Miscellaneous Info II
Cameras:
Don’t forget to bring your camera to Bantayan Island!
Since 2004 I’ve been shooting the Olympus E1 weather sealed digital SLR and Zuiko Digital 14-54mm lens exclusively, and you can see all my images from the Philippines at:
The Olympus E1 is over-built like a tank, in a very rugged magnesium alloy body that’s weather proof with 65 rubber seals & gaskets throughout, making it a perfect photographic tool to use in harsh climates, and it’s never let me down - I can’t say enough good things about my E1, it’s taken all my Bantayan & Philippines images since Dec. 2004 (I used the Olympus E10 SLR in Philippines in 2003 through late 2004)
My E1’s been a totally reliable tool that I’ve come to absolutely depend upon, both when I’m street shooting in Metro Manila, Cebu, off in the mountains or by the sea on Bantayan Island.
In November 2007 Olympus introduced the E1's successor - the E3 digital SLR (10MP LIVE MOS sensor) with a host of new features including a LIVE View LCD screen and in-body image stabilization, amongst others...see it on the Olympus website below.
It’s got a 5MP CCD that captures beautiful images with wonderful colors that do not require a lot of post-processing in Adobe Photoshop, and the Zuiko Digital 14-54 lens (28-108 35mm equivalent) is an amazing travel lens for the E1 - it’s a great piece of glass, and it’s also weather sealed.
I’ve used Olympus Digital cameras since 1999, starting with their 1.3 mega pixel D340R, and began using the E10 digital fixed-lens SLR in 2003 on my first trip to the Philippines.
Olympus also makes some fantastic little compact point & shoot cameras that are weather sealed in brushed stainless steel bodies, and are perfect for travel shooting in hot tropical climates like Bantayan Island - they are very easy to use & create beautiful images with that famous Olympus color.
I personally recommend and buy all my photo gear from B&H Photo in New York City - their New York Showroom is a wonderland for photographers, computer geeks, graphic designers, video enthusiasts and audiophiles, and I highly recommend them.
Their customer service is beyond compare, they stock almost everything, and their website makes it easy to get what you need, as they ship all over the world.
Camera Reviews:
Phil Askey's Digital Photography Review (now owned by Amazon.com) is a fantastic website out of the UK that has online forums, reviews & news of all the latest camera gear and accessories for the working Pro as well as the camera novice, and everyone else in between.
You can gain more knowledge in the DPReview camera user forums than just about any place else online, so I’d suggest browsing their Forums before you’re ready to buy your camera.
Travel Agents: USA
I use Custom Travel Concepts in Massachusetts USA, owned by Charlene Corris.
Charlene’s a personal friend of mine, and she’s very good at what she does, working hard at finding you the best deals based on your personal requirements, either flying rock-bottom coach prices, or for business & first-class travel.
She’s always come through for me, especially concerning my flights to Manila on NWA, and when using select ticket consolidators for rock bottom prices from USA to Philippines.
I use Manila Forwarder in Los Angeles California - a full service Travel Agency specializing in travel to Philippines, with an additional office in Manila.
They speak English & Tagalog/Filipino, and can ticket you on select airlines, including NWA/Northwest Airlines, Korean Air, China Airlines, JAL/Japan Airlines, and others.
Manila Forwarder is also a cargo shipper/freight forwarder to Philippines (cars, furniture, etc) as well as a re-mailing company that will ship your small & large packages & Balikbayan boxes to Philippines & vice/versa.
I deal with Plam & Christine and they’ve always taken very good care of me, especially concerning my flights to Manila on Korean Airlines, and they were even able to ship me a new Smart SIM (already on Int’l Roaming) on short notice, after my Nokia 6820 was lost in June 2005 in the USA.
Call them toll free in the USA: 1-800-210-1019 (9am-6pm Pacific Time)
* after 9pm EST, their Manila Office picks up all calls, so they’re a 24 hr. operation - and they’re also available on yahoo messenger.
Yahoo messenger ID: travel_livehelper
Travel Agents: Manila Philippines
I use Filipino Travel Center in Metro Manila, 1555 M. Adriatico Street, Ermita District, Metro Manila 1000. (032) 528-4507 to 09
Excellent personal service from Hans the owner, concerning my flights from Manila to Cebu, and within walking distance from hotels in the Ermita/Malate District and Adriatico/Mabini Street area, and a short walk from Robinson’s Mall, Manila.
* Last minute & promo fares a specialty, especially on Cebu Pacific Airlines.
Travel Agents: Cebu Philippines
I use Nautica Travel & Tours in Cebu City (Fuente Osmena area) corner of Gen. Maxilom & Osmena.
144 Raintree Mall, 528 Gen. Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City - across from Jollibee at RainTree Mall on General Maxilom Ave.
(032) 254-9644
Manila Office:
2nd. Level LRT North Mall (Monumento Station)
Rizal Ave. Extension, Caloocan City tel: 364-4791
Excellent personal service concerning my flights from Cebu to Manila, and within walking distance from hotels in the Fuente Osmena area.
* Last minute & promo fares a specialty, especially on Cebu Pacific Airlines.
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