A week with Olympus EM1.2

Call me M43-curious! In my quest to have as small and light camera carry as possible while still enjoying that tactile experience of using a camera, I’ve been haunting Micro Four-Thirds online forums to watch enviously at M43 photographers’ lightweight kits that really punch above their weight.

I rented the Olympus EM1 mark II (“EM1.2”) for a week in February 2024, together with the 12-40 F2.8 PRO, 40-150 F2.8 PRO, and the Panasonic Leica 42.5/1.2, and together they fit into my Wandrd Roam / Rogue 9L sling bag comfortably. I took them around Singapore, to the zoo, Gardens by the Bay, and around Clarke Quay.

Swing

A long exposure shot of the Singapore Slingshot ride, showing the ride as a line. Being able to handhold such a long exposure was a joy. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Swing II

Dragging the shutter speed to blur the background and still getting a relatively sharp focus on the subject at 300mm absolutely blew my mind. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Swing III

Zooming in, I could see the expressions of the riders of the Slingshot. Again, handheld at night at 300mm in a lens that fit in my sling bag vertically. At that point, I felt like I hadn't felt such childlike giddy fun with a camera for quite some time. Olympus EM1.2 40-150/2.8.

Boats

The river was packed with boats ferrying tourists. I handheld this at 1s with the 40-150/2.8.

Glowing Blooms

The top of the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay lit up at night. Olympus EM1.2 + 12-40/2.8.

Locked Gaze

A free-roaming macaque locked eyes with me. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Distracted Gaze

The macaque looked pensive as he looked away from me. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Two pelicans perched on a log. Until then I'd never seen an actual pelican in real life before, and was astounded by their size. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Smile

An Orangutan poses as she hangs on a rope. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Smile II

She bared her teeth in what we humans may call a smile, but I believe this is a show of intimidation in other primates. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Intan

The Singapore Zoo has an elephant who shares my name, and I believe this might be her. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Yawn

A pygmy hippo opens up wide. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Anticipation

3 otters sat demurely on a rock as they waited for their caretakers to come with their lunch. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Watcher

A kookaburra watched over us at Bird Paradise, and eventually dropped a present that barely missed the passers-by. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Pageant

A maroon-breasted crowned pigeon stands on the boardwalk as it watches passers-by. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Oops

Two pelicans stand by the pond, one looking ahead, and the other one looking into the camera with its head curved back into its body. Olympus EM1.2 + 40-150/2.8.

Fawn

A close-up of a deer sculpture at Gardens by the Bay. Olympus EM1.2 + Panaleica 45/1.2.

Blossom

Pink Pelargonium in focus, with other bunches blurred in the backdrop. The smoothness of the bokeh of this lens melts my heart. Olympus EM1.2 + Panaleica 45/1.2.

It was all yellow.

A closeup of a daisy. Olympus EM1.2 + Panaleica 45/1.2.

Demure.

A close up of a bunch of Begonia flowers. Olympus EM1.2 + Panaleica 45/1.2.

My M43-curiousity is still burning strong, especially when I travel and I wish I have 300mm or even longer that I can easily fit into my backpack and handhold confidently, or having in-body focus stacking for handhold macro shots. I have not acted on it yet because getting into a whole new system is not cheap and I’m pretty enamoured by the set of lenses I already have. I might however be convinced (by myself) to continue this ritual of getting an M43 kit to have fun with every year or so!