Spotting nearby my home for the first shots with my OM-1

[JR East]

Hello, 

 

as I need to feel comfortable with my new OM-1, I've decided to make a quick shooting of the RER A not that far away from home (Google Maps HERE) where trains usually run between 80-100 km/h and frequently cross. 

 

First the full view of a MI 09 trainset bound to Paris (stopping first at Vincennes) - This one is resized to make it 'JNS Forum' friendly

 

 

and the same ... cropped to focus on details. That was not possible with my 12-years old camera, not due to the number of pixels but the autofocus, far too slow / not accurate in rafale mode. 

 

 

As usual, it's the right place to see trains crossing, I'm definetly convinced bythe C-AF (continuous autofocus) mode, the details are sharp

 

 

Overall view, resized for not having too heavy pictures .... The MI 2N Alteo is bound to Fontenay Sous Bois

 

 

Close look on the coupled trains. 

 

 

Enjoy !

 

JM.

Edited July 17, 2022 by JR East
typos

[arkh]

The quality seems great and I'm sure it's an awesome upgrade over your much older camera. I haven't kept up with the newest cameras but the OM-1 looks great. I have the much lower down E-M10 II so I'm quite jealous, haha. 

What lens are you shooting with?

[JR East]

17 hours ago, arkh said:

The quality seems great and I'm sure it's an awesome upgrade over your much older camera. I haven't kept up with the newest cameras but the OM-1 looks great. I have the much lower down E-M10 II so I'm quite jealous, haha. 

What lens are you shooting with?

 

I bought it with the stock lens in a bundle : M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12‑40mm F2.8 PRO II

 

I'm thinking of purchasing the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12‑100mm F4 IS PRO, which is more "all purpose" but I need first of all to challenge the one I have. I've still my old Canon EOS 550D + EF 55 / 200 mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM lens I'll keep on it so that, if I really need a small telezoom, I'm not totally "nude". Of course, I also have my fabulous Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM, and I'll do a comparison with the ED 12‑40mm F2.8 PRO II, esp. at night photo on buildings and skyline when I'm in holidays in Canada late August. 

 

What is really also a pure gain is the overall weight, the OM1 is lighter combined to the 5-axis stabilisation of the sensor and that helps not using that much a tripod but long exposures. 

 

For the non specialist:

12-40 with a micro 4/3 sensor = 24-80 mm in full frame

12-100 with a micro 4/3 sensor = 24-200 mm in full frame

55-200  with Canon APS-C sensor = about 90 - 320 mm in full frame

Edited July 19, 2022 by JR East

[JR East]

In addition to that, @arkh, you've really a good camera with your OM-D E-M10 and like expensive golf sticks doesn't make players better, it's the same for a camera. 

 

I shot that something that 5 years ago with my old Canon EOS 550D

 

Matsumoto castle : This is a long exposure on tripod at ISO 100, just between sunset and dark night, the so-called "blue night". Believe me or not, there is no Photoshop, just Lightroom to make a jpg out of the raw file and the right settings and crop. 

 

 

These other one has been shot in the middle of nowhere in the US (withing, VE). I've simply noticed the beautiful sky, the abandoned shop and the reflecting water. It's really a matter of where to shoot from, nothing else. Technically speaking, it's more than easy ... you can do it with a smartphone. What I did with Lightroom was just to turn it black & white and crop. Of course, as it's a picture for a contest, there is a lot of work on it with Nick Collection Silver Efex to make it really beautiful as it's a printed picture contest (a regional one).

 

 

So that, @arkh, you've the perfect camera to do the same, and probably better. 

 

Changing my 12 years-old camera is somewhere sad as I don't like changing something working perfectly but I was having some drivers and the OM1 fullfit them for an "affordable" price

 

• Getting older and being obliged to have glasses, the EOS 55OD autofocus at night was not that good and I was not able to focus manually with a very good degree of accuracy. OM1 autofocus is really a big step forward, esp. at night or in difficult conditions as well as continuous autofocus & tracking features, 
• I love travelling in Asia. I'm also a "four seasons photographer" and every time my EOS 550D was under the rain, I've spent time to protect it a lot, then dry it. Everytime, I was scared for the lens and I get also humidity issues in Taiwan, with sometimes a white veil. Of course DxO software is able to correct it, but not totally. Anyway, having a waterproof hardware is now really comfortable as both the camera and lens are IP53. It means that I can shoot under the rain or in terribly humide conditions without any issue and whitout jeopardizing my material, 
• Last but not least, I want to travel with less weight.
  • For that Micro Four-Third is great as - due to the sensor factor (see above) - you have wider ranges for the same lenses. I've tested the Canon EOS R5 as well as the Sony A7 IV. Those camera in full-frame are really great. Their weight is comparable with my OM1 but ... due to the size of the sensor, for the same aperture ( f2.8) the weight of the lens are quite significant and in the end, compared to my OM1, the overall weight is double. I really do prefer having something around 1 kg in my hand. It makes my right elbow and shoulder far less painful at the end of the day.  
  • The 5-axis stabilized sensor of the OM1 helps me also as I'm using the tripod less ... so I'm not obliged to have it everytime I'm making a shooting session. Of course I keep it at night, for long exposures etc ... but no more everytime. 

 

here it is !

 

JM. 

 

Edited July 21, 2022 by JR East
typos

[arkh]

Oh, for sure, don't get me wrong - I'm very happy with my E-M10 II! I got it in 2016 and it's served me very well. I, like you, would hate to change it out since it's worked well for me so far. So unless I have some specific factors to consider like you did or the camera gives out somehow, I will be keeping it for a while to come.

Those are some wonderful shots and great examples of what you can do regardless of your equipment. Lightroom + a RAW image with good composition has also definitely opened my eyes to the amazing possibilities available for people willing to put in a little effort. 

And I'm glad you mention the micro four-thirds format specifically as it was, of course, a major factor in my picking one of these types of cameras. The weight and size are perfect for traveling around with. I like to pack as lightly as possible when going anywhere, so it really helps a lot when your camera isn't adding a whole lot to that. I would love to see more people consider the format as I have some friends that want to get a mirrorless camera but have only looked at ones like the A7 (though, to be fair, they might have their own specific needs for doing so). 

Edited July 22, 2022 by arkh

[JR East]

Sony A7R IV + FE 24-70 mm F2.8 GM was another option but - compared with OM1 + ED 12-40, there was a difference of 379 grams in favour of OM1 bundle. That made the decision despite the Sony 'bundle' is better on technical points. As I told previously, travelling with heavy weight is no more an option to me (and the sony bundle was 3000 euros more expensive)

 

JM.