Michel Szulc Krzyzanowski
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Overwhelmed by Karen L Norton One Woman's Journey with Breast Cancer "You have cancer." No one wants to hear those three words. Especially not twice. To say Karen Norton was 'Overwhelmed' when she first heard she had breast cancer is an understatement. As a wife, a mom to two young girls, and a part-time music pastor supporting her family, she already had enough on her plate. But then came those three ominous words. 'Overwhelmed' is a journey of one woman's life of health issues that seemed would never end. Would her world ever be the same again? Would she survive? Could she ever be the person God wanted her to be in this life? Would she continue to struggle with health issues and the emotions related to the changes? Would she understand why God tested her with health issues? Available at Amazon.com: Purchase Overwhelmed from Amazon.com |
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Written by Ken Norton
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Sep 14, 2012 at 10:08 PM |
It is no secret that I've been a bit harsh on Olympus over the past year or so, but find that the OM-D E-M5 to be a brilliant addition to the line. Olympus did very well with this camera. Perfect? Of course, not. Excellent? Absolutely. The rest of Olympus' m43 cameras are aimed at a different class of usage, though, and I'm definitely not very hip on them.
Here's the rub. The E-M5 isn't the only camera in this class. Sony's Alpha line is better in most areas. The Olympus lenses are a bit better overall, but Sony has more to choose from that don't require adapters to work. (Now the a99 changes everything again). Panasonic's GH3 will also stifle the E-M5 sales. The E-M5 is enjoying great success because of a hole in the timing from the competition. Nikon and Canon still haven't shown what they are capable of doing in the mirrorless realm.
The only real way to tell about the overall greatness of a camera is through time. You cannot judge how good or bad a camera is upon introduction or even while the users are in the honeymoon period. Greatness doesn't reveal itself for at least a year. Honestly, it wasn't until after the GH2 was long out of production that it's place in photography and film was revealed. The Canon 5DMk2's following only got stronger as time went by. In the pre-digital world, the Nikon F100 only got more popular as time went on. The Olympus E-1 is revered more now than it was when it was competing against the 20D. Meanwhile, in recent years, we've gone nuts over the Fuji's, the Sony's and a myriad of other cameras that tickle our fancy. The Panasonic GF1 is a camera of greatness. The GF2 wasn't. Of the three professional E-series bodies that Olympus has produced, which one will go down in photographic history as an example of "greatness"? The E-1, E-3 or E-5? Why? Of the non-pro bodies, which one is the best example of "greatness"? E-300, E-330, E-400, E-410, E-420, E-500, E-510, E-520, E-600, E-620, E-30? How about the Panasonic L1 and L10?
I learned a lesson many years ago. Never buy a camera at introduction and never buy a stock at IPO. Every few months there will always be a new camera by someone out there that is better than what I have. I'll have dreams about all the new types of pictures I can take that I've never taken before. Suddenly, my old camera (which might only be a few weeks or months old) is bordering on junk. The IPO parallel can be drawn with Facebook stock. We were so hyped up over it that the IPO was up around $38 per share. With both cameras and stocks, it takes a while to find out that it isn't living up to the hype. The exception to the camera buying is when the timing of your need of a new camera coincides with the introduction of the camera. The other exception is when buying Canon 5D bodies. The release schedule is pretty well known and the resale value is quite predictable. Buy those right away and use them right up to the introduction of the next model. Same with Photoshop upgrades--Adobe will charge you for the upgrade now or later so you might as well get it out of the way.
Honestly, now. Is that Apple iPhone 5 that much better than the iPhone 4S? Remind me why you got the 4S a few months ago? Same with cameras. Updating, replacing and dissatisfaction with the old is a sign that the marketers got to you. For the vast majority of people, replacing a brand new device (camera, phone, stereo, car, etc.), with another is more about vanity, pride, insecurity and entertainment than it is about a rational decision. Of the iPhones, which one will go down in history as an example of "greatness?" Until yesterday, it was the 4S. Or was it? Hmm. Isn't Apple copying Samsung by finally including LTE and a larger screen? ;)
This week, we got product announcements from Sony. Be honest now. How many of you got all excited over that new full-frame (135mm format) compact camera? Why? What is it about that camera that makes it any better than what you have now? Are you sure? What happens when a few months from now there will be another compact like it from Sony or another manufacturer that takes interchangeable lenses? The Fuji XPro1 sure was exciting a few months ago, too.
All that said, I really do like the E-M5. I recommend it to anybody for whom the body and lenses fits their needs. Give it some time and I am likely to buy one myself--probably from someone who is moving on to the next latest/greatest and hasn't even put 200 pictures on the counter. I'm patient. If, by that point, the E-M5 isn't all that it's cracked up to be, then I just won't buy one and I'll be out nothing. I bought my E-1 as a factory refurb for a massive discount. The L1 from someone who moved on to something else. Being slightly behind the curve isn't always a bad thing.
However, even this critic of Olympus is impressed with the OM-D E-M5.
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Last Updated ( Sep 14, 2012 at 10:10 PM )
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Written by Ken Norton
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Aug 21, 2012 at 08:36 PM |
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Moose on the Water, Isle Royale National Park. Olympus E-1 with DZ 14-54 Write Comment (0 comments) |
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Written by Ken Norton
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Jun 28, 2012 at 09:30 PM |
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 Abandoned Junk Yard. Converted in Picture Window Pro. Nexus S4G
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Last Updated ( Jun 28, 2012 at 09:35 PM )
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Written by Ken Norton
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Jun 26, 2012 at 09:26 PM |
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Roseman Bridge, Madison County, IA. Nexus S4G Phone Write Comment (0 comments) |
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Written by Ken Norton
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Jun 24, 2012 at 09:41 PM |
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Rexall Drug Sign - Winterset, Iowa. Olympus OM-4T, Zuiko 300/4.5, Fujichrome Velvia Write Comment (0 comments) |
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Written by Ken Norton
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Jun 23, 2012 at 11:42 PM |
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 An Old Yoke - Mabry Mill, Virginia. Olympus OM-2S, Zuiko 50/1.4, Kodachrome 25
 Mabry Mill, Virginia. Olympus OM-2S, Zuiko 24/2.8, Kodachrome 25
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Last Updated ( Jun 24, 2012 at 12:12 AM )
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Written by Ken Norton
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Jun 17, 2012 at 10:22 PM |
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The Root of all Reflections - Olympus OM-2S, Zuiko 100/2.8, Kodachrome 64 This photograph was taken in Ludington State Park, along the Lost Lake Trail. Ludington, Michigan Write Comment (0 comments) |
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Last Updated ( Jun 17, 2012 at 10:30 PM )
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Written by Ken Norton
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Jun 16, 2012 at 11:45 PM |
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 Great Sand Dunes National Park - Colorado, Olympus OM-3Ti, Zuiko 24/2.8, Fujifilm 100 SS.
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Last Updated ( Jun 16, 2012 at 11:49 PM )
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Written by Ken Norton
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Jun 09, 2012 at 04:40 PM |
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 Sunburst Lake, Bob Marshall Wilderness. Olympus OM-2S, Zuiko 35mm Shift Lens, Fujichrome Provia
Zone-10 is undergoing major remodeling. We're switching to a new CMS (Content management System) and restructuring the website for maximum compatibility with mobile devices. Unfortunately, during this process we had a little accident and lost some of the images that accompany many of the articles for the past year. Over the past five years Zone-10 has attracted nearly 2.5 million visitors. The popular content, such as the Gary Reese Lens Tests, camera reviews and instructional items will be retained, but due to the conversion of systems, we are retiring some content to make room for a new direction and focus. Five years ago, Zone-10 started as a partnership, but has become a solo affair. For that, it only makes sense for me to merge it with my photography business. It's difficult trying to maintain one website, much less two. The New Zone-10 will include three major components: 1. Photography Services. I am a photographer selling portraiture, wedding and event photography services. 2. Darkroom Services. We're moving to a new location and will soon be reopening the B&W darkroom for commercial services such as custom processing and printing. We are equipped to handle any film size up to 4x5. 3. Informational and Educational. This will be a continuation of the Zone-10 content which is technology and technique centric. In particular, Zone-10 will be an important resource for film photographers with both traditional and hybrid workflows. As an example of the information aspect of this site, we will write about the darkroom construction and operation. Pardon the dust while we get settled in. Write Comment (0 comments) |
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Last Updated ( Jun 10, 2012 at 10:55 PM )
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