Reviewing past years, like looking back at 2024, is one of the most common things that many of us do at year end or at the start of a new year.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

In late 2024, La Grande Hermine, one of the favourite landmarks of photographers in the Niagara Region began its final disassembly. This ship had been a sightseeing destination of sorts since 1997, when it still had its two main masts intact. I will miss this very unique photographic spot. The fate of La Grande Hermine was a reminder that life is always changing.

For the past number of years I thought that my photographic kit was absolutely complete. I had no plans whatsoever to make any additional investments in gear… and there was nothing at all on the market that tempted me to open my wallet. Looking back at 2024… there were two surprises.

The first was when OM Digital Systems launched the M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS super zoom lens. This product introduction took me by complete surprise, as it did many other photographers.

I did some research on the lens and had some discussions with my wife. The added reach, increased in-field flexibility, and Sync-IS proved too much for me to ignore. So I purchased this super zoom… and have loved it since its first day of use.

As is often the case with M4/3 camera equipment there were many naysayers and critics… some of which claimed that the M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS was nothing more than a rebranded Sigma lens, marketed at an exorbitant price.

Even after noting three significant differences (optical construction, IPX-1 rated weather sealing, and Sync-IS effectiveness) between these two lenses (based on published information from manufacturer web sites) in a number of my articles, the naysayers continued their bitter diatribes… regurgitating erroneous misinformation.

It seems that many people don’t care enough, or even have the common sense and decency to actually take the time to do some basic research on manufacturer websites to verify facts… before they spew their inaccurate venom. Shameful.

I discovered first hand that the M.Zuiko 150-600 was a terrific lens that expanded my photographic potential significantly. It quickly became my primary lens for bird and nature photography.

Even though I’m in my senior years, the size and weight of the M.Zuiko 150-600 were well within my physical limits for handheld photography. As a result I found myself going out for a number of longer duration photo sessions with it.

I acquired a Cotton Carrier G3 Harness which I used regularly when I was going out for long, extended periods. This camera support suited me very well, and helped allow me to come back fatigue free, after being out in the field with the 150-600, shooting handheld for 5-6 hours at a time.

I initially didn’t fully appreciate the benefit of having 50% more reach, without any loss of light, when using the 150-600 compared to the 100-400. Now, it would be very difficult for me to give that advantage up.

I also didn’t fully comprehend the value of the wonderful Sync-IS on the M.Zuiko 150-600 zoom, as well as its comparatively short minimum focusing distance on the wide end of its focal length range.

This further expanded the in-field flexibility of the M.Zuiko 150-600 zoom and enabled me to do close-up photography using Handheld Hi Res.

I surprised myself again… this time by purchasing the M.Zuiko PRO 90 mm f/3.5 IS macro lens. This was a lens that I initially took a pass on when it was first introduced.

It wasn’t until my wife started to become more interested in macro photography, that I revisited this lens and did an in-depth re-assessment of the PRO 90 mm macro.

That led to my M.Zuiko 60 mm macro migrating to my wife’s camera bag, and the purchase of the M.Zuiko PRO 90 mm f/3.5 IS for my kit.

Being able to use teleconverters with the PRO 90 mm macro opened up a significant amount of additional photographic potential. As did Sync-IS and the ability of the lens to shoot at 2X magnification.

I started experimenting with using Pro Capture H on macro subjects and was able to capture some flies in flight.

One afternoon I spent several hours out in the rain shooting handheld with the M.Zuiko PRO 90 mm f/3.5 IS, using teleconverters and in-camera focus stacking… and had a blast.

The additional reach of the 90 mm macro allowed me to photograph subjects buried deeper in shrubs and other foliage. As a result my STF-8 Twin Macro Flash was used more frequently, and became part of my standard, handheld macro set up.

This cemented another practical tool to my macro photography.

The more I used the M.Zuiko PRO 90 mm f/3.5 IS macro, the more I pushed my experimentation.

Using teleconverters in conjunction with handheld in-camera focus stacking became a standard approach to macro photography.

I shot handheld macro images at f/22 using ISO-6400 just to see what would happen.

That led to further experimenting with the combined use of teleconverters, the E-M1X’s Digital Teleconverter and handheld in-camera focus stacking.

Or using the MC-20 teleconverter along with the STF-8 Twin Macro Flash to photograph subjects buried deep inside bushes. Looking back at 2024 confirmed the importance of expanding my photographic potential… and finding new boundaries through experimentation.

Looking back at 2024 also highlighted the importance of personal health as I underwent cataract surgery in April on my left eye… and again in May on my right eye. In August some post surgery inflammation was discovered in my left eye. This resulted in the use of some fairly strong steroid drops for 5 to 6 weeks to clear this inflammation up before our planned trip to New Zealand in the late fall.

Another health enhancement initiative in 2024 was my wife and I moving to a whole food plant based diet. This involved eliminating all meat, fish, seafood, eggs and dairy from our diets. In the short term I was rewarded with a dramatic improvement with inflammation, pain and flexibility with the knuckles on my left hand.  Other health benefits continue to accrue. More on that in the New Year…

When looking back at 2024… three important things come to mind. Expansion of photographic potential. The willingness to face failure and grow through experimentation. And, a dedication to personal health and well-being.

We wish you, and those you love… health… happiness… and success in the New Year. May your dreams take flight, and lead you to new adventures and creativity.

Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld using camera equipment  noted in the EXIF data. All images were created from out-of-camera jpegs or RAW files using my standard process in post. This is the 1,430 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

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