Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Camera Review: Fuji X20

Last time I went on a long trip (~8 weeks), I was traveling very lightweight, and prepared for diverse environments: ice climbing through to tropical water leisure.  On that trip, I used a pocket-sized, waterproof camera.  It was awesome, delivering all the photos on this blog from 2008, mostly in India, Alaska, and the 2008 New Zealand posts.  As well, it shot all of my “Places Not To Fall Down” videos – which showcased it’s horrible microphone system.  
This time, I had different goals for a camera.  (Caveat: I’m just a beginner at true photography, but learning more.)

Wanted: one camera

requiring minimal size & weight,
for multi-month world-travel trip,
exhibiting respectable zoom range,
delivering excellent low-light operation,
capable of operating a gamut of full-manual control to full-automatic modes.
Specifically, I didn’t want something with multiple heavy, sensitive interchangeable lenses (DSLR), but I wanted better quality.

Found: Fujifilm x20 Camera
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Ironically, these pics taken with a mobile phone camera, not the camera in question.

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This camera is awesome because of its small size, incredible picture quality, and variety of options for shooting photos, as well as recording them.  Shooting modes include full manual, aperture priority, speed priority, full-automatic, some enhanced modes (night portrait, fireworks, beach, etc.), and some ‘advanced’ modes (panorama, multi-exposure, etc.).  Photo recording has myriad options including JPEG and/or RAW, and even some film simulation modes).
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The camera’s lens is 28 – 112mm, F2.0 – F2.8, fixed (non-removable), works very well in low light (especially when compared with other cameras its size).  I ended up getting a swanky lens cap that folds out of the way when the lens is twisted (to turn the camera on), and springs back into place when finished.  Also, I’ve been using a half-case that protects the camera (mostly), without getting requiring removal for use.
One area the camera does fall a bit short is for recording movies.  Though the recording is quite high resolution (Full HD, and up to 60 fps), and easy to operate, it doesn't work amazingly well in low light (just average).  More importantly, it has a bad habit of losing focus after a few seconds and struggling to find focus again mid-movie.  I haven't found a work around for this yet.

Overall, I love this camera.

This is the extra battery I bought - it's actually two batteries, a charger (smaller than the stock one), and a cigarette lighter adapter, for $22, can't beat it.  Allegedly the battery life on the camera isn't great, but I think that's from pro photographers who are taking lots of pictures.  In my experience, the battery is fine for a half day of quasi-active shooting (think one BBQ or art gallery).  They say the life is ~250 shots, which seems like plenty per day, for me.  But I bought extra battery anyway, due to the low price.
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In hindsight, I would have gotten this case, which is a half-case and allows tripod, and removal of SD card and battery.   And this is the case that I got.  It's cheap.  It's 'okay'.  It's a half-case, as well as a 'full' / over case.  Downside: have to take off to get to battery / SD card.  Pro: very easy to take off (designed with this in mind).  Case I’d recommend:
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I also bought this cap, which doesn't work with the full case (above), but works with the half case, obviously.  Reason: the lens cap that comes with it doesn't have anywhere to go, except your pocket when removed.  And it's bulky.  Some people add a lanyard and let it hang.  This thing works beautifully (springs back into place when lens retracted). Downside: doesn't work with full camera case I got.
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For more reviews, check out the following from the experts, and do a websearch:

http://www.dpreview.com/products/Fujifilm/compacts/fujifilm_x20

Cheese

This must be a tough intersection for the logging truck drivers.cheese forestry

An old dairy churner and a cheese press!
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We picked up an aged gouda with cumin!
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Nibbler extraordinairre!
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Sunday, July 28, 2013

Signs of New Zealand

Typical.  Watch out for a really cute, flightless, defenseless bird.
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I love signs, here are some from my recent time in New Zealand!  (You might recall that I posted my favorite signs from my NZ trip 5 years ago, as well: http://www.whereisholden.com/2008/01/signs.html )
I have no idea what this one means, but I understand it means go to the right.  There was no visible obstacle.
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Nothing confusing, but I like the styling of this "Keep Out!" sign (from a ferry).
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Some signs are made for famers, and a bit confusing for the rest of us:
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Rogue windsock ahead - beware!
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Caution: Wave Pool Dance Party ahead!
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Equal opportunity rocks falling ahead.  (Really, it's for glacier ice (top of photo) and rocks (bottom of photo).)
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Electricity signs are always cool.
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Sometimes, gates are noteworthy.
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From Christchurch:
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Cute!
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Helpful on lonely roads!
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Luckily didn’t come across any of these victims in the wild:
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   forestry sign

Friday, July 26, 2013

The Shire

We did a very touristy thing: We visited Hobbiton, otherwise known as the Shire, from Tolkien's writings of the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  (More specifically, the extra-length movie(s?) from Peter Jackson.)
us shire
It's quite photogenic, though I didn't set a new record for photos in a day (current record: 1077 photos!).  Overall it was a good experience, though definitely very pricey (NZ$75 for a 1.5 hour walking tour and a local beer).  Great for superfans, and for those who like cute spaces.  Mild fans, and those who haven't seen the movies might skip this one in favor of another of New Zealand's amazing experiences.
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The tree on top of the hill (on top of Bilbo’s hole) is completely man made.  The one used in the same spot in Lord of the Rings was original to the hill, and real.  But when they came back to this site to shoot The Hobbit movie a few years later, they needed a tree that looked 60 years younger.
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(the sheep were carted away each day while shooting, as they’re the ‘wrong’ kind of sheep.)
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The hobbit holes (houses) are all various scales to use with the different characters (humans appear large by the holes, but hobbits feel right at home; use different holes/sets in different shots!).
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View from on top of a hobbit hole; just a chimney sticking out of the ground.
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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Christchurch 2 years post-quake

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Christchurch, New Zealand was rocked by an earthquake back in 2011, magnitude 6.3 on the Richter scale, roughly 10 km (6 miles) from city center. (More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Christchurch_earthquake )

I figured that since it's now 2 years later, that the city would be fairly rebuilt and the thought hadn't even entered my mind that there would be no night life, since the city was so vibrant when I last visited: http://www.whereisholden.com/2008/01/christchurch-itself.html

Turns out that the city is starting to rebuild, but that it's still a ways off.  We entered town on a Friday night, hoping to get dinner downtown and possibly go dancing at a club.  Almost no restaurants were open (6pm), and we found no late-night dance opportunities. chch

In the morning we went to the city center where a shopping mall made from shipping containers has been erected, and we were impressed with the quality of building, the number of people out and about (despite what my in-opportune-timed-photos suggest).

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A model drinking a coffee in front of a fashion store (which happens to be made of shipping containers):
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Food vendors made the shipping containers work as well; here’s the inside of a second story cafe (the ground floor was packed, but the upstairs empty!
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And apparently busking is still a reasonably big deal there.  This guy was definitely wearing a straightjacket, riding a tall unicycle, and there was fire involved in his act.  :)

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Monday, July 22, 2013

Hot Water Beach And Cathedral Cove

The coromandel peninsula in New Zealand is just east of Auckland and is stunningly beautiful.  It presents miles and miles of winding coastline, peppered with small and large islands, some rocky, most with vegetation.  Pictures don’t do it justice!
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There are many neat rocky artifacts, including this large natural rock arch in Cathedral Cove:
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Nearby Stingray Bay was wonderfully picturesque, though we didn’t have time or wetsuits to figure out if it lives up to its name:
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On the east side of the peninsula is Hot Water Beach, a thermally active area which has hot springs coming out of the ground near the coast, on the beach and even in the water.  The water is scaldingly hot in some places.
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We ended up digging a pool near one of these hot water jets (comes out of the sand) and would use a bucket to mix refreshingly cold sea water with the hot fresh water.  We had a relaxing soak for about an hour, before the tide started to come in!
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