Trying something new…….
New Travel System
2023 was a pivotal year in my life. Those of you that follow my blog know of the health issue I faced in the spring of last year. For those that don’t know I had a heart valve replacement and a week later because of AFIB was rushed to the ER where I coded twice within 30 minutes. They flew me to Lexington where I got a pacemaker and started the long slog back to normal. Over 6 months of cardiac rehab has me most of the way back, but it certainly has impacted my life and level of activity. In October I will do my first two workshops in over a year and I’m anxious to get back into the field with my students and friends!
Problem one: I am not comfortable carrying the heavy system I have been using for the last 12 years. Even though the Fujifilm gear is much less bulky and heavy than full frame gear it still is heavier than what I’m planning to use for these two trips in October.
Solution one: Over the past couple of months I have been aquiring a full, but small and light Micro 4/3rds system. The bag above, a Tenba Solstice 7L sling a much appreciated gift from Carl Turner, holds the complete system:
Panasonic Lumix G9 camera body
Lumix – Leica 9mm f 1.7 (18mm equiv.)
Olympus 12-40 f 2.8 Pro (24-80 equiv.)
Olympus 45mm f 1.8 (90mm equiv.)
Panasonic Lumix 35-100 f 2.8 (70-200 equiv.)
Panasonic Lumix 100-300 f 4-5.6 (200-600 equiv.)
With this system I have focal length range of 18mm to 600mm! The entire system weighs well under 10 lbs. In a separate small Domke bag I have a Lumix GX85 with the Leica 15mm f 1.7 (30mm equiv.) and and the Olympus 12mm f 2 (24mm equiv.) and the Lumix 40-150 f 4-5.6 (80-300 equiv.)
I will post images from both trips and we will see how we do!! My pre-testing has given me a great deal of confidence of success, if I can hold up my end of the bargain! I know that many will ask if I’m dumping my Fujifilm system? Absolutely not, I’m just adjusting my carry system for the situation I find myself in. I still have the vast majority of my Fujifilm bodies and lenses though recently I have started to sell off items I seldom use. I have told my students many times that if you are using any camera system from the last 5 years and you are not making spectacular images, it’s not the camera!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Monday, August 12th, 2024 at 2:34 pm
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Bill, at almost 91, I am also dealing with both heart valve and A-fib problems. I currently shoot with a pair of X-T5’s. I would like to lighten my carry load. With the equivalent equipment, I am interested in how much weight the Lumix system saves you as compared with the Fujifilm system?
So glad to hear that you are well on the mend. Jerry
I wish you good health with the issues we share! The Micro 4/3rds little system is about 40% lighter than a similiar system for Fujifilm. The biggest weight savings is the 100-300 (200-600) compared to the Fuji 70-300 (105-450)
Sounds like a plan! I know you are excited about getting back out and glad to hear rehab has gone well. What are you doing for a tripod? Or are you gonna hand hold these trips?
No, still use my big RRS tripod, though the IS on these cameras is amazing when you have to hand hold.
Darn good looking G9 boss! You cannot beat the quality for weight on the lenses anywhere. Love the set up. Can’t wait to see them in action. Where’s the 60mm Macro?
I’m really loving it!