Introducing Jimmy Bo | My Minimalist Friend

by Daniel Chiam

Jimmy Bo 400 from Crumpler

Jimmy Bo 400 is a photo bag from Crumpler and it got to me just in time today. I do have to be honest that my first impression of the bag was that it was too cute and too small to fit in a DSLR with extra lens and some gears (like a speelight), but after trying it out and using my Tetris knowledge that I've earned during my childhood, turns out Jimmy Bo does come in handy as a on-the-go camera bag when you decided to hit the street for some freestyle.

The turtle shell shape

Did I mentioned the bag looks cute? Yeah, my friends sort of affirmed that statement. Shaped like a turtle shell, in the size of fun, Jimmy Bo sure feels nice to have around. I really like how you can attached it to your waist or carry it around across your shoulder when you feel like it. I personally prefer to attached it around my waist. Easy and quick access to my camera and I don't have to worry about the bag slipped off my shoulder or dangling in front of me when I lean forward to take some shots.

Don't let Jimmy's size fools you. I managed to fit in a Nikon D90 (without battery grip) with a 50mm lens + Yongnuo 560 III Speedlight (without the diffuser on) + 18-105mm lens. When I switched and attached the camera with the 18-105mm lens, the remaining space can only fit the 50mm lens and I had to remove the speedlight. The bag also have a few compartment where you can put your extra sd cards, business cards, batteries and any small accessories for that matter.

It can fit 18-105mm lens, Speedlight and D90 with 50mm lens attached

The inside of Jimmy Bo

The material for the outer front layer of the bag is waterproof. While the outer back layer of it does absorb water, and the water test proved that Jimmy Bo is vulnerable from behind. The inside feels wet after the water test =/ The fabric on the main compartment where you'll put your camera can actually stick to a velcro for you to make your own divider so that your gears and camera won't rub on with each other.

Outer back layer

All in all, I still adore this small dude. Of course it's not an ideal bag for travelling but it sure does the job when you feel like going out for some street photography or for job that doesn't require you to bring too much lenses and gears. It was made for going light, its comfortable to bring around, and it looks cooler than normal photo bag.

I got the bag from Fiq Bagshopz over FB, and the person was kind enough to give me a discount (thank you!) because I did mentioned to him that it was for my birthday gift and it arrived exactly on my birthday too! So yeah, happy birthday to myself and happy 6th anniversary to room8five.com. Now I can go around with a cool bag attached around my waist and that's Jimmy Bo 400 from Crumpler.

Mahua Waterfall, Tambunan | My Sabah Road Trip

by Daniel Chiam

Water buffalo and its calf

Bad hair day?

Offered to take photo for a bunch of friends who was on vacation

Sign of visitors

Mahua Waterfall, Tambunan

Mahua waterfall located not far from the town of Tambunan. It will take less than 30 minutes car ride to get to the place, and I've been here long time ago with my school mates and teachers. Back then the road was still gravel and it took us more than an hour ride just to reached the place because of the road's horrible condition. Well, that was the past and today, even with an ordinary sedan car, you'll have no problem reaching the place.

If you ever feel like getting away from the hustle and bustle of your busy life, or just a short weekend gateway with your family/friends, this 17 meter high waterfall just might be the right choice. You can even forget about internet reception here, as it always comes and goes, and mostly its just not there. So posting your selfie here would just have to wait until later. Aside from just the waterfall, you can actually go for jungle trekking here, but you'll need to hire a guide for that.

You can even plan to stay overnight here as they also provide accommodation and food. Most importantly they have clean toilet! I've asked before and it is okay to bring your own tent and camp there for FREE. Not sure if they will start charging if many people are starting to do the same, but as for now, this place was absolutely a budget gateway for a budget traveler like me.

[More photos]

My other stop:
Batu Punggul, Sapulut, Nabawan
Sabah Tea Plantation, Ranau
Luanti Fish Spa, Ranau

Batu Punggul, Sapulut, Nabawan | My Sabah Road Trip

by Daniel Chiam

Under the bridge

Under the stars

The limestone, Batu Punggul

On top of Batu Punggul

The tajau shaped limestone

The folklore has it that Batu Punggul was once a Rumah Panjang (long house) belong to one of the Murut tribe in Sapulut. The tribe and their long house was cursed and was turned to limestone for making fun of a leech by making it drink the rice wine and getting it drunk. They were laughing and humiliating the leech and thus it offended the spirit or guardian of the forest. 

On your way to the top of Batu Punggul, you will come across a cave which believed to be the entrance to the long house, and in it you will see a huge tajau (traditional jar) shaped limestone which believed to be one of the remaining of the long house. 

I would also like to thank Mr. Lantir and his whole family from Kampung Tataluan for the hospitality and for taking good care of us when we were there. Thank you for the shelter and for the freshly caught wild board for dinner! We really had an awesome time there.

[More photos]

My other stop:

Mahua Waterfall, Tambunan

Sabah Tea Plantation, Ranau

Luanti Fish Spa, Ranau

Selamat Hari Raya 2014 to Everyone

Photographed by Farah Paul

A simple and fun photoshoot with the girls from FmX Photography and Keningau Model Community for the Raya occasion. Girls just wanna have fun right? Also, on behalf of everyone, we would like to take this opportunity to wish Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Maaf zahir dan batin to everyone! Please drive safely when you're on the road to balik kampung and back.

Milky Way - My First Attempt

by Daniel Chiam

This was my first attempt in order to take photo of the milky way. I'm still trying to improve my skills in order to take the whole thing. The amount of time spent for taking the photos and also the post processing just to make sure you get what you want... everything is so agonizing but I love the challenge! Hopefully I can get a better one soon before the full moon appear again :D