Good Gear
Very selected features on the hardware, software and extra wares that help me get the job done.
LUMIX S5II Custom Settings
Kick start your new LUMIX S5II with my pre-built file of custom settings to help you make the most of the custom dial feature, and make the most of a really great camera.
Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro Art
I spent a week in the desert looking for macro level inspiration, and this lens did not disappoint. Excellent value, remarkable optics and a dreamy bokeh make this a uniquely creative lens for your kit.
New Life for EF Lenses
Not only does the AF system on the LUMIX S5II deliver amazing results for native L-mount lenses, but the performance of EF lenses is exceptional to the point of giving Canon owners a legitimate upgrade path at an affordable price.
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 - Long Term Review
This is a hard lens to leave at home. It delivers quality and sharpness for landscapes and the night sky, plus has a neat party trick with rear pocket for ND filters. Worthy companion to any full-frame mirrorless camera. (Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN)
Benro GX35 Ball-Head Review
Quality yet affordable option for full-frame cameras if you're looking to swap out your old ball-head for an Arca-Swiss alternative.
Viltrox EF-L Pro - Quick Review
For extra stability and good compatibility, this EF-L adaptor plays nicely with the latest LUMIX bodies and older EF lenses.
DxO PhotoLab for RAW Workflow
DxO PhotoLab is a genuine alternative to Lightroom and Capture One, delivering excellent value and professional features. It's not as polished or featured as Capture One, but it's worth a look if you want something lighter for your RAW workflow, plus support for a wider range of cameras and lenses.
SD Cards Explained
Shopping for an SD card is frustratingly hard, with so many brands, standards and price points to navigate through. Especially when speed is a necessity rather than a luxury. It's also possible that the best value SD card is a MicroSD card, if you have the right adaptor.
Ulanzi Travel Tripod Review
A lot of comparisons between the Ulanzi Zero Y Lightweight Travel Tripod and the Peak Design Travel Tripod focus on price and weight. But the Ulanzi model lacks the stability and rigor of the Peak Design original.
Asustor Lockerstor AS6510T Long Term Review
After a decade or more with QNAP hardware I was reluctant to step into a whole new NAS environment. The sheer value of the Lockerstor AS6510T made it hard to ignore. This long term review was mostly good news, until the issue of heat management turned into something more serious.
LUMIX GH6 Custom Settings
If you're new to the GH6 or new to the custom dial on the camera, this primer will get you moving quickly to set and reset your baseline and access a wide range of this camera's features.
Full Frame Himalayas
It's been a long time since I travelled in Nepal with a full frame camera, having enjoyed the LUMIX G9 and its mix of power and convenience in recent years. This time I returned to the Annapurnas with a pair of LUMIX S5 full frame cameras in my bag, and loads of lovely Spring sunshine.
Make The Custom Dial Work For You
One of the most powerful features on any Lumix G or S series camera is the custom dial. C1 and beyond. This is a short primer to put you in control of the custom settings, and start working your own baseline towards better captures.
Platypod Extreme Gone Bush
It's not a tripod. It's less than that. But maybe it's more than that too. It's very easy to pack and could be very handy when you least expect it.
The Best 35mm Lens for My LUMIX
If you appreciate the value of a 35mm prime lens, you’ll also appreciate that there are a good many 35mm designs to choose from now. Here are my favourite two 35mm lenses from Panasonic and Sigma, both for full-frame L-Mount bodies, and why they appeal to such wildly different photographic styles.
Auroras and The Lumix G9
Big auroras with a very small camera. The key is choosing the right lens, something ultra wide and ideally with fully manual operation.
The Big Setup
After 12 months of trying to build a fast network of RAID disks for Capture One catalogues and 4K video editing, I’ve compiled a list of my high and lows. It’s a tale dominated by disappointment in technology. There are wins to be had, but keep your expectations low.
My Other Birding Lens
Panasonic Leica DG Elmarit 200mm f/2.8 – Long term review of this superb telephoto prime. How does it stand up to the 100-400mm options and how much better is the image quality?
