which would you rather carry? It's a no brainer for me--the one on the right!! The Olympus 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 is the equivalent to the lens on the left-the Nikon 200-400 f4.(it's for sale for anyone interested). The major difference is 6 pounds! No need for a mono pod, no back ache, no neck ache. Sharp? Look at the images of Bruce Springsteen below to see.
This past weekend I headed back to Asbury Park, NJ for a book signing and slide show presentation at Asbury Park Where Music Lives at 708 Cookman Ave. My photo exhibit is up until the end of February and the photos are for sale (they also have my book) with part of the proceeds going to Light of Day. I have to admit-I didn't think it would be crowded since I was there last week for the photo opening and I signed 725 books at the Stone Pony book launch in October but I was very surprised-it was standing room only and I signed 75 books. So sorry to those who couldn't get their book signed due to time. I was planning on going to Art629 across the street where I have another photo hanging with others who have shot the Light of Day concert.
I was excited to shoot the Light of Day concert at night for Parkinson's and to use my Olympus EM 1 for my first big concert and my new 50-200mm f2.8-3.5. I had high expectations of this lens and was REALLY hoping it would be as good as the Nikon 200-400 f4 I have been using. My high expectations were on par and I was thrilled. It's so nice to walk out with a small ThinkTank Turnstyle 20 (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/turnstyle-20-blue-slate-sling.aspx) and a Lowe Pro Stream Line 250 for my Mac Air and wallet and some accessories (http://www.lowepro.com/streamline).
Looking at the 2 lenses above, which would you rather carry? The HUGE Nikon 200-400 weighing in at over 7 pounds or the Olympus 50-200 weighing just over a pound?
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/turnstyle-20-blue-slate-sling.aspx An ENTIRE Olympus lit fits in this bag-2 bodies (one with grip), 9 lenses and 1 flash. My back also loves this system!
http://www.lowepro.com/streamline for my Mac air laptop, wallet, bottle of water and accessories
The Light of Day concerts (http://www.lightofday.org/about/index/) are now in their 14th year and is a celebration of Bob Benjamin for his birthday while raising money for a cure. Part of the proceeds of my book, "Bruce Springsteen In Focus 1980-2012" (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1938501519/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0ZXFDBBF72EX1QG8YFPH&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846) are going to LOD. It's always nice to head back for these shows-it's a reunion of all the people I saw on a regular basis when I lived at the shore and spent almost everyday at the Stone Pony as well as seeing some of the most talented musicians anywhere. And of course, when Bruce Springsteen shows up it's always a nice treat. I was thrilled to be able to capture him using my new Olympus EM1 and the 50-200mm lens. I have to admit-I also had to chuckle when some of the photographers were saying I wasn't going to get any usable images without using a "pro" camera. After awhile, it became moot to inform them that the OLYMPUS IS a PRO camera (and it was voted the #1 camera of 2013) and that it's not the camera but the person operating the camera. All I can say is..I LOVE THIS SYSTEM. And I dare anyone to say my image were not useable. (Rolling Stone didn't agree either as they ran 2 images)
Light of Day founder Bob Benjamin and Bruce Springsteen
the new blood in town: 18 year old Bobby Mahoney shares the stage with Bruce Springsteen.
Willie Nile NEVER disappoints. This man and his band are incredible. Great music, tight band...never a dull moment.
Willie Nile and Bruce Springsteen
Jesse Malin is another who never disappoints. You can't sit down when he is on stage
Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls had an incredible set.
After my book signing and slide presentation at Asbury Park Where Music Lives, the amazing Laura Crisci performed a set during the gallery crawl. As always, she was amazing.