I've been out very early mornings, about three times after work, without having taken a single photo on my walks. Kind of strange. In my bag the Fujifilm GFX 100s II paired with the Fujinon GF 500/5.6 OIS lens... but no feeling for taking images of what my eyes saw or my feelings sensed.

Kind of strange.

But yeah, it happens from time to time. Now walking around with a 500mm lens, is of course a bit special - and doesn't exactly open up for all kinds of motives (albeit it is actually a far more flexible lens than you would expect, due to that you can go close with it down to 2.8 meters).

but still - i just walked around and felt... nothing.

Sometimes the light is to intense and blinding, that it too affects my ability to see and sense. When there are no clouds, and the sky is all blue - it doesn't give any diffuse light, making things look a bit harsh. Well, sometimes. Other times it chisels out buildings of the light comes from the side - giving interesting looks.

Yet, I am not really that much into suddenly taking images of distant buildings, you know. Because it rather bores me. Sure i like buildings - but it isn't something that lies close to my heart.

Other times i feel a bit tired after a night's shift - which too could be the reason why didn't feel for taking any images. Or I am walking along a "highway" type of street, with only green trees around... which isn't exactly a motive for a 500mm super telephoto lens.

So, i went back, took the buss, and went home instead.

*LOL*

First carrying it at work for 7 hours

When i take the camera + 500mm lens with me to work in order to take images afterwards early morning - I only have space for those two items in my backpack.

It is already fascinating that both fit into that little thing. I mean a super telephoto lens in a tiny backpack - without even being too heavy from a relative standpoint... That is pretty unheard of *grin*

Once i took with me a larger backpack - but that was a bit too much; first carrying it around for 7 hours at work (which I do), and THEN going directly out for a photo tour afterwards.

No worry.

There are other, lighter cameras to walk around with

My Olympus 300mm [equiv. 600mm] is another super-telephoto lens, but even smaller and lighter. That one, needs a lot more attention I feel - because it is FUN, fascinating, and extremely flexible (close min focus distance) and razor sharp (when in focus)

I have not used it as much as I would have liked - because I had trouble it during several years. (Unsure if it was the camera or lens). It would front focus on objects located at infinity. Which lead to that i used it much less over time. I felt it was unreliable to work with ... and has caused me a lot of headaches. (At other distances I had no problems).

In my latest outing with the Olympus 300/4 IS PRO

I didn't notice any focus errors at all. Which made it so fun to use it - getting razor sharp images. (That's after all why you buy a specialty telephoto lens; to obtain sharp images) Once again I realized how amazing that lens actually is.

It is truly one of a kind.

It is one of the strange perks with cameras and lenses: those you use rarely - can later suddenly get a new life; You re-discover the flavors and charm with it anew. The M.Zuiko ED 300/4 IS PRO is such a lens for me. I am amazed every time I have used it lately.

The 600 mm perspective gives you that typical super telephoto compression, as shown below.


• Metro rail at Old Town / Gamla Stan station

• Cityhall of Stockholm - Stockholms Stadshuset

• Riddarholmen Church, Stockholm Old Town

• Old German Church, "Tyska Kyrkan" - Stockholm Old Town

Extremely stable Image stabilization

When I use the Olympus 300/4 IS PRO with the OM-1 camera, it should be noted that the Image stabilization is extremely sticky. It is like "glued" - like that effective. It might still be the best image stabilization in existence.

What does this mean ?

That the IS is extremely effective, and you can handhold it steadily even in not so great light. Framing with a 600 mm lens is normally not a piece of cake. It is after all an extreme focal length. And yet, with the Olympus lens + camera, it is such an ease, hard to beat.

You can feel that the so called "Dual-IS" - which means collaboration between the image stabilization in the camera body, truly working together with the Image stabilization in the lens (in Olympus case) - making it extra effective.

THAT you can feel. There is a significant difference compared to other systems.

The Fuji GFX + 500mm OIS, both having image stabilization - do not feel as "glued" in terms of image stabilization between body and lens. Well, to be fair: the image sensor of a GFX camera is so much larger than the one of a (Olympus) MicroFourThirds sensor. The larger the sensor, the more difficult it is to stabilize it.

Therefore it isn't a surprise that the Olympus is the more effective one. The former company Olympus (now OM System) did a great job in creating lenses and internal components to the highest standard (in their professional lens line-up, I mean).

Optically Top Notch

I believe the ED 300/4 IS PRO [600mm] belongs to the optically best created lenses in the Olympus / OM System line up - together with the extremely expensive M.Zuiko ED 150-400/4.5 IS PRO lens [300-800mm, a huge white lens], and the overpriced, brand new OM System ED 50-200/2.8 IS PRO lens [100-400mm].

Those three however, are simply top notch in the optical + mechanical department.

I am glad that i bought the 300/4 IS PRO at a time, when the prices where moderate (around 1900 €), as it has risen to almost 2500 € here in Sweden, and will likely soar a bit further soon. Plus the other two lenses, are already so over the top in priced, that I never even considered them.

It would sit in the closet after honeymoon

After all - I am not a bird photographer, and have no use of a 300-800 mm zoom lens, as it is also larger and heavier - plus and then the price of 79.000 SEK / 7100 € certainly doesn't attract me. It would be a lens that sits in the closet after honeymoon.

I am sure bird and nature photographer love that lens (they do!). But for a city asphalt guy... it would be totally misplaced on me.

Time for everything. Until it isn't.

I will not always be stuck on the GFX + 500mm combo *grin* Now, as it is new for me, and the light is more than plenty - i go on those photo walks, to take (for me) more unusual images of things, i normally didn't come into reach of with other Fujinon GF lenses. I doubt i will be running around with a 500mm lens during winter time with dull light. (i may try it sometimes, sure). Instead I would have other lenses with meand explore the world through them. Or go smaller & lighter.

Time will tell.

I have a tendency to stop outdoor mediumformat photography after October, as the weather becomes more unstable, and the light duller. Yet, it ain't a rule. It is just what i noticed last year, when i stopped using the larger Fujifilm GFX 50s II camera back in October - going over to the much smaller and lighter Olympus system.

Going out for photo walks after work

It is rather new to me, being this active outdoors... I actually like my newfound activity. Sometimes I just sit on a bench, enjoy a croissant with a little bottle of milk or water - then having a smoke - enjoy the light, the ambiance, as well fewer people than usual. (i like people - just not when it is overcrowded, too hot in the air and with a light character that is merciless sharp and strong).