I went a little bit insane tonight and bought the Sony NEX-5 camera with the 16mm lens.   While I did not love the Panasonic GF-1 camera and sold it after a few months, I was attracted to this because of the larger APS-C size sensor (the largest available in one of these so-called EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lenses) cameras), HD video (albeit 1080i), respectable high ISO performance and some of the special effects built into the camera.  No pictures to upload tonight but look for some by the weekend.

There is also a boxed set that includes both the 16mm lens and an 18-55mm zoom lens.  That set is completely sold out in Hong Kong and word is that it will be one month until it’s back in stock.  I can hold off on the zoom for now, especially because Sony is planning on releasing an 18-200mm zoom in September and I’ll want to see what that’s like.   With the 16mm lens, I can fit the camera into my pants pocket as long as I’m wearing somewhat baggy trousers.

Sitting in a restaurant tonight, I decided to try out the panorama feature.  It’s easy enough for a five year old to figure out; I didn’t need to look at the manual.  Just selected the option, followed the on-screen prompts, did a 180 degree arc around the restaurant, and there it was – an extremely wide-screen 180 degree view of the place.  I also had the option to view it larger sized, the camera “scrolling” around the stitched-together photo.  Incredibly easy and nice result, though I have no idea of how it displays on a computer (or a blog for that matter).

Aside from “intelligent auto,” the camera has the full range of PASM modes and can save RAW as well as JPEG.  And another major point in its favor for me, one can use SD cards as well as the misbegotten Memory Sticks.

So far, it seems really sweet.

Not really sweet was the restaurant we ate in.  This friend of mine, a westerner who actually lived in Thailand for two years, for some reason is in love with Wanchai’s Chili Club restaurant.  I’ve tried it twice in the past and didn’t really want to go back.  One time was with a Thai girlfriend who tasted the food, wrinkled up her nose and said, “This is not Thai food, this is Chinese Thai food.”  I think it’s been at least four years since I ate there and he said, “Maybe it’s changed, maybe it’s better since then, I love it!”

So to make him happy, my gf and I joined him there tonight.  I said, “You love this place, you do all the ordering.”  Blech.  He’s a big fan of this “charcoal chicken” dish, which was just a hacked-up chicken that certainly didn’t taste of charcoal grilling and barely tasted of any marinade or spice at all.  The skin was not crispy, not even cooked long enough to melt away the fat.   He also loves the giant king prawns they serve there, 3 for $130, shoved on a stick and grilled without any spice, not even salt or pepper, just a tiny bowl of fish sauce on the side, though the prawns themselves were nice enough, just boring.  He got a Thai beef salad, nowhere near as spicy as I’m used to on this dish, and while some might be happy that there was so much beef on the plate, I could barely find any salad in the bowl.  The only thing my gf and I liked was the fried rice.

So until I finally get off my lazy butt and get over to Kowloon City for what’s supposed to be the most authentic Thai food in HK, I’ll stick with Thai Farmer and Thai Hut, thank you very much.

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