I admit being a Malaysian, I don't have much knowledge about Thaipusam. This is my first year ever attended Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves for shooting purposes together with Ken & Alex. We decided to shoot from 5am until sunrise because we just stupid trying to challenge low light. I guess it was a good opportunity too to push my Olympus E-M1 to higher ISO. So yeap! Instead of avoiding the jam like I did every years, this year I be apart of the jam! LOL
Was shooting with my camera in between ISO 3200 to 6400 and mounted my 45mm f1.8 most of the time. I gotta admit I am very frustrated unable to get any perfect shots I want. People are everywhere that basically I don't have time to think, frame and even set setting in my camera. It was a hit or miss situation for me. Perhaps, I should have use burst and continuous auto focus in my E-M1. Afterall it is one of the things that this camera capable to do. Too bad I choose not to because I am too used to single auto focus and also single shot. I take it as a challenge.
How well did my E-M1 handle lowlight shooting? It was acceptable for me with a minor focus hunt but most of the shot miss focus due to people moving. In addition, I did not turn on the AF assist light. ISO 3200 and 6400 is definitely a value I wouldn't mind using it in this kind situation. Images still turn up sharp. Note that I am using Low Noise Filter setting where usually I will turn it off. 45mm served me well but on certain situation I wish I could have a little bit wider lens. Perhaps a good excuses for me to get Olympus 25mm f1.8? :P
Definitely some fresh experience for me joined Thaipusam shooting. It was one of the challenge that "Image! Please turn out to be focused!" keep playing in my mind. Of course, E-M1 focus are pretty unstoppable when sun is rise. I did not satisfied most of my shot today. I will return again next year! Practise make perfect! Maybe I should try climb on the stair too next year.
