scarletfawth
Established
I'm really interested in this camera.
I'm after a robust, decent image quality weather proof digital. I sold my X100 recently as it was a bit too delicate for the outdoor activity snaps I take. I've pre ordered an X Pro 1, but I'm tempted to ditch it and wait for the Oly. I'd prefer a semi wide and 50mm prime to the Oly zooms I've seen. Here's hoping.
I'm after a robust, decent image quality weather proof digital. I sold my X100 recently as it was a bit too delicate for the outdoor activity snaps I take. I've pre ordered an X Pro 1, but I'm tempted to ditch it and wait for the Oly. I'd prefer a semi wide and 50mm prime to the Oly zooms I've seen. Here's hoping.
EthanFrank
Well-known
I'm really having difficulty with this. I'd appreciate some input, to be honest.
I purchased a 5D Mark II recently. I quite like it, and the results are very good. Not as staggeringly different than my old 50D as the Canon forums would have you believe, but very good. However, it's heavy and expensive (still paying it off) and the glass is equally heavy and expensive. I find myself slightly reluctant to carry it around like I would my M6 or my OM-1. If I'm heading out with intent on shooting, then great, I'll grab the bag with my Canon gear, but I like to carry a camera around with me at all times - this just isn't practical with the 5D Mark II.
The OM-D is enticing. I used to discount m4/3 as a viable system, as I really like using focal lengths I'm used to from shooting 35mm. However, the difference in between APS-C and Full Frame is not as dramatic as I was hoping...perhaps, by that logic, I haven't given m4/3 enough of a chance?
I haven't bought a m4/3 camera to date because I like manual controls, which the Pens and GF's have been lacking, along with a decent viewfinder. The NEX7 was an option for me at one point, but the lack of glass options sealed its fate and I cancelled my preorder.
The OM-D E-M5 has tons of manual control, an awesome looking viewfinder, and the ability to accommodate all my film lenses, albeit with a pretty crippling crop factor. The OM-D has the ability to mount so many 4/3 and m4/3 lenses, which are just so affordable compared to full frame equivalents. I imagine it's much easier to engineer fast primes for the smaller sensor, and who doesn't love fast primes?
I like shooting street, landscapes and the occasional snapshot with friends. I take photography quite seriously but I am by no means set in stone in terms of a style of shooting. Street and urban life takes first place, but I don't want to restrict myself to that.
With all that in mind, do you think the OM-D would be a better fit for me? It seems very versatile, given the affordability of it and its lenses, the size, the weight, and the ability to adapt my lenses? Will the decrease in image quality, however slight or dramatic, be a problem for me?
I'm toying with the idea of selling my 5D Mark II, and my 24-70mm along with my 580EXII, and picking up the OM-D zoom kit, maybe with the grip, the 25mm 1.4 and the 45mm 1.8...
Looking forward to hearing what you guys think.
I purchased a 5D Mark II recently. I quite like it, and the results are very good. Not as staggeringly different than my old 50D as the Canon forums would have you believe, but very good. However, it's heavy and expensive (still paying it off) and the glass is equally heavy and expensive. I find myself slightly reluctant to carry it around like I would my M6 or my OM-1. If I'm heading out with intent on shooting, then great, I'll grab the bag with my Canon gear, but I like to carry a camera around with me at all times - this just isn't practical with the 5D Mark II.
The OM-D is enticing. I used to discount m4/3 as a viable system, as I really like using focal lengths I'm used to from shooting 35mm. However, the difference in between APS-C and Full Frame is not as dramatic as I was hoping...perhaps, by that logic, I haven't given m4/3 enough of a chance?
I haven't bought a m4/3 camera to date because I like manual controls, which the Pens and GF's have been lacking, along with a decent viewfinder. The NEX7 was an option for me at one point, but the lack of glass options sealed its fate and I cancelled my preorder.
The OM-D E-M5 has tons of manual control, an awesome looking viewfinder, and the ability to accommodate all my film lenses, albeit with a pretty crippling crop factor. The OM-D has the ability to mount so many 4/3 and m4/3 lenses, which are just so affordable compared to full frame equivalents. I imagine it's much easier to engineer fast primes for the smaller sensor, and who doesn't love fast primes?
I like shooting street, landscapes and the occasional snapshot with friends. I take photography quite seriously but I am by no means set in stone in terms of a style of shooting. Street and urban life takes first place, but I don't want to restrict myself to that.
With all that in mind, do you think the OM-D would be a better fit for me? It seems very versatile, given the affordability of it and its lenses, the size, the weight, and the ability to adapt my lenses? Will the decrease in image quality, however slight or dramatic, be a problem for me?
I'm toying with the idea of selling my 5D Mark II, and my 24-70mm along with my 580EXII, and picking up the OM-D zoom kit, maybe with the grip, the 25mm 1.4 and the 45mm 1.8...
Looking forward to hearing what you guys think.
I am with you, sort of, Ethan. I just sold a boat load of stuff and am thinking OM-D? X-Pro? D800? I don't know which. Like you the size of a FF DSLR is just too much for me. But 36 magnificent mp from Nikon who just won't get the D800 wrong..... Or the great image quality Fuji is throwing out there. The X-Pro just doesn't have stabilization (my mindless excuse for now). The Oly is small, I really liked the images I got from my EP-1, just couldn't stand the camera, has everything I think, but a top line Nikon, or Fuji.
I don't think I am helping you as much as saying that you are not alone.
I don't think I am helping you as much as saying that you are not alone.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Ethan, I think you've got your answer somewhere around the above quoted part from your own post.
Seriously, I have seen "big sensor" snobs change their tune when they actually tried my Pen E-P2.
I suspect E-M5 would be ten times more effective in that.
celluloidprop
Well-known
The current 5D3 rumor is quite nice, too - 22mp with pro AF.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
EthanFrank
Well-known
The thought that keeps rattling inside my head is that the best camera is the one that you have with you...if the OM-D has 80% of the image quality of the 5DII, and yet I can carry it with my everywhere so won't miss a shot...
Grr. I JUST bought the 5DII, my head full of full frame snobbery.
rbelyell
Well-known
ethan i was in exactly your position with my 5dmki. i loved it and zeiss lenses. but the kit was huge and i kept turning more and more to my ep2 (which is fully manual and has an excellent evf). 5d size not only turned me off, but possible subjects as well, especially in street settings. in good light with good lenses m4/3 is fully capable, before this new sensor, of taking great quality pix. my ep2 and summicron-c 40/2 produces what i would term stunning images. problem has always been high iso--you cant shoot the old olly sensor even at 800, its just not good enough. that to me is where the rubber will hit the road with the om-d-high iso/low light.
i solved this configuration problem by trading my 5d for an x100, which is truly awesome in low light, and is also a great street machine. i can also happily use my ep2plus evf as a great street machine as well. of course youd need to pair it with a extra WA lens to get the 35-50 you want for street work, but there are good options there especially if you have a nice 28 rf lens...
i solved this configuration problem by trading my 5d for an x100, which is truly awesome in low light, and is also a great street machine. i can also happily use my ep2plus evf as a great street machine as well. of course youd need to pair it with a extra WA lens to get the 35-50 you want for street work, but there are good options there especially if you have a nice 28 rf lens...
I keep telling myself I don't need anything more than the Oly, it isn't like I am a pro. I have my thoughts on the PL 25/1.4 too. It would be a no brainier if there was a 17/1.4 PL available too.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Ethan,
What does that mean, 80% image quality?
It's always case by case, sometimes the Canon will be better, sometimes the Olympus will be better, most of the time we can't tell.
There isn't a single big broad brush to paint with.
EthanFrank
Well-known
Oh, I agree, I just threw out a random number in order to make my point. While IQ is not an absolute, things like high ISO noise, clarity, etc are all factors. My point was that if the Olympus is fairly close if not as good as the Canon in those areas, it certainly would be worth considering. I'm just waiting for some reviews that don't have a big "Based on a pre-production unit!" note beside them.
I worry that Canon will announce the 5D Mark III while I wait for the OM-d and the value of my 5D Mark II will plummet.
5dMkIII next week, too late to worry about the trade in value.
nighstar
eternal beginner
yep, Feb. 28th will be the 5D X/Mark III announcement. i'm excited.
i'm trying to save up my money to preorder the new 5D, but god do i want the E-M5 too.... but really, if the E-M5 is anything like my E-P2 minus the poor high ISO performance, i can't see the E-M5 being a complete replacement for a FF DSLR. at least not for me. they are both two very different cameras that may overlap a lot in some areas, but probably not at all in others. really i want both. too bad i'm not rich.... i'll be living off of ramen & other cheap stuff for months just to survive after the 5D purchase. i'm going for the 5D X/Mark III because i already have the option of portability available to me from my E-P2 (and GRD4). if i need ISO beyond 400, which i often do, i will be able to get it from the 5DX.
if i were you, Ethan, i would keep the 5D Mark II as it is an amazing camera and would get an E-M5 later once prices have fallen and you can afford it. they would be an awesome pair-- E-M5 strong in the AF area, 5D strong on depth of field. if you ever go beyond street and landscape, i'm sure you'll find ample opportunities to use both as (in my opinion) that's where the 5D would shine the most.
just my opinion, though.... i so want the E-M5 with the two grips....
but may hold out for the E-M6, which i'm sure will be just as awesome.
i'm trying to save up my money to preorder the new 5D, but god do i want the E-M5 too.... but really, if the E-M5 is anything like my E-P2 minus the poor high ISO performance, i can't see the E-M5 being a complete replacement for a FF DSLR. at least not for me. they are both two very different cameras that may overlap a lot in some areas, but probably not at all in others. really i want both. too bad i'm not rich.... i'll be living off of ramen & other cheap stuff for months just to survive after the 5D purchase.
i'm going for the 5D X/Mark III because i already have the option of portability available to me from my E-P2 (and GRD4). if i need ISO beyond 400, which i often do, i will be able to get it from the 5DX.if i were you, Ethan, i would keep the 5D Mark II as it is an amazing camera and would get an E-M5 later once prices have fallen and you can afford it. they would be an awesome pair-- E-M5 strong in the AF area, 5D strong on depth of field. if you ever go beyond street and landscape, i'm sure you'll find ample opportunities to use both as (in my opinion) that's where the 5D would shine the most.
just my opinion, though.... i so want the E-M5 with the two grips....
uinku
Established
The main draw of the OM-D/E-M5 for isn't so much how great the image quality might be be, but it frees you up to not worry about your gear So far, no one has brought forth a small and fast lightweight weatherproof digital system. For photojournalists, this a dream. And that's why we can call it a successor to the OM series.
Yeah, it's not full-frame, and some former OM users are ***-pooing about that. While others people degrade it to a styled up E-PL2. These people are missing the point. I want a camera I don't have to worry about in the rain, and I'd like it to be small. Olympus has fulfilled this niche. I tried using the Pentax K-7 for a while, but it was a pain to lug around all day, and with the DA* 17-50, it became just as obtrusive as any other DSLR.
If you're looking for image quality, you can't beat full-frame. However, if you want something that won't weigh you down, I think the OM-D might be it.
Yeah, it's not full-frame, and some former OM users are ***-pooing about that. While others people degrade it to a styled up E-PL2. These people are missing the point. I want a camera I don't have to worry about in the rain, and I'd like it to be small. Olympus has fulfilled this niche. I tried using the Pentax K-7 for a while, but it was a pain to lug around all day, and with the DA* 17-50, it became just as obtrusive as any other DSLR.
If you're looking for image quality, you can't beat full-frame. However, if you want something that won't weigh you down, I think the OM-D might be it.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
The OM-D is starting to look very attractive to me as a replacement to my only other digital aside from my D700 ... my aging, slowly dying Canon A620 point and shoot.
This ^ on top of having serious thoughts about getting a used M9, is doing my head in!
I should have stayed away! LOL
This ^ on top of having serious thoughts about getting a used M9, is doing my head in!
I should have stayed away! LOL
ajuk
Established
OM-D? OM-D? Are they cracking me up? Are they stoned? How is it an OM-D when it doesn't have an OM mount and it's not even an SLR?
nighstar
eternal beginner
....welcome to the thread.
if you really want an answer to your question, which you probably don't, feel free to sift through this thread. this has already been discussed a million times.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Uinku: Well put. I think this camera may be, for many, one wherein the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I'll bet Alex Majoli and some other high profile photojournalists give this a serious evaluation.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Ajuk: Have a good time tilting at windmills!