Nature imposes its rules and dictates the conditions with which the photographer must deal. Over the years, my work as a landscape photographer has led me to immortalise many moments in the midst of nature, particularly in the mountains.

Today, I'm going to tell you about the new OM-5, which, while hanging around my neck, has accompanied me during my hikes in the forest and on the exposed ridges of the Vosges summits.

I have been a landscape photographer for almost 10 years. Living in Alsace, I am lucky enough to live near the Vosges, a fantastic playground for any photographer who loves the great outdoors.

40 mm • 1/400 s • F2.8 • ISO200

As a landscape photographer, the size, and especially the weight, of the equipment plays a major role. On long mountain hikes, every gram counts. You can't afford to carry only photographic equipment. The camera and lenses share space with food, a change of clothes and everything else you need to ensure your safety.

So, I recently had the opportunity to try the new OM-5 on a hike with several lenses, which I will now present to you in more detail.

40 mm • 1/400 s • F2.8 • ISO200

Landscape photography and the importance of weight

During my travels and numerous mountain hikes, I have become aware of the importance of the weight of the photographic equipment I carry. Equipment that is too heavy can very quickly become a constraint, which can make the experience unpleasant. The OM-5, with its light overall weight, solid construction and tropicalisation, is the ideal companion for the photographer in me.

80 mm • 1/40 s • F4 • ISO200

The question then arises about the lenses. Which lenses should you choose to be able to take the best pictures? Once again, weight, size and tropicalisation are important elements to consider before leaving.So, I tested three lenses that best match my use and criteria: the 8-25mm F/4 Pro, the 40-150mm F/4 Pro and the 12-45mm F/4 Pro.

My lens of choice: the 8-25mm F.4 Pro

Landscape photography and wide-angle photography are closely related. Some lenses, such as the 7-14mm F/2.8 Pro, offer a very large aperture and are very effective for photographing the starry sky. Although I am very attached to this lens, which I have used many times and which always had a place in my bag, I was seduced by the 8-25 mm F/4 Pro. The lens benefits from a reduced size, a fixed aperture, which corresponds to my daily use, and a light overall weight, which is very practical when you like to travel light.

8 mm • 1/13 s • F5.6 • ISO400

Wide-angle photography requires careful attention to composition. Your main subject can quickly get lost in your image, so be careful with your composition and pay attention to your foreground. The foreground will add depth to your image and make it easier to read.

8 mm • 1/40 s • F5.6 • ISO400

In a landscape photo, it can be interesting to place natural elements such as plants or a rock in the foreground.Allow yourself time to explore. Take the time to become familiar with the place you are in; look for a foreground, pay attention to the guidelines and consider varying your compositions, either by standing or by lowering yourself to ground level.

The 40-150mm F/4 has quickly become an indispensable part of my photography. In general, when we talk about landscape photography, we don't immediately think of longer focal lengths because they seem to be linked to wildlife photography. However, the 40-150 mm F/4 Pro telephoto lens allows me to simplify the image, to give it another dimension and to focus on details of the landscape.

150 mm • 1/40 s • F5.6 • ISO200

With its very light overall weight, it is made for landscape photography. Its tropicalisation as well as its constant aperture at F/4 allow me to cover all my needs.

A very versatile lens: the 12-45mm F/4

The 12-45mm F/4 Pro is as robustly built as the two lenses already presented, but its versatility and very small size are its main features. This small telephoto lens alone covers most of my needs.

12 mm • 1/160 s • F5.6 • ISO200

If I had to limit myself to one goal when walking or hiking, this would be the one that I would take with me.

ND8 • 20 mm • 0,4 s • F5.6 • 200 ISO

The next adventures are already waiting for me and I am looking forward to immortalising them with the OM-5!

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