Surviving Sendong


BY Erwin Mascariñas, VERA Files

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Floodwaters brought by storm “Sendong” swept Cagayan de Oro and Iligan city and other parts of Central Mindanao while people were sleeping Friday night last week.

Power went out. In the darkness of the night, people panicked as they tried to flee from the rampaging mud and debris.

It was chaos. Heartrending cries for help filled the air. Mothers and fathers watched in horror as they lost hold of their children, carried away by floodwaters.

Caught unprepared, local government units were able to establish disaster coordinating efforts more than six hours after Sendong sent its deadly waters.

On the sixth day, 674 people from Cagayan de Oro were confirmed dead, while 502 were still missing.

Benito Ramos, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), said the number of fatalities is still rising as more dead bodies are found.

The survivors, now homeless, are cramped in different barangay halls and public schools. The evacuation center in Tomas Saco, Macasandig houses over 700 evacuees. There are no facilities in the barangay hall such as bathrooms, so the place is beginning to develop a foul smell. The evacuees, especially the children, are getting sick.

The flashfloods also destroyed the two major pipelines of the city. About 70 percent of Cagayan de Oro still does not have water supply. The Cagayan de Oro Water District estimates that it will take about 27 days for water supply to be back to normal.

As millions worth of aid and relief goods started to pour in the city, thousands of families complained about the lack of proper distribution of relief and aid to the victims. Several residents from different parts of the affected barangay’s were angry because oftentimes those who get the relief goods live near the barangay halls or are close or politically affiliated to the barangay chairman.

Four days after the tragedy, President Benigno Aquino visited Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and declared a national state of calamity in the disaster zone to speed up relief and rehabilitation, as well as secure funding from international organizations.

Adding to the grief and the sufferings Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano did something appalling: ordered the dumping of cadavers to a garbage landfill site.

Members of the National Bureau of Investigation who came to help in identifying the dead said it was the first time the Disaster Victim Identification team of had to deal with “this kind of working environment.”

Dr. Wilfredo Tierra, lead forensic expert, said, “There is always a more pleasant, secure, and safe place for us to work.”

On Wednesday the National Grid Corp. allowed the use of its hangar in Lumbia airport as the site for the body profiling.

(Erwin Mascariñas is a photojournalist based in Mindanao.He recently attended a photojournalism workshop conducted by VERA Files.
(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for “true.”)

Nikon Launches V1 and J1 Camera

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Are you the type of person who always wanted to take some pictures and at the same time want to capture every moment in a video?


 

 

Recently, Nikon and Electroworld launched Nikon 1 system with their sleek J1 and V1 camera. 


J1 small sensor mirrorless camera ismore compact, less expensive model in the line up and, like the V1, features Hybrid autofocus (combining phase detection and contrast detection AF) that allows the camera to shoot at up to 10 frames-per-second with autofocus. The J1 has only an electronic shutter, limiting sync speed to 1/60th of a second but allowing shutter speeds of up to 1/16000th of a second. It’s built around a 1″ type (13.2mm x 8.8mm) 10MP CMOS sensor, giving a 2.7x crop, which Nikon is calling ‘CX’ format. Like the V1, it can shoot 1080i60 video. The J1 kit with 10-30mm (27-81mm equiv). It’s fastest and easy to use.

 

One of the feature in J1 that I really like is Motion Snapshot. With Motion Snapshot, there’s a new approach to capturing images that will dramatically alter the way we perceive digital photography. By selecting the Motion Snapshot icon from the Mode Dial at the back of the camera, consumers can capture fleeting moments with staggering depth and emotion like never before. The result unites a frozen still image with a slow-motion movement set to a built-in audio soundtrack to create a portrayal of an occurrence with maximum impact. With Motion Snapshot, users are now able to relive memories in stunning detail, as real movement and depth are included in the image. Motion Snapshot provides a way to once again experience someone’s hair flowing in the breeze or relaxing scenes like waves crashing or rustling leaves that evoke an emotional response.


With its interchangeable lenses that features new technologies aimed at creating better pictures, easier. Nikon’s new Smart Photo Selector feature strives to deliver a perfect image every time. When a “can’t miss” photo opportunity arises, users can switch to the Smart Photo Selector mode which uses the camera’s pre-cache to start shooting and storing images. All of these images are analyzed within the camera, and the best photo is selected based on a number of factors including exposure, focus and advanced facial recognition. While the camera suggests the best image, five frames are recorded, providing the user a choice of their favorite photo. What’s more,  J1 also includes favorite core Nikon technologies, such as Active D-lighting, Auto Scene Selector and Picture Controls.

 

Specs for J1

 

Sensor • 13.2 mm x 8.8 mm CMOS sensor
• 10.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes • 3872 x 2592
• 2896 x 1944
• 1936 x 1296
• 3840 x 2160
Aspect ratio 3:2, 16:9
Movie clips • 1920 x 1080 @ 60i/30 fps
• 1280 x 720 @ 30/15 fps
• 640 x 480 @ 30/15 fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30/15 fpsSlow-motion movies 
• 640 x 240/400 fps (plays at 30p/29.97 fps)
• 640 x 240/400 fps (plays at 30p/29.97 fps)
• 320 x 120/1,200 fps (plays at 30p/29.97 fps)
• 320 x 120/1,200 fps (plays at 30p/29.97 fps)

Motion Snapshot Motion Snapshot
• 1,920 x 1,080/60p (59.94 fps) (plays at 24p/23.976 fps)
• 1,920 x 1,080/60p (59.94 fps) (plays at 24p/23.976 fps)
Sensor output is about 60 fps

File format • NEF (RAW)
• JPEGMovie:
• MOV
• H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding compression
• AAC audio
Lens mount • Nikon 1 mount
• Approx. 2.7x lens focal length (Nikon CX-format)
Focus • Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF); AF-assist illuminator
AF are • Single-point (135 points)
• Auto-area (41 points)
• Subject tracking
Lens Servo • Autofocus (AF): Single AF (AF-S); continuous AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); fulltime AF (AF-F)
• Manual focus (MF)
Focus distance • Standard mode 0.6m (wide) / 1.0m (tele)
• Macro mode 0.2m – (wide) / 0.9m (tele)
• Super Macro mode Closest focusing distance: 1cm
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• High Auto
• Manual ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, Hi 1 (6400 equiv.)
Exposure compensation • +/- 3 EV
• 1/3 EV steps
metering TTL metering using image sensor
• Matrix
• Center-weighted
• Spot
Shuttter speed • 1/16000 sec. –30 sec.
• Bulb
Modes • Programmed auto with flexible program
• Shutter-priority auto
• Aperture-priority auto
• Manual
• Scene auto selector
Shooting Modes • Still image (3 : 2)
• Smart Photo Selector (3 : 2)
• Movie (HD 16 : 9, slow motion 8 : 3)
• Motion Snapshot (16 : 9)
White balance • Auto
• Incandescent
• Fluorescent
• Direct sunlight
• Flash
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Preset manual
Picture Control system • Standard
• Neutral
• Vivid
• Monochrome
• Portrait
• Landscape
Flash • Auto
• Red-eye reduction
• Fill-in
• Rear curtain sync
• Off
Flash Range Approx. 5/16 m/ft @ ISO 100
LCD monitor • 3.0″ / 7.5 cm LCD
• 460,000 dots
Continous shooting • Electronic (Hi): Approx. 10, 30, or 60 fps
• Other modes: Up to 5 fps (single AF or manual focus, S Shutter-priority auto or M Manual exposure mode, shutter speed 1/250 s or faster, and other settings at default values)
Connectivity • DC input
• Combined A/V & USB output
• USB 2.0 compatible
• HDMI
Storage • SD/SDHC/SDXC
Power Li-ion Rechargeable Battery (EN-EL20)
Weight (no batt) 277g
Dimensions 4.42″W x 2.4″H x 1.2″D
(106mm x 61mm x 30mm)

 

V1 is enthusiast small sensor mirrorless camera. Built around what the company is calling a ‘CX’ format 10MP CMOS sensors, the cameras is part of the company’s new Nikon 1 line. The V1 is intended as the higher-end model in the lineup and features magnesium alloy construction and a 1.4M dot electronic viewfinder. It also has an accessory port allowing the connection of the SB-N5 mini speedlight or GP-N100 GPS unit. Unlike the J1, it can switch between mechanical and electronic shutter. In common with the J1, in can shoot 1080i60 or 1080p30 video and combines phase detection and contrast detection autofocus, in movie shooting or 10fps continuous bursts. The 1″ type sensor (13.2mm x 8.8mm) gives a 2.7x crop. The V1 kit with 10-30mm (27-81mm equiv.) 

 

What’s make it different from J1? They have the same revolutionary sensor mirroless camera. The new Nikon 1 system is a completely original concept, engineered specifically to strike the ultimate balance of performance, intuitive simplicity and portability to chronicle life like never before. This breakthrough platform lays the foundation for future technologies, and the Nikon 1 system has been created for the consumer who wants to capture, share and connect to life. The fully electronic lens system enables the camera to keep pace with an active lifestyle and delivers amazing images and Full HD 1080p movies to connect with friends and family. Whether it’s a spontaneous outing or a planned trek abroad, the versatility of interchangeable lenses in a convenient form factor will allow a consumer to take the camera with them wherever life leads.

 

 

 

     Specs for V1

 

Sensor • 13.2 mm x 8.8 mm CMOS sensor
• 10.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes • 3872 x 2592
• 2896 x 1944
• 1936 x 1296
• 3840 x 2160
Aspect ratio 3:2, 16:9
Movie clips • 1920 x 1080 @ 60i/30 fps
• 1280 x 720 @ 30/15 fps
• 640 x 480 @ 30/15 fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30/15 fpsSlow-motion movies 
• 640 x 240/400 fps (plays at 30p/29.97 fps)
• 640 x 240/400 fps (plays at 30p/29.97 fps)
• 320 x 120/1,200 fps (plays at 30p/29.97 fps)
• 320 x 120/1,200 fps (plays at 30p/29.97 fps)

Motion Snapshot Motion Snapshot
• 1,920 x 1,080/60p (59.94 fps) (plays at 24p/23.976 fps)
• 1,920 x 1,080/60p (59.94 fps) (plays at 24p/23.976 fps)
Sensor output is about 60 fps

File format • NEF (RAW)
• JPEGMovie:
• MOV
• H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding compression
• AAC audio
Lens mount • Nikon 1 mount
• Approx. 2.7x lens focal length (Nikon CX-format)
Focus • Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF); AF-assist illuminator
AF are • Single-point (135 points)
• Auto-area (41 points)
• Subject tracking
Lens Servo • Autofocus (AF): Single AF (AF-S); continuous AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); fulltime AF (AF-F)
• Manual focus (MF)
Focus distance • Standard mode 0.6m (wide) / 1.0m (tele)
• Macro mode 0.2m – (wide) / 0.9m (tele)
• Super Macro mode Closest focusing distance: 1cm
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• High Auto
• Manual ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, Hi 1 (6400 equiv.)
Exposure compensation • +/- 3 EV
• 1/3 EV steps
metering TTL metering using image sensor
• Matrix
• Center-weighted
• Spot
Shuttter speed Mechanical Shutter
• 1/4000 sec. –30 sec.
• Bulb
Electronic Shutter
• 1/16000 sec. –30 sec.
• Bulb
Modes • Programmed auto with flexible program
• Shutter-priority auto
• Aperture-priority auto
• Manual
• Scene auto selector
Shooting Modes • Still image (3 : 2)
• Smart Photo Selector (3 : 2)
• Movie (HD 16 : 9, slow motion 8 : 3)
• Motion Snapshot (16 : 9)
White balance • Auto
• Incandescent
• Fluorescent
• Direct sunlight
• Flash
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Preset manual
Picture Control system • Standard
• Neutral
• Vivid
• Monochrome
• Portrait
• Landscape
EVF • 0.47-in., approx. 1440k-dot color TFT LCD viewfinder
• 100% coverage
LCD monitor • 3.0″ / 7.5 cm LCD
• 921,000 dots
Continous shooting • Electronic (Hi): Approx. 10, 30, or 60 fps
• Other modes: Up to 5 fps (single AF or manual focus, S Shutter-priority auto or M Manual exposure mode, shutter speed 1/250 s or faster, and other settings at default values)
Connectivity • DC input
• Combined A/V & USB output
• USB 2.0 compatible
• HDMI
• Multi accesory port
Storage • SD/SDHC/SDXC
Power Li-ion Rechargeable Battery (EN-EL15)
Weight (no batt) 294g
Dimensions 4.42″W x 3″H x 1.7″D
(113mm x 76mm x 44mm)

 


And if you’re into photography, two-thumbs up with J1 and V1. 

 

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