by successfulbob | Lumix G85, Lumix G9, Lumix GH4, Lumix GH5s, LumixGH5, photography gear
Lumix Professional Services
Panasonic is working toward serving the professional photography market in an exceptional way. As you probably know they have come out with two full frame mirrorless cameras (shipping in April) adding to their micro 4/3rds line. If you pre-order a full frame camera from Hunt’s Photo Video before April 4th you’ll get an extra battery and battery grip at no extra charge. (tell ’em I sent you if you would be so kind)
Just received my Lumix Pro Services welcome packet. It includes all the deals, contact information and membership card. They started this program last year and I used it for the first time myself just this week.
Service was as advertised. I received a Fed-Ex label for overnight shipping. Contact immediately when they received the camera and verified the problem. (the rubber from the SD card door was coming up) They again contacted me right away to let me know it was a warranty repair. The door was replaced and the camera was returned via Fed-Ex overnight.
Wahoo!
Lumix Pro Services Welcome Packet * Note does not come with GH5 camera!
Here’s most of the skinny on what’s included:
• 2 day turn-around on repairs
• Free next day shipping both ways
• Twenty percent discount on Out-of-Warranty Repairs
• Online order tracking
• Loaner gear
• Free clean and check for two bodies and lenses per year
• As a bonus in the welcome packet, here’s my favorite, a Lumix pro camera strap. One of the reasons the camera strap is my favorite is because Panasonic has partnered with Peak Design. Peak Design makes straps that have a quick release that is extremely handy. I’ll do another post on my Peak Design straps as I could be considered a fan-boy for their product. The post will show you why
There’s more but I’ll let you go dig that out from the Lumix Pro Services site.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – Remember to pre-order to get the extra battery and battery grip from Hunt’s Photo Video before April fourth
by successfulbob | cityscape photography, Guest Post, landscape photography, Lumix G85, travel photography
Travel in China – Xi’an
Guest Post – Ken MacAdams
Ken has been traveling in China and settling in for long periods. His last visit was for quite a while in Xi’an. Enjoy his images and commentary.
“I’ve been in Xi’an for nearly two months now. Living like a local has great rewards. In my apartment complex, I play on the jungle gym with the little kids (who come running and squealing to me – babbling away in Chinese that I can’t understand) when they spot me walking by! I go to the local street market to purchase my fruits and vegetables with my neighbors. I ride the bus with university students, businessmen and secretaries going about their daily lives. And nothing is more rewarding than the toothless old granny who bursts into a smile when I say “Neho” (hello) as we pass on the street!
The drawbridge over the moat with the archers tower behind.
This wall is the only ancient city wall completely intact in China. This is one of the archers towers over the drawbridge. Besides longbows, they had crossbows capable of reaching 1/4 of a mile. It would have been deadly to try to gain entrance uninvited!
The lights at nighttime are magic!
As a tall Westerner, I stand out, but I find the Chinese people very warm and welcoming, even if there is a huge language barrier! The “translator” app on my phone gets a daily workout, but many of the younger folks have studied some English, and although bashful about using it, they’ll often come to my rescue!
This is a temple on the ancient wall.
Guard towers stationed along the top of the wall. Note the smog in the atmosphere.
Entrance way along the wall. Although I concentrate most of my time in Xian, I travel out to photograph in provinces to the east and west. China continues to expand routes serviced by their high speed “bullet” train, the futuristic aerodynamic trains that travels at 200 MPH. Travel between major cities is quick, quiet, and competitive with air travel. To me, traveling on the train, is just part of “living like a local.”
More from Ken and Xi’an, China Next Friday!
Ken has always loved to travel, so when he made a common connection with the fact that either a long day pounding the streets of some foreign city, or shooting the last dance at a wedding, a good part of his physical
weariness came from lugging around his big heavy DSLR. That’s when he started looking at alternatives – and ended up selecting Panasonic Lumix Micro Four Thirds gear.
Ken is rarely without a camera, and the next great photo travel experience – whether local or abroad – is always in the back of his mind! A longtime resident of the Four Corners, and when he’s not out on the road, he enjoys some of the great outdoor opportunities found there – mountain biking, hiking, and Jeeping.
by successfulbob | Guest Post, landscape photography, Lumix G85, photography
G85 Travels to New Zealand
My Professional Photographers of America friend Ken MacAdams has been traveling the world and offered to share some of his insights on the Successful-Photographer blog. Ken need to travel light and has been using the miriorless systems from Panasonic. He used the G85 on this last trip.
Here’s Ken with a little history and info about a land down under.
Paradise, some would call it. Can’t say I’d argue, standing there while the sea breeze rustled through my hair. The puffy clouds graced the skies, while azure waters lazed below. Watercraft of varying description lay at anchor. This is the stuff dreams are made of!
Image © Ken MacAdams
This little slice of heaven is called the Bay of Islands, on the north eastern reaches of the North Island, of New Zealand. The waters here belong to an island called Waewaetorea. Sheltered from the large swells of the Pacific Ocean, this little piece of paradise is one the few islands among the multitude of islands here in the Bay of Islands, that is open to public access. Often you’ll see an array of sailboats and yachts anchored here, as revilers swim in the calm waters, and bask in the sun. It’s one of those incredible panoramas that is permanently etched into my memory!
In 1769 Captain James Cook anchored his ship Endeavor in a nearby bay as he explored the area. A nearby historic seaside village called Russell, has been a haven for visitors since the 1700’s, and was a base for the whaling industry in the 1830’s. The rowdy behavior of its inhabitants during the whaling years earned in the nickname “Hellhole of the Pacific”. Today Russell is a sleepy tourist destination.
Russell Bay. Where once whaling vessels lay at anchor, pleasure yachts visit today. Once the “Hellhole of the Pacific”, Russell now finds its niche as a sleepy tourist destination. Image © Ken MacAdams
Other islands in the bay range from unusual volcanic basalt rock formations to wildlife reserves. American author Zane Grey lived in Othehei Bay in the 1920’s, while he wrote his popular book, “Tales of The Angler’s Eldorado” – which made the Bay of Islands world famous as a game fishing destination.
The friendly resort town of Paihai, which means ‘good here’ in Maori, says it like it is! From the furthermost out island, Motukokako, or Hole in the Rock, (which can be navigated through if the waves aren’t too aggressive!) to the smallest of islands, there’s history around each corner, and beauty along each cove. It truly is good here!
Bay of Islands. Islands from large to small dot this body of water. Yachts and pleasure craft ply these vibrant azure waters. Image © Ken MacAdams
My go-to camera was the Panasonic Lumix G85, with the Lumix 12 – 60mm OIS lens affixed. This combination proved both lightweight and compact to pack whether exploring on land or sea.
Ken’s Bio: Ken MacAdams makes Farmington NM his home, when not on the road. Growing up with a darkroom in his basement, Ken learned film skills early on. In 2005 Ken switched to digital, and never looked back! Ken has shot architectural, weddings and portraits, but today concentrates on world travel photography. Ken and his wife have been spending two months a year in China, while he concentrates on building a stock library from that rapidly changing nation.
I look forward to more of Kens travels being shared here on the blog.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
