Advanced Exposure Techniques and Workspace

Last updated:- 17th March 2024

Introduction

I lost my left arm in a motorcar accident and have been on pain medication ever since. It's difficult to say which is worse, losing my left arm or the opioid-based pain medication. My wife and I worked hard to reduce my pain medication, and we reached the point of cutting it completely. Those who followed my blog know how it benefitted me personally and my ability to write better articles.

I bought my first digital camera in 1998, which also started my craving for that perfect digital camera promoted by camera reviewers and social media experts. Breaking free from commercially biased theories, repetition, and the collective social media influence is similar to walking away from addictive medication. I can write a book about these processes and the similarities...

Olympus EM5 II with 25mm f1.4 Leica - ISO800, f3.2, 1/25 - Enhanced Raw File converted in WS. I used my ISO to control the highlights.

I use a simple strategy or rule when studying technical info. I reject any "interesting" information that does not improve my photography. My understanding and articles about digital cameras focus on information that improves the average photographer's image quality. My regular readers appreciate the benefits of marketing free camera knowledge. This is an ongoing learning experience...

The technical aspects of cameras interest me the most. My wife and I enjoy taking photos and using them in different projects. We love photography and regard ourselves as hobby photographers.

Fuji FinePix A201 (2MP) compact camera. ISO100, f4.5, 1/45 seconds. Slightly edited in Photoshop.

My focus in 2024 and onward...

The challenge of learning and growing the MyOlympuOMD blog impacted my recovery positively. I will continue to develop the blog and plan to focus on used Olympus cameras while we are waiting for a real OM-System camera. This includes exploring unique cameras like the Fuji XT-5, the Sony ZV-E1, the Panasonic GM-1, and the EP-7. I also plan to create more YouTube videos in 2024. 

My focus will be the following subjects for this blog and YouTube:

• Videography with basic principles, casual videos, and documentaries
• Digital camera knowledge and techniques improving our photography
• OM Workspace, the Enhanced Raw Format, and general photo editing
• I am planning to write informative articles on older Olympus cameras

My first two videos for 2024

I uploaded 2 YouTube videos over the past 8 days. They give an overview of my articles on exposure and Workspace and will benefit those who prefer watching a video. I will create shorter videos in the future that will focus on specifics. I am working on my sound quality and will have a solution for my next video. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and post your thoughts in the comments.

Did you questioned the power of marketing...

Last Updated:- 11th March 2024

My wife showed me the following meme over breakfast. I enjoy the blog and the subjects we cover. I am also grateful for all the comments and emails. My blog views averaged record highs in 2023, and this year is a surprising WOW. Thank you all. I have no reason to complain. So why the notion to walk away from this blog? My wife and I received news about a healthy young mother having a sudden stroke. We saw what was coming in 2021/22 and said no, while many accepted everything without questions. I have a good feel for marketing and the power of repetition. I also studied various papers about mass formation (hypnosis) and how people are tricked into absurdity. The urge to walk away surges each time I see YouTube presenters repeating the same digital camera lines...

Paper straws or bags are part of an ongoing market survey. Why, many would say? How much does it take to survey large samples of the population? A short documentary is enough to highlight the plastic crisis in the ocean. Marketers know the population trusts their social media or TV talking heads when they accept absurdity. Self-appointed enforcers are also critical when measuring these surveys..?

The new Fuji X100VI compact camera

Last updated:- 23rd February 2024

Introduction.

Fujifilm's CEO, Teiichi Goto, announced the new X100VI high-end compact digital camera at a live X-Summit event in Tokyo on 20 February 2024. The Fuji X100VI is the 6th variation of the original X100 introduced in December 2010. The Fuji X100 series has a rich history as a high-end camera for those enthusiasts looking for a compact camera with film simulations and good image quality.

The new Fuji X100VI with IBIS and 40MP BSI sensor. The X100VI product page...

The new Fuji X100VI high-end compact camera

The Fuji X100 family of high-end compacts shares the unique X-Series look and feel and incremental improvements between models. The success of the X100 series is probably a result of consistency. Fuji X100V photographers know what can be expected from the new Fuji X100VI... 

Here is a short overview of the Fuji X100 family:

The X100 family is a range of high-end compact cameras. Many fine details like the viewfinder, ND filters, digital converters, Fuji film simulations, and many more made them a sought-after family of high-end compact cameras. Fujifilm also continues to deliver the augmented value photographers expect from a manufacturer with a history of designing and making photography equipment.

There's no reason why the X100VI should fail. It will be fun to follow this new high-end camera from Fuji. The Fuji marketing department is also respected for its consistent track record. Olympus and Fuji enjoy customer loyalty for their quality products and regular firmware updates. For example, the original X100 received significant firmware and AF updates months after the newer model.

The new Fuji X100VI (40MP) high-end compact camera.

The evolving macro environment and events of the past 3 years impacted consumer confidence and people queuing for the latest product releases. The photography segment also experienced subtle changes in the past 3 years. One of the most exciting changes is a young generation of photographers discovering used cameras like the original Fuji X100. Used cameras were never this popular.

Should one buy the X100VI? For example, does it offer enough improvements to prevent consumers from getting the more competitively priced and used X100V? Marketers are working hard to make people believe all photographers crop their photos. They won't say the older 26MP BSI sensor of the XT-4 and X100V has better low light and shadow performance than the new 40MP sensor.

The Olympus Pen-F with the 17mm f1.8 MZuiko lens.

Those who know sensor size and cropping are less critical than we're told evaluate more about the camera. One of the aspects experienced photographers evaluate is the manufacture of a camera. Fuji is an example of what photographers could expect when buying a camera. See this short video of a photographer upgrading to a new or "better" camera. He lists several good points to consider.

Most IQ differences are linked to the manufacturer's image processing preferences. Any measurable differences are often more distinct than the visual differences. The DxOMark image quality database is an example of measured differences. Any preference for a unique image look or supporting camera features is mostly manufacturer or brand-specific. It's best to first spend time with a camera...

Olympus launched the Pen-F in January 2016. It competed with the 16MP Fuji X100T. One shouldn't compare the X100 series with the Pen-F because the Pen-F is an interchangeable lens camera. The link to the Pen F is the creative, color, and high-end aspects of the Fuji X100 family. Although two radically different cameras, the Pen F and EP-7 are surprisingly competitive alternatives.

Conclusion

I have been playing with the idea of focusing on used cameras. I am also a long-term Olympus fanboy and have much joy with my aging Olympus collection. I bought my new Fuji X-T5 in January 2023 because Fuji is the closest to everything I value about my Olympus gear. Would you sell all your M43 equipment to buy a Fuji XT-5, or would you prefer to exclusively focus on the new X100VI?

I wrote an article in 2019 reviewing the EM5 III, the Olympus financial scandal, and the turnaround. Go read this short overview of Olympus from 2012 to 2020. The article raises several interesting facts and questions, like what moved Olympus to ignore a rich history of developing and manufacturing top-quality, innovative cameras and successfully manage a challenging turnaround?

The OMD EM5 III and Olympus Financial Scandal - link.

Best

Siegfried