" How 14 Equals 28 Equals 14 "

" And we bet 59% of geniuses will get it wrong." I hate those Facebook memes, don't you? The ones that put out mathematical puzzles that are either impossible or improbable. I always suspect that if I click on them I'll get a blackmail demand from a hacker. They'll threaten to tell everyone that I'm stupid. I've got the laugh on them because I've been advertising it for years. But here's the deal: 14mm focal length on the Panasonic Lumix cameras with the Micro 4/3 sensor is a decent little wide-angle - wide enough for interiors and parties but not down into the looming distortion pits. The mathematics of it equates to 28mm in the old 35mm film days. The lens is very small, very light, very precisely made. It weighs 55 grams. However, we are not in the old 35mm film days - we are in the new " full-frame " digital sensor days. It just so happens that the full-frame is full to the extent that it's the same size as the old 35mm film frame. At a considerably higher cost, I might add, but that's neither here nor there. Now, to get the 28mm equivalent lens you need to use a 28mm lens. If you choose one of the Sigma range - the 28mm f: 1.4 DG HSM comes to mind - the angle of view is the same but you get to cram nearly four times the amount of light into your camera. All to the good, except you pay for it in hefting 865 grams. Nearly 16 X the weight... It's all legit - the metal construction and the big elements of excellent glass are all there, and the Sigma company has gone to making their new series of lenses fully professional with great barrels and finishes. You'll get good images - but will you get them at the end of the day? If you've been lifting the 28mm f:1.4 DG HSM and a suitable full-frame body that is a further kilogram ( vs the 400 grams of a Panasonic mirrorless ) at a wedding or some professional job, all well and good. But if you've been trekking up to the front door of the " 5000 Step Temple " I'll bet I know which system and which lens will have been your first choice. Just lie down until the sparkly lights stop spinning... Users of all systems will recognise the pattern; any photo idea starts out small and gets larger. Desires are kindled and fanned into profitable flame. Things get bigger, more professional, heavier, more expensive...and then the cycle repeats. There are a few design exceptions but they draw as much money as they do attention.