High Sierra Topix

Very nice. What a terrific early season hike. Great photos.

richlong8 wrote: Kathy, I own the OM-D as well. This is actually my second time around with the camera, and when I bought the camera again, I did not buy it with the 12-50mm, because I was not sure about the quality of the wide angle photos I took with the lens. It is a very convenient small and light lens though. I do own the 9-18, which is considered a better lens acc. to most tests I have read. It is easy for me to get the depth of field right with the 9-18 lens because it is so wide. The best camera aperture setting for the 9-18mm is supposed to be either F8 or F11, so at those settings, it is pretty easy to have both foreground and background in focus. Here's a link to a DOF calculator that shows if you focus the OLY with a 9mm lens at a point 6' away, everything within a couple of feet will be in focus.
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I think you could experiment around with the calculator, and use it with the 12-50mm lens also.
I also own the OLY 60mm Macro, which seems to be a great lens, and I am eager to get out to the Sierra this weekend with that 60mm, and the wide angle.
Regards

Rich: Thanks for taking the time to let me know about your experience with the OM-D. I might have been better with the 9-18mm and a macro lens like you have. I want to be able to take both wildflower photos and photos of the view; so maybe the next lens will be a macro lens. DOF and aperture are two things that I need to understand; so thanks for the link to the calculator. Eventhough I get frustrated, I am enjoying the learning process. I think some easier trips where I spend more time playing with the camera will help. Why did you get rid of the OM-D and then buy it again?

Kathy:
I have been on this search about a year, trying to come up with the best lightweight camera upgrade to the compact Panasonic LX-5 I used to carry so I can take a better quality photo. I used the Oly last summer, and once I took my last trip of 2013 in mid-October, I had very little time or inclination in my local area to take photos. So I decided to sell, and tried a couple other different options, the Sony Nex-6, and the Panasonic G5. What I have come to realize is there is really no perfect setup out there, there are compromises no matter what, if you are trying to save weight, and bring a good camera along.
The issues that I had with the Oly were the complex menu systems, and small buttons.
The Sony Nex-6, I loved the camera body, but the Sony lenses are comparatively heavy, and lousy.
The Panasonic G5, I had almost settled on, it is only half the price of the OLY, but then I found out the very expensive 12-35mm wide angle lens that would make it a great High Sierra landscape camera has some issues with the Image stabilization when mounted on a tripod...so that defeated the whole purpose for me.
This second time around, I am actually more comfortable with the OLY, as I have really studied the menu system, and tried to set it up with the basic settings that I feel I need, and become very familiar with those settings. This weekend will be my first since October, and am going to concentrate on hiking and using the camera, no fishing or peak bagging.
I have been shooting some flowers with the 60mm macro, and I think it is an amazing lens, and it does not weigh that much in comparison to a high quality DSLR macro lens.
These pics are not as sharp as they could be, but it gives an idea what the 60mm can do.

Kathy,

Thanks for the TR and photos, I always make sure to check out your reports. I really appreciate that you include a map with your photos, it helps me to follow the action.

How is the road to the trailhead?

Thanks,
Jim

The road to the trailhead is a bit lumpy and bumpy, but probably most vehicles can get down it if they drive slowly. Easier in a truck than in something with low clearance though.

Kathy,

Another fabulous trip report, and GREAT pictures!

Kathy,

We were on the Taboose Pass Trail yesterday. I remember the section of your thread regarding your cameras, and then I ran across this on the trail about 1/2 mile past the first creek crossing.
Missing something?

Yes, that's mine. Did you also find some Black Diamond Trekking poles? I think I might have forgot to put them in my truck when I got back to the trailhead. I didn't realize they were missing until last night. I went to pack them in my suitcase for a trip to New Mexico and I couldn't find them anywhere. I just bought them too - I seem to lose a couple pairs of trekking poles a year. I guess it's because I only use them part of the time; so it takes me a while to miss them when I leave them behind somewhere. Well, I'm off to REI to buy some new poles - I might buy the children's ones because they are less expensive and should be long enough for me.

Just get into a habit of strapping them to your pack when not in use, and then there
is no chance of leaving them behind again.
Osprey has a Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment which allows you to stow and
remove poles without removing your pack, you could probably put something similar
together yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSX2iKZXw6U" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Last year, I bought and used a pair of Easton CTR-60 trekking poles, and will use them this year. The adjustment clamps work quickly, easily, and stay in position. They reduce down to a very short, compact height, and it is very easy to either put them my pack or strap on the side, where they are short enough to not snag on anything, when I want to have hands free. I am glad I am not the only one out there who loses things, though that is probably not much comfort to you. Wading shoes, hiking poles, camera filters, knives, tent stakes, .... just follow behind me, and you will never have to buy anything!