I just realized, that I've had the E-1 for FOUR YEARS NOW! Not quite sure
which day it was that it arrived, but close enough for gov. work.
I didn't do a shutter-count this morning, but I've been average around
10,000 actuations per year. Obviously I've taken more pictures, but I have
more cameras to spread it around. I've averaged 20-25,000 per year in
total.
Last month, it has been 23 years of OM use. I bought the OM-2S in February
of 1986. The rest, as they say, is history. It has somewhere around 100,000
pictures taken on it. It's due for another CLA, but even with the presence
of the OM-3Ti and OM-4T, the OM-2S has a certain handling characteristic
that really makes it the best possible OM for some applications.
My thoughts, as I think about the time spent with these cameras is not of
the "woulda, coulda, shoulda" had I purchased another brand, but I think
about the fantastic pictures and experiences that have happened. I've
suffered from lens-lust and pixel-envy with the rest of us, but without
exception, my finest pictures have been a result of "being there" and
"seeing".
The E-1's sensor is getting quite long in the tooth, and as a result I've
been avoiding some things which would push the imaging technology too far,
but the camera has instilled a confidence into my photography that I've
never had before. I risk the fate of the camera by subjecting it to
shooting conditions or even possible destruction because I know I can push
it farther than most cameras and that the residual value of the camera is so
low that I wouldn't be out much. The camera is usable far beyond what any
specifications may indicate.
For the past couple of years the camera has been slated for replacement.
But since that time, Olympus has introduced the E-420, E-520, E-3, E-30 and
now E-620. Other than the E-620, which has some specific advantages to me,
not a single one of these cameas has garnered more than a passing glance of
interest from me. Why?
Two fold answer:
1. None of the above cameras have the handling of the E-1. The E-1 just
fits right. No DSLR has felt as comfortable in my hand as that camera.
This is actually a very critical aspect to me because of my carpel-tunnel
symptoms. Some cameras will numb my hand in seconds.
2. OM System. When the E-3 came out, I was given an OM-4T. Since that
time, the "Olympus Living History Farm" has had the OM-3Ti and a selection
of high-grade lenses and accessories added.
The OM System has revitalized my photography. I realize that in the five
years since going digital (Minolta A1 acquired 5 years ago this month), my
photography has improved greatly and I've had many shots done that would
have never happened with film, but I recognize that I've had a substantial
disconnect between me and the craft. I've become a production-photographer,
not a craftsman-photographer.
I'm loving photography again, and seeing pictures that I've not seen in five
years. The OM system is not only "fun" to shoot, but is almost liberating as
I'm now shooting for final result instead of shooting for post-production.
Next month I have two major event shoots coming up. One new, the other my
annual one I've done for nine or ten years now. I haven't shot film in four
years for event shoots, and five years ago, it was highly mixed with mostly
digital. I'm going to be using MOSTLY film this year. Why? Because I'm
needing a fresh look--a fresh look that comes with a change in how I "SEE".
I see photographs differently with the OM system than I do with digital
cameras.
I said "mostly", though. The advantages of digital still reign for some
stuff. I'll gladly shoot digital for a few things--especially the
low-return experimental shots, and the mass quantity of "grip-n-grins"
during the part of the ceremony that resembles a graduation. But the stuff
destined for publication is going to be film this year. For those aspects
where I'll shoot digital, the E-1, four years on, will still be the best
game in town. By no means has it outlived its usefullness.
In anticipation of next month's intense shooting schedule, I've been
experimenting, practicing and testing. Yes, it is extremely important to
practice--especially since it's been a few years since I've shot any event
with film. What has occured to me in this is how much I've missed being
able to TRUST the camera to expose correctly. I've also missed the ability
to focus in poor lighting conditions and trust that I've nailed it
correctly. Is this a fault of the E-1? Somewhat, yes, but it's the "price
of progress" that forced automation has put on us. The OM system represents
the pinnacle of design when it comes to assisting the craftsman-photographer
in making the right focus and exposure decisions.
I was going to just augment digital with the film, but it's looking like
I'll just shoot mostly film. The Gestalt of shooting the OM system is so
refreshing and liberating--the ability to carry two cameras without killing
your back, the abilty to pre-focus and plan the shots and most importantly,
the ability to "pre-chimp" by seeing in the viewfinder what is or is not
working in that photograph.
So, four years with the E-1 being the primary digital camera--shall I go for
five? At the moment I'm seeing no compelling reason not to. The only
reason for me to upgrade is pixel-count related, and shooting film addresses
that concern. If I delay the purchase another year, what is that worth? I
have MAYBE 10 times a year where a new digital would be advantagous for
revenue generating work. If I amortize a new camera cost over three years
with zero residual value, that comes to about $50 per time. That $50 can
actually buy a lot of film and processing.
So, I need to fix the rubber grip on the E-1 and every once in a while I
lust for a FL50R, but the camera remains what it is--an amazing tool which I
got for an amazing price ($1024 with 14-54) which still produces amazing
results.
Sure, it ain't no OM system, but what else is?
AG
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