Meet My New Baby....The Panasonic Lumix GF1!

After work on Friday, the Husband and I had our usual coffee date and for once, he was early.  He was there already and a package on the table was waiting for me.  It was my belated birthday gift!

Meet my new baby....the Panasonic Lumix GF1!

I've been very vocal for a long time now that I hope my next camera would be a downgrade from a DSLR.  For almost more than a year I've been wanting a camera that is more handy than an SLR but possible to interchange lenses.  Also, I want a camera that can produce sharp images, food, macro and night shots decently.  I want to give my DSLRs a rest from shooting too; only to be used for covering events and not for everyday use.  As for the interchangeable lenses, we want a camera that can accommodate our Canon lenses when attached via a converter.

With my said requirements, the Husband and I studied the specs and features of a few Micro Four Thirds Cameras.  Our top three options were: (1) Panasonic Lumix GF1; (2) Sony NEX 3 or 5 and (3) Olympus Pen E-P1.

It took us awhile to finally decide on the one we thought was best for us.  While I believe that Olympus cameras are good, the Olympus Pen did not impressed me as I thought the colour quality it produced were bland so that was out.  As for the Sony NEX, it took me some time to really figure out if it's a wise choice.  I used to be a Sony girl.  I've used Sony digicams since 2003 and noticed that their cameras produced good quality photos for the first two years and then slowly goes downhill from then.  Even their camera's flash quality deteriorates after two years.  It took me three digicams from Sony to figure that out.  So I told myself, it's time to try something new. 

Then I finally decided, "Yes, the Lumix GF1 it is!"  What convinced me to choose this one was the lens.  The same manufacturer of Leica DG lens also makes the Lumix G lenses which is the lens used for the Lumix GF1.  I also based my decision on the shots taken by this camera and it was so good, I was blown away. 

We decided all of this last year but we waited for the price to drop.  We knew that early this year, the Lumix GF2 will come out and possibly the GF1 price will be cheaper.  September last year, our "suking" camera store tried to sell the GF1 to us at AUD$920.00 but I declined.  It was a good deal then being that the original price was around AUD$1,100.00-1,200.00.  Husband planned to give this to me as a Christmas and birthday gift but I told him, it would be wise to wait it out.  True enough, the GF2 came out and the GF1 price dropped down.

Why didn't we buy the Lumix GF2 instead ?  Because we didn't like its features.  And we don't buy a camera just because it is the latest model.  We choose cameras based on our needs and what it can deliver.

The Husband initially ordered online but it was taking too long to be delivered so he canceled and went to our suking camera store instead.  Asked the manager there if they can find the Lumix GF1 for him (it is bound to ran out as they are not ordering it anymore).  The manager rang up other branches of their store and found one in Bondi.  The Husband asked it to be delivered to the Sydney branch ASAP and voila, Friday afternoon he picked them up and surprised me at Starbucks with my belated birthday gift!

I'm very very very (can't say enough, aye?) happy with my new camera.  I'm still learning how to use it but so far, I brought it yesterday at a baby shower event and used it along with my Canon DSLR and I'm very satisfied with it.  I've been gushing about it since Friday night and I'm going to say it again here, "This is one of my best camera/photography/blogging" decisions ever."  

Here are a few shots by the Lumix GF1:

It creates great bokeh.  Lens used was the Lumix G 20mm, f1.7

Monochrome shot.

Macro shot.

Very sharp capture.

Perfect for portrait shots!  This one's my favourite.  Plus, the dog is uber cute.

I can't wait to use it for travel, food blogging, night shots and even during coverage of events.  My dream of owning a more handy camera finally came true!

Move to Melbourne?

Our friends in Melbourne has once asked us, "If you love Melbourne so much, why not consider moving here?"  And honestly, the thought has entered our minds a couple of times.  We are truly at home in Melbourne and it is a good city to live in too.

Sometimes we go beyond wondering.  Three months ago, we had a bit of a look on some display homes in Melbourne and it was a great experience to see other options.  The homes we saw were beautiful and conveniently located near the CBD.  At one point, we said, "What if we really move?"  While looking at houses, it felt exciting and inviting.  There's a part of me that wanted to grab an opportunity to have a big adventure in our married life while the other part of me is not so keen because Sydney is home to us.

For now we are staying put where we are.  However, we are also not closing our doors should there be an opportunity somewhere.  Life may surprise us one time or another so if does happen, I'd say, "Why not?"

Cheap Seats to Great Events

I'm a lover of arts and theatre and I'm glad I was able to influence the Husband with my love for watching plays and musicals.  Every year, we make it a point to invest time and money in order to watch one or two musicals or plays (three if we get lucky) instead of watching movies.  The experience is always exhilirating as we watch a story come to life infront of us.

We're grateful nowadays for the internet because instead of falling in line to buy tickets, it's so easy to get great seats to plays, concerts and other events via online.  Buying tickets is as easy as 1-2-3.

To my American readers, you may want to check a website we found online for buying tickets to events.  When you book thru them, they will try to give you the best seats available.  If you want to watch a musical, I suggest you watch and buy Jersey Boys Tickets.  If you and your friends are sports fans, treat them to The Masters Tickets and have fun watching golf tournaments.  If you want a night of fun and laughter, some Daniel Tosh Tickets can do the trick.  For a show that will inspire you, buy some Joel Osteen Tickets and experience additional enlightenment in your life.   For live concerts, the best would be to check out the event schedule and purchase United Center tickets, this could be a surprise to your loved ones.  You can buy tickets at your convenience, whether for you or for your family.

Restaurant: Manly Phoenix

I'm sorry for the absence of posts.  I've been really busy with so many things these days.  I try my best to update this blog all the time but whenever I get home from work, I feel exhausted sometimes.  Anyway, even if my entries are always late, I will always share my discoveries with you sooner or later.  Thank you dear readers for your loyalty. 

This was where we had lunch on my birthday (yes, an overdue post...my birthday happened in January).  
 

For my birthday, I wanted something familiar so we had Yum Cha at the Manly Phoenix.  Plus, we love Yum Cha! 

We haven't been to Manly in a long time and it's only in this visit that we learned about the restaurants situated in Manly Wharf.  When we arrived in the morning, we had a walk thru the wharf and the minute we saw Manly Phoenix, I said, "I want Yum Cha!!!  Other than food, I've been wanting to eat at this restaurant for ages but never seem to have the chance.  So finally, after hanging out at the beach and the markets, we went back to Manly Phoenix for lunch.  We were given a good table and this was our view...

It was a hot and sunny day and the skies were so blue.  It was as if God was smiling back at me on my birthday.

Our first order was tea.  Eventhough it was hot, I cannot eat Yum Cha without tea.  It is recommended to drink tea during Yum Cha as it aids in digestion.

As soon as were were seated, the rolling food trays paraded infront of us.  The first thing we grabbed were the pork dimsum. 

Next came the spring rolls. 

Then the pork buns. 

We always order fried rice (we're Filipino a meal won't be complete without rice) even if we have pork buns.  

We partnered the fried rice with two of our favourite Yum Cha treats...Pork Belly with Crispy Skin and 

of course my super favourite, Roast Duck. 

It was one of the most delicious feast I've ever had.  Manly Phoenix's Yum Cha was the best I've ever tried.  All the dishes were served fresh and of good quality.  The Pork Dimsum were juicy.  The Pork Buns were soft and meaty.  The spring rolls and fried rice bountiful.  The Pork Belly succulent and the skin was very crispy.  The Roast Duck was the best I've tasted.  It was tender and the skin crispy plus it wasn't oily at all.  The sauce enhanced the flavour of the duck.  I thought I have tasted the best roast duck in another Chinese restaurant but this one changed everything I believed in what a roast duck should taste. 

The best part was they let me blew my cake!  The staff were very friendly and gracious with our requests.

Manly Phoenix
East Esplanade, Manly Wharf

Opening Times

Yum Cha

Mondays – Saturdays : 11am – 3pm

Sundays and Public Holidays : 10am – 3pm

A La Carte
7 days a week from morning till 11pm