Since it’s the start of the year, I thought I’d jot down some very personal notes reflecting on last year and looking ahead to this year.
【2025 Year in Review】
1. Switching Mounts
Considering various circumstances, I’ve organized my PENTAX (K/Q mount) gear, which I’ve used for nearly a decade, and completely shifted my focus to LUMIX (L/MFT mount) cameras. This was a significant personal decision.
My currently active DSLR cameras are the LUMIX S1IIE, G9proII, and GF10. With a decent collection of L-mount and MFT-mount lenses now assembled, I’m set up to choose the right gear for each shooting opportunity. Now all I need is for my skills to catch up (something I’ve been saying for 10 years).
2. Purchases
The biggest purchase that became the crux of my mount change was the LUMIX S1IIE. After much internal struggle, I traded in my PENTAX K-3III and, after a thrilling tightrope walk of financial juggling, managed to get it. I’m currently in the midst of mastering it, and so far, I have absolutely no complaints.
(Reposted photo)
After the K-mount lenses (save for a few) departed, the only new lens that arrived last year was the SIGMA 20-200mm F3.5-6.3 DG – the one lens that does it all. While this has freed up some space in my dry box, I’d like to stay away from the lens pit for a while.
3. Photo Life
Spring on the Kominato Railway was enjoyable, but overall it was a year with less rail travel.
(Reposted photo)
Actually, before even getting into the whole “iron” thing, I didn’t go on any photo trips outside of Kominato this year. It was a year of just wandering around taking pictures locally. My serious pursuit of the “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” project as a typical local photo subject probably influenced that too.
Also, whether going far or staying close, the increasingly harsh summer heat means there’s effectively a three-month period each year when wandering around taking pictures is impossible, which is frustrating.
I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with the RAW processing tool DxO PhotoLab 8. It’s also quite fun to play around with the LUTs that LUMIX officially promotes with such enthusiasm. However, I think I’ll hold off on upgrading to PhotoLab 9 for now.
Speaking of which, DxO, please implement the SIGMA 20-200mm lens profile soon. Relying on guesswork for vignetting and distortion correction during RAW processing is quite stressful.
【Outlook for 2026】
Since photography isn’t really a hobby where I plan things out that far ahead, I’ll probably just keep wandering around taking pictures as I please this year too.
That said, I do have a few things I want to do this year.
1. Properly Replenish My Rail Enthusiast Energy on Local Lines
As someone who considers themselves a casual rail traveler, I want to take the time to properly photograph local line railway scenery. Revisiting lines like the Ōigawa Railway, Tadami Line, or Iida Line would be great. Beyond the Kominato Railway, there are plenty of wonderful local lines in the Kantō/Tōkai regions, so I’m determined to visit several this year.
2. Aim for “Nearly 100 Views” of Famous Edo Scenes
Utagawa Hiroshige’s Famous Views of Edo actually has 119 prints, not 100. So far, I’ve managed to photograph 54 of them, though they’re not perfect shots. That’s still less than half.
Among the 65 I’ve left for later, there are many that seem impossible to replicate—like prints with impossible compositions, or those depicting snow, rain, or night, which are notoriously difficult to photograph. For example, this one.
So it won’t be easy, but I want to clear about 90 scenes by the end of this year. I aim to forcibly claim it as ”almost 100 scenes.”
3. Improve My Skills a Bit
This being third on the list might be the problem, but I haven’t completely given up hope of getting better. I’m shy and tend to hold back, but I should try participating more actively in workshops and such.
Also, since I’ve invested in LUMIX gear, I’ll start shooting video this year, not just stills (this might actually be the biggest hurdle).
So, here we go for 2026.
To my few precious readers, thank you for sticking with me this year. I look forward to your continued support.
