Since I started birding, when I retired, a camera has been part of my essential gear. As the digital age has progressed I have observed many now feel the same. Early on I bought the biggest lens I could carry, as I see others have also done, and set out to get the best photos I could of the birds in the northwest. This last year the lens got bigger and heavier somehow and I was forced to consider other options. The introduction of the Panasonic DMC-GH2 micro 4/3rd was very timely and has opened up some new options as well as allowed me to still continue some of what I have done before, such as getting those far away bird photos, without carrying a large weight.

What I wanted to do here is let those who may be interested know it is worth consideration. The 4/3rd system is NOT a point and shoot camera! It is as technically capable as most SLR?s. It also requires as much effort to learn to use it properly. It is light but still requires using a tripod where you would normally expect. For the video side that means always. And even then, as I am discovering, extra care is required. In other words, the effort you put in is still the main factor in the results. But, having said that, it does allow bringing home fine images of your birding experiences.

Anyway, my purpose is to share not to sell. Photos and now videos have always worked good this way. So I will be posting some of each as I go along and occasionally will mention them here. I always try to answer any questions e-mailed me so feel free to do so.

I have put a note and photo about a unique feature of the GH2 on my web site here: http://josephvhigbee.com/
and some video here: http://josephvhigbee.com/videoGallery.html
Remember, I?m just a beginner at this video thing so don?t be too critical.

Joseph Higbee
Spanaway, WA
Mailto: jvhigbee at hotmail.com