Some Assembly Required

 The new kit is coming together, lenses from both older and new kits. Several old kits contributed to filling in the blanks:

• Pentax primes lenses are available in many focal lengths from 28 to 200mm, but the four shown here are likely to see the most use.
• Several T-mount teleprimes have been resting in the closet, and have seen time with many caneras over time. The Hanimex 400 and Quantaray reflex 300 are oldies but goodies! My Sakar 500/8 mirror lens isn't worth the trouble though.
• The Z-native set is now* complete with the 16-50,  50-250 and 17/23/40mm primes.

I had contemplated a couple of other primes at the wide end, or perhaps the 12-28pz ..but the budget stopped at a used 16-50mm. That will do just fine - for now.

 

It's weird that the Z50 video skills are so much better than the slightly newer Z5; apparently its smaller size means faster offloading, so higher video specs are available. Most reviewers note the Z6 Z7 and Z50 use backside-illuminated sensors, and the Z5 apparently does not. 

Editorial - 

Nikon is rather vague about the camera sensors in its bodies - and to nobody's surprise, no owners have volunteered to crack open their cameras to find out! The only two BSI 'dx' bodies that clearly make the claim use 26-Mpx sensor (IMX571, and new IMX695 BSI stacked design); the older 20.9 sensor is no longer current, but clearly Nikon has some in hand for its z50ii. Thom Hogan says the IMX321  (special to Nikon) is the D500/D7500 sensor: to those who seek clarity, none shall pass. Thom chose not to list a sensor designation for his z50/z30 specs page. The z50 sensor claims to be .1mm wider than the D7500.. a quibble/rounding error, or a conspiracy beyond comprehension?

The D7500 Dxo score of 86 is essentially the same "IMX321n" as the D500 score of 85, and the Z-dx models seem to have one similar with pdaf capabilities. One speculator says the wiring to the sensor strongly implies BSI. 

So the answer is informed speculation. 

*Update 7/13: the elder 7artisans 10/2.8 af is selling for $100, now that the mark² is available. A mark¹ will be arriving soon! The primes as shown are showing in blue as 35mm equivalent, and make for A nice fl stair-step of 15/25/35/60/105 - with 150/205/450/600mm/eq also available. -Nice!-

Winner lose, loser win

Lyric from Steve Winwood, Go 

For reasons that I accept as reasonable, a Z50 is coming soon - and the eM1 and a lens or three are leaving.

• Pros: larger sensor, smaller camera, tilt screen, USB battery recharge, Nikon menus like my former Z6, 'solitude' picture control
• Cons: no IStab inside, shorter battery life, usbμ port, plus a few Oly/OM features which I like yet never used!

Its 'starter kit' is TTArtisan 17mm + Viltrox (23, 40mm) primes, and the VRs 16-50 and 50-250mm. For now the Pentax 70+100+135 will fill the small-tele slot.

The camera comes with 3 batteries and a charger, so power won't be a big issue. 

I briefly considered a Z30, but its only view is via its flip screen; that outweighs the usbC power port for me. I rarely make use of a flip screen, but will use the tilt design frequently!

Note that the eM1² departure does not kill the μ43 kit! The gf9 and Lumix 14-140, plus a few nice primes, will carry on.

If the kit were to expand soon, I'd expect either the Nikkor 12-28 or Viltrox 14/4 to be next.

Button reset!

 I've tried a few changes to my button settings, and made a mess of things. My big screen wouldn't display anything no matter how many times I pressed the evf|screen swap button.. which I had set to Raw image shooting. Autofocus was acting up as well; apparently I had pushed a button that was now set to AF limiter! 

Oops..

So I sat outside and reprogrammed the buttons back to default, and then tried a few changes or relocations. Some suited me well enough to keep, despite them now being mislabeled on the body!

• Back-button focus is now lower-front-button AF. I like that position a lot better, but the upper front button did not show AF as an option - so that upper-front is now for custom WB. No AF on shutter.
• The labeled AF:AE lock button is now my Video on:off. My videos always ended poorly as the button is poorly located for my finger. This solves the issue nicely!
• The left-right buttons on the 4way pad now control the 14-43ez power zoom. Nice!
• I reset the screen button to its usual function, and use F1 for multifunction options.  
• I'm still thinking about F2 and red button possibilities, for now. The lever is for iso/wb while I think about it also. 
• I did reverse the control panel dials, as I was constantly spinning away from the setting I wanted to change!

One of the problems I got into with buttons is that some options show no feedback* in the viewfinder! Maybe something lights up & tells me when Raw or AF limiter are set, but I don't recognize the lights? 

Clearly it's time to read the manual again!!   🤯

 * none that I recognize, at least!

End times

 I've decided that my web time is wildly unproductive. 

I have kept at granitix and g² for a decade & more (don't make me look!), documenting camera gear i shall never see again and receiving maybe three comments. To say I have a following online is an insult to followings as only my shadow follows me anywhere. 

I have documented a dozen years of weather in the yard, and who would consider that valuable? True records are interesting, but daily stats are tedious.

I say this after a weekend of router problems (self induced), when I reset the router to factory specs and detached tv tablets phones and weather station from the world and each other. The station now works but ive lost the w.underground password. I'm also in a decent place with camera gear, but very little of it is cutting edge or interesting to the masses. Olympus/OM Systems and Pentax are doing well enough, but I am unable to use them in exciting times.

My faceplant account is riddled with ads, polarizing topics and cute animal pics. Friends seldom post to me and I need to stop seeking them after theee scrolls. 

And so I shall:

• cease and desist posting here, and attend to my Visions blog which has been neglected for quite some time.
• keep some records for weather but only post huge events.. somewhere. Probably just at longviewers.one for now. 
• I will get to digitizing my slides and negatives and miniDV backpack and other trips. Many old jpegs have corrupted badly over the years and need help.
• RELAX and let the WorldWide Weird exist with less participation by me 😳

Choosing one's compromises

 I have a great lens set now, offering the best lenses tuned to the 4:3 sensor. Most people rave about the Olympus 12-40:2.8, 12-45:4 and both 40-150mm f:2.8 and f:4 lenses. Actually, their cheapest 40-150 has a rabid following, too! ;)

I prefer lighter lenses over brighter ones, so the 40-150:4 is my choice for telephoto. 

The current wide-normal zoom choice is the 12-60, f/2.8-4, 4thirds lens from Olympus! That comes up at ~685 grams (including the 43-μ adapter)! Does that make sense?

Let's find out!

The 12-60swm is nearly as well regarded as the two m.Zuiko options above, and its 2.8-4 aperture splits the difference between them. It's a high grade lens from the brief Olympus dSLR era, with weather seals and sturdy construction.

More importantly to me though, it's from the days before μ43 - and its inclusion of in-camera compensation for lens distortions. Since these happen before the image is displayed, it is a non-factor to many imagers. These people would probably perform these same tweaks in their computer once they are home .

I seldom do such things. I prefer lenses that are built to perform well without need of stretching the original to fix distortion, or selective brightening to fix corner shading. It's the easy way out, as software is far cheaper than designing great optics that work to the very corners.

It would appear that I'm a hypocrite, since the 40-150:4 does this very thing.. but the largest digital corrections are most common at wide focal lengths. Nearly all μ43 12-xx zooms struggle with this (especially wide open).

The ZD 12-60mm swm is a premium optic from the dSLR era, despite being introduced in the 21st century. It received high marks for its handling of distortion, color fringing and vignette. This has value to me, and so, for now at least, the extra 300g is worth carrying. That's 200g more than the 40-150mm! Since it's a 12-60mm it isn't a long lens, so unlike something like the Oly/OM 40-150/2.8 it isn't front-heavy. It even cost less than the Lumix 12-60 when I bought it, and so extra frugal compared to the 12-40 and 12-45mm offerings.

So I shall deal with the extra grams - for now. I may switch to the 12-45 some day, but not this year. I own a 14-42ez and also 10+17+30mm primes, so in many cases the 12-60mm will stay at home.

What did we do?!?

 So the kit changed in big ways in the last two months.

 Specifically what gear came and went?

• S5 and Gx7: gone
• L-mount lenses: gone
• E-M1² : in (again)
• Swm 12-60 + OM 40-150 f/4 Pro: in
• Pentax kit: restored*

In functional terms? 

I upgraded the μ43 sensor, removed the AA filter and restored 4k video specs. I regained weather seals (with eM1² and 40-150), and USB in-camera charging. I lost my tilt screen :√( but added autofocus limiter and live time + composite. I picked up a superior telephoto lens for light gathering, build quality and compactness. I also gained light in the wide end with the zd swm 12-60 f/2.8-4 but added bulk to the system (heavier, and uses an adapter). 

I retained the zd 70-300 (and its adapter!), Laowa 10/2, Olympus 30/3.5 macro and Yongnuo 17/1.7 for more compact and/or lower-light wide options.

I also gained back some money to pay bills, and prioritized more useful features above sensor size. Yes, that was hard - but I'm nearly over it already!

----+-+----+-+----+-+----+-+----

A Small Update

The GX7 and 14-42 have departed, in exchange for cash and an Olympus 14-42ez. That allows for a flexible 'small kit' (even smaller when used with the gf9!!) - so now all my zooms rotate in the same direction, which minimizes headaches. I owned it before and felt bad about letting it go - so let's try again!

* The Pentax Restoration is likely quite temporary, as the eM1² matches or beats the k-S1 in nearly every way. It was a stop-gap plan - and the gap is filled now.

 

Happy New Gear: 2026 edition

The Lumix-S era is over. For now.

As I noted before, if S didn't work out I would just revert to the µ43 kit and enhance it.  Well, as is often the case, I was half right. 

I gave the L mount my best shot, but it couldn't be comfortably managed on my budget. I'm getting back nearly all my S investment. And in exchange I spent $220 on a new body.

Oops: it's a Pentax!
It isn't possible to deal for a choice µ43 body ($600+) without spending the same amount of cash that the S sale provided. And in effect my PK lens set is fully fleshed out - but it lacked a body. My K-01 shutter may repair itself (as many people report after it sits a while)  - but I won't bet on it. 

I found a low-shot black K-s1 body, with its nice 20Mpx sensor and odd but very small body. I've owned it before and lamented its limitations, but for the time and price it will serve. 

 

(I immediately spent $40 more on a spare solenoid - in case it's needed. And yes, it's needed.) 

It has 'better' pixels (more, and larger) for duplicating my piles of slides and negatives compared to the GX7. Somewhere around here i've seen a spare Li190 battery .. maybe?

HD us nlythe limit for video - but it's a Pentax,  video specs are not their thing. In other ways it will do quite nicely. 

--+++-----+++-----+++-----+++-----+++-----+++--

The second bit.

An Oly eM1² will arrive soon, and the gx7 will depart. After a few days of fruitless site-searching I found a very nice price for a copy. This will be the weather resistant and 4k video option. Almost everything, actually.. perhaps the K gear will be moved, but its resale value is mighty small!

I shall pick up a wx resistant zoom in the near future.. oh!

Update: a 12-60mm f/2.8-3.5Zuiko Digital is coming!

 zoIt willom the same direction as the 70-300, which will be nice. It will be bulky but that's also a match. It was the same price as 'that' 12-60 but gains me pretty much a stop of extra light. I should use a wx sealed adapter though, at some point..

+++-----+++-----+++-----+++-----+++-----+++-----+++

Update II: and a 40-150mm f/4? 

This was a major surprise! I found a great deal on a used copy. Not many of these show up used, so the owner must have stepped up to the f/2.8 or a longer telephoto. 

This gives me a sealed option for long shots, and also provides great overlap with both 12-60 and 70-300 lenses. And if I switch to a 12-45/4 or 12-40/2.8 at some point, I'm in a good spot. Hopefully the 12-60 will prove worthy - but it's a beast, weighing almost as much as the 70-300.

The new era begins.

+++-----+++-----+++-----+++-----+++-----+++-----+++

Update III: Oly 14-42ez!

So farewell to the Lumix 14-42² - and perhaps the Sigma 60mm. 

This power zoom will be an excellent video assistant, and it pairs well with the 14-42!The 10mm f:2 can then cover the widest angles.

sorting out the 2026 kit

 So now I have a decent setup with plenty of coverage. Some things aren't ideal, but it will do for as long as it must.

The most recent lens is an older Tamron Di 28-300 VC. It's not the newest and it's used, but the AF speed is a bit better than the Canon lenses. Its close-focus skills are very good, about 3/8 life size. The nose does spin when focusing.

Here are a few simple kit options, and some clarity on specific lenses.

• The 20-60 has weather seals so it's a clear option when the weather could make a difference, the Meike 35mm has a seal at the mount but no others. This suggests I can bring primes for the lower end and zoom after 70 or 100mm, whichever seems appropriate. 
• I cannot imagine enough times when 20mm isn't wide enough - and I can stack my own panorama in those rare cases. Also, 20mm f/3.5 seems sufficient for astronomy compared to an f/2.8 lens, so the 20-60 plus 35/2 and 70/2.4 should suffice for sky images.
• As to zooms, I have a few more than I need. The Vivitar 70-150/3.8 works very well and its push-pull makes for nice video zooming. It's not worth much on the used market so its place is safe for now, along with the Nikon-F to L adapter. The 100-300 isn't top notch at its long end, but for now it can stay. The 70-210 is a definite keeper until someone brings out an L-mount model with superior AF, some weather protection and hopefully OIS. The Tamron claims to have VC but my tests showed very little benefit, so perhaps its implementation isn't happy with S5 and adapter. With it turned off it's not a low light champ either, so that might turn off the S5 internal stabilizing; the 70-210usm definitely shows better shake reduction overall.

It's nice to have more functional options! The EF-L is greatly superior to SA-L that I tried earlier, since my old SA lenses were not sufficiently compatible for autofocus. 

A good day's work

My EF-mount lens collection has brought me useful information as to L-mount adaptations. 

Today brought a second copy of the Canon 70-210usm (3.5-4.5). That was necessary because the first copy is wildly off with autofocus; it successfully meshes with my S⁵ for passing focal length and aperture but I have other good options for manual focus. 

The second copy was similarly cheap to the first, but for a different reason: a cloudy front element. It was described as dust, but I feared fungus. I figured I could swap that front element with copy #1. Thing 2 arrived today and focused correctly, so after testing I prepared the operating/dining table for surgery. 

I have definitely performed my share of such, including a Pentax body with a bad shutter solenoid. I'd improved a few lenses also, but nothing major - so in I went!

• I was pleased to find just six screws in my way: 3 to detach the lens' nose and 3 to pull the lens group from its housing. 
• I was even more pleased to find it was dust not fungus scattering the light!

Several minutes of soft cloth, cleaner and squeeze bulb cleaned the front group front and back plus the front of the next group. It would take a lot more work to break into other lens elements, but they appeared less in need of intervention. 

In less than an hour I had a clean and sharp 70-210mm lens!

And I mean that. Its images looks better even wide open at 210mm than the 100-300usm at 200mm (and ½ stop faster). It might win against the Pentax 135/3.5 + 200/4 primes since it can AF (but AF-s only) and max aperture is similar to both. It definitely outpoints the all-manual Minolta 100-200/4.5 and the massive K-mount 80-200/3.5, so many spares in my kit can depart. 

Plus I still have 70-210 copy #1.. but no clue as to fixing its focus issue. That now becomes Somebody Else's Problem, as Douglas Adams once said. 

This compact yet speedy 70-210mm lens is A Big Deal because an L-mount lens of this sort is still does not exist! And that sucks!! Yes, fixed-aperture 70-200s and a vari-ap 70-300 do exist - but not at 660 grams or under $750. 

At some point they will exist, and I shall rejoice! But until then, the EF lenses will serve me well -- and give me the patience to wait! :√)

retooling

 After many thoughts in several directions, my kit is settling into place.

I had promised that if the S5 system didn't work sufficiently well enough I'd consider retooling the micro43 kit instead. Looking that over it doesn't make enough sense, as used S5 and eM1.2 or .3 is nearly a price match now - so I gave myself a week off, and considered other kit mutations.

Once I settled on the Lumix-S as my best choice, I evaluated my sorry lack of AF telephoto. It's clear that SA to L adaptation is not of value. So what about EF lenses using the Viltrox EF-L adapter? It's  cheaper than the Sigma SA-L, and much less than Sigma's EF-L option - so we're giving it a try. 

Reviews suggest that 3rd party EF is less consistent with adapters from all brands, so the reverse-zoom Canon options were explored - well those in my miniscule budget zone at least. Too bad, as the Tamron 28-300 vc would be handy and it zooms the "correct" direction!

Of course I'm also wishing to keep weight down also! The table below (almost) sorts some options by grams, with adapter included. The bulk factor eliminates a few - but many more are in play with EF. Canon actually made a 36x24 compatible 55-200mm.. bummer that it's old and reviewed rather poorly. They have a couple of 70-300 types, and an early 70-210/4 with push-pull zoom. Wow: Tamron has a modern 70-210.. but ugh 990g when adapter is added, nearly 300g heavier than the Canon.

I finally decided on a bargain 100-300 f/4.5-5.6 with USM drive but no IS. The S5 can stabilize it internally,  so hopefully that will serve. That 70-210 might catch me yet though* - it's closer to my S5 dream lens (a 50-200ish telezoom that's faster than f/5.6 at max FL). 

Also, the 100-300 leaves a sizable kit gap from 60-100mm; that isn't ideal. The vivitar 70-150/3.8 is a good manual option, and I expect a Meike 85mm or TTArt 75mm will plug the gap at some point. Or maybe that Pentax 85/2 that I own will resurface! 😃 

But another option would also serve: the EF 28-105 usm is small and light, faster than many at f/3.5-4.5, and it takes the same 58mm filters as the 100-300. And it's quite cheap! So I dumped most of the SA mount lenses and adapter to a reseller for a copy of the 28-105. 

The Lumix 20-60 will serve me well much of the time, and the two Canons can fight over the long end of my focal-length needs. For now.

I did search for the 75/85 primes online but didn't see any deals.. but of course Winter is Coming! No red wedding, but a black friday might be nice.

However..
I did stumble upon an open-box Meike 35/2 in L mount, for $50 off! The TTArtisan 40/2 was nice and tiny, but the Meike has a moisture gasket; that isn't proof of much, but feels comforting. I won't test it much in bad weather though: that's the 20-60's place to shine! For clear nights and other low light, though, a fast 35 will be great.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

* an EF 70-210/3.5-4.5 usm has turned up: that's news to me! The f/4 push-pull model is a bit lighter but has no USM motor, so this sounds appealing. A pinch heavier than the 100-300, but a smidge more capable when lights are low. We'll consider this option once the previous announcements have arrived and given their chance to impress. It definitely gets added to the wish-list and threatens the 100-300! After all, I have a 300/5.6 mirror lens when long shots are important. And with that I get free donuts! :^)
Also, I see the TTArtisan 75/2 is $50 down for the holiday. Must hold for a bit though.. and/or offer a few swaps?

the Oct '25 kit

And so we return to a familiar spot.

An S5 with the 20-60mm lens, several adapted primes and telephoto zooms, and a GX7 with a good supply of µ43 lenses.

While I'd prefer an AF long zoom, the 70-150 Vivitar f/3.8 available will do for now* until more suitable native teles are available.

I'm covered at 20 to 300mm/e and 1:1 macro in both formats, and 600mm/e with μ43 gear for when that seems like a good idea.

---

The S5 can do things I really like, and several other things I've dreamed of but have not yet achieved (nice 4k videos, composite images, super resolution shots). 

Learning these features will occupy more of my time, rather than presuming that another camera would do a better job. I'd decisively proven that by owning almost everything in the past fifteen years.

* Update -

I found an MC-21 adapter for $80. Now that I know what it can and cannot do, the SA-mount Sigmas (28-300 and 70-300mm) are back in play. No autofocus but focal length does reach the camera for properly stabilized shots, and aperture control is on the dials. That's more than my other lenses can do! 

While much of the time the smaller 70-150 Vivitar will serve nicely, on well-lit days the 28-300 is all I'd need, with the 20-60 and 70-300 also being a good pair (as both take 67mm filters). 

A Samyang 60-180 f/2.8 has been announced, but that's all we know.. that and Samyang's very slow rollout of L lenses.

Surveying the battlefield

So what is my camera decision?

A decision has been rendered. At last?

The Lumix S5 feels right overall, but it hurts to see no clear telephoto zoom option today. Its benefits (noted in the past, summarized below) win the day - but not by a huge margin. The Z6 is a worthy camera but planned for a seasoned Nikon user I believe.

The order of my table looks odd, but it reflects my order of importance for each. I may adjust the z6 order and repost at some point.. or perhaps not - I really like Silence! 

Some things may betray my ignorance (e.g. Lumix Club using the cloud may serve as well as the Nx app). And the bottom items are nice, but not Massively Big Deals.

It's those first 3 or 4 on the list that bring me the feeling that I am more likely to enjoy the S5 more than the Z6. 

I shall feel some regret the day that a Z-mount 20-xx lens arrives - and I shall rejoice when i pull a 'Silence' LUT from Lumix Lab!

This has been an exhausting experience. OK not exactly: having surgery to remove my prostate plus correcting a post-op complication while doing this - that made it hard. Timing is important in photography, and in real life.

For now I'll go forward with the following kit until a telezoom arrives that's a good fit for me. None currently qualify, and the announced Samyang 60-180mm f/2.8 is merely words. I see that the Nikkor-Z /Tamron 70-180/2.8 has 1:2 closeup ability and is 'only' 795g, so it weighs the same as the 70-300S.

weight includes L adapter

Several of the primes I would call optional, given the two zooms I've listed. If I carry the 70-150/3.8 the 135/3.5 really isn't as valuable, and the 20-60 can do .43x so a true macro isn't as vital - and I have a lighter Pentax 50/2 if low light is involved. 

For most of my imaging, the two zooms are sufficient* - unless 300mm is needed, of course! Beyond that range, the GX7 can take over to 600mm/e.

In the meantime?

I must find that missing pentax-m 85mm f/2!!!

---

Bonus! Just scored an $80 MC-21 adapter, which brings the SA-mount 28-300 and 70-300 into play!

The AF will not function, but EXIF and therefore i-Stab will perform as expected. 

That means fewer manual focal lengths to deal with, which was an S5 drawback. Whew.

* with the 1.5x TC, the 70-150 can become a 105-225mm f/5.3.

No kidding?

No matter how much you read about a prospective camera purchase, you're bound to miss things that presumably "aren't worth mentioning". That might be true for 98% of those reading - but someone (like me!) will learn things the hard way. 

My z6 kit has not been completed sold off, and the screen issue has dropped my price quite a bit. And now I find two hassles that it covers and the S5 drops the ball:

1. Focus ring reversal. The Z6 (and S5ii) allow the user to reverse the focus ring direction. The S5 does not: infinity is at the counter clockwise end of rotation, like it or not. Since all my Pentax manual primes are opposite, that's unpleasant. Especially unpleasant with telephoto zooms, where a single lens might need three or four presets to work the imgStab properly! The Tamron 70-300 solves that specific problem nicely, but the L-mount telephoto zooms are massive and spendy.
2. Focal length input for 'alien' (non-native) lenses. The S5 allows three presets plus the dialed-in setting, the z6 has Twenty presets. Ouch!!

In other words, Nikon's history of accommodating older lens mounts extends to their mirrorless models, while Lumix-S bodies are born expecting L-mount lenses to be attached.

So what do I do about this?

Practical considerations join the battle

 

Upper left: S1 +70-150mm +1.5x converter + nF-Z adapter. That's 690g of tube on a 1kg body.

Lower-right: Tamron's 70-300 f/4.5-6.3 (590g) attached to the 680g Z6. More range for 450g (and several cubic inches) less - plus the Z6 pair has autofocus and weather seals! Something tells me I'm trying too hard to justify the S1 beast...

How Fares the Battle?

Well, a few wrinkles have tossed themselves into the fray. As usually happens! 

A great feature for Nikon: Z bodies can upload 2Mpx images to the cloud. Does Lumix club do that as well? Hmm.. 

A quirk of the S1: note in the image that the LCD screen on top is active when power is off. That small drain (and perhaps others) can kill the camera battery in about three weeks of inactivity. Or so I've heard. Removing the battery will drain the small battery that keeps the clock and other settings working - and that battery requires an awful process to replace! Bummer..

One L-mount bummer is the lack of a sub-600-gram telephoto zoom. But since I now have primes at 200/4, 300/5.6, 400/6.3 & 500/8, how badly do I really need a zoom? 

And a Z-mount bummer is the lack of a 20-anything lens. They have Tamron's 70-300 (575g), sorta bulky but sufficient to fill the long end. 

Update! In searching for specs on the Vivitar (Kino) 2x converter, I found a Kiron 1.5x multiplier that would yield a 105-225mm f/5.2 - that would be nice! Since Kiron made the lens, it could prove to be a very good match.. and the 35-200 can move on. 

I find it curious that MY proposed kits each fail for lack of a zoom at one end or the other. Canon is just now adding its slower SLR-era 70-300 but Sony hasn't - so it isn't just one mirrorless mount that lacks a lighter slower long zoom. Ya'd think that tiny A7c, Z5 and S9 bodies would make smaller zooms a priority! Well clearly not, or at least ..not yet? 

So the full range S1 kit would be 20-60 + 70-150 + either a multiplier, or an appropriate prime or two. The 2x matched adapter makes for a slow 140-300/7.6 lens¹ - I feel less troubled by the 1.5x that stops at 225mm f/5.2ish. And we cannot forget that in either case the Nik-L adapter must be included! 

The Z6 would be the bulky [ftz plus 24-85G/vr] plus 70-300, and an 18-20mm prime placeholder. Sounds nice, and a prime or two.

So who wins this skirmish?

Z6, 24-300 + ftz = 1,860g

S1, 20-150, no 2x = 1,870g

A Draw. 

Variations: One could use the 70-150 on both to open the weight gap, but then it's 80g vs 20-24mm. Or add the 2x adapter (weight unclear) and the S1 becomes 1/2 stop slower at 300mm (and manual focus vs Z native) for the added weight of the converter. 

---

Round 3: video quick check

This was simply checking 4k30 rolling shutter, and settings were really different. I had to reshoot the Z6 after capping the iso at 8000, for unclear reasons its iso max was 16000! In the end it shot at 640, but the S1 chose 2500? I wasn't checking sharpness and color anyway - and for rolling shutter effect I preferred the S1. I believe the readout speed on the two sensors is pretty close .. (checking) .. they match. Another draw. But my tests suggest a slight advantage to the Lumix. Maybe Venus vs Expeed co-processing tricks?

A Battle for the Ages!

 Yes, again. No wonder you look bored..

A Lumix ß1 (S1 for those who avoided German im hochscule) has come to contend with the Z6. The fate of the GX7 could also hang on the results!

I recently expanded my s5 v z6 table (below) to see what I really think about the recent choices I've made. Other than bulk, the S1 nearly won out at the beginning - but I wasn't fully aware of the firmware update it received with 2.0. That's a danger of buying old cameras based on their just-out camera reviews: seldom are text reviews updated after firmware 1.0, and video updates are out there but rare.

I could have had an ß1 for $120 less when I grabbed the ß5. And it turned out that the specs were valuable: 2-way tilt and ultra high vf resolution outdid the S5. But I panicked and chose the lower-mass option - and it wasn't a good fit.

With the Z6 I 'cured' many of the S5 issues, and also rediscovered the joys of using a decent 1-touch zoom (Vivitar's 70-150/3.8 Kino). That xx-200mm space has been abandoned by mirrorless models of every brand - and that lens adapts just as easily to any mirrorless body. Good evf resolution is really helpful with manual focus - and that's where the ß1 shines.

And so it comes down to this. Z6  vs ß1!

Comparable lenses will be tested at matching apertures for AF speed, AFc refocus, panning skew in video at 4k30, image qualities of many sorts. 

Winner gets stuck with me - the chronic complainer and perpetual gear switcher.

And on the third hand - or foot - if neither clearly blows me away, both could go! - and the μ43 kit reinforced with higher-end lenses with the proceeds (+ a higher spec body to replace the GX7)..

Stay tuned! Or not!

kit, reborn

Don't Look Behind!

mid-July 25

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> The Z Kit  

After much reviewing of options, the Nikon Z6 has some new companions. Primes are primarily Pentax (28-50-70-135) but the z40 f/2 sits near the center. A 300mm mirror lens and 400mm Hanimex cover the long end. 

The ftz is now working less, adapting the Nikkor 24-85g VR but no telephoto zoom. In exchange for three not-quite ideal telezooms and a bit more cash, the Tamron rxd 70-300mm is taking over the spot. Weather protection, quiet AF motor and the Z6 internal stabilizer justify the move - and the lens' weight is as low as it can go for an xx-300 zoom. 

The adapted telephoto Vivitar 70-150/3.8 and Focal 80-200/3.5 will remain for now. Both are fun and have great imaging ability - but it's amazing that the 80-200 is nearly twice the Vivitar's weight for the extra 50mm of telephoto and 1/4 stop of light!

>  μ43 remains in play  

The silver kit of Lumix GX7 and 14-42ii now has a shiny Sigma 60/2.8 also. These and the 14-140 and ZD 70-300 plus 10-17-30 primes make for a nice anywhere/time setup. 

>  Pentax  

Several K-mount lenses remain in play, mostly primes. Thanks to my .71x speed booster they have bonus focal lengths on the GX7! The massive 80-200 f/2.8 with speed boost becomes an 112-284mm, f/2.5-equivalent beast!

Zomething New

I've tried to steer my big kit back toward Lumix S .. but the S9 refuses to drop into my price range, the S1 is hovering just out of reach (both price and kilograms!) and the s5 .. well it didn't quite suit me. The Lumix II bodies are most excellent, and substantially beyond my budget.

Other trends are intent on shifting me to Nikon Z!

In the Z world, the z5 is priced right but feels.. wrong. Not a bad camera, just too similar to the S5 and with more video limitations. The next step up is the z6, which .. really feels like a fair match. A tilting touchscreen that is almost to Lumix level of interaction, decently 4k capable, and a viewfinder better than most (above S5, below S1) for using manual-focus lenses. It has fewer aspect ratios that impress me in the Lumix bodies, but it does include 1:1 which allows many dx/aps-c lenses to play nicely. I gratefully accept! Sadly the 'open gate' (video on full 3:2 sensor) video option is Lumix-only in my price range :^(

Mirrorless systems did not play nice with my Minolta A- or Sigma SA- mount lenses. Both SA-L & A-E adapter setups came with many limitations. The FTZ solution apparently does not have those problems; also, nikon-G slr lenses* are both talented and available at good prices.

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How to decide?

At some point one must choose from two decent options. Here's my z6 logic:

• 

  apotelyt table screen-shot

  Bsi sensor: z6 (though no dxo-rated difference)
• aa filter: s1 has none
• Screen: both excellent but s1 better
• Tilt screen: nice on both, again s1 better
• Hdmi: neither is micro = good
• autofocus: z6, though will vary by type of shooting
• Battery life: z6 test results are curiously low?
• Weight: z6 in a landslide :^0

Many features are pretty much a draw, but both options are preferable for me over Sonys or the s5. Low weight, phaseAF and improved sensor vs. massive with very good build and more aspect ratios for both stills And video. 

I wasted plenty of time & energy attempting to adapt SA>L and A>E -with very limited success (despite each one dealing with a single company - sigma is SA and an L member, Sony owns A and E). It seems that Nikon took this more seriously with its FTZ protocol so I can use nikon G* with very few constraints! Farewell to lost causes..

* though no af drive for D lenses :-/

Another lesson learned

 I've heard it so often: "make sure your proposed system has the lenses you want before you buy in! ". 

Yet somehow I didn't take it to heart when the S5 called. The L mount is still expanding, and lenses will assuredly appear as appropriate. 

Oops.

Worse yet, very few mirrorless systems carry what I seek. Seek ye an 50-200mm in any 36x24 system that weighs under 800 grams. The answer is: μ43 and nothing else. The Lumix 35-100/2.8 is amazing - but larger systems offer nothing slower than f/4. Those are less bulky than their f/2.8 siblings, but still not in my comfort zone. I'd prefer my old Minolta 70-210 /3.5-4.5 or 100-200/4.5, both under 500 grams and plenty bright enough for a 36x24 sensor. But to make them autofocus requires a bulky adapter, and poof goes the weight and size advantage.

The nearest things are from Tamron, which means Sony E or Nikon Z. Since I actually own the Minolta 100-200, Sony sadly makes more sense. Both have tilt screens instead of flipout, so that's a positive. The α7³ has a BSI-tech sensor with two ISO channels and PDAF - both make it comparable to the S5.II and a slight improvement over the S5. Neither company has the aspect ratios or touchscreen features of the Lumix types though - ah well.

I've been here already with the mk II Alphas, but the mk.III has become available at my price. And so the mutations begin again - please God, let it end here.

For now a 28-60 and another la-ea4 adapter will suffice for both Minoltas (100-200 and 50 macro); as other gear sells, I'll look more deeply into lens options.

Battle of the White Cams!

I got two great deals on a prospective second camera companion for the S5. 

First came a K-01, aka the mirrorless Pentax. Nearly universally panned for style and a few awkward details, it's a fine example of bad timing to market.* With a bargain 18-50re lens (also white), it's fairly quiet and has the sweet-16Mpx aps/c sensor that made the K5 and D7000 famous.

I was almost immediately caught by an online  discount offer for a white Oly e-p5. With Sony's 16Mpx μ43 sensor that propelled the eM5 to glory, but in a smaller body crammed with features. Sadly, no white lenses are available.. 

White body but silver top on the e-P5. Each has its normal lens attached: smc-A 50/2 and TTartisan 23/1.4.

As I put them against each other, neither has a viewfinder; the e-P5 does have a hotshoe evf available bit it isn't .. pretty. Both have a flash, unlike the S5, and the K-01 can use an external microphone.

Each has its special feature mix, and each has its awkward moments: Pentax put lipstick on a brick but previous Pentax users like me adjust fine, while Olympus menus are challenging to anyone who didn't practice with an eM5 first. 

Both have sensor stabilized bodies, neither has wx seals. The e-P5 has two control dials, the K-01 just one. The Oly autofocus was speedy in its day, with years of mirrorless practice over Pentax, but neither is great when light levels drop. And both are lightly used: the k-01 has just over 10k clicks, the e-P5 under 2600!

As a former user of both systems, I have more comfort with the Pentax environment. My best-liked cameras were the K-5ii and e-M1. It's a tough call at first blush, but I don't feel rushed.

As to lenses in hand, 

• I have 27-300eq in two Pentax AF zooms, plus their fine DA40xs, 70/2.4 Limited and 35/2.8 macro primes - and a few K-mount oldies (28, 50, 85, 135 and manual zooms).
•  For μ43 I have 20-600eq in a Laowa 10mm, Lumix 12-32 + 14-140 and four-thirds Oly 70-300. Also, the Pentax gear can be adapted, but with no electronic contacts. A few fast native primes with no contacts rounds out that kit.

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Second blush - among the lenses I listed was one important omission. I have two native K-mount macros, the 35/2.8 Limited and Sigma 50/2.8 in manual focus. These can both be adapted to the Pen, but only the 35 Limited can autofocus and expose. Since I have many slides and negatives to copy, that could prove important. Also worth noting is a K-01 effect to reverse all colors in an image, handy for color negatives. It also has 3-shot HDR for difficult high-contrast shots.. which means Kodachrome slides. While the eP5 has great extras including stabilized video, those points might be overwhelming.

Sigma 50 and Pentax DA35 Limited, plus PK-L adapter

On the other hand, the Sigma 50/2.8 is also useable on the S5. The 35 Limited is almost so, with only mild vignetting when shooting 4:3 aspect images; at 3:2 native ratio the aps-c macro has distinctly black corners.

So the best image should come with the S5 then K-01 whichever lens is used. But.. most people duplicating slides and negatives this way claim that 14-16Mpx is plenty good enough to resolve the grain of most old film images. More resolution and detail doesn't really help the image in that case! To settle it for myself, I'll need to shoot a couple of sample slides with the K-01 and S5, decently focused and similarly lit, and see what I see. I might as well test drive the eP5 while the setup is there. 

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* It was too large (2025 models are larger), retained the K mount (genius to some), and CDAF was too slow (true) - but a K-02 could easily be made with sensor PDAF, a viewfinder, and the KAF4 mount with electronic aperture control.

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