Glorious KL Sky After the Haze

Note: If you were in Malaysia and you have lost an Olympus PEN E-P5 Silver body, it is possible I have found your unit. Please read this blog here and contact me personally. 

The haze in KL is gone, after repeated episodes of heavy downpour over the course of more than a week and the shift of wind direction. That spells out overjoy for us photographers who shoot mainly outdoor. I sure hope the haze is gone for good!

I have posted up about a possibly stolen Olympus PEN E-P5 unit which I have acquired recently, and I would like to thank all you beautiful people for the words of encouragement, and most important of all, sharing out the info. I would think that not too many people in Malaysia have lost an E-P5, and most of the photographers are connected through social media (Facebook is still the number 1 social network in Malaysia) No one came forth and claim the E-P5 yet, and the offer to return the camera to the rightful owner shall remain open as long as the E-P5 is with me. However, I will have to set a time limit before I start using the E-P5, and I am setting a one month deadline. If no one claims the E-P5 from me after one month from now, I will start using the unit for my shutter therapy sessions. By then, at least I know I have tried my very best to find the rightful owner. 

So what did I use for my shutter therapy during this past haze-free weekend in KL? Olympus PEN E-P5 which I grabbed from the office. I paired it with my own beloved M.Zuiko 25mm F1.8. There was one particular shot that I wanted to do so badly, a landscape shot of the city from a far, taken during sunset. The weather did not disappoint, and the skyline was blessed with dramatic cloud formation, with strong golden warm sunset light over the city. I could have created a HDR shot but I decided against that and presented the classic silhouette style instead. This was probably the most beautiful shot of the city I have ever made. 

Sinset over KL. Which lens you ask? That humble kit lens, M.Zuiko 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ, at 12mm widest angle. 

I originally wanted to stay on until dark and capture some long exposure images of the city at night, but decided against that for a few reasons: I was alone, I did not feel safe, and my instincts told me to not stay after this shot, and I made a last minute decision to attend a local photography exhibition (Persona Exhibition 2015, happening now at Publika, KL), where many of my friends were also attending. Since the haze is now gone, I shall probably come back to this same spot at night with some friends and capture the beautiful city scenery in the dark. 

And so yes, the adventure with the Olympus PEN E-P5 started. 

Now, the big, big question, which some of the people I have met at the exhibition have already asked me, why did I sell off the Panasonic GM1 and purchased the E-P5 instead?

I could write on and on a lengthy blog entry but lets keep this short. I have mentioned, clearly, the deal was too good to resist. The E-P5 was selling so cheap, it was a no brainer t get one. After I sold the GM1, I only had to top up RM100 (less than USD25) to obtain the E-P5. 

With that RM100 difference, I gained the following advantages:

1) 5-Axis Image Stabilization  

I don't think I need to convince you how important and awesome the Olympus 5-Axis IS truly is. 

2) Dual Dials! 

The single dial was just not easy to operate on the GM1

3) Tilt Screen

A lot of my composition and framing require low and high angle, a tilt screen is a game changer for me

4) Hot-Shoe

Though I rarely use flash, but that option is crucial when I do need it. 

5) 1/8000sec Mechanical Shutter

While the shutter speed on GM1 goes as fast as 1/16000, in actual fact, anything faster than 1/500sec, you are forced to use electronic shutter. That means, for extremely fast moving subjects, there is a chance of "jello" effect, with the subject being strangely elongated. With mechanical shutter this problem is solved. 

6) Ability to attach an EVF

Not a deal breaker to me, if I need to use EVF I will grab an OM-D, but hey, having an option is always a bonus. 

7) Better Handling

Often, some lenses felt out of balance with the tiny GM1 build. E-P5 provides better balance, thus improved handling with most micro four thirds lenses (for bigger lenses eg 75mm F1.8, or 40-150mm F2.8 PRO, OM-D is better recommended). 

I loved the GM1, and it is a fantastic, capable little camera, which I have used often and I have made many images which I am proud of. Between GM1 and E-P5, if price is not a factor to differentiate between the two cameras, E-P5 is a clear winner! Therefore, when I got the E-P5, it was to replace my GM1. 

Olympus PEN E-P5, it is not the latest camera in the market, but gosh, it does look gorgeous. 

All images shown in this blog entry were taken with Olympus PEN E-P5 and M.Zuiko 25mm F1.8, unless otherwise stated. 

Red Uniform

Halloween Video Shoot

Portrait of a Stranger 1

On the Floor

Something to Scare Your Children With

Hands

Portrait of a Stranger 2

Lazy Sunday Morning

Superman

Petaling Street. Another kit lens 12-50mm shot. With beautiful sky like this, it is impossible not to change your lens to something wider! 

Fried Rice for Lunch

End the session with an Overpriced Coffee. Remember the flowchart I made not too long ago? This cup of Flat White certainly qualified. 

I arrived just in time for sunset. Before shooting the opening photograph, I made this shot with the 25mm F1.8. I stopped it down to F22 to create the starburst effect on the sun. 

I am falling in love with the E-P5 all over again. Focusing was lightning fast, 5-Axis IS worked like a charm, tilt screen helped me grab some low angle shots, and images came out sharp, detailed and with beautiful life-like colors! All that, and the camera looks so sexy. That M.Zuiko 25mm F1.8 felt like it was made to match the E-P5 perfectly. 

E-P5 is the first step of my plan to restructure my own personal photography arsenal. I shall reveal the big plan when the time comes. 

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