Which Instant Camera is Worth Buying in Singapore?

Do you miss the days of snapping vintage pictures that you can easily put inside your wallet? These pictures can be displayed in an album or in a frame to beautify your home. If you are yearning for this, you will find a lot to enjoy with today’s best instant cameras.

While the Instax Mini is one of the most popular choices when it comes to instant cameras in Singapore, there are other great options out there.

Let’s begin by defining what an instant camera is and highlighting the things to consider when purchasing one.

WHAT IS AN INSTANT CAMERA?

You do not need to apply advanced developing techniques to print your photos through instant cameras. You see, instant cameras use film that self-develops.

These instant cameras have a few buttons that can be easily used by everyone, typically consisting of a flash and a shutter button. In terms of its physical features, each camera differs based on size, quality and style of the photos, type of films, and other unique features. Features that may be good for you, may not suit your friend’s personal preferences. One size does not fit all!

Apart from these, instant cameras have a maximum number of films that can be held inside at once. Instant cameras are entertaining, and it takes practice to shoot beautiful photos, but the results are worth it.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO CONSIDER AS A BUYER?

#1: PRICE OF THE FILM

When doing your research to compare which instant camera suits your budget, do not forget about the cost of the film. It is important to keep in mind because films can be expensive, and they get used frequently.

For instance, a pack of Fujifilm Instax Plain Mini Film can go for S$10.50 as of writing. You will be surprised that this number quickly adds up!

#2: QUALITY OF THE PHOTO

Just like any other camera, the photo quality of instant cameras varies depending on the film ISO, the built-in settings, the distance between you and your subject, and other factors.

Photos from Fujifilm seem to be consistent when it comes to the colors and white balance. On the other hand, Polaroid film brings unique style and colors to its photos. It is important to know your personal preferences.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#3: STYLE OF THE PHOTO

Identify the photo style that you desire. For instance, Polaroid cameras provide a vintage-style photography, which is what many people are looking for in their first instant camera. This makes your photos look different in each setting in which you are shooting.

In comparison, Fujifilm does a fantastic job in getting accurate coloring each time you snap a photo. It may not be able to give you that “vintage look” that you are looking for.

#4: BATTERY LIFE

Instant cameras can last a long time because they do not need to power a bright, high-resolution display or other complex features that drain the battery.

While some instant cameras need batteries, other models charge via USB. Often, they last for around 100-300 shots.

WHICH INSTANT CAMERAS ARE WORTH BUYING?

#1: FOR BEGINNERS WHO OPT FOR EASY-TO-FIND FILM

You cannot deny the popularity of Fujifilm Instax among the instant cameras in Singapore. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is a good choice for creating memories with your family or for snapping travel-friendly photos with your companion.

Despite its size, the high-performance flash can calculate the brightness in the environment and adjusts shutter speed. You will always have quality shots, even in the dark. Unlike the other models on this list, this camera is easy to find, and it comes with an array of fun film presets such as comic strips or pastel borders.

Price: from S$95 at Carousell

Film: Instax Mini Film

#2: FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE RETRO PHOTOGRAPHY

The retro looks of Polaroid OneStep+ would make a delightful addition to your collection of vintage cameras. This camera comes with close focus so you can seamlessly switch between landscape and portrait shots.

It can also be connected to your handphone via Bluetooth for creative shots that use double exposure, light painting, and so on. You can even digitally scan your photos to keep them if you do not want to print them yet.

These modes can be accessed through the Polaroid Original app, which includes other features such as enabling shots to be taken with a noise trigger and using different flash options. With a self-timer and a variety of flash options, what is not to love?

Price: from S$195.69 at Amazon
Film: i-Type and 600 film

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#3: FOR PEOPLE WHO ENJOY THE CONVENIENCE OF PRINTING FROM MOBILE

You can enjoy the convenience of printing photo through your phone with the Kodak Mini Shot 3. This instant camera is a 2-in-1 device, which has photo-taking abilities as well as the ability to print any photo from your phone via Bluetooth.

It uses LED display with self-time and auto-flash mode. You can also select options for filters and borderless photos, giving you a freedom to choose your preferred style.

Price: from S$148.00 at Lazada
Film: Kodak Instant Print 3” x 3” Cartridge

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

Best Places to Get Fish Tanks & Aquatic Supplies in Singapore

Add vibrance and soul to your space by maintaining beautiful aquatic creatures! Setting up your aquarium or fish tank can be overwhelming at first. Among the essential elements that you need to consider is choosing the right tank in terms of size, quality, and personal preference.

Where do you begin? Well, you can start by identifying the best aquatic shops in Singapore.

#1: FRESH N MARINE

Website: freshnmarine.com
Location: 79 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 455219

Bagging the South East Asia Best Online Aquarium Store 2021 by APAC Insider, Fresh N Marine boasts its offerings of freshwater and marine aquarium systems. Fresh N Marine’s collections come in different shapes and sizes. While some are made with crystal glass and light wood, others are made with marble finishes and more. The store also offers accessories, decorations, fish food, and freshwater plants.

Its array of quality equipment includes brands such as KESSIL, Tunze, and Red Sea. Keep an eye out for its online exclusive deals and deluxe aquarium sets. Products include Betta Box D-651 for S$5.90 and Betta Tank 10x10x15cm for S$10.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#2: EAST OCEAN AQUATIC TRADING CENTRE

Website: eastoceansg.com
Location: Blk 22 Havelock Road #01-699, Singapore 160022

East Ocean Aquatic Trading Centre is one of the longest-running companies that sell aquariums in Singapore. Besides fish tanks, the store offers a myriad of aquarium supplies such as feeding essentials, water pumps, water test kits, fish medications, lighting equipment, and decorations.

Their services also expanded to producing solutions for paludarium, pond, and marine setups. If you are planning to start your aquarium business, partnering up with them would be a good start. Be sure to visit their website to reap its free delivery (for orders above S$80) and special sales.

Their products include the VENY BBT2S Betta-Bow Tank Kit for S$3.40 and the YINSHENG Breeder Box for S$4.50.

#3: GREEN CHAPTER

Website: greenchapter.com
Location: 565 Macpherson Road #01-00, Singapore 368234

Aquarium enthusiasts who desire something unique can go to Green Chapter! Green Chapter offers personalized aquariums to suit your wants and needs.

Begin the customization process by sharing your concept and collaborating with the staff. The store will help you build the tank and install it in your home or office. Newbie aquarium owners may also tap their aquarium maintenance services.

Services include maintenance and restoration as well as building personalized aquariums.
Products include the Betta Fish Display Case for S$4.20 and GEX Glassterior FIT Glass Tank for S$14.50.

#4: AQUATIC DREAMS

Website: aquaticdreams.com.sg

Individuals who are in search of premier custom-made aquariums and cabinets can go to Aquatic Dreams. Aquatic Dreams ensure that their clients enjoy high quality, safe fish tanks. You see, it only uses Germany-made aquarium silicone from Wacker 121. Furthermore, the cabinets are made from plywood with metal or solid kapur wood beams. These materials are highly durable to resist heavy loads of water.

Thus, this store specializes in creating premier aquariums suitable for homes, restaurants, hotels, and more. Best of all? It provides warranty against leakage due to its workmanship. Products include the 60cm Oblong High Quality Acrylic Tank for S$800. Yes! Prices are also on the premium side. Get a quotation from them through their website.

Whether you are an aquarium enthusiast or a newbie in the scene, searching for the places where you can find the best tanks for your beloved pets in Singapore can be overwhelming. May this list help you with your journey!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Read More...

Top 8 drinks to soothe your Covid19/Post vaccination symptoms

Looking for drinks to help soothe your Covid19 symptoms or re- vitalize yourself after your post vaccination fever?

Here’re some hot-selling cooling drinks for you with the lowest price in the market from ezbuy. Over 30% off + Free Home Delivery with min $20 spending, whilst stock last!

  1. UFC Coconut Water 1000ml x 12 – $29.90, $2.49 per bottle (Supermarket Price $3.60 per bottle)

Shop Here

  1. HSC Oldenlandia Water 325ml x 24 – $13, $0.54 per can (Supermarket Price $1 per can)

Shop Here

  1. 100 Plus Original Isotonic Drink 320ml x 24 – $10.99, $0.46 per can (Supermarket Price $0.58 per can)

Shop Here

  1. Cooltopia Three Legs Flavoured Cooling Water 320ml x 24 – $26.90 (Usual Price $34.90), $1.12 per bottle

Shop Here

  1. Pocari Sweat Ion Supply Isotonic Drink 500ml x 24 – $22 (Usual Price $29), $0.92 per bottle

Shop Here

  1. Suntory C.C. Lemon Vitamin Lemon Soft Drink 330ml x 24 – $18.80 (Usual Price $36.90), $0.78 per can

Shop Here

  1. Jia Jia Herbal Tea 300ml x 24 – $11.50, $0.48 per can, (Supermarket Price $1 per can)

Shop Here

  1. H-TWO-O Original Non-Carbonated 300ml x 24 – $11.49, $0.48 per can, (Supermarket Price $0.70 per can)

Shop Here

Aside from drinks, you may also find household products, food & snacks, and home appliances that are currently having attractive promotions!

Shop for more products and information from ezbuy here.

Read More...

6 Cheap and Entertaining Daytime Activities in Singapore

Living like a Crazy Rich Asian in Singapore can be exhausting, especially for your wallet. While it does not hurt to indulge in the luxuries of life occasionally, you can pay close attention to budget-friendly activities that will bring you excitement.

From eating for cheap to going on nature trips, here are some daytime activities* that you can explore without breaking the bank!

(*As a friendly reminder, please visit the website of these places first before heading down for a trip because the COVID-19 restrictions are ever-changing.)

#1: UNLEASH YOUR INNER SKATER

It may be hot outside, but it is ice-cold wonderland inside the Rink. Get your skate on with your friends or your date in Singapore’s first and only Olympic-sized ice-skating rink!

Apart from opening its doors to the public, The Rink hosts events and international tournaments. These tournaments include figure skating, ice hockey, and ice curling. As a beginner, you may want to use their skating aids such as the Bambi. This experience will only set you back by S$18 for two hours for adults and S$16 for two hours for children.

Image Credits: facebook.com/therink.sg

Address: JCube, 2 Jurong East Central 1, Singapore 609731
Website: therink.sg

#2: ROW YOUR BOAT

Pasir Ris Park is a peaceful stretch of coast with thriving flora and fauna. You and your loved ones can buke along the designated pathways or rent kayaks from the Ohana Beach House. The rates in Ohana start from S$12 per hour for sit-on-top kayaking and S$14 per hour for sea kayaking. People who love to highlight their balancing skills can opt for the stand-up paddleboards, which start from S$15.

Image Credits: facebook.com/Adventurepaddlers

Address: 131 Pasir Ris Road, Singapore 519148
Website: adventurepaddlers.com.sg

#3: GO ON NATURE WALKS

One of my favorite places to visit for nature walks is the MacRitchie Reservoir Park. Its pleasing aerial walkway called the Treetop Walk will give you a bird’s eye view of the forest canopy.

Image Credits: nparks.gov.sg

With so many scenic spots, MacRitchie is an excellent destination for people who love the outdoors.

Address: MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Singapore 298717
Website: nparks.gov.sg

#4: APPRECIATE DIGITAL LIGHT ART

Embrace the boundaries of physical space as you enter the Digital Light Canvas in Marina Bay Sands. Witness a school of fish gathers in the ocean beneath you or paint calligraphy as you watch flowers blossom before your eyes.

What’s more? You can celebrate special occasions with your family or significant other by requesting a display of personalized messages. This message will appear on the LED floor in beautiful calligraphy.

Image Credits: marinabaysands.com

This digital art event is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm with tickets being sold for about S$5. Children under 2 years old and “Future World: Where Art Meets Science” ticketholders can visit this for free.

Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
Website: marinabaysands.com

#5: TAKE FEED-WORTHY PICTURES AT MUSCAT STREET

Amp up your feed by taking Instagram-worthy pictures at Muscat Street. This vibrant neighborhood has more to offer than its stretch of cafes and bars. You see, the back alleys of Muscat Street double as an outdoor art gallery. You will come across mural artworks and paintings by local artists.

Image Credits: asiaphotostock.blogspot.com

Feel free to either get in front or behind the camera as you take artful snaps!

Address: Muscat St, Singapore 198833

#6: SAVOR THE FLAVORS OF HAWKER FOOD

Maxwell Food Centre is lauded by both locals and tourists as the place to go to if you want to taste the magnificent flavors of Singaporean food. Home to a myriad of food stalls that champions different dishes from Nasi Lemak to Hainanese Chicken Rice, Maxwell Food Centre remains to be a favorite for the lunchtime CBD crowd.

In fact, celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Anthony Bourdain were impressed by the Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. Fill your stomach with this dish and other dishes that cost less than S$5 a pop.

With these budget-friendly and exciting activities around the island, your date or family will surely have an amazing day to remember!

Address: 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Read More...

Why are IKEA stores designed like a maze?

You start off with good intentions and a robust shopping list in your hands. You walk in with a purpose and determination to beautify your home. However, it only takes a few minutes, and you are distracted with other items that you can put inside your shopping bag. You feel lost in the maze of IKEA. And this happens every time!

Budget furniture giant IKEA lets its shoppers experience the journey of walking into labyrinth of furniture and home décor, and typically they walk out with more than what they anticipated.

Why is this so?

#1: TO ENCOURAGE IMPULSE SHOPPING

IKEA’s confusing layout delays the completion of the shopper’s list. It is designed to stop you from leaving. This emotional process disorients and dissociates shoppers from the outside world.

When they eventually figure out the space and start buying, shoppers feel licensed to treat themselves. By the time you find the stool that you are looking for, you will end up being so impressed by how cheap the table lamp is and end up getting it too. Alan Penn, a professor at University College London, said that this results in impulse buying.

#2: TO CREATE A WALK-THROUGH CATALOG

IKEA said goodbye to its printed catalogs after seven decades of publishing, but it does not mean that you cannot witness its pages in real life. Apart from delaying the completion of a shopper’s mission with its confusing layout, IKEA found a way to spend more time with its shoppers through its interactive spaces.

“Historically, we wanted the flow of our stores and presentation of the products to appear in the same way as they would in a catalog,” said Mr. Marcus Engman, the Chief Creative Officer for Ingka Group.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#3: TO OVERWHELM YOUR SENSES

Consumer Psychology expert Paul Harrison highlighted that IKEA’s layout overwhelms the senses to stop shoppers from thinking about time and space. According to him: “We’re not very good at imagining. We look to others for ideas and IKEA’s store layout helps you imagine your ideal life, how life could be.”

Cognitively, shoppers are not able to control their behavior and responses because they become more emotional. These emotions cascade to the process of building its products. You see, the furniture’s self-made concept provides shoppers with a sense of achievement.

#4: TO TRY NEW THINGS

Despite its popular maze-like layout, IKEA tried out other store formats last year. It tested two new formats to explore how physical locations can remain relevant in the age of e-commerce and amidst the pandemic.

Ingka Group, which operates most IKEA stores, reopened a location in Shanghai to test its new format. This format provides shoppers with other activities aside from shopping. Showrooms were introduced alongside a theater-like space where shoppers can hangout, a restaurant with sustainable food, and a Maker’s Hub where staff can help shoppers repair old items. This store represented its second test store.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Can IKEA still amaze its shoppers even without its signature maze? Let’s see what the future of IKEA holds!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Read More...