This is a fine example of the wonderful combination of the Olympus OM-D EM5 and the scintillating little 45mm F1.8. With very few adjustments in Aperture, the colours of the image just sing. There is tons of subtlety in tones and texture. The bokeh is superb and graceful.
When flirting with the idea of whether to change systems from Canon to Olympus, my biggest concern was the portrait focal length. My main work is portraiture and I was very comfortable with the exceptional combination of the 5D Mark 2 and the 100mm F2. Ideally, obviously, I would have just kept both and had two great systems. But I was also looking to simplify. What struck me most about the Olympus set-up was when I held the tiny 45mm in my hand. It was shockingly small. The 100mm Canon is a compact full-frame lens but compared to the 45mm it was like a weapon, a cannonball, compared to an ornament.
I still prefer the 100mm focal length to the 90mm equivalent of the 45mm. But the different is slight. In fact, in getting the same tight framing I so enjoy, I am forced to move a foot closer to my subjects. That and the smallness of the OM-D actually create a sense of intimacy. The 100mm - a huge hunk of glass - mounted on the 5D - a big hunk of camera - was fairly intimidating on subjects. Some of them even said so. And let's not even go into when I used the 85mm 1.2L of the 70-200 F2.8L... The difference is noticeable. Some for the better and some for the worse. Some people still expect a huge camera to equal good results. For the most part though, I can feel a sense of calm when photographing people. Especially in portrait sittings but also at a wedding. I've only used the OM-D as my main camera at one wedding so far, but it was so inconspicuous I felt and looked like a guest watching the proceedings rather than a big, giant distraction to the guests wielding a huge camera and lens with more in tow - a look and presence I've seen some event and wedding shooters obviously relish. That's obnoxious. Don't do that people...
Back to the lens. The 45mm M.Zuiko is a treat. I've never really understood the term 'gem of a lens' (even though I used it a lot with the Canon 35mm 1.4L...) till I held and used this lens. It's like the small rangefinder 'gems', I expect: very small and very high quality. If only it was as well made as the 75mm Olympus. And let's not even get started on Leica build quality...
It really is exceptionally good. All the reviews and discussions on it didn't actually prepare me for it. It is a lens that is just wonderful. I almost said 'perfect' and would have except for the plastic instead of metal construction. It does what it is supposed to do very, very well. It is sharp when you need it to be and graceful when you need it to be. It can throw backgrounds out of focus with subtle, splendid, delightful character or be so damn sharp everywhere it is a recording tool showing every little bit.
I'm gushing. Sorry about that. But I can't help it.
I feel the same with the OM-D. What a stunning little camera. It really has brought about all the promise of digital - small size, high quality, great noise performance, great lenses. And it brings back some of the delights from the days of film cameras made to last: beautiful build quality and great ergonomics.
But now I want more lenses. I must have them. I want them all.
