I did What?

 So much for the grand experiment - well, the more expensive part, at least.

The gear-geeky voices in my head thought quite highly of having a Best Of.. µ43 kit, with Lumix 4k photo features and Olympus' Live features and top-notch stabilization. Also the idea of one camera sealed against most weather issues (which we have plenty of  'round here!). At the time I didn't expect to leave my part-time job and remove almost all padding from our financial plans, so that's become a factor. The pandemic and its limitations make multiple higher-end cameras less useful - plus I had a harder time deciding which to pull out for any particular event.

Added to that was a forum person seeking GX1 advice. Such a simple and talented camera, and when hacked an improved video cam (higher specs for bitrate and audio) with seamless videos of any length. Smaller, lighter, and truly PGE -yes, Plenty Good Enough. With Lumix OIS lenses even stabilized!

So off goes the GX85 (and several lenses that other buyers wouldn't take), in comes a silver GX1 and funds that will make January easier. An easier decision on feature-set for most events, less money sunk into a hobby that needs time not cash, and an older but ergonomically-ideal camera for my uses. I can also use my wifi SD card with it, that adds a new twist to the old camera.

Winner!

Part II

The GX1 story is soooo last Friday. Today it's an inexpensive lens acquisition! This was the result of a curious team effort across the World Wide Web, and lots of searching same.

I was thinking about the gap that was filled by the Pentax 40mm pancake. Recent research suggests the Yongnuo 42.5 does not 'do' autofocus with eldercams (like perhaps the GX1). With that in mind I looked into other 35-45mm primes - and found a Dutch shooter's (tomscameras) test of the TTArtisan 35/1.4 lens. It's a distinctive design with a tapered nose and the optical design engraved on the barrel. Beyond the positive review was a curious comment: the optical arrangement is a near match to the Takumar 50/1.4..?! More study online yielded this - takumar on the left, TTA engraving right:

These are different in the front element but very similar, and of course designing for 35mm instead of 50 should make some difference in the optical design!

So given the good reviews and near-Pentax heritage, I ordered one. Tests have been quite good in all respects. I think the DA40 can find better places to be!