The Lowly E-PM2 Kit and 17mm f/1.8 and a Rockies Ski Trip

I tried out the E-PL5 in store and found out to my great surprise that I enjoyed the feel of the E-PM2 much better. Given it's use for hiking and climbing it also made more sense to get the smaller and lighter camera.

I took it on a back country ski trip last weekend and I think the camera + kit lens and the 17mm f/1.8 performed just fine! The most amazing thing to me is that the small E-PM2 was faster to operate (including turn on, focus and shoot) than the Sony A-99 I was trying for a few months. Incredible technology in these cameras.

Looking back at our ascent route directly into the sun - a bit bright!

Looking east off the summit of Smutwood Peak.

Looking west off the summit into British Columbia.

A panorama from near Calgary on the ride home with the 17mm f/1.8.

Wow, those are great!

I too love the PM2 . . . it's snappy, has the same sensor as the OMD, and I find the extra two buttons make it much easier to use than my old PM1. I don't miss the mode dial at all. As for the PL5, the biggest issue for me is its extra width, which would make it harder to fit in a pocket.

when it comes to mountain photography, you da' u 4/3 Man!

Post some more stuff from the E-pm2 please.

I am thinking of this as a possible purchase relegating the E-pl1 to underwater use  (in a housing!).

Tedoolpph

Beautiful!  You always do these scenes justice, regardless of the camera/lens.

Nice shots, I've just recently got the same kit and also got the E-MP2 because I just liked it more than the E-PL5.

Just out of interest why did you go for the 17mm f/1.8 over the 25 or the 12. I've just got that lens myself.

Gorgeous pictures well done.

Nothing lowly about these photos! Looks like you made a good choice.

LOL - thanks man! I will. This is my kit for the next few months and with spring around the corner I will be taking many more Rockies photos for sure.

glokenpop wrote:

Nice shots, I've just recently got the same kit and also got the E-MP2 because I just liked it more than the E-PL5.

Just out of interest why did you go for the 17mm f/1.8 over the 25 or the 12. I've just got that lens myself.

Thanks! I went through a rationalization after using the Sony A-99 for a while. The primes for that kit (like the 24mm f/2) are MASSIVE and HEAVY so I went back to a m43 kit which includes the 12mm, 17mm, 45mm and 75mm prime lenses. I'm debating on the 25 since it would fill a hole in my primes lineup but I've spent enough $$$ for a while so I'll wait, LOL.

The 12mm and 17mm are very different lenses. I love the 35mm FL for walk around and casual photography (like going out with the family or simple ski trips). The 12mm is more for formal landscape or cityscape work and is especially nice when I know I'm going to have access to a night sky for star photography where the wider and faster the lens, the better the results.

Regards,
--
Vern Dewit
Calgary, Alberta Canada
http://www.explor8ion.com
http://verndewit.com/

Hi,

These were actually stitched in Lightroom / Photoshop. The Sony cameras have a great "sweep panorama" function that isn't matched by any other camera maker that I know of.

There are huge advantages to taking a series of vertical photos and stitching them yourself though. The primary advantage is that you can take RAW photos and get massively detailed panos instead of relatively tiny .JPG's that the Sony gives you, with all the disadvantages of JPG's. The advantage of the sweep pano is that it's very quick and saves hours of PP afterwards.

Best,
--
Vern Dewit
Calgary, Alberta Canada
http://www.explor8ion.com
http://verndewit.com/

celloandrew wrote:

Beautiful images! They really have that nice 3D rendering which I find sometimes lacking in my own shots. Perhaps an upgrade from my E-PM1 and 20/1.7 is justified...or maybe just a trip to the Rockies.

Andrew

Thanks for the kind words. I've discovered that rarely is it the equipment that makes a photograph - usually it's being in the right place at the right time with the knowledge of how to take advantage of the current conditions. And some luck.

You should visit the Rockies - the are gorgeous and tranquil.
--
Vern Dewit
Calgary, Alberta Canada
http://www.explor8ion.com
http://verndewit.com/

burnymeister wrote:

LOL - thanks man! I will. This is my kit for the next few months and with spring around the corner I will be taking many more Rockies photos for sure.

I know that at one time you were enamoured with NEX for mountain photography and I would like to know how you  think the E-pm2 compares for that activity.

Thank you in advance for your  response.

-- hide signature --

Vern Dewit
Calgary, Alberta Canada
http://www.explor8ion.com
http://verndewit.com/e

Tedolph

tedolf wrote

I know that at one time you were enamoured with NEX for mountain photography and I would like to know how you think the E-pm2 compares for that activity.

Thank you in advance for your response

I have switched gear many times in my pursuit of the perfect climbing / hiking combination. NEX sensors are pretty great but overall, the lenses suck compared to m43 offerings. It's that simple. How can NEX compete with the Olympus 12, 17, 45, 60 and 75 primes?! And then put in lenses like the Panny 25, 12-35, 35-100 and 100-300 and you're way ahead of the NEX game.

Everytime people talke of NEX they start mentioning future lenses (not available yet) or MF lenses that are impracticle for my usage. Also, the NEX starts getting pretty big with good lenses, including primes (like the excellent 24mm Zeiss which is much bigger and heavier than the Olympus 17mm f/1.8...)

At the end of last climbing season I went through my photos and realized that the m43 ones were just that much better when printing - sharper and more detailed (when using the primes especially).

I also use and LOVE a Sony RX100 for when I need to go really light, but it doesn't hold a candle on IQ to the E-PM2 with a good prime lens, obviously.