A couple of days ago I was trawling Craigslist for bicycles, Land Rovers, and cameras, and happened across a two-month-old add for a used Panasonic Lumix LX-5. I’ve been wanting one of these cameras since it was the LX-3, because even though I have a cheap dslr, I almost never take it anywhere with me because it’s so cumbersome and I’m scared to leave it in the car or damage it. I’ve been taking most of my photos on my iPhone for that very reason.
Anyway, the Craigslist price was right, and the camera came with a really cool leather case, so I am now the proud owner of a high end compact camera with a nice bright Leica lens.
The Lumix/Lorax
Ironically, after setting up and taking a couple of photographs of some miniatures, I have to say my iPhone photo OF the new camera looks roughly 20 times better than any shots I took WITH the camera. That said, it’s a complicated camera, and I haven’t come to grips with the controls, yet. Come to think of it, I may have been in some weird ‘pet’ (as in Fido) shooting mode.
Regardless, in addition to scoring a cool camera, I’ve painted my first few 15mm ACW figures. I have approximately 200 more to paint (and buy). It’s a bit daunting, and I haven’t really developed a methodology yet. I have, however, learned that the shoes (called brogans*) are supposed to be black. I’ve also learned that you probably shouldn’t paint anything pure black in 15mm. I’ve also also learned (actually I learned this a long time ago, but haven’t done anything about it) that I really need a secondary direct light source for photographing miniatures…
A square crop. All the hipsters are doing it. The Lumix will shoot in this aspect ratio natively, if you tell it to. It will even shoot in FOCUS if you tell it to. I didn’t tell it to here, obviously.
The figures are AB via Eureka Miniatures. They’re great figures. My painting doesn’t do them justice. These guys badly need a shot of Dullcote.
My painting is really dull and messy. It’s really starting to bug me! I guess I need to take my time and be a lot brighter with my highlights, but will I ever get anything done, if I do? Who knows? These are the sort of hobbyistic existential questions I ask myself on a regular basis.
I’ve posted some useless posts on this blog, but this may be the worst of them all!
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*My grandfather used to call boots brogans, but I had no idea until roughly three weeks ago that the word went back to the American Civil War (and I’m sure it goes further back than that). Grandfather Dellinger died at 101, five years ago, and I’m sure he must have known some Civil War veterans. It’s fascinating how close the ACW can seem.
ArkieGamer 