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Long Exposure Hand Held Photography with the OM-1 Mk2

Leigh Windridge Photography

3,543 views

I've been meaning to do a bit of a feature on the merits of micro four-thirds and the amazing image stabilisation for a while so I thought why not play around with some hand held long exposure photography and show you how I do the crazy hand held antics that get me some amazing results!
So come and join me for a very chilly morning on the shores of Windemere and I'll show you how I get the results I do with the OM-1 and 12-100 f/4 Pro lens.

If you're interested in joining me on a personalised 1 to 1 workshop or photo walk, get in touch at https://leighw.photos/workshops and we'll sort something out. All abilities, both physical and photography wise are accounted for - and various locations around the UK are available.

If you enjoyed this video though, please do give it a thumbs up and leave a comment below with your thoughts - I'll be sure to read them all and I'll respond to as many as I can!
Thanks again for watching - your support means everything!

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#photography #olympus #omsystem #mentalheath #2025 #professional #subscribe #OM1 #inspiration #longexposure #landscape #landscapephotography #handheld #longexposurephotography

13 Comments

@joecarey7123 1 year ago

The IS assist is a gamechanger but that 30 second exposure is superb!

@Tom_S1234 6 months ago

Wow, amazing handheld photos

@jobrown9970 9 months ago

Your video was the top of the list when I googled "OM1 Mark ii in camera stabilization". Sitting at home in CT, USA and was watching thinking "that location looks familiar" - was there 11 years ago with my children on their first trip abroad. I had told myself then I need to return to the Lake District - think I better get moving on that!
New to the OM system and there is a lot to learn, thank you for the video. Happy New Year

@AguilaDeOnix85 1 year ago

Hey there, Leigh. Those handheld exposures were awesome! That 12-100 is one of a kind, and to be able to max its potential out like that is pure skill. Brilliant stuff!

@SteveMorris1964 1 year ago

Hi Leigh, that hand held assist is off the scale mate, such a handy option to have on the camera, I do like using filters, but when you're caught short or want to catch a quick scene with light that is not going to last while you get your filters out etc, then being able to hand hold a long exposure is a game changer.

@JeffreyJohnsonC 1 year ago

Nice video. Stabilization really is insane.

@andrewowen-price4496 1 year ago

Very impressive at 8 seconds ... 30 seconds?? Wow!!!!!

@trishf29 1 year ago

The algorithm placed you on my page so being an Olympus user, looked at your video. Have subscribed. I’ve tried the handheld long exp on my OM-5. Didn’t exactly work, so after viewing this, will try again! Thanks Leigh.

@johnlowe7097 1 year ago

Great video Leigh lovely photos and great tips for the long exposure thanks for sharing 😊

@chrlz904 1 year ago

It's probably my elderly ears, but your voice sounded muffled and hard to resolve, and when I turned it up, the music was too loud. I probably need that hearing aid I'm avoiding.. otherwise, interesting, thanks.

@KathyLaws-hs9ld 7 months ago

the technology with image stabilization is amazing; however, I personally don't understand why anyone would not just use a tripod if doing anything over 4 or 5 seconds. It has a almost watercolor effect of softness and some may enjoy that I suppose, but for me I just don't see the purpose.

@jupiterman7 1 year ago (edited)

HI Leigh thanks for doing this!!! I've heard that with the dual is lens like the 12-100 pro you have, really long handheld exposures are possible. I have a em1 mk iii and with un stabilized lenses i can get about 8 sec exposures.
Do you know if these long exposures times are possible with my em1 with the dual IS sync? i'm very interested in this and maybe the 12-100 pro is in my future. Also what times are possible with the om1 mkii without the dual IS?
thanks!!!

@Jgatti41 1 year ago

Here I was proud of 3 seconds. Does the 12-100 have in lens stabilization? Either way, 30 second is pretty damn impressive. I can't do less than 1/30th of a second on my sony. Just another reason I love my OM-1