Macro with Olympus STYLUS TG-4 Tough

Revisit Macro : Butterfly Park

This will be my third time doing insect macro shoot in life. Here was my first and second time. Looking back my previous post, I think my shooting style look completely difference. The background is much darker.. Not sure it is because I don't bounce my light LOL My first macro attempt wasn't a proper one since I am using Olympus EP3 with 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 whule the second was with Sony NEX-5T with 35mm f3.5 lens. This time around, I am back with my Olympus OM-D E-M1 and also 60mm f2.8 lens! Thanks Robin for lending me the lens!

Honestly I guess I still don't like macro. I don't hate it but I don't like it either. It killed my eye completely since I need to squeeze my eye during focusing. Note that I am using manual focus all the time especially on small insect. Don't ask me why not auto focus. I always think it is not reliable and hard to focus what I want. In the same time, I think Olympus 5 AXIS stabilization is beautifully work when shooting macro. The half press shutter to stabilize the shot helped me alot. Of course, in the end still depend on myself to stabilize myself. Don't you know we human tend to swing even when we stand straight? Gravity bro!

So yea today I am finally shoot with proper macro lens. In fact it was my first time handle Olympus 60mm f2.8. I think it was a very sweet and capable macro lens. Plus the I just got myself a weather sealed combination when mount on my E-M1. The manual focusing was very straight forward too. Just push to focus ring to the distance you desire (in this case it was the magnifying scale) and then just start adjust yourself front and back to focus. Of course, I am doing it with one handed most of the time since another hand was occupied with flashgun. Guess my only regret today was I don't have a huge bounce card when everyone has! Hmmmmp!

Overall I am happy with my shot today. It is not perfect but I did a small step into macro world. More stuff for me to learn! Meanwhile, I am attracted by Olympus MCON-P02 adapter now. I think it is sweet to have it to mount on my 45mm and I can has a little more close up shot with it :D In the same time, start saving for Olympus 7-14mm f2.8 next year! Wide angle here I come!!

Macro : Butterfly Park

Being a guy who hold a camera and indulged into an art called photography for almost 5 years, the only thing's I haven't try is Macro. I am not into Macro but wouldn't hurt to learn and explore. Fortunately, Carmen invited me for a shooting at Butterfly Park accompanied by few friends. One of them is Robin Wong! Without hesitating I agreed because OMG! this gonna be my first time met Robin Wong! Check out his blog if you dunno who is him ;)

Upon arrival, very quickly I recognize most of her and Robin friends are from Olympus Malaysia. CK, Desmond and Shawn if I remember their name correctly (sorry I have poor memory when come to people name...). All of them is either using Olympus E-PL5 or E-P5. Well for Robin, he is using the brand new Olympus OM-D E-M1. I supposed I can reveal this now since it is 10th Sept today and Olympus is announcing the E-M1 by today! I managed to hands on a while and equipped my favourite Olympus 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II lens to test the capability of new phase detection AF sensor. It is proven that it works and quick! Though it won't be as quick as mounting native M43 lens, but still it is as quick as a DSLR! Congratulation Olympus! You had made all Four Third user happy :D

We are suppose to shoot macro in Butterfly Park and guess what, I don't have one. Everyone who presented that day either using Olympus 60mm f2.8 or Olympus 50mm f2. Since my Olympus 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II gonna be macroless compare with them, I just shoot whatever I can and have. Can't go close up, then I'll just play with composition which hopefully it looks attractive.

Brought along my Macro ring flash but I use my flash light more than the ring flash itself. Guess I still need practise more.

I managed to used my Tamron 90mm f2.5 for once during the shooting. Most of the time it is with my gf possession if you're asking. The lens is pretty heavy and since it is old manual lens, hence no auto focus. It might be nice to used together with camera with bigger grip and of course, with peek focusing will make the job easier. Unfortunately my Olympus E-P3 doesn't have any of that... I want OM-D E-M1 :(

* Shot by Tamron 90mm f2.5 *

Shawn is very kind to borrow me his Olympus 50mm F2 lens together with 2X teleconverter to try. I love the lens. But not when mount it together with the 2X teleconverter. It is too much to handle. Unfortunately the auto focus is pretty slow and not accurate with my E-P3. Hence, I am using manual focus all the way. Well to be frank, I am using manual focus even on my Olympus 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II in this shooting session. I wonder how many eye cell had been murdered.

* Shot by Olympus 50mm f2 *

* Shot by Olympus 50mm f2 *

Very nice experience and I managed to learn few tips on macro shooting from Robin. The next thing I probably need to do it to have better observation and composition when I am given chance to do macro again in future. Of course, I can't wait to join Robin for street shooting. Would love to learn from him. Thanks for Carmen for inviting again. It was a very fruitful experience.