Flickr is easily the best online photo sharing and storage site and now they have added much anticipated video functionality.

Limitations are 90 seconds and 150 MB, which is disappointing but sure to increase. Videos share all the same features like geotagging that pictures do, and Flickr’s API will give access to a lot of innovative applications that could be their step up on competing video sites.

I added my short Cambodia montage that I mentioned before.

A fellow teacher at work who is interested in photography tipped me off to the new Sigma DP1 coming out March 25 in the US (already out in Japan). From the outset, this one really looks impressive.

• 14-megapixel resolution; SLR-sized image sensor
• 16.6mm F4 lens designed exclusively for the DP1
• Dimensions of 4.5 (W) x 2.3 (H) x 2.0 inches (D) and weighs just 8.5 ounces
• Large, 2.5-inch LCD; 3 metering modes and 5 exposure modes
• JPEG recording format for convenience plus a RAW data (X3F) recording mode
• Capture images to SD/SDHC cards and MMC

It’s being hailed as the ultra compact camera considering it’s compact size and pro-sumer features. Could be a good swap for me from my Canon Digital Rebel. It basically has all the features I’m looking for: full manual mode, RAW, and hot shoe. The one draw back is the lack of zoom capability and price ($1000 retail and $800 via amazon).

The image sensor is much larger than a typical compact. The company claims this sensor, specially designed for this camera, thus has a great signal-to-noise ratio and excellent (shallow) depth of field. It rings in at 14 MP, which has much less to do with the quality of pictures than people realize.

I have my fair share of gear, so getting high quality images with a more conducive size for traveling is attractive. Plus it is less conspicuous meaning more candid shots and less of a chance to be targeted by thieves.

Another friend recently bought a dSLR and went with a fixed lens. He seems to be getting along well and I suppose it would force you to pay particular attention to composition.

Plus it has a really cool retro-style feel to it. I look forward to getting my hands on one in a store!

UPDATE 05/2008: CNN has finally caught wind of this and published this story.

I’ve always thought what an adventure it would be to roam around in style with an RV. The UNICAT is quite possibly the best RV I’ve ever seen. They even have a built in spot for a 4-wheeler!

A product of German manufacturing, these bad boys start at $500,000. I may never be able to afford one, but I can still look at these pictures:

For more pics check out their website.

Update: Or, for the luxury type, check this one out. Yes, that is a Mercedes stored underneath.

I got some new great new threads, polypropylene shirts and trekking pants, that will be perfect in Nepal. Lots of small items from my camping supplies like my leatherman and first aid kit. The highlight, though, is a new Garmin Vista Cx GPS.

I have been eyeing a GPS for a while now. It’s the perfect birthday gift as I prepare to trek in Nepal! This has all the features I wanted including compass, altitude, and color maps (loadable via a PC). It also tells me the sunrise/sunset times and a plethora of facts about time and distances traveled.

Maps are a bit hard to find for Asia, but luckily I found a set for the exact trek I am doing, Lukla to Everest Base Camp (EBC). I also found some for all of Japan south of Hokkaido for ¥11,550, or about US $100, all in kanji.

It’s pretty easy to use and I about have it figured out. It takes about 5-10 minutes to lock onto the satellites and doesn’t really get reception indoors. The maps look good and it will be interesting to track my elevation and distances traveled. Its not recommended to climb more that about 500 meters a day due to altitude sickness, so I monitor that.

Can’t wait to field test it!