<wonglp> Traveling with my mirrorless pen
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One photo for the night - A few shots to share for Japan, mainly went there for work not really for vacation since I had the Pen.
#29 Lady at Ebisubashi Bridge, Namba, Osaka, Japan
This bridge is a lively bridge with many youngsters, right on the Dotonburi canal and street where there's many nice outlets, the okonomiyaki (pancake) and tako yaki (squid balls) are very famous here. A place where many young men pick up ladies as well.
Was using a c-mount Fujinon lens 75mm/1.8, the colored shot was not so nice due to flare, almost thrashed it, but converted to B&W, it seems to work better. E-PL1+75/1,8mm fujinon.
Namba bridge lady by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Thanks for viewing.
#29 Lady at Ebisubashi Bridge, Namba, Osaka, Japan
This bridge is a lively bridge with many youngsters, right on the Dotonburi canal and street where there's many nice outlets, the okonomiyaki (pancake) and tako yaki (squid balls) are very famous here. A place where many young men pick up ladies as well.
Was using a c-mount Fujinon lens 75mm/1.8, the colored shot was not so nice due to flare, almost thrashed it, but converted to B&W, it seems to work better. E-PL1+75/1,8mm fujinon.
Namba bridge lady by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Thanks for viewing.
wolfverine
New Member
Very nice pics!
Between SONY NEX5N and Olympus EP3, which would you recommend for a beginner?
Between SONY NEX5N and Olympus EP3, which would you recommend for a beginner?
Thanks wolfverine! Glad you liked them.
For a beginner, I would recommend the EP3 for the following reasons, though it's always best to test out both cameras yourself:
- Better out of camera jpegs, for a lazy shooter who trigger happy and poor in PP, it's an impt thing for me. I am still playing with the Nex 5N and so far the skintone colors are a little hit and miss for me compared to EP3.
- Wider range of lenses from both panasonic, olympus are compatible, except that in camera software correction doesn't work for panasonic lenses, otherwise, all else works the same. An important one is a good ultra wide angle range which I use quite often in this album for landscapes, streets. Sony is really lacking in this department apart from the 16mm. the 12mm is much sharper corner to corner wide even open, but that's not to say the sony 16mm f2.8 is unusable. it's a real portable lens, i just find that i need to bump up the EV abit more than other manual lenses i used on the nex. And i do find the kit lenses is much bigger than is needed. So I use mainly EP3 for AF lenses, Sony for manual lenses to make use of the 1.5x crop.
- Nicer aesthetic, of course subjective, i had done a fair bit of pimping on the EP3 (half case, skin) , and none on the Nex 5N ;p
- Built in stabilizer in camera, it's useful for manual lenses mounted on the EP3.
This doesn't mean Sony is a slouch for beginner, it just that i find the kit lenses a bit too big for my liking and I don't really like kit zoom lenses these days, I use more primes now. In terms of low light performance, the 5N pictures beats Olympus handsdown. And if shallow depth of field is important to you (easier to achieve blurrer background on Nex than m43), then probably Sony Nex would suit you better. Manual focusing is such a breeze on the 5N compared to the EP3 (peaking, touch magnify and LCD screen "sunny weather" setting). The video is also better on the Nex, but there seems to be some clicking sound, i think you know this problem pretty well, though on EP3, video seems to have a "jello" effect which can be disturbing. Olympus is more of imaging company rather than video, so Panasonic and Sony would be better in this department.
I guess u expected that answer from someone who had used Pen for 4 years, and Nex for 3 weeks and counting to recommend Pen still, hehe. That said, you should have a feel for both, and of course, there are also a few others which are very good like the E-PL3, E-PM1, GF2/3, G3. But if you kinda decided between EP3/5N then stay with that comparison to make your choice easier
Just my 2 cents.Here's another Pen Shot by the very capable E-PL1 which is going very cheap these days.
#30 Sunset at Shimizu, Shizuoka, Japan.
Was on a business trip and had some time before the next train, the good thing about Pen is I can bring it anytime anywhere. A shot out of camera, no PP. E-PL1 + 9-18mm.
Near Shizuoka, sunset, No PP. by wonglpnn, on Flickr
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#31 Newspaper Vendor in Ginza
I normally stay in Ginza area, and I pass by this newspaper over several trips, she hunch pretty bad, i supposed that's from reading her own newspapers every day?
E-PL1 + Contax G 90/2.8 (i think)
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
That's all for tonight, thanks for reading.
I normally stay in Ginza area, and I pass by this newspaper over several trips, she hunch pretty bad, i supposed that's from reading her own newspapers every day?
E-PL1 + Contax G 90/2.8 (i think)
Untitled by wonglpnn, on Flickr
That's all for tonight, thanks for reading.
wolfverine
New Member
thanks for the very detailed advice!
Thanks wolfverine! Glad you liked them.
For a beginner, I would recommend the EP3 for the following reasons, though it's always best to test out both cameras yourself:
- Better out of camera jpegs, for a lazy shooter who trigger happy and poor in PP, it's an impt thing for me. I am still playing with the Nex 5N and so far the skintone colors are a little hit and miss for me compared to EP3.
- Wider range of lenses from both panasonic, olympus are compatible, except that in camera software correction doesn't work for panasonic lenses, otherwise, all else works the same. An important one is a good ultra wide angle range which I use quite often in this album for landscapes, streets. Sony is really lacking in this department apart from the 16mm. the 12mm is much sharper corner to corner wide even open, but that's not to say the sony 16mm f2.8 is unusable. it's a real portable lens, i just find that i need to bump up the EV abit more than other manual lenses i used on the nex. And i do find the kit lenses is much bigger than is needed. So I use mainly EP3 for AF lenses, Sony for manual lenses to make use of the 1.5x crop.
- Nicer aesthetic, of course subjective, i had done a fair bit of pimping on the EP3 (half case, skin) , and none on the Nex 5N ;p
- Built in stabilizer in camera, it's useful for manual lenses mounted on the EP3.
This doesn't mean Sony is a slouch for beginner, it just that i find the kit lenses a bit too big for my liking and I don't really like kit zoom lenses these days, I use more primes now. In terms of low light performance, the 5N pictures beats Olympus handsdown. And if shallow depth of field is important to you (easier to achieve blurrer background on Nex than m43), then probably Sony Nex would suit you better. Manual focusing is such a breeze on the 5N compared to the EP3 (peaking, touch magnify and LCD screen "sunny weather" setting). The video is also better on the Nex, but there seems to be some clicking sound, i think you know this problem pretty well, though on EP3, video seems to have a "jello" effect which can be disturbing. Olympus is more of imaging company rather than video, so Panasonic and Sony would be better in this department.
I guess u expected that answer from someone who had used Pen for 4 years, and Nex for 3 weeks and counting to recommend Pen still, hehe. That said, you should have a feel for both, and of course, there are also a few others which are very good like the E-PL3, E-PM1, GF2/3, G3. But if you kinda decided between EP3/5N then stay with that comparison to make your choice easier
Here's another Pen Shot by the very capable E-PL1 which is going very cheap these days.
#30 Sunset at Shimizu, Shizuoka, Japan.
Was on a business trip and had some time before the next train, the good thing about Pen is I can bring it anytime anywhere. A shot out of camera, no PP. E-PL1 + 9-18mm.
Near Shizuoka, sunset, No PP. by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Thanks for the nice words, glad you enjoyed it. Here's one more to share from lovely spirited Japan.
#32 Gambatte Kudasai! Rickshaw rider, Asakusa Shrine, Tokyo, Japan
There's something about the phrase "Gambatte Kudasai", a phrase that lifts someone spirits after a hard day's work, a phrase for friends for encouragement, a phrase that defines the spirit of a nation that never gives up.
Was using a swirly cctv lens, no pp, on the hindsight a normal lens would make the photo a better one.
E-PL1+25/1,4 cctv.
Japanese Spirit - Gambatte Kudasai! by wonglpnn, on Flickr
#33 Proud to be a rickshaw rider. Asakusa Shrine, Tokyo, Japan
Refreshingly different from our home version of "Trishaw uncle", you can find the pulled rickshaw guided tour outside asakusa shrine, mainly young men, and are all very enthusiastic and energetic, which gives this very old profession a new outlook. That said, I should bring my kids for a trishaw ride when they are older enough to understand the meaning of transportation in the olden days.
E-PL1+25/1.4 cctv
Japanese rickshaw man and proud to be one by wonglpnn, on Flickr
cheeliang500
New Member
Very nice photos and travelogue... I was inspired and went out to get myself a 2nd hand EPL1.
Thanks for dropping by again supmylo, yes,quite a few, i like legacy manual lenses. Gear freak i am:bsmilie:
Focusing is easy if you use EVF (VF2), it's especially useful against the smallish LCD of E-PL1, and the bright sunlight. Also, using VF2 helps to have a steady posture and reduce shake, just like shooting with dslr. Seldom do i even need to magnify on the EVF, unless i'm using against a thin DOF.
Very nice photos and travelogue... I was inspired and went out to get myself a 2nd hand EPL1.
Thanks cheeliang500, hope you enjoyed this series and welcome to m43, hope you will enjoy using E-PL1 as much as I do, it's unbelievable how much it's costs now for the performance & capability, you probably got it much cheaper than a 2nd hand Oly X-Z1 which is high end PNS from Oly, non-interchangeable. I think it's a great choice.
Here's one more in Japan:
#34 Obasan in kimono/yukata?, Ameyoko Street, Tokyo, Japan.
Ameyoko, a street of food stalls, clothings, accessories, etc, a popular street for local people and very near to Ueno garden. If one is going Ueno garden to watch sakura/ume (peach) blossom or "o hanami" (watching flowers) season, it's good to drop by here.
E-PL1+25/1.4 cctv
Obasan by wonglpnn, on Flickr
cheeliang500
New Member
I enjoyed the series very much... and this is my first time using m43. Still learning the ropes of E-PL1. Wanted something light and portable with option of interchangeable lens when I chance upon your thread. Your photos are amazing. After that did some read up on the internet on this little wonder and read many positive reviews.
I also read about the VF2. Quite a few people swear by it ..... :bigeyes: Have you got one yourself? Is it really worth it considering it quite expensive.
I took it out last night to a restaurant dinner and it seems to struggle focusing under low light condition. Most camera would be but seems that E-PL1 struggle bit more. Do you experience the same? Any advice to improve this? Or maybe it's just me not getting the settings correct. Your advice is much appreciated.
Thanks Daoyin for visiting again! Look forward more shots from you!
Yes, I have VF2 and really liked it and almost every friend who's held it, bought it after trying it:devil:...it's expensive, yes, but it's worth it if shooting under sunlight with LCD is a problem, but if it's not, it's probably best to save that money for another lens
But if you are using manual lens, it's a must have. I own EP1 for a while but had to sell it as I couldn't use manual lenses to MF and VF2 can't be mounted on it...Can wait for some good deals on buy&sell section. Low light is never a strength of Oly. It's improved now with the new E-PL3/E-P3/E-PM1 as there is AF illuminator (which throws a orange light out) and this helps to focus. AF illuminator is a typical feature of point and shoot but it's not on Pen, except the new series, a little dumb i think so:sweat:
The usual way for me to get ard with EPL1 is to put to center focus, and if my subject doesn't have contrast, think of white wall or pure blue sky, the camera can't focus. By using center focus, i can half -depress focus button on a distance (that has contrast) that's similar to the subject and re-compose again. If all else fails, i use S-AF+MF setting and half depress+ manual focus with MF-assist (magnify when you turn the focus ring)...manual focus won't fail you, the only thing is the subject hopefully can stay..
Hope that helps. Let me know if you have further questions on the camera. Have fun!
Brand is Fujia i think, cheap cheap
pentax don't such swirly, has vignette, and is sharper, better optically, but not as fun..I ate more kimchi than I shoot, no time bro, thanks for popping by!
cannedpineapples
New Member
One photo for the night - A few shots to share for Japan, mainly went there for work not really for vacation since I had the Pen.
#29 Lady at Ebisubashi Bridge, Namba, Osaka, Japan
This bridge is a lively bridge with many youngsters, right on the Dotonburi canal and street where there's many nice outlets, the okonomiyaki (pancake) and tako yaki (squid balls) are very famous here. A place where many young men pick up ladies as well.
Was using a c-mount Fujinon lens 75mm/1.8, the colored shot was not so nice due to flare, almost thrashed it, but converted to B&W, it seems to work better. E-PL1+75/1,8mm fujinon.
Namba bridge lady by wonglpnn, on Flickr
Thanks for viewing.
you KNOW this is my favourite!!
cheeliang500
New Member
wonglp said:Yes, I have VF2 and really liked it and almost every friend who's held it, bought it after trying it:devil:...it's expensive, yes, but it's worth it if shooting under sunlight with LCD is a problem, but if it's not, it's probably best to save that money for another lens
Low light is never a strength of Oly. It's improved now with the new E-PL3/E-P3/E-PM1 as there is AF illuminator (which throws a orange light out) and this helps to focus. AF illuminator is a typical feature of point and shoot but it's not on Pen, except the new series, a little dumb i think so:sweat:
The usual way for me to get ard with EPL1 is to put to center focus, and if my subject doesn't have contrast, think of white wall or pure blue sky, the camera can't focus. By using center focus, i can half -depress focus button on a distance (that has contrast) that's similar to the subject and re-compose again. If all else fails, i use S-AF+MF setting and half depress+ manual focus with MF-assist (magnify when you turn the focus ring)...manual focus won't fail you, the only thing is the subject hopefully can stay..
Hope that helps. Let me know if you have further questions on the camera. Have fun!
Thanks for the tips... will give the low light focusing technique a try. Kind of weird that they omit the AF illuminator. It is almost a standard feature in most if not all compacts. Wonder why Oly leave this out.
Yeah, I think I will pass on the VF2 for now... maybe wait until the price is more reasonable. In the meantime, save the $$ for a wide angle. Is the Oly 9-18mm a good lens? Saw there is another wide angle with constant aperture from Panasonic 7-14mm f4.
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