kit, reborn - part LXVI-I-I

Looking ahead?

28 May 25

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> The Z Kit  

After much reviewing of options, I allowed myself to save some cash by shifting the Big Kit to Nikon's Z6. I've nothing against them, but the Lumix S kit was refreshing in good ways. The S5 wasn't great for my uses but I felt the S1 was worth the extra bulk for what it brought me. The trouble was that a Z6 could do that for far less bulk and a few hundred $$ less - tilting touchscreen, ImgStab within, some moisture protection and nearly Lumix-identical sensor specs.

So here's what it will look like as of now:

• It began as a Z6, Viltrox 20/2.8, Nikkor 40/2, FTZ adapter,  and Vivitar 70-150/3.8 plus Pentax primes + a cute little Quantaray 300/5.6 catadioptric to 'cover' the long end :^)
• Phase Two arrived swiftly: Nikkor 24-85g VR + Sigma 70-300 lenses. That will provide an easy two-lens option for plenty of range, along with the primes! After a few tests I'm rethinking the 70-300 and will test-drive a dx 55-200 vr² as my crop telezoom. 

In my dreams, phase 3 would include the elder 35-150mm (Nikon-F f/2.8-4) . Plenty fast enough, great range and much lighter than the Z-native f/2-2.8 model. That depends on the Sigma and Vivitar lenses' performance, so it might remain a dream! I have no plans to initiate phase 3 in 2025.

Slow down, dude... 

Part of the funding for the Z6 came from returning the eM1.ii that I was attempting to bond with. That's a loss I can accept due to.. well, read on.

>  μ43 remains in play  

Someone at FredMir* decided to release their silver Lumix GX7 back into the wild. I've always been a sucker for that body, and my knowledge of it softens the loss of the somewhat unfamiliar eM1ß. It came with a silver Lumix 14-42ii, so I also sent in my Oly EZ lens and requested a silver Sigma 60/2.8. Plenty of flashiness in the new kit - and an onboard flash too, for times when that's useful!

>  Pentax  

Several K-mount lenses remain in play, mostly primes. Thanks to my .71x speed booster they have bonus focal lengths on the GXvii! The massive 80-200 f/2.8 with speed boost becomes an 112-284mm, f/2.5-equivalent beast!

Not shown:

• Vivitar 24mm prime - awaiting surgery for a focusing problem. A loose element, perhaps?
• Rikenon 70-150/4  - a decent lens, butthe Focal 80-200/3.5 seems to perform better. It's a 925g beast but much lighter than all f/2.8 AF equivalents.

L: μ43+28-84eq
R: z6+24-85mm

* WARNING - don't go to the Fred Miranda FS site with cash or credit available!