****UPDATES: I have been receiving emails enquries for past few months, I am so sorry that I did not check my mailbox in time. For all Vistaquest future orders or enquiry, please contact my supplier below.

Website: http://www.lomotto.com/

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

***Updated on 03 May 09 - Please read updates and amended info in Bold. Also please see revised price. I have also removed the term "Group Purchase/Group Order" since some people mentioned that it should be non-profit although I have a different perspective of it. However, I do not want to cause any possible mislead or misunderstanding later. 

I am extending the deadline to 7th May and I am still short of 2 more units to go. I am taking this time to ask for a better price I tried negotiating for a lower price unfortunately the distributor is not willing to bring down the price but over my end I still lowered the price slightly hoping to please everyone and also there are news that a new batch of VQ1015 (May Edition) will be released soon, it is said to have corrected some problems of VQ1015 (April Edition) , I am checking on it...will get back to all of you soon! :) 

One seller recently revealed that the April Edition has problems like: too much noise on photo, not compatible with many SD card brands, not enough dark corners, 6 to 7% of spoilt unit, cannot achieve "Lomo feel" effects for night shots, unable to avoid hand shake and high battery consumption - averagely not more than 100 shots. I have checked with the distributor about these issues and also check if VQ1015 May Edition will be a improved unit. Distributor replied that he have checked with Japan regarding the May Edition, it was said that the May Edition will produce different photo results as compared to the April Edition so it should be "looked at" as a different unit and so far Japan did not release any such news about the April Edition. I am not sure of this seller's intention, perhaps he wants to start taking orders for the May Edition? Not sure....how much truth comes from this seller. For your info, I ordered a VQ1015 in March from this same seller, it took more days to arrive and worst of all they sent me a wrong model, the exchange was very difficult...they are very slow in replying emails, ignore MSN messages....and don't want to advise when they are mailing me the change unit...and finally on his happy day...he replied on MSN "you wait." that's all!! so I waited more than 2 weeks for the exchanged unit to arrive yesterday and the fact that it took the courier company only 1 day to ship it to Singapore.

I took some photos to test out the noise and dark corner issues you can see from the pictures I have attached. I have included the 3 resolutions and also a very short video just for you to see if you are satisfied with the results. Regarding SD card brands, I have tried out a Nokia 64MB MiniSD card attached to a Kingston MiniSD Adapter and also a 2GB Kingston MicroSD attached to a Kingston MicroSD Adapter than attached to a Kingston MiniSD Adapter...haha! 3 layers - The camera has no problem reading these cards at all.

Photos are 640x480, 1280x1024 and 1600x1200 pixels respectively, taken out from my window. Click on image to enlarge.

As for night shots, I have to say this camera cannot perform well under low lights and can't do well indoor too.Don't expect too much from a CMOS Sensor camera without flash light. I am actually quite happy with the night shots as the results are unexpected although some will turned out all black. But since it is a digital  camera I don't have to worry about film and photo developing cost :) And please don't expect this cheapo camera to come with image stabilization/anti-shake feature....a little practice helps or try to stable your hands on a support..otherwise go get a Canon, Sony, Samsung digital camera if you want the quality and features. VQ1015 is supposed to be different, that's why we like it, isn't it?

Photos are 1280x1024 pixels, taken in my room with ceiling light and table lamp on. Click on image to enlarge.

I figured out I could DIY a holder that can be placed it on those mini camera stand...I will try to make it better and give everyone a photo of it another time. But the photos I attached in this post are all taken without any tripod and without resting my hands on any support.

As for other issues like high percentage of non-functional unit...well....I can't answer this, I am not sure about this but I manged to get the 3 months warranty from the distributor for the Singapore buyers. Please note the warranty will be direct from the distributor - not from me! I will advise all the necessary info for the registration. Lastly the battery issue, built in memory has been removed in order to solve this problem, I forgot to take my counts since my trial on the camera last night... I roughly estimates that I have taken close to 70 - 80 shots and now there is still battery. I think 80 shots will be a safe average and there is no POWER OFF switch so battery life could varies on how you use it...someone mentioned that it helps if you remove the battery when not in use. 80 to 100 shots is already very good... the early model VQ1005 in 2006 is the one that drains battery like hell.

~~~~~~~PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR ORDERS TO kgfixplayground AT gmail DOT com~~~~~~~~

I am taking group orders for Vistaquest VQ1015 in Singapore so that we can share the savings and I can make a little to pay for my own unit :)  importing some VQ1015 ( based on confirmed orders ) for sale in Singapore. International orders also welcome, I will ship overseas if you pay for the postages. 

Order Closing Date: 7th May 2009

Available Colour: Red, Blue, Black or Yellow ( Please specify your choice of colour when ordering )

VQ1015 Price:

Singapore Dollars SGD $78 for 1 unit or $145 for 2 units

United States Dollars USD $53 for 1 unit or $97 for 2 units.

Accessories Price ( Optional ):

1. Special pouch for VQ1015 = SGD $8.00 or USD $5.50 each

2. Japan Made Magnetic Digital King/Gizmon 0.38x, Superwide Lens also has some Fish Eye effect if you go nearer = SGD $ 33.00  or USD $22.00 each

3. Japan Made Magnetic Digital King/Gizmon CSK180, 0.2x 180 Degree Fish Eye Lens with Macro = SGD $53.00  or USD $36.00 each

4. China Made Magnetic Skina FE-50, Fish Eye Lens + Special pouch for VQ1015 = SGD $23.00 or USD $16.00 each

5. China Made Magnetic Skina W-67, 0.67x Wide Lens with Macro + Special pouch for VQ1015 = SGD$21.00 or  USD$14.50 each

(Gizmon is OEM product from the same factory as Digital King )

Please click on read more and read all information in this article before ordering. Thank you!

Local Payment: You don't have to pay me first upon ordering, I will only start to collect 60% deposit from total cost or full payment when the minimum quantity is reached. Balance Cash payment upon meet up for collection.

Local Collection: Meet up only at NOVENA SQ on a Saturday Afternoon as according to my schedules.

Overseas Payment: You don't have to pay me first upon ordering, I will only start to collect deposit or full payment when the minimum quantity is reached. For international orders, full payment is required before mailing and please add 4% to the overall cost for Paypal fees or you can use Western Union Money Transfer.

Note: Some countries charges taxes or custom duties. These cost are the responsibility of the buyer.

International Postage & Handling: Please check with me for the postage cost to your country. Below is the cost for mailing to United States of America.

Small Packet Registered Airmail ( 8 to 10 working days ) packed in Envelope with bubble wrap - USD $8.00 for 1 unit or USD $12.00 for 2 units.

Additional: If you want to change to box packing please add US$6.00 for a small box. Able to fit 1 or 2 units. If you like to include insurance for the mailing, please check with me for the cost.

Warranty: 3 months limited warranty for Singapore buyers only. 

I have managed to get a three months warranty ( starting from the receiving of goods on my side ) for buyers from Singapore but you will have to pay for the postage ( for both sending and returning ) and mail it to overseas supplier for checking and servicing. Please note the warranty do not cover cosmetic wear and tear, misue or any damages caused by user's fault. Changing of firmware is also done at your own risk, the warranty do not cover for damages caused by firmware change. A damaged caused by firmware change cannot be repaired.

For overseas buyers, I am sorry it is hard for me to offer you the warranty as by the time I send to you and you send it back ......it could have past the 3 months period and also considering the cost involve VS the cost of the camera, it is probably not worth the effort. What I can do for you is, I can open up the camera packing to test and make sure camera is in working condition before I mail it out - this can be done if you request me to do so.

~~~~~~~PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR ORDERS TO kgfixplayground AT gmail DOT com~~~~~~~~

VQ1015 Entry is a point and shoot keychain mini digital camera capable of taking photos of 'Lomo' feel and in a 'Lomography' atitude too! You can apply the 'Don't think, just shoot' rule to it without having to worry about developing cost anymore! However, VQ1015 is not a film camera replacement, the resolution cannot match the later, but it is good enough if you just want to showcase your works on blogs or keep it on your hard disk for self viewing.  

Check out the gallery at : http://shop.prokitchen.co.jp/ftproot/html/zakka/vistaquest/vq1015gallery20080905/vq1015gallery20080905.htm

VQ1015 is the latest version specially made to order according to the Japanese requirements, it is kinda like a clone of VQ1005 (2006 version) but it had outshines the previous model as well as other brands using the same OEM product ( eg. Genie III, Bell + Howell, minimo ). There are improvements in battery usage, it can now take about 80 photos and sometimes more. The lens size has also been changed to achieve darker corners and even more saturated colours, the photos turned out to be even more 'lomo' feel. This new version also allows firmware change where you can take Black and White photos with VQ1015! Another brilliant idea from the Japanese. 

I would suggest you buy 2 units at one time so that you can bring out both, one to take colour photos and one for black and white...cool right? The reason is the camera can only read and store one firmware at one time, you will need to change the firmware in order to switch mode. I also like to remind you that a firmware change involve risk, if you are not careful or unlucky, you could kill your camera and there is no way to repair it.

**Price could get lower if group order response is good. But group order may be cancel or delay if minimum quantity not met.**

~~~~~~~PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR ORDERS TO kgfixplayground AT gmail DOT com~~~~~~~~

Disclaimer: Vistaquest products mentioned here have totally no relation to LOMO and LOMOGRAPHY which are international protected trademarks owned by Lomographische AG, Vienna.

***Notes: I have posted advertisement in one Flickr group regarding this group order, but they banned me recently due to the reason that I am making a little to pay for my own unit of VQ1015. To me, getting a little reward for my co-ordinating , research, posting and meet up collection works, plus the risk I am taking to buy in bulk, I think it is fair. ( what if my seller never send me the goods? I will have to return the money to you out from my own pocket! ). Unless you are able to accept this fact, otherwise please do not order from me and kindly do not leave any mean comments. Thanks!