ALWAYS Have a Camera With You!

At only 1.5 lbs the FZ300 has become my favorite travel camera! Click for more info

Intro by Skip Cohen

Almost two years ago my good pal Mark Toal posted one of his New Year's resolutions, to always carry a camera. I found the post in the archives of "Mirrorless Photo Tips," an outstanding site loaded with great tips from Mark and two other good friends, Joe and Mary Farace.

Over the last year, I've found myself living Mark's resolution and there's now a permanent location in our home for at least one LUMIX camera. The FZ300 is right by the back door. We also NEVER leave the house without a camera and thanks to mirrorless technology, I'm capturing moments that deserve more than just a brain-generated "neurochrome!"

Here are two prime examples. We planted a butterfly garden in January and are now getting a half dozen different types of butterflies each day. In the process we're learning a lot about their behavior patterns.

Butterflies don't have any chewing mouth parts. They eat by sipping liquids through their proboscis, which is essentially a straw. I caught a monarch recently with the proboscis curled up just before sipping and then in the process of eating.

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Out on a Saturday evening, we wandered over to the drum circle on Nokomis Beach. Again, it's a kick never being without a camera. There's always one in the car! And the FZ300, like most of the LUMIX family, allows me to easily go from still images to video and with a 25-600mm zoom there's very little that gets missed.

Check out the cowboy version of the "boot sandal." I actually did a little research and found them on line, although the idea of a boot sandal in Florida heat, at least for me is completely underwhelming!

I wanted to share Mark's original post as well. Check out Mark's images along with the rest of the Luminary team by visiting the LumixLounge. Then wander over and spend a little time with Mark, Mary and Joe at Mirrorless Photo Tips.  You'll never be disappointed.

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by Mark Toal

I feel like I’m always writing or talking about why mirrorless cameras allow you to always have a camera with you. The other day I had another great example.

I’m the photographer for one of the steam trains that lives here in Portland, Oregon—the SP&S 700. The steam train pulls the Holiday train during December so I brought my granddaughter for her first train ride. I had considered just bringing my iPhone to take photos on the ride but just felt naked without my mirrorless camera.

As we got off the train one of the other volunteers working that day said that had an open spot in the cab for the next train. Without hesitating I got in the cab of the steam train and off we went as I took video and stills with my GH4 and 12-35mm lens. I’ve waited two years for a chance to ride in the cab and the GH4 got it all.