Lucha libre at Precision Camera – Austin, Texas

A friend of mine mentioned that I’ve used my Canon G7X Mark II a lot lately, even more than the Olympus cameras that I’m known for. One reason might be that the G7X Mark II is my newest camera, though it’s already more than 10 months since I got it. New gear tends to get more love, especially to figure out its ins and outs. But more importantly, that small Canon fills a useful purpose — to create high quality images in a device that I can bring almost anywhere. A type of device, unfortunately, that Olympus currently does not make.

There are limits to every camera of course, and when I need to make photographs quickly, the Olympus cameras are still my first love. Their combination of size, versatility and image quality make them a winner. Whether shooting portraits with my PEN-F or these Lucha libre wrestling performances with my OM-D E-M5 Mark II, when I need speed and fast framing, I’m using Olympus.

This special Lucha libre event was part of the Canon Takeover at Precision Camera. People paying for the privilege got to shoot right next to the ring with their Canon cameras. I hung out, one orbit beyond, with my E-M5 Mark II and versatile 14-150mm travel zoom. And, even though I’m sure the new Canon EOR R mirrorless will have superior image quality, the smoothness and speed of the Olympus was comforting compared to the heavy-handed ca-chunk I felt using Canon’s first full-frame mirrorless.

[Read my impression of the Canon EOS R]

For all the technology and experience with my cameras, I feel like my pictures were only so so. I think shooting right by the ring would’ve been somewhat easier. Knowing the “sport” and the typical wrestler moves would have allowed me to anticipate more. Finally, there was a fair bit of exposure compensation applied, on the fly, to make sure the wrestlers were adequately exposed.

Despite my excuses, the event was fun to shoot and a challenge that I’ve not experienced before. There’s enough variation in technique and skill required for different photographic events that it can be quite interesting.