Taken by X100 with built in ND filter. Mounted on a tripod.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
My Favorite cameras (top 3)
Having use DSLR like the Canon 10D, Canon 1Dmark2, Canon 30D and Canon40D with various lens, I have lost my passion on photography in 2008/09. These cameras seem to be a work tool rather than a creative or personal tool.
When Panasonic and Olympus came out their mirrorless camera, they brought my passion back. And most recently, I have to praise Fujifilm for making the X100 camera.
These are my favourite cameras...one common fact is they are retro in design, small in size and can produce DSLR images.
1) Olympus EP-2
2) Lumix (Panasonic) GF-1
3) FujiFilm X100
When Panasonic and Olympus came out their mirrorless camera, they brought my passion back. And most recently, I have to praise Fujifilm for making the X100 camera.
These are my favourite cameras...one common fact is they are retro in design, small in size and can produce DSLR images.
1) Olympus EP-2
2) Lumix (Panasonic) GF-1
3) FujiFilm X100
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
FujiFilm X100
There was a time when retro was in demand again in the photography. The earlier model that uses digital sensor on a old film body I believe is Leica's M8. However the price was too high for most novice and serious shooters.
Then in 2009, Olympus came out it's digitial Pens where it's design was inspired by their Pens made in 1959. It was an instant hit for many and it was Olympus strategy to get more market shares from the giants Canon and Nikon. It was this digital pens that actually made me dump all my canon stuff.
Then came X100 in end of 2010, I waited until recently and i finally got the X100. The image quality is superb. I can seriously say much better than the m4/3 cameras out there. Better doesn't mean the m4/3 is lousy. All cameras are great tool as long as it's used knowing it's strength and weakness.The X100 images are smooth and sharp. Colours are good espeically the "Velvia" film simulation. It really reminded myself 10 years back,when I first use the famous iso50 Velvia slide film. The colours are brillant and in any case I have almost forgetten why I like slide film during that time.'
Note that this camera is a fixed focal length (35mm) and it's not a interchangeable lens system like the m4/3 or DSLR. You will not get a fancy wide angle shot or a tight portriat shot as in other systems. Using this camera is like using a APC_S DSLR with a 35mm lens but in a smaller package.
I end this that I do see a shift in today's photography market. With the mirrorless cameras like the PENs, in a few years time, demands of DSLR will drop. The latest EP-3 from Olympus with it's fast AF comparable to DSLR, it will definately change many minds to dump the DSLR for a lighter and fun system like the m4/3 system.
Then in 2009, Olympus came out it's digitial Pens where it's design was inspired by their Pens made in 1959. It was an instant hit for many and it was Olympus strategy to get more market shares from the giants Canon and Nikon. It was this digital pens that actually made me dump all my canon stuff.
Then came X100 in end of 2010, I waited until recently and i finally got the X100. The image quality is superb. I can seriously say much better than the m4/3 cameras out there. Better doesn't mean the m4/3 is lousy. All cameras are great tool as long as it's used knowing it's strength and weakness.The X100 images are smooth and sharp. Colours are good espeically the "Velvia" film simulation. It really reminded myself 10 years back,when I first use the famous iso50 Velvia slide film. The colours are brillant and in any case I have almost forgetten why I like slide film during that time.'
Note that this camera is a fixed focal length (35mm) and it's not a interchangeable lens system like the m4/3 or DSLR. You will not get a fancy wide angle shot or a tight portriat shot as in other systems. Using this camera is like using a APC_S DSLR with a 35mm lens but in a smaller package.
I end this that I do see a shift in today's photography market. With the mirrorless cameras like the PENs, in a few years time, demands of DSLR will drop. The latest EP-3 from Olympus with it's fast AF comparable to DSLR, it will definately change many minds to dump the DSLR for a lighter and fun system like the m4/3 system.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Does Singapore a city has nice landscape?
Monday, April 18, 2011
Weekend with Ep-2 and adapted 4/3 lens
This past weekend, I used a 4/3 to m4/3 mmf-2 adapter to attached my favourite 40-150mm mk1 lens. Adding on a Raynox 250, I shot a jumping spider. Using live view and manual AF, I managed to capture the spider's eyes sharp.
More EP-2 with 14-42mm .
The last shot is with Art filter "Pop Art"
The last shot is with Art filter "Pop Art"
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Little India shootout
Was out with my Olympus EP-2 fitted with just the 17mm lens(equivalent to 34mm in film days). It's a perfect set for some street shoot. I dare not to say it's street photography as I have yet to know the real essence of street photography. Nevertheless, I found the use of the art filters in the Olympus camera a joy to use and it can help me express my feel of the place. Little India in Singapore (Serangoon Road) nearest MRT is Farrer Park or Little India station, unspoiled by the rapid development of our island state. There you will find the old generation of Singaporean or Foreign Workers doing their normal daliy life as compared to the "fake" Chinatown in Singapore. It's a good place to practice some street shoot.
Good Old Leica for sale
Our Foreign workers that help built our buildings
Green and cheap transport
This a man or woman, seated in the middle of the backlane waiting for business
Our"mama" shop. Usually operated by an Indian man selling magazine etc
Collecting cardboard
He love M4/3 camera too. This red G1 is not for sale.
Where is my shelves?
Art Filter (Punchy colours)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Olympus Mirrorless Camera EP-2
Well since 2008 when Panasonic came out the first mirco4/3 camera the G1, it has reinvent the digital photography again. The designer uses live view technology via sensor to LCD without the need of optical prism and mirror of the traditional DSLR/SLR.
The G1 design is simply a scale down design of a DSLR. So it did not appeal to me.
Then in late 2009, a storm came when Olympus came out a flat body design (similar to the rangefinder of the old era) called the EP-1 m4/3 system. I was in love with photography again. However when it was launched, some bad reviews came in, especially hammering the slow autofocus speed. But do keep in mind they are comparing to a DSLR. Till today, I have to admit that these m4/3 or even the sony nex or samsung's NX mirrorless are not here to replace DSLR yet.
But that time Panasonic released the GF1 (same design concept of EP-1) with a much postive review of Auto focus and also release the large apertureand sharp 20mmf1.7. I immediately dump all my canon system and get the GF1.
With the GF-1, it help me to enjoy photography again. I made much more photographs than using a DSLR and it is more portable and fun to use. No one will notice me compare when I was using a DSLR.
However, in end of 2010, I decided to go back to DSLR mainly because I need a all-rounded camera that can handle fast action, macro and event.
The main problem with m4/3 or similar cameras is that the viewfinder and the flash port shared the same spot, so there are times when you need both together. The Panasonic 's G2/G1 or GH2 camera can do all. But I simply do not like the plastic body and design. Another problem with these system is that we may not be able to have a zoom lens with large aperture(f2.8) due to the limitation of size reduction in relationship with the small body. Mechanically, the zoom lens cannot be reduce in size with a large aperture design. The m4/3 has it's own fixed focal lens with large aperture (20mmf1.7, 17mm f2.8 or 14mmf2.5). No zoom lens is made with large aperture yet. Therefore with this in mind, I feel DSLR will still have a place for serious photographers who want large aperture zooms lens. So Canon/Nikon user who want 17-25mmf2.8 or 70-200mm f2.8, they will still be keeping their DSLR.
After selling my GF1 , I got a E-3 DSLR system with 11-22mm f2.8-3.5 and a cheap but sharp 40-150mm f3.5-4.5 lens. I love the colours and value for money lens from Olympus.
However, after saving up and with the price falling in the used market, I recently sold off my Leica D-lux 4 compact to get a Ep-2 m4/3 again. This time with much lesson learned, I will use the EP-2 together with my E-3 DSLR. In the future, I may get a adapter to mount my 4/3 lens to the m4/3 camera.
In serious work, laymen will still be comfortable to see photographer to use a DSLR. Although as a photographer myself , i understand that camera is just a tool where a the man behind the lens is more important, people will still "believe" a DSLR can come out "better" photos.
Really love the retro feel of such camera. My latest EP-2.
The G1 design is simply a scale down design of a DSLR. So it did not appeal to me.
Then in late 2009, a storm came when Olympus came out a flat body design (similar to the rangefinder of the old era) called the EP-1 m4/3 system. I was in love with photography again. However when it was launched, some bad reviews came in, especially hammering the slow autofocus speed. But do keep in mind they are comparing to a DSLR. Till today, I have to admit that these m4/3 or even the sony nex or samsung's NX mirrorless are not here to replace DSLR yet.
But that time Panasonic released the GF1 (same design concept of EP-1) with a much postive review of Auto focus and also release the large apertureand sharp 20mmf1.7. I immediately dump all my canon system and get the GF1.
My first m4/3 mirrorless camera GF1. Lovely design.
However, in end of 2010, I decided to go back to DSLR mainly because I need a all-rounded camera that can handle fast action, macro and event.
The main problem with m4/3 or similar cameras is that the viewfinder and the flash port shared the same spot, so there are times when you need both together. The Panasonic 's G2/G1 or GH2 camera can do all. But I simply do not like the plastic body and design. Another problem with these system is that we may not be able to have a zoom lens with large aperture(f2.8) due to the limitation of size reduction in relationship with the small body. Mechanically, the zoom lens cannot be reduce in size with a large aperture design. The m4/3 has it's own fixed focal lens with large aperture (20mmf1.7, 17mm f2.8 or 14mmf2.5). No zoom lens is made with large aperture yet. Therefore with this in mind, I feel DSLR will still have a place for serious photographers who want large aperture zooms lens. So Canon/Nikon user who want 17-25mmf2.8 or 70-200mm f2.8, they will still be keeping their DSLR.
After selling my GF1 , I got a E-3 DSLR system with 11-22mm f2.8-3.5 and a cheap but sharp 40-150mm f3.5-4.5 lens. I love the colours and value for money lens from Olympus.
However, after saving up and with the price falling in the used market, I recently sold off my Leica D-lux 4 compact to get a Ep-2 m4/3 again. This time with much lesson learned, I will use the EP-2 together with my E-3 DSLR. In the future, I may get a adapter to mount my 4/3 lens to the m4/3 camera.
In serious work, laymen will still be comfortable to see photographer to use a DSLR. Although as a photographer myself , i understand that camera is just a tool where a the man behind the lens is more important, people will still "believe" a DSLR can come out "better" photos.
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