3 Primes in the New World

So how much does it cost to build a 3-prime kit with one of those fancy new mirrorless/CSC cameras?

Now I've written a lot about the quality of the Pentax K-01 images, and you can get a nice 3 prime setup for just under $1500. But cheaper still is a Sony NEX with the 5n kit and a Micro Four-Thirds kit based on the Panasonic GX1. With the Sony you'd have to be willing to accept a thin lens lineup. But the sensor is good, and the system plays well with adapted lenses, or so I've been told. And while the Panasonic GX1 is a really nice camera (I've seen some stunning 18x24 BW prints from it), most rate it a step behind the 16MP Sony sensor found in the K-01. 90% of the time the difference won't matter. A step above the K-01 kit in costs are the Olympus OM-D E-M5 kit and the Fuji X-E1 kit. Both have EVFs which of course the K-01 lacks.

The Case Against Micro Four-Thirds

In two previous posts (“The Case Against Full Frame” and “The Case Against APS-C”) I opined on why the leading professional and amateur sensor sizes are doomed to the scrapheap of history. Where does that leave the upstart Micro Four-Thirds?

One Man's Quest for a Low Noise Camera

Like many other photographers, I’m on a quest for less noise, particularly in quiet, intimate, low light settings. But it’s not the ISO and the shadows that I’m concerned about, it’s the racket that a camera makes when shooting. You don’t notice that cameras can be loud, attention-drawing things until you get to a situation where discretion is advised and expected. Like a baptism or wedding or some other ceremony. If you take a picture with a loud camera in those situations, be prepared for a bunch of swivelheads to look at you disapprovingly. My style tends towards the looser candid/street/decisive moment, so noise is important to me, and I’ve got strong opinions on the cameras that I’ve used these last couple of years.

Olympus OM-D EM-5 vs. Pentax K-05 in 3D

Olympus OM-D EM-5 vs. Pentax K-05 in 3D, originally uploaded by john m flores.

Via Flickr:
Cross your eyes to see this in 3d. Click on the photo for a larger version on Flickr

Photo taken with the Panasonic GH2 with the 12.5mm F12 3D lens

In Defense of dSLRs (Kind of)

The release of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 is being touted by bloggers, tumblers, tweeters, and word pressers as A VERY BIG DEAL. The online hyperbole store is actually running low on stock of Gushing Praises (available in limited quantities), Prophetic Proclamations (due next week) and Bold Predictions (now taking pre-orders) while Humble Opinions and Reality Checks are being deeply discounted due to slow sales. Last week’s flavor of the month - the Fuji X Pro 1 - is struggling to catch a ray of the klieg lights, and even poor Leica has to resort to parlor tricks to remind people that they had a red dot long before Target did. I’ve actually held one of these Olympus talisman’s in my hands, and with Pinterest as my witness, I thought I heard a choir of angels singing softly and sweetly upon my left shoulder while a unicorn danced a jig on my right shoulder. I would have taken a picture - if only the OM-D E-M5 had a flip-twist screen.

An interesting if imperfect comparison

An interesting if imperfect comparison, originally uploaded by john m flores.

Via Flickr:
While hanging out with my brother, I snatched his Olympus OM-D (+PanLeica 25/1.4), inserted my card and grabbed some shots. I then took my Pentax K-01 (+DA21/3.2) and tried to grab the same shot. Both JPGs. Both ISO3200. Both F3.2. I'm not going to pixel peep here - the shutters were both very slow for the focal length, so any lack of sharpness could be a matter of IS, technique, or both.

What's interesting is - color cast aside, the photos are really quite close. I could easily take one and with just a couple of quick Lightroom adjustments make it look like the other.

I had relegated my Panasonic GH2 and other M43 cameras to video duty only, but the OM-D has me thinking twice.

The good thing is - I neither need it or want it at the moment (the retro styling does nothing for me). So my credit card is safe, for now.

Pentax K-01 Hits Broadway

Brought the K-01 into the City over the weekend to catch a friend on the opening night of her performance in the production Romance The Play. Beforehand, met another friend for a quick dinner and then a quick dash through Times Square to get to the performance...

Does size matter?

Does size matter?, originally uploaded by john m flores.

Via Flickr:
Olympus OM-D EM-5 with the Panasonic 25mm F1.4 vs. Pentax K-01 with the 21mm F3.2. The Olympus is sitting on a lens hood because the EVF extends from the back of the camera. As you can see, this actually makes the Olympus deeper than the "big-boned" K-01. That would change of course if you swapped the 25mm/F1.4 for the more pancakey 20m/F1.7. On the other lens mount, the new XS40mm F2.8 would slim down the Pentax considerably too.

At the end of the day, it's a practical wash. The OM-D may be marginally smaller but not significantly so. So do you want weather sealing or a top notch APS-C sensor? Do you want an EVF and a tilt screen or clean ISO3200? Decisions decisions!

Separated at Birth?

Look what my brother bought (left). I've just handled it briefly - it's a solid piece, much smaller than it looks in the photos. AF seems snappy, even with the slower Panasonic 20mm/F1.7.

What is a little surprising is the size comparison to the K-01. The Pentax is clearly larger, but not significantly so. In other words, the K-01 with the DA Limiteds will fit in the same bags the Olympus will fit into.

With the Panasonic 25/1.4 shown and the built in EVF, the OM-D is arguably larger than the K-01. But again, we're really talking about millimeters, which is nominally nominal.

(testing out posting via the iPad.)

Olympus OM-D

Olympus OM-D, originally uploaded by john m flores.

Via Flickr:
Another piece of the puzzle...