My Pen working together with FF system

With my main system now a Nikon FF system, I recently bought a used 2009 Ep-1 Pen to integrate into my photography system. This Pen EP-1 as mentioned in the earlier blog, was bought at a low price. The only lens from m4/3 is the pancake 17mmf2,8. The quality output of the 17mm is not as good as the 20mmf1.7 but I think it is still decent and better than the standard kit zooms. The main advantage is the small size and can be pop into my Domke F803 together with my D600 DSLR and 2 more lens.

With the nikon to m4/3 adapter I bought last time, the nikon lens like the 50mmf1.8D, Nikkor 200mmf4 AI and Tokina 100mmf2.8 Macro I have can be integrated with the EP-1 too.  Note that due to the 2x sensor of the m4/3 the Nikon lens will be double in focal length. My 50mm with be a 100mm f1.8 equivalent etc.

Time Lapse- Clouds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_CNSLWyfTM

Click the link to view...

This time lapse project was collected for the past few weeks and the theme is clouds.
Shoot by D600 ande kit lens. Upload in HD in option.

Punngol Sunset

Shot this on the jetty instead of going down to the beach.

1) D600 with 24-85mm

2) Olympus Ep-1 with 55mm f2.8 Russia lens

Shots around Singapore Flyer

Brought my daughter for a short outing as my wife is having fever & resting at home. She is having her school holidays now till end of december. The shopping centres are filled with Christmas season decors. With me, I brought the 2009 Olympus EP-1 and 17mmf2.8. This 17mmf2.8 suffered bad reviews in the internet and now is selling dirt cheap. To me, it is still a good lens as shown in the photos below.

BTW, Singapore Flyer is our version of the London Eye. The visitors are low today and we are able to get a cabin on our own.The view from the flyer is great. But I do recommend to do it in the evening for more dramatic city lights.

Olympus E-p1 (2013)

This is the first M4/3 from Olympus back in 2009. During that time I favor the Panasonic GF1 instead due to the packaged 20mmf1.7 superb lens it come with.

Fast forward to 2013, with the launched of EP-5 the 4th model for the Pen flagship, this E-P1 is a bargain in the used market. I found one in a great condition selling at SGD$150 (body and kit lens) and bought it immediately. I used to have the very best of the m4/3 OM-D EM-5 and recently has given up for the FF Nikon D600.

My main purpose of this E-p1 is act as a back up for my coming Australia trip. I know  what to expect when carrying a DSLR for dinner and casual walks/ shopping, I will prefer to keep the D600 and lens in the room and bring a smaller set-up in my waist pouch during the relaxing time. When I sold my EM-5 OMD setup few months ago, I secretly kept the screw mount adaptors and the Nikon F mount adapter to m4\3 as I still secretly love the m4/3 camera and may one day be buying the out-dated models like this superb e-p1 to adapt the Nikon lens and 1 old screw-mount Russia lens (see the below photo) Will I use it more than my D600? I will test it in Australia soon.

Jusino TK-255 + BT-02 ballhead

I am one who is brand conscious. I stand by Gitzo and Manfrotto brands when it comes to tripod. I used to believe since I have a few grand of camera equipment, I should not save on tripod. A sturdy one is important to protect my expensive equipment.

However, due to the need of having a small setup and a need to bring it to overseas, I came across this Jusino, a China Brand. I have heard of Benro from China looking very similar to Gitzo products. But they are the same as Gitzo, large and bulky. 

I bought this Jusino from a local shop who brought in this product. I understand there is a similar product in the name of Sirui which was market by another shop in Funan Centre (I personally do not like that shop due to being over-quote on other products).

This Jusino tripod has 5 -sections, extending it takes more effort than a normal 3 or 2 sections types. But due to it can collapsed to a small size, this is unavoidable The ballhead is easy to use and the fiction or tightening and loosening is smooth and I feel the quality is similar to the ArcaSwiss brand I used during my birding days. 

The ballhead comes with a quick release plate and there is a safety catch built-in. I am kind of impressed by this added feature.

One of the legs can be removed and used as a mono-pod too. A good innovation.

The best of all, it is half the length of my Manfrotto 290 when both are collapsed. I will be using it extensively during my Australia trip. 

 1) BT-02 Ballhead (able to hold my D600 and 200mmf4 lens)

 2) The centre column can be replaced by a shorter column which is provided to use it at a low profile.

 3) The transformer- Can be a mono-pod with 1 min setup

 4) The smallest size setup for transporting and easy packing. Come with a nice carrying case.

5) Real life use for my time lapse photography

Real life shoot with Nikkor 200mmf4 Q

Sharpness test on Nikkor 200mmf4Q (AI -modified)

Here are some test shot on the insecticide bottle. Not bad for a 1950s-60s lens. Test on D600 and tripod mounted. Natural light at ISO800.
Please note- Do not mount the original NON-AI version on your digital DSLR. It may damage it. Use on AI-modified types.

 1) Aperture F4

 2) Aperture F5.6

 3) Aperture F11

4) Aperture F16

Common items

It's a common Lynx Spider and a common flower which can be found in any grass patches. But I still want to shoot to bring the best of of it.

D600 w 100mm Tokina + raynox250

Domke F803 & Nikkor 200mm F4 Q & WU-1B

The shipment from B and H USA arrived one day in advance. I was happy to know that the small domke F803 can fit my D600 with 24-85mm attached , a 100mm f2.8 and a 200mmf4. The inner front 2 pockets is spacious enough to put a water bottle and SB-400 flash and other accessories like batteries.

The rugged look is the one that attracts me. It look more like a messenger bag than a camera bag. On the back Slot, a IPAD can be fitted too.
This bag may look small during the first impression but I realised it can do more.It is one of my favorite bags. The colour of this bag matches the nature surrounding too. It cost at US$109 and with shipment it cost around US$150. Converted to Singapore dollars, it cost about $195 SGD. In one of our reputable shops here, it is selling at SGD268.

One bad thing about the Domke F803 is the clip-on for the main flap. I find it is stiff and difficult to open/closed. So i have a solution- I bought a $0.80 carabiner hook for easy handling.,

I usually will buy 2-3 items from B and H to ammortised the shippment costs. Thus I get the cheap Niikor 200mmf Q at US$89 only.

The 200mm Nikkor lens is a pre-AI lens but it was modified to AI thus my D600 is able to use it (meter, aperture set etc). I actually been wanting to buy the newer 180mmf2.8 or the 80-200mmf2.8 but worried I may  seldom use this range. So I bought this lens to see if the focal length match  my shooting style. If worst case, I really like this focal length length, I will resell it and buy the newer lens. I believed with the new DF Nikon FX retro DSLR, manual lens will be in demand again. This old lens is ok, but I think the lens construction is unable to match the D600 high resolution. As long I do not pixel-peep, the sharpness and contrast is there.

I also bought a Nikon Wireless adapter WU-1b. I buy it in preparation of my Australia trip in December. I can easily transfer my images to Ipad during my free time.

Domke F803 and Nikkor 200mm f4 Q (ai modified)

my own carabiner hook for easy access.

Able to put a IPAD behind.

Shot by Nikkor 200mm with raynox 250

Low light shoot with 24-85mm Kit lens

I brought a D600 and the kit lens to the S.E.A Ocean restaurant in Sentosa island. It is a fine dining place with the giant aquarium as the main attraction. The lighting is low and I try shooting it at ISO6400 and above without flash. Only the group photo is with flash.The result are astonishing.