@@DanBaileyPhoto Just got the Fuji 70-300. Took about 5 months to finally snag one in stock. Summer here in Georgia means that it is usually too hot to enjoy photography. Can't wait for fall!
Awesome!!! You’re going to love that lens. Almost all the photos at the end of the video were shot with the 70-300. And yea, I can imagine that it’s pretty hot down there in the summer!
Great review, Thanks. My sister lives in Kasilof and I've spent time commercial fishing there. The views of the plane and mountains being back memories. .
Thanks for the review, Dan. Ive been looking for a daypack sized photo pack for primarily MTB shoots and day hikes. I used your link so I hope you get credit for my purchase!
Hey Todd, thanks for the comment. Yes, this is defiantly a great pack or that kind of thing. I've done lots of day hikes and bike photography with it. And yes, thanks! That is my B&H Affiliate link, so I appreciate your support! 👍
@@DanBaileyPhoto I've got a couple of LowePro fanny packs that must be at least 20 years old but continue to work well. For day-hiking I use a Black Diamond pack similar in size to your LowePro and stuff my camera gear and other gear in there. But it lacks the easy-access side-panel that your Lowe Pro has, allowing you to swing the pack around and get to your camera without having to take off the pack. I love that feature, along with the integrated rain cover. And that removable camera compartment is so cool!
Mark, I've also got a couple of Lowepro packs that are around 20 years old, and three that are about 10 years old, including the Photo sport. They've all lasted really well and continue to be used quite often. I do love the integrated rain cover, and I've been really glad to have that feature during those times when I've been caught out in the weather!
@@DanBaileyPhoto Speaking of water-resistant camera packs, there's a challenge that I'm trying to solve and maybe you can offer some advice/tips/recommendations. I'm an avid kayaker and want to use my Pyranha Fusion as a platform for wildlife photography... ospreys, eagles, herons, mink, otters, moose, etc. I've been using a Lowepro chest harness coupled with a Lowepro case that accepts my X-Pro2 mounted to either the XF 18-135 or the XF 55-200. However, neither of these lenses give me the reach that I need. I have an X-T3 mated to an XF 100-400... The challenge is how to keep that camera/lens combo dry, yet quickly accessible. I paddle with a "stick" which is easy on my shoulders, but has no drip rings, so water is often running into the cockpit... Maybe a backpack-type setup would work best with a side-access panel like that of the Photosport, allowing me to remove one strap and swing it around? But the pack would need to be short so it clears the hatch coaming & seat.
Mark, that is a tough one. The 100-400 setup is pretty big when it’s mounted to the camera, so there aren’t very many packs that will accommodate that. There are some, though, but they’re usually kind of big. What about a waterproof bag or case that fits between your legs in the cockpit?
Hello Dan, another excellent video I appreciate the insight on the lowepro camera pack’ I have many of those bags myself’ great to see your little airplane’ would be nice to have one myself but don’t have your skills’ hope you’re keeping well looking forward to your next video. cheers👍
Hey Mike, thanks for your comment! Yes, it's fun to include the little Cessna in my videos, as I know that people are generally interested and intrigued by it! 😀 Hope you're doing well these days.
Hi Dan. Great review. I also have the original photosport bag which I've beat up over the years and need to replace. My biggest issue with the old bag was that the shoulder straps didn't have enough cushioning. What do you think of the cushioning on this bag now that you've had it for a while?
Thanks for your comment. I actually have a brand new replacement version of the old orange PhotoSport tucked away! So many fond memories and trips with that pack. To answer your question, this new version does have thicker padding in the shoulder straps, and in the waist belt as well. After two years of use, I really like the new one. It's built well and retains everything that was great about the original design!
Wow Dan. You simply make the best videos for me. Just what I am looking for 👍😄. Like you I also do some mountainbiking - actually I had a Trek fatbike few years ago 👍😄 tons of fun. Now I am on a fully mountainbike and have the idea using it for travelling around with my upcoming photogear. And I as am new to this hobby, I love your videos to inspire and learn from you. Thank you so much. And this backpack here seems to be perfect for me.
Hey Michael, thanks so much for your feedback. I'm glad you're enjoying my videos, and great to hear that you're a fellow mountain biker! 👍 Where do you like to ride?
@@DanBaileyPhoto actually last week I went to Scotland and rode together with a group of 25 mountainbikers. From Fort Williams to Montrose. It was a ride I will never forget. I did take some photos a long the way, but there was not so much time to do it. I have been riding since 1991 and been to Norway, Germany, Austria, Schweiz and Italy. In Sweden, France and Mallorca Spain on the roadbike. I am from Denmark so it has always been around Europe 😄👍. Have you visited Scotland ?
Michael, that sounds awesome!! Yes, I've been to Scotland 3 times. Did two bikepacking trips there in the spring and fall of 2017, riding in Shetland, along the north coast, the Speyside Way and the Cairngorms. Then, in the winter of 2018, we did a week long trip to Oban and Islay, but without bikes. I've been meaning to come back as soon as I can!
Thanks for your comment. I've never had this issue with either of my Photo Sport packs, over countless hours of use. The velcro that holds the flap on the upper section is very strong, and the camera area itself is a separate cube, so nothing is going to get into it. Not sure what the other reviewer was doing with his Photo Sport, but as I said, this has never been a problem for me.
Hi Dan, Janine Fugere Teixeira here - you know, As Seen by Janine from Colorado, whom you met at the "Flash Bus Tour" event in Denver and I've followed your work since then. I was, and (maybe) still am an affiliate for your "Going Fast with Light" books, etc. Well.... I've been out of touch... I think you know a lot of tough stuff happened in my life with deaths of many loved ones.... but the great thing was in the midst of it, in 2015, I met the love of my life, my soulmate Paul, who is now my husband, since this past October. But I'm actually writing about something sad, and with a serious request for help, but let me get to that in a bit.... I've been EXTREMELY inactive with my photography because Paul and I have been deeply immersed in planning for a retirement move to Panama. We came to Panama 3 times between Oct. 2020, and Summer 2021, to find and buy beachfront land in Puerto Armuelles, Panama, and the last trip to work with an architect to make plans to build on our land here. At the end of October 2021, we actually made the move, brought our dog and all, although didn't move all our stuff yet, most was still in Colorado. I'm almost ashamed to say, through all this, the only photos and videos I've taken have been cell phone pics. I just couldn't justify spending the time, or carrying the weight, when we had so much other stuff we "needed" to bring with us to Panama, my more cumbersome gear, which even my "Going Fast with Light Lowepro Photosport Pack" filled Dan Bailey styled, didn't make the cut of things that NEEDED to come. I am sad to say, while I've taken thousands of photos and videos of our "Going Down to Panama" adventures, ALL on my cell phone. You know at one time, I truly was building a serious part-time photography career, but between deaths, and new life, and moving to Panama, my As Seen by Janine blogging and pro photo work took pretty much a total halt. I have followed somewhat your photoblog, but it has been hard. I've had this, "once we're settled, I catch up with what Dan Bailey is doing." I have had this nagging sense of the loss of such an important part of my life, my photography, and being in touch with fellow Photogs who I indentify with - you among the greatest mentors to me. But I just lost touch and as amazing as the move to Panama has been, nor having time for any "serious" photography for several years has made me feel like I'd lost a part of me. I had no idea how seriously I was literally going to lose that part of me..... Flash forward, and ask me how badly I regret not having brought to Panama my "Going Fast with Light" Lowepro Photosport pack, fully packed with my Canon EOS Camera, speedgrip, all my lenses, my 3 Canon TTL Speedlights, and the slave unit to synch them; my "going fast with light" simple light modifiers, and on the not light side, but I adored it, my hardcore pro stands up to any wind Manfrotto Tripod with my Bogen 3-way head, maybe some lightweight light stands, and for certain my library of older photographs which was on either Fujichrome Slides or Black and White Film Negatives and my own hand printed B&W portfolio.... IT'S ALL GONE DAN.... PAUL AND I LOST OUR COLORADO HOME, ALONG WITH A HUGE PART OF THE HISTORY OF MY LIFE - MY PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR AND PHOTOS, IN THE MARSHALL FIRE THAT HIT LOUISVILLE AND SUPERIOR, COLORADO ON DEC. 30-31, 2021. I can live with the majority of "STUFF" Paul and I lost in the fire, but the loss of my actual fully packed photo pack, and the irreplaceable B&W negatives, Fujichrome slides, B&W hand printed and framed enlargements, not to mention I was the keeper of my the photo archives of my family history, since my dad, mom, and brother all passed between 2012 and 2015, and my sister isn't nostalgic about photos, so I also lost our entire family history in photographs. There are really no words for the feelings around this entire loss Dan.... It's been almost 5 months since the fire, and I often think I've "healed" from the loss, but there are some things that will never heal. I've actually been avoiding reading your posts, along with any other photogs whose work I follow, because I know how much I'll be reminded of the things I left behind, which are no longer in existence. I might add, among them, my framed Dan Baily photos - one of the Chugach Mountains with the purples and pinks, which I think I won in some promo you were doing, and the other, a photo taken of your little Cesena Plane from another plane.... I remember, I almost came to Alaska to do some areal shooting with you, but I ended up getting an invitation to present to a Photography club in Panama in Summer 2013... and the seed of Panama as a retirement destination was planted. But I never thought I'd lose those photo prints of yours, especially the Chugach Mountains shot with the e, nor all the gear I acquired over those years, much of which I learned about from you. IT HURTS. Well, today I finally decided to face the pain and try to move through it. I got your email with a link to your You Tube Channel, and Dan, thinking, it will be good to go back and read and listen to Dan's videos about the Fuji cameras - they may be a more practical choice for me as I start to replace "lost in the fire" gear, wanting to find something more "going light" for here in Panama.... But Dan, as I saw your post with your Lowepro Photosport III backpack, the tears finally fell for the first time, as it hit me fully... the reality that I can never undo it, I can never go back and change the choice I made to leave my LowePro PhotoSport pack with all my gear in it back in Colorado, thinking I'd bring it on the "next phase of our move." That "next phase of the move" won't happen now, as we lost it all. I told myself I was only sad about the B&W prints, the negatives, and slides, and the rest was just replaceable STUFF. But Dan it was not just stuff, it was MY AS SEEN BY JANINE GOING FAST AND LIGHT GEAR AND PACK, and finally I realized I have to let myself grieve the loss of it. THAT PACK AND GEAR WERE TRULY A PART OF MY VERY BEING AND MY SOUL... As the tears have been falling, I think of all the tiny things, the gadgets, the back up batteries, the lenses, the light modifiers, my strobes... how lovingly they were all acquired over about a 5 year period of time, how carefully I found just the right location for each item in various nooks and pockets of the pack... How many places it had gone with me, how many photo shoots.... and my heart just aches at the loss of it. I want to begin again but the task of deciding where to even start on what to replace first is sooooooo daunting. I'm wondering if you can help a fellow Photographer Friend. Pretend you just lost it all, everything you had, including all your photography gear. Pretend you want to BEGIN AGAIN, and start assembling a basic pack and gear kit, from scratch. What would you choose to buy and put in that pack? I can guess which pack it would be, so let's take that as a given, but I want to learn about Fuji cameras, which one and why, more about lenses, which and why... gadgets, what modifiers, what is a must in your BEGIN AGAIN photo gear pack? I know you have a long video series on the Fujis, which I'll catch up with soon, but I'd love the cliff notes version.... So I'm asking for help! Dan, IF YOU LOST IT ALL AND HAD TO START ALL OVER, WHAT WOULD BE IN YOUR "BEGIN AGAIN GOING FAST AND LIGHT (HOPEFULLY ALSO GOING FAST WITH LIGHT) GEAR PACK?????? I'd be eternally grateful if you'd consider doing a special video just about this topic, or you can simply write to me about it, but a video on the topic would be amazing. If you had to BEGIN AGAIN BECAUSE YOU LOST IT ALL, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR BEGIN AGAIN PHOTO KIT? Best and in the highest regard, Janine Fugere Teixeira AKA "As Seen by Janine"
Hi Janine, it's great to hear from you, although obviously in very difficult circumstances. I'm so very sorry for your unimaginable loss. I remember seeing the footage of the Marshall fire, in shock, because I know people and business owners in the areas that got hit, but I didn't know that you lived there. I can't even believe what you're dealing with after such a tremendous tragedy. To answer your question, though, which, I guess is the best I can do right now... Yes I can make a video about this very topic, and will put that on my idea list, but for a more immediate response, I'll give you my thoughts for a "starting over gear list." For a camera it would probably be the Fujifilm X-T4 or X-T3, although the brand new X-H2s, which was just announced yesterday, and will be available in July, might be good option for you, especially given the fact that you're coming from Canon. It has all of the Fuji creative features, but with a slightly more DSLR style body and layout. There's also the X-S10, which is super lightweight and compact, less expensive and not weather sealed, but still has a stabilized sensor and all the main Fuji settings and creative features. Flash: Fujis EF-20 is their latest generation wireless flash, and it works with their EF-W1 wireless radio commander. I've been using this setup since last fall, and it's so far beyond anything I had 10 years ago, back in my post Flash Bus days. The wireless remote technology has finally arrived for mirrorless cameras, and it's works exceptionally well. I've controlled up to 3 flashes with the EF-W1 commander. Lenses: This is a tough one. Fuji has a whole line of excellent lenses, so it really would come down to what focal lengths and form factor you like. I have a handful of small, compact primes in the wide angle to middle focal length range, and zooms in the longer range, like the workhorse 50-140 f/2.8, which would be the equivalent of a Canon 70-200 2.8. They also have a new 70-300, which is not quite as fast when compared to the 50-140, but it's lighter, more compact and focuses very close. My Fuji lenses that get used most these days are the 16mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/2, 90mm f/2 (absolutely amazing portrait lens!!!!), 50-140 f/2.8, 70-300mm and 100-400mm. If I were to start over with an essential, go fast and light kit, I'd choose the 16, 35, 50 and 70-300, all of which will fit together inside the Lowepro Photosport III pack. Add, 2-3 EF-20 flashes and the EF-W1 commander, plus the tried and true Lumiquest Softbox III (still my favorite lightweight light mod!). I hope this helps. Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions about any of the gear. Best of luck and take care. -Dan
@@DanBaileyPhoto Sorry it took me so long to reply to your fantastic response to my request for help. Things have been crazy to say the least. Crazy, but healing... and moving the only way we can go... forward, though with plently of looking back. We're between two worlds right now - Panama and Colorado/ Yes, we lived right in the middle of the area affected by the Marshall fire, and it fire swept right up the Marshall open space, jumped highway 36, burned straight up the row formed by the Louisville arboretum where my husband, Paul, and I were married in October, and straight to our Townhomes, the Wildflower Condo Association on Owl Drive. WCA lost 30 of the 90 units there, ours was totally destroyed, including, as you now know, all my photography gear, along with most of the rest of our life's irreplaceable things. All heartbreaking but we are building our new life in Panama, a move we began planning for in October 2020 right after I retired from teaching. We will also rebuild our Townhome in Louisville, CO, as our HOA wades through the FEMA and Boulder County debris removal process, and eventually, the rebuild process. They say it will be 2-3 years at least until rebuilding... Thanks so much for your personal reply and putting so much thought into your "If you lost it all, what would be in your starting over gear kit?" I think it will be good for me to consider one of the smaller Fuji mirrorless cameras. Although the new X-H2s, which you said would be more like the Canon DSLR style body would be more familiar, "going smaller and lighter" and as weatherproof as possible is a big consideration for me, here in Panama. With that in mind, would you recommend a specific model of the Fuji cameras? Oh, I also should have mentioned that I hope either for a camera that can also shoot HD video, like my Canon Rebel was known for, or your recc for a separate video camera. I actually shoot more short videos than still photos these days, though it is not my primary love, still photography still is. But documenting a new life in Panama has lent itself to us wanting to make videos of our progress here, so that is another thing on my wish list. Might it be the same camera, or do you recommend a separate "going fast and light video camera" again in the light and as weatherproof as possible category. I don't need super pro video features, it is simply for personal uses, and Video blogging about Panama, our progress building our Beachfront home here in Puerto Armuelles, Tower Gardening in Panama, crazy things like me hacking open coconuts like the crazy Loca Chica de Panama that I am these days! Oh, and, like you, I am quite diverse and eclectic in my interests, so another need for the video feature is we will be making video of another Vitural Line Dance lesson series that Paul and I will be doing for Boulder Valley Lifelong Learning this coming fall, like we did in Spring 2020 during the start of Covid. We had filmed a series of "on demand" lessons in the Louisville Arboretum, and will be making a comeback this fall. We hope to also add live streamed dance classes from the beachfront! And eventually, when the time comes, video will be helpful for documenting the rebuild of our home in Colorado.... I already printed off all your recommendations, to start my AS SEEN BY JANINE’S “STARTING AGAIN” PHOTO GEAR LIST. It's time to start spending some fire insurance proceeds on things worthy of spending... Let me know your thoughts for the best Fuji, given that small & light, and as weatherproof as possible are my top priorities, and also if the same camera will help me with HD video, or if you have another recommendation there. Thanks every so much for the time you put into your reply. I'm very grateful. Janine
Hey Enrique, yes my C120 was indeed built in 1947. Here's some info I posted about her when she celebrated her 69th birthday a few years ago. danbaileyphoto.com/blog/happy-69th-birthday-to-my-little-yellow-cessna-120/ Hope you're having a great spring!
@@DanBaileyPhoto I just finished reading your post about her 69th birthday, very interesting story. A few years ago I got interested in flying so I signed up for flying lessons, but after three one hour flights I decided that it wasn't for me, it was fun but not enough to go all the way to getting the 40 hours needed for the private license. Keep enjoying the little yellow Cessna and keep making videos.
That’s cool that you at least investigated it and actually had a few lessons. That’s an experience in itself. Take care and have a great lead up to summer!!
Wow Dan. What a life you live. Thanks for the review.
Hey John, thanks for the comment! Yes, now that it’s summer and my shoulder is all better, life is pretty good! What have you been up to lately?
@@DanBaileyPhoto Just got the Fuji 70-300. Took about 5 months to finally snag one in stock. Summer here in Georgia means that it is usually too hot to enjoy photography. Can't wait for fall!
Awesome!!! You’re going to love that lens. Almost all the photos at the end of the video were shot with the 70-300. And yea, I can imagine that it’s pretty hot down there in the summer!
Great review, Thanks. My sister lives in Kasilof and I've spent time commercial fishing there. The views of the plane and mountains being back memories.
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Hey there, Eugene, glad you enjoyed this! Yes, the scenery up here is unmistakable, isn't it? 😀
Thanks for the review, Dan. Ive been looking for a daypack sized photo pack for primarily MTB shoots and day hikes. I used your link so I hope you get credit for my purchase!
Hey Todd, thanks for the comment. Yes, this is defiantly a great pack or that kind of thing. I've done lots of day hikes and bike photography with it. And yes, thanks! That is my B&H Affiliate link, so I appreciate your support! 👍
Thanks Dan! I've always been a big fan of Lowepro gear. After this great review I'll definitely be adding it to my list of things to buy!
Hey Mark, thanks for your comment. This is indeed a great pack, and definitely one to consider! What pack/bag are you using now?
@@DanBaileyPhoto I've got a couple of LowePro fanny packs that must be at least 20 years old but continue to work well. For day-hiking I use a Black Diamond pack similar in size to your LowePro and stuff my camera gear and other gear in there. But it lacks the easy-access side-panel that your Lowe Pro has, allowing you to swing the pack around and get to your camera without having to take off the pack. I love that feature, along with the integrated rain cover. And that removable camera compartment is so cool!
Mark, I've also got a couple of Lowepro packs that are around 20 years old, and three that are about 10 years old, including the Photo sport. They've all lasted really well and continue to be used quite often. I do love the integrated rain cover, and I've been really glad to have that feature during those times when I've been caught out in the weather!
@@DanBaileyPhoto Speaking of water-resistant camera packs, there's a challenge that I'm trying to solve and maybe you can offer some advice/tips/recommendations. I'm an avid kayaker and want to use my Pyranha Fusion as a platform for wildlife photography... ospreys, eagles, herons, mink, otters, moose, etc. I've been using a Lowepro chest harness coupled with a Lowepro case that accepts my X-Pro2 mounted to either the XF 18-135 or the XF 55-200. However, neither of these lenses give me the reach that I need. I have an X-T3 mated to an XF 100-400... The challenge is how to keep that camera/lens combo dry, yet quickly accessible. I paddle with a "stick" which is easy on my shoulders, but has no drip rings, so water is often running into the cockpit... Maybe a backpack-type setup would work best with a side-access panel like that of the Photosport, allowing me to remove one strap and swing it around? But the pack would need to be short so it clears the hatch coaming & seat.
Mark, that is a tough one. The 100-400 setup is pretty big when it’s mounted to the camera, so there aren’t very many packs that will accommodate that. There are some, though, but they’re usually kind of big. What about a waterproof bag or case that fits between your legs in the cockpit?
Hello Dan, another excellent video I appreciate the insight on the lowepro camera pack’ I have many of those bags myself’ great to see your little airplane’ would be nice to have one myself but don’t have your skills’ hope you’re keeping well looking forward to your next video. cheers👍
Hey Mike, thanks for your comment! Yes, it's fun to include the little Cessna in my videos, as I know that people are generally interested and intrigued by it! 😀 Hope you're doing well these days.
Thanks Dan. This is exactly what I need :)))
Thanks, BB… it really is a great pack.
Hi Dan. Great review. I also have the original photosport bag which I've beat up over the years and need to replace. My biggest issue with the old bag was that the shoulder straps didn't have enough cushioning. What do you think of the cushioning on this bag now that you've had it for a while?
Thanks for your comment. I actually have a brand new replacement version of the old orange PhotoSport tucked away! So many fond memories and trips with that pack.
To answer your question, this new version does have thicker padding in the shoulder straps, and in the waist belt as well. After two years of use, I really like the new one. It's built well and retains everything that was great about the original design!
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thanks a lot for your reply. This helps with my decision
Wow Dan. You simply make the best videos for me. Just what I am looking for 👍😄. Like you I also do some mountainbiking - actually I had a Trek fatbike few years ago 👍😄 tons of fun. Now I am on a fully mountainbike and have the idea using it for travelling around with my upcoming photogear. And I as am new to this hobby, I love your videos to inspire and learn from you. Thank you so much. And this backpack here seems to be perfect for me.
Hey Michael, thanks so much for your feedback. I'm glad you're enjoying my videos, and great to hear that you're a fellow mountain biker! 👍 Where do you like to ride?
@@DanBaileyPhoto actually last week I went to Scotland and rode together with a group of 25 mountainbikers. From Fort Williams to Montrose. It was a ride I will never forget. I did take some photos a long the way, but there was not so much time to do it. I have been riding since 1991 and been to Norway, Germany, Austria, Schweiz and Italy. In Sweden, France and Mallorca Spain on the roadbike. I am from Denmark so it has always been around Europe 😄👍. Have you visited Scotland ?
Michael, that sounds awesome!! Yes, I've been to Scotland 3 times. Did two bikepacking trips there in the spring and fall of 2017, riding in Shetland, along the north coast, the Speyside Way and the Cairngorms. Then, in the winter of 2018, we did a week long trip to Oban and Islay, but without bikes. I've been meaning to come back as soon as I can!
Nice ! Do item fall out the door from the opening above the cube? Another review said is was impossible to close.
Thanks for your comment. I've never had this issue with either of my Photo Sport packs, over countless hours of use. The velcro that holds the flap on the upper section is very strong, and the camera area itself is a separate cube, so nothing is going to get into it. Not sure what the other reviewer was doing with his Photo Sport, but as I said, this has never been a problem for me.
@@DanBaileyPhoto Thanks Dan - which versions of the pack(s) do you own?
Ah - I see the title - itds a III. Thanks again.
I have the original orange 200 edition that I got back in 2011, and the latest 30L version.
You're welcome!! What camera/lenses do/are you looking to store with this pack?
Hi Dan, Janine Fugere Teixeira here - you know, As Seen by Janine from Colorado, whom you met at the "Flash Bus Tour" event in Denver and I've followed your work since then. I was, and (maybe) still am an affiliate for your "Going Fast with Light" books, etc. Well.... I've been out of touch... I think you know a lot of tough stuff happened in my life with deaths of many loved ones.... but the great thing was in the midst of it, in 2015, I met the love of my life, my soulmate Paul, who is now my husband, since this past October.
But I'm actually writing about something sad, and with a serious request for help, but let me get to that in a bit....
I've been EXTREMELY inactive with my photography because Paul and I have been deeply immersed in planning for a retirement move to Panama. We came to Panama 3 times between Oct. 2020, and Summer 2021, to find and buy beachfront land in Puerto Armuelles, Panama, and the last trip to work with an architect to make plans to build on our land here. At the end of October 2021, we actually made the move, brought our dog and all, although didn't move all our stuff yet, most was still in Colorado.
I'm almost ashamed to say, through all this, the only photos and videos I've taken have been cell phone pics. I just couldn't justify spending the time, or carrying the weight, when we had so much other stuff we "needed" to bring with us to Panama, my more cumbersome gear, which even my "Going Fast with Light Lowepro Photosport Pack" filled Dan Bailey styled, didn't make the cut of things that NEEDED to come. I am sad to say, while I've taken thousands of photos and videos of our "Going Down to Panama" adventures, ALL on my cell phone.
You know at one time, I truly was building a serious part-time photography career, but between deaths, and new life, and moving to Panama, my As Seen by Janine blogging and pro photo work took pretty much a total halt. I have followed somewhat your photoblog, but it has been hard. I've had this, "once we're settled, I catch up with what Dan Bailey is doing." I have had this nagging sense of the loss of such an important part of my life, my photography, and being in touch with fellow Photogs who I indentify with - you among the greatest mentors to me. But I just lost touch and as amazing as the move to Panama has been, nor having time for any "serious" photography for several years has made me feel like I'd lost a part of me.
I had no idea how seriously I was literally going to lose that part of me.....
Flash forward, and ask me how badly I regret not having brought to Panama my "Going Fast with Light" Lowepro Photosport pack, fully packed with my Canon EOS Camera, speedgrip, all my lenses, my 3 Canon TTL Speedlights, and the slave unit to synch them; my "going fast with light" simple light modifiers, and on the not light side, but I adored it, my hardcore pro stands up to any wind Manfrotto Tripod with my Bogen 3-way head, maybe some lightweight light stands, and for certain my library of older photographs which was on either Fujichrome Slides or Black and White Film Negatives and my own hand printed B&W portfolio....
IT'S ALL GONE DAN.... PAUL AND I LOST OUR COLORADO HOME, ALONG WITH A HUGE PART OF THE HISTORY OF MY LIFE - MY PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR AND PHOTOS, IN THE MARSHALL FIRE THAT HIT LOUISVILLE AND SUPERIOR, COLORADO ON DEC. 30-31, 2021.
I can live with the majority of "STUFF" Paul and I lost in the fire, but the loss of my actual fully packed photo pack, and the irreplaceable B&W negatives, Fujichrome slides, B&W hand printed and framed enlargements, not to mention I was the keeper of my the photo archives of my family history, since my dad, mom, and brother all passed between 2012 and 2015, and my sister isn't nostalgic about photos, so I also lost our entire family history in photographs. There are really no words for the feelings around this entire loss Dan....
It's been almost 5 months since the fire, and I often think I've "healed" from the loss, but there are some things that will never heal. I've actually been avoiding reading your posts, along with any other photogs whose work I follow, because I know how much I'll be reminded of the things I left behind, which are no longer in existence. I might add, among them, my framed Dan Baily photos - one of the Chugach Mountains with the purples and pinks, which I think I won in some promo you were doing, and the other, a photo taken of your little Cesena Plane from another plane.... I remember, I almost came to Alaska to do some areal shooting with you, but I ended up getting an invitation to present to a Photography club in Panama in Summer 2013... and the seed of Panama as a retirement destination was planted. But I never thought I'd lose those photo prints of yours, especially the Chugach Mountains shot with the e, nor all the gear I acquired over those years, much of which I learned about from you. IT HURTS.
Well, today I finally decided to face the pain and try to move through it. I got your email with a link to your You Tube Channel, and Dan, thinking, it will be good to go back and read and listen to Dan's videos about the Fuji cameras - they may be a more practical choice for me as I start to replace "lost in the fire" gear, wanting to find something more "going light" for here in Panama....
But Dan, as I saw your post with your Lowepro Photosport III backpack, the tears finally fell for the first time, as it hit me fully... the reality that I can never undo it, I can never go back and change the choice I made to leave my LowePro PhotoSport pack with all my gear in it back in Colorado, thinking I'd bring it on the "next phase of our move." That "next phase of the move" won't happen now, as we lost it all. I told myself I was only sad about the B&W prints, the negatives, and slides, and the rest was just replaceable STUFF.
But Dan it was not just stuff, it was MY AS SEEN BY JANINE GOING FAST AND LIGHT GEAR AND PACK, and finally I realized I have to let myself grieve the loss of it. THAT PACK AND GEAR WERE TRULY A PART OF MY VERY BEING AND MY SOUL... As the tears have been falling, I think of all the tiny things, the gadgets, the back up batteries, the lenses, the light modifiers, my strobes... how lovingly they were all acquired over about a 5 year period of time, how carefully I found just the right location for each item in various nooks and pockets of the pack... How many places it had gone with me, how many photo shoots.... and my heart just aches at the loss of it.
I want to begin again but the task of deciding where to even start on what to replace first is sooooooo daunting.
I'm wondering if you can help a fellow Photographer Friend. Pretend you just lost it all, everything you had, including all your photography gear. Pretend you want to BEGIN AGAIN, and start assembling a basic pack and gear kit, from scratch. What would you choose to buy and put in that pack? I can guess which pack it would be, so let's take that as a given, but I want to learn about Fuji cameras, which one and why, more about lenses, which and why... gadgets, what modifiers, what is a must in your BEGIN AGAIN photo gear pack? I know you have a long video series on the Fujis, which I'll catch up with soon, but I'd love the cliff notes version.... So I'm asking for help!
Dan, IF YOU LOST IT ALL AND HAD TO START ALL OVER, WHAT WOULD BE IN YOUR "BEGIN AGAIN GOING FAST AND LIGHT (HOPEFULLY ALSO GOING FAST WITH LIGHT) GEAR PACK?????? I'd be eternally grateful if you'd consider doing a special video just about this topic, or you can simply write to me about it, but a video on the topic would be amazing. If you had to BEGIN AGAIN BECAUSE YOU LOST IT ALL, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR BEGIN AGAIN PHOTO KIT? Best and in the highest regard, Janine Fugere Teixeira AKA "As Seen by Janine"
Hi Janine, it's great to hear from you, although obviously in very difficult circumstances. I'm so very sorry for your unimaginable loss. I remember seeing the footage of the Marshall fire, in shock, because I know people and business owners in the areas that got hit, but I didn't know that you lived there. I can't even believe what you're dealing with after such a tremendous tragedy.
To answer your question, though, which, I guess is the best I can do right now... Yes I can make a video about this very topic, and will put that on my idea list, but for a more immediate response, I'll give you my thoughts for a "starting over gear list."
For a camera it would probably be the Fujifilm X-T4 or X-T3, although the brand new X-H2s, which was just announced yesterday, and will be available in July, might be good option for you, especially given the fact that you're coming from Canon. It has all of the Fuji creative features, but with a slightly more DSLR style body and layout. There's also the X-S10, which is super lightweight and compact, less expensive and not weather sealed, but still has a stabilized sensor and all the main Fuji settings and creative features.
Flash: Fujis EF-20 is their latest generation wireless flash, and it works with their EF-W1 wireless radio commander. I've been using this setup since last fall, and it's so far beyond anything I had 10 years ago, back in my post Flash Bus days. The wireless remote technology has finally arrived for mirrorless cameras, and it's works exceptionally well. I've controlled up to 3 flashes with the EF-W1 commander.
Lenses: This is a tough one. Fuji has a whole line of excellent lenses, so it really would come down to what focal lengths and form factor you like. I have a handful of small, compact primes in the wide angle to middle focal length range, and zooms in the longer range, like the workhorse 50-140 f/2.8, which would be the equivalent of a Canon 70-200 2.8. They also have a new 70-300, which is not quite as fast when compared to the 50-140, but it's lighter, more compact and focuses very close.
My Fuji lenses that get used most these days are the 16mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/2, 90mm f/2 (absolutely amazing portrait lens!!!!), 50-140 f/2.8, 70-300mm and 100-400mm. If I were to start over with an essential, go fast and light kit, I'd choose the 16, 35, 50 and 70-300, all of which will fit together inside the Lowepro Photosport III pack. Add, 2-3 EF-20 flashes and the EF-W1 commander, plus the tried and true Lumiquest Softbox III (still my favorite lightweight light mod!).
I hope this helps. Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions about any of the gear.
Best of luck and take care.
-Dan
@@DanBaileyPhoto Sorry it took me so long to reply to your fantastic response to my request for help. Things have been crazy to say the least. Crazy, but healing... and moving the only way we can go... forward, though with plently of looking back. We're between two worlds right now - Panama and Colorado/
Yes, we lived right in the middle of the area affected by the Marshall fire, and it fire swept right up the Marshall open space, jumped highway 36, burned straight up the row formed by the Louisville arboretum where my husband, Paul, and I were married in October, and straight to our Townhomes, the Wildflower Condo Association on Owl Drive. WCA lost 30 of the 90 units there, ours was totally destroyed, including, as you now know, all my photography gear, along with most of the rest of our life's irreplaceable things.
All heartbreaking but we are building our new life in Panama, a move we began planning for in October 2020 right after I retired from teaching. We will also rebuild our Townhome in Louisville, CO, as our HOA wades through the FEMA and Boulder County debris removal process, and eventually, the rebuild process. They say it will be 2-3 years at least until rebuilding...
Thanks so much for your personal reply and putting so much thought into your "If you lost it all, what would be in your starting over gear kit?"
I think it will be good for me to consider one of the smaller Fuji mirrorless cameras. Although the new X-H2s, which you said would be more like the Canon DSLR style body would be more familiar, "going smaller and lighter" and as weatherproof as possible is a big consideration for me, here in Panama. With that in mind, would you recommend a specific model of the Fuji cameras?
Oh, I also should have mentioned that I hope either for a camera that can also shoot HD video, like my Canon Rebel was known for, or your recc for a separate video camera. I actually shoot more short videos than still photos these days, though it is not my primary love, still photography still is.
But documenting a new life in Panama has lent itself to us wanting to make videos of our progress here, so that is another thing on my wish list. Might it be the same camera, or do you recommend a separate "going fast and light video camera" again in the light and as weatherproof as possible category.
I don't need super pro video features, it is simply for personal uses, and Video blogging about Panama, our progress building our Beachfront home here in Puerto Armuelles, Tower Gardening in Panama, crazy things like me hacking open coconuts like the crazy Loca Chica de Panama that I am these days!
Oh, and, like you, I am quite diverse and eclectic in my interests, so another need for the video feature is we will be making video of another Vitural Line Dance lesson series that Paul and I will be doing for Boulder Valley Lifelong Learning this coming fall, like we did in Spring 2020 during the start of Covid. We had filmed a series of "on demand" lessons in the Louisville Arboretum, and will be making a comeback this fall. We hope to also add live streamed dance classes from the beachfront!
And eventually, when the time comes, video will be helpful for documenting the rebuild of our home in Colorado....
I already printed off all your recommendations, to start my AS SEEN BY JANINE’S “STARTING AGAIN” PHOTO GEAR LIST. It's time to start spending some fire insurance proceeds on things worthy of spending...
Let me know your thoughts for the best Fuji, given that small & light, and as weatherproof as possible are my top priorities, and also if the same camera will help me with HD video, or if you have another recommendation there.
Thanks every so much for the time you put into your reply. I'm very grateful.
Janine
Hello Dan, always nice to see your videos. Is that Cessna 120 really from 1947? Yes, I googled N3102N😂
Hey Enrique, yes my C120 was indeed built in 1947. Here's some info I posted about her when she celebrated her 69th birthday a few years ago. danbaileyphoto.com/blog/happy-69th-birthday-to-my-little-yellow-cessna-120/
Hope you're having a great spring!
@@DanBaileyPhoto I just finished reading your post about her 69th birthday, very interesting story. A few years ago I got interested in flying so I signed up for flying lessons, but after three one hour flights I decided that it wasn't for me, it was fun but not enough to go all the way to getting the 40 hours needed for the private license. Keep enjoying the little yellow Cessna and keep making videos.
That’s cool that you at least investigated it and actually had a few lessons. That’s an experience in itself. Take care and have a great lead up to summer!!