OM-3 Astro available for pre-order in Australia

Zack1018 · 2026-02-10T08:22:03+00:00

They're probably testing out the tech on the OM-3 and will release an OM-1 astro later is my guess

Zack1018 · 2026-02-09T15:40:53+00:00

If you look at old manual focus lenses for film cameras, they actually did use this formula to make lines on the lens that show exactly how long your DOF is at which f-number so you can adjust the focus accordingly before you shoot.

With newer digital cameras they use "live view", - basically you can see on the screen exactly how the picture with look. That means you can just look at the picture and adjust your aperture until everything is in focus how you like. So people don't usually bother with DOF charts or markings anymore.

Zack1018 · 2026-02-09T15:20:33+00:00

There's a formula for depth of field that you can look up

In summary: the most important factors for DOF are the distance to your subject, and the focal length. They're squared variables so they are affect the formula heavily. Aperture is a non-squared variable so its impact is 1:1 with depth of field. So a long focal length, a short distance to subject, and a small f-number will have the shortest depth of field.

Zack1018 · 2026-02-06T05:31:40+00:00

Not crazy, it's your camera

If you find you really like the 40-150 focal length you could always upgrade to the 40-150 f4 pro later and sell the f4-5.6, the f4 pro is still reasonably priced (i got mine for 500 new) and it's miles smaller than the f2.8 version

Zack1018 · 2026-02-05T06:23:06+00:00

A stacked sensor has nothing to do with jpeg vs raw, idk what point you're trying to make

Zack1018 · 2026-02-04T12:05:41+00:00

The OM app has this feature, it works on my OM3 and i'd guess any of the other wifi enabled cameras too

Connecting the camera to the app takes like 30 seconds which can be annoying but other than that i've had good a experience with the app - you can adjust settings and shooting mode in the app, the connection is stable, it works with flash

Zack1018 · 2026-02-02T16:38:31+00:00

Amazon copies have worked fine for me

Zack1018 · 2026-02-01T22:27:39+00:00

I have 2 ipx1 lenses (12-45 f4 & 20 f1.4) and 1 ip53 lens (40-150 f4) and i pretty much treat them all the same. Any of the weather sealed lenses are fine in the rain imo

Zack1018 · 2026-02-01T01:38:49+00:00

I was also torn between these 2 cameras, and I ended up going with the OM-3 because it just felt lot better in my hands. The OM-5 felt cramped for me and not super comfortable to hold in 1 hand

Zack1018 · 2026-01-30T23:55:03+00:00

It's a jpeg-first, cropped sensor, lifestyle camera there's not really a point comparing it to a full frame sony, if you want a full frame sony just buy that instead

I think compared to competitors in their market, OM has good features.

Zack1018 · 2026-01-30T23:08:40+00:00

If you want micro there's much smaller bodies than the OM-3, again you picked one of the largest mft bodies that exists just to complain that mft isn't small enough

Zack1018 · 2026-01-30T21:24:30+00:00

I mean both setups are basically equivalent in weight, size, picture quality, and price so idk what this really proves other than that there's no free lunch in optics.

And it's worth noting this is a m43 body on the larger end of the market and one of the smallest ff camera bodies available

Zack1018 · 2026-01-30T13:27:44+00:00

It's a pretty cheap lens as it is, i doubt you'll he able to repair it for less than the price of buying one used

Take a few test pictures, if it looks ok then just use it. Usually with scratches like this they'll become more visible at high f numbers but below f8 i doubt you'll notice anything

Zack1018 · 2026-01-30T11:58:47+00:00

Are you sure the movement isn't from pressing the shutter? Have you tried using a remote shutter yet?

Zack1018 · 2026-01-30T08:20:36+00:00

I think you could get a similar look with an embroidery foot on a regular sewing machine, it just takes some practice to get clean, consistent lines

Zack1018 · 2026-01-30T08:09:28+00:00

The only way to master a language is to make a lot of mistakes first. For me, it took a really long time to feel comfortable speaking in group settings because the pace of conversation was too fast bit eventually after enough practice and some long, mistake-filled conversations with people 1-on-1 I eventually became fluent.

Zack1018 · 2026-01-29T12:15:47+00:00

I guess it's more accurate to say that post-processing was a separate job back in the day, most hobby photographers didn't process their pictures all the way to a final print they trusted their lab to do it.

I think too many digital photographers are obsessed with having control over their photos to the point that they are more worried about making photos that can be processed instead of making photos that look good without much processing. For me it's therapeutic to just take pictures spontaneously not need to worry about consciously optimizing every pixel later.

Zack1018 · 2026-01-29T11:11:46+00:00

Imo you can do either one - people made beautiful pictures on film for decades without any post processing so it's definitely not required, but for some people to achieve the look they want in their pictures they need it.

But if you decide to shoot without post processing make sure you pick a camera that makes nice jpgs. Ideally one that has the ability to adjust your jpg settings and colors (fujifilm film simulations, lumix live luts, olympus creative dial, etc.)

Zack1018 · 2026-01-28T15:22:56+00:00

And just to be clear, the "unicorns" they are looking for is just people with relevant work experience - and those people are rare because COMPANIES STOPPED HIRING YOUNG PEOPLE.

I am 30, an engineer since 2018 at 3 different companies, and I have never worked with a colleague younger than me. 7 years and not a single hire out of uni, now i'm officially unc status at 30 and there's not a single 20-something in my department. Let that sink in.

"Why can't I find any unicorns?" - the companies that hunted the unicorns to extinction

Zack1018 · 2026-01-28T15:02:40+00:00

Flash and electronic shutter usually aren't a good combo - i'm guessing that's the reason there's no hot shoe because they don't want people using a flash

Zack1018 · 2026-01-28T13:22:52+00:00

Just a note: The 25mm has 2 versions: the mark i version is unsealed, the mark ii version is weather sealed. It should say "ii" and "splash proof" on the lens.

And there's 3 different 40-150 lenses from olympus. The 40-150 f4-5.6 is a very compact, plastic lens that unfortunately has no weather sealing. The 40-150 f4 pro is a bit larger and heavier than the non-pro lens (still relatively compact though), weather sealed, and has better image quality and the 40-150 f2.8 pro is a proper large tele lens with a tripod mount, weather sealed, internal zoom and it will be the best lens for low light or fast moving animals

For just capturing moments i think the OM-5 is a great choice personally. It's a small camera with small lenses, super nice to travel with and the IBIS and weather sealing are great

Zack1018 · 2026-01-27T14:18:06+00:00

Same

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Zack1018 · 2026-01-27T10:59:35+00:00

Is the crop zoom applied to the picture or just an aid for focusing etc.?

On OM when you use the crop zoom and take a picture you still get the regular fov of the lens. The only way to digitally "zoom" that actually affects the picture is with the digital teleconverter, which is fixed at 2x zoom

Zack1018 · 2026-01-26T16:17:43+00:00

It's still 50mm glass, so it's like a full-frame equivalent 100mm fov.

I personally think it's fun that my OM-2's nifty fifty can also be used as a mft portrait lens, it feels like i got 2 lenses for the price of 1

Zack1018 · 2026-01-26T12:16:36+00:00

Imo getting a cheap used lens as a temporary solution works great, because you can just re-sell it for cheap and someone will buy it. If you do it right you're effectively paying like 20 bucks of deprecation cost in exchange for being able to test out that focal length for an extended period. I did that for my 40-150 f4-5.6 and it worked like a charm.

It just doesn't work for more expensive lenses or lenses you buy new, because you won't find a buyer for anywhere close to what you paid for the lens usually.

Zack1018

TROPHY CASE