My Unexpected Journey With The SG-image 25mm f/1.8 Manual Lens

For almost two years, I had been looking for a manual-focus 25mm lens for my Olympus Pen E-PL9. This after I realised that there is an internal design flaw in the Olympus 14-42mm EZ kit lens. During that time, I came across plenty of information about the 25mm lenses from 7Artisans and TTArtisan. They have many reviews, sample photographs and comparisons.

Then about a year ago I came across another option: the SG-image 25mm f/1.8. Naturally, I wanted to know how it compared. So I searched for image samples and reviews of the SG-image lens. Unfortunately, I could find very little. In fact, I could hardly find any pictures that were available at full resolution that would allow me to pixel peep.

When The Camera Focuses On The Wrong Thing

Some photographs stay with us not because they are technically perfect, but because they capture a moment that is impossible to recreate. A few months ago, I spotted a Gardenia bread delivery man walking under the blazing Malaysian afternoon sun. Instead of carrying the empty plastic bread basket normally, he had lifted it over his head, using it as a makeshift sunshade. It was one of those wonderfully human moments - practical, slightly amusing, and instantly relatable to anyone who has experienced our tropical heat.

Focus Bracketing With Olympus EPL-9 And Nisi 58mm Close-up Filter

Greater depth of field. That's what I want for my macro pictures.

So, focus bracketing with a close-up filter attached was one of the first thing that I tried when I first got my Olympus Pen EPL-9 camera and Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40 - 150mm R zoom lens. Tried a few takes and I was disappointed. The results that I got then was unimpressive. I was confused and I wrongly assumed then that the close-up filter combination with the zoom lens doesn't work. How wrong was I. It does works, albeit with some limitations.

The focal length must be between 40mm and 80mm, and ideally, the subject should be at least 25mm across in size. Beyond the 80mm focal length or if the subject is too small (like a lady bug that is 5mm across), the pictures will be unimpressive.

I haven't tried but with a Raynox DCR-250, the focal length range should be less because of its higher magnification capabilities. Maybe between 40mm to 70mm. Again, I haven't tried.

I stumbled upon this find accidentally earlier this month. Not sure why but when I saw this colpacampsomeris indica wasp (thanks to bob296 at iNaturalist for identification) resting on a leave in the cool 8 A.M. morning air, I turned the dial on the camera to AP mode, selected Focus Bracketing, and I clicked away. And the outcome (after much editing because it was shot handheld) was this:

Sorry for the Dreamstime watermark. The picture was too good to not submit it as a stock photo. For a closer look of this picture at Dreamstime, click here. And oh yeah, I wasn't stung by this wasp.

Weifeng WT-1003 Monopod

I have bought myself a monopod. A made in China Weifeng WT-1003. The build is surprisingly quite good despite the budget friendly price. Maximum length when fully extended is about 1.7m which is about right for my height. It is quite light and overall, I am happy with my purchase as it serves it purpose for my needs as it is suppose to.

Olympus E-PL 9 + Zoom Lens With Raynox At f/18 Aperture

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been toying around with the idea of getting a budget manual macro lens. Not too sure why I did not try it out earlier, but after stopping down the aperture to f/18 (with my Olympus camera + zoom lens and Raynox DCR-250), I think I will be delaying my decision a bit. Reason being, the picture quality is not too bad with this setup as you can see from the picture above, unedited 100% cropped ( click here for enlarged image).