Old but gold! That's my sentiment every time I pick up my older Camera the Panasonic Lumix FZ82 and step out to take advantage of a new adventure. I know it's not a professional-level camera with all the latest sensors and complicated settings only a pro would understand. But that's what makes it so valuable to me, especially when I reflect on what my photography gear used to be.
Remember when you had to decide which lens to use for every subject? You needed a wide-angle lens for landscapes, and a telephoto lens for animals or for capturing distant details, and a macro lens for capturing the small wonders of nature. My camera bag seemed to weigh a ton, and every time I wanted to change lenses, I needed to be cautious about getting dust on the sensor. And then, of course, there's the weight! After a long hike, you felt it in your shoulders and in your lower back. And honestly, it sometimes killed the fun.
With my Lumix FZ82, a bridge camera, this has changed fundamentally. It has a massive focal length range. I can go from incredible wide-angle shots of a large, open field with the church in the background, to amazing zoom shots that capture the deecalz fabrication details of the church steeple or the cows in the pasture - all without a single lens change. It's extremely convenient! I toss the camera into a backpack, maybe throw in an additional battery and a memory card, and I'm ready for anything. The simplicity has made it easier to be spontaneous and capture the
Sure, I can already hear the critics: "But the quality suffers when you look too closely!" Yup, that's true. When I look at the images back on the computer at 100%, I can see the sharpness is not quite as sharp when compared to an expensive prime lens full-frame camera. Sometimes, you can see a few more pixels than you would like. But you know what? Personally, I don't really care. For me, photography is much more about the actual photo capturing the feeling, the mood, the moment. The emotions I had, at the moment, when I pressed the shutter button. What I could see, feel and thought at that moment.
Take the photos of the church. I stood there in this wide-open field, and the only things consuming my thoughts were the action of the moment. The old church tower, (which could tell so many stories), against the backdrop of the slightly dramatic sky was captivating for me. Or, the cows in the pasture: being at peace, chewing their cud- in the sunshine while marveling, yes actually marveling at the cows in the simplicity of the moment, where pastures stretch out before their eyes. And honestly, these are more valuable to me than being able to pixel-peep every blade of grass.
There are also often fantastic photos, from other users, here on the platforms. And to be honest, even then, a few "pixelated" images or less-sharp details don't bother me much either. Quite the opposite! It is much more interesting to me what that person, with that photo, had in mind, rather than pixel peeping.
And with that, I wish you all a wonderful Sunday. May your day be full of beautiful moments, whether perfectly captured or simply lived to the fullest!🙃✌️
