Getting to know my OM-D E-M1

For a long while now I have been unhappy with the camera set up that I had but not know which way to go. Don’t get me wrong, my Canon 400D has given me lots of fun and my family members lots of photos that I think they appreciate. But it had got to a time when it desperately needed an upgrade. Which way do I go? Get another cropped sensor dslr? one that is a step up from my 400D? Get a full frame dslr? I haven’t a doubt that which ever option that I chose they would be great cameras but they are pricey and above all they are heavy. Even if the body itself is not too heavy the lenses would be. I had got to a point where I was lazy to lug my camera gear around or get my gear out because they are heavy.

After much deliberation and perhaps 3 years after I decided I needed a new camera I took the plunge. A micro four third I got. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 (the name is a mouthful) with the f2.8 12-40mm lens. The camera and lens are highly regarded. The main attraction was the size. It is mirrorless is therefore smaller and the lenses will be smaller and lighter. But….. I still have no idea how to use it. I didn’t even know how to turn the camera on initially. hehehehe I knew from reviews that it is a camera that I have to read the manual before I can actually use. It has dedicated buttons for different functions which is what I think I will like about it. But I still do not know where those buttons are. 🙂

So the first time I shot with the camera (without reading the manual) was when there was a vintage car exhibition nearby. I fired a few shots and came home to discover that it was shooting in jpeg. Hmm I found where to change it to RAW. Here are some shots.

This one doesn't really look vintage but I love the colour

This one doesn’t really look vintage but I love the colour

 

The inside of this one is properly vintage looking

The inside of this one is properly vintage looking

 

One cool looking lady

One cool looking lady

 

Did you know that Singer made cars? Well they do or maybe did

Did you know that Singer made cars? Well they do or maybe did

 

I took a few more shots around the house. Still not having read the manual. I discovered I don’t know how to turn on the continuous shooting. My bee shots were single shots. Arrrr

The fleeting beauty of the cherry blossom

The fleeting beauty of the cherry blossom

 

Freeze bee

Freeze bee

 

My californian poppy

My californian poppy

 

A modest harvest from the veggie patch

A modest harvest from the veggie patch

I guess I have learnt how to shoot in RAW, how to adjust the focus point, how to change the aperture, how to change the shutter speed, how to change the ISO and how to change the White Balance without reading the manual. I am not sure if I can manage much more. I couldn’t even trigger the flash. hahaha Time to hit the manual.