Big cameras, Olympus PEN, etc etc

I don't want to be judged by my equipment, but by my photographs.

In photography, a lens often acts as a phallic symbol, where the guy with the biggest package gets the biggest ooo's and ahh's, while the dude with the smallest package shamefully takes picture at the back, claiming, "well, I just started taking pictures not too long ago..."

Yet I take pictures with the cheapest dslr camera (actually the second cheapest) and the cheapest lenses possible.  Judging by the looks alone, I should be photographically impotent; supposedly barely able to perform. 

Despite all the misconceptions, I still prefer smaller cameras because I'm a street photographer by nature (and I don't have money to buy nice big equipments).  I like to walk around the streets of Santa Monica or Seoul and take pictures of whatever I find interesting, and if I have a humongous ginormous peni.. I mean camera and lens, it is likely to attract attention, which is the last thing I want.  If people feel threatened by my existence, then I don't feel good about taking their pictures either. 

From 2009.08.19 Santa Monica

(It pays to be candid)  

If you've read my facebook status, you've probably heard of the Olympus PEN.  This is the new camera that I want:

*Olympus PEN E-P1.  It looks more like a compact than an SLR, which is perfect for my needs.

* The marketers claim that PEN takes better pictures than a compact digital cameras and weighs a lot less than a digital SLR.  But if you think the other way, it's heavier than a compact but takes worse pictures than an SLR.









*It comes in two colors, silver (top) and white (on the left).  

*I think the designers did a wonderful job - its retro design is the reason why people in Japan and Korea are going crazy over this camera.














If I carried this around, people will think I'm some kind of tourist or one of those casual compact digital shooters.  They're in for a surprise.  Before they know it, I'll move in for the kill, and walk away with the perfect shot.  

...

Do I still want big fat nice cameras?  Of course I do.  For studio work, landscapes, and other still life stuff.  When I'm taking pictures in a studio, I want the model to feel as if I know what I'm doing, so I need the big stuff to create the perception.  With landscapes, tough luck if my big fat lenses make the mountain feel insecure about himself.

...

Long story short, I really want a PEN.  I'm actually dying to have one.  The only thing standing between us is the price ($900).  For 900 dollars, I could get a much better performing DSLR, which would still be great for studio work and landscapes.

*multiple polaroid shots of my room.  Just kidding, I took this with a compact and photoshopped it into a "polaroid" style.  Compacts still take pretty good pictures if you know what you're doing...