Photography has slowly become one of my more favourite past-times as I have moved on from teenage life, as it seems to be more productive than programming ventures that I had and with less frustration than coding one thing which broke another then fixing it (and repeating this cycle). It certainly keeps my creative/constructive side happy.

I was first introduced to digital photography a few years ago, receiving an Olympus µ Digital 600 as a Christmas gift. While simplistic, it was great fun to use though it didn’t really occur to me to do anything overly creative with it at the time, just when I needed to take photos really. A while after, the creative bug had struck (probably after admiring all of the “Interesting” shots on Flickr) and decided to upgrade. I wasn’t at the stage that I could afford a digital SLR (still high school) so a bridge camera with SLR-like features (like Shutter, Aperture and Manual priorities) popped up. I managed to get my hands on a pre-owned Fujifilm S5600 for a reasonable amount with accessories. This is where things started to pick up creatively.

These are some of the images available on my Flickr photostream that helped fuel my upgrade to the single-lens-reflex camera scene. Admittedly, the oscilloscope fuse pictured above was actually taken with my SLR camera, so would that constitute cheating, or a good decision?

I decided that upgrading to a digital SLR (dSLR when abbreviated) wouldn’t be a substantial ‘waste of money’ but more of an investment if I kept the initial outlay as painless (or as low ) as possible and that would also lead to cheaper after initial purchase gear (like lenses, filters and so on and so forth). It certainly wouldn’t only be used as a toy, but for some freelance website development I do occasionally.

I’ve noticed a trend on the Whirlpool photography lounge as I became  more involved in, that most photographers with a dSLR either go for Nikon or Canon, as equal firsts (both APS-C sensor cameras) which (I think) are geared more towards the upper end of the amateur/semi-pro end of the market. Pentax would probably take a close third with Olympus coming fourth with it’s “designed for [dSLR]” Four Thirds lens mount (4/3rds), again smaller than APS-C cameras. This ranking is highly subjective, having said that: Olympus SLR threads aren’t as common, that I’ve seen. Quite possibly a seasonal thing with what camera is the “killer” of the house party (memories of family playing Cluedo ).

Anyway, my point is that, for the feature set that I wanted (or considered essential in order to be an upgrade) was certainly out of my price range with a Canon/Nikon option, though again, subjective. Maybe I just wasn’t researching enough. I didn’t like the size and weight of the top three either, or their lenses. I had found that Olympus had a reasonable range of dSLR cameras that were lighter (including lenses) that while may not have had the same image quality (4/3rds sensors are physically smaller than APS-C sensors), they were certainly feature packed. The prospect that Olympus recognised warranty internationally on bodies and lenses was a big plus. Canon, Nikon and Pentax were less generous, only recognising lenses. This allowed importation of cheaper overseas stock with warranty coverage.

I was originally considering the Olympus E-420 body because of its size (and the relative compactness and weight (lack of ) until I had managed to spot a new Olympus E-520 body in the US of A on eBay (slightly larger E-420 with Image Stabilisation) for less than what the E-420 was selling, new, retail in Australia!
Too good of an opportunity to pass up? Despite the initial buyers guilt of demolishing some of my web-dev work payment (Ok, ok, it was AUD $475 at the time, after some bargaining with the seller through eBay’s “Best Offer”) and from what other Whirlpool users were saying, that wore off quickly. Playing with it once it had arrived made me feel a lot happier, and after selling the S5600 for almost double of what I expected, certainly helped.

I had purchased an OM System 80-200mm f/4.5-5.6 lens shortly thereafter to start experimenting with the camera as well as focal lengths, Depth of Field, aperture, shutter speed, white balance, et al before getting anything automatic. Since OM System on 4/3rds dSLRs aren’t automated (i.e. manual focus only, metering is touch and go (not tried this yet), Aperture Priority or Fully Manual are the only modes that actually work properly, it would aid in not becoming lazy or disappointed by relying on fully automatic settings all the time. Being forced to learn isn’t a bad thing.
After this, I picked up a used Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED (a kit lens on E-system cameras) for cheap to fulfil the automated side.

I have yet to go out and do any serious shooting with it (due to university, extra-curricular commitments) though I hope to soon. I also hope to treat myself to a Zuiko Digital 70-300mm f/4-5.6 ED lens after this semester ends, pending exam results (that is, if I do well this semester).