Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I do have a use for it Gav as I said in my previous post ^ ... if the Oly performs as I suspect it may the D700 will be getting considerably less use.
I'm hanging out for my 17.5mm f.95 at the moment (back ordered) and the next gallery gig is a couple of weeks away.
bgb
Well-known
I had a good look at this camera in a local store the other day and I had two thoughts, firstly it really is very pretty and secondly it's tiny. ok I can explain ... my hands need xxl gloves and even the OM-2 feels small sometimes.
With the extra size of the grip I tnink i could us the OM-D.
Further testing in other stores and some counting of pennies needs to be done.
With the extra size of the grip I tnink i could us the OM-D.
Further testing in other stores and some counting of pennies needs to be done.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
DNG
Film Friendly
@fireblade 
Yes, who makes it?
Have a link?
Yes, who makes it?
Have a link?
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
@fireblade
Yes, who makes it?
Have a link?
As nice as that grip is it doesn't address the shutter location which is too far to the rear of the camera IMO and it was one of the criticisms I read in a review I stumbled over somewhere. If you wrap your three fingers around the grip on the OMD you cannot reach the shutter release with your index finger unless you remove your middle finger from the grip!
Archiver
Veteran
As much as I love the compactness and light weight of the stock OM-D body, I think that the grip and battery pack is marvelous. When you mount one end of the strap on the battery pack strap mount, the camera is in portrait orientation around your neck and suddenly the position of the thumb grip and power switch makes sense.
The naked camera didn't seem to sit in my hand properly because I am used to resting my thumb near the middle of the camera, but with the grip you can shift your hand a bit and the thumb falls naturally on the thumb rest. The seemingly stupid position of the power switch, which requires dislocating your thumb when in landscape orientation, now makes eons of sense with the camera in portrait. With it around you neck you can flick the power on at the 'top' of the camera. And when you hold the camera by the battery grip, your thumb is right next to the power switch.
I think that the OM-D's ergonomics were designed with the grip as an important part of the camera. The location of the power switch simply does not make sense otherwise. And with the camera hanging in portrait position it is still easy to grab the grip from the 'top' of the camera. Flick it on at the 'top' and then reposition your hand into the grip. It is so easy. The key is to mount the strap so the camera hangs in portrait. I've seen lots of people diss the position of the power switch, myself included, but how many consider how it would work with the battery pack attached?
Edited to add: and now suddenly the position of the power switch on Canon DSLR's makes sense, too. With a battery pack installed on the bottom the power switch is right next to your thumb when you hold it in portrait. The 1D Canons and the battery grips all have strap mounts on the bottom, too. Shows you that I've never used a battery grip or 'pro' body before! The 7D has the power switch repositioned on beneath the mode wheel, but the Lock switch is now next to the thumb when holding it with a portrait grip.
Second edit: when you have the battery grip attached, you can insert the battery into the grip without having to have a battery in the camera. Super convenient.
Third edit: a very nice piece of design in the grip is the rubber covers for the contact terminals. The bottom of the OM-D and the two parts of the grip have contact terminals that communicate between grip and camera. These contacts are protected with rubber covers which must be removed to attach the grips. Each grip has a recessed area molded into them which hold the rubber covers, so if you need to remove either grip, you've got the rubber covers on hand to protect the terminals from dust and water. Very, very cool.
The naked camera didn't seem to sit in my hand properly because I am used to resting my thumb near the middle of the camera, but with the grip you can shift your hand a bit and the thumb falls naturally on the thumb rest. The seemingly stupid position of the power switch, which requires dislocating your thumb when in landscape orientation, now makes eons of sense with the camera in portrait. With it around you neck you can flick the power on at the 'top' of the camera. And when you hold the camera by the battery grip, your thumb is right next to the power switch.
I think that the OM-D's ergonomics were designed with the grip as an important part of the camera. The location of the power switch simply does not make sense otherwise. And with the camera hanging in portrait position it is still easy to grab the grip from the 'top' of the camera. Flick it on at the 'top' and then reposition your hand into the grip. It is so easy. The key is to mount the strap so the camera hangs in portrait. I've seen lots of people diss the position of the power switch, myself included, but how many consider how it would work with the battery pack attached?
Edited to add: and now suddenly the position of the power switch on Canon DSLR's makes sense, too. With a battery pack installed on the bottom the power switch is right next to your thumb when you hold it in portrait. The 1D Canons and the battery grips all have strap mounts on the bottom, too. Shows you that I've never used a battery grip or 'pro' body before! The 7D has the power switch repositioned on beneath the mode wheel, but the Lock switch is now next to the thumb when holding it with a portrait grip.
Second edit: when you have the battery grip attached, you can insert the battery into the grip without having to have a battery in the camera. Super convenient.
Third edit: a very nice piece of design in the grip is the rubber covers for the contact terminals. The bottom of the OM-D and the two parts of the grip have contact terminals that communicate between grip and camera. These contacts are protected with rubber covers which must be removed to attach the grips. Each grip has a recessed area molded into them which hold the rubber covers, so if you need to remove either grip, you've got the rubber covers on hand to protect the terminals from dust and water. Very, very cool.
Lss
Well-known
What's the experience of those who have the grip on accessing the top control button (Fn2 and Rec) with and without the grip?
Without the grip I can reach the buttons, but it is not as comfortable as I would like. I received my M-to-MFT adapter over the weekend, and I think I will use the Rec button for magnification when using MF lenses. The rear control button (Fn1) is quite alright for me.
Without the grip I can reach the buttons, but it is not as comfortable as I would like. I received my M-to-MFT adapter over the weekend, and I think I will use the Rec button for magnification when using MF lenses. The rear control button (Fn1) is quite alright for me.
fireblade
Vincenzo.
@fireblade
Yes, who makes it?
Have a link?
Sorry boys...been busy email... jm@milich.com
$100 plus postage.
sorry about the pic quality
im very happy with it...
jlm
Newbie
i make the alternative grip in Brooklyn, and have now an updated set of versions: all are CNC machined form 6060-T6 aluminum and black anodized. the card and battery doors are un-obstructed and the base has 1/4-20 holes (lens centered) and grooves for the arca style clamp; there is also a pin-in-slot for attaching a hand strap
the top of grip is a bit higher for resting the second finger. this positions the second finger for the dial and leaves the forefinger free for the shutter and function buttons. i have been using this for weeks and it works well.
basic grip: $125
L-plate: $125
combo (grip and L-plate) $175
contact:
jm-at-milich-dot-com
the top of grip is a bit higher for resting the second finger. this positions the second finger for the dial and leaves the forefinger free for the shutter and function buttons. i have been using this for weeks and it works well.
basic grip: $125
L-plate: $125
combo (grip and L-plate) $175
contact:
jm-at-milich-dot-com
oftheherd
Veteran
I sorry, I've been reading this thread in a hurry. Did you say it was an Olympus digital or a Kiev Digital?
Looks like you are really enjoying that camera Keith. It is one of only a couple I have considered if I jump into digital past my Sony P&S. Please keep coming with your impressions of using it.