Olympus Stylus Tough Takes the Plunge

Two years ago I bought the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 because I wanted a camera that could handle not being treated nicely. After getting it my natural instincts kicked in and I babied it like I do all of my electronics. Though it had the capability to go in the water I never took the chance; I dreamed about it and often came to the edge of putting it in the water.

However, today I just did it. I manned up and took the first underwater shots with it. Check them out.

They are a bit fuzzy because there were so many particles in the water. Still they are pretty cool.

-J

Note: the image quality is not a true representation of the camera's ability, there was a lot of silt and sediment in the water.

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Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 Review

My first digital camera was an Olympus. It was a simple pocket camera with basic features. However that little thing took, and still takes phenomenal pictures. It is also extremely durable to boot!

But as with all things, technology has left my old pocket cam in the dust in the way of features. I have been looking for a good replacement for it for some time now. I didn't want to step into the realm of the Digital SLR's because they take up too much space, and let's face it, you have to be very careful with them, a feat that is just not possible in enjoying the outdoors sometimes!

Finally I found a camera with the mantra of "accidents happen!" Last Summer I stumbled across the Stylus Tough 8010 from Olympus. The features seemed to be right up my alley:

•  WATERPROOF
• A revolutionary system of waterproof seals and gaskets keeps water out so you can take pictures as deep as 33 feet underwater.
• SHOCKPROOF
• Durable metal body with an innovative shock-absorbing technology protects it from drops of up to 6.6 feet.
• FREEZEPROOF 
• It's Freezeproof down to 14°F/-10°C. Perfect for skiing, snowboarding, sledding and other winter fun, this camera is winterized to perform at below-freezing temperatures.
• CRUSHPROOF
• With its rugged body and reinforced LCD, the STYLUS TOUGH-8010 is designed to withstand up to 220 pounds of pressure so your camera and images are always protected.

                                                        (the above list was taken from the Olympus description at their website)

It also features 14 megapixel shots and a 5x wide-angle optical zoom. I could go on for days about the features that this camera boasts, but in the interest of time I will just list a few of my favorites:

1. Durability:
1. I have done quite the number on this camera. My first test was a trip to Maine where the majority of the shots taken were done so with this camera. It spent the night with me in the tent the whole trip, survived nasty rain storms of the East Coast, a 10' drop onto rocks while hiking, and random other mishaps. Through it all it continued to provide quality images.
2. I have also use it in many snowy condition hikes recently. While on a winter hike at Old Baldy I threw it, with much gusto, into a sand packed snowbank while descending a rather steep section. Though I had to dig through the bank to find this thing it emerged flawless and took crisp shots the rest of the day.
2. The Panorama Feature
1. The 8010 comes with a few options to create panorama images; with the software that comes with the camera, and also on the camera itself. I enjoy being able to make brilliant panorama images without the hassle, or necessary skill of complex photo-editing programs.
2. Here is an example of a panorama taken with the 8010 
3. One-Touch HD video
1. No need to fumble through menus to make video. With the 8010 all you need to do is press the record button and you are shootin' in HD my friend!
4. Concerns:
1. The firmware that they come with is very slow, and mildly cumbersome. Getting used to it takes a bit of patience. 
2. However, once you update the firmware this thing is ready to go, the 1.1 update turns this into a point and shoot that you can just whip out and snap away with!

Overall I really enjoy this camera. The images are very high quality and the durability protects against the rigors that I will put it through. Though the camera works underwater I am going to pick up the underwater housing this summer so that I can operate it 100% worry free on some dives in Lake Michigan. Look for those shots to come!

I ordered mine from amazon, through Cameta Camera. We have ordered many things from them in the past and they are great to work with. I have attached a link to the package that I bought. Definitely try to get it as a package deal.

If you have any questions about this please feel free to ask them, I am happy to answer!

Happy Trails,

-J

Northern Michigan Glaciers

If snowshoeing recharged my batteries two weekends ago, then the trip this weekend was the equivalent of swapping the old rechargeables out for new lithium ion ones!

After my Criminal Law midterm on Friday I hopped into the sideseat of the Subaru and pointed North for what I though was to be a weekend of quiet, boring studies alone. However, this weekend kicked more butt than I could have ever imagined. Not only did I get the majority of my work done, but I also got to spend time with my family and we even got some outdoors time in!

Part one: The journey.

The Northernly trip started out under gray skies with a hint of ice in the air. While we remained on the eastern side of the state the weather was calm and frankly a little boring for traveling weather. However once we hit the great divider: Clare, we were blasted by thick, beautiful clumps of Lake Effect goodness. I tried to get a few shots but the great darkness in the sky did not permit such acts. You see, up north, when you turn out the lights it is dark! 

From here on the drive was accompanied by the type of snow that falls where I come from. It falls slowly, almost hanging in the air and then gently lays down with its kin to blanket the ground underneath. It is a wholesome snow, stout and soft.

Upon arriving home I feasted upon homemade chocolate chips! Thanks Mom. 

This is where I thought my journey had ended for the weekend, however as per usual, I over estimated the amount of time that I would need for my homework, and underestimated the amount of sleep that I need! Knowing that I wanted to be able to do things on Saturday I stayed up until around 4 getting a good jump on the work. The finished product was quite good if I do say so! Take that adverse possession!

Part two: Family time and a minor Glaciation 

Saturday morning we awoke early and zipped down to Chelsea's grandparent's house where we were greeted with pancakes and conversation. After spending some time with them we headed out to arguably one of my most favorite places in the world; Portage Point.

When I was a younger man I used to drive out here, daily. Then one winter I discovered that the water freezes into giant mountains far out into the lake during the colder months. These mountains resemble fractionalized version of the glaciers that carved out this great area and it is kind of neat to see them rising out of water where we swim and skim board in the summer. Lake Michigan really provides four seasons of awesomeness if you are willing to experience it!

Now that we live further away from the lake whenever we get a chance to come out to it we soak it up and make the most out of it. I would like to share a few shots of the ice hike with you, you will enjoy: (after enjoying check out what it looks like in the summer)

The ice extends easily 400' out into the lake. To put this into perspective I took this shot, I am about even with the end of the pier and the ice continued for another 150-200'

This is the top of a little ice cave I found, no good pics inside though.

The ice bubbles remind me of desert pavement, look it up it is pretty cool, made by a slightly similar concept too!

If we were in the Arctic, this is definitely where a seal would pop up!

One part Grinch who stole Christmas, one part explorer!

After the ice hopping we grabbed a drink at my favorite natural spring and headed to see my grandparents. Chelsea showed Grandma some new tricks with her camera and I discussed the prison camp-like settings of test-taking in law school. They even hooked us up with some new wine bottles to cut!

Saturday night we hit up the casino for dinner with Chelsea's Mom, Fred and Izzy. We had a good time and then settled in to ride out the remainder of the snowstorm watching Seinfeld and finishing up some homework!

Our return trip to SE MI was guided by beautiful sunshine, dry roads and minimal traffic, only in Michigan can you be in one spot and experience 2.5 seasons in less than 48 hours! That fact is pretty cool in that it makes even the shortest trips up there seem longer!

Take care all. Enjoy this week, and Happy Valentine's Day!

-J

Hey please check out some of my other sites:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/randomstreamoc/

http://natureshotz.blogspot.com/

A familiar trip

After an endless late night drive north we made it to our lodgings. We were treated to snacks and drinks by my parents. The cats acclimated to their new surroundings and began to establish the pecking order for snackage.

We retired early and drifted off while watching Seinfeld, a tradition while at home.

In the morning we were treated to a beautiful blanket of fresh snow.

Harboring the inspiration that I get on mornings such as this, I quickly fried up some eggs and toasted bread. Chels and I ate and discussed the best plan of attack for the day.

We decided on what is becoming our new spot; Old Baldy.

Arriving at the parking lot we were greeted by an un-groomed path and lot. Our tracks were the only ones around. We packed the cameras, water, tripod and mittens and headed down the trail.

While chelsea was busy snapping some of her great work, I rushed ahead to see what was in the middle of the trail ahead.

Here she comes!

It appears that though we were the first humans on the trail that day, we were not the first life-forms, beaten by bunnies!

The trail was snow-covered, lightly, but still covered. My old standard hikers, the Keen Targhee model, help up well in the snow and subsequent not-yet-frozen sand dune. I am very glad that I got those a few years ago.

Snow slowly fell as we made our way through the woods to the blownout dune. Our anticipation of the view to come would not be overshadowed by the weather.

But alas, as we made it to the stairs leading to the dunes the sky emerged a gorgeous blue as if we were being welcomed by the lake:

The view from the top of these stairs is as close as you will get to perfect:

We hiked to the Northern lookout of the dune were I noticed a wall of snow heading our direction, however I snapped this before the snow came:

We played, frolicked, shot our Christmas card photo and hiked to the highest point we could find! Most of all we enjoyed each other's company.

Here are a few of the more memorable shots from the trip:

Setting up for the Christmas Card! ------>

Hello Lake Michigan! (Hey Tim Allen was right about Michigan's Beauty hey? P.S. Pure Michigan still lives!)










This was a great hike, I cannot wait for the snow to become so deep that the average hiker lays up his hikers until the spring. At that time I will strap on the snowshoes and head back to Old Baldy, it has got to be even nicer draped heavily with thick, lake-effect snow!

Bring it on mother nature! Enjoy the snow friends!

-J

P.S. dropped the new Olympus Stylus Tough in the snow halfway through this trip and it continued to take great shots! Long live everything-proof cameras! New review coming soon!