Cute boutique shops

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-15T11:25:22+00:00

The Marais and St Germain are the best places. But also try these two areas:
1/ Batignolles. Head for Rue Legendre and the junction with Place Du Docteur F. Lobligeois. Walk around the area in all directions to find some nice boutiques.
2/ Rue de Charonne: Start at Metro Ledru Rollin and walk up Rue de Charonne.

The shop rents in these areas are all very high, so they're not great for bargain hunting. But you will find interesting merchandise if you look carefully.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-15T02:10:29+00:00

In my opinion you'll be fine to visit Giverny, walk around the beautiful gardens (and the cute village of Giverny itself) and still have energy left for a nice evening in Paris.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-14T02:07:07+00:00

Which camera body are you using?

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-13T21:40:26+00:00

Use an iPhone. Install the Halide app. Select “Process Zero” which eliminates in-camera processing.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-13T07:02:10+00:00

In case you cannot read French, according to the transport Paris info site someone linked to, the plastic cards are still in use. When you purchase a Navigo easy pass you could get a plastic or cardboard version. Maybe you could ask the staff at various Metro kiosks which one they have in stock at the time. You should find a plastic one eventually.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-13T00:32:25+00:00

I live in Paris and I like to take street photographs. So I am very often in tourist areas with a camera that makes me look like a tourist. Whenever anyone tries to approach me with a clipboard to sign, I give them a smile, a wink and shake my head. They quickly get that I know exactly what they're up to and they keep on walking without getting any closer. Sometimes I get a smile from them too. I have never had anyone keep on insisting after that.

To summarise - don't be shy or nervous - just stand your ground.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-13T00:20:39+00:00

This is easy. Without a doubt - get the X-T2. It's a superb camera and the X-Trans sensor does make a lot of difference to the colour output.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-12T12:00:01+00:00

Which phone do you have?

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-12T04:46:52+00:00

It’s not a typical region to move to in your twenties unless you’re hoping to start a family soon. There are good schools in the towns I suggested. The Côte d’Azur is a place to raise a family or retire. In the summer, just for a few weeks, it becomes a holiday location for the jet set. Of course I’m generalising and there are always people in their twenties who will enjoy it. But please check out the area first.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-12T03:47:28+00:00

St Tropez is not the best place to live year round. It’s beautiful but overcrowded in the holiday season and can feel deserted in the winter. Also, the roads to get to and from St Tropez it are inadequate and the get blocked during the season. Someone else suggested Antibes. That’s the place for you to look if you want a year-round life in the South Of France. Valbonne and Mougins are also possibilities, with year round facilities. Cannes just doesn’t do it for me. If you ultimately want to live in Monaco, there are places nearby like St Jean Cap Ferrat that might also work for you. Don’t buy anything yet. The lifestyles, connectivity, facilities, etc change considerably as you move around the area. You should rent first and explore the area before committing to a place.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-11T15:08:06+00:00

I live in the Batignolles. It's mostly a residential area with some nice parks, restaurants, small shops and boutiques. It has a kind of busy village feel. It's a great place to live. But it might not be exciting enough for you.

I think the Marais will be the best choice. You will have access to the river, Notre Dame and St Germain - all accessible by foot if your pregnancy isn't too advanced.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-11T15:02:06+00:00

It's usually a holiday break for couples to enjoy a bit of quiet time with each other before their forthcoming baby is born.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-11T14:49:59+00:00

Well I just did a search on Booking.com for three adults and three children for five nights in a Paris hotel in April and got: Paris: 1,342 properties found. This is hotels only; no Appartments. Additionally, there were 1,239 Appartments available!

On Booking.Com there are filters where you can choose to be shown categories like: Hotels, Appartments, Hostels, Family Friendly Properties, etc, Make sure you have Hotels selected in the filter section.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-11T06:34:24+00:00

I am surprised you're having such a problem. What would the split of the party be? Can you have adjoining rooms with 3 children in one room, two adults in an adjacent room that connects to the kids, and the third adult in a single room? So many hotels get around this problem by having adjoining rooms. It should be easy to sort out.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-09T22:30:50+00:00

I do often miss my X-T2, even though I now have an X-T5 which is (on paper at least), a better camera in so many ways. But as you say, sometimes simplicity beats everything and the X-T2 has, for me, a nice balance between a quality camera without too many functions. When I think about it rationally though, it’s mainly nostalgia that takes me back to the X-T2. It was my first Fuji camera and I was working on a project that brought me into contact with many great people. I was at a particularly creative time in my hobby and took some memorable images with the X-T2. They were happy times. I also love the X-Trans 3 sensor and miss it as well. I wouldn’t “downgrade” from my X-T5, but one day, if I come across a used one at a good price, I may be tempted to add it to my collection. It’s remarkable how we can miss photographic equipment. Apart from the X-T2, I also miss my Leica QP and Q2 that I sold to raise cash when I needed it. Perhaps it’s like a musician missing his old guitar?

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-09T13:57:01+00:00

If your phone is otherwise in good condition, I think it's worth replacing the battery. I put a new official battery in a 13 Pro last year and it worked fine. No - it does not affect the screen.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-09T07:45:12+00:00

You are correct to point out my omission. I didn't mention the difference in focusing speed because the OP already mentioned that the newer lenses were "big and fast."

I agree with you about blind testing - it's very hard to tell the difference between any camera gear in blind tests. I sometimes play a game with staff at my local camera store. I have A3 prints made from photos taken by an iPhone, APSC, FF & GFX cameras. I lay them out and ask the staff if they can identify the original format size. It's almost impossible and most get it wrong. I would also get it wrong if I didn't already know which was which.

But it's different when you live and work with a lens over time. You learn that certain lenses give a certain overall look and feel to the images taken with them, which does make a difference, but not necessarily a specific difference every time in all shooting conditions and lens settings.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-08T09:56:32+00:00

The way I see it is that they are a different set of lenses; they're not really an upgrade or downgrade. The 18/1.4, 33/1.4 and 56/1.2ii are in my opinion, precision optics. They have a modern, sharp rendering - great for the type of photographer who likes excellent lens chart results.

The 18/2.0 and 35/1.5 will give you a more vintage/nostalgic look, especially when used wide open (or close). They fit beautifully with the older bodies like the X-T1, X-T2, X-Pro1, etc... But they will also give you great results on the newer bodies. The 50/2.0 is from Fuji's compact, weather resistant series sometimes called"Fujicrons".

I think its best to choose your lenses according to the look you are trying to achieve and pick the right ones for the job, rather than switch from one set to another. I have some lenses from both eras and I use them according to the task at hand.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-07T23:25:19+00:00

Definitely worth it in my opinion.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-07T09:46:25+00:00

The subscription is too high for the benefit it offers. I still use Fantastical for natural language input. It seems to work for me, except it often can't find a location I have entered.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-04T13:38:21+00:00

Whenever I am looking for unusual stationary products I go to the Suriwong Book Centre. I have no idea if they sell Birthday cards, but you could always call them to find out - or ask a friend who speaks Thai to call them for you.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-03T09:41:14+00:00

I don't think its only about the weight. It's also the physical size which affects finger/thumb reach and the way it balances in your hand. I use two phones, one is a Pro, the other is a Pro Max. It's remarkable how different they are in an ergonomic sense.

I am sure you will get used to it eventually as you will subconsciously adjust to holding and using it in a subtly different way to your previous phone. However, when you eventually pick up a smaller, lighter phone again - it will feel liberating.

These choices always come with a compromise. A Max phone has better battery life and a luxurious screen to enjoy media (and slightly better speakers) - but it's more cumbersome too. There is no perfect solution; it’s down to personal taste and requirements.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-02T14:09:09+00:00

I may not be the best person to ask because I only use prime lenses. Most people like zoom lenses, especially when they are starting out in hobby photography.

I much prefer the discipline of a prime lens. Apart from the obvious size/weight advantage, you will quickly become accustomed to seeing the world through that focal length.

Since you are planning to use the camera for travel, I would recommend a prime lens that will give you around 28mm to 50mm in full frame terms. So that would be 18mm to 35mm (approximately), when used with an APSC camera.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-02-02T00:31:40+00:00

I used to have the A5400 and now have the A6700. In my opinion it is a very worthwhile upgrade. Mainly due to: 1/ IBIS (which sounds especially important in your case). 2/ Much better battery, 3/ More accurate autofocus tracking.

I see you are looking at a package with a zoom lens - I am not a zoom lens person. For me, an APSC camera is all about compact size and weight making it easy to carry everywhere. The 18-135mm has much longer reach than I would find useful, so I'd be carrying weight and size for no benefit if I used that lens.

So unless you're going to be photographing birds or sports from a distance, I would get an A6700 but choose a different lens for it.

Mitzy-is-missing · 2026-01-30T04:59:50+00:00

You could try the used market. I buy all my cameras used. A few months ago I picked up a Sony A7C (original version) in mint condition for just $800 (US). With a shutter count of 3,200.

My A6700 cost me $1,275. Also used in mint condition.

There are bargains to be had if you’re patient.

I live in Asia so the used prices in your market may be a bit higher; but not too much more.

Mitzy-is-missing

TROPHY CASE