Yesterday’s post saw quiet a few comments from readers in the form of emails to me. It is always so lovely to receive them. I am so thankful for each one. It would be lovely if I could reply to each one, but I have enough trouble keeping up with all the other things that require my attention. Today for example I have an advertisement to create and deliver that was due two days ago. Sigh..,
One asked about the camera and lens I used on the Western Arthur’s Traverse. I took an Olympus EM5 mk iii, and a Panasonic / Leica 25 mm f1.4 mk ii lens. This tiny package comes in at 600 grams in total. It is weathersealed. Though the lens weathersealing isn’t very reliable in my opinion as in the rain I noticed some rather strange sounds as I was focusing it. I had very high hopes for this lens, that has only just been updated with weathersealing. Unfortunately the makers say to keep it out of the rain. I really need to use the Olympus 25mm f1.2 that can handle the conditions I love to work in. That will add another 200 grams to my pack weight though. Bush walkers aren’t really a target market for camera manufacturers. I had three spare batteries and could also recharge it off the battery pack that I carry to recharge the phone. Yet with over a thousand photographs I didn’t get past two batteries.
When I am walking I have my camera out at all times, so it was in the rain and thick mist for three days. It held up just fine. Despite the strange noises in the lens. I tied some cord to the eyelets and clipped the camera to my chest while walking.
On last years walk on the Three Capes Track I tried using a Ricoh GR iii. Nice to have something that fitted in my pocket, but not weathersealed. The biggest gripes with it were the lack of viewfinder and the need to use my glasses whenever I wanted to use it. Outside in full sun the rear screen is neigh impossible to see.
Shooting in the rain, mist and fog is my favourite photography, so a camera that I don’t have to worry about in the wet is of vital importance to me. As is weight. I need to be able to use it all day. Micro Four Thirds continues to be the best fit for me.
Someone else asked to see my son, so I will hunt through and see what I can find, but thought I’d drop one in of the two of us.
Yesterday saw Clair and I working on videos for the Len’s School Online Community. We were successful with a couple of me showing you through some photographers work and discussing it. Inspiring the members is such an important thing in my opinion. I work on what I’d like have access too. The things I have really appreciated along the way in my journey as an artist and photographer.
We had a failure too, with one of the tutorials. It’s a fascinating journey learning to talk to a camera instead of a live audience. We are getting there though. Moving to video from still photography is a huge learning journey too.
I have some exciting news about bringing on an award winning film maker too. But that can wait for another day.
Rising mist shows the mist forming as it hits the Western Arthur’s. Photograph and text copyright © Len Metcalf 2020
