Right now, I'm really missing my OMD-E-M10 with its beautiful 17mm f/1.8 prime. Here's why.

I'm logging a lot of miles on foot in Las Vegas right now covering the CES show. For this type of work, I like a small messenger bag with a camera, extra lens, iPad mini, and a nano tripod. That's all I need.

Backpacks are terrible at trade shows. They are just too damn big. And their owners don't factor in the added girth as they cut in front of you and swing around a few times. So I need cameras that fit easily in a messenger... like my E-M10 with a prime lens or two.

The reason why I'm lamenting this is because I fell in to the "I'm a professional photographer" trap and brought the wrong gear for this trip. I have the largish E-M1 (by mirrorless standards) with the PRO 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens. Great camera. Fantastic lens. Too big. Too heavy.

Already, just after one day here, I'm reaching for the Samsung NX3000 with its diminutive 30mm f/2.0 prime lens. The tandem is as light as a feather and fits easily in my shoulder bag. It's what I'm shooting with.

What I should have packed also is the smaller E-M10, 14-42mm power zoom pancake lens, 17mm f/1.8 prime, and 45mm f/1.8 telephoto. But alas, they are back at the studio in the lens safe.

It's funny, I do great work when I'm not being a pro. I'm free of gear pretenses and just shoot with what I want.

Something to keep in mind as I prepare for Cuba.

-Derrick