Blackbird in the Rain

A quiet day, a time to review my experiment using just the Olympus system for a month.  One can't ignore the liberation it provides; a light system, easily carried without straining your shoulders or back even with a full suite of lenses stored in a back pack.  Often I was able to walk out using just a gilet to pocket the lenses and filters I was likely to use.  For landscape photography it was close to being a match for the Nikon equipment in terms of the ability to capture images.  It was only in situations where the dynamic range of the sensor was being challenged that it would come second to the Nikon.  Even then careful use of filters could almost negate the difference.

Wildlife photography is a joy.  Being able to handhold a 600mm equivalent f/4 lens, at ridiculously low shutter speeds and still get sharp images for static subjects is testament to the quality of the image stabilisation incorporated into both lens and camera body.  The focusing system on the latest body is also a revelation, coping well even with fast moving subjects coming towards the camera.  No, it isn't in the same class as the latest Nikon AF system incorporated into the D500, D850 and D5, but for most of us, we'd not notice the difference unless we nailed our technique.

The innovation of its special modes such as Live Composite are great fun once you've worked out how to use them and I wish I had them on my Nikon bodies.

The only time I wished I'd had my Nikon equipment with me was at the World Athletics Championships.  Here the high ISO noise robbed me of acuity and the ability to shoot at the speeds needed to freeze action.  That and the ability to work with higher resolution images to crop in on the action.  I did find a workaround, but I was very envious of the pro 'togs with their Canon and Nikon bodies and large aperture exotic lenses.  

I'd love to think that Nikon (and Canon) could learn from some of the mirrorless manufacturers and bring on some of the technology I've been using.  I'm sure it will happen in time as the photographic industry tend to be good at iterative development across the different platforms.

Still it was great fun to get better acquainted with the system and it is definitely going be my system for the forthcoming safari.  The thought of being on horseback with a Nikon body and 200-500mm lens swinging around my neck is best not considered!

Today's image probably shows one of the advantages of the Nikon equipment.  Shot at 3200 ISO it has had no noise reduction.  While I could create something similar with the Olympus, it would require more post processing.  This was also handheld, so you have to admire the vibration reduction on the lens.

So it isn't going to be the massive Nikon sell off just yet.