Montréal Like It Like It Not: A Black & White Desire

Montréal is my born city even if I became a suburb boomer like many of us. Montreal is the essence of our cultural french identity the other places are simply anecdotical for us. When I walk in the streets of Montreal I am always strike by infinite nature of changes over the places, the people and the time. Montreal is a survivor in this very competitive world of North America.

You can see the buildings, the beautiful girls and boys as the ancients, the surroundings, the noise and  the music, it is the the dis-harmony of life. It is Montréal!

Are you with me ?

The Superior Lens: The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 75mm F/1.8 Premium

It sometime arrive that a new product is becoming a fetish item right from the start and it was effectively the case for the beloved Olympus M.Zuiko ED 75mm F1.8 Premium, the "made in Japan" state of art optic for M4/3 format cameras.
It is a purely indecent and expensive piece of glass that everybody want to touch, try and ... adopt if they can afford to pay for this majestic device.
Carefully crafted the Olympus 75mm is also a beautiful collector jewel especially in its silver version. The short and fat design of the lens can be still assimilated as a compact design considering the fact it is a real telephoto with a fairly large maximum aperture. The focus is sumptuous and using it in conjunction of the Auto-focus/Manual option of the camera is a charm. When you turn manually the focus ring you will easily feel and ear the by-wire mecanisism of the lens coupled with a lighter turning resistance compare to some prime lens models. For my personal point of view I have seen it more as an avantage than an inconvenient.

Plumage (OM-D E-M5 II / M.Zuiko 75mm f1.8)

A short word about the lens hood
The dedicated and factory lens hood of the Olympus ED 75mm F1.8 Premium is not part of the included accessories that come with the lens. In fact the Olympus policy regarding lens hood availability is not really clear. It seems that most of the "polymer-made" hood are included with the lens and the "metal-made" ones are optional accessories. For the Olympus 75mm lens, the gigantic metal lens hood (and expensive) has to be bought separately. Considering the hood large dimension it is really an occasional  add-on accessory that will bother more than be practical. It's up to you to "invest" or not.

With 16 degrees of (narrow!) angle of view the Olympus ED 75mm F1.8 is the first real telephoto that will give you an equivalent three time magnification compare to your normal eye sight. Combined with its maximum aperture of F1.8 it can be a very discriminating lens considering its reduced deep of field.
Because of its great selectivity the Olympus 75mm F1.8 is more an off-contextual lens than the others lenses doted with a wider angle of view. Perfect in doing portrait or such related subjects this small and fast telephoto can be also used in cultural (such in theatre or musical scene) and sport events.
You may consider the Olympus ED 75mm F1.8 as a true "project" lens that will ask a greater sense of study of your subject. In fact working with the optic will allow you to really discover different aspects of your subject.

What to add more about that optical marvel from the Olympus M4/3 line-up except its outstanding performance. Yes this a superior optic even if it is a specialize piece of glass. But using the Olympus 75mm may transform you in an addict of this focal length with a narrow angle of view.

Urbascape with the Olympus M.Zuiko ED75mm F1.8 Premium

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8: the "Pro" Still Photographer ...

The Panasonic Lumix GX8 in its nice silver delivery.
A more discrete black version is also available

My first impression was that GX8 fit like a glove to me. The handling, the control and the interface are easy to comprehend and you have the feeling to hold and to use a very pro oriented M4/3 format still camera.

The very confortable
 and secure front grip
 of the Lumix GX8

The grip factor is really one of the strongest points of the Lumix GX8 that is giving a very secure and confortable way of working with the model. Many times I have used the GX8 without bothering to put my wrist strap since I was feeling fully confident about the handling. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is large and very informative of the picture output result you can expect. Direct dial options are easy to learn and reach if needed. As usual push bottoms are handy and fast to react but can be accidently activated during shooting if you are not aware of your palm hand position. The LCD screen is also a very fine viewing tool and can be fully oriented in many ways.

The very beautiful and classical design of the Panasonic Lumix GX8 upper deck. An interesting mixture of classical presentation and modern direct dial functionality attributions

The Panasonic Lumix GX8 is a bigger camera than the previous GX7 (original). It appears as a design choice by Panasonic study board rather than a technical constraint especially with the venue of the new Lumix GX85 / GX80 (Japan GX7 Mark II) that has a significaly smaller size despite its similar features. For a full time photographer (dixit so-called pro) the dimensions of the GX8 are still smaller compare to traditional DSLR even more if you add the equivalent lenses. So it confirms in a way the “Pro” orientation of the model.

The tilt able electronic viewfinder (EVF) of the Panasonic 
Lumix GX8: a Chest level alternative that can preserve parallel 
vertical lines or help you for low level point of view

Is the Lumix GX8 an action camera? For spontaneous photography you can say without a doubt yes. For sport or very moving subject it cannot in any way compete with the modern DSLR that are the most advanced autofocusing system available on the market. Using the faster prime lenses will give you a more reactive GX8 in the view o my modest experiences. So doing action photography with the Lumix GX8 can be more challenging for the user. You have to rely on a more pro-active approach (Anticipation) than a reactive watching.

No in-board flash is available on the Lumix GX8. Again it seems to be a voluntary designer choice. Panasonic has often been joggling with that feature like in the case of the diminutive Lumix GM5. Without in-board a flash option you need to bring an external flash unit of some kind to perform at least fill-in flash operation. So it represents an additional device to think of but the advantage came by the fact that most of the external flash units are self-powered saving the camera own battery life. Again no in-board flash unit is reflecting a traditional “Pro” design approach.

The Panasonic Lumix GX8 is delivering beautiful image outputs. The exposure system is very accurate and you can rely on it on every operating modes offered by the GX8. Color rendering especially in the “Natural” mode is respecting the reality of the scene. The exposure direct control dial is handy.

You can produce rich black and white pictures that as always a big advantage of using a camera equipped with an EVF that is showing you on the spot the final image output prior to the picture taking.  In a strictly personal point of view using the new 20MP image captor didn’t represent a strong departure from the usual 16MP sensor used on many others M4/3 models. I am sure that the new 20MP will give some edge advantages on specific picture taking situations or in performing particular image post treatments. But for a Web diffuser like myself the difference will appear marginal at the most.

In combination with the Lumix Vario G 12-60mm lens the 
Panasonic GX8 can deliver very pleasant colours and fine details.

Using the monochrome option on the GX8 is producing 
excellent black and white results

After a few days of companionship the Panasonic Lumix GX8 had proved to be a very solid still camera. Its larger size will give you confidence to bring it everywhere on every circonstances even in bad weather. But you must remember this is not a very compact model such as the smaller Lumix GX85/80 model. Lens combination with the GX8 are better served by selecting the "Pro" lens version like the 12-35mm f2.8 and the 35-100mm f2.8 or the versatile 12-60mm. 

As a professionally oriented model, some aspects of the Lumix GX8 such as its generous grip, the add-on external flash option, its 20MP image captor and its titl-able EVF for example will be well received for everyday and intensive photographers.

On the road with the Lumix GX8

Although the Panasonic Lumix GX8 is a very well crafted camera it cannot be assimilated as an impressive model such as to be the previous Lumix GX7 (first version) which had many interesting features in a more smaller package. Even considering the improvement of the image sensor this redesign won't necessarely seduce everybody. Paradoxically Panasonic has already done better with the new GX85/80 (Japan GX7 Mark II) but with the sacrifice of the weather sealed body feature.

Now (August 2016) the current selling price of the camera combined with the Lumix Vario G 12-60mm lens is representing a better quality-price ratio for this quality level of product.


Special thanks: With the complicity of Panasonic Canada and my kindly representing contact person I was able to work with the GX8 model equipped with the newest Lumix Vario 12-60mm Power OIS lens.

The Panasonic Lumix GX85/GX80 (Japan GX7 Mark II): TheTraveller Successor

The Panasonic Lumix GX85/GX80 or GX7 Mark II (Japan):
A very classical rangefinder style digital modern camera

My first introduction to M4/3 image captor format was with the Olympus Pen EP-3, The camera and lenses dimensions were just perfect in my sense for an everyday compact camera. The only irritating omission was the absence of a traditional viewfinder and using the add-on EVF accessory simply destroy the homogeneity of the basic idea. Later the coming days of the OM-D series solved partly the problem by integrating a workable EVF and by offering in-body stabilization.

Panasonic have developped over the years a complete series of rangefinder style cameras such as more recently the GX7, GM5 and GX8 models all cameras doted with a good EVF and in-body stabilization. It reunited other successful features such as standard 16MP image sensor or the moe recent 20MP sensor for the GX8, touchscreen and tilt-able or fully orientable (GX8) LCD screen. The GX7 was a near perfect size model and the GM5 was a real traveler camera.

Many still photographers prefer the tilt-able screen
option over the fully orientable side-screen alternative
designed more for videographers.

Now Panasonic have decided to refresh the GX7 by presenting the new GX7 Mark II (in Japan market) relabelled GX85 or GX80 into the other world markets. The "Mark II" designation clearly indicate the filiation with the previous and original GX7 version.

Many factors are differenciating the original GX7 from its successor, the Lumix GX85 / GX80 / GX7 Mark II. I will review some of them that I have found more determinant.

Less grip compared to the original
GX7 but more than the GM5

The Grip Factor
The Panasonic Lumix GX85 / GX80 have not the same grip volume as the original GX7. It results in a smaller prehension confort. Since the camera is more on the moderate heavy side for its overall dimensions it will ask you a more careful attention in bringing, holding and manipulating the model.  But compare to the previous and diminutive Lumix GM5,  the Lumix GX85 / GX 80 offer a more secure way to work with its body. It  is always possible that in the near future an add-on accessory grip will be proposed for some of of us  who are asking for a better grip.

The Switch Factor
The On/Off switch is is located on the upper right side of the body of the camera but reaching it with your thumb may ask you a strong contorsion exercice. All the other operating dials and fonction buttons are classically presented. No more direct dial for the the automatic and manual focusing setting is present on the Lumix GX85 / GX80 model. That absence can be compensated by using the autofocus with manuel correction option.

Reactivity and Focus Factors
In general the Panasonic Lumix GX85 / GX80 is a very reactive camera fast enough to capture spontaneous pictures of acting subjects. If you have chosen to work with larger aperture prime lenses such as F1.7 or more the auto focus adjustment seems to be faster and on target most of the time. Screen touch focus selector can be another option easy to reach when you are more selective with less usual subject target (that option can be also desactivated on demand).

The Monochrome Factor
Some of my previous viewers know already my love affair with black and white photography and the Panasonic GX85 / GX80 will perfectly respond to that task by offering two monochrome photography options: MONO and MONO L. Ether versions give you a tonal palette from black to gray to white which is rich and detailed. Black and white photography rendering with digital still camera is now a mature feature. Professional results are obtained right from the start preventing that way more destructive post-treatment manipulations.

The Sensor Factor (16MP vs GX8's 20MP)
Panasonic have chosen to maintain the commun standard 16MP sensor for the GX7 Mark II. Quality  output of the picture using this sensor has been already demonstrated several times over the past. A marginal improvement can be observed by the fact of the absence of an anti-aliasing filter initially used to prevent  the moiré effect. These changes may offer you better image cropping factor ability without noticeable quality decrease.

Severe cropping is possible without altering the overall quality of the picture.

None retouched original picture

The Viewfinder Factor (Tilt GX-7 EVF vs Fixed GX85/GX80 EVF)
The Panasonic Lumix GX85/GX80 s doted with an in-board EVF without the previous option of upper tit-ability present in the original GX7. That option has been offered with the newest rangefinder style Panasonic flagship model the GX8 which is in fact a larger camera with all-weather sealing and maybe more capability to resist from intense using. Apart from the tilt-able option, the previous (GX7) and the newest (GX85/GX80) EVFs are behaving in the same matter giving a good but more contrasty representation of the actual image. The big advantage of using EVF is its direct relation with the final result registered by the image captor. It is an almost perfect tool to preview black & white results. Moreover the EVF allow you to do instant review of your last picture taken without losing contact with your subject.

The Design Factor (Angular vs rounded GX7)
The Panasonic Lumix GX85/GX80 is marginaly a more boxy camera compare to the first version of the GX7. It represent a certain drawback in term of ergonomic design of the model. Body style is more classical which is a popular present trend among many camera manufacturers. On a daily using basic sharp angular design camera are less confortable to work with to say the least but it is partially compensated by the more discrete presence of the device in face of the subject.

The Stabilization Factor (GX85/GX80 more in-board Axis)
Modern cameras need to be stabilized for many reasons. They are smaller and lighter packages and we are facing most of the time faster subjects or contexts that need to be adequately  stopped or freezes. The Panasonic Lumix GX85/GX80 offers the two stabilization options with in-board stabilization sensor and the possibility to combine lens stabilization (if offered by the lens model used) and sensor stab. Most of the time the stabilization factor will increase the definition of your picture output in a decisive way. Dont prevent yourself to use it extendely.

The Lens Factor (Panasonic G lens system + Zuiko M. options)
One of the decisive factor of selecting to work with M4/3 ILC format cameras resid in the the very interesting choice of lenses available on the market. These lenses can be versatile, fast or specialized and their overall dimension stay compact and lightweight. For sure my preference goes for the prime (focal fixed) lenses with moderate larger aperture such as the Panasonic Lumix G 20 F1.7 or G 42.5mm F1.7 OIS models. There are perfect matches to bring you good to outstanding results from the camera. For a one-lens traveler combination  you can consider the Lumix G Vario 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 OIS that is offered at a ridiculous selling price when you decide to buy the GX85/12-32mm package. There are many others lenses that can fit your specific need and the Olympus Zuiko M lenses can be also another option.

Other factors
The in-board flash of the Lumix GX85/GX80 can be a good help for using the fill-in flash technique and you have the possibility to put an external unit if you are a heavy flash user.

As usual for ILC mirrorless cameras an extra battery is clearly a must recommendation. For charging them an external charger seems to me a very practical add-on. I hope in some way that an add-on grip will be in someway available in the near future.

In short the Panasonic Lumix GX85/GX80 (GX7 Mark II) represents a very interesting successor of the previous GX7 and GM5 models. 

Photograph with an "S" (Fujifilm X-E2S): The essssence of photography

The Fujifilm X-E2Ssss...

If you came time to time to visit this blog you may have already notice my passion to photography which in fact is the essence of the message behind those rantings of mine. We see thinks, subjects, moods that we want to freeze in time and in mind and represent them after.Yes photography is a visual interpretation of our personal realities. Everybody can add to this fantastic mosaic of flashes of life.

And between you and your subject there is the "tool". For the painter it is the canvas, the colours and the brush. In photography it is the camera i.e. the device which we use to register our pictures. It can be simple like the original stenope or very complex like our actual digital cameras. For many a creative tool should be inspiring, should be the extension of our mind and soul that will allow us to express our originality of reframing, recompose and reorganize our representation of the living.

And a tool that can be raffine is something rare to find especially in this time of short consuming. That is why I fully appreciate the Fujifilm approach to allow many upgrades of their products. Yes they have also a classical way of designing cameras in the sense of the modern compact models that have been started with the event of 35mm film photography. This heritage is fully assumed by Fujifilm and the people behind the logo.

My previous post Fujifilm X-E2: The digital rangefinder without rangefinder  was my introduction  to the Fujifilm world of ILC X-Mount Series.  For sure, the X-E1 have rightly preceded the second version but as usual I was late to discover the concept.

Working in the past with some Leica rangefinder models like the M4-P and the M6, I was curious to experiment the digital interpretation of those modern  and classic compact cameras.By today standards the M4-P and M6 would be no more really so-call compact cameras with their external dimensions and their relatively heavy weight but comparing with their medium format cousins, they were small devices as for their line of taking lenses. I think it has been a fondamental inspiration when Fujifilm designers begin to draw the first esquisses of the future ILC X-Mount Series.

The viewfinder schools: On-Off axis (action photography vs contextual) and about EVF
Are you an off-axis or an on-axis viewfinder devotee? Without discussing about the pro and con of each viewfinder location, we can advance that on-axis viewfinder are better designed for following action when using telephoto lenses foe example. Off-axis viewfinders seem to be a better tool for contextual photography and by revealing a good part of the photographer's face, it creates a more intimate interrelation with the (live) subject.
Using EVF (Electronic ViewFinder) technology is different from the classical optical way (rangefinder or reflex) because it represents to a certain extent the final result extracted from your image captor. "What you see, what you get" is more accurate especially in Black and White. Composition of your picture can be carefully done at the taking moment. For static subject, it is a perfect tool. In action photography, you must concentrate your attention on your viewfinder rendering because of the processing delay of the picture. Simply put, the EVF offers you a representation of the instant past.
My only big prevention about EVF in general is the more contrasty image presented in comparison of the final picture. Because of that, on several occasions I have adjusted my picture expectation with an overall higher level of contrast that has to be corrected by editing the final photo file.

Modern direct dial control.
Modern direct dial controllers are the digital interpretation of the traditional film manual camera control setting for the exposure and the focus. Even if automatic setting options are now very reliable and even better than human evaluation, many photographers still prefer to introduce their exposure or focus bias. Except for the ISO selection all other manual controls are available on the Fujifilm X-E2S and are presented usually on the fashion manner of the past film-analog cameras. You can easily parameter your shutter speed or your aperture (for most of the XF X-Mount lenses). Focus can be done manually by using either the viewfinder or the back screen. All the critical informations are clearly presented. So you can preselect your  exposure setting without actually looking  at the viewfinder/screen (Camera off if you want to save battery life). The exposure correction dial with direct appreciation on the viewfinder/back screen is also a very handy and creative  photographic tool.

Color and canvas model interpretation
That is one of the strongest advantage to use Fujifilm X  products. You can really select the color palette that will fit with your specific need. Fujifilm is really into the imaging business at first and is dedicating its products mainly for that purpose.

Lenses and lenses
Since the Fujifilm X-E2S is an ILC (Interchangeable Lens Camera) you can select any lenses available from the Fujifilm X-Mount Series. If you are looking for a very compact package you can try the Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 lens. Except for its modest maximum aperture of F2.8, the 27mm lens is a good all-around optic that give a lot of  photographic opportunities.To a certain extent the same advantage apply for most of the short and normal fix focal lengths offered by Fujifilm. The zoom lens models are also another optical option especially for the trans-standard ones that are giving you larger focal range in one device which can be appreciated on travel for example.  The telephoto zoom options are somewhat big customers for a compact camera like the X-E2S especially considering its off-axis viewfinder but it works. A moderated fix focal telephoto like the Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 is an excellent portrait option and a very efficient discriminating lens.
When you are considering the purchase of an ILC you have to question yourself about the lens combination you are looking for because it can dictate your camera choice at the end. Fujifilm offers you the two viewfinder options, on and off axis, which is very appreciated.

Handling and body size
The Fujifilm X-E2S is a very light camera. If I am using the camera in combination of an heavier lens my left hand is becoming the main assise of the lens in order to maintain a correct balance of the set. With fixed focal lenses the camera offer you a pleasant and small package that can be fully appreciated in doing spontaneous photography (street, candid, travel, etc.) Space around the right hand side is limited and unwanted function button activation may occur. Adding a grip can help but the most confortable one is the first model (HG-XE1) only available now in used equipment. The view finder and the back screen are efficient tools. The  back screen doesn't need to be look directly which is compensating partly for the absence of a tilting option.

Auto-focus and reactivity
Focusing on subject is part of the selective process when you are composing your final photograph. Since the camera is not directly link with your brain it is still a difficult task to select and lock on the object or subject that has been chosen by the operator. Most traditional subjects are now well covered by the automatic focusing system. In action photography, the Fujifilm X-E2S is not so reactive and you may find that pre-focusing technique can prevent blurry subjects,

Flash, in-board, external on-camera and off-camera
The Fujifilm X-E2S is doted of an in-board small electronic flash that can serve as an emergency unit or more likely as a fill-in flash very contrasty front light situation. The flash power can be adjusted via  a compensation option which is better to be added to the Quick menu selection for faster access. Flash photography is now less usual in spontaneous photography. It is more related with creative photography (studio style) as a discriminative light source. In that case, the off-camera flash units offer a better control of the effect intended and many devices combinations are available on the market and as rental opportunities.

The revenge of B&W photography (!)
One of a nicest thing to do with Fujifilm cameras is Black & White photography. You can choose to do it right from the start or later in post-production editing. With the help of the Electronic ViewFinder (EVF), you will see in real time the final result of your picture. So doing B&W photography has never been so constructive since the event of digital camera and EVF. Monochrome picture representations are here to stay as a major visual sub-art in concentrating your attention to graphic composition and the light contrast and repartition.

X-E2S: A fashion camera? Yes because we are fashion people!
Fashion is at first a way of doing or be something.  It can be purely utilitarian or, on the other hand, simply frivolous. Qualifying the Fujifilm X-E2S as a fashion camera in trying to underestimate its creative qualities is simply the expression of personal dislike for this type of design. Because every (photographic) tools are also a cultural and social expression. The most important factor is that the Fujifilm X-E2S is beautiful photographic device from which we can create interesting pictures.

Surely the Fujifilm X-E2S can be an inspiration to do photography at least for a certain kind of person. I will never contest that others models are or seem to be better performers in specifics aspects of their operating features. Nobody is perfect and it is true that things tend to get more sophisticated with time. But the "S" sense of the X-E2S is to be a productive tool of photographic expression.

The Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4: the twin personality lens !

Apparence
The Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 lens is part of the initial line-up of the Fujifilm X-Mount optics. Its firmware has been improved extendedly to meet the requirement of the newest camera additions from Fujifilm.

The Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 receive a very classic presentation that will recall for some of us the classical lenses from the 35mm film era. Aperture and focus controls are traditional (although they are in fact simulated mechanical adjustments). It is not a small and light lens but without optical image stabilization option (no OIS) its heaviness add some inertial weight that can help to prevent shakeness. Yes it is a "made in Japan" product. An imposant metallic and nicely crafted lens hood is included with the lens that can prevent some flare phenomena under certain light conditions.

A double life
The twin personality of the Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 lens is relating about its portrait and macro vocations. In fact it more a small telephoto with a very near close focusing ability. So it gives you the possibility to take picture of your main subject at a very short distance and cutting down the deep of field a lot. Those qualities are rightly appreciated in portrait purpose.
As a small telephoto lens my preferred aperture setting is to select the maximum opening (F2.4) as often it is possible. The Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 had respond beautifully to that (ab)use of its largest aperture. Thus F2.4 appears to be modest but in reality it is easily comparable to the traditional Leica Elmarit 90mm F2.8 or the Nikkor AI-S 105mm F2.5 lenses of the time.

Action photography can be a challenge as usual for that kind of lenses. Snap Sport Shooters will definitively have problems to get full proofed on-focus subject by simply snap and follow the subject mobility. Prefocus (Auto or Manuel) setting is highly recommended but I have discovered that the Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 in normal lightning condition got its own ability with close distance action subjects. Panning your subject may be the more successful way of getting in-focus action subjects. Predictive manual focusing is another way of doing action photography with that lens but experimentation may be frustrating.

Kiki Piccolo is our "impossible" subject for action
photography. But through the small bars the
XT-10 / XF 60mm manage to focus rightly and
be able to freeze most the movement.

No stabilization on this lens mean you will need to be careful about your own ability to hold your camera very steadily and following action by panning your subject. In low light or interior conditions that will be a challenge since we are now more and more relaying on stabilization options over lenses or cameras. Your rate of success will decrease as you will find in selecting your final choice of pictures during the editing session. For that point of view it is always better to review your results on the spot by using the camera rear screen.

Accurate focusing is another challenge in particular with short distance subject. A small movement from the part of the subject or from your part will result in a visible out of focus of the interesting point of view.

Fujifilm Classic Rendering

With a macro lens of this type we are looking for higher quality results if not the best available. On the optical point of view the Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 will deliver very fine and detailed images. Closing down a bit your aperture will optimize yours results corner to corner but you don't need to go too far to get that. 

Fujifilm color output is outstanding as usual. The last lens series that I have worked that was so distinctive was the Leica one during the eighties because I was mainly relying on slide films for colour projects. Fujinon X-Mount lenses will give you good colour and tonal separations. So editing your pictures will be more a fine tuning experience if your composition has been done carefully.

Even if the Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 lens is not really a snap shooter optic to say the least, it stays a wonderful selective tool if you are ready to invest the effort (and persistence) in your photography. And at the end you will obtain something different of your own originality.