New Camera
Derek Smith • 9 June 2020
Old Market Hall, Louth
Photo By: Derek Smith
Old Market Hall, Louth (centre weighted metering)
Photo By: Derek Smith
St James' Church, Louth
Photo By: Derek Smith
St James' Church, Louth (close up)
Photo by: Derek Smith
As many readers will know I’ve recently bought a new camera, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III, this is a Micro Four Thirds system camera with a 20mp sensor. The camera is moisture, dustproof, and will work to -40c (although I most certainly wouldn’t).
As any reader will know having a new camera entails a steep learning curve, getting acquainted with the camera, and customising the controls takes quite a while. As an example on the front of the camera, beside the lens, is a “Preview” button, I have reprogrammed this button to control the “AF Points”, one push of the button now displays the current AF point setting, and using the front dial allows me to scroll through the options. As an example of this I was recently trying to photograph young grandchildren, as anyone who has ever tried to photograph young running children, it is very difficult to get accurate focus. Initially I was in C-AF, with a single focus point, and missing focus on a lot of shots. Using the reprogrammed “Preview” button I was able to switch the focus points to a 3x3 centre grid and select C-AF TR (continuous tracking AF) from the Super Control Panel, a simple change of settings which enabled me to improve my focus on the moving subjects.
Another feature that I’ve learned about the camera is the light metering. On the Sony changing the metering from evaluative to centre weighted metering never seemed to make much of a difference, on the Olympus so very different, a dark subject against a bright sky, birds in flight, buildings with a bright background will look brighter with the centre weighted metering, and a helpful circle is displayed onscreen to display the metering area.
In use the camera feels great in the hand, with all the controls readily accessible, the shutter action sound is quiet, a soft “click click”. The flip out screen is so helpful, most of the time I have the screen folded back to the camera and I use the viewfinder, but when I need to use the screen for photographing close to the ground or above my head the flip out screen is invaluable.
The PRO zoom lens for the Olympus cameras are some of the sharpest lenses that I’ve ever used, with a constant aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range, and solidly built in metal, usefully the lenses allow close focusing to the subject. The 2 prime lenses that I have for the camera are the 17mm f/1.8 (35mm full frame equivalent) which I use as a “walk about” lens, and the 45mm f/1.8 (90mm full frame equivalent) which is ideal for portraiture.
All cameras have some drawbacks, the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor can exhibit noise in low light situations, this can be alleviated by using a wide aperture, slower shutter speed (the 5 axis IBIS will help), or adding light with a flash, or LED panel.
I have learnt a lot about the features, and camera settings from YouTube videos, time spent getting to know a new camera will always pay dividends and result in higher quality images.
The darker photo of the old market hall used evaluative metering, and the lighter image used centre weighted metering. St James’ Church at 12mm (24mm ff) and 210mm (420mm ff) all images .jpg straight from camera.
Article, and photos: Derek Smith
As any reader will know having a new camera entails a steep learning curve, getting acquainted with the camera, and customising the controls takes quite a while. As an example on the front of the camera, beside the lens, is a “Preview” button, I have reprogrammed this button to control the “AF Points”, one push of the button now displays the current AF point setting, and using the front dial allows me to scroll through the options. As an example of this I was recently trying to photograph young grandchildren, as anyone who has ever tried to photograph young running children, it is very difficult to get accurate focus. Initially I was in C-AF, with a single focus point, and missing focus on a lot of shots. Using the reprogrammed “Preview” button I was able to switch the focus points to a 3x3 centre grid and select C-AF TR (continuous tracking AF) from the Super Control Panel, a simple change of settings which enabled me to improve my focus on the moving subjects.
Another feature that I’ve learned about the camera is the light metering. On the Sony changing the metering from evaluative to centre weighted metering never seemed to make much of a difference, on the Olympus so very different, a dark subject against a bright sky, birds in flight, buildings with a bright background will look brighter with the centre weighted metering, and a helpful circle is displayed onscreen to display the metering area.
In use the camera feels great in the hand, with all the controls readily accessible, the shutter action sound is quiet, a soft “click click”. The flip out screen is so helpful, most of the time I have the screen folded back to the camera and I use the viewfinder, but when I need to use the screen for photographing close to the ground or above my head the flip out screen is invaluable.
The PRO zoom lens for the Olympus cameras are some of the sharpest lenses that I’ve ever used, with a constant aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range, and solidly built in metal, usefully the lenses allow close focusing to the subject. The 2 prime lenses that I have for the camera are the 17mm f/1.8 (35mm full frame equivalent) which I use as a “walk about” lens, and the 45mm f/1.8 (90mm full frame equivalent) which is ideal for portraiture.
All cameras have some drawbacks, the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor can exhibit noise in low light situations, this can be alleviated by using a wide aperture, slower shutter speed (the 5 axis IBIS will help), or adding light with a flash, or LED panel.
I have learnt a lot about the features, and camera settings from YouTube videos, time spent getting to know a new camera will always pay dividends and result in higher quality images.
The darker photo of the old market hall used evaluative metering, and the lighter image used centre weighted metering. St James’ Church at 12mm (24mm ff) and 210mm (420mm ff) all images .jpg straight from camera.
Article, and photos: Derek Smith
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning, All, Last week at the club we held our monthly competition, a PDI competition, with the categories of "Landscapes with Water" and "Open", there was a very good entry with a high standard of photography. Congratulations go to Tony Gaskins for 1 st place in the Landscapes with Water and Paul Twomey for 1 st place in the Open. The results are on our website with the winning images. This week there is no meeting on Wednesday as it's our annual meal on the Friday. For those attending it's at the Royal Oak (Splash) Little Cawthorpe, to meet up around 7pm for meal at around 7.30pm. For those doing the water project, it's getting towards the end of the month if you haven't already taken your photograph. Regards Graham
We held a PDI (Projected Digital Image) competition last night with the categories of "Landscapes with Water" and "Open". Our judge for the evening was the highly experienced Jorj Malinowski, and his skills were very much needed in judging the 33 quality images in the "Landscapes with Water", this almost monochrome blue atmospheric image of an approaching storm on the Isle of Harris was taken by Tony Gaskins, and deservedly was judged to be 1st in the competition. After the much needed break, Jorj judged the 26 images in the "Open" category, Jorj held 7 images back for further consideration, and to award for higher points, following a process of elimination Jorj was left with 3 images, he awarded 20 points to each of the 3 remaining images, that left the cliff hanger moment when he had to decide the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. When you have 3 exceptional images of different subjects how do you chose? After what seemed like minutes it was the Blue Wildebeast Migration by Paul Twomey that took first place. It was an amazing evening with some impressive images, thanks to our judge Jorj, and well done to all the photographers who entered the competition, and Dave Mann for the refreshments.
Good Morning All Last week we had an excellent speaker on the Lincolnshire coast, Steve Dixey. Steve showed us his photographs taken at all times of the day and night, many early morning, Steve also gave tips on safety and helpful information regarding our local coastline. There is a full report on our blog page. This week, Wednesday 20th May, we are holding a PDI competition, I did try and confuse you with the wrong subject, but you were having none of it, so the categories are "Landscapes with Water" and "Open", all entries are in and scoring sheets have been sent out. I considered this photograph I took in the dales, but thought the water was too burnt out. Our next competition to be held on the 24th June, is prints with the categories of "Trees" and "Open", we are out and about prior to this competition so if you can send an email with the titles to Dave Turner as usual, you can bring prints in this week or on the night of the competition itself. Thank you I have all your meal choices for the annual dinner. Regards Graham
Our speaker last night was Steve Dixey who specialises in coastal photography. Steve showed some incredible photos, during his immersive, and engaging talk. Apart from the stunning images, three things stood out for me from his talk; the first is you don’t need the latest camera to take great images, Steve’s older Fuji camera has stood the test of time and produces excellent image quality. There are photographers who chase after the latest camera gear in the hope that it will make them a better photographer, thankfully not in our Society. The second thing that I noticed was the meticulous planning that Steve undertakes before venturing out onto the beach, noting the weather, tide times, sunrise / sunset, and moonrise / moonset. Steve uses maritime maps to determine the best locations along the Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire coast. As with any photography there is an element of luck, but the planning will get you 90% there, one of his coastal photos included a view of a beach lit by the moon, and a passing cloud had lightly obscured the brightness of the moon creating a lovely atmosphere. Thirdly, and perhaps this is the most important is his personal safety. The coast is an extremely dangerous environment, some people wander out onto sandbanks in trainers, and shorts oblivious to the tide circling in behind them especially at Cleethorpes. Steve ensures his safety by selecting correct clothing, wellington boots, or waders, he also has a GPS scanner, and emergency beacon, he is essentially a “lone worker” on an isolated beach in the small hours of the morning, or late at night, so much better to be safe than sorry. Steve produces several publications, and is able to provide guided coastal walks, for more information his email is: hspadventures@protonmail.com, and there’s a website: https://stevedixeyimages.wordpress.com/ Many thanks Steve for an excellent presentation.
Good Morning All Last week we held our AGM and presentation night, it was well attended and the night went very well. Members filled all the posts, and we had all the reports from the various officers, all is well with our club, and we can expect a good year ahead. This week, Wednesday 13th May, Steve Dixey is the speaker coming to our club for the first time, Steve specialises in coastal photography, and it will be an excellent night. Don't forget to send your PDI images for the next competition, with the categories of "Landscapes with Water" and "Open" to Harry by midnight Wednesday. Remember also to send me your menu choices for the annual meal. Regards Graham
Last night we held our AGM, it was a productive meeting, with re-election of officers, and Committe members. Following the AGM, members with the highest points from the monthly competitions were presented with trophies.
Good afternoon, All, Last week we held a charity night in aid of Cancer Research as two of our members had passed away over the last two years from the disease. There is a blog on our website with all that went on but can I say a big thank you to all members for supporting the evening and far exceeding my expectations of how much we would raise. On the evening it stood at £333 then a generous donation from Harvey Pipe took it over £350 mark. Paul Twomey and his wife Cathy kindly donated to Cancer research taking it to just over £400, a great effort for a small club. The money has all been sent and the committee have seen proof that it was received by Cancer research. Thank you to the committee members for all their hard work making the evening a great success. This week, Wednesday 6th May, we will hold our AGM and Trophy presentation night. Don't forget if you are doing the monthly water project, (that's one image each month with the topic of water), it's now another month to take your fifth image. Regards Graham Harrison
At yesterday's meeting the Society held a Charity Night to raise funds for Cancer Research, as we have lost two of our members Paul Gray, and Paul Malley to cancer, members have also had family effected and lost wives to the disease. The evening was a social occasion with a raffle, quiz, auction, print competition, and cake. The raffle had many prizes donated, and raised £113 in ticket sales. Camera bags, signed books and binoculars had been donated for the auction which generated a lot of interest and raised £116. The tea and cake stand generated £48, the quiz raised £28, and the print competion raised £17. In total the Charity Night raised £322, and many thanks go to members for their generous donations to a worthy case. Colorgrafix of Louth donated a trophy cup in memory of Paul Malley, who had worked for Colografix on a part time basis. The cup has been engraved with Paul Malley's name, and is awarded for the "Best PDI of the Year", shown here is Harry Kerman being presented with the cup by Graham Harrison. Harry's "White Cosmos" image was Best PDI of the Year 2026.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held our monthly Print competition, Circles and Open judged by John Whaler, there was a very good attendance and entry with some high-quality photographs. The results are on our website, but congratulations go to Robin Begley for his superb photograph of Point La Achenal-Mount Blanc in the Open section and Dave Turner's excellent photograph of the London Eye in the Circles competition. Both photographs are on our blog page. This week, Wednesday 29th April, we are having something that we have not tried before, a charity night in aid of cancer research, two of our members passed away quite recently and it is a way of remembering Paul Gray and Paul Malley and raising some money so please bring money with you. There is a print competition where we need you to bring along just one print, one of your favourites, age of print doesn't matter nor whether it has won many competitions already. There will also be a quoits competition, a Raffle, a quiz and cakes to have with a cuppa. One other thing, St James Church are holding a friendship festival where we have put on an exhibition previous years, it is next weekend and they thought we were going to take part again. If anyone wants to volunteer to man a stand, otherwise we won't be able to take part this year, very late notice but myself and Derek were unaware they were expecting us. The following week is our AGM Regards Graham
Last night, we held our monthly print competition with the categories of "Circles" and "Open". Our judge for the evening was John Whaler, who judged the prints in his usual detailed laid back considered style. The "Circles" category was an especially difficult subject to photograph, and it was amazing to see some of the interpretations of this subject. It was an interesting evening, and the Competition page of the website has been updated with the final results, and images from the top three placed images in each category. Congratulations to Robin Begley placed first in the Open category with his "Pointe La Achenal - Mont Blanc, and Dave Turner with his view of the London Eye, first place in the Circles category. Thanks to John Whaler for judging the prints, and Dave Mann for preparing the refreshments.
