First Impressions : Olympus OM-D E-M 5 Mark II at Pudu Street Market

Pudu Wet Market with new camera

* Kid smile never fail to shine brightest *

So, I am back to Pudu street again. Started to feel I am becoming more and more selective when shooting people on the street. Nevertheless, it will be one of my special day because I am using new camera other than my Olympus OM-D E-M1. A camera that not necessaries I want but wouldn't hurt to have it too as extra camera.

* Claw *

* Boss, kasi satu... *

* Something in front *

* Let it go *

* Friendly portrait *

Pudu market probably is one of the market I wouldn't tired get with. Everytime I step my feet into the market, I'll exposed to difference things around. People there are friendly and wouldn't get mad at you even you're pointing your camera on them.

* Unskin *

* Burn *

* Green *

* Yellow *

I don't have eagle eye to see whether it is same or worst than my E-M1 but personally, I think the camera is doing great. Probably I'll put it as awesome as my E-M1 in terms of image quality, performances and the AF speed.

* Red *

* Resting up *

* On the row *

* ISO 800 *

From the color, sharpness and characteristic of the images, I bet one can easily guess the new camera I am using is from Olympus. Scroll down for exact answer will ya? ;)

* Olympus E-PL 7 with VF4 *

Yes it is the brand new Olympus E-PL7! Courtesy to Robin for bringing it out for me to test on that day. All image above are taken with my trustworthy Olympus 45mm f1.8 as well.

Holding E-PL7 really do bring back all nostalgic feeling when I am still using my E-P3, who currently in dry box for almost a year. However the moment I lifted it up and used it, I almost scare myself to death. The control of buttons are different than my E-M1 (obviously, DUH!). For the first few time I accidentally switches Mode Dial instead of Shutter Dial. I am disappointed too that it doesn't come with dual dial like E-P5 or maybe like my E-P3 (they can easily make the rear wheel dial). Other than that, using EPL-7 was very pleasant especially with VF4. Almost feel like my E-M1 except, I felt VF4 resolution kinda pixelated. The grip is as awesome as other PEN series.

* Front design *

* From top *

* Rear design *

* I flip down you flip up ok? *

I even asked Carmen to bring along her E-PL5 to compare it physically. Overall, I felt E-PL7 improved alot from E-PL5. E-PL7 has better and bigger LCD screen, shutter dial on top, all buttons on right side and arguable better flip screen mechanism. Personally, I like how the flip screen work. It was flip to bottom instead of top. I have used both E-PL5 and Sony NEX-5T before and I know how frustrated it is to selfie with the screen flip up and unable to attach flash (be it clipable or the external). But with E-PL7 I can do so! Question is, will it be heavy if mount external flash? :P

* The flip screen mechanism *

Then someone will started to argue that they can't put E-PL7 on table to selfie or mount on tripod with screen flip. Well I agree. But hey, Olympus E-PL7 came with built in Wi-Fi. I can't see why not using Olympus OI Share? I been doing it alot time using my E-M1. The app so far is great and stable and it is easy to learn.

I took the opportunity to tried the new Art filter - Vintage and Partial Color in Olympus E-PL7 too. I fell in love with it completely. Probably gonna be my next favourite filters after Dramatic Tone. If you're looking something easy, less hassle and trustable filter, Olympus definitely won't disappoint you.

With the spec similar (well in fact it is same except physical design and handling) to existing Olympus E-M10, I know it is not easy to convince people to get E-PL7. Here is how I gonna see it. E-PL7 mostly target for selfie concious social user, for people who love PEN design (especially me. I don't hate OM-D, but I do love PEN more. Explained why I still keep my E-P3 till now), and also for people who want something compact enough to bring around (with the small 14-42mm kit lens). While OM-D series are more for people want to have a serious looking camera, a bigger grip and also built in EVF.

* OM-D E-M10 and E-PL 7. Which is your pick? *

As conclusion, E-PL7 has a lot of improvement compare with it's predecessor (better LCD screen, Wi-Fi built in, shutter dial on top, E-M5 sensor with E-M1 image processing), but in the same time, being challenged widely by all competitors. As I always tell my friends, if you're looking for a camera for yourself, go test it out. Hold it, feel it. There are no right or wrong. Most important is you enjoy the piece of tools you're holding. Afterall, one of the element in photography is have fun.

* Carmen in attempt to selfie with stranger *

But of course if you would come and ask me directly, Olympus will be my always first choice :P

Pudu Wet Market revisit again and again

Never get tired or bored with Pudu market. People are friendly there. The market are busy and happening as usual especially it was near Raya on the weekend I went. On the other note, I took my sweet time updating my blog it seem.. No wonder so little post per month now la! *slep self*.. gotta be more hardworking and back to my old momentum... I wish

Nevertheless, all photos are taken with my Olympus OM-D E-M1 + Olympus 45mm f1.8 and Panasonic 25mm f1.4. All shot at wide open aperture of course. Noticeable an obvious purple fringing in some of my photos when taken with Panasonic 25mm. Not surprise since Olympus did not do software correction on Panasonic lens. Damn!

Overall, I love Panasonic 25mm f1.4 but then again, I would prefer Olympus 25mm anytime due to various reason :
1) Cheaper in cost
2) Noticeable smaller and lighter design
3) f1.8 vs f1.4 not much difference in terms of bokeh.
4) As Robin said, Olympus 25mm noticeable wider than Pana 25mm but then again, could be because we use it on Olympus body.
5) Olympus did software correction on it's own lens.

Overall, always feel great to be able to shoot on street. C&C as usual welcome :)

Shoot with something different

It has been almost a month since d last time I joined street shooting with Robin. Today I decided to tag him along at Oudu Wet Market and nop, I am not using my Olympus gear. I am using something different. Something I am just being curious and wanted to test it out and I believe the wonder of street shooting is you get to test alot stuff. Plus, you get free subjects everywhere.

* Breakfast of the day for Robin *

Hence, photo speak thousand words. All photos are SOOC and without any editing beside watermarked and resize.

* Wall with light *

* Basket *

* Red Chili *

* with yellow background *

* They don't like to smile.. *

* Cherry *

* Flowers. Look at the BOKEH! *

* Macro shot at minimum focusing distant *

* Chicken *

* Another side *

* Overexposed background *

* Pushing *

* Dusty shoe *

* feeling hot? *

* Look pretty creepy *

* Doggieee *

From the shooting, I can give a very quick impression and also conclusion about the camera ability. I have no doubt that the camera has very fast auto focus. But it failed miserably on low light where the auto focus become slow (and look delayed to me). Purple fringing are obvious where the camera software seem never bother to correct it. Unfortunately the LCD screen from the camera itself look more vivid than my own monitor. Not a big deal since easily fix with software editing if I want to. On the other hand, the red color on the chilli photo seem over saturated and look luminance. The macro is pretty impressive but only it will focus correctly if I use manual focus (the white color flower photo). Somehow the camera will have higher chance to back focus when I am shooting close up/macro with auto focus on.

Other than that, I am actually very satisfy with the camera performance. It provide very rich dynamic range (of coz not comparable with mirrorless or DSLR camera), very fast AF and great color reproduction. Done with our shooting, we went to The Gardens mall to have our lunch, Hotogdogu! Knew this shop from instagram and I am curious of it because it seem it has alot good review. Of course, photos taken by this camera as well.

* The menu *

This were what we ordered.

* Simple packaging *

* Beef BBQ Crunch *

* Onion Ring from set *

* The Hotodogu *

* Salmon Teriyaki *

Went to my grandma house as well and have a chance to shoot kitty. Too bad the kitty was very active and keep move around. I have no choice but to pump the camera ISO.

* High ISO with failed focusing *

* Paint me like one of your French girl *

* The mother of the kitten *

Unfortunately the auto focus failed to keep track with the highly moving speed kitty. 9/10 of my photos are not in focus! Feeling frustrated I went to use manual focus again and try set it the minimum focusing (macro) and shoot! Tadaa ok I got one shot. Once I nailed it, it really produce pretty sharp photo.

* Now it looks scary *

Alright that's all my very first and quick impression on the camera. Eh wait, I haven't reveal what camera is that isn't? I think it is pretty obvious :P Answer are everywhere. Else, stay tune to my coming post! By d way what do you think about the camera performance? Look convincing to you? Comment and let me know what do you think :)