Mathieu

Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 Review: the best wide-angle lens for Micro Four Thirds

24/04/2013 By Mathieu

I’ll admit it. I have a huge thing for wide angle lenses. I’ve always been fascinated by the way you can represent the vastness of a place, using the lens’ natural distortion to make interesting compositions, and playing with perspective or tri-dimensionality. Since I first began photographing with DSLRs, I have always made a point to invest in good wide angle lenses. My favourites are the Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8 and the Nikkor 24mm f/1.4.

So, when I started to switch to the Micro Four Thirds system with the Olympus OM-D E-M5, the first lens I looked for was, of course, a wide angle. I had already tried the excellent Panasonic Lumix 7-14 f/4, but it is a little too extreme for my tastes, not to mention I was looking for a lens with a faster aperture. The Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm was, as such, my only option, and I was really curious to see if I would miss my big fat (Greek?) DSLR wide angle lens. Well surprisingly, the anwser was a big fat ‘no’!

Olympus OM-D E-M5 vs Fujifilm X100s: so similar yet so different!

21/04/2013 By Mathieu

We inaugurate the comparison section of our site with two of the most interesting mirrorless cameras available to date: the Olympus OM-D E-M5, the flagship of the Olympus Micro Four Thirds line, and the new Fujifilm X100s.

But what is the purpose of comparing two cameras?

Well, for us, it is a way of pointing out not only the strengths and weaknesses of each model, but it is also an occasion to summarize our personal experiences with them. It is a place where we can give you advice about the style of photography that best suits these cameras, while helping you answer that tricky question: which model is best for me?

You won’t find scientific comparisons but rather our personal experience with each camera based on a real-world usage. For more information about the cameras, you can check out our reviews and galleries across the site (relevant links are mentioned throughout the article).

Fujifilm launches the first telephoto zoom for the X series and updates its lens roadmap

18/04/2013 By Mathieu

Yesterday, Fujifilm officially announced the launch of the first telephoto zoom lens for the X-Pro 1 and X-E1 cameras, the Fujinon XF 55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS. It is the second zoom lens produced for the Fuji interchangeable X system and has an equivalent focal length of 84mm to 305mm on 35mm format. The first interesting thing about this new lens is its aperture at the longest focal length – it is around a half-stop faster than an equivalent zoom of this length. It has internal stabilization that allows you to slow your shutter speed to about 4.5 stops. Additionally, it features two ED lenses for reducing chromatic aberration. Another interesting aspect is the minimal focusing distance: around 1.1m for the entire zoom range.

Spring in the Langhe: Landscape Gallery with the Fuji X100s

14/04/2013 By Mathieu

Update: also check out our colours gallery.

Spring has finally made its appearance here in Italy. Keeping with our yearly tradition, Heather and I went to the Langhe region (Piedmont, Italy), famous worldwide for its wine and truffles. (In fact, many celebrities ranging from the likes of De Niro to rapper Jay-Z come here regularly to eat them!) It was a great opportunity to bring along my x100s and see how it would suit the landscape photography genre. The Fuji X100s was designed primarily for street photography, but the colour and tonal range capabilities of the X-Trans Sensor are very interesting for landscape shots as well. (You can read our x100s full review here).

Cinema cameras go pocketable: the new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera with Micro Four Thirds mount!

08/04/2013 By Mathieu

That’s it, it’s official now. The first compact pocketable cinema camera has been announced. It seems that the (r)evolution in the filmaking industry which began four years ago with the Canon 5D mk II has completed its circle. After delivering the first RAW capable cinema camera under $3k one year ago (the Blackmagic Cinema Camera), the company has just announced two new products at the NAB show in Vegas which started today. Could you ever have imagined that, one day, the words ‘cinema’ and ‘pocketable’ could be uttered in the same phrase when talking about filmmaking?