Tag Archives: MILC

*Nauti Memorial Day weekend Sale, plus brand new Vector Excel QR Straps now available!

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Happy Memorial Day.  Things have been crazy busy around the Robichaud camp of late, but nonetheless, we’ve got a brand new wrist strap available in the Vector Excel.  It’s the same fundamental design as the original Vector, yet it uses a thicker, wider material as well as replaces the split ring with a stainless steel quick release clasp.  For the holiday weekend, we’re offering 15% off of any and all straps we build by using the code MEM15 over at NautiStraps.com HERE.

The new Vector Excel was designed in response to inquires about a wrist strap for larger cameras, providing a more comfortable fit for heavier setups.  While it provides a comfortable option for larger cameras, it does great for smaller cams too.  Great for DSLRs, Mirrorless and compact Cams, the quick release clasp allows you to switch between straps, or remove the strap when on a tripod, in the bag, or wanting to quickly switch the strap between different cameras.

Available in 4 different colors (red/black, blue/black/orange, silver/black and solid black with 3m reflective tracer), the Excel is ready to go.  

Happy Memorial Day weekend to everyone stateside, and happy regular weekend to everyone else. Visit us at NautiStraps.com and use MEM15 at checkout to get 15% off of the Excell, or any of our hand built camera straps through Monday.  

Find Nauti Straps on Instagram HERE, or Facebook HERE and share your shots using the hashtag #ishootnauti for a chance to win future giveaways.

Thanks and happy shooting,

Tyson

*Lumix GX9, death of the GX line?

by in Photography gear and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 68 Comments

Hey everyone!  Look, the opinions are pretty polarized in regard to Panasonic’s newest m4/3 camera, and I feel that both sides are right.  On one side, we have those of us that are excited to see the form factor shrink a little bit with the cost coming down to a remarkably reasonable level.  On the other side, we have those of us that are lamenting the lack of ergonomics, weather sealing, fully functional, high spec EVF and general feel that the GX8 has been downgraded.  

As someone who has owned every GX model made (less the GX80/85 which I have shot with fairly extensively, however) I do feel I’m in a position to throw my opinion around a bit.  Not that you have to agree, nor even listen, but here’s what I think…

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*TRP featured in Olympus Passion Magazine

by in General ramblings, Photography gear and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Remember my portrait lens shoot out?  Well, it caught the eye of the folks over at Olympus Passion Magazine as they’d previously featured my article testing the Leica 15mm against the Panasonic pancake 14 and 20mm lenses on their website, and had asked to feature the portrait shoot out in the August edition of the magazine.  I happily obliged, and it can now be seen in the current issue of their beautifully curated, Olympus-centric mag HERE.

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*Brand New, adjustable Wayfarer Strap. Comfy, elegant and on sale!!!

by in Nauti Straps - handbuilt camera straps and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

 

 

I get a lot of enjoyment from figuring out more efficient and elegant ways to design camera straps.  One question I’ve fielded multiple times has been the desire to see an adjustable, nautical rope shoulder strap.  The Regatta strap has done well, and has been well received, but for me, it posed two problems.  First, the adjustability.  Tricky part with rope is that there are few ways to actually allow for adjustment to length without bulky hardware.  Secondly, while it does well for rigs up to 2-2.5 lbs, after that, a single rope can become a little uncomfortable while out and about if carrying your camera for long periods of time.  Enter the brand new Wayfarer shoulder strap which remedies both of those issues, and I’m really happy with how they’ve come out.  Available in 7 different colorways, at Nautistraps.com now, you can also get them for 15% off as an introductory sale offer this week, using the code “NAUTIWAY15” at checkout.

C’mon in to see colors and learn a little bit more about the design process…

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*Voigtländer Nokton 42.5mm f/0.95 review… dayum.

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Voigtlander Nokton 42.5mm f/0.95 lens review

Would it sound ironic if I were to mention the speed, and slowed hinderance of manual focus as the two best qualities that this lens can provide a photographer?  Let’s be honest, there are not many lenses in existence that offer this large a maximum aperture for any system, anywhere.  Certainly not very many that come in at under a thousand bucks, but this is the case for the micro 4/3 mount, Voigtländer Nokton series.  Yes, this 42.5mm (85mm equivalent field of view) lens is joined by a soon to be 10.5mm f/0.95 (21mm e-fov), a killer 17.5mm f/0.95 (35mm e-fov) and a 25mm f/0.95 (50mm e-fov) to create a set of super fast, Nokton wonder lenses.

I have been using the also stellar Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens of late, and before I took off on a recent trip, knowing I’d be doing a vast majority of my shooting in the darker hours, I felt the one thing I was really lacking, was a really fast lens.  A remarkably solid and well built hunk of metal and glass, this 85mm equivalent lens has been calling me ever since it was announced.  Well, I decided that I’d benefit more fully from a really fast portrait focal length over the long run, and would gain a good amount of latitude while handholding it combined with the IBIS in the GX7, so I bit.

C’mon in to see a few shots, and read my thoughts on this optical marvel.

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*$300 off the Lumix GX7?! Camera body, or kit and includes an extra $100 Gift Card!!!

by in General ramblings, Photography gear and tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

GX7

So, that just happened.  While I’ve not yet tried every single micro 4/3 camera, of those I have tried, the GX7 is still my favorite overall.  Wonderful Image quality, discrete size yet comfortable ergonomics, IBIS, Tilting LCD and EVF, wonderfully functional and intuitive interface, silent mode, focus peaking, WiFi, manual control, good video options blah, blah, blah.  It has been, quite possibly, my favorite camera I’ve shot with period, which is saying a lot.  It is with me all the time, and will continue to be for some time yet.  Because of the combination of size, quality and features, I literally bring it with me everyday because I don’t need anything else.

On top of the $300 discount that runs through this Saturday, you also get a $100 B&H Gift Card.  Seriously?!  While I’m in no way disappointed that I bought this camera at full price about a year ago as it has allowed me to shoot with it as long, a $400 incentive is nuts for this machine.  Okay, maybe I’m a little disappointed, more jealous I guess 🙂

Check out the deals at B&H:

Panasonic GX7 Body only $698 (reg: $998) HERE

Panasonic GX7 + 14-42mm Kit $798 (reg: $1098) HERE in Silver

Panasonic GX7 + 14-42mm Kit $798 (reg: $1098) HERE in Black

There are rumors that the GX line has been discontinued, but I think those rumors are crap.  I don’t however see them replacing this camera in the immediate future.  I just think that they’re trying to spur sales.  It shares the same, current sensor with the new GM5 (and GM1) and I’ve done some pretty extensive comparisons between it and the current Sony sensor in the EM5/et al.  You can read more of my thoughts on the Lumix GX7 below if you’re interested.

GX7 – An Evolution Part 1

GX7 – An Evolution Part 2

GX7 vs EM5 – Battle for my affection Part 1

GX7 vs EM5 – Battle for my affection Part 2

GX7 vs EM5 – Battle for my affection Part 3

GX7 vs GM1 – Panasonic Battle

If you’ve been on the fence, or have been waiting to upgrade I think that this camera, at this price is the best value in the micro 4/3 landscape hands down right now.

Let me know if you have any specific questions as well.  I have certainly answered more emails and inquiries about this camera that I have for any other up to this point, so please feel free to fire away.

Thanks all and happy shooting,

Tyson

*Have you been on the fence? GX7 on super sale.

by in General ramblings, Photography gear and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Lumix GX7

Adorama has started to offer the GX7 (body only) with a bunch of freebies or gift card for $300 off the normal price.  Now, I don’t have a crystal ball, and I don’t know if this is somehow a precursor to a newer camera, but even if it is, this is a killer deal on what I feel is the best all around micro 4/3 camera out right now.

Let me clarify that last statement.  I don’t mean to say there aren’t better performing micro 4/3 cameras in ways.  The GH4 is the benchmark right now, but costs a lot.  The EM1 has some bells and whistles, but also, costs a lot more than the GX7.  Neither of these two is anywhere near as compact as the GX7 is, and as you may have read, I feel the GX7 does really, really well against the EM5/10’s or EP’s of the world in my opinion.

Find the GX7 with a bunch of stuff for $697 at Adorama HERE

Find the GX7 with a $100 Adorama Gift Card for $697 HERE

The GX7 deals are listed through 10/4.  If you’d like to read more on why I feel this is the best current overall micro 4/3 camera, hit the links to my review articles below:

GX7 vs EM5 Battle for my affection Part 1 (IBIS, EVF’s and LCD’s)

GX7 vs EM5 Battle for my affection Part 2 (Build Quality and Ergonomics)

GX7 vs EM5 Battle for my affection Part 3 (User Interface, IQ, features and the final decision)

GX7, an Evolution Part 1

GX7, an Evolution Part 2

GX7 vs GM1

Adorama is also offering a $300 rebate off of the GH3.  I’ve never used the GH3 aside from a few shots here and there so I cannot give a personal endorsement, but I do feel it has gained a good reputation for a reason.

It’s currently $797 and can be purchased with a $50 gift card and 4% reward, a $100 gift card or alone without one which is odd, but you can see all 3 deals on Adorama for the GH3 HERE if that floats your boat, and these deals look set to expire on 9/13.

I don’t normally do this type of post, but I do field a lot of questions, emails and various social media inquiries about cameras and the GX7 is one that I feel has been the best mirrorless camera I’ve yet used and with the current deals, is an absolute steal in my opinion.  The Adorama links are in fact attached through my affiliate account there and would give me a small commission which will in turn be used to purchase more stuff to shoot and review on the blog, so I thank you in advance for the consideration and I hope everyone is well and enjoying the summer (or winter depending on where you may be reading from).

 

Thanks all and happy shooting!

T

*Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens, Tested

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Lumix G Vario 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 lens review Yet another kit lens has come onto the scene.  On paper, ho-hum, a little wider, a little shorter, still slow, no focus ring…  Why would this particular kit lens be a better choice than the other current options?  Yes, it’s tiny and light weight and nearly as small as the Lumix 14mm Pancake lens, but what’s this?  It’s reasonably sharp at all focal lengths and all apertures and offers us a 24mm equivalent lens as opposed to the moderate wide 28mm equivalent in most all other kit zooms… Interesting.  Hit the jump for my user review on this little optic…

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*Panasonic GM1 Reviewed – Say hello to my little friend

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gm1 and friends

I have spent the better part of the last month shooting with this camera almost exclusively.  I wanted to really get a feel for this tiny machine, its ins and outs, before I wrote up any type of review.  While being the smallest interchangeable lens system camera body currently available, it certainly has some ergonomic drawbacks, but that begs the question, who is this camera for, and can it be a compliment or even replacement for another of the micro 4/3 system cameras, even {gasp} a larger system camera?  Well…

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*Lumix GM1, mine’s smaller. A quick look at the smallest MILC camera.

by in General ramblings, Photography gear and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

this little piggy...

How small is too small?  How about a micro 4/3 camera that is smaller than most any fixed lens compact sporting a 1/1.6″ or 1/1.7″ sensor (not to mention any of the 1″ sensor cams, or even most compact p&s cameras I’ve owned)?  Well, I’d heard that the Panasonic Lumix GM1 was small, but I don’t think I was prepared for HOW small this thing actually is.  Have a look…

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