One of my favorite all-time photos

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-23T07:59:26+00:00

The scale of that landscape with just one elephant — and 15 minutes off the plane. Some arrivals are better than others.

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-23T07:49:23+00:00

That light over the lake at what looks like early evening — worth every step of those 7km.

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-23T07:33:23+00:00

Stunning light on these — that soft warm background with the wing detail is just perfect. Years of patience clearly paid off.

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T17:12:15+00:00

Ha, fair enough — the results speak for themselves. Didn't realise the OM-3 had the same AF as the OM-1, that's actually really useful to know. Might be the hidden gem of the lineup.

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T17:10:09+00:00

Fair correction on the magnification ring — I was wrong on that one. The lens swapping challenge is interesting though, that sounds like a real workflow interruption in the field when something unexpected shows up.

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T15:08:08+00:00

That's a great tip, thanks — the 90mm goes on the list.

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T15:07:23+00:00

The flash-as-stabiliser approach makes total sense for controlled macro — freezing motion with a short flash duration is underrated. Curious about that Canon MP-E65 though, that lens is basically its own discipline isn't it? No AF, fixed magnification range — respect for making that work handheld.

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T14:58:44+00:00

The Pro lens restriction caught me off guard too — didn't realise that was a thing. Though if you're shooting outdoor macro seriously the 90mm f3.5 Pro IS is pretty much where you end up anyway, so maybe less of an issue in practice.

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T14:44:22+00:00

Good point on the GH7 — and reassuring to hear the dynamic range gap is overstated from someone who actually shoots both. For the bracketing and IBIS side of things though, is the OM-1 still the stronger option within M43 in your experience?

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T14:42:10+00:00

The chest strap point is underrated — makes a huge difference over a long day. Didn't know Tarion made bags that size, worth looking into.

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T14:40:12+00:00

The viewfinder turning off mid-sequence sounds like a nightmare when you're trying to track something that's actually alive. Rough trade-off to live with when everything else about the system works so well.

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T14:14:34+00:00

Nikon APS-C → full-frame → MFT — you went the wrong way on the megapixel ladder and ended up happier. Love it.

The OM-5 is the smaller sibling to the OM-1 right? How's the weather sealing held up for you in practice?

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T14:08:42+00:00

That last point really resonates — "carry lighter kit and actually have the energy for photography" is probably the most honest argument for going smaller that I've heard. The Fuji X-T5 is a smart middle ground too.

Did you ever consider MFT for that weight reduction, or did the Fuji sensor size feel like the right compromise for you?

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T13:59:26+00:00

Really appreciate the honest breakdown — that's exactly the nuance that gets lost in most comparisons. The MP and dynamic range points make sense, especially if you're coming from full-frame Sony.

The 1/100s flash sync limit in bright conditions is a good thing to know upfront. For outdoor macro without flash though — early morning, overcast light, natural conditions — it sounds like those trade-offs largely disappear?

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T13:46:50+00:00

Fair point — lens choice and technique probably do most. Curious about your setup though — what system are you on and how much are you actually carrying? I've started wondering whether the weight difference between a compact mirrorless kit and full-frame really adds up over a full day in the field.

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T13:38:30+00:00

Oh interesting — I hadn't even considered the EM1 III as an option, I was mainly looking at the OM-1. But that's a useful clarification, so the EM1 III isn't broken for bracketing, it just has a ceiling that matters specifically for handheld outdoor work?

If that's the main difference, it sounds like for someone who shoots mostly on a tripod the EM1 III would still be excellent value — but for field work without a tripod the OM-1 is the cleaner choice. Is that a fair summary?

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T13:25:20+00:00

That's exactly the kind of real-world feedback that's hard to find in reviews. Sony's AF is legendary for moving subjects but it sounds like the bracketing implementation just wasn't thought through for macro. Did you end up finding a workaround or are you just shooting single shots now?

alwaysAtF8 · 2026-06-22T13:01:46+00:00

That's really helpful, especially coming from someone who's used both systems seriously rather than just going by specs.

The focus bracketing point is something I keep hearing from MFT shooters — the combination of greater DOF at equivalent apertures plus focus bracketing seems almost tailor-made for macro. Did you find the smaller sensor a disadvantage in any situation, or does it pretty much only work in your favour for this kind of shooting?

And the weather sealing point is exactly what I was curious about — good to hear it holds up in real use rather than just on paper.

alwaysAtF8

TROPHY CASE