Cameras

If you’ve been able to get your hands on one of these, consider yourself lucky. After driving to most every electronic store I knew of and still not being able to get a hands-on feel for this new camera, I decided to take the plunge and make my order on Amazon. Now, after using it on a recent excursion to Ireland, I wonder why I ever hesitated. Hold on for a quick dive into the micro 4/3rds camera experience. (Scattered around are some sample images minor adjustments done in LR.)

Since deciding to become a “pro” photographer specializing in weddings and portraits some years back, I have always been keenly aware of industry developments in the photographic field. Primarily I kept my ear to the ground to what the big players like Canon and Nikon were doing. I made the financial commitment to Nikon, but both were leading the pack in new developments. Somehow, amidst all the hustle and bustle, I had been ignoring the 4/3rds movement that was starting by the likes of Olympus and Panasonic. I had come across various announcements and brushed them off for another low-end product that couldn’t compete with my high-end gear. But, as a frequent traveler, who also likes packing light, my wife and I have been in the market for a more compact camera, but we’re also spoiled with our DSLRs. I felt I was between a rock and a hard place. I couldn’t bear the thought of pushing the shutter release button, then counting to 10 as my perfect composure fell apart before my eyes and then seeing my camera finally flash. Then looking at the final image in all its grainy glory and wishing I had lugged my heavy D700 and lens assortment along just for that missed shot.

Enter the . Before our recent excursion to Ireland, my brother was debating on whether to buy one of my older Nikon bodies (D200) or spring for one of the new micro 4/3rds mirror-less cameras. I gave him my two cents but he went for the Panasonic and brought it along. Fortunately for me, this meant I had less gear to lug around. For those not familiar with this type of camera, a little explanation is in order.

What’s 4/3rds?

The is the third camera in Panasonic’s Lumix G-series, using the Micro Four Thirds System. This latest model in the Lumix range from Panasonic is said to be the world’s smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens system camera with a built-in flash capability. Although the Panasonic Lumix GF1 is small, it still offers many advanced features such as its extensive advanced settings and high definition video recording capability. They achieve its small size with one simple trick remove the mirror used to bounce the image up into the viewfinder. The sensor size for the Four Thirds bodies is stuck somewhere between the minuscule point and shoot sensors and the larger APS-C sensors. It is, in fact, the same size sensor that Olympus uses in their larger 4/3 DSLR line. Since sensor size is often a major factor in image noise, this sensor should compare closer to a DSLR than your typical compact cameras, but with lenses much smaller than a beefy full frame camera. Same goes for depth of field. It will perform better than a compact (shallower depth of field possible) but not as well as a full frame DSLR. So if the promises are to be believed, this new standard should equate to smaller and lighter cameras, along with smaller and cheaper lenses that perform nearly as well as your typical SLR. I know. I was skeptical too.

The 20mm Lens

I can say however, after using the viewfinder-less camera for over a week, shooting in all types of situations, I have a new friend in cameras. The GF1 was released in September of 2009. Panasonic gave two options for lenses, a standard 14-45mm kit lens or the now cult classic 20mm 1.7 “pancake” lens. The latter is the lens I’d recommend. It makes the camera small enough to slip into your pocket, but versatile enough to shoot in the most demanding light situations. Having a normal range prime (a 40mm equivalent on a DSLR) will take you back to the days when photographers had to move their feet to get a great composition instead of just rotating a zoom ring. It really makes photography fun. I couldn’t agree more with the in-depth review given by DP Review, “The Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH is a lens that we’ve been looking forward to seeing for real ever since Panasonic first showed a mock-up back at Photokina ‘08. The good news is that it’s been well worth the wait the 20mm is an excellent lens, especially considering its tiny size. It does well in all aspects of our studio tests, and produces fine images in a wide range of situations while also focusing quickly, silently and decisively. On compact Micro Four Thirds bodies such as the E-P1 and GF1, it offers impressive image quality and low-light capability in a package significantly smaller and more discreet than any DSLR system. The last few years have seen Panasonic rapidly improving its cameras; the 20mm F1.7 sees the company flexing its muscles in the field of lens design and showing it means business here too. We’re unashamed fans of fast primes, and it’s great to see Panasonic providing one relatively early in the development of Micro Four Thirds.” The guys over at DP Review have also given an incredible review of the GF1 body here if you need some technical comparisons.

I was surprised to hear this reviewer from Wired say he’s also willing to leave his trusty DSLR behind. This excellent review notes that you can also use your legacy lenses with an adapter if you’re willing to give up automatic focusing. Adapters are available for almost all lens mounts to be used on any micro 4/3 body, so that Canon “L” glass can still be useful, even if you aren’t lugging around your 5D Mark II.

So with that background, here are a few of my personal impressions.

Things I liked:

• Size. I like carrying this around and I don’t scare people off when I pull it out.

• Historgram and Live info before you take the shot. The f-stop and shutter settings are uniquely displayed live on the screen. As one reviewer put it, “Some are bothered by the lack of a built in viewfinder, but I find the different perspective refreshing and adds some unique capabilities you don’t get with an SLR like a live histogram, full brightness depth of field preview, live black and white and crop. For some reason it just feels like a creative tool instead of another piece of electronics.”

• Dedicated movie button. This is just a convenience god-send. No more switching dials or digging into menus to capture a short clip on the spot, or forgetting you are in movie mode when you try and take a picture for that matter.

• Did I mention size

Things I didn’t like:

• No viewfinder. In bright sun this will be an issue. The optional electronic viewfinder seems to be lacking in resolution.

• So far, very limited lens choices. The Pancake 20mm lens is gold though. Large aperture lenses and primes are lacking.

• Movie mode, although nice that it is HD quality, had focusing issues. Better to focus the camera and then leave it in manual to avoid focus searching (unless your subject is moving around a lot).

Summary:
I’ll be buying a micro 4/3 camera as soon as my budget allows it. Perhaps by then there will be even more models to choose from. In the mean time, if you’re in the market, take a look at what’s available. Olympus just released the for $599. It is the lowest cost Micro Four Thirds camera currently available and comes in many stylish colors!

To see other articles by Chas, click the author link below.

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Photography is an art, much in the same way painting and sculpting is, however the initial investment to produce art is usually much higher compared to painters or sculptors. Oddly, you rarely hear of a painters saving money to buy the newest, latest and greatest paints, brushes or canvases to take their art to the next level; why should photographers always look into their wallets to produce better photography? Lets explore some ways to improve your photography without spending any more money.

Photo by notsogoodphotography

Utilize the rule of thirds. One of the easiest ways to improve your photography is to frame subjects differently. Rather then placing the subject directly in the middle, move them to the right or left third of the frame, or horizontally to the top or bottom third. This can make a dramatic difference in photographs of the horizon, especially during sunrise or sunset. A great example of how the rule of thirds works is in the photo below where the subjects are both to the right third and to the lower third of the frame, as shown by the window jams.

Photo by Rock Harris

Fill the frame. Don’t be afraid to fill the frame when shooting. There is nothing wrong with not being able to see the background. The portrait shown below is a great example of how filling the frame brings the attention right into the face with no dead space around the subject.

Bokeh. By definition the word bokeh is the blur, or the aesthetic quality of the blur, in an out-of-focus areas of an image. To achieve get this look and add some depth and separation from your subject and the background, set your camera’s lens to the most wide open aperture it has (lower number) and shoot. In the portrait sample below what can only be guessed as city streetlights are shown as orbs of light in the background.

Photo by Mark Sebastian

Utilizing depth of field isn’t only restricted to night photography though, this example taken during the day clearly makes the eye go straight to the writing on the hand while the background remains out of focus, thus creating the desired separation while also utilizing the earlier mentioned rule of thirds. Experiment with choosing the focal point to be near or far away for desired effects and see how you can force the viewers eye to go right where you want it.

Photo by Dotbenjamin

Use the flash when the sun is out. Just because the sun is out doesn’t mean you no longer need the flash. On the contrary, the flash is almost more needed because depending on the location of the sun and the subject matter you are shooting, the shadows created can be really unflattering. Looking at the photo below you’ll notice that the shadow of the child is in front of her, indicating the sun coming from behind and the person holding the camera is looking into the sun. Because the shooter used the flash as a fill, the child’s face is nearly shadow-free and you can see her beautiful eyes and bright smile. Had no flash been used, her face would have been cast in a dark shadow much like what is projected on the sand.

Photo by jim Sneddon

Light trails. This tip requires a tripod but can be done by supporting your camera via other secure methods, such as placing it on a beanbag, or a tube sock filled with rice if you really like DIY. The concept is the same as capturing running water over a waterfall or through a stream, but really tends to yield stunning photos once it’s mastered. The photo below shows red and green lights from traffic going in two different directions, the product of a long exposure. Set your camera up and put it into shutter priority mode, then choose 30 seconds. Push the shutter, then walk away from the camera until it cycles.

Photo by AtomicPuppy68

Obviously choosing your location and time of day will have varying results, as will the time, but most cameras easily support up to 30 seconds without the need for an external cable release. Cars aren’t the only subject that works well for this, use our imagination to capture the twirling lights of a Ferris wheel

Photo by Brandon Godfrey

or even the stars, as seen in this photo that was shot over a period of more then an hour!

Photo by TheDreamSky

Bonus! Read the manual. This one is obvious, but the manual for your specific digital camera has a wealth of knowledge in it. Get to know what all the features and functions of your camera are so you can properly apply them to take better photographs!

Above and beyond all, shoot, take lots of photos. Digital photography has allowed us as photographers the ability to be far more creative then we ever where with film because the incurred costs of buying and processing the film are no longer there. Take your camera with you wherever you go, shoot everything you see, share them with your friends, family and even strangers for feedback and adapt as you learn techniques.

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Pentax K-x: Background

I’d really looked forward to getting my hands on this camera. The reviews had been tantalising. Imaging Resource said: ‘the Pentax Kx has enormous value, thanks to its remarkable image and print quality, fine build, and class-leading burst speed, all combining to make one impressive digital SLR camera.’ http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/KX/KXA.HTM .

The boys at DP Review were no less effusive: ‘Pentax has managed to squeeze what is an impressive feature set image quality, especially in low light, is the best we have seen so far in the entry-level bracket of the DSLR market compared to the closest rivals, [the K-x sells at a] very attractive price point.’

So it was a genuine surprise when the first test camera fell short on these fronts:

1. Exposure was wayward (often too dark) in AV and P modes.
2. Highlights blew out too easily, while shadows were impenetrable
3. Sharpness in middle to long distance shots was absent
4. There was considerable noise in poor light shots

I had no idea what the problem was, but suspected the lens’s AF function. When even manual focusing didn’t improve things, I asked the distributor for another camera.

Value Proposition

Before we get into the hands-on part of the second test, let’s recap what the K-x has going for it. The Pentax website tells to ‘BREAK ALL THE RULES. Choose a camera that redefines the entry-level digital SLR category. The PENTAX K-x offers high-end features including Live View, HD video and photographic performance that challenges higher class models.

One thing is clear: for an asking price of just US$650 for the basic kit, the Pentax delivers plenty of features, including

• High-precision 5 or 11-point AF sensor
• Live View mode
• In-body sensor-shift image stabilisation
• Fast 4.7 frames/ second burst mode
• Dust Removal for image sensor
• High dynamic range function for creating composite images
• Automatic compensation of lens distortion and lateral chromatic aberration
• Video recording at 1280 x 720 at 24 frames a second with mono sound, for up to 11 minutes at the HQ setting. For still photography
• A shutter rated for 100,000 actuations (uncommon for cameras at this price)
• Optional wireless flash, using built in flash as master
• Depth-of-field preview
• Support for all Pentax K-mount lenses plus older lens via adaptor

A key part of the value proposition is the new sensor Pentax has endowed the K-x with. Here is a DxOMark comparison that makes the point more succinctly than any number of mouthwatering technical specs.

On this objective RAW sensor evaluation http://www.dxomark.com/ , the K-x is clearly up there with the Nikon D5000/D90 sensor the current class leader and ahead of the Canon 550D by a fair margin.

Pentax K-x Build Quality & Handling

It’s a solid, well-built camera of about the same size as a Nikon D40. It’s a little heavier with 4 AA NMH rechargeable batteries tucked up in it’s handgrip, but that’s a minor grumble. Materials are of good quality, with no sign of skimping to keep the cost down. My only aesthetic quibble is a line of chrome around the body, which looks a bit old-fashioned in contrats to the fashion colours the K-x comes in.

The viewfinder retains the K2000’s penta-mirror, with 96% coverage and 0.85x magnification. It’s not especially bright and the numbers on the bottom row could be a little clearer for shooting in daylight. Missing are the autofocus points, which is a real puzzle. The screen on the back is not up there with the latest offerings at 2.7 in and 230,000 pixels, but it’s perfectly adequate for most situations. These are about the only signs of Pentax cost paring.

More importantly, all the buttons are where they should be, big enough and clearly marked, including a button that pops up the flash. The four-way control wheel on the back provides quick access to White Balance, Shooting mode and ISO the operation of the camera is well-thought-out.

Menus and Modes

Navigation is just as easy: hit the info button and all the major settings are accessible via a single panel which you can navigate using the 4-way control wheel. The menu button opens up a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of treasures for control freaks, with granular settings that provide control over every aspect of shooting and image quality. Again, the menus are logically laid out and easy to navigate.

For my test, I turned every setting to normal, neutral, standard, natural or off in order to get shots out of the K-x with a minimum of manipulation. I didn’t shoot RAW this time as I suspect most buyers of this camera will be shooting JPEGs.

I said in my first review that the K-x manual impressed me, and I want to make that point again after receiving a Canon EOS 550D for review yesterday. The 550D’s manual is one of those small, cramped, thin-paged things with writing that brings tears to the eyes of anyone older than 29. It’s very similar to my Canon SD 960 manual, and not at all fitting for a $1,000 DSLR.

Pentax K-x Performance

The K-x is a responsive camera with no delays in normal operation. The autofocus is snappy if a bit noisy, and response to the trigger is immediate. The K-x’s burst mode really lets fly with almost 5 frames/sec. It will do that for five RAW or 17 JPEG frames before running out of buffer space.

The range of shutter speeds, from 1/6,000 to 30 seconds, is just as impressive for an entry-level DSLR, and a shutter durability rating is unheard of. In terms of speed and handling, the K-x punches about its weight.

It’s a different story Live View mode, with the autofocus doing a lot of hunting in less than optimal light, but the same applies to the Nikon D5000 and Canon EOS 550D. They all have a way to go on this front.

Much the same applies to video. Starting a video recording is fiddly, you can’t autofocus while shooting video, you can’t set the aperture or shutter speed from the camera once the video is rolling, and you can’t take a still shot. Nikon’s D90 doesn’t do it any better, but Canon has upped the ante with the new EOS 550D.

Still Image Quality

With this new K-x, sharp shots came out of the camera with no effort at all, which is what we’ve come to expect from today’s DSLRs. This is a 100% crop, unedited.

The noise in low light shots turned out to be a result of the camera’s tendency to underexpose. Once I worked out the right degree of exposure compensation needed, the K-x’s low light performance was impressive for a camera in this price range.

The left shot was taken at ISO 3200, the right one at 6400. These are not 100% crops but even at that rate, there’s not a lot of noise visible at 3200 and not much more at 6400. On the higher setting, real life shots take on a slightly manipulated look and I found ISO 3200 a better working limit.

With this K-x sample, the transitions in high contrast scenes were much improved. And this time around, the colours were spot on too, rich and warm without over-saturation.

The kit lens turns out sharp photos in most situations, but landscape shots tend to go soft away from the centre. The K-x still had a tendency to underexpose in AV-mode, my favourite shooting mode, especially in early or late daylight which are the best times for landscape photography. Dialling in some exposure compensation took care of that most of the time.

In terms of detail, the K-x delivers more than enough as this shot shows.

Verdict

Pentax makes bold claims for the K-x but does it deliver on the promises? On the whole, the answer is YES. The K-x is a well-built camera loaded with features. Despite the long feature list, the K-x is as simple to use as you want while offering a host of fine settings for control freaks.

Overall, the camera works well and fast and fuss-free. It’s sensor is up there with the best in class, despite the sharp $650 price tag. The Nikon D5000 costs around $800 and the Canon EOS 550D $900. So yes, Pentax has broken the rules and thrown out a serious challenge to the Canikon camp with a strong value proposition.

There are some gripes, but the list is not a long one:

• No autofocus points in viewfinder, probably the most serious omission
• Auto-exposure tends to the dark side in low light settings
• The shutter is quite noisy, not suitable for candid shots
• The LED could be a little bigger and sharper
• Autofocus is slow in Live View
• There are serious limitations in video mode
• Auto-ISO doesn’t work in manual mode
• K-x uses 4 AA batteries

The last point means more weight to carry. The upside is that, when travelling overseas to countries with different power arrangements, you can take or buy disposable batteries.

A word on my methodology

I don’t test or review cameras the way DP Review or Steve’s Digicams do. I test cameras as a user, and that means I look for good design, ease of use and logical operation and navigation. Good design is about a great user experience, something very few companies are good at. Here’s a piece of my mind on the subject http://www.technoledge.com.au/pdfs/user-experience.pdf

Additional Resources

I’ve posted more shots from this round of testing on my blog in a Pentax K-x gallery http://briard.typepad.com/get_the_picture/pentax-kx-test-3-gallery.html

A very detailed review of the setting options the K-x offers http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/pentax/kx-review/using

Very comprehensive review of all types of Pentax lenses http://photo.net/equipment/pentax/

List of Pentax lenses on the company’s website http://www.pentax.com.au/pentax/index.php?q=node/179

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