Sony PlayStation 3

Sony PlayStation 3 40GB Satin Silver.

This post is very late considering i bought this PS3 last Saturday, 28 June 2008. This PS3 isn't mine alone, i bought this together with my brothers (2 little brothers). Last year, i had no idea that i would buy PS3, because of PS2 games here are cheap (piracy all over Indonesia, USD 0.5 per game) and there are no piracy games for PS3. Well, for Indonesian people, buying original software is still considered to be an expensive purchase.

PS3 with SIXAXIS and Dual Shock 3.

Anyway, in the local store around here they only have PS3 40GB version sold, you won't find any other version. So no option for us, the rest was just choosing the color. I love black, but my brothers wanted to get silver, and so i get the silver one. PS3 came with 1 SIXAXIS controller, i bought another controller and it's Dual Shock 3. Got the Dual Shock 3 around IDR 575000 (USD 60).

Metal Gear Solid 4 and Dynasty Warriors 6.

Our first game was Dynasty Warriors 6. Me and my brothers had an agreement about this before. My 1st bro had experienced gaming level, but my 2nd bro had no experience in a great and hard game, so getting Dynasty Warriors 6 is the best game for us all. MGS4 isn't mine, it's my 1st bro's game. I don't have any favorite for now, i'm still waiting for an RPG game (in english version) to come. I think Disgaea 3 will be my next target.

Samsung Full HD LCD TV Series 5.

In addition to add the fun, we also bought a Samsung Full HD LCD TV. It's Samsung series 5 HDTV. We bought this 1 day AFTER we got our PS3 in hand. Before playing in HDMI, we played on SDTV screen with AV multi output, and it was a horrible result, i can't even watch it anymore.

Well, this is why i said games when i started to write this blog. I'll maybe do some review on some games. So just look froward to it.

Reinforce Zwei - Mid year figure haul part 3

The third HLJ Box.

This figure came very late for me. I shipped out this figure when Indonesia wasn't in stable condition. So it took 45 days for this figure to arrive in my place. It's a very long wait, and as for your information, 45 days is the maximum recommended days for HLJ's SAL shipment. My Elwyn and Fate Testarossa haven't arrived yet.

Reinforce Zwei - Alter

Reinforce Zwei from Alter, this figure was shipped 15 May 2008. And i got her 28 June 2008. At first i was worried if anything bad happens to this figure. At the 45th day after shipment i decided to go to local main post office, asking whether my packets were okay or not. I asked about Reinforce, Elwyn, and Fate whereabouts.

The wind of blessing

The officer said that i can leave for now, but around 1 hour later a letter arrived and telling me to get my packet. It marked JP in the letter, so i know it's Reinforce. I went there and get my figure right away, and also paid around IDR 150000 (around USD 18) for the custom. Well, at least i had my worries gone a little. This is the first time i paid for custom, since i never had a purchase over USD 50.

Reinforce Zwei, loliness, cuteness, and moe blended into one character.

Okay, let's get back to business. As a Nanoha series fan, i'm lacking of figure collection for Nanoha. So i started to search Nanoha series figure. The first Nanoha series figure is Teana Lanster (Movic). Next is figma Nanoha, and this is the 3rd Nanoha series figure, Reinforce Zwei. She isn't really my favorite character in Nanoha, but i can't resist her cuteness.

And i have to thank Alter for making some Nanoha series characters. Yagami Hayate is next, i'm glad it'll be released October, there are no other figure in my wishlist that released October.


Not many features you can get from this figure. Very low castoffability, no alternate parts, and even a square base. The most special thing in this figure is the book. Her book looks like floating in the promotion photos. It makes me wonder whether is it real magic or is it supported by a stand. So, no special things? People tends to look for extra feature nowadays, some figures still stick with the old rule, no features just beauty and art. Well, things are special if you think they're special.

Reinforce Zwei with lower cape on.

At first i really surprised of dramatic personality change. From a cold, cruel, and berserk Reinforce 1 (Tome of the night sky, i forgot) to a moe, loli, cute, fairy like Reinforce II. I love hearing Reinforce Zwei speaks, her moe voice keeps ringing in my ears when i'm still into Nanoha Strikers. She's cute indeed, but not really my favorite characters. Fate and Teana still my favorite characters.

Reinforce with lower cape off.

When i saw plastic wrap around her stomach, i guessed that this figure has a castoffable things. My guess was right, but only the first guess. I thought i can remove the skirt also, but this time i guessed wrong. But a panty shot still available though. You can still take off her lower cape, leaving her with only her jacket and mini-skirt.

The book glued on the hair.

Oh yeah, i mentioned about floating book before. In the promotional photos, the book looks like floating. The secret already revealed allover the net. It's glued on the hair, you won't see it if you see it from the front. The best view to see the secret is from above, just look at the photo above.

Buch Der Klares wetter (written on the base)

I'm still trying to find good angle that can make the book really float. It's pretty hard i say, especially if you already had "book glued on hair" in your mind. Things are different before you know it and after you know it. It's not really special anymore. Well, like i said before, things are special if you think it is special.

Just a random shot of Reinforce Zwei.

Thanks Speedlite 580EX II, i managed to get this photos without tripod. It's still bright and still has its natural feeling. Well, it's another round of waiting for Elwyn and Fate, i need to call the post officer again later to ask about those 2 figures. So that's it for now.

Canon Speedlite 580EX II

Canon Speedlite 580EX II

Thursday 26 June 2008, i decided to buy an external flash for my DSLR camera. I bought (so far) the best (and the most expensive) Canon external flash, Canon Speedlite 580EX II. Using an external flash is considered to be a big step up in photography level. With this external flash you can do more than you can before.

Speedlite parts.

Before we talk about photography essentials, let's talk about this thing first. Canon Speedlite 580EX II came with 1 external flash (of course, you're BUYING flash), 1 bag, 1 shoestand. Diffuser sold separately. Sometimes you'll need a diffuser in order to soften the light that came out from this flash. I bought this Speedlite with IDR 3850000 (USD 400).

Buying external flash means that you have to be prepared to buy another things that support external flash. I ended up buying diffuser (IDR 150000 around USD 18), 4 AA Powerex batteries with the charger (IDR 370000 around USD 40), and another 4 AA Powerex batteries without charger just for spare batteries (IDR 120000). I have to pay IDR 4440000 (USD 460) for all thos things including the flash itself. It takes a lot of money, but it's very worth to buy, especially for you DSLR user.

Comparison photo between internal flash and external flash usage.

Let's get back into photography essentials. Lighting is one of the important factor in photography. Great photos come from great lighting. I used to participate in a photography competition and the person who win this competition have very nice lighting (using wireless flash). Source of the light and where it come from must be calculated carefully in order to make a great photos.

First time you held an SLR you should realize something and come up with this question:

"I can see well in my well-lit room, but why my SLR responded with "very" slow shutter speed?"

Don't be decieved by your eyes.... Our eyes has bigger aperture, bigger than any lenses that has been made. With bigger aperture opening, more light comes in, so less shutter time needed.

Note 1 : Big aperture means big opening in the lens diaphragm (correct me if i'm wrong), but in camera system big aperture means smaller number in F value.

Note 2 : "very" Slow shutter speed means that your camera gives you a slow speed that normal human unable to hold it firmly, causing blur (shake) in the photo result.

Note 3 : Sorry for this technical talks. It must be difficult for non-photographer to follow, if you can't follow, just skip it and enjoy the photos :P.

Firing external flash directly to the object.

What will happen if the aperture already maxed and you still have a slow shutter speed? Pocket automatic camera will fire a flash to get the photos brighter and you can see the result. But the problem come from that internal flash. Usually, this kind of action will give you horrible result. The objects will get all flat and the 3D impression, my friend, will gone with the wind...

Firing diffused external flash directly to the object.

It might be the easiest way to prevent blur, but the result won't be good to see and enjoy. So you have to find another way to get good lighting. External flash is the best way to get good lighting. Look at the comparison photo above. You can see the the difference between internal flash (left) and external flash (right).

Firing undiffused external flash to the roof (bounce lighting).

External flash has more option so you can set it manually to get the best lighting you need. You can also vertically turn the flash 0-90° and horizontally turn it 360°. With this feature, you can shoot the light to walls or roof and bounce it back to the object. This way, you can give the photos a different lighting effect.

The best photo using speedlite so far.

I'm still experimenting to get the best lighting for me. So far, i haven't tried master slave system (2 speedlite, 1 mounted on camera, the other triggered using wireless). I planned on buying hotshoe slave to make a wireless flash trigger system. A wireless flash system is great for figure (mini-studio) photography.

Different flash position can create a different lighting effect. A minimum of 2 flashes are needed to create beautiful lighting effect. The first flash is used for hair lamp. The other flash can be used for lighting from side direction. Well, making good lighting could also be a killer for your wallet because of the things you need to purchase, so plan it wisely.

Well, that's it for now...

ISML - Sapphire breaking news

Don't cry Kyou... don't cry, you still have a chance.

When i thought i was late of posting news about Sapphire winner, a little something happened. According to the news, Sapphire 8 match was hacked and today they decided to do a rematch for Sapphire 8.

ISML will add an additional form in Emerald 3 match for this Sapphire 8 rematch. There can be different winner this time, and i know Haruhi have a big chance to surpass Kyou, i really hope she wins the necklace.

Link :
http://www.internationalmoeleague.com/
http://www.saimoearena.com/vote.html

ISML - Sapphire last match

Today, Saturday 21 June 2008, the last match of Sapphire period (Sapphire 9) will start at 0000 GMT. The match has been postponed because something happened in Sapphire 8. Anyway, don't forget to vote this time. These are the top 8 of Sapphire period, it seems that Shana still in the top position for Sapphire. But things can still change, i hope Fate can win this time.

Link :
http://www.internationalmoeleague.com/
http://www.saimoearena.com/vote.html

Anyway, i just cancelled one of my order this morning. I'm putting Mikuru maid cafe (Alter) out. I think i ordered to much for this June-July, so i guess i have to hold back a little. I'm also still in waiting for Reinforce Zwei, Fate Testarossa, and Elwing. It's been over 1 month for Reinforce Zwei, and i'm afraid the package lost somewhere.


EDIT (27 June 2008) : Whoops, because of Sapphire rematch the picture was deleted. So just wait for the newer version.

When figma meets figma ...

SD Strike Noir Gundam.

I said figma meets figma but what's an SD Gundam doing here? Yesterday i decided to spent some of my spare time doing random shot in new location, my living room. To make a perfect photos, usually i used my mini studio setup. But this time i tried to do something new. I used a living room glass table and i put it between the open door. I tried this to get some bright sunlight.

Another SD Strike Noir action.

The result is these photos. I used the living room (family room) as the background. I don't have to use tripod anymore, but the shutter speed is still low so i have to grab my camera tightly to prevent blur because of shake. This is why an IS (Image Stabilizer) Canon Lens and VR (Vibration Reduction) Nikon lens are expensive. It can prevent blurry image because of slow shutter speed.

Anyway, my brother asked me to do a photoshoot for his collection, SD Strike Noir. So i did this before i did figma photoshoot. SD Gundam has small flexibility and posability, so no more cool action photos for SD Strike Noir.

Strike Noir : Hey! That's my weapon, give it back to me!
Haruhi : Shut up or i'll kill you! I'm trying to kick some a** here!

Hey hey, this is it, my heroine appeared. Haruhi came holding 2 rifles which are SD Strike Noir weapons. Max Factory didn't made a pair of holding hands for nothing. You have to find your own parts so you can fill her holding hands with something interesting. These rifles fit in her hands, too bad she can't hold Strike Noir's swords.

Nanoha : Stop that!
Haruhi : Hei you're cuter than Mikuru, i wanna play with you!
Strike Noir : ...

When figma meets figma... they battled each others. Nanoha came to the rescue, she's the real heroine. No... i guess there's no heroine in this story, just playing random. Now i know that figma is more fun to play than nendoroid. Just like Gundam, joints, alternate parts, and posability are things that make figma fun to play with.

Nanoha : Aahh...!
Haruhi : Don't worry, i'll be gentle.
Strike Noir : What the hell!?

This is what i called FUN! You can make them do an ero scene :P. When Haruhi said "play with you" she means it. Oh no Haruhi, what are you doing with her!? Don't do that of Fate will kill you!. Haruhi attacked Nanoha fiercely, and then she played with her. There is no photos between these 2 photos above, so figure it out how Haruhi made Nanoha fell by yourself.

Nanoha : You... just want to play with me right?
Haruhi : Yea yea, i'll make you feel good.

Oh well, i guess Nanoha gonna enjoy this game. I like yuri, and i myself really enjoyed this photo session. So when figma meets figma, there will be yuri around XD. Come on Haruhi, i know you're good at yuri, make Nanoha feels good.

Haruhi : Nanoha-chan, you're really aggresive, i love it!
Nanoha : Ah yes... this is great!
Strike Noir : I'm seeing unwanted thing....

Nanoha thought that while Fate isn't around she can do whatever she wants, especially a love affair with Haruhi. So i guess Nanoha really enjoyed playing with Haruhi. Don't worry Nanoha, Fate isn't here yet, you'll free to have love affair with Haruhi until July or even August.

Nanoha : Ah.. al.. al.. almost there Haruhi...
Haruhi : Yes.. i... i... i love you Nanoha-chan...
Nanoha : I.. i.. i.. love you too...

Damn this is really hot, i can't even stand the heat. Nanoha really loves to do this thing with Haruhi. If Fate come, then this game will be over... or maybe this game will get even hotter then ever XD. Come on Fate, we'll be waiting for you.

Well, that's it for yesterday random shot. This is holiday so i guess i'll do some more random shot like this :P.

Liu Meifeng (GSC) - STF '08 Loot #2

Liu Meifeng.

This is the second loot from STF '08, Shuraki Trinity Box 02 Liu Meifeng. This figure is made by Good Smile Company, so the quality should be great. I'm really curious about this popular Shuraki series so i thought i gave it a try since i got it with a nice deal in STF '08. Normal price of this figure is JPY 6800, you still can get this thing in PA around USD 70, and i get this figure with exact JPY 6800.

Shuraki Trinity Box 02.

I'm surprised that with this JPY 6800, you got not only the figure but also a booklet and original drama CD, which is very good deal. Figure price nowadays is pretty high, so this figure is definitely a great deal with that bonus come with the figure.

Inside Meifeng box.

Most of you folks maybe already knew this figure and what's actually Shuraki is. But well, there's nothing wrong on rambling a little about this again. In STF '08, i found 4 Shuraki figures: Akatsuki, Meifeng, Nida, and Char. There are only one Meifeng and one Char, and the others still got many stocks. So Shuraki's actually a story series.

Each figure came with a drama CD, and inside that drama CD, there's Shuraki's storyline. That's explained why there's the word "volume" in each figure. I don't have Akatsuki (Shuraki vol 1) so i don't know about the story, but oh well... i can only understand Japanese language so little, so story or whatever it is doesn't really matter to me.

Figure parts, booklet, and drama CD here.

This figure has some parts with it. The unique part is her clothes. The clothes are made of some rubbery plastic, so it can stretch into some length. You have to put some force to change her clothes, so you have to be careful when playing or changing the clothes.

I noticed from the booklet and the box that each box characters have a different Voice actor (definitely), different illustrator, and different sculptor. The notable illustrator is Shunya Yamashita who's working as the illustrator for Nida. I like Meifeng illustrator since it has the cutest illustration style. Nida, Rize, and Monica were cutely drawn in the booklet.

Liu Meifeng, a Shuraki from China.

Meifeng is my favorite from the Shurakis. First, i like long hair, second, i like Chinese dress, and third she has a loli face but she got sexy body, what a perfect combination! She also got a custom base which made a more realistic feeling. I bought Shuraki Meifeng not for the series but for the figure, so I'll focus on the figure itself.

Liu Meifeng with battle damaged clothes, sexy.

This is the best feature of Shuraki figure. Not only it's castoffable into the underwear, it also has a clothes change and it's damaged version. Giving the pleasure to enjoy fashion (ripped off fashion) and sexiness simultaneously. Bra and panties service without removing her clothes off.

Liu Meifeng with underwear only, HAWT!

I know that I'm not into a castoffable figure, but you know this is HAWT! It's even better than a normal bikini figure. This is not a bikini, this is underwear! Yeah, that's why it's hot. As i said earlier, Meifeng has a beautiful loli face but she also got a hawt sexy body, with big breast and sexy butt (i said that a lot lately).

Eventhough i said that i don't know Japanese language that much, but i can manage to understand some parts of the story. The story below is just my assumption so is I'm wrong please tell me the truth :P.
Shuraki is a person who receive a mysterious power but cursed at the same time. There are 7 Shuraki across the world which involved in a killing game called En-Bu, they are:
- Akatsuki Mishiro - Shuraki from Japan, a normal yet unfortunate Japanese high school girl. She has to bear the responsibility of becoming Shuraki without knowing anything. She used a katana for battle.
- Mizuchi Towako - another Shuraki from Japan, she's a daughter of priest who knows the truth behind Shuraki En-bu game, but unfortunately she's too naive which is a greate disadvantage in the battle. She used twin steel fans for battle.
- Liu Meifeng - Shuraki from China, left home and came to Japan. Living with Towako and her dad in Mizuchi shrine. She's cheerful but smart. She used twin Chacram for battle.
- Char Rouseman - Shuraki from France. She was born in noble family (not much info on her). She used rapier for battle.
- Nide Scheltlitch - Shuraki from Germany. She's cool (again, not much info). She used sniper for battle.
- Rizfis Luttiva Mente - Shuraki from Italy. She's cheerful but scary, giving her the Yandere aura. She used a halberd for battle.
- Monicadred Olivier - Shuraki from UK. I know she's loli, cold like Yuki, but she's cute with that goth loli appearance. She used great sword for battle.

I think that En-Bu game is a game like Holy Grail war in Fate Stay Night. They have to kill each other in order to win something, that is getting their curse lifted off.

Here's the main story in volume 2:
- Meifeng who's coming from China lived in Mizuchi shrine with Towako. She's training with her to prepare for the fight with the enemy, White Raven (i dunno who's white raven is but i think it's Rize and Nida). Towako's father who knows almost everything about this curse gave Meifeng and Towako some information about Shuraki and En-Bu. They believed that they can overcome the curse without killing each other.
- They met Akatsuki who's somewhat paranoid in the middle of the training. Akatsuki attacked all of the sudden but with some conversation and Towako's tears, she stopped and followed Meifeng and Towako to the shrine. They lived together afterward.
- Meanwhile Rize, Monica, and Nida were in the way to the shrine, and they met someone in the way. That person is somewhat connected with Akatsuki.
- After Rize and Nida arrived, Monica disappeared. Meifeng who's still training with Towako realized their existence around. After some time (i dunno what were they doing), Meifeng's group met with Rize's group.
- On the other hand, Akatsuki who's still inside the shrine also realized the existence, and she rushed out after that. In the end she met with Monica and clashed sword with her. I know that Rize said something about Monica being invincible. So i guess it's Akatsuki's disadvantage.

Once again this is just an assumption. My Japanese language is still below beginner level. So please if i'm wrong, correct me right away. Laugh if you want, but please correct me right away.

My computer desk, complete with the "girls".

So this is my desk right now. It's full around the table, so i have to get something to put the figures. My new figures always go to place that i can easily reach and see. If you notice, i put Mitsuru in the back because she's somewhat old figure for me. The right hand side (near the mouse) is the place for newest figure. I'm not gonna fill the middle space because that would block my LCD view. And i'm not gonna fill the space in front of Teana Lanster because it's place for my cellphones there.

Well, that's it for the STF '08 loots. Just wait for the figure photoshoots. I'm in holiday right now, so i have so much free time to use.