Full Metal Panic ... ...

is another animation I did not watch. However, the mechs are too attractive and I couldn't resist the temptation of buying these Revoltech Yamaguchi offerings.

First up is the ARX 8 Laevatein

The basic figure without any attachment and weapons. Looks good already. However, I don't really like the head sculpt as it looks like it is laughing.

The photos that follow has all the attachment and some of the weapons this mech packs.

The clear stand for this series put the emphasis back to the figure. Hopefully, it will be as such for all other releases.

Here is the huge rifle that the Laevatein carries. However, mine has some problems. It needed some DIY to get the problems fixed which included cutting and drilling.

The result? Well, it looks like nothing was modified. I am quite impressed with what I've done.

However, I am not impressed with the hands given as it provided no articulation to change the position of holding the weapons. This is a reissue and Kaiyodo doesn't even bother to correct the problem since the first batch.

No wonder Laevatein looks so disappointed about his limitations.


Next is the ARX 7 Arbalest

This is the reason why the ARX 8 is reissued. Now, this figure is worth the buy and if you are contemplating between the two; choose this.

It even came with this gimmick of suspending from a height; must be from a scene of the animation.

This figure comes with whole lot of accessories and weapons; so many that I did not have enough time to put everything on.

I like this pose very much with it being able to reload the shot gun. The best part is the cartridges are individual items and thus, it's up to you to customise the pose.

The hands for this figure comes with wrist like movements and so it gives the figure more realism. The best part is that this is cheaper than the Laevatein.

On the First Day of Christmas ... ...

I decided to open up some troopers which I had been keeping them for some time.

The ARF trooper, an elite scout force of the republic senate led by Jedi General Windu.

This particular figure comes with pretty good articulation.

"I know kung fu!"

The figure here is Commander Gree who leads the 41st Elite Corps under the command of Jedi General Yoda. This is the animation version which is very different from the movie version from my earlier post.

"What are you staring at?"

Here he is with a heavy machine gun and this is borrowed from one of the 41st Elite Corps troopers as Gree was issued a bazooka.

Gree with his helmet off, the haircut is a little too weird for me.

Thus, the helmet stays on.

Lastly, I opened up a Sandtrooper from the Legacy Collection which this guy appeared in Episode IV "A New Hope".

One last shot with everyone encapsulated in my customised container with their poses 'immortalised'; well at least in this picture they are.

Toys from Yester Years ... ...

Since there are no new arrivals, I've decided to snap away with some of my older toys.

First up, my son's Gundam 00 Seven Swords. I've taken these at his request.

By the way, he set the poses and I snapped away and gotten his approval before posting.


Here's a close up and below is a mosaic of various color settings.

Toys in my work area are often forgotten as they have been there for a number of years. I'll try my best to remember what they are.

From Left, Zeta Gundam, RX-78(forgot what version) and Heavy Arms Gundam

Spawn

Strike Impulse Gundam

Clear Sword Strike Gundam

YF-21 with Darth Vader in the background

All shots taken using the Lumix GF1 with F/1.7 and 20mm lens. I am really loving this camera.

A Night out at Vivo ... ...

A meal before 'work'

F/1.7, ISO400, 20mm

F/1.7, ISO200, 20mm

F/3.5, ISO400, 14mm

F/3.5, ISO320, 14mm

Ok, I think that's about all that I will update for now as this blog is dedicated to mainly toys.

Went for a walk ... ...

with GF1. It was fun taking pictures with it but I guess I still have a long way to go in the area of photography.

F/1.7, ISO100, 20mm, no flash

F/3.5, ISO100, 14mm, no flash

F4.8, ISO100, 23mm, no flash

F/5.1, ISO100, 28m, no flash

Really glad I got the 20mm pancake or prime lens. The picture quality from that lens is far more superior. I am also beginning to appreciate manual focusing for customised shots.

Just Playing ... ...

around with the GF1. Trying both 20mm and 14-45mm lens. I'm quite pleased with what the camera can do.

F/16, ISO100, 45mm, no flash

F/5.6, ISO100, 20mm, no flash

F/5.6, ISO100, 20mm, no flash

F/4, ISO100, 20mm, no flash

F/2.5, ISO100, 20mm, no flash

F/2.5, ISO100, 20mm, no flash

F/1.7, ISO320, 20mm, no flash

F/2.8, ISO100, 20mm, no flash

F/20, ISO100, 45mm, no flash

F/20, ISO100, +0.3, 45mm, flash

Will attempt some outdoor shoot tomorrow.

My Wife got me a Girl Friend ... ...

for my birthday! Well, at least that's what the shutterbugs are calling it. The Panasonic Lumix GF1.

Finally after months of waiting, it has arrived and now the headaches begins as I need to 'learn' using it effectively to take good pictures.

I could have gotten it much earlier if I just pick one up at any electronic department, Courts or Harvey Norman. However, I chose to wait out as I want a dual lens kit with both the 20mm pancake lens and 14-45 zoom lens.

It was a long wait as I was told that this kit is facing shortage worldwide due to the fact that Panasonic uses third party manufacturer to put this together.

Anyway, here it is and out of the box and I have the color which I wanted. RED! To my surprise, it is red all around the body. Sexy!


This feels heavy because it's metallic and it has this old school kind of look but the red makes it modern.

View from the top. Nice touch of Panasonic to have a cover to enclose the hot shoe when not in use.

This birthday sort of came with a theme as friends bought me photography related items as well like this RED and LOUD Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home camera bag (at my request though)

They have even included a shoulder strap from Crumpler too; The Industry Disgrace. I had a hard time squeezing this into the slots of the GF1. It took me a good 1 hour and sustained both injury on my fingers and the camera in the process of doing so.... .... Fingers can heal but a scratch is a scratch. Well, at least it is now unique.

Another present from another good friend of mine and his wife. So no excuse to take bad pictures with all these gears.; I hope.