What's in my backpack?
I am often asked what camera I use to take my bird images. So this page is here to answer that question.
After a long period of research I finally made the switch to a mirrorless camera system in the latter half of 2018 and I haven’t looked back since. I chose the Lumix G9 and once I picked it up, my old heavy DSLR never got touched again – until I sold it and all the lenses I had to go with it.
More recently I have upgraded to the Lumix G9II. With its Hybrid PDAF it is a step above and the slightly different body case fits my hand even better then the G9 did. I am loving it just as much, if not more than the original G9.
The Lumix G9II is lightweight and very easy to use. The images are clear, sharp and the colours are beautiful. I will never go back to using heavy gear again. The freedom to hand hold a lens that can take me to the equivalent of 800mm has been the biggest bonus to me.
Today my kit comprises of the following:
Lumix G9II Camera Body x 2
Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3
Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 35-100mm f/2.8
Lumix G Macro 30mm f/2.8
Leica DG 12-60mm f/2.8-4
With the micro-four-thirds crop sensor system the distance range on the lenses is doubled when compared to an equivalent 35mm system.
The best thing about the above kit is I can pack it all into a camera bag with all my batteries, cards, laptop etc and it is still just over 5kg in weight. So very easy to take when traveling as carry-on.
I have always used a crop sensor camera, and while I know many people who love their full frame systems, when it comes to nature having that extra reach can be the difference between using an image or trashing it.
There are still so many new features on my G9II that I have yet to explore, but each new thing I learn about it has only made me happier. Unless you hadn’t already guessed – I love my Lumix Cameras! 🙂