Analog Detox Day 2/Vintage Digital: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7.

Analog Detox Day 2/Vintage Digital: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7.

I have been on a film burning analog tear with a recent acquisition. Things got out of hand with the last roll as I just started snapping pics of any and everything with little care. I will go back to it, but it was definitely time to take a break.

Detox day 1 I went with the recently released Samyang/Rokinon Remaster Slim kit. But this day I went a different way. I was asked to be a part of a Men’s Day service. The invitation was put forward by a friend who was also my Father’s Pastor and gave him a beautiful eulogy. So when asked to either be a part of the service or photograph the service I will accept if I am available.

What was nice was that I was asked to do just that and not bring a camera. But of course, I had to bring a camera. Small was the main draw for the day, and nothing does small and capable for me better than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7.

While not asked to take photos I still managed a few during the service when the mood struck me.

Then as the day progressed through my regular chores (Involving a chainsaw this week in addition to mowing at my folk’s house at my Mom’s request.), errands, and a bit of galavanting with my son I kept it with. As always… Nothing Earth-shattering. Snapped what I saw. Here are the pics.

Switched briefly from the Lumix 20mm f/1.7 to the 42.5mm f/1.7 (An amazing small and light portrait lens that has stabilization.).

And back to the 20mm f/1.7.

Thoughts.

I have a lot of them every time I use this kit. One thought is always, I could use just this kit if I were a sane and rational man. I am not. But if I were I would do just fine. As a daily carry there are even advantages over newer full frame offerings.

• Smaller and lighter.
  • I carried the 42.5mm f/1.7 portrait lens in my suit jacket pocket. Good luck trying that with an APS-C or full-frame portrait lens.
• Much less expensive.
  • Drop, break, lose, or grows legs? Meh. I would be on KEH or MPB in minutes quickly ordering up a replacement.

And I genuinely like the results. DO I see a difference as compared to the latest and greatest? Yes.

Does that difference matter for day to day personal use? No.

Would my customers know the difference? Likely not.

At the end of the day the same dude is stood behind the camera and I will do what I do so the results will be comparable. My first actual paid work was with MFT. They were happy with the results, but somehow in my bent logic at the time it meant I needed to upgrade my gear. If they were happy with the work I evidently did not need to upgrade. Plenty of folks use MFT for paid work.

Such is the pull of the internets hype machine. Somewhere along the line I started believing I HAD to have full frame. Even APS-C would not do. Nonsense. Now I see the odd article here and there trying to convince me that digital medium format is now the holy grail. Pass. I am good.

Will I have a great purge and go back to MFT? No.

I am good with where I am.

That is about it.

Happy capturing.

-ELW