Travel Photography Without a Tripod: Long Exposures with the OM System OM-1

Are you tired of lugging around a heavy tripod on your vacations, only to never use it? If so, you’re not alone. In this blog post, I’ll share my experience of ditching the tripod and relying on the incredible image stabilization of the OM System OM-1 camera for stunning long exposure shots while traveling in Japan.

I’ve always been a fan of traveling with two camera bodies, but the weight and bulk of my gear started to wear me down. That’s when I discovered the benefits of using a Micro Four Thirds camera like the OM-1. The smaller lenses and impressive image stabilization made it a game-changer for my travel photography.

During my trip to Japan, I put the OM-1 to the test in various locations, capturing everything from smooth water in Kurobe Gorge to traffic trails at Tokyo Tower. The in-built ND filters on the camera allowed me to achieve long exposures handheld, eliminating the need for a tripod altogether.

One of the highlights of my trip was capturing the iconic Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. Despite the rainy weather and crowded conditions, the OM-1’s image stabilization allowed me to capture stunning blur effects of passing trains and bustling crowds without the need for a tripod.

Overall, I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the OM System OM-1 as a travel camera. The superb image stabilization and compact size have made it a go-to choice for my travel photography. While I still miss having a second camera body, the convenience of leaving my tripod and ND filters at home more than makes up for it.

If you’re considering using the OM-1 for your travel photography, I highly recommend giving it a try. The freedom and flexibility it offers in capturing long exposure shots handheld are truly game-changing. Share your thoughts and experiences with the OM-1 as a travel camera—I’d love to hear from you!