Monday, 27 April 2009

Decisions II

I have been deciding to get a compact to make travelling a lot hassle free and lighter. After lugging my dslr around for a few trips, I do long for a compact when I am just out enjoying myself, relaxing and not make it another photography expedition.

It is certainly very nice to have a dslr and a spare lens, tripod, extra lenses and a whole set of filters when you go on a scenic trip. It was great that I had my dlsr with me while in NZ and South Africa. Fantastic since we rented a car in NZ and was in a tour group in South Africa. Fantastic to have telephoto lens while on a safari and a whale watch trip. I lugged it to Japan too. That was the Canon 350d's maiden trip. Boy, let me tell you, it was really tiring, especially with so much walking. Really, I think I will be contended with a compact in Tokyo.

Will it compromise the quality of my photos? Certainly not, because my photos taken with the dslr is not too exciting anyway. It is a case of not the equipment that makes the difference, it is the user. I guess to me, taking out the dslr is more about indulging in my hobby, practise and try to be better. Not really about taking breathtaking photos during travels.

Anyway, I have been deciding between the LX3 and the G10. I have decided to not get the G10 because it is too bulky, and the reason for getting a compact in the first place was so that it was light and very portable - those slip into the handbag kinda portable. Just when I decided that it shall be the LX3, I thought about the DP1 or better still, the DP2.

So how? The Panasonic Lumix DMC LX3 or the Sigma DP1 or DP2?????

Both are sexy looking cameras. Both cost a lot of moola. SIGH. In a more serious comparison, the DP1 seems to have an edge over image quality, with a bigger sensor. It has a fixed focal length and that can be an issue, but it will force to me think harder about my shots. That is why I love my cheap prime lens so much now. So if I am looking for a point and shoot and am too lazy on a holiday to think about my shots, this camera will not be for me, but I like the fact that that I have to work a bit harder for some decent results.

The DP 1 has a maximum aperture of f4/, I really rather that the aperture be bigger and that is putting me slightly off. The LX3 on the other hand boast a 2.0 aperture. Now hear this..... the DP2 has a maximum aperture of f2.8! HOW NOW?

The DP1 has a focusing problems. ARGH!

The LX3 has only a maximum telephoto length of 60mm. I don't think I will be too bothered by this, since I will use it to point and shoot.


DP 1 - PROS
Great image quality
A bigger sensor
Fixed lens

DP1 - CONS
So sllllllllllllloooooooooooowwwwwwwww
Aperture not wide enough
Fixed lens

LX3 - PROS
Wide aperture
Fast
Better in low light

LX3 - CONS
Fiddly buttons
Small zoom range

If I have to choose one now, it would be the LX3. But I am lusting for the DP1! I have to admit, the better image quality is a huge draw.


Friday, 24 April 2009

Reasons to go Japan

The food!

Onsens!

Given the current situation, it is definately cheaper than Paris.

The ridiculous tv shows on tv. The ridiculous commercials on tv. When we are feeling peckish, we will just stroll to the nearest convenient store and pick up some noodles or onigiri.

Vending machines. We were drawn to these like those little flying insects are drawn to light.

The buzz of the city and the frentic pace.

The food malls in departmental stores.

The shopping, even if it is window shopping.

Japan is one of the safest places to be (earthquakes not withstanding), making travelling just that little more enjoyable.

The fact that both of us love Japan and that we always want to go back there again. So many other places yet to be explored.

SQ flies the A380 to Tokyo!

Thursday, 23 April 2009

Wind

Did anyone else noticed?

Last night at about 11pm, there were sudden strong gusts of wind just outside our flat. The Husband and I were both in the study, with the air con switched on, since it has been a awfully hot day. I heard some noise and thought that the rain had came in suddenly.

We both looked out and saw the trees swaying pretty violently, with their leaves dropping and flying all over the place. For a moment it all seemed a little disconcerting and I was a little worried something worse will happen, like a typhoon or something, thanks to my very wild imagination. The moment only lasted seconds, and the next thing I did was ordered The Husband excitedly to grab the video camera. We are not born documentarians, so we didn't get anything that will show how strong the wind was last night. That and the fact that we are really lousy with the camera. So excited to witness such strong winds, we stood at the window for quite a while. The leaves looked amazing under the lights of the lamp posts.

We went out this morning for breakfast and my, the roads were filled will fallen leaves and broken branches. Some RC banners were all over the place too. I don't remember the last time in Singapore that the wind was this strong.

I told The Husband with a little smile, "this is just like in New Zealand!"

Reasons to go to France

I always wanted to go back with my loved one after being there with friends.

Amazing museums.

Cafe is a french word, does that not say enough? The Husband LOVES LOVES cafes

You can hop to nearby countries in the rare event that you do not dig France. I must say, the chances of that happening is really rare.

Plenty of very nice car showrooms. There are some on Champ Elysee's, mostly French, think Mercedes Benz is there too.

Madeleines! Macaroons!

Plenty of yummy yummy cheeses.

Normandy has nice Ciders and Camembert , Champagne has the finest.. Champagne, Dijon has great mustard, Bordeaux and Burgundy are wine capitals and don't forget Loire Valley, Alsace and Cotes de Rhone.

Perfect for a babymoon! :)

Hermes, Chanel and Christian Lacroix!

24 hours Le Mans race in June.

Paris Motor Show in October. (sadly, it is a a little too late)

Hair Cut

I cut my hair liao! Instantly feel a lot lighter. Now I just need to find someone to take it really short for me. Will I look weird with short hair in the near future or will it make me look fresher???

A lot of important decisions to make this year, a lot of fun ones to make too!

Tuesday, 21 April 2009

I Need a Haircut

I have dragged getting my haircut for 3 weeks already. Sigh, I better get it cut by this week. I am getting so lazy that I am beginning to hate myself.

CA

We slept in on Sunday since we had late nights on both Friday and Saturday. We got up only near 1pm, so there goes our weekly Sunday Breakfast or Brunch, and went straight out for lunch instead.



The Husband had a smoked chicken pizza. Pretty yummy, though the pizza crust could be better if it was thinner.

Our very yummy SoMa Salad. I can't remember what SoMa stands for. There is rocket, grapefruit, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, walnuts and tomatoes with a tangy vinigrette. So healthy, that I didn't have any guilt wolfing down my burger after that.


My In-coming burger is inspired by the famous In-N-Out burger. This is pretty darn good, I wonder how good In-N-Out can be!