Always carry a camera..
I recently bought a Lumix LF1. It’s a super little camera for £150. I like the fact that it has a viewfinder so in sunny weather, I can still frame a shot and I like the fact that if fits in my shirt pocket. I like that it shoots RAW and I can have full manual control which with a little point and shoot, can make all the difference between getting a shot or not. These little cameras in my experience do tend to blow out skies when the conditions are a little dull as they were this afternoon so I took over.
The main reasons I bought this little camera though is that I can always have it on me and when I see a shot, out and about, it can be just about anywhere, I can press the shutter and if it’s a shot I like, as with this one, I can return with my D800 and tripod when the conditions are just right..
This shot won’t win any prizes, the quality isn’t quite there on full zoom but I’m really quite pleased with this and I’m really looking forward to returning. A bit more colour in those leaves and perhaps a sunset.. Hmm.. I like that idea.. :-)
30mm f5.5 1/160 sec. ISO-100
Cornwall Photographic 
I love it, Adrian. I also want to get a point and shoot for the reasons you’ve outlined. I’ll need to look into options ;)
October 15, 2014 at 6:57 pm
Thank you Marina! You just never know when a shot might present itself and I think the quality is pretty amazing for the size and price.
October 15, 2014 at 7:19 pm
Beautiful!
October 15, 2014 at 7:02 pm
Thank you Hans!
October 15, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Timely post . . . I’ve been leaving my full gear at home more often, and was looking for a camera that is small and shoots RAW.
I’ll look into the LF1
October 15, 2014 at 7:15 pm
I think it ticks a lot of the boxes Emilio. I’m glad this was helpful!
October 15, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Stunning photograph. It should win a prize.
October 15, 2014 at 7:28 pm
Thank you Victor! :-)
October 15, 2014 at 7:33 pm
I bought the Sony RX100 a few years ago for the same reason. If that lovely copse is the copse I think it is, then I’m very pleased you chose the right viewpoint so as to exclude the huge wind turbine that now spoils the first glimpses of this iconic copse as one travels west along the A30. This is a lovely photo. I’m going to have to stop the car one day and have a go at copying you!
October 15, 2014 at 7:51 pm
It is indeed that copse Malcolm. I’ve passed it so many times and this afternoon I decided to stop. I took the snap and then, having a little time to spare, I came off the A30 and drove around Lifton, found a very narrow lane that looked like it was going in the right general direction, turned this way and that and then I found access to the field where the copse resides. No wellingtons today and it was very muddy but I think a walk into that field might yield a better photograph but it’s touch and go. The Layby does provide a good angle and composition only a longer lens is required. It’s quite easy to clone out the blades of the turbine. From that low view point they don’t intrude too much and I suspect from the field, not at all. It’s definitely a shot worth stopping the car for five minutes to take it. :-)
October 15, 2014 at 9:04 pm
Thanks for all the info, Adrian, much appreciated. I’m going to have to have a go at photographing this copse.
October 16, 2014 at 2:25 pm
I’m looking forward to your photographs Malcolm! :-)
October 17, 2014 at 10:59 pm
I used have a little point and click for the same reason when I was shooting film, that way I always had it with me. I have got another one now, but when I got it, the camera on my phone wasn’t so good, but the phone was replaced and it has a better camera now, so I tend to use my phone now. Still I like have the little one for fun. I do like that image, and really hope you do go back another time with your D800, I will look out for it.
October 15, 2014 at 8:02 pm
Camera phones have come on amazingly haven’t they Leanne? You don’t have the control of course with the phone that I’ve got with the LF1 and the quality is better. It’s definitely a handy camera to have in one’s pocket and produces a picture that’s certainly up to web applications. I will definitely be returning with my D800 though. It’s a composition difficult to resist. Thanks for your comment Leanne. :-)
October 15, 2014 at 9:13 pm
Love those smudgy grey greens!
October 15, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Me too. Thanks Patti!
October 15, 2014 at 9:13 pm
I don’t know this camera, but this photo certainly would get many votes from me. I like it a lot!
October 15, 2014 at 10:08 pm
Thank you Bente! :-)
October 16, 2014 at 8:42 am
A beautifully framed shot of that copse. Where is this? I feel as though I have driven past this view.
October 15, 2014 at 10:56 pm
Thank you Jude. This copse is visible on the A30 as you drive into Cornwall. It’s a very distinctive feature on the little hillside. I think perhaps the reason there are not more pictures of this is that by the time you see it, you’ve passed it so to speak and on the way home, the same reason. It’s taken me quite a few years of say ‘I must get that shot’ for me to get the shot. :-)
October 16, 2014 at 8:45 am
That’s where I thought I’d seen it – there should be a layby to pull over into :)
October 16, 2014 at 12:09 pm
There is a layby Jude, problem is remembering to approach slowly enough or you’re past before you realise that was the layby you wanted! :-)
October 17, 2014 at 11:00 pm
Ha! I know THAT all too well ;-)
Next trip down I will try and check it out.
October 17, 2014 at 11:05 pm
:-)
October 18, 2014 at 8:02 am
Lovely image, Adrian. I’m going to have a look at this camera. It looks so compact. :)
October 15, 2014 at 11:22 pm
Thank you Sylvia, it’s a useful little camera that’s for sure.
October 16, 2014 at 8:45 am
It’s still a stunner, Adrian. Gorgeous!
October 16, 2014 at 12:13 am
Thank you Karen. It’s a gift to us photographers, this little copse of trees! :-)
October 16, 2014 at 8:49 am
I thought so too Adrian, so I bought a small Nikon thinking I’d already understand the commands etc because I use their DSLRs. Sadly, I rarely take it out because I’m always disappointed with the results vs my full kit. Tempted by the mirrorless alternatives available these days, have you looked at those? Anyway, you’re obviously having more success than I am because your shot is beautiful! Enjoy your new toy 😄
October 16, 2014 at 2:13 am
Thank you Tina. I know what you’re saying and I am the same. I don’t carry my full kit always and I simply wanted a camera in my pocket to take shots that if they work, would remind me to go back. :-)
October 16, 2014 at 8:47 am
I also love carrying a small point and shoot around. I use the Nikon p7700 for many of the same reasons- shoots RAW, etc. so it gives a ton of flexibility for such a small package. Let’s face it sometimes it is nice to be free of the bulk and not go home with a backache after a long day.
October 16, 2014 at 4:12 am
So very true Cindy, thank you.
October 16, 2014 at 8:48 am
Gorgeous!
October 16, 2014 at 5:14 am
Thank you Jennifer! :-)
October 16, 2014 at 8:49 am
Lovely.
October 16, 2014 at 11:36 pm
Thank you Pat! :-)
October 17, 2014 at 10:59 pm
The image might not win any competitions but there is a subtle and serene beauty to it. So I certainly like it. And,yes, always carry a camera. My Lumix LX7 is always at my hip. :-)
October 17, 2014 at 9:41 am
Thank you Otto! I’m definitely going back.. :-)
October 17, 2014 at 10:58 pm
About 5 years ago I bought a Lumix Panasonic DMC-TZ8 with a Leica lens for the same reasons. As you say, it won’t give competition winning shots but it’s very good for holidays or situations where a big camera is awkward. It doesn’t shoot RAW so I convert the JPG files to NEF format so that I can edit in Nikon Capture NX2 and keep the original plus all the edits (which would be lost if I processed the JPG files). I know it’s not the same as shooting in RAW but it works for me.
October 17, 2014 at 10:56 am
Sounds good Rhys! I’ve actually found it quite liberating to just have the point and shoot with me at times. Seeing things differently somehow when I’m not encumbered with a tripod and a very heavy camera/lens combintation. The very best of luck on Wednesday Rhys. I’m sure you won’t need it! :-)
October 17, 2014 at 10:58 pm
Looks fab to me. You always urge me to walk into your scenes!
October 17, 2014 at 1:28 pm
That’s nice to hear Elena, Thank you!
October 17, 2014 at 10:56 pm
Lovely!
October 17, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Thank you John!
October 17, 2014 at 10:56 pm
Lot of beautiful elements in this photograph – love the scene.
October 17, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Thank you Mary, much appreciated.
October 17, 2014 at 10:55 pm
I can see the potential in that shot, Adrian. And the idea of a ‘scrapbook’ or ‘sketchbook’ of ideas for future development is an excellent idea – painters and graphic designers have been doing that for years. The inclusion of a viewfinder is a rare thing in a compact – I don’t really know how people manage without one in bright sunlight. I will be interested to hear how you get on with this little camera and what you reckon to the quality. My Canon G10 is a great camera, but it’s hardly shirt-pocket size. And I’m starting to wonder where to go next with an alternative to a weighty SLR. I’m thinking shirt-pocket size for go anywhere, and something that slots in between for days when I went seriously good images without the weight of an SLR kit.
October 18, 2014 at 5:55 pm
Thank you Andy. Rather like your field, I think I’ll be returning to this copse many times. The images from the LF1 are surprisingly good quality but not so great when using the zoom as I was with this image. I think the images would definitely be web worthy. I haven’t printed any yet, that will be the next test but I suspect this camera really is a good alternative. I does fit in a shirt pocket and it shoots RAW and has a viewfinder. I didn’t find another camera that ticked all those boxes. There are others out there I know but not for £150.
October 21, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Such a haunting place that looks to be, just mesmerizing. Sounds like you found the right camera for a very particular use – with the viewfinder, too – that makes such a difference.
October 19, 2014 at 1:47 am
Thank you Lynn. This little camera really is an ideal pocket alternative to my DSLR. I’ve no excuse for it not to be with me always.
October 21, 2014 at 4:23 pm
The number of times I too have passed this copse and thought it would make a great picture – I look forward to seeing your ‘proper’ version.
I bought a Lumix TZ30 something a couple of years ago so that I always had something with me. Primarily, for our motorcycle travels when it could fit in my jacket pocket. It’s an incredible tool for the money – but I wish it shot RAW :(
October 19, 2014 at 9:29 am
Thank you Noeline. I will certainly be visiting again, and probably again. Up until the time I took this picture, I’d always been past the layby by the time I saw the copse so couldn’t stop. This particular afternoon, I was returning from a trip to Bath and as I joined the A30, I thought to myself I’m going to get that picture. I didn’t have my D800 but did have the LF1 with me. The fact that is shoots RAW is a plus.
October 21, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Beautiful picture
October 25, 2014 at 12:15 pm
Thank You! :-)
October 25, 2014 at 3:12 pm
sorry! Great Photo and I have also my camera with me.
November 5, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Thank you MaryLou! Glad to hear it! :)
November 6, 2014 at 9:29 am