Using Olympus Pen for Event shoot

For the past week, I was asked to shoot for 2 events. As I am totally using the micro-system of m4/3, I was personally feeling uneasy. Although I knew that this system can give good quality picture as per DLSR, the fact that the look of this mini camera, laymen may have doubt about the quality. Nevertheless, I still continue to use it. Of course these events shoot I do it is for free.(No charges). I used to shoot for weddings and that time I was using the Canon 1Dmark2 and the giant lens 28-70mm F2.8 L.

The 2 events I shoot are the Baptism service in my church and my company AGM. Using my fisheye and the best fix lens in my asernal (20mm and 45mm). I am able to capture the event with ease and fun. For the church event, no flash was used. My counter-part is using the Nikon system with flash.

Samyang 7.5mm fisheye sample shots

I was on my way to one of the old streets in Singapore, Joo Chiat Road to repair my mountian bike. My bike's bottom bracket had some cranking noises while cycling and need to be replaced. As opportunity strike, I brought out my E-pm1 mini and the fisheye lens and 20mm. As the whole system is small, I just need to pop in everything into my small wraist pouch. No need to bother to have to carry another big bag if I am still using the DSLR system. I always believe the best camera is the one you always like to bring out regardless of whether there is a need to shoot etc. As there are many times, you wish you had the camera with you. Mobile phone camera's quality is still not there although many still prefer to use it for unexpected situations.

Here are some shots to share. Basically I find the manual focus is easy as compare to the mid-tele manual lens which I use last time.

1) 7.5mm and Pinhole filter

2) 20mm

3) 20mm

 4) Fisheye (pinhole filter)

Upgrades on E-pm1

In Singapore, the term we use to upgrade or modified something is called "Zheng". This past week, I "zheng" my lovely Olympus E-Pm1 Pen. I have been following the news of the up and coming OM_D EPM-5 from Olympus. Have been poisoned by the reviews and the looks of this new camera. So to distract myself, I add a shutter release button from Gariz and add a manual lens 7.5mm fisheye to my asernal.

The shutter do improved my handling of the camera. It's around $20 (SGD) and it uses a doube-sided sticky tape to hold on it. I used to have one when I have Ep-2, although it is hold together by tape, it is very durable.

As for the lens, I have read the reviews and decided to go ahead with this lens as I found it on a 2nd hand shop selling $350. After checking the condition, aperture blade and possible fungus growth, I decided to go ahead. My first impression of this lens is it fits nicely to the m4/3 camera and the metal finish looks great.The manual ring are smooth. It's doesn't feel cheap at all. Another impressive thing I found is the min focus distance is 0.09ft. Great for taking landscape where you need to focus on something very near in the foreground. The next days, I will try to find time to get good pictures from this lens.

Gariz shutter button (nice add-on)

My new 7.5mm fisheye.

Lara Ballet Pre-test

Today, I had a opportunity to capture my daugther's ballet performace. Flash was not used as I didn't want any distraction or disturbance to the class.
Use a Olympus E-pm1 with 20mm or 45mm to capture the candid shots.

Photography at Arab street

It was a cloudy day. I go ahead to have a walk along Arab street. Armed with a E-pm1, 20mm and 45mm.
Here are some shots to share.