DSLR versus 4/3---Part 2.

            A little more on the Lumix GX 85. Excellent for street photography. Small enough so as to enable me appear to be a simple tourist --I do so like to fade into the scenery as I maneuver around targets to snag my juicy candid shot.             In terms of preparation, I prefer the technique commonly known as zone shooting. My camera setting will be on manual mode, camera pre-focused on a point 9 feet away (ie auto focus switched off), aperture set to 7.1, shutter speed to a 500th---- (1000th if it is a very bright day). The key to successful zone shooting is to ensure that the exposure pyramid functions perfectly with the ISO locked in automatic mode. The  GX 85  handles higher ISO up to 2000+ settings well, with out noise being a distraction. Not really a problem for me anyway, as my street shots are invariably captured in old fashioned black & white. The absence of colour works well for me and seems to match the gritty feel of raw street action, and I judge that colour seems to be mostly distracting. This 'zone' pre-adjustment system assures that I can be ready on the shutter button the very second that fleeting street drama before me unfolds.
                 This micro 4/3 is small and light enough, that I carry my Lumix on the streets attached to  a wrist strap as opposed to a regular neck strap. I find that this enables me to rapidly adjust my shooting angle from ground, to hip, to 8ft high, to eye level, very rapidly. Street theatre is enacted in the blink of an eye, repeat performances rarely offered.
                Battery charge duration with the GX85 is poor. I always carry two fully charged back-up batteries with me. The batteries are small and light, so it is not a major problem getting me through a six hour session on the streets. I believe that this is an issue common to many micro 4/3 format models. It is a short-coming that is exacerbated in street photography as the camera is 'always powered up' for that unpredictable & fleeting scene.
               The GX85 incorporates both an electronic viewfinder and an LED back screen that can be angled on a single plane --- I rarely use this feature, as I tend to point and shoot, as opposed to raising the camera to my eye while on the street. I have become quite proficient these past few years at nailing my target.
                 Note on the picture. I was in Usk, South Wales, UK at the time of the 100th year anniversary of the ending of the First World War on 11th. November 1918. There was a parade through the town and one of the participants was the local police sergeant. A young lad standing just in front of me was obviously having problems setting his new camera to capture the action. Our gallant officer hopped out of the parade and into the crowd to offer his expertise, giving meaning to the phrase "helpful bobby".


-------To be continued.

  READERS: To make most sense of this blog, please commence reading entries with the earliest posting date.