Dabawenyo behind Olympus Pen Camera launch in the Philippines
By Jojie Alcantara, Photos by Rhonson Ng (published in SunStar Davao, Oct. 14, 2011)
My favorite success stories are ones closer to home –like hearing about a fellow Dabawenyo who has been doing great abroad and is now bringing his achievements back into his country.
I received a call from former schoolmate in Ateneo de Davao, Renato Buhay, who was a few years my senior. He was a Blue Knight since Kindergarten, and if I remember correctly, was an active leader in school and sports.
Bong (now Rene), as we all used to call him, left Davao in 1987, moved to the US and worked his way up in the imaging industry. Having acquired the RedDot Imaging Company as the President, and now the CEO of RedDot Imaging-Philippines, his company was able to snap exclusive rights and distributorship of popular camera brands in the country. Thanks to social networks and today’s technology, he found my sites and contacted me for the good news.
He invited me, Rhonson Ng and Ian Garcia to Manila to attend the Olympus launch of three new PEN compact system cameras. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend but was able to view the event on youtube (hooray for technology) and through Rhon and Ian’s documentation.
The exciting buzz for photographers like me is how Olympus introduces state of the art gadgets that are designed to deliver incredible image quality, in-camera creativity and speed.
The Olympus PEN family combines the portability of a point-and-shoot with features found on bulkier cameras or camcorders to deliver amazing quality and lightning fast speed. With a new 12.3-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor, TruePic™ VI Image Processor, high ISO of 12,800, a reengineered autofocus system, full 1080i HD video with Dolby Digital sound recording, newly designed user interfaces and a variety of Art Filters and built-in creative features, these powerfully simple cameras offer advanced capabilities without the complexity of a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera.
In addition to these great shared capabilities, each new model offers unique features: the PEN E-P3 is the flagship Olympus PEN with a classic, all-metal design and the world’s fastest autofocus; a body portable enough to travel without sacrificing DSLR image quality and control that experienced photographers expect.
The PEN E-PL3 is a powerful camera perfect for photographers who want their memories to reflect incredible, professional image quality. Easy-to-use creative technologies are packed in its versatile body – the size of a small, portable point-and-shoot camera, but with the versatility of interchangeable lenses. A clever, tilting three-inch LCD empowers photographers to go head-and-shoulders above the crowd to capture graduations, easily stoop to eye-level for adorable baby and pet shoots.
The PEN E-PM1 is the smallest and lightest Olympus PEN available in six stylish colors (purple, pink, brown, white, silver and black) and features a new and simplified user interface and a streamlined button structure for superior ease of use. Its small size and portability make it the ideal camera to document life’s fun moments.
I haven’t gotten around to testing our Pen yet since Rhon is bringing it to the Masskara Festival (yes, I got a good discounted rate from my dear old friend) but I am particularly excited to check out the new level of creative freedom and instant artistic experimentation it offers.
In-camera creative features such as Art Filters, Multiple Exposure, Aspect Ratios and In-Camera Editing allow photographers to capture the world as they see it. Art Filters set Olympus PEN images and videos apart from the pack. Since they’re built into the camera, Art Filters can achieve dramatic results on the go without the need for a computer or editing software. All filters can be applied to both still shots and HD movies. You can apply up to 10 Art Filters (depending upon model: Diorama, Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia and Dramatic Tone) in the camera while shooting. Artistic images vary by mixing and matching Art Filters to achieve creative vision or by applying effects, including the new Star Light and White Edge to frame photos the way you want after capture.
What’s more, Olympus PEN cameras add a new dimension to images by shooting dynamic 3D photos in any situation from macro to landscape. Simply select the 3D Photo Mode, release the shutter and slowly pan until the camera automatically takes a second image from a slightly different perspective. The 3D data is processed in-camera, with a software program to easily showcase 3D images on monitors and laptops. The box includes 3D glasses as well–how cute!
The artistic capability is endless, and will save a lot of post processing time for someone like me who is also a graphic artist. So maybe am gushing, but I have something to look forward to when I’m finished with my serious project shoots. I can enjoy shooting with family and friends, without sacrificing image quality with this new lightweight camera.
Rene is set to fly to Davao by December and hopefully we will be able to gather his good old classmates for a round of beer and some blue knight cheers. Can’t wait to see his shock and awe at the immense development of his old hometown, Davao, since 1987.
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