Weapon Film of Choice: XP2

I came across XP2 while I was on a search for something like B/W not long after I got my XG-A , but honestly didn't have the luxury of time or the equipment to process it on my own. And XP2 is just that. It's like B/W since it's still a C-41 type film. While it's not true B/W film, it gives me the luxury of convenience of time as I can simply drop it off at a near by photo-finishing lab. There is still a part of me that wants to shoot true B/W, but that part is just gonna have to wait and take what's available in the mean time.

I originally wanted to just shoot B/W because I thought I wouldn't have to worry about white balance since I do shoot a consider amount of photos indoors, which is covered in tungsten lighting. Yes, I'm that lazy. Against my originally path of being lazy however, it forced me to do some research on the whole B/W film topic and ended up making the choice of trying out some different rolls here and there and eventually came across Ilford XP2. Afterwards it forced me to go outside and take more shots than I would normally have. It was a dynamic situation since I was trying out something new. A good unintentional transition, I thought.

I have scanned some of the shots that I took (and they were printed on colour paper), so bare with me here as they aren't anything too special.

Prior to the XP2, I used the Kodak version of C-41 B/W, CN400, and when I looked at the results of both rolls, I was convinced that XP2 should be the one I'll be keep investing into instead of the Kodak.

The reasoning behind it was simple. XP2 is purple based. More neutral coloured closer to the actual B/W. Kodak on the other hand, I was looking at more orange, colour base negative. Now that I think about it, I think I liked the idea of just being closer to true B/W but now I think I made the right choice.

I will continue to shoot with XP2 as my main choice of film. I'm sure I'll make the leap to true B/W sooner or later, but until the time comes, I would like to stay static for a while, in a realm of good ol' XP2.

Why I Got a GF1

Picked up a Panasonic GF1 earlier this week. Theres almost no need for me to write a review about it since the internet is flooded with them. This will also be a short post.

For those that don't know, there is a new model named the GF2 (a successor to the GF1) just waiting to hit the market any day now, but I decided to grab what is (or soon to be) a discontinued model. While the newer model is said to be lighter and smaller, the lens it is coupled with is slower. It is a wider lens, yes, but it's something I won't be needing. The GF2 will also have better video quality. But again, something I won't be needing. If I could use something to shoot 1080 instead of 720 with, I would hardly use a casual style camera for the job. You can read about their specs and differences, on this page.

One last reason why I got the GF1 instead of waiting for the GF2 (and most likely end up paying more money for it): GF2 has a bloody touch screen. That one gets a "Don't pass GO, don't collect $200" treatment from me.

Sometimes, the newer models aren't necessarily better than the old ones and there have been plenty of examples of that in the past. Instead of mindlessly going with the flow of the social-consumer rule of "New = Better", I decided to get a camera with features that I like and will be using. It only seems like a logical choice.

The Warmth You Can Eat

Remember my last post? Yeah, I went out and got some. It turns out these Taiyaki/Bungeoppang aren't that common in this city, but I managed to hunt some places down that did have them.

Taiyaki, a snack with origins of Japan made the leap to Korea in the 1930's while Korea was pretty much oppressed by Japan. Since then, it has never left (South) Korea. Taiyaki, that is (The Japanese people left by 1945). Only now it is called Bungeoppang in Korea. They're both sold in vendors outside usually famous in the winter time. I suppose you can rate it on the same level of hotdog vendors here. Except the food is less crappy and possibly safer to eat. Oh, who am I trying to kid? Anything is safer than to eat those damn hotdogs!

Anywho, back in Toronto, current time. My most convenient choice was a place called "BnC Bakery" on Bloor. St, in between Christie and Bathurst. Where I got to see the lady working there, make them from scratch. She was even kind enough to let me briefly photograph the process as long as it would leave her out of the photos since she isn't photo-genic at all.

The process itself is not rocket science. You just need the right equipment. Notably, the fish-shaped waffle maker.

First thing that goes in is the batter.

Followed by some red bean paste, which is the filling.

And then you simply close the fish shaped waffle maker into one and wait a few minutes. Then it should look something like this.

Okay, so I made it sound much easier than how it really is. However, believe me when I say the taste was spot on. I'm sure the ones in Korea or Japan do taste better or at least more authentic, but I can't exactly get a plane ticket every time I get a craving. Although, the ones at BnC Bakery are great and I have a feeling I'll be going back there many times before the spring pops up this year. And until then, I do have my hand warmer to keep me warm on every trip to BnC Bakery.

A Gift of Warmth: Hand Warmer

I've been neglecting to write this for a while and it is way past the holiday season, but better late than never.

A friend of mine was in the country from Korea for a little while in the holiday season and managed to drop off a little gift. While it isn't anything that suits me in terms of style, it's (re)usefulness definitely gets a top score.

Its a re-useable hand warmer.

For those who aren't familiar with it, it does exactly what the name suggests: it keeps your hands warm. As the instructions say (in Korean), you simply microwave it-don't worry, it wont blow itself up and start a fire- for about 30 seconds. And keep it in your hands and just enjoy the warmth as the hand warmer itself gives off the heat it collected in the microwave. The hand warmer does stay warm for quite some time: Roughly 30 minutes. That's quite amazing.

This could just be my answer to the cold seasonal temperature of the Canadian Winter this season around. It is getting bloody cold in Toronto however, whether it is seasonal or not.

When it's not in use however, it simply looks and feels like a stuffed toy Taiyaki (たい焼き). Or to be more precise, regarding where this hand warmer came from, a Korean version, which is called, Bungeoppang (붕어빵). Both are quite tasty snacks, which are quite similar to one another and I will talk about them more in detail in the next post.

Oh, and one last thing, and my favorite feature I forgot to mention about the hand warmer: It actually smells like the actual Taiyaki/Bungeoppang. However, it tastes nothing like it =/

So Long 1800 Tequila

In a blink of an eye, several months have passed by since my last post. Upon my return, I bring nothing- absolutely nothing but bad news.


My favorite tequila will no longer be sold in Ontario. Legally.

Luckily, I was able to find an-already-well-enjoyed-bottle from one of the parties among X-mas and new year parties for sentimental purposes.


While I was on a search for the "right" tequila, I came across the 1800: Select Silver Tequila. It wasn't the cheapest tequila in the selection, but it wasn't the most expensive either. What caught my attention was the 50% alcohol level instead of the regular 40% I've been seeing. This meant I could get drunker faster! I wasn't too wrong about that. Something about the 1800 made me come back for it again and again.


The downside of the 1800 was that, since it was a silver tequila, it really wasn't meant for mixing with other drinks, unlike a gold tequila. It over powered whatever it was being mixed with. It was like mixing 1800 with food colouring. That only meant it was best enjoyed by itself. Or at least with some salt and lime.


Another interesting feature about the 1800 that I liked, was the bottle design. If you hold the bottle upside down, the drink would go into the bottle cap. While this did pretty much nothing to the flavor, it added some entertaining value to the 1800 itself.

Now I'm on a journey to find another tequila again. Hopefully this time around, I'll find something that wont leave the province 5 months after we meet.

Double Down Invades Arteries of Canadians

The nation should be a little fatter by now as KFC's Double Down climbed up to the colder side of the border from the state side yesterday. Fortunately for our hearts, this load of fat and awesomeness is only here for a limited time.


I have tried eating it myself and it really seems like I'm eating something out of a cartoon. Having to replace both buns with, well, two (2!) fried chicken breasts really makes the whole thing greasy. So greasy, its almost guaranteed more napkins will be used compared to eating a regular sandwich or burger due to the fact everything that comes in contact with the Double Down will automatically be marinated with grease. Having no bread also doesn't help you soak up all the grease, or rather, it just lets you soak up all the grease. The weak-stomached will simply feel like throwing up at this point. The lack of any fibre also lets you taste all the sodium head on! All the cheese and the bacon in the middle simply lets you taste all that saltiness it is advised you should have a beverage with you as you will get thirsty very quickly. It also tastes like a heart attack, in your mouth.

As I was having one for lunch, I was staring at the "cooked-in-trans-fat-free-canola-oil" sign in an attempt to try to make myself feel better.


It didn't really work.


The funny part is, it's got less calories than the Burger King's Whopper! The Double Down contains 540 Calories with 30 grams of fat while the Whopper has 660 calories with 40 grams of fat. While this absolutely doesn't means jack, it's also an interesting find. If you're prepared to taste what heart attack really tastes like, at least do it with some diet coke 'cause that stuff helps! just have some green tea with it.

Yet Another Film Camera

"I swear, this is the last film camera I'll buy. No more fooling around like some collector." That is what I keep telling myself and it doesn't really seem to be working.

So enter the Minolta XG-A: now another part of my "sin of indulging."


I picked this little guy up about a week ago, and am quite happy with it. I've wasted used up a few rolls of film at Nuit Blanche that took place over the weekend and I've gotta say, this one is a keeper. Due to the lack of having a good scanner, I don't have any of the shots I took with the Minolta XG-A in digital form. There are simply negatives and prints, which I am more than happy with (for the most part).


So far, I picked up only one lens for it and see no reason to pick up another one (and I hope it stays that way for a while). The 50mm f/1.7 offers me plenty of versatility, low-light capability being one them. While it is not a zoom lens, I have a pair of perfectly fine legs that can "zoom" for me. The lack of zoom is really a fair price to pay for the sharpness in the lens you get in return.

I suppose the major reason why I'm going to be using this (for fun) is the viewfinder size. It's an actual viewfinder of a traditional SLR, what's not to like? I did a quick comparison with a Canon 5d Mk. II's viewfinder and almost lost a heartbeat due to the gap of difference between the two. For a second, I even thought I was comparing the viewfinder to a Canon 7D until my colleague stated otherwise. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can't believe I was missing out on all this (analogue) fun for so long!