I have a Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II POWER O.I.S. lens if you are interested. The 35mm equivalent focal length is 200-600mm. I purchased the lens from BH Photo for a specialized work assignment that got cancelled and I never used the lens. So, it is basically like new in the box (equivalent to a BH Photo grade of 10 or OB). I will sell it for $495, plus shipping & insurance, via US Postal Service priority US Mail. Let me know via private message if you are interested.

My eyes are getting old, I guess. I'm old, but not old enough to remember a radial engine Waco. You still flying a Waco?

You miss her terribly...did she die from an overdose, or what?

Just remember one thing: A Staggerwing Beech is better than any camera and better than almost all models.

Good observations; I agree with you.
Omedeto Gozaimasu !!

The article is an excellent presentation on how the Japanese view art in general, and ceramics in particular. However, the concept is difficult for many, if not most, Westerners to fully grasp.

Pertaining to other aspects of Japanese life, such as industry, camera manufacturing, auto manufacturing, and general manufacturing in particular, the Japanese are perfectionists.

They also do extensive quality control, extensive group surveys and testing, and their products (especially for the export markets) are held to tight tolerances that exceed the West in many cases.

Wabi-Sabi does NOT apply to camera or lens manufacturing.
I lived in Japan for many years, so I believe I can speak to this issue.

Sounds to me like an over-generalization statement. Stereotyping any group of people (e.g., cell phone photographers) is usually wrong.

He projected them on a clean whiteboard using one of those fancy electronic digital projectors, kinda like a slide projector. They were digital images from his thumb drive. They were about 4'x5' or so. I was sitting about 10' back from the whiteboard.

You flew with Air Transport Command? What years?

OK... everybody just simmer down for a moment and read this carefully.

I took a photography class a couple years ago from a fine art photographer who is employed full time by the Smithsonian. He travels the world taking photos of antiquities for the Smithsonian, so this guy is a real deal fulltime pro at the top of his game.

One night he comes in with some images he projects onto the whiteboard at the front of the class. I was in the front row. These photos were taken all over the world... some were street photos, some architectural, some nature, some of paintings/statues/sculpture, etc. In other words, a wide variety.

He asked us to guess what type of camera took the photos: Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc., and what type of lens was used. Knowing he uses Sony A7RIII as his personal camera, and Canon at work, I guessed it was the Sony. Nope.

All of these shots showed a wide variety of lighting conditions, most were very detailed, the images just popped out at ya, and were obviously taken by a consummate professional. I was VERY impressed. I said, "well, then it must have been the system you use at work, a Canon. Nope.

I then came close to going into atrial fibrillation and falling off my chair when he said it was an iPhone!!!

He then said it was NOT the latest model iPhone, but one that had a small number of megapixels, I think it was like 6 or 8 MP.

Now, before one of you smart ass "pros" say, "Yeah, BUT HE USED LIGHTROOM TO POST PROCESS!!", let me add that in a few of the photos he did indeed use LR for PP.... but in most of the 40 or so shots, it was straight out of the phone!!!

I was, and remain, astounded by this guy's eye, and what he can make an iPhone camera do.

But I have kept my Panny GX-9....
His name is Rob Harrel (sic), and he is still working in DC at the Smithsonian.

So, I will tell you for sure that I'm convinced, beyond a shadow of doubt,that it doesn't matter what is in your hand. What's important is your eye and your brain.

Alone is kinda blah in comparison to the composite. The composite is absolutely stunning; one of the best I have seen in 60+ years. She looks Asian from the rear. Great job.

I own a GX9 and am very happy with it. It seems to me that a lot of people don't know the differences between a GX9 and a G9, the latter being the most well known of the two. They are very different, as are the GX8 and the G85. Of the 4 models, I like the GX9 the best, and wouldn't trade it for any Canon or Nikon, period.

AIR FORCE Blue, of course!!!

In one word: wintertime

Proof positive that some people are just born with great skills... and that it is what is behind the lens that is most important. Nurture that seedling and she will grow up to be an icon...