It is going to be an exciting Fall, the new Panasonic GF1 will be available in time for Christmas. I know I won't wait until Christmas to get one out of a box and check it out. I expect my first shipment mid Oct. Here is a link to dpreview's preview. Link. Bill

It has been awhile since I have been able to post. There has been much to do and little time to do it. This past week I received the new Panasonic FZ35. This is Panasonic's most resent ultra zoom camera, if you have read earlier posts you will know we use a Panasonic FZ18 for our family point and shoot camera. What I have found so far is that the FZ35 has faster focus and a better electronic viewfinder commonly referred to as a EVF. The EVF is not nearly as good as the Panasonic G1 and GH1 but it is an improvement on the FZ28. Here is one of the first photos I have taken with the Panasonic FZ35. Bill

This time of the year living in the interior of B.C. we often have smoke in the air. There are no forest fires near by but we still have smoke. It makes for great early morning light and adds a little magic to the view of the river. I am still taking my Panasonic G1 home every night and used it to capture this photo with the 14-45 lens. Bill

I took this photo of our daughter Ann as she was arriving back in Canada. This was last Saturday. Ann has been living in France for the last year. If you were to look back in my blog to this time last year you will find a posted photo of Ann leaving the country. In that photo she is holding her pillow. The travel pillow Ann is hold in this photo is an idea that I have been working on for the last year. This pillow is the first prototype of that idea and she has been field testing it while traveling Europe. Prototype number two is almost ready for testing are there any volunteers? Bill

Another photo with the Pentax K7 and the Sigma 18-250 os lens. This one is not a photo of another deer but Gus is keeping his eyes on them.

Another deer photo taken with the new Pentax K7 and the Sigma 18-250 lens. I took this photo while walking to work this morning. These twins are very fast and only stand still like this for a split second. Bill

This is my first photo posted from the new Pentax K7 and the Sigma 18-250 os lens. I took the camera home for the weekend but didn't get around to using it much. Bill

We have had some fawns in the yard this year. This one has a twin that was quicker at finding the open gate to exit the yard. Camera Panasonic G1.

Here are a few resent photos from my Panasonic G1. I can't believe it has been this long since my last post. I have received my stock but not had the time to try them. The Panasonic GH1's have come and gone without me opening the boxes. I have the new Pentax K7 and the new Sigma 18-250 os with a Pentax mount. I think I will try my demo K7 this week a see what I can do with the video. These two photos are part of a "walking to work" series that I am taking. Bill

Not much happening here these days, I am waiting for the first fawn to show itself, should be soon. I took this photo this morning of Jane Deer, mowing my lawn for me. This is with the 45-200 lens F7.1 at 200 mm, on my Panasonic G1. I have cropped the photo to make it vertical. Bill

I took this photo last night when a storm was blowing by. I thought I should show you that it does rain here sometimes. It doesn't last long and the air is very fresh when it stops. The wind and the rain on the river can be quite captivating and changes quickly. The photo was taken with the Panasonic G1 and the new 14-140 lens. Bill

I now have the Panasonic 14-140 HD lens in stock. This is the kit lens designed for the new GH1. I think people may consider owning this lens even if using it for video is not their intention. The range is excellent for a walk around lens and not too heavy to carry all day. After using the lens for a short time I also have had the thought that people who don't own a Panasonic G1 or GH1 may consider buying one just to use this lens. The reason, two words, incredible " BOKEH" this word is used to explain the appearance of the out of focus area in a photograph. Here is an example. Bill

A new view of our yard and unfinished house taken with the new Panasonic 7-14 lens. Great lens, almost as exciting is the new Panasonic 14-140 lens that I received today. Guess what is going home on my camera tonight. It has been a day for firsts, thanks to Geoff I now have a camera customer in Australia. I sent my first G1 to Geoff in Australia today, this may prove to be a new market for me down under. Second thought, maybe I should have delivered it and not sent it by mail. Bill

Here are a few more photos from the Panasonic 7-14 lens. I love this lens, it will make a great travel lens. The challenge will be to buy the lens and a ticket at the same time. Bill

Today is a big day, not only is 30 degrees on May 29th but I have a new toy. I always enjoy having something first but I won't get to keep this for long as there is big demand. My first order is sold and I have a list of people who would like one. I completely understand why after taking a few quick photos. The lens, Panasonic 7-14, but I do have something to look forward to, I expect to receive the first 14-140 Panasonic lens next week. Bill

Some of you may know that one of the reasons I like to post photos on my blog is for my mother to view. She is here visiting us this week and was enjoying her morning coffee with me when I noticed these river otters swimming up the river. I had Sandy's Panasonic FZ18 near by because I had just seen a coyote. It is nice to be able to share this experience in person. I am also looking forward to using a Panasonic GH1 with HD video when they arrive. I haven't used video before but at times like this it would be nice. The otters were in and out of the water and were having so much fun a 30 sec. clip would have been a nice capture. Bill

I received my first Pentax 60-250 SDM this week. You know that myself and the rest of the world have been waiting a long time for this lens. My time has been limited and the weather has not been good so I don't have much to show. Here are two of my first photos, I thought they went well together. Bill

I am still waiting for the Pentax 60-250 SDM to arrive. These three photos were taken with the Sigma 70-200 2.8. With the river coming up and Spring having arrived we see more activity on the river these days. Bill

I am still waiting for the new Pentax 60-250 to arrive so I have been taking home the Sigma 70-200 2.8 to practice with. I plan on comparing these two lenses. Here are two photos that I have taken in the last few days. Our cat Oliver makes several trips to the river each day. It has been a few years since he last went for a swim. But we worry about him just the same. Bill

Have I ever mentioned how much fun I have selling cameras, this last six months has changed our sales considerably. Our out of town customers have increased as more and more consumers are not able to find the products and possibly more importantly the service close to home. As a sales person I enjoy meeting and helping new customers and after awhile in a small community like Grand Forks that experience becomes limited. I have locally 10,000 potential customers and in the last 20 years I have sold most of them one or two cameras. By discovering that I can help people with their cameras easily anywhere in North America has added to our business. For me personally, learning that I can build a relationship with a customer and help them even if we never meet face to face has been rewarding. Some may call this on-line sales but for me I prefer, out of town sales, it really is not much different opening the door or opening an email. Thanks Bill Wilby www.contactphotoarts.com
P.S. the photo today taken with my G1 and 45-200 I just sold my G1 demo and now like many people I am looking forward the receiving the new Panasonic GH1