

其他精彩照片請參考 北投溫泉博物館 相簿。

Canon EF 24-85/3.5-4.5 USM @ Sanxia Minquan Old Street 三峽民權老街

2008.8.30

I remember that the Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens was released at the same time as the EOS 50 film camera. The silver version is a kit lens that comes with the silver EOS 50 body. The second-hand price is around NT$4,000-5,000. The focal length is the most common 24-28-35-50-85 on full-frame cameras, which is equivalent to 38-136 on APS-C cameras, making it a slightly telephoto zoom lens. In terms of image quality, the soft feeling when opening the aperture seems to be magnified a lot on APS-C bodies. It is significantly improved when the aperture is reduced to f/8. According to my research on the internet, the image quality of the full-frame body is said to be better than that of the APS-C body. For full-frame cameras, there are three 24mm-start zoom lenses available. If you have a limited budget and can't afford the 24-70mm f/2.8 or 24-105mm f/4 IS, this lens should be your top choice.

Canon EF 24-85/3。5-4。5 USM 這顆鏡頭印象中是隨著 EOS 50 底片機上市一起發售的。銀色的版本是搭配銀色EOS 50機身的 Kit 鏡頭，二手市價約 4000~5000台幣。焦段是全幅機最常用的24-28-35-50-85，在 APS-C 機身上等同焦距 38-136，可當作稍望遠的變焦鏡頭。論成像品質開光圈的鬆軟感覺在 APS-C 機身上好像被放大了不少，光圈縮至f8則有明顯改善。網路上爬文結果，全幅機身的成相品質據說是比 APS-C好一些。針對全幅機，24mm起跳的變焦鏡有3顆，如果預算有限買不起 24-70/2。8，24-105/4 IS，這顆鏡頭應該是首選。



Canon EF 24-85/3.5-4.5 USM

I haven't been to Sanxia in a long time. The last time I came, the Minquan Old Street hadn't been renovated yet. Now it's been completely restored. There are several specialty shops that shouldn't be missed, such as Kangxiyuan's Jinniujiao and Chashanfang's floating soap. However, my favorite is still the streetscape of the old street. Whether it's the broad streetscape brought by the wide-angle lens or the compression effect of the telephoto lens, the geometric beauty of the old buildings is like a painting.

很久沒有到三峽了，以前來的時候民權老街還沒有整理，現在則是煥然一新，幾間特色商店
如康喜軒的金牛角，茶山房的浮水皂。。。等等都是不能錯過的地方。不過我最喜歡的還是老街的
街景，不論是廣角鏡頭帶來的寬闊街景或是望遠鏡頭的壓縮感，老建築的幾何之美彷彿化身
成一幅一幅的畫作。



photo 1: Sanxia Zuogong Temple 三峽祖師廟

photo 2: Sanxia Minquan Old Street 三峽民權老街

See other photos in the "Sanxia Minquan Old Street" album.

其他照片請參閱 三峽民權老街 相簿。

Sigma 30/1.4 EX DG HSM @ Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch, 市立圖書館北投分館

2007.4.21

The advantages of digital single-lens reflex cameras are that the cost of shooting is low, the ISO value can be changed according to the environment, and the results can be immediately viewed. This is a great help for taking pictures of my 2.5-year-old daughter who is always on the go. As a result, my Canon EOS Kiss Digital N + Sigma 30/1.4 EX is used for family life photos more than 99% of the time, and it is rarely used to shoot other photography subjects.

I had seen a TV introduction to the Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch, which is located in front of Xinbeitou MRT Station. It is a new building made of steel and wood. Our family visited for the first time. In Taiwan, there are few opportunities to see large wooden buildings. Taking advantage of the time when my wife and daughter were tired of shopping and eating snacks, I tried to leave a few first impressions of the Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch.

數位單眼相機的好處是拍攝成本低、ISO值可隨環境變更、成果可立即檢視，這對於幫2歲半一直動個不停的女兒拍照有很大助益。於是，手上的Canon EOS Kiss Digital N + Sigma 30/1.4 EX，99%以上用來拍家庭生活照，較少拿來拍攝其他攝影主題。
之前看電視介紹過台北市立圖書館北投分館，位於新北投捷運站前，是鋼骨與木造的新建築。我們一家人第一次造訪，在台灣很少有機會看到大型的原木風建築，利用老婆與女兒逛累了吃點心的空檔，我試著留下幾張市圖北投分館的第一印象。



Photo 1: Large glass windows 大面積的玻璃窗


Photo 2: Large glass windows 大面積的玻璃窗


Photo 3: A still-new wooden exterior wall 還很新的木造外牆


Photo 4: Close-up of a wooden exterior wall 木造外牆特寫

Canon EOS Kiss Digital N ^_^ Taoyuan Daxi 桃園大溪

2006.9.29

The primary reason for choosing a CANON DSLR was the convenience it offered for adapting CONTAX lenses. While OLYMPUS E-series cameras could also achieve lens adaptation, the need to multiply the focal length by 2 and the non-standard 3:2 aspect ratio ruled them out as options.

With the CANON 350D, adapting CONTAX lenses required careful selection of adapter rings. I've only used two types, one made in China (approximately $750 on eBay, around $900-1,500 in Taiwan) and the other made in Japan (around $2,250). I heard that the Japanese-made adapter rings of more recent manufacture had exceptional quality but came at a price of around $4,500, which I couldn't justify.

The Chinese-made adapter ring had good compatibility, but its thickness wasn't quite accurate, off by about 0.X mm. This didn't make a significant difference with lenses having a focal length of 50mm or more, but with lenses at or below 35mm, it became evident that the infinity focus wasn't precise enough. The Japanese-made adapter ring had excellent compatibility, no issues with infinity focus, and its matte black finish added a sense of quality. In the end, I chose the Japanese-made adapter ring and purchased a total of four.

For this trip, I brought along the CANON EOS 350D, Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/21mm T* (=34mm), and Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/50mm T* (=80mm).

 
當初會買CANON DLR的原因，主要是看上她轉接CONTAX鏡頭的便利性。雖然OYLMPUS E系列也可以達到轉接的目的，但因為焦距需乘上2倍且非3:2的傳統底片比率，所以並不列入選。
有了CANON 350D，要搭上CONTAX鏡頭，那就要慎選轉接環了。我只用過兩種，一是大陸製(eBay約$750，台灣約賣$900-1,500)另一是日本製(約$2,250)，日製的近代接環聽說品質超好，但價格約$4,500，就捨不得買了。大陸製轉接環密合度尚佳，但是厚度不是很正確，應該多了0.0X mm，在焦距50mm以上的鏡頭上使用差異不大，但在35mm(含)以下的鏡頭使用，就會發現無窮遠對焦不夠精確。日製接環密合度很好，無窮遠對焦沒問題，而且以啞黑色塗裝增添質感，最後我決定採用日製接環，一共買了4個。這次帶了CANON EOS 350D、Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/21mm T* (=34mm)與Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/50mm T* (=80mm)。

Daxi Township is a must-visit destination on the Northern Cross-Island Highway scenic route. Most visitors simply pass through or stop at the rest area to purchase Daxi dried tofu. About five years ago, I learned from travel books that this place had well-preserved historic buildings, and I only realized it was a great photography location after seeing it with my own eyes. This time, I brought along two fellow photography enthusiasts to broaden our horizons.

 
大溪鎮是到北橫風景區的必經之地，大部分的遊客都是路過或者在休息站買些大溪豆干。約5年前從旅遊書籍上得知這裏有一些保存良好的好建築，親眼目賭後才發現這裡真是個攝影的好地方，這次也就帶著兩位公司攝影同好來開開眼界。


Photo 1: 大溪老街 (Canon EOS 350D, Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/21mm T*)

In addition to the old buildings, there is also a memorial hall dedicated to Chiang Kai-shek, which has now been transformed into an exhibition hall and an outdoor café.

除了老建築，還有一個蔣中正的紀念堂，目前已改為展覽館與露天咖啡座。



Photo 2: 總統 蔣公紀念堂 (Canon EOS 350D, Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/21mm T*)

Another must-visit place is Huang Rixiang's old shop. Their freshly braised tofu and pork belly are tastier than anywhere else. After spending a morning taking photos, it's time to fill our stomachs and hit the road!

另外黃日香老店也是個不能錯過的地方，現滷的豆干與豬肚比任何一個地方都好吃，拍了一個上午，現填飽肚子在上路吧！

 
其他照片請參閱 相簿-Daxi Old Street Album 大溪老街 2006。

My First DSLR Canon EOS Kiss Digital N ^_^ 台北建國花市

2006.7.30

From the moment my daughter was born, I've been using a small DC camera to capture every little moment of her growth. It wasn't until she grow up that I realized the limitations of the small DC camera in capturing her fleeting moments of movement. That's when I made the decision to invest in my first digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. Based on my past experiences, I knew that for indoor photography without using a flash, I needed an aperture of f2.0 or wider and an ISO setting of at least 400 to freeze the movements of the little one.

Previously, I had considered the Canon EOS Kiss Digital N due to my need to adapt CONTAX lenses, and it naturally became my first choice. In terms of APS standard lenses, I had options like the Canon 35/1.4 L, 35/2.0, and the Sigma 30/1.4. After carefully balancing factors such as portability, quality, and price, I settled on the Sigma 30/1.4.

 
從小寶一出生就一直用小DC來記錄她成長的點點滴滴，直到一歲時發現小DC的已經無法抓到她移動的瞬間， 才下定決心購進了第一台數位單眼相機。按以往經驗，不用閃燈，室內拍攝大概要有ISO400底片f2.0以上的光圈，才有機會凝結小朋友的動作。
之前曾因轉接CONTAX鏡頭的需求而考慮過的 Canon EOS Kiss Digital N順理成章地成為我的首選，APS標準鏡頭方面有 Canon 35/1.4 L、 35/2.0、Sigma 30/1.4可選，最後在輕便、品質、價位上取得平衡，就是 Sigma 30/1.4。


Gear 1: Canon EOS Kiss Digital N + Sigma 30/1.4 EX DG HSM

During the scorching hot summer days in Taipei, where can one find a moment of respite? The Jianguo Holiday Flower Market might be a good choice. It was my first time taking our little one to the flower market, and while she wasn't the most well-behaved, we managed to pass the time for over an hour. In addition to capturing some candid family moments, I also took the opportunity to photograph the vibrant flowers, bunches of roses in particular. In doing so, I couldn't help but feel the atmosphere of the Qixi Festival, the Chinese Valentine's Day.

炎炎夏日台北異常的悶熱，什麼地方可以稍稍喘息一下呢？建國假日花市應該是個不錯的選擇。第一次帶著我們家的小寶逛花市，雖然不是很安分，但也消磨了一個多小時。除了拍些生活照外，也抽空拍了一些花卉，一束一束的玫瑰花，多少也感受到一些七夕情人節的氣氛。


Photo 1: 台北市建國假日花市入口



Photo 2: 鮮花店裡滿是玫瑰花

 
其他精采照片請參考 Taipei Jianguo Holiday Flower Market Album 台北 建國花市 相簿。