E-M1 - The real deal!

marcr1230

marcr1230

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Ok - I'm a little swept away with evangelism as the newly converted
apologies for the multiple E-M1 posts.

I believe they've recaptured the RF ethos - small camera, great lenses, great quality results.

Here's a low light handheld selfie into an old mirror , SOOC - exposure 1/3 of a sec @ f 5, ISO 1600 (75mm 1.8 lens):
note the resolution of the hair and stubble - focus was on manual and on the lettering on the camera - appreciating the IBIS .
I'm really happy with this camera, perfect weight and hand-feel, not like the shoulder wrenching D800

11137130764_2124a1593a_z.jpg
 
Small and small. My Leica IIIf is small and so are my two Pen cameras; the E-M1--especially with the new hg zoom lenses-- strikes me as approaching a middle sized camera. It's all in your perspective, of course.
 
When you are coming from D800 +70-200 2.8, it does seem minuscule
I guess it's all relative

2 weeks on, I really like the camera and lenses - I'm set up w 12-40, 75 and 60 macro
I'm about 1/3 through the manual - the number of settings , menus ,buttons, dials and
levers is unbelievable. Definaty need practice to get comfortable

So far I can say that the autofocus is fine, although hasn't been through my sports stress
test yet. Manual focus is a pleasure w the EVF.
A lot of the options you can read about and decide to skip - like for me anything video related
Ergonomics are great, the levers , buttons and dials are easy to identify and differentiate by touch. weight and balance are ideal for me. Image quality is high

The only negative I can see is that it take time to learn and master the controls and options/settings especially if you are new to OM-D
 
Personally, I don't understand the reasoning behind buying a small mirrorless camera and putting a grip on it and making it larger than a typical entry-level DSLR.

Sure it's smaller than a D800+grip, but you can have a Nikon D5300 with an APS-C sensor and a Sigma 17-70 macro which is a smaller package.
 
rivercityrocker said:
Personally, I don't understand the reasoning behind buying a small mirrorless camera and putting a grip on it and making it larger than a typical entry-level DSLR.

Sure it's smaller than a D800+grip, but you can have a Nikon D5300 with an APS-C sensor and a Sigma 17-70 macro which is a smaller package.
Click to expand...



I suffered this exact problem when I had my OM-D. I added the battery grip and suddenly I had quite a large camera in my hands that didn't really offer a lot of advantages over my D700!
 
Keith said:
I suffered this exact problem when I had my OM-D. I added the battery grip and suddenly I had quite a large camera in my hands that didn't really offer a lot of advantages over my D700!
Click to expand...

One of the things I like about my Dƒ is that I have no option of a grip. It's taking some getting used to, but the imposed limitation is good. I was shooting an event the other night and I was like, DAMN! this camera is so much lighter than my D700!😀

I will say this, carrying a smaller camera like the Dƒ when I've been hired to shoot private celebrity events has been causing PR people to come up to me and tell me things like "sorry, no professional cameras". It's like the camera is too professional for normal folks, but not professional enough for me to look like a professional. It's weird spot because I have to tell them, uh, I'm the dude that was hired...
 
The grip comes off - I don't have it on as a rule
You have to hold it before judging it as big as a DSLR
The DSLR has bigger lenses as a rule

This camera is a little smaller than an OM , and built like a tank

It just feels right
 
good for you. we all make judgements for ourselves, not for others. dont let anyone dampen your enthusiasm, because happiness+comfort=great experience + great results.
 
marcr1230 said:
The grip comes off - I don't have it on as a rule
You have to hold it before judging it as big as a DSLR
The DSLR has bigger lenses as a rule

This camera is a little smaller than an OM , and built like a tank

It just feels right
Click to expand...

I've used one before. I can judge it accordingly. I know how big it is.

A DSLR lens may be larger, but if you can use one lens in place of three...

In any case, if you like it, then hooray. I was simply stating my objective opinion and you don't have to agree with it. Don't assume that I'm coming down on you personally. I was just making an observation based on my experience.

I wasn't trying to dampen your enthusiasm.
 
Gary Sandhu said:
is the EVF that good? Not laggy, or blocked up dynamic range -- does it really compare to a real viewfinder?
Click to expand...

Yes, it is. The sense of looking through the lens is nearly as vivid as looking through my Leicaflex SL viewfinder, and that's saying something!

I also have been enjoying this camera more and more as I continue to learn and use it. I only fit the battery grip when I'm hand-holding it with my larger SLR lenses—at those times I'm grateful for the added weight and gripping surface, the improvement in balance. Normally, however, I configure the camera with fast 14, 25, or 45 mm prime lenses, sans grip, and it is petite—smaller than my M9, and lighter. The controls, the feel, are superb. The image quality is remarkable.

Very very happy with the E-M1... :-D

G
 
The EVF is very good, better than a mirror in dim light for sure. there must be a little lag - but not impactful - the only distraction is that it displays the just taken photo in the viewfinder for a split second, I will disable that when I figure out how.
The EVF has a zoom in/out feature which is extremely useful when manually focusing, also - the manual focus of the 12-40 is weighted and dampened like a mechanical lens, it really feels that good, you probably would have a hard time differentiating mechanical/by wire if you didn't know. Also , the change from manual to AF is controlled by the focus ring (not a menu setting) , pull the ring back - MF, forward AF

The 12-40 is a go anywhere do almost anything lens - I'm very happy with it.
I've been reading reviews and experiences - today's from Tim Ashley:

http://tashley1.zenfolio.com/blog/2013/11/the-olympus-e-M1-micro-four-thirds-comes-of-age


"The camera is mostly gorgeous, mostly perfectly balanced and thought out, mostly excellent at what it does and mostly, as I have argued above, at least 'good enough' in terms of IQ. Paired with the excellent 12-40 F2.8 zoom it provides me with something I have never before found: A small and light camera that lets me do almost anything I want in any weather and get results that meet my minimum requirements."

Note - Tim's minimum requirements are pretty high compared to the average user.

next - Tim's take on the lens:

" I never want to be parted from this lens. For the simple reason that it is the only mid-range zoom at any price, on any system, that I have ever owned that seems to have no notable flaws. It is sharp from edge to edge (and pretty much from corner to corner) from F2.8 thru F8 at every focal length."

http://tashley1.zenfolio.com/blog/2013/11/olympus-12-40mm-f2-8-pro-m-zuiko-review-the-hammer
 
just got back from a trip with the E-M1

continued impressions:
1. this camera really works for me - the size/ergonomics are perfect
2. image quality very high
3. 12-40 2.8 was on most of the time (80% ?) - this lens is stunning and a perfect match for the body
4. OOC jpegs are wonderful - colors correct and saturated. I shot in auto ISO mode most of the time - up to 1600 without seeing and issues w/noise
5. The camera is FUN! love to use it, it makes photography happen because it's so easy and fun to use, you want to see how far it can go.
6. weatherproof - I had it on the beach and in a few rain showers, no issues
7. batteries - I changed at least once a day - with the EVF and IBIS - it is power hungry
8. never used the battery holder/grip on the trip - just didn't need to
9. I have no use for the stupid "art" modes - they could save some complexity and simplify the menu if they left art modes for PP
10. built in 10 frames per sec is useful at times - although it is hard to stay on subject when firing so many shots.
11. I could have left home the flash and tripod - never used them this time

Here's a sample image (cropped) - using the Oly 75-300:

\
11681477225_87548ddd06_z.jpg
 
Enjoy your new camera, Olympus makes really special stuff and great lenses to boot,
I have a EP-3 and take it with me all over the place. I did try out the 12-40mm on it
which I just loved.

Range
 
marcr1230 said:
When you are coming from D800 +70-200 2.8, it does seem minuscule
I guess it's all relative

....

So far I can say that the autofocus is fine, although hasn't been through my sports stress
test yet.
Click to expand...

I agree, this camera is the real deal. It has a lot going for it. The size is delightful. For example, with the 75/1.8 Olympus lens, it is a tiny little thing compared to a DSLR with a 70-200/2.8, 70-200/4, 135/2, 200/2 or 200/2.8.

The autofocus is excellent for portraits and most subjects. However, so far I haven't had very good luck with indoor sport (basketball) in a poorly lit setting (ISO 6400, 1/500th, f/1.8). At such a low light level, the autofocus doesn't seem to work as well as the AF on my Canon cameras. I've been trying different settings, but haven't yet found one that is really satisfactory for that.
 
I'm still having a great time with this camera - I carry it practically wherever I go.

I have the 12-40/2.8 on it 95% of the time.
I'm even thinking of getting another as a second/backup - mostly to have another lens combo ready - although I might just see a psychiatrist before falling into more GAS.

I'm about to get started with kid's sport events - so I'll learn more about the AF capabilities - so far no complaints

It has somewhat dampened my film enthusiasm sadly - but not completely, I still enjoy my film kits.
 
I've had no problems with shooting kids basketball games indoors. The only caveat is to use single AF and don't even think about continuous AF. I can shoot the 45/1.8 at ISO 400 and still have enough shutter speed left over to freeze action.
 
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