High above it all - G3 + FD55 f/1.2

Where else in the world would one want to be than Chicago in the depth of winter I ask you?  I know it may sound somewhat sadistic, but I’ve really come to enjoy walking around the windy city when the river is frozen over, the streets are coated with a salted crust and the wind makes your face feel like someone repeatedly smacked you with a frozen fish.  I’ve also come to realize the genius of having the largest sail show in the midwest at the same time every year.  It may hurt to go outside, but when you get into the boat show, your thoughts immediately transport you to warmer times, and you feel any potential financial inhibitions start to ease with the promise of a midsummer breeze on the lake, the water lapping against your bow and the only ice you encounter is inside your cooler.  On the business side of things, orders in January mean that you can actually get everything built before sailing season starts.

Read on for more shots and mumblings…

For any that have read the previous few posts (G3/GX1 sensor vs GF1 sensor, the Holy Trinity post, and the G3 vs 5DII), you may notice that all shots here were taken with a Lumix G3 micro 4/3 camera (aside from one with the GF1).  This is different for me because I normally don’t travel anywhere without my full frame setup.  It was fun adjusting to a different shooting experience and one that helped me further appreciate the little MILC kit.  I shot using my budget holy trinity along with one other lens that I didn’t think about until just before leaving.  This was the Canon FD 55mm f/1.2 SSC lens.  For those late night street wanderings and dark bar happenings, I wanted to see what I could come up with using this guy.

G3 + FD55 f/1.2

G3 + Contax 45mm f/2

G3 + Lumix 20mm f/1.7

G3 + Contax 45mm f/2

G3 + Lumix 14mm f/2.5

G3 + FD55mm f/1.2

GF1 + Lumix 20mm f/1.7

G3 + FD55mm f/1.2

G3 + Lumix 14mm f/2.5

G3 + Lumix 20mm f/1.7

G3 + Lumix 20mm f/1.7

The G3 did very admirably in the low light, high ISO, cold weather conditions.  I particularly enjoyed shooting with the FD 55mm f/1.2 beast-lens which, while heavy, is a treat to shoot on the G3 with its EVF vs the GF1.  At ISO 1600 and wide open, it was easy to get fast enough shutter speeds to handhold, accurate focusing, notsomuch, but a good challenge.  The Zeiss/Contax 45mm f/2 was great, although trickier to focus due to the quirky answer to the proprietary focus mechanism, the 20mm pancake was, as always, a great little all’rounder and the 14mm pancake helped for some of the wider shots (I used it mostly stopped down while on a tripod).  I think the IBIS of the new Oly OM-whatever (assuming it has the IBIS) would be an even better tool for these types of conditions, but of course price and overall size may place it in a different class.  As is, having the built in EVF was crucial, and a nice, solid third point of contact to help stabilize.  I didn’t feel as though I was as responsive when shooting as I’m accustomed to with my dSLR kits, but I was fine with not having my heavier dSLR rig around this time… Even now it’s still a little hard to come to terms with, but I’m doing better with it the further into the images I get 🙂

Thanks Chicago, your Italian beef, cold winds and warm personalities are always a treat.

Happy shooting.