Bags, More Bags

The F804 Domke has been good. The size is an irrelevant necessity, but loaded weight is not.

I may take a smaller bag in for my new “lite” kit*.

The Crumpler may be pressed into service, the Domke F3x even, or possibly one of my non-camera bags.

I can go out either “fully loaded” or “fast and light”. Often when I need the long lens, I actually only need the long lens and when I go out without it, but get caught, the super sharp 75 is still capable of producing “extra reach” by cropping if necessary. It is also very fast focussing and allows me to carry the EM1 with the lens mounted on it removing my other major dislike of changing lenses all the time.

There is scope for this lens to be replaced by the 35-100 f2.8 Pana**, but there are some considerations there. The difference between 75 and 100 is negligible in controlled situations (but f1.8 to 2.8 is not), AF on an Oly is less than perfect (I would then leave the EM1 behind), it is weatherproof and has a wide cross-over with the 12-60 (in fact all three zooms have massive cross-over from 12-18 and 35-60).

Looking down the track, I can see the 40-150, 75 and 35-100 all in one place at one time, just never in a bag together. It’s my job, not my hobby, so I need to buy the tools that are needed.

It troubles me going out with only one camera. It does not seem to bother the other more experienced shooters. A near new G9 is likely more reliable than a 12 year old D500 with probably close to a 1,000,000 frame count, so I could get over it! Anyway, the EM1 would be back at the office.

Maybe not a redundant purchase.


*G9, 12-60, 8-18, 45 and 75. This kit actually removes the biggest issue I had in the past, my big Oly kit of gripped Em1 camera and 40-150 Pro, opening up bag options massively.

**this lens will likely be added as it adds good options to every kit I may use. It will up my travel kit, removing the need to carry two lenses, give me a better video tele, a lighter work tele and a point of difference.