LUND, SWEDEN. (April 2009). Remembering the colours of Swedish spring. Happy Easter, Glad Påsk. Permanent photo link (view larger on black) here. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Tokina AT-X 90mm f2.5 macro lens (180mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, manual exposure and focus, centre-weighted average metering, 1/320s f2.5, ISO 200, 3648 x 2736 pixels, RAW.

DEVON, CANADA. (June 2010). Kryptonite superfly, a Malachite (Siproeta stelenes) drinks sweet nectar from the core of some tiny white flowers. I probably should have stopped down more on this photo, but I like it anyway. Picture available for sale as prints. Original photo properties: Olympus E-620 dSLR, Tokina AT-X 90mm f2.5 Macro lens (180mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, image stabilization on, manual focus, aperture priority, centre-weighted average metering, 1/640s f2.5, ISO 200, 3024 x 4032 pixels, RAW.

DEVON, CANADA. (June 2010). New camera ... new lens ... and a new, redesigned, client website at Zenfolio. The camera is the Olympus E-620, which is a terrific bargain right now for its feature set. The lens is the critically acclaimed Zuiko Digital ED 50mm f2.0 Macro, which is as optically superb as all of the reviews say it is. The website, which I put a lot of hours into developing, can be viewed here - take a look, and let me know what you think. Picture of the Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida) above is available for sale as prints. Original photo properties: Olympus E-620 dSLR, Zuiko Digital ED 50mm f2.0 Macro lens (100mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, image stabilization on, single autofocus, aperture priority, centre-weighted average metering, 1/60s f4.5, ISO 200, 2959 x 2742 pixels (after crop), RAW.

EDMONTON, CANADA. (October 2009). Five pencils, as seen through the elements of the OM Zuiko 50mm f3.5 Macro, my latest lens acquisition. I didn't really need another macro lens but for only US$28, I just couldn't pass the deal up. Picture available for sale as prints. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, OM Zuiko MC Auto-Macro 50mm f3.5 lens (100mm, 35mm equivalent), Manfrotto Tundra NGTT1 tripod, manual focus and exposure via LiveView, spot metering, 1/3s f5.6, 3599 x 2658 pixels (after crop), RAW.

LUND, SWEDEN. (February 2009). Buttery smooth. Picture available for sale as prints. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Tokina AT-X 90mm f2.5 Macro lens (180mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, manual focus, aperture priority, centre-weighted metering, 1/200s f2.5, ISO 200, 3336 x 2502 pixels (after crop), RAW.

LUND, SWEDEN. (February 2008). Crown of thorns. Picture available for sale as prints and stock. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Tokina AT-X 90mm f2.5 Macro lens (180mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, manual focus, aperture priority, matrix metering, 1/160s f2.5, ISO 100, 3648 x 2736 pixels, RAW.

LUND, SWEDEN. (February 2009). Fine fuschia. Any softness in the picture is the fault of the photographer and not the lens. After searching far and wide for the Tokina AT-X 90mm f2.5 Macro lens, I finally had the fabled "Bokina" delivered to my door last week. Rare and difficult to find, I took a chance on a Minolta MD mount version of the lens to adapt to my Olympus E-410. Modification to the protruding aperture pin, in order to allow for stopping down, is pending. In the meantime, I test the lens wide open. Already, I'm blown away by the optics. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Tokina AT-X 90mm f2.5 Macro lens (180mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, manual focus, aperture priority, spot metering, 1/80s f2.5, ISO 100, 3418 x 2563 pixels (after crop), RAW.

LUND, SWEDEN. (September 2008). Testing my newly acquired OM-mount extension tubes for the first time, the tiny lavender flowers (diameter of about one centimetre or a third of an inch) of this Portuguese Squill become the subject of some on-the-fly macro shooting. With light loss estimated at two stops and critical focus difficult due to extremely shallow depth-of-field, LiveView and a sturdy tripod are essential. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, OM Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f1.8 lens (100mm, 35mm equivalent), OM 20mm extension tube, Manfrotto Tundra NGTT1 tripod, 5-second mirror lock, manual focus and exposure via LiveView, center-weighted metering, 1/250s f2.8, ISO 100, 3372 x 2530 pixels (after crop), RAW.

LUND, SWEDEN. (February 2008). An experiment in shallow depth-of-field with a scarlet star bromeliad and the OM Zuiko 50mm f1.8 lens. Picture available for sale as stock. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, OM Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f1.8 lens (100mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, manual focus, manual exposure, matrix metering, 1/60s f1.8, ISO 100, 2756 x 2067 pixels (after crop), RAW.

LUND, SWEDEN. (March 2008). Spring has sprung in southern Sweden. Picture available for sale as prints. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm lens at 150mm (300mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, single autofocus, manual exposure, matrix metering, 1/125s f5.6, ISO 100, 2028 x 1590 pixels (after crop), RAW.

LUND, SWEDEN. (March 2008). I don't have a dedicated macro lens in my lineup so for the time being, the OM Zuiko 50mm f1.8 sees double-duty for assignments like this. Wide open, exposure can be a little quirky but the lens produces pictures with good sharpness and decent colour rendition, in my opinion. Picture available for sale as prints. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, OM Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f1.8 lens (100mm, 35mm equivalent), Manfrotto Tundra NGTT1 tripod, 5-second mirror lock-up, wireless remote control, manual focus and exposure via LiveView, matrix metering, 1/13s f1.8, ISO 100, 3108 x 2331 pixels (after crop), RAW.

SASKATOON, CANADA. (January 2008). A few New Year's orchids from inside the climate-controlled Mendel Civic Conservatory, which makes for a nice reprieve from the prairie cold. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, OM Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f1.8 lens (100mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, manual focus and exposure, matrix metering, 1/50s f1.8, ISO 200, 3648 x 2736 pixels, RAW.

SASKATOON, CANADA. (July 2007). Experimenting with depth of field on a telephoto macro of a wild poppy. Picture available for sale as stock, cards or wall art. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm lens at 150mm (300mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, single autofocus, centre-weighted metering, aperture priority, 1/500s f5.6, ISO 400, 3648 x 2736 pixels, JPEG.