ROBIN WONG

Emilie Talpin (OM Anbassador, US) recently sent me an AK Diffuser made for insect macro, and I thought it would be great ot test it out. I shot these images at least half a year ago, and while I was testing the diffuser, some thoughts came to mind about the amazing Olympus 60mm F2.8 Macro lens. I personally think that is one of the best macro lens ever made, but it was released in 2012 and it is about time the lens gets some update. OM Digital Solutions should consider making a Version II of the 60mm F2.8 Macro, with improved AF speed and reliability, as well as better control of focus breathing that can make a huge difference for macro shooters who do focus stacking work. Oh, and why not introduce Insect Ai Subject Detection AF, that would be awesome too! I share these thoughts and more in my latest video here (click). 

Here is a little-known fact - Olympus claimed that the image sensor used in their first Four Thirds interchangeable lens DSLR camera, E-1 was a full frame sensor! It was mentioned in the official press release, official product descriptions and specifications pages on their website as well as a technical diagram showing the inner workings of the supposedly "full frame" sensor. Technically, it was a full frame sensor as there was nothing to crop from, the Four Thirds system was 100% newly designed digital system, unlike the traditional 35mm format that made a somewhat lazy transition to digital from film. I explained this and more, with plenty of evidence on how Olympus Four Thirds was a full frame, and how the original technology and innovations introduced in the E-1 have shaped the future of imaging, and were adopted by both Canon and Nikon in their respective RF and Z mounts when they went mirrorless full frame - using the same tech that Olympus introduced in the E-1 15 years prior! You can check out the video here (click). In this video, I am sharing my latest images from a shutter therapy session which I did with the Olympus E-1. 

I had a chance to have a quick hands-on with the latest Fujifilm X-E5 camera, special thanks to the newly opened N4 Camera Store in MyTown Shopping Mall at downtown Kuala Lumpur. I personally think the camera checks all the right boxes - it is compact in size, beautifully stylish in design, has built in EVF, tilt LCD screen, built in 5-Axis image stabilization and it features flagship level internals like 40MP image sensor and latest processor from X-T5. I thought the camera was almost perfect, until I saw the selling pirce, retailing at USD1700/RM7000 body only, that was perhaps the only big complain that I have. A smaller complain would be the AF performance no being on par with my older Olympus PEN E-PL7, you can see the comparison I have done in my latest video where I share more about my thoughts on the X-E5 here (click). 

Last Friday, for the first time in my life, after doing YouTube for so many years, I was hosting guests remotely and have them on my Live Stream. It was a nerve-racking experience. I knew I was a bad multi-tasker, doing solo Live Streams was already stressful enough, and this time I had to bring in not one, but two important guests, all being broadcasted Live on YouTube. So many things could have gone wrong, me dealing with new software, and having to keep the conversations going was not an easy feat, at least not for me. All things considered, minus the small hiccups there and here, I think the Live Stream went as well as can be, and I was grateful as things could have been a lot worse. I call this achievement unlocked!

In some Olympus cameras, there is a hidden feature called HandHeld Starlight, which technically is a multishot noise reducton composite technique that can effectively get rid of high ISO noise, producing clean low light images. I tested the Handheld Starlight mode of my Olympus PEN E-PL7, shooting images ranging from ISO1600-12800, and the results are very impressive - though JPEG only, the images retain very good amount of details, yet suppressing high ISO noise. I went out to test this around the streets of Kuala Lumpur, and made a video (you can watch it here) to explain the mechanics behind the Handheld Starlight mode. I am sharing the images in this blog entry. I wish OM System includes this feature in their higher level flagship camera, like the OM-1 series. 

I was asked by Jason a few weeks ago to deliver a best man's speech during his wedding dinner, and I said yes. It was indeed a privilege as Jason is an incredible friend I have known for over 20 years. I have nothing but amazing things to say about him. However, my mum passed away and I initially pulled out from attending the wedding dinner, as Chinese traditions and customs would normally prevent guests with recently deceased family members from attending. Jason insisted that I attend and after getting necessary checks and approvals from all relevant parties, I finally made it to the wedding. The Best Man's speech was delivered, it was the second speech I had to do in the same week, after my mum's eulogy at the Memorial Service, just a few days before. To Jason, thanks for having me at the wedding dinner, thanks for having me as a friend, and thanks for always believing in me, when I did not even see anything in myself. Thanks for bringing out the best version of myself, and I owe you so much, for being such an incredible friend that I honestly feel I don't deserve. To Jason & Gan, congratulations to both of you, may your lives be filled with everlasting blessings and happiness! All images taken by Justin Hee (IG @jh.pixels), used with permission. 

Mum's Memorial Service was held at St Thomas Cathedral in Kuching, Borneo, which is our home church, on 16 July 2025. Mum's family came, along with many relatives, my aunties and uncles, as well as my cousins, some really amazing friends (you know who you are) and an unexpectedly large crowd of church members who new mum from bible study groups and the Kuching Anglican Senior Fellowship. It was a beautiful memorial service, with the priest in charge a family friend, Reverend John Sim. I am extremely thankful to have all the kind support, help and generous contributions from so many people at such challenging times, and the memorial service went as well as can be expected. I gave a eulogy for mum, with snippets of it can be heard at the end of my video on YouTube here (click). Special thanks to Jason Lioh for flying in all the way from Kuala Lumpur and helped with capturing some of these precious moments. All images taken by Jason Lioh, used with permission.