So I’ve been checking out cameras lately.
Not because I need one, really — I spoil myself when it comes to creative weaponry and I already have a nice little collection of modern camera equipment — but because I’d like something that actually looks good with everything else I wear.

Which means … I’m purchasing this camera because it’s pretty.
I suspect this concept will piss a few people off, as I’ve already mentioned this to a few self-proclaimed “photographers”, and they all say the same thing: “Don’t just buy a camera because it looks good! You’re sacrificing function for aesthetics?!”

And the answer is, uhhhhh, duh.
I’m a girl. Have you seen my high heel collection? You think all that shit’s comfortable? HAAALE NO. If I gave a shit about function, I’d be rocking crocs all day. And besides. I already have a DSLR that suits my needs in the “function” category just fine. I won’t be making movies or gracing magazine covers with my work — I’m just blogging, yo. Chillzorz.

Anyway, here it is: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 — or as it will be referred to in the rest of this entry, the “GF1″.

Fresh, right?
To me, it looks like they decided to run with the “retro” feel of older film SLR’s, but kept it fresh by updating the controls, rounding off some corners, etc. It looks way gorgeous with a neck strap as well, as it’s much smaller than an SLR! It even has a few adorable leather cases to go with it (which I’m also looking into).

I love the vibe that it gives off when seen together with the rest of my belongings. It’s the perfect touch to my typical outfits. Like, just the right accessory for a blogger like me! Do you get my vision at all? I see it as an appreciation for an older generation of photography rather than a gimmicky trend, as I’m sure some people would think. And frankly, I don’t give a crap if someone disagrees with me. I’m getting this regardless.

The handling on the back reminds me of stereo remote controls from shitty childhood boomboxes, and this is the one side of the camera that I’m not too happy with. But thankfully, this isn’t the side that you’ll see when I’m snapping photos anyways, so from an aesthetic standpoint, that’s completely fine. I do, however, like the dial on the upper right of the controls — it’s what you use to spin through your photos in playback mode. Again, a play on the retro film feel, as older cameras needed to be wound up in order to switch through the film.

Notice how much the lens protrudes from the camera? This is a “micro 4/3″ camera — sort of like a miniature SLR in that you are able to switch the lenses on the little beauty. Think of it as the size and portability of a point-and-shoot, but with image quality on par with entry level SLR’s. The main reason I want this camera is because, as a blogger, I value the quality of the photos that I take but (since I’m constantly on the go) just hate bringing around my huge SLR. Enter the GF1 — portability, image quality, and even (get this) HD video at 720p! Sweeeeeet.

It even has a pop up flash! Retro, like I said. But it serves its purpose. Like SLR’s, the pop up flash lifted from the body means that the flash on your subject will be much better than a straight-on flat flash from a point and shoot. Hoorah! I was thinking about maybe getting the GF2 (which is the next generation GF1, basically, and comes out soon), but I’m just not sure I dig the way the GF2 looks as much as the GF1. And, like I said, the main reason I’m even purchasing this camera is for the way it looks.

Check out this hideous flash attachment, LOL! I’ll never buy this crap. If I’m going to be bringing around something this huge and ridiculous, I’m going to be bringing around my DSLR, not my GF1. So an attachment like this is the least of my worries.

And here we have another optional attachment; the EVF (Electronic View Finder). The GF1, unlike a traditional SLR, does not have a built in optical view finder (that little hole you look through to avoid the glare of the sun on basic point-and-shoot LCD screens). But this is another attachment that I won’t be bothering with!

Anyway, that’s about it in terms of why I want this camera so bad. I like the idea of carrying it around as a little “buddy” for my SLR. I can already picture shooting street fashion with it, taking it with me on road trips, etc — no more fear of looking like a tourist with my ginormous SLR, and no more sacrificing image quality in favor of a more portable camera either! AND it’s cute! YAAAY!

I was thinking about getting the LX5 (which is another terrific camera), but have decided against it simply because I like the way that the GF1 looks better. Not to mention the fact that I can probably drop the GF1, and the lens would be alright. Dropping an LX5 (which has a built-in lens like a point and shoot) would spell certain doom for the camera. I would know. I’ve dropped plenty of point and shoots and broken them that way (something I’m not proud of). Besides — I can always pick up the LX5 later! It’s cheaper than a GF1.

Do I want to wait for the GF2 to come out?
No, not really. Sure, it’s lighter. But if I wanted a light camera, I would carry my regular point and shoot around with me. Sure, it films in 1080p HD. But those are things that I really just don’t give a shit about. I’m not filming movies, you guys — I’m just blogging. And if I ever want to trade up, I can always just break out my SLR. So for now, the GF1 it is! I’m about $200 of the way there, and then it’s miiiine! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!

In other news, I’ve been running a lot lately! The pictures above are just self gratuity shots to make me feel good about myself, like tracking my visual progress, etc. That sort of thing.

The truth is that I’m pretty unhappy with the way my body looks right now — I’m not fat, obviously, but I’m also not as “fit” as I aspire to be. And being the go-getter that I am, I refuse to just let my body waste away when I know that I can be doing something about it. So I’m busting my ass lately to ensure that I become and stay sexy for the rest of my life. I want to look like I can kick someone’s ass regardless of my weight, and running always makes me feel good about myself. Not to mention the fact that coming home and washing off all that sweat just feels ggrrreeeaaattt! And the next day when your ass and thighs are all sore, you just feel incredible!

Besides.
How else am I going to outrun the zombie hoarde during the apocalypse?!
I need to get my practice in! Not even kidding.

Eye on the prize,
XOXO Cheri XOXO