Ergonomics and control
With Olympus, what I like to call him, we get on pretty well... Thanks to additional battery grip Olympus HLD-9, it perfectly fits into hand… The advantage of battery grip is that it has a trigger control, 4-way circular selector to choose focal points or OK button to access quick menu, so that you do not have to change the grip while photographing vertically.
Thanks to great variability of button adjustments on the body, I have set OM-D fully according to my own needs. I have set the focus to the rear button AEL/AFL as to what I was used to after using Nikon, on the front circle I have got the setting of depth of field (aperture setting) and on the rear circle exposition value. On the front functional button under the trigger button I have got ISO setting.
I have also set the focal point selection on switched off display. It is the fastest option while using your thumb. It works like this: when you move your eye closer to the viewfinder, display automatically switches off and by sliding your thumb throughout the display you can easily choose focal points. It only takes a second to get from one side to another, I really enjoy this feature.
Generally, I enjoy the possibilities that Olympus is endowed with, regarding the possible adjustment of all the buttons or selectors. For example you can set two values on both of the circles and then switch between those functions by the small lever next to AEL/AFL button.
Setting for animal photography:
During the month and half I have most probably tested every single setting and I have been trying which setting will be the most suitable for me, which will be most helpful and which will produce the least of garbage. Currently I have ended up with following setting:
Below you can check my full setting.
Output quality
Tricks
HiRes shot function, that by the movement of the imager will make 8 compositions and will put them together into one 50Mpx (RAW 80Mpx) photo. Very good for landscape.
Composition shooting and photo composition in live preview. This function is absolutely flawless. Recently I have been photographing during a night walk in Prague. I have put the OM-D on gorillapod Joby 3K, and then I have put it on the handrail near Vltava, have set the shooting on 8 sec interval and every 8 sec you can see how the photo “develops” and you can stop the composition anytime. There are two possibilities.
Highlighting the focused object
Olympus Mark II disposes of function (I have it set on upper button Fn2), that will show you the edges, of the object that it has focused on, directly on the viewfinder or on the display, so you already know in advance what will be sharp on the composed photo. (see photo).
Disadvantages and what would I make better
I can say that after I have made more than 15000 photos with Olympus during the past month and half (I have tested a lot :) ), I do not regret my decision at all and I am happy that I have made this decision after a long period of hesitation. Olympus fulfils all of my expectations as for usability or output and it is also a relief from weight for my back and arms, since I can fit everything into Whistler by Lowepro including clothes for the weekend, as I have mentioned here already. Since I have Olympus, I rarely need straps by Peak Design, because thanks to its weight I can carry it in my hand for the whole day and my arms do not hurt for the next two days. While choosing some kind of equipment, it is always very important to discover their best features and try to use them to their full potential. For sure do not believe for a hundred per cent, when somebody says that SLRs are the best. You always have to choose equipment that is convenient for you and that fulfils your expectations. I can generally say that in the Czech Republic there is a trend that when somebody buys different car brand than Škoda, or regarding to photo equipment, different brand than Nikon/Canon, he is being viewed as an insane person that belongs to psychiatric hospital in Bohnice.. Try to do some change every now and then, often it is really worth it :)
I’ve been organizing courses of animal photographing in Czech Zoo’s, where you can learn to handle your DSLR camera quickly and effectively. You can also learn what’s incorrect composition, what should you beware of and the fact that it’s worth waiting for the right moment.
You do not like courses with a lot of people? Do you have specific requirements for a course? Do you want intensive attention for the whole day? I offer you individual photography courses and photo postproductioning in Photoshop or Zoner.
Photoshop is an equivalent for dark room, there won’t be such a photography level without postproduction, to make a photo publishable except for reporting photo.
Do you have a dog, a cat or a horse and you would like to have their professional photos? I am offering you photography of your pets anywhere in the Czech Republic. Do not hesitate to contact me.