Pure Photography

I got this fella a few days ago. I first got it with FW 1.30, did not notice any problems, but after reading about FW 2.00 update, I logically did it ASAP. No problems here as well. Pure joy.

Still getting used to it, as it is a bit different than the cameras I am using for my regular work. But it is a pure joy. Sometimes I feel like I am shooting an analog camera except it shows the photo right away. Maybe how things are set, to go to the menus for any bigger changes (you can use Fn buttons for a few settings, but not all) your mind is set to selective shooting. You just do not snap everything you see, at least I do not. I think about how to capture someting.

Optical viewfinder is great. I did try shooting composing and capturing with the help of the LCD, but ... you kind of lose that great feeling. I am using the OVF function, with EYE Sensor selector, as you can change shooting settings looking into the OVF, otherwise you have to do it on the bigger LCD. It's not a biggie, but I prefer having the frame in my sight even when changing a few things. LCD is okay, does what it is supposed to do, EVF is okay as well, but prefer OVF, as said earlier. But, when shooting macro, you are stuck with EVF, but I do not mind it, you actually get used to it quickly.

Sure, you won't be able to do sports with this one, but landscape, family shots (well, not for running dogs and very hyperactive kids), portraits (the creative ones especially, you do have 35 mm lens on it), trips - well, this one is more than capable of doing it.

Flash is great, it always delivers the right amount of needed light. I don't know what kind of sorcery is used here, because it just works. It just flashes the right amount of light, amazing.

Image is outstanding. JPEG or RAW. Noise is acceptable to my eye (note that I am a reportage photog, so I have a bit more tolerance for noise ). Color reproduction is amazing, with enough DR. It nails the exposure no matter what (at least for now it did). Focus lock is acurate, except if someting gets too near, than you have to swith to macro mode, but it is acurate in that department as well. The thing just does what it is supposed to. White balance is really good, maybe sometimes a bit on the cooler side of the range.

I also did some preset profiles testing, and the best is Standard, others are maybe to much of an imitation than the real thing - i.e. Vivid/Velvia setting - it does not give you the right Velvia effect if you follow me. Black & White's are completely different story though. I love b&w, so having almost perfect b&w is a real joy.

The lens is amazing. Very nice bokeh, sharpness is great, did not have any problem with flares yet, eventhough I did snap a few shots at a concert with quite a tricky lights. I was sceptic about having a fixed lens all-around-camera, but ... you take it as it is. Yes, in some cases it will not be wide enough, in others it will not be long enough. But for most of the time, it is perfect. And what is even better - when it is not wide/long enough, it makes you think, about the frame, about how to capture the shot. And that's what I love about this camera. Besides kicking your ass to grab it and go out and snap some shots.