E-PM2 + 12mm Samyang + Remote Trigger for Astrophotography?

Chumby wrote:

Hi all,

Heading out bushwalking and looking at take the lightest kit possible for astrophotography. Have both e-m1 and e-pm2 bodies, 12mm Samyang f2.0 and various remote triggers.

Just wondering if the e-pm2 + 12mm Samyang + trigger would be best combo?

I have heard for long exposures (I am looking at 20-25 secs shots) there is less noise on the em5 than em1 and have also read the e-pm2 has the same sensor em5. Because of this and the smaller size of e-pm2 over the em1, the e-pm2 seems a better body to take than the em1? Would even think the e-pm2 battery would last longer?

I may be way off mark here but interested to hear your thoughts.

Cheers,
Chumby

I'm in a similar situation to you because I'm planning to hike the 3000km Te Araroa trail, starting October this year.

Obviously, 3000km is a hell of a long way and it's crucial to keep gear weight to a minimum.

If you look at my gear list, you'll see that I own two M43 camera bodies and no less than 13 lenses - some of them professional grade. I've found it very difficult to choose which lenses to take with me.

Nevertheless, I've decided to take only the GM5 body, the tiny 12-32 kit lens, the almost-as-tiny 35-100 f4-5.6 and maybe - for just one of two sections of the trip - the M. Zuiko 17/1.8 for astrophotography.

I'm going to use the Panasonic app on iPhone as a remote release and a miniscule Joby Gorillapod Micro 250 as my "tripod".

Looking at your gear list, I see that you own the Olympus 17/1.8 and a GM1, which has the same sensor as my GM5.

I would therefore suggest that you take the 17/1.8 and your GM1.

I'm not sure if the GM1 can be controlled with the Panasonic smartphone app (I suspect it can't), but the little camera's sensor is as good as any as long as it doesn't get too hot.

Have fun!

S