OMD goes to Cosplay
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(Olympus 75mm 1.8, 1/200 @ f3.2, ISO 200)
(This image above is the only one from the set that I have linked a full size version too, so any pixel counters who want to look at it full size click this link...this for me shows how good a 4/3 sensor can resolve detail).
So, after a few weeks of extensive travel photography around Cambodia and Manila in the Phillipines, we are back to Hong Kong and found out about the Cosplay exhibition held in Wanchai Exhibition Centre, so thought we'd put the Olympus OMD to more tests using slightly longer lenses than normal, focussing more on portraits, rather than street or environmental shots.
The lenses of choice for this shoot were the Panasonic 25mm 1.4, Olympus 45mm 1.8 and Olympus 75mm 1.8. Remember all focal lengths are doubled for their 35mm equivalent value.
All I can say about using this camera for portraiture is 'wow', it keeps on surprising me, no matter what I use it for....I wasn't sure what to expect with tight portraits, how much detail would the 4/3 sensor resolve...all I can say is that the sensor is simply amazing, especially when combined with these high quality (but reasonably priced) prime lenses.
(Olympus 75mm 1.8, 1/500 @f1.8, ISO 320)
Another thing that the Olympus OMD seems to do well is 'colour', and I thought the Cosplay event would be a great place to showcase this with all the variety of coloured outfits and wigs, and for sure, I hope these sample images I have posted here show that. They have all had minor contrast and levels adjustments only in Lightroom 4, no other editing was required and in 99.9% of the images, white balance was not changed at all, so this shows the RAW files coming out of the OMD have already great white balance. Of course with RAW files this wouldn't be an issue as all white balances are embedded so its a 1-click change to fix any issues, but not having the issue in the first place is always reassuring.
(Olympus 75mm 1.8, 1/200 @f2, ISO 320)
(Olympus 45mm 1.8, 1/320 @f2.8, ISO 320)
Details captured in the eyes and hair when shots are tight portraits like these is truly great for a camera of such small size. I know I keep blowing its trumpet talking about how good the camera is, but at this stage (1st August 2012) I can honestly say from all the cameras I have used and whats available on the market currently, there is no better choice if you are looking for a small system to replace or enhance a DSLR rig. Its affordable, robust, has some of the best glass I've ever used on any system (including Leica), and is just above and beyond anything else available. This is of course just my opinion formed by lots of usage of various rigs, I am in no way related or sponsored by Olympus or any other camera manufacturer, this is just a working photographers honest opinion at this current time. I hope another camera is released that kicks its ass, good gear means the competition level has to rise and other manufacturers need to produce the goods to stay in the running.....and for sure this time all the others in this category (and many categories above 4/3 better be opening their eyes and looking very hard at what Olympus has got so right).
(Panasonic summilux 25mm 1.4, 1/2000@f1.4, ISO 320)
(Panasonic summilux 25mm 1.4, 1/400@f2, ISO 640)
Here are some more images, all captioned with the relevant lens from the event....I still have no idea what Cosplay is...I'm guessing its some tribute to Japanese cartoons, excuse my ignorance. Regardless of that, its a great subject full of interesting characters who were all more than willing to be photographed. Apparently this Cosplay stuff can be found in abundance in Japan.....next stop Tokyo :-)
(Panasonic summilux 25mm 1.4, 1/320@f2.8, ISO 320)
(Olympus 75mm 1.8, 1/640 @f2, ISO 400)
Unusually for me, I hardly used the wide lenses when shooting around this event, there were a lot of messy backgrounds as the place was packed full of people, which made it difficult to isolate subjects with any wide lenses, I think these were the only 2 shots that I liked with the wide lenses, one indoor and one outdoor.
(Olympus 12mm 2.0, 1/200 @f2, ISO 800)
(Panasonic summilux 25mm 1.4, 1/40@f2, ISO 640)
(Olympus 75mm 1.8, 1/1000 @f2.8, ISO 320)
(Olympus 75mm 1.8, 1/800 @f2, ISO 320)
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