I Think I Hurt My Camera's Feelings

I've been really faithful to my camera, a Panasonic Lumix TZ3, which I have had for about two years.  It has been an excellent camera for me and has stood up to the abuse of being carried around everywhere, every single day.  Recently, though, I think I've hurt my camera's feelings.

It shouldn't surprise me, of course.  Since my trip to Tokyo last April, I started thinking seriously about another camera, this Panasonic Lumix LX3 shown here.

Two friends have the same camera, both of whom were in Tokyo shooting with it while I was there.  The LX3 has superb optics from Leica, a very wide 24mm equivalent lens, and ultra-good low-light performance.  It also has full manual focus, one of the few models of digital camera that bridge the gap between amateur and serious shutterbug without getting into the SLR models, which are just too clunky for me to carry around for everyday use.

But even once the attraction between me and the LX3 started, I remained faithful to my TZ3.  It had served me well, was still taking good pictures, and I hate to throw something away just because something newer has caught my fancy.

With this trip back to the US, though, I decided to go ahead and buy an LX3.  I wasn't going to get rid of my TZ3 - there are plenty of cultures where men have multiple cameras, right?  That's nothing to frown on.

But I'm afraid my TZ3 must have become suspicious or caught wind of my planned expansion of our photography family, because no sooner had I placed the order for the new camera, then the TZ3 started to throw a fit.

At first it was just minor interference and static, like the subtle horizontal lines running through this otherwise cute picture of a father walking his daughters down a residential soi, or alley, from the kindergarten that sits at the back of the soi.

My camera's fury increased, though, along with its unpredictability.  Some moments it would take clear shots such as this one of the Singha Beer Fun Fair on the grounds that were previously part of the British Embassy, along Ploenchit Road.

A moment later, though, the tempest would be unleashed and my camera would give me nothing but static, causing misery and not allowing me to get a clear picture of things.  It was terrible.  At this point, every time I turn it on, the TZ3 is just in a blur.

So I've made up my mind.  Unless my TZ3 gets a new attitude, sharpens up and snaps right, I may have no choice but to leave it and move on with my life, happily snapping away with my new LX3.

Postlogue

For those of you familiar with Krungthep, here is a reverse shot (obviously taken before my camera started having a fit) showing you where I was shooting from - the top level of the Central Chidlom car park - the area with trees in the white building, just above and to the right of the blue banner.  This is looking down Ploenchit Road towards Chidlom BTS Skytrain Station from the pedestrian walkway linking to Wave Place (Home Pro).

Random Photos Around Krungthep

Welding of a column at the Terminal 21 construction project, Sukhumvit and Asoke roads.

Abandoned structure on an overgrown property, Soi Phrom Phong near Khlong Saen Saeb.

Passenger riding in the back of a delivery truck, Rama IX Expressway near Ekkamai Road.

Monk collecting alms and giving blessings in the morning at the corner of Sukhumvit and Thong Lor roads.

Crowded street near the Flower Market on Rattanakosin Island in the old section of the city.  The yellow flags are the flags of King Rama IX.

Abandoned cars at a junk yard on the frontage road running along the eastbound train tracks, parallel to Phetchaburi Road.

Sunset over Asoke Skytrain Station.

Thai Language Newspapers

One aspect of living in Thailand that has caught my attention is comparing Thai language newspapers to the English language papers.  There are some interesting differences.

For starters, there are approximately ten daily Thai language newspapers and two English language papers here in Krungthep.  Bear in mind that the population of the greater metropolitan area is between six and ten million.  The lower number represents the officially registered population, but the higher number represents the many laborers who come in from the countryside but never re-register their address from their home province.

It amazes me that there are so many newspapers here.  Now, they aren't all newspapers in the way you might define a newspaper if you are from the US or Canada.  Some are more political, some focus mostly on sports, others are mostly tabloids.  But they are all daily news publications.

The English language papers - the Bangkok Post and The Nation - looks and feel much more like a traditional Western paper: news section, sports section, business section, and lifestyle section.  One could argue about the quality of their reporting, but that's for another entry.

The Thai language papers, even the ones that profess to be serious news outlets, are not shy about using shocking, barely redacted images on their front pages.

Almost every day there is a scene from an accident, a murder, a bomb attack in the South, etc.  The bodies are pixelated in an attempt to protect the sensitivities of the readers, but they don't try very hard.

These two examples are pretty tame.  The worst image I've ever seen was in the case when a young man rather stupidly climbed a pole supporting high-tension power lines.  He was electrocuted and his charred body was caught up in the lines.  The image on the front page of one paper showed the unmistakable image of a charred body, twisted up in the power lines.  Gory.

I guess you could make the argument that showing more graphic images keeps people from living in the illusion of a sanitized world, free of death, violence, and ugliness.  However, I'm not sure I need to see such graphic sights over my breakfast to help me fully apprecaite the world.  Thoughts?

Motorcycle Taxi Ride

One of the best (if not the safest) ways to get around the narrow alleys of Krungthep are the motorcycle taxis.  I shot this video a few months ago but didn't put it together until this afternoon.  I hope you enjoy it.