Olympus | SERENDIPITY

May 15, 2013
by Teepee12 Leave a comment

The Olympus E-P5, is it worth it? — ATMTX Photography Blog

I mentioned on last Friday’s post that I thought the E-P5 was Olympus’ take on Fujfilm X100S. — the retro style, the packaged 35mm prime (34mm to be exact) lens and the premium pricing to match. My friend Mike aptly says it’s closer to a Fuji X-E1 because of the interchangeable lenses. Even though the X-E1 does not yet off a 35mm equivalent, he has a good point. Either way, it seems like Olympus created an upscale camera that echoes cameras of a bygone era. The big question is, is it worth the premium price?

I’ve been busy with my, yet unannounced, equipment changes so I really didn’t look into the E-P5, until today. I knew I wasn’t going to get one any time soon. After all, I already bought an E-PM2, late last year and the image quality should be the same. But what if I didn’t get the E-PM2? Would it make sense to buy the E-P5? As I already mentioned, it’s pretty much the camera I wanted last year — it has most the features on my wish list.

First, let’s compare the E-P5 vs. the OM-D E-M5. The two cameras mostly share the same feature set. Sure the body style is different, but they both have the same sensor, same image processor, the roughly the same 5 axis image stabilizer and the same speedy focusing system. You lose the water resistance and the EVF (Electronic View Finder) on the E-P5 but gain WiFi, 1/8000s max shutter speed and a faster 1/320s flash sync speed. The OM-D body is $999, the same price as the E-P5. However, keep in mind that the body-only E-P5 doesn’t come with an EVF. Bought separately, the EVF costs more than $200. So effectively, the E-P5 body is sold at at least a $200 premium.

Second, the E-P5 replaces the E-P3 introduced in 2011. The E-P3 with the standard $100 kit lens ran $899. Subtract out the kit lens and a fictional body-only E-P3 configuration should run $799, again $200 lower than the E-P5 body-only price.

Third, assuming you support my premise that Olympus is competing against the Fuji X100S with the 35mm equivalent lens, consider this. The Fujifilm X100S is priced at $1299. The Olympus E-P5 with the 17mm lens (34mm equivalent) and the EVF is packaged at $1499. Now, despite the retro look of both cameras, they are very different beasts. Direct comparisons are a bit of a stretch, but let me try. On the plus side for Fuji, you get a very good hybrid optical/EVF, arguably better image quality, true analog exposure controls and an attractive well designed body with a seamlessly integrated viewfinder. The E-P5 has the advantage of a world-class in-body image stabilizer and the flexibility of interchangeable lenses. People can quibble of the price but I believe the two cameras should be priced the same. Certainly, I find it hard to justify a $200 premium over the X100S.

My conclusion, the Olympus E-P5 is overpriced by $200. The body only price should be $799 and the kit price should be $1299. Still expensive, but it makes sense based on the competition. So is the camera worth it? Only you can answer that question, however, if I were in the market for an Olympus, I wouldn’t pay $999 for the body or $1499 for the kit. So despite my fondness for Olympus micro 4/3, I can’t recommend the E-P5 at the current price.

I also predict that the prices will fall fairly quickly. Olympus will inevitably have a $200 rebate or just reduce the price. No guarantees of course, but that’s been Olympus’ pattern over the last couple of years. What do you think? Is the E-P5 worth it to you?

See on blog.atmtxphoto.com

May 10, 2013
by Teepee12 10 Comments

How come you have so many cameras?

This is a question that every photographer, professional or amateur, periodically asks him or herself … and is inevitably asked by friends, family, and occasionally, complete strangers. My answer is 7, plus the iPhone (on which I’ve never actually taken a picture) and a Coolpix that I don’t like and never use — which I guess totals 9. I am not counting cameras I used to own but gave away … or which I have somewhere in the house, but who knows where?

The little pocket-sized Canon Powershot S100 is my go everywhere favorite. Light and compact, with a good quality, fast, versatile lens, I carry it in my purse. It is the camera I always have with me so it gets a lot of use, even in situations where another camera would do a better job. This is the camera that embodies the maxim “The best camera is the one you have with you.” Technically, I guess I also have my iPhone S4, but I don’t consider it a camera.

The heart of my gear are my Olympus PENs — the PL-1, E-P3 and now the PM2. These are the cameras I use when I am planning to shoot and want the best quality. As part of the mirrorless micro 4/3 set, I also have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 I bought because it came with the 14mm f/2.8 lens and ironically, it was cheaper to buy the camera with the lens than to buy only the lens. It’s not a bad camera, but it is definitely there for backup and not as primary shooting gear. It has the advantage of being small and light and the same format as the Olympus PENs.

I picked up the Olympus 800UZ on sale when I wanted a really long telephoto zoom. I live in the country in a river valley and this camera is particularly useful to get pictures of birds far across the pond where nothing else I own could possibly grab the shot.

Fully extended, it is 830 mm — a very long lens. Shooting with an extremely long telephoto lens is problematic, but this is even more of a problem because it is difficult to focus. Part of the issue is that fully extended, even the tiniest movement is greatly exaggerated and makes focusing impossible. I have to brace my arms against something solid or I can’t get any picture and sometimes can’t even find my subject. Nonetheless, it is the only camera I own that will capture really distant shots. It’s not a camera I use often, but it has a specific uses. It was a lot cheaper to buy the camera with the super zoom than to buy a very long lens for the PENs.

I also have a Canon Powershot SX260 HS. It too has a super-zoom, but not as extreme. It won’t capture swans and geese at the other side of the pond, but it will catch musicians at the far end of the concert hall … even in dim light. It’s easier to use and much faster focusing than the 800UZ.

For the joy of photography, my favorite remains the Olympus PEN E-P3. I use it most often paired with the “portrait” 45mm F/1.8 lens, a fine portrait lens, but also great for artistic shots of flowers, foliage, dogs, and people in general. The shallow depth of field makes ordinary shots look like art. It’s not me. It really is the lens.

I usually keep the 14mm F/2.8 Lumix lens on the Olympus PEN PM2 and the 40-140mm on the oldest of my PENs, the Olympus PEN E-PL-1. The Panasonic DMC-GF3 doesn’t get a lot of use, but I put the “normal” 14-42mm Olympus lens on it in case I have a “normal” lens emergency. I find it easier and faster to swap cameras than lenses, so having bodies on which I can put different prime lenses may look more complicated, but for me is actually a simplification.

I grant you it tends to add up to a lot of cameras, if you just count them and don’t recognize that there are special uses for some of them and others are there because they came as part of a package or, like the PL-1, was an original camera that I’ve kept because it’s still a good camera, if a bit old.

Whenever I go out to shoot, I have to think hard about what I want to take with me, where I’m going and what lenses I’m likely to need. Because I won’t ever take everything … but hopefully, I’ll have what I need when I need it.

So that’s why I have so many cameras. And will probably have more eventually. How many do you have?

- – -

Olympus Pen E-P3 (imlightsensitive.wordpress.com)
My crazy list of digital cameras, I currently own (atmtxphoto.com)
UK Best Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 16.1MP Compact System Camera Kit – Black with 14-42mm Lumix G Price (ukbestcompactcamera.wordpress.com)
Why you should buy Canon point-and-shoots and printers (news.consumerreports.org)
Turning on the Olympus Super Control Panel (atmtxphoto.com)

April 27, 2013
by Teepee12 Leave a comment

Olympus XZ-1 as travel companion

Reblogged from atmtx photography blog:

Acute Angle, Austin-Bergstrom Airport - Austin, Texas

My Olympus XZ-1 has become my take anywhere travel companion. A camera small enough to have on my shoulder without getting in the way. And my white camera seems to attract attention in a good way. Several people have come up to ask me what kind of camera I'm using.

Last week, I was on yet another trip to California.

Ordinary Things – Waiting for Spring

March 24, 2013 by Teepee12 | 4 Comments

Still waiting

Piece of Peace Pipe

Other Gods

Looking for spring

Emmy

Through the door, into the bedroom. It’s late, time to sleep.

Marilyn Armstrong – Olympus PEN E-P3, 45 mm F/1.8

Deep White: Shooting Snow With the Canon Powershot S100 (teepee12.com)
Buying the camera instead of the lens (teepee12.wordpress.com)
Olympus E-P3 12MP Micro 4/3 Camera w/ 14-42mm Lens for $449 + free shipping (9to5toys.com)
Olympus PEN E-P3 12.3 MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 17mm Lens – Black (slideshare.net)
Across the snowfield (teepee12.wordpress.com)

Buying the camera instead of the lens

February 6, 2013 by Teepee12 | 4 Comments

This is the story of why I didn’t buy a Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 prime lens for my Olympus PEN E-P3 and instead bought the Canon PowerShot S100. As a side note, I ordered the new camera in basic black because I’m a traditionalist. Black goes with everything and it cost $50 less than the identical camera in silver (why?).

It took me a year to work this out. Many people, including myself, have pointed out I have a plenty of cameras and accessories, so why in the world do I need or want another? It’s a valid question. I’ve given it a lot of thought.

Secretly or not-so-secretly, we all want the new camera

To the last man and woman, we are gadget freaks. We love’em, can’t get enough of ‘em.

Too many? No way. There is no “too many.” No photographer can have too many cameras, even if we have dozens of cameras including ones we never use or haven’t touched in years. It may appear to the non-initiate as if we have excess equipment, but each piece plays a unique role. Like children in a large family, no two are the same. Each has a special destiny, a niche, a purpose. Although a small degree of overlap may exist, it is surprisingly little.

Someday they will make a camera that will do it all … and I will not be able to afford it. Life can be cruel.

The Collection

The foundation of my equipment is a pair of Olympus PEN cameras. The PL-1 was my original camera. It’s a few years old and plays backup for the newer E-P3. I got the Olympus 40-150 zoom when I got the PL-1 as well as one of my two 14-42 Olympus lenses. More recently, I bought the 45mm F/1.8 Oly portrait lens. I love it so much it makes my heart flutter thinking about it.

Last, but far from least, I added the Panasonic LUMIX 14mm f/2.5. It’s pretty fast, decently wide, an all around excellent landscape lens. Since that’s mostly what I shoot, this is an extremely useful lens.

Also notice my amazing camera bag. It looks like a big lunch bag and holds all the equipment I own, including a lot of stuff not in the picture. I could probably use it as a lunch bag, come to think of it.

Next up, meet the Canon Powershot SX260 HS with its 20X zoom, f/3.5-6.8. Light and small, it has a lens that can go from moderately wide to very long (about 300 feet), it has been my grab and go camera as well as Garry’s. Because I do more grabbing and going than planning and organizing, it has gotten more use recently than the PENS. That’s mostly the result of poor planning on my part.

It focuses fast, is easy on batteries and small enough to slip into my pocket. It’s a fine little camera until the lights go down. At that point, its maximum aperture of f/3.5 becomes a problem.

Enter stage right: the new kid in town. Canon PowerShot S100 can shoot JPG and RAW (as do the PENs, but not the 260). Although this isn’t always important, it can be. The lens is not as long as the 260, but it’s much faster — maximum aperture f/2.0 versus f/3.5. In poor lighting conditions, it’s the difference between getting the shot and not.

In the end, after sifting through all the possible permutations and arguing with myself about “need” versus “want very much,” the decision was between getting the Panasonic LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 lens ($348) for the PENs, or the Canon PowerShot S100 ($279 minus some coupons I had from Amazon).

The Panny 20 is a fast 40mm lens (in practical terms) that many photographers who work with micro 4/3 cameras use as a normal. It’s ultra compact, ultra light and renowned for high quality optics. I eventually dissected my reluctance to buy it thusly: 40mm is not a length I like.

It is a bit on the wide-angle side of normal. This means if I use it to photograph people, they will look a little wider than they really are. No big deal you say? Are you kidding? Whatever other truths exist about photography, this one is cross-gender, international, etched in stone:

No one wants to look fat in a photograph.

A little bit extra width would go over among the women in my life like the proverbial lead balloon. If I shot a lot night scenes or cityscapes, it might be worth it to me, but we don’t have a convenient city. It’s rural out here. We have a moon, trees, fields, rivers and waterfalls. Cows and horses, too. Our towns go to sleep early and don’t leave the lights on. Our roads are mostly unlit. If if you are from an urban area, driving after dark in this neighborhood can be unsettling. It is very dark.

So I bought the camera

I finally admitted I was never going to buy the lens, even if the price were to drop. Decision made, I felt better. Indecision concluded, let the buying commence.

The little S100 will get a lot of use. Garry will use it, I will use it. It will travel with us when we don’t want to play guard dog to more expensive equipment and when we don’t want to carry more than the minimum. I will toss it into my bag when we go out, just in case.

And that’s the story.

Rarely do I know exactly why I made a particular decision, but this time I agonized over it for so long that I can — this once — follow my process. That the price of the camera dropped a lot during the last month made the decision easier. When it was around to $400 dollars, it wasn’t so tempting. At $279 with free shipping and a couple of discount coupons? I bought it.

What I use a lot, use occasionally, never use at all, and why

Cameras

I use the Olympus PEN E-P3 often and am always glad when I do. It is fast to focus, recycle, flash, everything. Almost instantaneous. It’s lightweight, compact and a ton of fun to use. Also, the pictures come out well. The auto-focus is important these days since my eyes are not what they were. The speed at which the P3 zeroes in on its target as well as its effective anti-shake (built into the camera, not the lenses) are great for hands that aren’t as steady as one might like.
I don’t use the PL-1 as much, but I keep it fitted it with a second lens. It’s faster to switch cameras than change lenses.
I use the Canon Powershot 260 more than the PENs, not because it’s better — it isn’t — but because it’s so easy. No decisions to make about lenses or other equipment. One camera, everything included.

I bet more and more people be using these high-end point-and-shoots. The quality has gone up and the prices are, for the most part, not breathtaking. There’s not much one of these little babies can’t do.

The difference between point-and-shoot and “other” is getting blurry. All cameras, including some super high-priced DSLRs can all be used as point-and-shoot cameras. You might be surprised how many people have never gotten beyond that. They own thousands of dollars of professional equipment and don’t know an f/stop from their Aunt Fanny. I figure eventually they will give up the pretence and get a good point-and-shoot.

Micro 4/3 format Lenses

1) Most used: The 14-42mm kit lenses. In 35mm terms, this is 28mm to 85mm, or slightly wide-angle to portrait. It is — especially for a kit lens — an exceptionally good piece of glass and it’s versatile. At its maximum aperture of f/3.5, it’s fast enough to shoot in most natural light until the sun begins to go down. If I can’t make up my mind what lens I need, this one gets the nod.

2) Close contenders:

(a) Olympus 45mm f/1.8 (90mm per in SLR terms) is a beautiful, fast lens I often use instead of a “normal.” When you are shooting tight, it has a wafer-thin depth of field letting you do portraits anywhere without the background intruding.

(b) The Panasonic LUMIX 14mm f/2.5 (28mm per SLR) is a moderate wide-angle with high quality glass. At 2.5, it’s reasonably fast, even in low light. It’s also compact and weighs close to nothing.

3) Rarely used:

Olympus 40-150 f/4 (widest aperture), translates to an 80 – 300 if it were a 35 mm. Why don’t I use it? Because I often shoot wide, but rarely shoot long. I shoot macro, portraits and landscapes, but things in the distance rarely interest me, at least in part because I can’t see them. The one time this year I needed a long lens, I had the other camera with me. Oh well.

Olympus unveils new Micro Four Thirds 75-300mm telephoto lens at 2013 CP+ (digitaltrends.com)
Olympus M.ZUIKO ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II Telephoto Lens, Available for Pre-Order at B&H Photo (prweb.com)
Best mirrorless cameras for less than $1,000 (reviews.cnet.com)
Panasonic Lumix DMC Z20 Digital Camera Review and In-Depth Analysis of 2013 Deals Revealed Via Find My Price (prweb.com)
Tamron joins the Micro Four Thirds party with company’s first-ever lens (digitaltrends.com)
Why Mirrorless Rocks (mpex-experience.com)

January 11, 2013
by Teepee12 Leave a comment

Digital Camera reviews – Olympus – Olympus PEN E-PL5 – Fisooloo.com

See on Scoop.it – In and About the News

Compare Olympus cameras: Olympus PEN E-PL5 prices , stores , reviews , specifications and videos at Fisooloo.com.

Marilyn Armstrong‘s insight:

This website, set to Olympus if you click over from here, is a useful tool for comparing models of camera equipment in a variety of ways. If you’re thinking of buying, but aren’t sure what model … or for that matter … what manufacturer … to go with, this is a good tool to help you sort it out. The site includes reviews, specs for those of us who like to know exactly what we are getting. And more.

There are other categories: computers, fashion, gaming consoles, other things … but you can use it however it suits your needs.

See on www.fisooloo.com

Olympus Readies to Reign Over Digital Photography: RIP DSLR (icemanbaldy.com)
Is This the Sharpest Lens on the Planet? (theopticalviewfinder.wordpress.com)

January 10, 2013
by Teepee12 5 Comments

Ghost Photographer

Off we went to a party in downtown Boston, at the W Hotel. Out here in central Massachusetts, we have a layer of snow on the ground … but there’s no snow, nor any sign of there having been any snow, in the city. Guess it’s one of those country things.

The husband and I were going to a fundraiser. We don’t have any funds, but Garry is still a recognizable person and we are a presentable couple. We clean up well.

It was a pleasant surprise to discover that Garry and I knew quite a few people. That people know Garry is not unusual or for that matter, that he knows them. What is rare is when anyone recognizes me. Nice.

From a photographic point of view, it was challenging. I had a camera inadequate to the task. Bad lighting. Flourescent too, so everyone looked green. There was too much light to use the flash most of the time, but not enough light to shoot without flash. It was also crowded; I’m too short to shoot over people.

Which means I took a lot of pictures; I had no idea how they’d look when I put them up on the monitor at home.

Most of my favorites are the ones I thought least likely to succeed. Many that looked good when reviewed in the camera were soft and grainy at home. Or, to put it another way, blurry and noisy.

I’m developing a real love for shooting in the city at night. I love the lights, especially when streets are wet and reflective.

This event was on the third floor of the hotel. Like most modern buildings, it offers no access to the outside except from the ground floor. Usually I won’t shoot through window glass. Reflections, refraction, and good old-fashioned dirt make it impossible to know if you’ve got anything usable. But the view was great. Lights, angles, cars, people and slightly wet pavement. Cool.

If I wanted the shot, it was through glass or not at all.

I shot through the glass. When I first saw my reflection in the glass, my immediate instinct was to try to find an angle without my reflection. Then I changed my mind. The image in the glass combined with the view of the street produced a ghost-like self-portrait, an interestingly disembodied me: a ghost photographer in the sky.

Ironically, these are some of the better pictures of me in recent years. Sad but true.

You may notice I’m using my little Canon point and shoot. I take it everywhere because it’s small, light, and if something happened to it, I would not be nearly as upset as I’d be if something happened to my Olympus or one of the lenses.

If the best camera is the one you have with you, then this is my best camera because it’s always with me. I’ll have to think about that.

December 26, 2012
by Teepee12 2 Comments

ATMTX PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG — Guide to Mirrorless Cameras

See on Scoop.it – In and About the News

The mirrorless interchangeable lens camera world has gotten crowded. All the major manufactures have jumped in and many have multiple models. I created my guide to mirrorless cameras to help people navigate the waters and make the proper decisions.

If you disagree with my recommendations, that’s fine. Add your suggestions in the comments area underneath this post. If you look at my portfolio or mostlyfotos, you’ll know what I like urban landscapes, architecture and street photography. I also take a lot of candid family photographs which I don’t post on the blog. These mirrorless camera recommendations are based on my experience taking these kind of photographs.

If you are confused by this new and fast growing market, don’t be. Just click on my guide for a straight forward look at what you should consider.

If you have friends that want to step up from a point and shoot or a DSLR user who is tired of lugging their beast around, please send them a link to this page or click the Facebook, Twitter or Google Plus buttons. You can also find a link to the Mirrorless guide on the right side under “Recommended Gear”

Marilyn Armstrong‘s insight: Personally, I favor Olympus and always have, but there are other good choices out there. You’ll never get absolutely everything you want in a camera. There’s always a compromise somewhere, so making a decision involves knowing what you must have versus what would by “nice” to have.

This is the fastest growing market segment for cameras in Japan. The US is are moving in that direction here as well. With good reason. Small, good quality, fast, modestly priced (for a good camera). A lot of people buy these as second cameras and discover that they rarely use their “first camera” anymore.