On the road with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
Reading Time: 5 minutes - November 27, 2019 - by Ben Simon Rehn
The test of the OM-D-EM5 Mark III took us to the beginnings of the Icelandic highlands. More precisely, to the area of the god of thunder Thor, Thorsm?rk. Where I started my trip to Iceland six years ago, to that hidden, mystical valley that I still visit regularly today. It is often our first experiences and impressions that stay with us and, luckily for me, it was one of the most beautiful parts of Iceland. In Thorsm?rk, the indescribably beautiful landscape stands out. Deep gorges overgrown with lush green moss and long hiking trails to fantastic viewpoints of the surrounding volcanoes buried under glaciers are a treat for the eyes and soul.
E-M5 Mark III | f/4 | 1/1600 sec | ISO 400 | Image by Ben Simon Rehn
E-M5 Mark III | f/7.1 | 1/200 sec. | ISO 200 | Image by Ben Simon RehnWild landscapes
Wild rivers run here and there through the ever-changing plains, where no bridges help and every journey becomes a real adventure. But it is above all the atmosphere, the feeling of being in the midst of these forces of nature that seem so gentle and awe-inspiring on calm days. The Eyjafjallaj?kull volcano last erupted in 2010 and in many places the ice is black with ash and cracks gape where the eruption started. But nature is strong, bushes, grass and mosses have long since returned and are transforming Thorsm?rk, which stands for 'Forest of Thor', back into a green oasis.
The perfect time of year
It was late summer, at the end of August, when the green turns to orange, the leaves of the birch trees turn more and more yellow and the night gets longer and longer. The weather is extremely changeable and the cold wind bites your face. Rainbows form in front of deep blue, almost black clouds. Sometimes there are two at the same time. Thanks to the excellent splash protection of the OM-D-EM5 Mark III, I didn't have to worry about the camera. If you go hiking here in late summer, you should always inform yourself in advance and plan all seasons in one day. But it is precisely this time of year that makes for particularly beautiful shots. Extremely clear light, deep contrasts and picture-perfect colors create a photographer's paradise.
E-M5 Mark III | f/1.6 | 1/1000 sec. | ISO 200 | Image by Ben Simon Rehn
E-M5 Mark III | f/1.6 | 1/1000 sec. | ISO 200 | Image by Ben Simon Rehn
E-M5 Mark III | f/1.6 | 1/5000 sec | ISO 200 | Image by Ben Simon RehnA reliable companion
Storms, rain and low clouds create an incredible mystical atmosphere to dream and admire. These moments are often far too short, more intense and more frequent on overcast, windy days. Conditions that actually encourage you to stay indoors are the real experience here. They push people and camera systems to their limits. The camera never let me down in any situation. It was always a reliable companion.
Autumn always comes very suddenly and is over just as quickly. Sometimes a few weeks earlier, sometimes a few weeks later, depending on the mood of nature. By the time the snow covers the whole country, it can be November. In higher regions, on the other hand, it is often already white in September or October. When the first northern lights appear at the end of August, beginning of September, winter is not far away. It is the longest time of the year on this unique island. It is often very dark, harsh and freezing cold, which doesn't always make life easy. It is a time of calm, almost like hibernation and a total contrast to the endless nights of midsummer, when sleep is often in short supply. For those who love the adventure of the Arctic and are not afraid of cold and darkness, it is a true paradise. Winter is an indescribable beauty that is second to none. Mountain shapes and structures appear completely new, rivers carve their way through the endless, almost colorless landscape. On some evenings by the fire, when all you can hear is the rushing of the rivers and the crackling of the flames in the wind, everything seems to be in absolute harmony. Timeless moments that are often far too rare in our hectic world, but not here in Iceland, the adventure island far up in the North Atlantic.
Buy Olympus OM-D E-M5 III at Foto Koch
State-of-the-art technology in a compact, weather-protected body
The new OM-D E-M5 Mark III is ideal for anyone who travels a lot. It is one of the most compact and lightest cameras in its class. Its features include a 20.4 megapixel Live MOS sensor, the TruePic VIII image processor familiar from the flagship E-M1 Mark II model and a new compact 5-axis image stabilization system. When used with the high-performance M.Zuiko lenses, the E-M5 Mark III delivers convincing images with minimal noise even at high ISO settings.
OM-D E-M5 III
