#kultured

Let me get a statement on the record before we begin: I don't consider myself a photographer. I take pictures and know my way around editing software, but my experience stops there. You can see samples of my pictures below this post.That being said, I wanted a camera I could take on my adventures that wasn't what I considered a hardcore DSLR. Enter the Sony NEX 5T. A friend of mine had a previous iteration and loved it. So, after a little research and his recommendation, I made the plunge. The following are key features of the camera along with my thoughts on them. Before you continue reading, I'll give you this: if you're looking for a camera that's a definite step up from your smartphone, seriously consider the Sony NEX Series. 

Small Body

The NEX cameras differ from their larger DSLR counterparts in a few ways, the most noticeable being their size. The 5T has a small body which makes it light and well equipped for travel. It will fit in the front pocket(s) of most jackets or sweatshirts, and doesn't fatigue your hands when shooting video or taking a multitude of pictures over a long duration. Some say the small body makes it difficult to handle and keep a hold of while shooting. I have hands larger than the average bear and I haven't found the size to be an issue in my experience.

Interchangeable Lenses

This is one of my favorite features of my NEX camera. I purchased and use it with the kit lens (16-50mm 3.5-5.6), but if I want, I can purchase a fixed lens or telephoto lens in the future. Expandability is a huge pro for this camera. You can also purchase adapters to fit Canon and Nikon lenses onto the NEX, which gives you even more flexibility and options to mount manual lenses as well, should you want to control every aspect of your photograph manually.

Image Quality

The image quality on this is fantastic in my opinion (see my Yosemite Valley post). It boasts 16.1MP and a CMOS Sensor. For those of you unfamiliar with how the sensor comes into play (like I was) I'll give you a quick explanation. The sensor in this camera gives you a crop factor of 1.5x. That means if you take a lens and place it on a full-frame sensor (i.e. Canon or Nikon DSLR), and set it to 16mm, it will be at 16mm frame. If you then take an identical lens and place it on the NEX 5T at 16mm, it will actually be a 24mm frame. So you will get a slight zoom effect. This was chiefest of my concerns when buying the camera, but it has not caused a single noticeable issue for me.

Wifi and NFC Connectivity

Wifi and NF Whositwhatsit? This was a strange concept for me when doing my research on the camera. Here's what it means: with the assistance of an app called Sony Memories you are able to transfer pictures straight from your camera to your smartphone or friends and family members' smartphones as long as they have the app as well. I have used this feature exactly once and thought to myself, "Hmm. Cool." then never used it again. However, a handy feature Wifi/NFC provides is the ability to use your phone as a remote shutter along with the ability to zoom and change settings, all remotely.

Ease of Use

As previously stated, I don't consider myself a photographer. I have a working knowledge of focus, aperture, ISO, and other settings, but more often than not I don't want to be bothered by them. I like the camera to work for me to a certain extent. The NEX 5T does this wonderfully. With a few auto-shoot settings as well as manual settings it can please all types of users and has plenty of room for growth. I find myself using the Intelligent Auto setting and am constantly pleased with how pictures turn out.

I had the pleasure of going on a group trip to Yosemite National Park in April, 2014. We spent 5 days in the area and 4 days hiking/exploring. Pictures I captured will try to do the valley justice but it's something everyone should experience at least once in their adult life, especially if you live in California. I'll split the trip up into the 5 days we spent in the area and give highlights of each region. At the bottom of the post there will be a supplemental post with my favorite photos from the trip.

Oakhurst, CA

Oakhurst served as our base camp during our trip. It's a small quiet town with friendly enough inhabitants and enough mom and pop antique shops to hold your attention. Believe it or not there are some culinary experiences to be had here as well. From BBQ, to pizza, to coffee, I was not disappointed with the local spots and would recommend exploring the town in that regard. If you're not one for camping in the valley, this is your best option. It took us an hour or so to get to and from the valley each day on windy and sometimes steep roads, so if that doesn't sound like your game, consider camping. 

Lower Yosemite Falls Trail

Lower Yosemite Falls (above) is outstandingly gorgeous. What's best about this spectacle is that almost no effort needs to be expended in reaching it. From the Yosemite Village Visitor's Center it's a mile and a half with almost no incline. While exceedingly beautiful, and incredibly easy to access, this is usually one of the most crowded and touristy spots. You'll have to time your shots at just the right moment to ensure the multitude of high school students, foreign travelers, and rangers are out of your frame. This spot is best described as inspirational. Seeing the power and majesty of this fall will no doubt instill and excitement to explore the rest of the valley.

Yosemite Valley Floor Trail

The Yosemite Valley Floor Trail was a pleasant surprise that offered breathtaking views of Yosemite's staple features like El Capitan (above). This trail was approximately six and a half miles long and didn't have much incline as it is entirely on the valley floor. Along with fantastic scenery, most people forego this trail in lieu of other hikes like Upper Yosemite Falls, Vernal and Nevada Falls, etc which leaves this trail almost empty. Our group encountered a total of 4 people the entire day, which really allows you to get in touch with nature and forget the distractions of everyday life. This trail also serves as a nice warm up for those of you who might not be avid hikers. It runs along the Merced River for a time offering a pleasant place to stop and have lunch along the river bank. If you're looking for the higher elevation hikes, this may not be for you, but I would recommend taking the vastly underrated trail.

The Mist Trail

The Mist Trail (aptly named) lives up to the hype surrounding it. For those of you planning to scale half dome, this trail is the first half of your journey. For the rest of us, The Mist Trail is a fantastic adventure, and not for the faint of heart. You'll be hiking 7 miles in distance and climbing 4,000 feet in elevation so be prepared: lots of water and ample food. Also, when you see the sign "Last Water Source" they're not kidding, so fill up. The first portion of the trail is fairly crowded and deceiving due to the fact it's on a paved, asphalt path. Three miles into the journey you come across Vernal Falls (above). You scale steep, wet stairs carved into the rock while being showered by the mist of the fall. Once you reach the top of the fall there is a large relatively flat rock formation you can sit and break for a snack on after the steep incline.

Next is the four mile trek to Nevada falls (above). The majority of this leg of your adventure includes more quad-busting stairs. If you've not had a good cardio workout in a while, this will do the trick. It's not uncommon to see people take frequent breaks. Myself, being with my girlfriend, took a few breaks just to "admire the scenery"...not because I was tired or anything. The top of Nevada Falls is transformational. You really see and feel the power of the fall and can't help but be in awe when you look down and see what you've accomplished in your hike. This is a fantastic place to stop and enjoy your lunch. Once you're at the top The Panoramic Trail is your ticket down back to the trailhead. It's a beautiful hike, but feels like it will never and at some points. It's laden with switchback upon switchback which can wear on the mind and make you feel as if you're not getting anywhere but the consistently gorgeous views make it much more bearable.

If health and fitness allow, this trail is a must, no questions asked. If you're on the fence and not sure if you're up for the physical challenge, give it a shot. There are places to turn before the scaling of Vernal and at the top of Vernal if you're not up to hiking all the way to the top of Nevada Falls. Turning back at either of these points still offers you beautiful scenery and photo-worthy landscapes.

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

The Mariposa Grove is an amazing area to explore. As you enter the Park, instead of turning left and taking the thirty-five mile drive to Yosemite Valley, you turn right and head two miles down the road. I had never seen a giant sequoia before, so this was an experience unlike anything else. Other than the enormity of the living trees you see before you, the two hallmarks of the grove are Grizzly Giant (above), and Fallen Tunnel Tree. Grizzly Giant which boasts a base circumference of ninety-two feet is truly an awe-inspiring sight. Fallen Tunnel Tree is in the upper grove, which is a few miles away from the beginning of the grove and is definitely worth the hike. We were able to climb on the fallen tree without reprimand, but I'm not entirely sure if this is allowed. I recommend hiking the entire grove. Ninety-Five percent of visitors to the grove park, look at the big tree in the parking lot, take pictures, and leave. Hiking the grove isn't too difficult and offers up magical views and astounding displays of nature's wonder.

Glacier Point

Glacier Point is another must when visiting Yosemite. You can hike up and down (8 miles round-trip) or drive, or a combination of both. We elected to drive simply because our schedule didn't allow time for the hike, but many hike up to the point and take a shuttle back down. Glacier Point offers views of Half Dome (above) and Upper/Lower Yosemite Falls that Ansel Adams would be envious of. Visiting Glacier Point at the end of your Yosemite adventure is a good idea because it offers a sense of closure. Standing at the point, overlooking all the beautiful land you've spent your time exploring provides a wonderful sense of closure. There is also a decent shop at the visitor's center which has some nice non-cheesy shirts and knick-knacks. Glacier Point is an amazing bookend to your time spent in the valley and is an unrivaled place to give the panoramic feature of your phone's camera a healthy workout. If you only have time for one place on your last day in Yosemite, this should be it.

This was my experience in Yosemite. I'd love to hear what adventures any of you out there have had in this beautiful place. I know there are plenty of other trails and hikes, the most notable one left out is the Upper Yosemite Falls trail which I hear is absolutely gorgeous and offers a unique perspective on the valley. Any additional information about the park and it's many trails can be found at the link below.

First off, come hungry to the Original Pancake House. There is such a fantastic selection that you'll want to be sure to try at least a few things. With larger than normal portions, it might be a good idea to come with a small group (no more than 4-5) and serve things up family style. You can expect to pay about $9-$10 per person, but what you get is an amazing breakfast. I'll break down what we got for you:

Spinach Omelette 

This wound up on our table out of a desire to get our morning's protein and make sure the carb load of pancakes didn't leave us hungry a few hours later. This was an awesome choice. The omelette was light and fluffy and it was LOADED with spinach. Add salt and pepper or Tapatio (my favorite) to taste and you've got yourself a wonderful protein dish to balance the meal.

Thick Cut Bacon

When they say thick cut, they absolutely mean it. It was thick, crispy, and savory. It's a little pricier than most bacon ($4 for 3 larges slices) but still a must try, even if you get just a half strip each.

49er Pancakes

These thin, gooey, flavorful creations are the flagship pancake of OPH, top of the menu, special border around the item, the whole 9 yards. They really want you to notice these. That being said, they were tasty, but nothing life changing. They are akin to a crepe but slightly crunchier around the edges. Definitely a solid dish, but not what i would recommend if you're only getting one item.

German Pancake

In this case, the best was definitely saved for last. The German Pancake should take the 49er's spot at the top of the menu. For those of you not familiar with what a German Pancake is, it's a large, thin pancake that, when cooked, curls up and crisps along the edges. It is served with lemon wedges that are squeezed out over the pancake and then topped with powdered sugar, no syrup needed. This was the highlight of OPH. Thicker than the 49er Pancakes, but still thin in comparison to a standard pancake, it was a delightful break from traditional syrup accompanied breakfast pancakes. You're missing out if you go to OPH without ordering these.

There you have it, a first-rate Original Pancake House experience. The service was outstanding and coffee was nothing to shake a stick at. It's a small place, which is why 4-5 is the max recommended group size. We got there around 10am on a Sunday morning and only had to wait 10 minutes. As we left (around 11ish) there was a considerable wait, so keep that in mind. Parking isn't bad at all, there is a decent size lot behind the building and overflow parking at the Elementary School next door on the weekends.

There is definitely return value here as well, some other menu items still enticing to exploration include their Apple Pancake which looks more like a brunch-dessert dish than a breakfast item, the Swedish Pancakes look delicious as well. 

Original Pancake House is an awesome breakfast spot, and located not too far from Disneyland on Lincoln, an awesome alternative to a Downtown Disney breakfast option if you're looking for something before a day at the park. Below is the Yelp information, enjoy!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/original-pancake-house-anaheim

Music, Travel, Food and Tech. These are experiences that touch most of our lives on a daily or yearly basis. The Kultured. blog is dedicated to the exploration and community each of these facets of life entail. This site is meant to be a place of discovery and sharing, the hope being your life is enriched by what you find here.