New camera update.

I forgot to mention that I recently bagged a used lumix G1.

For less than the price of the 14-45 lens I was after, I got that lens and the body, along with a six month warranty. Top service from peter at Wilkinson cameras in Lancaster. 

The lens is every bit as good ad I hoped and as both bodies are compatible, I can swap about as I wish. Finally, I have a system camera!

Equally good is the G1. Panasonic really built some quality into this, their first step into the micro four thirds format.

The addition of more on body controls and the view finder add so much.  It’s still small enough to pack, but the trigger grip should really help.my longer lens for actin at circuits. 

Test pics to come when I finally get to use it in anger!

Some edited shots of the course and people

I’ve finally got round to editing some of the pics taken over the past few weeks of Module one.  The sources are from myself, John Bruce and Dennis Ross (I’ve yet to figure out how to credit them in PB), naturally I’ll claim any that you like?!

There are a LOT of shots that need filtering and then a bit of attention, so this will continue to grow.

PST Album here

Over the marina this evening. Taken with my phone.

Ft3 messing about samples

I went out today a, for a walk, but b, to see how this new camera copes/works/delivers.

samples here.

with a bit of work, considering the light and attempts at various shots, its not too awful considering the optics/controls.

Overall, quite pleased.

Online Photo Albums and uploading.

I’m currently trying to find a widget to link my Photobucket account to this blog, but its proving a challenge.  (If you have any experience, please reply to this post.)

In the mean time, here’s a link to my albums where I’ll be posting shots as regularly as wi-fi access allows.  Photobucket

I downloaded a really useful plugin yesterday for Lightroom that allows me to directly upload shots to Photobucket.  It works flawlessly, gives every level of control and removes about 4 steps and a lot of time involved in doing it manually.

Final bits and pieces

I picked up a new camera today.  I don’t really want to rely on my GF-1 kit on the boats for the coming year.  Especially in order to have a camera to grab and shoot ‘on the go’.  Although I’ll have it with me for those must have shots, it will be living in a dry bag with lots of moisture absorbing sachets.

I’ve no idea what the weather will throw at us whilst out sailing but one thing is for sure, wet and salty isn’t ideal for any camera.  To that end I’ve selected a ‘rugged’ spec water-resistant shock proof camera.  Rated to 12 metres, it will take splashes but most importantly keep salt out of switches and joints.

Reviews keep popping up the Lumix FT-3 as the best image taker, which after all is why I want this gizmo.  Test shots today seem to back up these findings, so that’s what I went for.

Inevitably these days, a camera to take pics isn’t enough, you need a quiver of additional features that add to cost, ultimately compromising the ‘headroom’ to optimise the camera.  In this case, the marketeers decided that a compass, barometre (yes really) and GPS are essential, while control of aperture and shutter are not, nor an ability to shoot in Raw.  I can live without HD movies, but of the add ons, this one seems pretty useful.

The camera I’d love to buy would be an Olympus XZ-1 with a weather proof case as per rugged cameras, but sadly it appears to not exist.  There is the route to weather proofing using a housing, but the added bulk makes it something that won’t fit in a pocket and its overkill for a splash proof solution.

Size wise, the Lumix is ideal and will fit nicely into my chest pocket on the boat, remaining handy at all times.  Despite its compromised controls, It’ll serve well as a useful alternate for the GF kit.

I’ll post up some pics soon.