Yankee Lake

Shot with my Olympus PEN E-PM1 using the Pinhole Art filter. Camera courtesy of Get Olympus and the PENready Project.

Gravel Pit

Shot with my Olympus PEN E-PM1 using the Pinhole Art filter. Camera courtesy of Get Olympus and the PENready Project.

Pizza The Rock

Shot with my Olympus PEN E-PM1 using the Pinhole Art filter. Camera courtesy of Get Olympus and the PENready Project.

Abandoned Service Station

Shot with my Olympus PEN E-PM1 using the Pinhole Art filter. Camera courtesy of Get Olympus and the PENready Project.

Olympus OM-D

The much talked/blogged about Olympus OM-D is now available for pre-order at B & H Photo!

Olympus OM-D E-PM5

If you're interested in buying a Silver OM-D E-M5 w/12-50mm lens click here.
If you're interested in buying a Black OM-D E-M5 w/12-50mm lens click here.
If you're interested in buying a Black OM-D E-M5 body only click here.
If you're interested in buying a Silver OM-D E-M5 body only click here.

• 16.1Mp 4/3 Live MOS Sensor
• TruePic VI Image Processor
• 3.0" Tilting OLED Monitor
• Eye-Level Viewfinder
• RAW + JPEG Still File Formats
• 200-25,600 ISO Sensitivity
• TTL Flash Compatibility
• 1920 x 1080 HD Video Capture
• Computerized Focal-Plane Shutter
• Digital ESP/Center/Spot Metering

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 12-50mm Lens, as the name states, provides you with an exceptional mirrorless camera and a 12-50mm Olympus lens. This bundle ensures that you're set up and ready to shoot from day one.

The OM-D E-M5 sports the popular mirrorless technology that allows for a light and compact body. More than that, however, the OM-D E-M5 is an outstanding camera that provides you with tools like an electronic eye-level viewfinder, a tilting 3.0" OLED touchscreen monitor, 16Mp of resolution, and - of course - an ever-expanding array of compatible lens options. All these factors boil down to a camera that's easier to transport than the average DSLR, yet puts multiple lens choices, and numerous other high-end features and functions, at your disposal.

Taking the features of the OM-D EM-5 one at a time, let's begin with the camera's high image quality. Making such stunning 16Mp stills and 1920 x 1080 HD video possible would be the 16Mp Live MOS image sensor and the TruePic IV image processor. The heart of the camera, these two work together with an array of M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses for impressive images and movies.

Other features worth mentioning here include Olympus' AF system, which enables fast, accurate images in a variety of situations. Additionally, 9.2 fps high-speed sequential shooting goes a step further to ensure that fast moving subjects are easily captured. The 5-axis image stabilization system also comes into play here, compensating for vertical, horizontal, and rotational camera shake, which conventional 2-axis systems of the past haven't been able to tame. This stabilization is built-in the camera body, and ensures effective stabilization with all lenses.

The high-res, 1.44 million dot LCD has 100% field-of-view coverage and a 1.15x maximum magnification. The EVF also allows for enlarging the focus point for seeing the effect of many different features right in the viewfinder. In addition to this impressive EVF, the camera also has a 3.0" tilting OLED touchscreen monitor, making it the first Olympus camera to have such capabilities. The touchscreen monitor allows for fast menu navigation, and brilliant composition and review of scenes.

The OM-D EM-5 is also a tough camera, featuring a dust-proof and splash-proof design. As Olympus states, "multiple ring-shaped seals protect the camera from sand, dust, rain, and water spray". That means there's no need to fear the elements and as a result, miss the shot. What's more the OM-D extends this feature to the bundled flash unit, the optional grip, the power battery holder, and the optional M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ lens.

Revolutionary Mirrorless Camera

The revolutionary mirrorless camera, the OM-D E-M5, has an exceptionally light and compact body. Its Electronic View Finder enables photographers to check exposure levels, white balance, and preview Art Filter effects in real-time. When shooting, the photographer can instantly "create" a truly unique world and preserve it in exceptional quality. The "world" will be transformed from something you see to something you "take part" in. The OM-D is a groundbreaking digital interchangeable lens camera perfect for people who want to "take part", "create", and "share"

Electronic Viewfinder

The OM-D's electronic viewfinder (EVF) features a high-resolution 1.44-million dot LCD, 100% field-of-view coverage, and 1.15x maximum magnification that lets you totally immerse yourself in your subject, and actively controls image creation. The EVF also allows you to enlarge the focus point for precision focusing in virtually any shooting situation, and can show you the effect of Highlight & Shadow Control, White Balance, Exposure Compensation, Aspect Ratio, and a host of other settings and advanced digital image processing functions right in the viewfinder. With improved precision and responsiveness that make it as easy to use as an optical viewfinder, the OM-D's advanced EVF gives you virtually unlimited creative control

High Image Quality

Three key factors contribute to the OM-D's unprecedented image quality: a wide lineup of M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses for sharp, clear subject capture, a 16Mp Live MOS image sensor for rich tonal expression, and an advanced TruePic VI image processor for superb color fidelity. The optimal balance of these factors ensures the high resolution, sensitivity, and color accuracy you need to brilliantly capture the world around you

FAST AF

The world's fastest AF system, FAST AF, has been made even faster and more accurate on the OM-D. Improved 3D Tracking AF assures you won't miss the moment even when subjects move toward or away from you, and the high-sensitivity image sensor ensures superior AF performance, even in dim light

9.2 fps High-Speed Sequential Shooting

Thanks to the 16Mp Live MOS image sensor's high-speed read-out performance, the OM-D offers maximum sequential shooting at 9.2 fps, making it easy to capture sports action or fast-moving subjects such as pets and wildlife. In addition, a compact new high-speed shutter mechanism enables the OM-D to offer this performance without compromising the handling advantages of a light and compact body

5-Axis Image Stabilization

The OM-D is equipped with a 5-axis image stabilization system, and can compensate for vertical, horizontal, and rotational camera shake that conventional 2-axis systems of the past had been unable to handle. Built into the camera body to ensure effective stabilization with all lenses, its unique 5-axis design makes it particularly effective when taking high-magnification telephoto shots, macro close-ups, and long exposures. In addition, it can be activated by pressing the shutter button halfway, so you can also use it to stabilize the viewfinder image and obtain a crisp, clear view of your subject that makes it easy to frame and compose your shots

Dust-Proof and Splash-Proof Construction

Trouble-free shooting in all environments is assured by Olympus' proven dust-proof and splash-proof technology. Multiple ring-shaped seals protect the camera from sand, dust, rain, and water spray, making it ideal for all kinds of outdoor shooting. What's more, the OM-D extends this protection to the M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-50mm, f/3.5-6.3 EZ lens, the bundled, detachable flash unit, and the optional grip and power battery holder

Tilting 3" OLED Touchscreen

In addition to offering dial and button controls, the OM-D is the first Olympus camera to feature a tilting touchscreen monitor for intuitive fingertip operation. The 3" OLED touchscreen delivers high-resolution images of your subject with rich color reproduction. It also responds instantly to your touch with fast operation that makes it easy to focus on subjects, play back images, and adjust settings, such as exposure and white balance

Lenses and Accessories

In addition to the optional electronic motorized M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ lens with quiet, linear drive AF, the OM-D is supported by an ever-expanding range of wide-angle, macro, portrait, and telephoto Micro Four Thirds M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses. System accessories include cases, straps, filters, external flash units, and mount adapters for Four Thirds System lenses and OM System lenses

And now for some video:

Hats

Hats For Sale by ©Mark Kalan

Food Truck

Shot with my Olympus PEN E-PM1 using the Pinhole Art filter. Camera courtesy of Get Olympus and the PENready Project.

Gnome

Gnome by ©Mark Kalan

Captured with a Hasselblad H4D-40 and 80mm F2.8 lens.

Rusted Chevy Truck

Rusted Chevrolet Truck by ©Mark Kalan

Captured with a Hasselblad H4D-40 and 80mm F2.8 lens.

Snowman

Snowman by ©Mark Kalan

A reminder of the pleasant Winter we've been enjoying.

Kodak Blue Brownie 2A with Case, Strap and Price Tag

From my personal collection. This one is a keeper!

How to Lose $2400 Worth of Photo Gear in 24 seconds.

how to lose $2400 in 24 seconds from Kurtis Hough on Vimeo.

***UPDATE***
Rumor has it that B& H Photo has replaced Kurtis's camera for free!

Brick Wall

Shot with my Olympus PEN E-PM1 using the Pinhole Art filter. Camera courtesy of Get Olympus and the PENready Project.

Smokestack and Factory

Factory and Smokestack by ©Mark Kalan

Captured with a Hasselblad H4D-40 and 80mm F2.8 lens.

Canon New EOS 1D X

Canon has announced the latest professional DSLR to its lineup, revealing the Canon EOS-1D X.

The full frame, 18.1 megapixel Canon 1D X boasts dual DIGIC 5+ processors, which Canon claims offer three times faster performance than standard DIGIC 5. Canon says the EOS-1D X's dual processors enable full-resolution continuous shooting up to 12fps with 14-bit A/D conversion and full camera operation, which it claims is the fastest of any DSLR on the market.Other Canon EOS-1D X specs include a 61-point AF with 41 cross-type sensors, including five dual cross -type points, as well as a new 100,000-pixel RGB metering sensor which is linked to the AF system and powered by its own dedicated DIGIC 4 processor. Canon says this allows the EOS-1D X to detect faces and colour to ensure correct exposure levels and improved AF tracking in challenging situations.

What's more, a super high-speed mode extends the shooting speed to 14fps (JPEG format only), while a new shutter and mirror mechanism works to reduce shutter lag and mirror bounce, Canon claims.

Low light photographers will also enjoy the EOS-1D X's wide ISO range, which runs from ISO 100 to 51,200, and is extendable up to ISO 204,800.

The Canon 1D X also offers full HD video recording, promising longer recording options that automatically create a new file once the 4GB limit has been reached.

The Canon EOS-1D X records movies from the full-frame sensor giving users access to the full range of manual settings to control exposure, focus and frame rate (1920 x 1080: 30 (29.97), 25, 24 (23.976) frames per second, 1280 x 720: 60 (59.94), 50 fps, 640 x 480: 30 (29.97), 25 fps). The Canon 1D X also displays sound levels on the LCD screen, which users can make adjustments to.

Retaining the classic Canon EOS design, the Canon 1D X supersedes the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III and EOS-1D Mark IV in the hierarchy of Canon DSLRs.

The Canon EOS-1D X price was not available at the time of writing.

Launched alongside the EOS-1D X is a new, compact WiFi transmitter, the Canon WFT-E6, designed for transferring images when a wired connection isn’t available.

Supporting the 802.11n WiFi standard and offering Bluetooth support for connectivity to external GPS devices, Canon claims the WFT-E6 offers secure transfer of images and video to an FTP server, or the ability to display content on a compatible screen over a DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) connection.

The Canon EOS-1D X will also be compatible with a new GPS receiver – the GP-E1. Enabling users to add location information to EXIF data and geographically track the progress of travelling shoot, the GP-E1 is particularly useful for wildlife or location-based photographers who may need to record the location of a scene for future reference.

Wheelchair Dance Portraits

Charles



Peter



Diane and Robert



Kathleen



Gretchen



Matt and Elaine



John


Portraits taken after a wheelchair dance workshop at Nyemchek's Dance Centre in Pearl River New York. October 2, 2011

I'm PenReady

A you may or may not know, Olympus Camera had been handing out 1000 new PEN cameras as part of their Pen Ready Project. I'm lucky #896 and here is my camera. Its an Olympus Pen E-PM1 and as soon as I have some semblance of understanding about it's operation I will be posting photos.

Portraits of Two Friends

For those who miss your analogue photo gear

Digital Analogue from ftjelly on Vimeo.

Bike Rack

Bicycle Rack by Mark Kalan