Heather

Spending the Week with the Panasonic Lumix G6: First Impressions

20/12/2013 By Heather

The words “Try a new camera free!” are bound to catch the eye of any photography blogger. These were the exact words on the Lumix LifeStyle Italia brochure I picked up at the Riflessi Camera Store in Turin. The offer was to try the new Panasonic Lumix G6 for a week. Having already used the Lumix GH3 and GX7 extensively, we figured it would be interesting to try out a Lumix designed for entry-level users to get a sense for the similarities and differences.

N.B.: Since I had little leeway during the week to properly test all the various aspects of the Lumix G6, I am writing this as less of a review but more as a brief commentary on how the G6 compares to its two high-end sisters, the GH3 and GX7, and how it felt to use it on a daily basis. [Read more…] about Spending the Week with the Panasonic Lumix G6: First Impressions

Three OM-Ds are better than one: An Interview with Anurag Sharma

19/12/2013 By Heather

Welcome to our series of 100 interviews we will be holding with professional photographers who use mirrorless cameras for work! “Switching to a smaller and lighter system” has become somewhat of a buzz phrase as of late, but many working photographers take this philosophy seriously. From medical reasons such as resolving back and shoulder pain to the simple realisation that bigger does not mean better, photographers are turning to mirrorless systems now more than ever before.

This week’s interview is with Anurag Sharma, a documentary wedding photographer from Lancashire, UK who uses not one, not two but three Olympus OM-D E-M5s with primes on the job. It is rare to find a professional photographer who uses one OM-D for work, let alone three, so when we first came across Anurag’s blog, we were immediately intrigued…

10 Things Professionals Demand From a Mirrorless Camera

16/12/2013 By Heather

We all know that from a realistic point of view, DSLRs are still today’s standard especially when it comes to professional photography. Many photographers continue to choose and invest in this segment not only because it has been the primary reference for years but also because you won’t find that number of diverse lenses available for any other system.

However the rise of mirrorless cameras is challenging the position of DSLRs. Brands are now investing in technology to create smaller, more portable bodies, and many professional photographers have started to switch to or adopt a MILC as a second body. It goes without saying that they want the features they loved on their DSLR to carry over to the mirrorless system as well. This means high image quality, high ISO performance, superior phase-detect autofocus, beautiful shallow depth-of-field, a robust and weatherproof build, and professional support–all characteristics the professional photographer will often refuse to forgo.

This list of ten features pros demand from their mirrorless cameras is the culmination of observations I’ve made living with a professional photographer myself (and a very fastidious one at that) and interacting with photographers around me. I’m sure that most of my observations won’t surprise you.

Review of the HandlePod: The best alternative to traditional tripods out there

11/12/2013 By Heather

While absentmindedly browsing the Web a few weeks ago, I came across a product which immediately piqued my curiosity. Aptly named the HandlePod, its inventors claim it is the perfect alternative to the traditional three-legged tripod.

Did I already mention that both Mat and aren’t fond of traditional tripods? Our dislike of tripods is one of the main reasons we love the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and E-M1 so much – the excellent internal stabilisation reduces the need for any type of external stabilisation down to one second.

Capturing Turin’s Luci D’Artista: A GX7 vs. X100s High ISO Comparison

10/12/2013 By Heather

It was just two months shy of Christmas when I first stepped foot in the city that would become my home for the next five years. All I can remember is how overwhelmed I was by the view of Turin at night. The ivory-white of the palazzos and porticoes seemed to shine like beacons against the dark night sky as we drove towards my new Italian home. Even now, I still believe that Turin is at its most stunning after sundown.