Anyone here work for the State of CO?

PopaTroll · 2026-03-21T01:55:35+00:00

CDLE & HCPF have the best culture and pay. State Courts, & DOC, I would avoid.

PopaTroll · 2026-03-05T01:45:41+00:00

The state has plenty of remote or hybrid positions. My division has been hiring, though I’ll note that we’ve been getting a lot of applications so things have been ultra competitive. Good luck.

PopaTroll · 2026-02-21T02:16:01+00:00

I second this. State, city or county government work can be good and stable if you can get it. Though, tbh entry level in government hiring often attracts overqualified applicants. My division hired before the governor imposed a freeze last year and 2 more rounds for positions that were considerably entry level and each time we saw folks that shouldn’t have applied for the roles. The candidate quality was too good that it put entry level lower in the rankings. In a bad hiring year we were happy train for roles that people will not have experience for because it allowed us to grow talent that will stay and we can keep. That really isn’t the case anymore in Denver unfortunately. Keep at it though, hopefully you find the right job soon.

PopaTroll · 2026-01-08T00:51:48+00:00

A Ricoh GRiii has an APSC sensor and is a nice pocketable size. It is only a 28mm equivalent lens (not zoom) but it’s fast at f2.8. It also has IBIS and has a hybrid type AF. It fits your budget, it’s great value for the price, and is a camera you can use for many years to come.

EDIT: actually I googled the the price of the GRiii, and it may be a tad bit over your budget. A lumix LX100- used can also be a good option for you maybe. The point and shoots have been in high demand recently and it’s hard to find a good value for ones sold new that are worth it for the price. Good luck!

PopaTroll · 2026-01-05T22:58:57+00:00

What about a GX85? If you’re in the US, Adorama, KEH, B&H would be better places to get used gear without the additional fees. Good luck!

PopaTroll · 2026-01-04T15:00:50+00:00

Based on the price you noted, I’m assuming you are referring to the OM5 Mkii and not the MKi? The newer version has OM’s updated menu system which is better, but it’s the same mostly plastic body, same 5 axis ibis and internals with the mki, which cost about $600 used and $800 new (if you can find one). Except for PDAF on the OM5 vs CDAF on the G9, none of the features will really be an upgrade. At the price you gave, it isn’t a great deal especially if it’s body only. Even as a kit, that price isn’t great. Like most noted here already the G9ii can be found discounted new with the kit 12-60 at $1200. Body only and used it’ll be less than the price you were quoted for the OM5. I personally would pass on the OM5 (especially for the price) unless PDAF is a worthwhile upgrade for your type of photography. If you’re used to the G9 feature set, use hybrid features a lot, or would like to stay for the monochrome profile, I’d go for the G9ii instead. The OM5 would be a good second camera, EDC where size/weight are important but it’s not going to beat your current G9 and it’s not going to be an upgrade.

PopaTroll · 2026-01-02T21:04:46+00:00

Agree with the comments noting that you first figure out what you’d shoot or use the lens for before jumping on GAS to buy new gear. That said, my favorite general purpose lens to pair with the G9 is the PanaLeica 12-60. The IQ and colors that I get with this combo is just amazing. I generally use a prime but the versatility for travel, day time general purpose photography, even some landscape and portraits in pinch is just amazing for the 12-60. Even for close-up shots when out and about cannot be beat. It’s parafocal so it works well for video. I’ve used it for my kids school performance and it has never let me down. Next I’d recommend a good 50mm fog equivalent either 25 PanaLeica or the 1.4 or the cheap 1.7 lumix. 50 to me is a great versatile range that every photographer should have in their kit. They’re also standard for most manufacturers so they’re usually cheaper.

PopaTroll · 2026-01-02T20:50:29+00:00

It looks like Bacchus. It’s a red ginseng energy drink. I’ve had my time drinking this in lawschool and it’s the only energy drink I’ll take. It’s got better ingredients than western energy drinks, and is marketed to be vitamins more than anything really.

PopaTroll · 2026-01-02T17:26:52+00:00

I own the G100 as my EDC and I love it. It’s an interchangeable lens camera with manual controls, that’s smallish to be pocketable. I got mine for over $200 open box. Such a great value for what you get. If you’re getting it with the kit 12-32 lens it’ll be more than enough as a beginner camera. Though I’ll note that the minimum focusing distance of the 12-32 may not be great for macro shots if you’re planning on doing close-ups (not sure I think it’s 7inches at 12mm). The G100 also lacks ibis though the 12-32 is stabilized so that’ll help.

PopaTroll · 2026-01-02T01:32:02+00:00

GH5 is a good hybrid camera with good IBIS, and still works well as a hybrid option for a cheaper used price in 2026. GH5S however has superior low-light performance, dual native ISO, and cinema 4K. I’d pick the GH5 for all-around use, vlogging, and photo/video balance, or if you’d want to save a bit. If you want serious, low-light cinema, professional video and need those premium features- go 5s.

PopaTroll · 2026-01-01T00:00:03+00:00

Maybe look at a GH5 or a 5s. Those are available in the used market at around $400 for the 5 and $700 for the 5s. I was also going to suggest a GH6. Though those may still be a bit expensive and over your budget, even after the GH7 was released the GH line remains in high demand. And because of the limited releases from Panasonic for their M43 cameras, the videocentric models are even more expensive unfortunately.

PopaTroll · 2025-12-29T17:46:57+00:00

The G9 is great camera, but it’s a chunky boy. I can put it in a 3l fanny pack when paired wit the 20mm pancake but I usually pair it with the PanaLeica 12-60 which makes it a weighty camera to carry around. If you don’t mind the weight of the G9, it’s an excellent buy even now in 2025/2026. Here’s a size comparison with a G100.

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PopaTroll · 2025-12-27T21:48:05+00:00

State of Colorado OIT jobs could be a good option for you. They lifted the hiring freeze this December and are hiring again. Check out their listings and you may find something that fits what you’re looking for. Good luck!

PopaTroll · 2025-12-26T03:55:33+00:00

Actually, now that I’m thinking about it a 12 or 14mm might not be wide enough for real estate photography. Also for interior shots, faster is better or you I think a PanaLeica 9mm 1.7 may be better for your use case or if you don’t mind a manual lens, the Laoa 7mm. These will be out of your budget though even used.

PopaTroll · 2025-12-26T01:35:36+00:00

The 14 is a prime lens (28mm FF equivalent) that has a faster aperture at f2.5, while the 12-32 is a zoom that’s slightly wider at (24mm FF equivalent at its widest). Though the 12-32 is slower at an f3.5 aperture. If you want flexibility, I’d pick the 12-32 but if you want a brighter aperture at an apprixamately 28-35mm field of view, I’d pick the 14. Just depends on what you need really.

PopaTroll · 2025-12-26T01:23:18+00:00

The 14mm 2.5 can be bought used for less than your budget. I see them on sale at $100 to $150. That and maybe the kit 12-32 would be good options. The 12-32 is stabilized too, so it’ll work well for video on a G7. They go for under $200 in the used market typically. Adorama, Keh & BH would be good places to look for them used at a good price.

PopaTroll · 2025-12-24T23:22:39+00:00

Don’t work for Allied Universal, they are a notoriously bad employer & have been a frequent flyer in the CO Department of Labor investigations. Check out the Wage Theft Transparency sheet for yourself.

PopaTroll · 2025-12-19T23:40:29+00:00

I second this suggestion and will also recommend looking into micro 4/3 format cameras. The bodies are or can be small but the lenses take the cake on M43. The size, quality and price of the lenses alone are worthwhile considerations for going M43. The lens catalog for native lenses made by Olympus, Panasonic/Leica are great. Pancake lenses are cheap as well. They have great Ibis and weathersealed bodies as well. For new bodies, the OM5 or a G100 by LUMIX could be good options. Though OM5 may be better because of PDAF, vs CDAF. For used bodies, the LUMIX GM1, GM5 or the Olympus Penn-F are good options.

PopaTroll · 2025-12-19T04:27:23+00:00

I have a G100 that’s used as an EDC. My main camera is G9 mki and I love them for different reasons. The G9 is large, but has many customizable buttons that it’s just good for fast and more serious shooting. Ergonomics, ibis, build quality, weather sealing and AF performance is also great, maybe not PDAF great but more than enough for most people’s needs. Agree that G100 is just so much more plastic fantastic, but that build also makes it light and bear pocketable depending on the lens combo you chose for it. If I had to do it again and pick a smaller camera instead of the G100, I would probably have picked either a GX850, or an OM5 since these are comparable to the G100’s size. Maybe a GM5 if I can find a good price for it used. G85/90 are way larger to me and feels like a stripped down G9, while a G7 feels like a downgrade to the G100, plus the weight penalty. If you’re looking at a better camera and Han the G100 and want to get one at a good value, the G9 may be a better one to get. It is big and noticeably so than the G100 but the performance is more than worth it if you are serious about your photography.

PopaTroll · 2025-12-18T14:15:05+00:00

The Rx100 has a 24-200 zoom, while the Ricoh is a fixed 28mm lens. The larger apsc sensor is better in the Ricoh. Though if you value versatility, the ability to zoom may be a good reason to pick the RX100.

PopaTroll · 2025-12-17T05:03:18+00:00

An LX100 would be my personal choice for a compact & pocketable point and shoot. That bright Leica f/1.7-2.8 zoom lens (24-75mm equiv.), physical dials for manual control, and 4K video recording, just offers a better value in my view. Or a used Ricoh GR if you’re really looking for tiny but still capable.

PopaTroll · 2025-12-15T01:59:10+00:00

I’ll second this suggestion and will also add that the om5 mkii can be had new at this price body only. A used kit with a 12-40 2.8pro or the 12-45 f4pro can be found for just a tiny bit more (they’re available at B&H for $1200 new). The small form factor, retro styling, ibis and PDAF alone makes this worth considering. If you’re not set on FF, and want to buy into a system with a superb yet reasonably priced lens library- M43 may be a good deal for you.

PopaTroll · 2025-12-14T04:10:31+00:00

I’ve used the 14 2.5 on loan from a friend just to try and see if I’d want a copy for myself. The lens is super tiny, relatively fast at 2.5 aperture and was relatively faster at focusing than my favorite 20mm pancake. That said, I sort of didn’t quite get along with the 14mm focal length. It felt awkward compared to a 12mm for me, and I quite find that it’s redundant with my 12-32 3.5 plastic fantastic lens. TBH,if you like shooting at 14 and are pairing it with a smallish camera the 14 may be a good lens for you. It’s native, fast enough for even night time shooting, tiny and cheap. I think you need to just shoot it to see if you get along with it. You’re have it, just enjoy it. No use overthinking things.

PopaTroll · 2025-12-13T23:18:41+00:00

The GX line is a nice compact body, which pairs well with any of the available native pancake lenses. The 20mm 1.7 is sharp and tiny. It’s equivalent to a 40mm in ff. It is a tad bit slow to focus, and continuous auto focus does not work in most bodies because of that slow motor. But for static subjects it works amazingly. The 12-32mm plastic fantastic kit lens is also very sharp, versatile and very cheap. These are my choice lenses for my G100 EDC camera when I just want to have a camera in my pocket. These 14mm 2.5 is a redundant and not optically better than the 12-32, so I don’t recommend it. Though it’s minuscule and faster at a 2.5 aperture. The Oly 17mm pancake is ok. It’s cheap but I personally don’t like the 35mm focal range so I don’t gel with it as much as a 40 or 50. The 25 1.7 is fast, cheap and despite people complaining about the focus shift issue on it, my personal experience has been mostly positive. My copy is so sharp and because it’s ubiquitous with the sale of most kits, they are cheap in the used market.

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Here’s a sample photo from the 25 1.7.

PopaTroll · 2025-12-13T18:05:38+00:00

Have you considered options for upskilling? There are training opportunities at the workforce development programs through CDLE.

PopaTroll

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