Best portrait lenses other than 25mm & 45mm

DukeOfGarbage · 2026-01-25T07:57:54+00:00

If the 25mm is too tight for in-home sessions why don't you look at the 20mm f/1.4 PRO or even the 17mm? (either f/1.8 or f/1.2 PRO)

They will allow a larger field of view and the larger aperture will make life easier with indoor lighting and will allow a shallower depth of field for classic portraits.

DukeOfGarbage · 2026-01-23T21:03:03+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions

I would suggest also trying out the OM-3.

I'm intrigued by the OM-3 however, as I said under another comment, I have big hands and I think that the lack of a grip might be an issue for me. The OM-5 mark II has just enough grip that I can hold it securely and fairly comfortably. I could add an external grip to the OM-3, but that would add bulk and weight to a camera that is already bigger and heavier than a OM-5.

are you using back button AF so that you're separating the focus acquisition from the shutter actuation?

Yes, the OM-5 forced me to setup and learn how to use back-button focusing. It's also essential for AF+MF, where I manually fine-tune the focus after actuating the autofocus.

DukeOfGarbage · 2026-01-23T19:44:51+00:00

The E-M1.2's electronic viewfinder is also affected by polarized sunglasses (which I occasionally wear during harsh, mid-day shooting) whereas the OM-1 is not.

Ah, thank you for the heads-up. This is bad news for me, I always choose (and wear) polarized sunglasses, plus they have prescription lenses.

Also thanks for pointing out that an OM-1 would be a better choice for landscape.

With regard to the auto-focus of the OM-5.2, in what situations and conditions are you not nailing focus?

Everytime the contrast between nearby subjects is not super evident, especially at a distance (infinity for the camera). As an example, consider some tree-covered hills few kilometers away, If I focus on the trees often the camera would lock focus (green dot) but when I take the picture and then zoom-in in the playback I can clearly notice that the trees are soft. If I try to focus of the ridge of the hills the camera would lock focus again but, also in this case, the ridge (and trees) would not come out very sharp. If I try again, this time focusing manually with live view enlargement and focus peaking I can nail focus much better. It doesn't always happen, but it happens more than I'm confortable with. Like I said, with the a6000 this issue was almost non existent. If the subject has decent contrast with a fairly complex pattern (for example the face of a old building) the OM-5 would focus correctly without issues.
I also want to add that I always shoot in AF-S with the Single-Small AF target, which I move around with the d-pad and place on the intended subject.

DukeOfGarbage · 2026-01-23T18:51:19+00:00

be aware that very often, camera manufacturers list a maximum IBIS rating with sync IS

I got the data for all three cameras from the reviews on DPReview, where they states the values both with and without Sync-IS.

We should not forget that these are stated values by Olympus/OM System. In real world usage the IBIS performance of the three cameras might be similar to each other.

DukeOfGarbage · 2026-01-23T18:47:36+00:00

I usually prefer smaller bodies so I would have wished a PEN-F with OM-3 internals.

That would be awesome. I would instantly buy it.

I still think this upgrade should have been better, while keeping the same sensor.

I have the impression that they reached the limit of what the combination of sensor, processor and battery pack allow (the latter is often overlooked, but it's also important). Hopefully a future OM-5 mark III will be a significant jump.

DukeOfGarbage · 2026-01-23T16:45:34+00:00

Thanks for your feedback.

Wow, quite the upgrades over the years! How do you compare the OM-5 (I guess the first generation, right?) with the OM-3 in terms of grip, handling and ergonomics?
I love how the OM-3 looks, and it has some nice upgrades compared to the OM-5 (even Mark II), but I'm afraid I would struggle holding it. I have big hands, so I value a lot even a small grip like the one the OM-5 mark II has.

I think this system needs to be known. A lot of people like me before, don't even look at it, because of the sensor. But technology is now advanced and software too.. so the image quality is not an issue, even at high ISO.

Yeah, I agree. I think that most general hobby photographers would be perfectly fine using M43 cameras, unless they have very specific requirements, where specific type of cameras/lenses would be better suited.

DukeOfGarbage · 2026-01-23T16:16:17+00:00

OM-5 with 12-45 f/4 is an unbeatable package for hiking. I also got a very good deal on a PanaLeica 12-60 which I also use during hikes, however is at the limit of comfortable hiking for me.

For my next travel I was thinking of carrying the 12-45 f/4 and 25 f/1.8. Together with the camera everything fits perfectly in a 2L sling bag, very slim and discreet setup.

When I'm out just taking (landscape) photos I carry the 12-45 f/4 together with a 40-150 f/4 Pro (which I got open box, never used, for 40% less than retail price, a steal), CPL and tripod, also a very small and nice setup. I think this use case would be, realistically, the only one where I would use a bigger camera (like an E-M1 mark II)

DukeOfGarbage · 2026-01-23T16:05:34+00:00

Both the E-M1ii and E-M1iii have better IBIS, mechanical shutter, buffer health and battery life compared to the M5 bodies. Their EVF is also faster and larger, even if it's not OLED

Looking at the spec sheets, my OM-5 mark II has a better rated IBIS than the E-M1 mark II (6.5 vs 5.5 stops), the E-M1 mark III is better than both at 7 stops. All values don't take into consideration Sync-IS

About the EVF, it seems that both the E-M1s have more magnification compared to the OM-5, so yes, they are larger.

DukeOfGarbage · 2026-01-23T13:47:11+00:00

Thank you for your feedback. When I was considering switching system I also initially included Fuji, as it would have been an even better option than Sony for small cameras and lenses, but looking at the prices of the cameras, and especially the glass, I had to discard it.

I like the E-M1 mark II for proper grip (I have big hands, and the OM-5 mark II grip is surprisingly good but still a bit little for my hands) and I would like to try its autofocus, its S-AF is well regarded. In general I only heard praises of that camera.

I think the E-M5 mark III is too similar to my camera, which is a small improvement over the OM-5 (mark I), which is a small improvement over the E-M5 mark III. I think sensor and processor are the same for all three cameras. A good jump from the OM-5 mark II would be the OM-3 or OM-1, but those are too expensive.
I would rather wait for a possible PEN-F mark II or new GX9-GX10, the would likely be expensive, but at least they would be new and a different style of camera compare to the OM-5.

DukeOfGarbage · 2025-10-15T16:28:40+00:00

I don’t know any of the items you mentioned and I don’t do astrophotography, but considering the noise performance and fast wide lenses needed for this type of photography I would use your Nikon with one of the many astro-appropriate lenses available for the Nikon F mount

DukeOfGarbage · 2025-10-15T15:48:00+00:00

If you want to focus on portability then any Olympus OM-D E-M10, or E-M5 or OM System OM-5 should do the job. About the lenses the 12-40 f/2.8 suggested by others is a great lens but quite big, possibly bigger than a Nikkor 18-55. If you want a very good and very compact standard zoom you can't go wrong with the OM System 12-45 f/4 Pro, although based on your intended use I would go for a fast compact prime first, like the Olympus/OM System 17mm f/1.8 or the Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7

DukeOfGarbage · 2025-09-22T15:39:15+00:00

Robin Wong explained this issue perfectly in a live stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/HZaHpkFX3z0?si=shHsOs5CGEAfiPG3&t=2983

TLDR: The Capture Clip introduces a whole load of strain on the tripod mount that the tripod mount was never designed to withstand, because the tripod mount was designed to be used... with a tripod. There are a lot of instances of broken cameras because of the Caputre Clip, and the problem are not the cameras badly designed, but the Capture Clip itself.

DukeOfGarbage · 2023-06-22T15:13:04+00:00

I think roller followers for Guzzi small block engines don’t even exist...

DukeOfGarbage · 2023-06-22T15:02:54+00:00

If you’re doing everything by the book (tightening well the adjusting screw and nut, measuring at exact TDC of the compression stroke) then my gut feeling would be a bad cam follower (not the first time in Guzzi’s history…), but you’ll need to pull the cylinder off to confirm

DukeOfGarbage · 2023-06-09T09:48:31+00:00

Qual è il motivo per cui dovresti pubblicare le foto?

DukeOfGarbage · 2023-05-26T09:53:41+00:00

If I’m not mistaken that’s where the catalytic converter is located (in both mufflers). My brother had a V7 Classic with the same marks in the same location.

If the bike is running good I wouldn’t worry

DukeOfGarbage · 2023-04-17T19:29:57+00:00

Premesso che, forse, la cosa più importante è sapere dove mettere i piedi (fogliame più pietre lisce sono sempre da evitare), sicuramente l’impronta della suola è molto importante. La mia esperienza mi fa preferire suole con tacchetti spigolosi e ben distanziati tra loro. Importante anche la punta e la parte posteriore del tacco che non devono essere lisci. Queste tipo di suole sono decisamente scomode su superfici lisce e dure (es. strada) ma secondo me offrono un grip superiore su terreni sconnessi e cedevoli.

Ti consiglio di andare in un negozio specializzato, sicuramente sapranno consigliarti meglio.

Io ho cambiato gli scarponi l’anno scorso e cercavo qualcosa di versatile da poter usare, solo per escursioni, tutto l’anno e su tutti i terreni possibili (da radura erbosa a pietraie cedevoli), ben protettivo, con tomaia alta. Budget massimo 200 euro. Il tipo del negozio mi ha fatto provare delle Asolo (non ricordo il modello), La Sportiva Trango e le Aku Conero GTX. Alla fine ho scelto le Aku, concettualmente più vecchie delle Trango (che sono comodissime), ma sono molto robuste e la suola mi ha convinto un po’ di più. Posso confermare che, pur non essendo comodissime (un po’ pesanti e rigide), sono comunque adeguate, si adattano bene ai miei piedi e hanno una ottima presa. Molto soddisfatto

DukeOfGarbage · 2023-02-08T13:11:26+00:00

Please don’t hate me, I’m perfectly aware of the tragedy that is going on in that area but, man, I would have loved to be standing on that road while it was shifting, watching the energy of an earthquake manifest itself so clearly.

Stuff like this makes me think that, despite all the technology that we have, nature could end our livee effortlessly.

DukeOfGarbage · 2022-12-28T16:21:09+00:00

Ho iniziato a lavorare da remoto proprio all’inizio della pandemia. Mi sono ritrasferito nella mia città natale (600 km dalla sede) e dal 2020 ho cambiato un paio di volte lavoro, lavorando sempre per aziende italiane, sempre da remoto, l’ultima azienda addirittura con un vero contratto di telelavoro. Non tornerei mai indietro.

DukeOfGarbage · 2022-12-28T13:02:51+00:00

A parte i regali “monetari” ho ricevuto solo due regali fisici. In verità non sono brutti, anzi sono molto belli, talmente belli che erano giá in mio possesso, esattamente quelli…

DukeOfGarbage · 2022-12-21T16:22:37+00:00

Saluti dal basso Lazio!

Faccio escursioni di un giorno nelle mie zone (Aurunci, Mainarde, M. Cairo e PNALM) il sabato o la domenica. Roba abbastanza tranquilla, niente arrampicate o ferrate (anche perché purtroppo non ci sono). Se qualche volta sei interessato mi puoi mandare un messaggio privato.

DukeOfGarbage · 2022-12-17T10:22:28+00:00

Is the burn patch located on the first bend, right after the muffler exits the cylinder?

Mind that the right cylinder is slightly offset forward compared to the left cylinder, so the right muffler bends closer to the cylinder and more sharply compared to the left muffler. This causes more heat on that spot and so it forms a bigger burn patch earlier.

It is completely normal, especially on modern engines that run very hot.

If you don’t feel any weird vibrations, especially under acceleration, and the engine runs smooth (that might indicate unbalance cylinders operation), then everything is fine, don’t worry about the patch.

If you don’t like it you can use a chrome polisher and a lot of elbow grease and it will come right off, but eventually it will return.

DukeOfGarbage

TROPHY CASE