Zuiko and a Self-Portrait

A simple self portrait I did with the E-30 camera and the Zuiko Digital ED7-14mm F4.0 lens.

I used a two-light source, main at high point, fill at low point; with self portrait composed using real-time Live View screen and triggered with a wireless remote.

I tried to do a macho look, so-called a self-portrait of the ultimate maleness in myself. Hmmm... I think I didn't do quite a good job.

The thing is, when I was doing this, I solely relied on two features in self-portrait shooting. 1. The remote trigger, in this case the usage of the RM-1 remote trigger. 2. The flippable LCD, in this case I used the LCD screen flipped facing me so that I can compose myself into the frame (this was done in full Live View mode).

Oh yeah, I used full TTL shooting with the Olympus wireless flash system; with the main using FL-50R and fill using FL-36R. The E-30 was mounted on the Manfrotto 709b table tripod for a very low angle shot.

Well, these feature made shooting self-portrait much easier. But, it still did not solve the problem that I was not a very good model.

Ah well....

Zuiko ED50mm F2.0 Macro

I love this lens. It serves 3 purposes. And it is small too, just mere 300 grams or so.

Firstly, it's a macro lens. Based on the specification, it can do 1:2 magnification. Roughly means, it can frame up to 36mm by 27mm. That's quite a good magnification, considering the size matches a Full Frame 135 size sensor.

Secondly, it's a fast lens. The F2.0 maximum aperture ensures its capability to shoot in low light scenes. The above shot is rated at EV2, or F2.0, 1/20s, ISO2000. Typically EV2 is like shooting a total eclipse of the moon. That's low light!

Thirdly, it's a portrait lens. It has a telephoto angle of view similar to 100mm in 135 format. The bokeh of this lens is excellent, along with the razor sharp performance. It may pose a problem with skin details, but better be sharp than blur.

Well, there's no perfect lens. Optically, this lens is flawless - no problems in matching the Zuiko Digital ED14-35mm f2.0 and ED35-100mm f2.0 twin zooms. However, the 50mm lens suffers with Auto Focus performance. Unlike the 35-100mm lens that has a focus limiter, the 50mm does not have it. And considering it is a macro lens, the focus performance can be a real nightmare. Miss focus, and it will travel to and fro such a long focus range that is highly annoying.

Despite this one flaw, I love this lens.

Zuiko 11-22mm f2.8-3.5 Wide Angle Lens

Historically, this lens was the my first purchase into the 4/3 system. Long before I got an E-system camera. Sounded like I was a lunatic, but back then, getting an 11-22mm lens in the shops was quite a rare occasion.

I loved this lens. It really has no equal. Large aperture, reasonably wide, and weather sealed. Put it next to the Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5, and you'll be hard pressed to choose which is which. To the experienced user, the front element is the differentiator. It is a bit weird for it to have the 72mm thread, since the 14-54mm and 50-200mm sport the same 67mm thread.

At wide open, this lens is stellar. It has little barrel distortion, and has excellent flare control. Optics is top notch. The shortish 2x zoom factor is not a real issue, since it is 22mm at the long end and is pretty much a normal lens at f3.5 maximum. Not bad at all.

Put a polarizing filter, and the bright colors blossom in abundance. This lens has very high contrast and color tones. Primary colors are punchier.

I would like to keep this lens till today, but my desire to get the Zuiko Digital ED35-100mm f2.0 lens meant that I had to sell it off to fund the purchase.

I only wished I did not sell it...