The right place, the right time and pointing in the right direction...

That's Henri Cartier-Bresson with a Leica. I learned a lot about photography from this gentleman. I saw quite a few of his images over the years. Later, when I read his books, I learned a lot about his "process". It was all very fascinating and very philosophical. It was anything but technical. Rarely did you see a mention of "Leica" or lenses, film, lighting or much of anything but the story that led to the image. Maybe. The camera was simply the device that captured "the decisive moment". It all made sense to me and had a tremendous impact. I never met the gentleman, but if I had, I would have thanked him.

I understand why he chose to use a Leica as well. Beyond the extraordinary mechanics and precision, these cameras have that indefinable quality of a "soul". Some people get it and others don't. I do.

What I learned from all that was the camera is just the tool. The photographer is the artist. The camera is nothing without the photographer.

The next camera...

Now that Photokina has wrapped up I'm waiting for the camera, lens and peripheral reviews to start. Then, I want a hands on of my own before I make any decisions. You'd think that after so many years of cameras I'd be more excited. Not really. I'm a photographer. That's a bit different, philosophically, than being a "cameraman". When I got started as a photographer I used whatever camera I could find. Later, it was what I could afford and mastered it. It could be a long time before I could afford the next camera. It was an even longer time before I owned my first SLR.

That mentality is still with me decades later. I learned a long time ago (in film days) there is no one perfect camera. There's far too many types of photography to be based on only one camera. I bought my first SLR because I wanted to do macro work. I preferred rangefinders (still do). In a studio, on a tripod, I preferred 645 or 6X7. The reality is I captured images with whatever was at hand.

New Images in the Gallery - September 26

It's been a bit busy the last few weeks with all sorts of projects and following the news from Photokina. I finally managed to get around to editing images that have accumulated over the last few weeks. This is an unusual location. When the sun hits it just right you get reflections from the sky and a nearby building creating this unusual pattern in the water.

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Noble Wolf Studio Gallery
Noble Wolf Studio Notebook
The Slide Report
Thinking In Images

Olympus and expectations...

Here's my very short list of what I'd like to see Olympus do next: A PEN SLR. Sounds a bit crazy but that's where the original PEN series went - from viewfinder to SLR.

It can be argued that that's what Panasonic already has but that's too SLR. The original PEN SLR was a pretty unique thing. OK, the EP-2 with the EVF covers that base pretty well.

The thing is I do want a very compact, high quality camera. One that's easy to take anywhere and has interchangeable lenses. I want a camera that feels like a camera, not a computer with a lens on it. (What I really want is a Leica M9 but that's a bit out of my reach.)

There's some talk on the web about Olympus slowing down on Four Thirds and moving faster with Micro Four Thirds. That's OK by me. My E-510 is more of a tool to me, a very good tool, but a photographic tool. My E-P1 generates a bit more of an emotional reaction from me - probably because I've used rangefinder cameras in the past and enjoyed them. From the first moment I saw the PEN concept camera I wanted that camera. I get that same feeling when I pick up a Leica. It's hard to explain.

Olympus E-P1 and Manfrotto

Now here's a nice place to spot an Olympus E-P1 - in an ad for Manfrotto bags. At first I thought it was a Leica M. I'm used to seeing that iconic camera in ads.

This a a great thing for Olympus. The E-P1 and EP-2 are cameras that get attention. Whenever I carry my E-P1 around someone will eventually stop me and ask "is that that PEN camera?" This is the kind of attention Olympus needs - product placement. Get those PEN cameras out there as props anywhere they can.

There's a lot of look-alike cameras with odd names. Some are more like serial numbers. The brand name may be memorable but the camera name is not. Olympus hit it just right with PEN and Micro Four Thirds.

Camera designers seem to forget that we like to look at our cameras as much as look through them.

Manfrotto

Does The Future Of The Internet Have Room For Web Designers?

Now here's an interesting article from Smashing Magazine. It's also a trend I've been watching - the shift from desktop/client based web design to internet/server based design. The title is a bit misleading since there is still a need for web design and coding. How and where this coding is taking place is shifting.

Obviously, this post is in Blogger, an internet based system. My website is desktop based. I've developed sites that include a bit of both, including my own. I could, conceivably, do my entire website with a server based system.

The point of web design is to give a website a "signature" container to hold the content. When I teach web authoring it's a statement I make over and over - its all about the content - dynamic content. That's how the web works. If you want pure design go to a museum, that's where static content and design is. The web is a different medium, and can it be an artistic medium, but it's dynamic medium. Content changes within the design (or at least it should).

What about Four Thirds cameras?

Let me clarify - "four thirds" not "micro four thirds" cameras. Olympus seems to be the only one making "four thirds" cameras these days. Panasonic isn't anymore. I'm not concerned - much. I like my E-510. It's a work horse. I really like my E-P1. It's a solid camera that I enjoy using.

Let me jump tracks here for a moment. On Thursday I shot with the E-510. On Friday I did some follow up shots with the E-P1. Nobody noticed the E-510. Everyone noticed the E-P1. There's something to that. SLR's are so generic that if you covered up the brand names and markings you really would have a hard time telling one from the other. The camera body is really nothing more than a device to hold the sensor and lens. The rest is details. But not the E-P1 (or E-P2). It's different. People may not know what and why but they are different. In a way, the same could be said about the Panasonic G's.

Photokina 2010

I've been following the news from Photokina and it looks like there's some nice things coming our way - eventually. On the SLR front things seem to be more evolutionary than revolutionary. Sorry, but going from a flipping mirror to a pellicle mirror is interesting, but nothing new. There's the typical fawning over Canon and Nikon but there are other SLR cameras out there. (I didn't forget Leica - they're in a venerable place all their own.)

That's where the "think outside the box" ideas tend to come from. Olympus, Pentax, Sigma, Fuji, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and others, are all throwing some interesting and unique things out there. What's particularly interesting is the cameras coming from companies who were more aligned with electronics, not cameras, in the past. It seems that electronics have become equally as important as lenses in these new cameras. But look at where the revolutionary ideas are coming from. Olympus and Panasonic  with their small form factor and interchangeable lens compact cameras. Pentax gets overlooked more than it should yet here's a camera maker with a long history and a system that can take almost every lens they've ever made for every format they've ever made. Pentax has always made some fine cameras. Fuji and Sigma have developed some unique and powerful sensors that go beyond the Bayer design. Sony is pulling a lot of their video expertise into their still cameras. Samsung is new to the game and catching up fast. They have the resources and drive to keep tossing out ideas.

Olympus develops a compact camera with Zuiko lens

OK, something new from Olympus. There's not much info out there on this concept camera but it seems something along the lines of the Panasonic LX5. This would make it a sweet camera slotting in below the E-PL1. There's too big a jump in the Olympus lineup from the Stylus to the PEN.

I'm guessing that it's not a micro four thirds camera judging by the look of the lens. That's fine by me. What would be important to me is the ability to shoot RAW. Sorry, but I'd done with JPEG. It's just not worth it except for snapshots. I'm hoping there's a flash - not that I miss it on my E-P1 or use it on my E-510 - but people would expect one on this type of camera.

The one great secret of the Olympus system has always been the great Zuiko lenses. They're what keeps me coming back. I'm glad to see a Zuiko lens on this camera. That says "quality". Olympus is well known for their optical expertise and the Zuiko lenses are found on their higher end cameras.

Nice going Olympus. I hope it carries the PEN name, too.

UPDATE: CNET just posted some nice images of this new camera. Interesting. It looks like there's a pop-up flash. Now, the next questions are what sensor and does is shoot RAW?

Olympus develops compact camera with Zuiko lens: Digital Photography Review
Olympus' 2011 high-end compact: CNET

Fujifilm unveils FinePix X100 large-sensor compact

Ever had one of those yes! - no wait! - no! moments? This was one of those. I'm very happy that Fuji is creating this camera. I like Fuji's unique sensors and lenses. I always thought Fuji should make larger EXR sensors. I just spotted this article - and stalled completely on the "fixed lens". A fixed zoom lens I could have wrapped my head around. Auxiliary lenses maybe, like the Canon G and Leica X - maybe. The optical viewfinder is a nice touch. A zooming optical viewfinder is possible. It's been done before.

I can't wait to see what abbreviation the media comes up with for this type of camera. I'm hoping the next generation will have interchangeable lenses. I've long thought that Fuji would be natural for a "micro four thirds" type camera. Nice camera Fuji - just not enough to make me put down my E-P1.

Fujifilm unveils FinePix X100 large-sensor compact: Digital Photography Review

Cameras and photography...

I decided to take a peek into some of the camera forums to read the reactions to some of the new camera announcements. I really have to stay away from camera forums. Most are  about cameras, not photography.

I wonder if natural media artists go through the same thing? (Whoa! They released a new pencil! Hot damn! I want it!  Or - are they kidding me? That's just a minor upgrade to the last pencil! Damn!)

When we see photographs in galleries we see images, not the technology that created them. That's a footnote - maybe - that might say what camera, film and process. We know Henri Cartier-Bresson used Leica's. We know Ansel Adams used view cameras. The images are good because of the photographer. The cameras alone didn't create the image. A good camera captures a technically good image, not an aesthetically good image. It's nice when those two happen together. Sometimes it's a requirement.

Why You Should Care About Micro Four Thirds

My Olympus E-P1 is a great carry everywhere camera. I've had a lot of pocket cameras and SLR's over the years. It's not fun carrying a SLR kit "just in case". Ben Long sums it up nicely:

Micro Four Thirds cameras are a perfect in-between, offering great quality and the flexibility of an SLR, but with weight that’s closer to a point-and-shoot than to my 5D.

Some digital SLR's are coming down in size and weight - but some are big - real big - bigger than a 35mm SLR with motordrive - big. There's subtle tipping point with cameras: easy enough to carry that taking it with you is a non-decision and not so easy and you have to debate.

Olympus E-5

It looks like the rumor mills were correct - here's the new Olympus E-5. The E-3 was an impressive camera when I tried it at the last expo and I'm happy to see that Olympus has taken that incredibly solid camera and built on it.

Overall, I'm happy to see that Olympus is continuing development of the Four Thirds class cameras. My E-510 works very well and I am thinking of upgrading that camera body. I'm hoping to see an updated E-30 and E-620, too. These true optical SLR's serve a completely different purpose than the PEN's.

Then again - Olympus did have a PEN SLR back then. You never quite know what Olympus will do next. Their cameras are always a bit different. One thing stays the same - great lenses and quality.

Olympus E-5

The new Samsung NX100 Compact Interchangeable Lens Camera

Things are getting more interesting in the compact interchangeable lens camera space. Here's a picture of the new Samsung NX100. It's quite nice looking. It has a bit of a retro but modern look, too. From the other images it looks like Samsung is going in a slightly different direction than Olympus and Panasonic with a clean - few buttons - styling. That could be appealing to many people who really will never get into all the settings. Personally, I do like the controls on the PEN. Diving through menus can sometimes be awkward.

I hope this camera will be available at the photo expo. I'd like to see it up close and handle it. Nice job with the NX's, Samsung.

Film cameras for schools....

There's one 35mm question I dread: "I need a 35mm film camera for school - where can I get a new one?" There's not a lot out there other than Leica. I see Nikon and Vivitar still have one SLR each - maybe - if you can find them.

It's a bit easier medium format. Hasselbad, Mamiya and Fuji still make a few of those. I remember using an RB and RZ67 well. It was my medium format film camera of choice.

Of course, there are still view cameras. For technical, high quality film shooting nothing beats a view camera.

My Olympus "wish list..."

I've written a lot about Four Thirds, Micro Four Thirds and Olympus - as it is now. Surprisingly I don't have much of a "wish list". I like my cameras and lenses. I'm considering upgrading a camera body, adding a lens or two, and maybe some accessories. You would think I would jump on the "more prime lenses" bandwagon, but no. I'm quite happy with the zoom lenses.

On the very top of my list: An Android and iOS Olympus branded camera app. It would be great free marketing. A camera control and capture app makes all kinds of sense for the E and PEN series.

Thoughts about the (potentially new) Olympus E-5

There's some "news" on the web today about what could be the new Oympus E-5, the successor to the venerable E-3. I'm not much on rumors. If and when an E-3 successor is released it will be evolutionary and I'll certainly be interested. The E-P1 was revolutionary. That was a surprise.

What is interesting is how many people are still caught up on the Four Thirds sensor size and ratio. This would be like saying "this 35mm camera would be so much better if it only used 220 film." There was initial grief over this small film and the format endured and evolved.

Carl Zeiss to issue cine primes for Sony and Micro Four Thirds: Digital Photography Review

More interesting news for the Micro Four Thirds system - Carl Zeiss lenses. We've got some interesting and venerable glass for this compact system. A few days ago is was Voigtlander lenses. We've been able to mount Leica lenses for a while, now. Granted, these may not be autofocus, or even have auto-apertures, but great lenses are great lenses.

I've always liked the fine Zuiko lenses that Olympus designs. That's one of the reasons I stay with Olympus.The other is the quality and compact size of the cameras.

If you want to see how many lenses can attach to a Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds camera check out the Novoflex Adapter Finder. Imagine this: a Hasselblad lens on an E-P2...
 

Carl Zeiss to issue cine primes for Sony and Micro Four Thirds: Digital Photography Review 

Welcome to Carl Zeiss Cinematography - Compact Primes CP.2 - Lenses with interchangeable mount

Novoflex Adapter Finder

New Images in the Gallery - September 6, 2010

The weather has been all over the place in typical end of August - early September fashion. The hurricanes out in the Atlantic have the temperatures all over the place. Hot, cool, clear skies, overcast, rain - sometimes all in the same day. I came across this interesting antiques store that had these statues waiting for a new home. There's this and more in the Gallery.

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Noble Wolf Studio Gallery
Noble Wolf Studio Notebook
The Slide Report
Thinking In Images

More on Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds....

I was reading through a few Olympus forums last night looking for a few threads on the new black E-P2 and the two new zoom lenses. Maybe a few on any new Four Thirds SLR's and flash units. There wasn't much. Mostly, people are happy with the camera system. I see some great images, some helpful tips, but, inevitably there are a few threads of doom and gloom that center around the sensor size.

These people think that Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds cameras would be better with larger sensors. They want "full frame" - whatever that means. All cameras are full frame. I have no idea how "full frame" managed to get associated with the 35mm format. Let's set the record straight early on: the first 35mm cameras were designed to use existing movie film. The original film was not designed for these still cameras.

Old images, sensor sizes and pixel densities...

I was looking through some old digital images captured with all sorts of cameras I've had over the years. I was shocked to see the difference in image quality - even in RAW images. They all had excellent lenses but the differences in things like saturation and dynamic range were pretty noticeable.

One thing became immediately apparent: moving up from a camera with a smaller sensor to one with a bigger sensor made a hell of difference.

Blogger in Draft: Use Your Own Photo for Your Blog’s Background

I've been using Blogger in Draft for a few months now and it's been great. This new version (in typical Google fashion) is in beta and it's very different from the old Blogger. This latest tweak - the ability to use your own photos as a background - is brilliant. Not that there was anything wrong with the excellent images and themes they provide but I wanted a more personal touch. The image now set as the background of this weblog is one of my own. It didn't take much to create a Lightroom export preset, upload the image, tweak the text colors a bit and it was done.

Getting your own content on the web is easier and more sophisticated than ever before. Blogger in Draft gives you enough layout variables and tools to put together an excellent site without worrying about code. This latest improvement makes it even better.

If you're currently using Blogger - give Blogger in Draft a try. Thanks, Google...

Blogger in Draft: Use Your Own Photo for Your Blog’s Background

Maximum Apertures and Lenses

I want a "fast lens!"

I hear this often, but without any real explanation or logic behind the statements. "Fast lenses" (or large aperture lenses, like F1) are nice to be sure - if they're any good at that aperture. Few but the most expensive lenses are. There's a bit of physics involved here. A fast lens is BIG. That's not to say that there isn't a time and place for a fast lens.

Back in film days ISO 400 film was about the highest speed you could get before the image would degrade. So, a fast lens was good to keep a decent shutter speed. That's not the issue in digital days and with sophisticaticated sensors, no real ISO's and image stabilization.

Little Big Zooms for Olympus Pen Cameras - NYTimes.com

I didn't expect to see an article about new Micro Four Thirds lenses in the New York Times Gadgetwise section of their site. I'll have to check there more often. I'm seriously thinking about getting the new M. ED 40-150mm F4.0-5.6 lens for the E-P1, more so when I read this:

"The Zuiko ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens (that’s a 35mm equivalent of 80mm to 300mm) weighs only 6.7 ounces and has a minimum length of 3.1 inches."

What is it about Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds...

I rarely read or join camera forums for specific cameras since I rarely find anything interesting there. They're not about photography. They're about cameras. We all have "the one (or more)" that works for us and that's not going to be the same for all people.

Today we have digital cameras that look like 35mm SLR's and rangefinders but with different sensor sizes, megapixels, technologies and so on. It was easier in 35mm days. One film format. Cameras had to distinguish themselves from one another with lenses and features.