Chatting about the Classic Olympus OM-D E-M5
Over the
year I began to appreciated photo camera that have more character. These models
have a tendency to push us to more creativity to get the result. Yes they are a
kind of perfect cameras made mostly by the two big leaders Canon and Nikon.
Such cameras are truly efficient especially if you have a tendency to reproduce
stereotype art director results.
Photography
can be an art of expression of provocation and to reach that level you have to
overcome the comfort to be conformist. I
am interest in images that will question us and be part of a cultural
evolution. Yes you can be excellent reproducer as many were asking for but we
need to overcome even the most renowned clichés.
Using an
unperfected, nonconformist, incomplete camera may lead us to concentrate on
pre-visualisation of results true unfamiliar way of seeing things and persons.
Polaroid photography has done that for years and still does.
It is a big introduction to validate my choice of working with the Olympus OM-D E-M5. But wait! There is already a version II of this model you might say…but nevertheless since I love the first version and I am still learning from it. But I can understand the appeal for the newest novelty.
One interesting way of working with Electronic
Viewfinder is the possibility to have an instant review of your picture into
the viewfinder without has to check to the LCD screen. In that way you stay
ready to resume your photo session in good shooting position (looking into the
viewfinder). Furthermore the EVF are working more efficiently in low light by
using the automatic gain.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 & M.12-50mm F3.5-6.2 |
It is a big introduction to validate my choice of working with the Olympus OM-D E-M5. But wait! There is already a version II of this model you might say…but nevertheless since I love the first version and I am still learning from it. But I can understand the appeal for the newest novelty.
What can we
summarize about the Olympus OM-D E-M5? In fact it is an imperfect camera. The
autofocus system cannot be compare to the optical reflex counterpart for
technical reasons. Sometimes you will have to proceed by focus anticipation and
in doing so determine our final composition depending on the position of the
subject. In one word it force you to be pro-active instead of being purely
reactive and just kept shooting on a
follow sequence. As a direct consequence your rate of success will be more
limited but with time your analyst of the situation, the context and the
subject will become far superior compare to the usual happy triggers.
Handling
The E-M5 is
a small camera in fact smaller than the original and classical OM-1 film
camera. There is no direct technical legacy between the OM camera series for
traditional films and the new OM-D digital counterparts except for the general
idea of compactness and the physical presentation. If you have manipulated an
OM-1/2 you will have to acknowledge that the E-M5 is a user-friendlier camera
and a lot more sophisticated.
The E-M5
gives you a real control of your picture. Much functionalities are simply on
the professional level as for many moderns D-SLR models. All exposure
fundamental adjustments are available if you ask for and you can shape your own
path in creating your image
.
The
selection of your personal bias for picture taking will be part of building
your own visual signature. That is why the E-M5 is pushing you to do so right
at the beginning when you will first experiment the camera. This process
involves learning the menu setting and configuring the different function
buttons and dials. Doing one change at a time and compare results is the best
way to mastermind the camera. You have to understand what image implication and
why these adjustments are designed for.
Every body
has his special way of setting a camera. For myself I am the kind of person who
like to challenge the fully automatic system and add gradually some specific
adjustment that will fit my palette image vision. The fundamentals classics
parameters such as shutter speed/subject movement perception, aperture/deep of
field selection and focus/subject selectivity are staying the basic rules of
photography.
In the
field
Working
with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 on the spot is a charm since it is not an intruding
camera. Be discreet helps to stay more confortable and prevent the intimidation
of the subject. Even coupled with a bigger lens such as the M.12-50mm it is
still an acceptable package. My preference goes with the black version but it
is up to you to select which color you prefer.
Since it is
a smaller camera all the controls are near by located. That can be annoying for
fast and reliable access to the different functions of the E-M5. With time you
can get used to but this is not definitely a strong aspect of this model. The
EVF gives you a fair idea of you image with certain limitations of color
perception in bright light. To follow the movement of my subject I prefer to
stay looking at the viewfinder so that my naked eye perception cannot interfere
with the delay imparted by the electronic transmission of the visual
information. In reproduction work, the
swivel and touch-option LCD panel is a strong point of the E-M5.
Lens
selection
Almost
every Zuiko M. lenses will fit neatly with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and be simple
to operate. The best quality results will be obtained if you are using the
prime fixed lenses such as M.12/17/45/75mm. For my part I don’t prevent myself
to use the zoom options such as the M.14-42mm or even the M.40-150mm. They are
very flexible lenses, lightweight and they are giving acceptable image quality.
Trying to use too much different lenses has never been for me convenient
because it induces a tendency to disperse your creativity by selecting the
so-call good lens for each situation. It is like painting simultaneously with
two or three different canvas.
Flash
I am not
really enthusiasm in using flash since it has a strong tendency to destroy the
light distribution of your original perception of the situation. Accent flash
is still the way I prefer to work with these supplemental light units. Historically Olympus has managed correctly
mixed flash/ambient light contexts. You can rely on that but I am used to cut
down the flash power a bit to prevent overexposure in the flash enlighten area.
And I must add that I hate to manage all these small pieces of covers for the
hot shoe and electronic contacts of the camera and for the flash shoe by
itself.
Olympus FL-M2 Flash Unit |
Others
For the
battery issue simply bring other ones. Adding the 2-parts battery grip: it is
up to you but remember that it will add a certain volume to your camera but I
agree that for using long lenses or doing intensive portrait sessions or
working in outside adverse conditions such as extreme and nature photography
the grip option can be a good help.
Notes on using the grip: There are at least three ways of using the HLD-6 Battery Grip. As a whole kit with the front handle, the bottom vertical handle complete with the supplemental battery pack which is in my humble opinion the best outdoor option for action or nature photography. The second way is without the supplemental battery pack and yes all the functionalities stay available without flaw.
It is my best option to do portrait session since the camera maintains its low weight. And lastly in using only the front handle to get a more prominent grip without enlarging too much the size of the camera.
Save your
lens cap at home and add photo opportunities by using a good quality protective
filter in front of your lenses. Add the lens hood is also a good idea to
prevent the lens flares.
Notes on using the grip: There are at least three ways of using the HLD-6 Battery Grip. As a whole kit with the front handle, the bottom vertical handle complete with the supplemental battery pack which is in my humble opinion the best outdoor option for action or nature photography. The second way is without the supplemental battery pack and yes all the functionalities stay available without flaw.
It is my best option to do portrait session since the camera maintains its low weight. And lastly in using only the front handle to get a more prominent grip without enlarging too much the size of the camera.
Connectivity debate
There is no
provision inside the camera allowing a direct Wi-Fi connection and it can be
considered as a modern design flaw in view of the new photographic user
criteria. That will not permit you to do direct file transfers and to use
remote controls from other devices such as tablets or portable computers. But
all the newest models of the OM-D series have partly or totally solve that
omission in term of connectivity. If you are used to workflow your picture
files with your memory card or by using the USB connecting cable it won’t
represent a major issue for now.
Briefly
The Olympus
E-M5 was the first model of the new OM-D series that have opened the gate of
general reconnaissance of many photo enthusiasms and even some professional
photographers. It is one of the few new traditional cameras that were able to
attract older users and newcomers at the same time. More than that it is an inspired design that
encourage people to do and experiment photography.
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