Lumix DMC-G5, M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 09/04/26

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Lumix DMC-G5, M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 09/03/26

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Lumix DMC-G5, M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 09/02/26

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Lumix DMC-G5, M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 09/01/26

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Pinpoint AF on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5

Cameras and Lenses: The Pinpoint AF function on the Lumix DMC-G5 lets you magnify a tiny cross-section of the image frame, an aid for getting precise macro shots or critical focusing.

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Pinpoint AF, a feature I recently explored on the 2012 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 (an early-generation, older Micro Four Thirds mirrorless digital), is designed to achieve highly precise focus on a specific, small area of a subject, commonly used for stationary subjects or macro photography. The mode allows me to zoom in on the focus area to confirm focus before taking the shot.

The function is akin to using peak-focusing with manual-focus lenses mounted on applicable digital bodies.

The pinpoint AF, however, works only when the camera is set to AFS (Autofocus Single) mode, and the selection is made via the Quick Menu or AF Mode menu by selecting the last icon (with the crosshair) from the four displayed options. Pinpoint AF does not work when using third-party lenses or adapters that do not communicate with the camera.

A disadvantage mentioned on BirdForum is the way the function enlarges a portion of the screen for a digital zoom, a distraction when trying to keep the camera handheld on the moving subject.

The crops and close-ups here were shot with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ, an ultra-compact MFT (Micro Four/Thirds) pancake launched in 2014. The lens was then one of the world's slimmest wide-angle zoom lenses. While it is not as sharp as premium primes, the lens is excellent for center sharpness, more so when stopped down slightly, and is also known for its electronic power zoom.

The 8-element in 7 groups lens, which equates to a 28-84mm equivalent on 35mm full-frame cameras, includes 3 aspherical, 1 ED (Extra-low Dispersion), and 1 S-HR (Super High Resolution) element, has 5 circular blades, a minimum focusing distance of 0.2 meters in wide mode and 0.25 meters in tele mode, takes 37mm filters, and weighs 93 grams.

This highly pocketable lens (the fourth in the series after the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6, M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II, and M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R) is recommended for travelers and casual users who prefer portability over professional-level sharpness. Being an MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) system lens, it is fast and silent, and works well with video shoots. Bokeh is pleasant and smooth, especially at the 42mm end, while colors are generally described as vibrant and accurate.

Lumix DMC-G5, M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 is a highly capable 16MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera with excellent autofocus speeds, a sharp electronic viewfinder (EVF), and a fully articulated touchscreen. The mirrorless digital is widely considered a solid, ergonomic, fast-performing enthusiast camera, noted for good image quality up to ISO 1,600 and effective 1080/60p video.

Canon EOS Kiss X3, EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 08/28/26

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Canon EOS Kiss X3, EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 08/27/26

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Canon EOS Kiss X3, EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 08/26/26

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Canon EOS Kiss X3, EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 08/25/26

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Canon EOS Kiss X3, EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

Cameras and Lenses: Images with a Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM, a highly popular, ultra-compact pancake prime lens designed for Canon's APS-C crop-sensor DSLRs, a sweet-spot 38mm equivalent field of view on the Canon EOS Kiss X3.

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The Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM, an ultra-compact pancake prime lens designed specifically for Canon APS-C DSLR cameras, provides a field of view equivalent to a 40mm (38.4mm to be exact) lens on a full-frame camera, which offers a natural perspective similar to what the human eye sees.

The EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM was released in 2014 and comes with an aspheric lens element to reduce aberrations, specialized coatings to minimize ghosting and flare, a 7-blade circular iris, a close focusing distance of 0.16m, a fast f/2.8 aperture, and STM autofocus.

The lens, often quoted as the "sweet spot for street Photography", is widely regarded as one of the most portable and affordable lenses in the EF-S lineup, making it a favorite for street photography, travel, and everyday use.

Due to its natural field of view, which closely resembles what the human eye sees, the focal length is particularly well-suited for street photography. The focal length enables a less intrusive capture of scenes while maintaining a good balance between capturing details and including context.

The lens is also compact and lightweight, with a versatile focal length that is a good choice for travel, ideal for carrying around on long walks while shooting street scenes, or for candid moments within a natural perspective environment while capturing or documenting events or people.

The lens also features a durable metal mount and supports full-time manual focus override, allowing you to adjust focus even when in AF mode.

As a middle-ground focal length, the 40mm focal length sits between the wider 35mm and the shorter 50mm standard normal, and can be a great starting point for beginning photography or for learning composition and a look at the different genres of photography.

Canon EOS Kiss X3, Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

The Canon EOS Kiss X3 (a.k.a. EOS 500D / Rebel T1i), a very reliable entry-level camera, is a 15.1MP entry-level APS-C DSLR released in 2009. The camera features a 3.0-inch LCD, ISO 100-3200 (expandable to 12800), 3.4 fps continuous shooting, a user-friendly interface, and supports 1080p video recording. It is fitted with the DIGIC 4 processor and is powered by a Lithium LP-E5 battery.

Nikon D200, Tamron SP Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 Macro

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 08/21/26

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Nikon D200, Tamron SP Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 Macro

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 08/20/26

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Nikon D200, Tamron SP Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 Macro

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 08/19/26

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Nikon D200, Tamron SP Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 Macro

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 08/18/26

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Nikon D200, Tamron SP Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 Macro

CCD Resurgence: Images with a Tamron SP Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 Macro, a legendary macro and portrait photography cult classic celebrated for exceptional sharpness, high contrast, and smooth bokeh, a 135mm catwalk-tele equivalent on the Nikon D200.

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The Tamron SP Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 Macro, renowned for its extreme sharpness and beautiful color rendering, was introduced in 1979. The lens, a true legend among vintage lenses, was widely praised as a versatile tool that excels both as a sharp macro lens and a smooth portrait lens, and is a cult classic that remains highly respected today.

The lens is a 8 elements in 6 groups design, with 8 or 9 aperture blades (depending on the specific production run), an aperture range from f/2.5 to f/32, focuses down to 0.39 meters with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2, measures 65mm x 72-92mm (varies slightly by model), takes 49mm filters, and weighs approximately 440 to 450 grams.

The lens was produced over two iterations, with the original Model 52B (1979) featuring an all-metal build, and the later Model 52BB (1988), as tested here, having similar optics, a redesigned exterior with some plastic components, and improved coating.

The Model 52BB, as seen here, is nominally supplied with the Tamron 98FH, a twist-on plastic hood to help exclude stray light from degrading contrast, and provides physical protection to the front of the lens. While the lens focuses down natively to 1:2, full 1:1 macro reproduction is possible with the addition of a dedicated 45mm extension tube or by utilizing the Tamron SP 2x Teleconverter.

On the Nikon D200, with its 10MP APS-C CCD sensor, the Tamron SP Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 Macro is equivalent to a 135mm short-telephoto prime on a full-frame camera, a highly sought-after focal length that lets you shoot with extra working distance for skittish insects in macro mode, or with excellent background separation compression for tight portraits.

The focal length is renowned for its incredible subject isolation and flattering compression, and is perfect for separating subjects from a busy background while working at a comfortable working distance. For outdoor and studio portraits, for example, the longer focal length flattens facial features, and for street and events, the lens is perfect for capturing candid moments, scenes, and happenings without being intrusive.

Matching the D200's magnesium-alloy body and the substantially all-metal and glass Tamron SP Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 Macro helps keep the setup stable for steady close-up shots, and focusing with the long, smooth focus throw of the lens on the big, bright pentaprism viewfinder of the D200, with its electronic focus confirmation (green dot function), is also flawless and convenient.

A quirk to note, however, is the lens design, which tends to exhibit nuances of focus breathing, an anomaly where the lens's focal length (and consequently its field of view or framing) changes subtly as you adjust the focus. The field of view narrows noticeably when focusing at the closest distance.

Nikon D200, Tamron SP Adaptall-2 90mm f/2.5 Macro (52BB)

Purple spot reflections, a soft purple flare spot in the dead center of the frame, may also occur when shooting a high-contrast subject on a digital sensor. This happens when light bounces off the shiny sensor back onto the rear lens element, which is rather flat.

Olympus PEN E-P5, G-Zuiko OM 28mm f/3.5

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 08/11/26

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Olympus PEN E-P5, G-Zuiko OM 28mm f/3.5

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 08/11/26

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Olympus PEN E-P5, G-Zuiko OM 28mm f/3.5

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 08/11/26

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Olympus PEN E-P5, G-Zuiko OM 28mm f/3.5

The Galleria: Photo of the Day, 08/11/26

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Olympus PEN E-P5, G-Zuiko OM 28mm f/3.5

Cameras and Lenses: Images with a legacy G-Zuiko OM 28mm f/3.5, praised for its ultra-compact size, impressive center sharpness, and minimal optical distortion, a standard normal 56mm full-frame equivalent on the Olympus PEN E-P5.

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The Olympus G-Zuiko Auto-W 28mm f/3.5 (G.Zuiko OM 28mm f/3.5 for short), a legendary, ultra-compact wide-angle prime lens from the Olympus OM 35mm film SLR camera system, was introduced in 1972 alongside the original Olympus M-1 (later renamed the OM-1). The lens is held in high regard by vintage photo enthusiasts and mirrorless camera adapters alike for its compact size, excellent sharpness, and budget-friendliness.

The lens, which is almost pancake in design and, as indicated by the G (the seventh letter of the alphabet) in G.Zuiko, is a 7-element in 7 groups design, with 6 straight aperture blades, a minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters, measures 59mm in diameter x 31mm in length, takes 49mm filters, and weighs approximately 180 grams.

The lens was updated to the Zuiko 28mm f/2.8, featuring a faster maximum aperture and improved multi-coatings for enhanced flare resistance, in 1980.

On the Olympus PEN E-P5, which features a 2x crop sensor, the G.Zuiko Auto-W 28mm f/3.5 is equivalent to a 56mm lens on a full-frame camera, a focal length that is just a tad longer than the standard normal lens category, which is specified as having focal lengths between 30 and 50mm.

The focal length replicates the natural, distortion-free perspective of the human eye, and comes with the versatility that makes it the perfect go-to for everyday shooting, candid street photography, environmental portraits, travel, and documentary work.

Though the setup is not as compact with the lens mounted via a lens adapter, the kit is still an awesome tool for handheld shots for crops and close-ups, for example, as the E-P5 features both a highly acclaimed 5-axis mechanical sensor-shift system and peak focusing, which makes manual focusing incredibly fast and accurate.

Image quality of this pairing, defined in the context of an economical, pocketable setup for street, travel, and documentary photography, can be said to have excellent center sharpness, great contrast, and an organic, vintage aesthetic.

Olympus PEN E-P5, G-Zuiko OM 28mm f/3.5

The Olympus PEN E‑P5, a rangefinder‑style Micro Four Thirds mirrorless digital camera, was released in 2013 as the flagship of Olympus’s compact PEN lineup. The model comes with a 16.1‑MP Four Thirds Live MOS sensor (same as the OM‑D E‑M5), TruePic VI image processor, ISO sensitivity from 200 to 25,600, and a 1.04-million-dot 3‑inch tilt‑type touchscreen LCD.