Category: Photography

cats and cameras

whbeebe2 Comments


The blog is about, in parts, cats and cameras. I tend to combine the two. I picked up a new-to-me camera in January. It was an Olympus E-M1 Mark 2, or E-M1.2. It was released five years ago, but with the latest firmware. Why purchase a camera that cost $2,000 body only when released? Because it was on sale for a good 2/3rds off. Several weeks later I sprung for the Olympus Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO zoom. I felt that the E-M1.2 was incredible enough with all my other lenses, but the 40-150mm on the E-M1.2 is an incredible image making machine. I do have the 12-100mm f/4 PRO and it is also an excellent lense. But the 40-150mm has a longer reach and a full stop extra light gathering power. I used that combination to photograph Lil’ Danï above. As well as some flowers around the back yard. Between the 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO and this lens, I finally feel I have replacements for my 12-60mm and 50-200mm Olympus HG Four Thirds lenses that were stolen in 2012. Yes, it’s taken up to nine years, but then, a lot of life has been happening.

And before you ask, there is no reason whatsoever to give up any of my Olympus camera gear. It all works as intended, and the alternatives from all over are outrageously expensive. As far as I’m concerned that micro Four Thirds system is still as innovative today as at any period. I’m satisfied, and happy with the results, and that’s all that really matters to me.

sony’s α7c (for cynical) camera

whbeebe4 Comments


I would lead off an article like this with “If you haven’t been living under a rock…”, but with the pandemic and everything else that’s been happening in 2020, I can’t lead off with that sarcasm. If you’re a normal person then you wouldn’t be following everything Sony Cameras has been releasing.

Which leads to this latest camera from Sony. This is a camera using Sony’s 35mm sized sensor (a.k.a. “full frame”) and general electronic subsystems derived from their α7III camera. Meaning they took the guts out of the α7III, cleaned off the gunk and grime, and dropped it into the body you see above. What’s missing is the pseudo pentaprism housing, being replaced with a smaller viewfinder on the right corner. Looks almost like another α6000-style camera, doesn’t it?

What we have is an expensive camera (US$2,100 with the f4-5.6/28-60mm kit zoom lens) with oldish technology wrapped in an oldish physical design (the APS-C α6000-style camera) aimed at the vain YouTuber who wants to capture selfie video for — whatever. I’m obviously not the target demographic, which is why I look at this and go meh. I’m no fan (at all) of Sony cameras, or Sony technology in general. But I look at this camera in particular and all I see is lots of warmed-over tech shoveled into a tired body design, not worth the current asking price. It looks like it was Sony marketing’s idea to make use of left-over sensors and parts, with minimal design cost, designed to take advantage of the selfie video craze going on right now. Like I said, cynical.

Because I’m not clairvoyant I haven’t a clue as to how well it’ll sell. It might sell well in an initial short-lived spike, followed by a long falloff into oblivion. But then, what do I know?