anyone shooting micro four thirds?

[MCAsan]

The Olympus EM-1 and their 12-40 pro lens looks a great way to get started with M43 photography. Later this year they are supposed to have a pro 40-100.

Just wondered if anyone was shooting one of the Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji or other M43 systems.

 

[phrehdd]

The Olympus EM-1 and their 12-40 pro lens looks a great way to get started with M43 photography. Later this year they are supposed to have a pro 40-100.

Just wondered if anyone was shooting one of the Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji or other M43 systems.

I shoot with the Fuji X series APS mirrorless cameras. I chose Fuji for the results from their RAW files and what seems a dedication to some pretty impressive lenses. IF* I had not invested in Fuji, my first recourse would be the Olympus higher end mirrorless cameras. The top of Olympus mirrorless is an amazing camera and extremely fast focus on the lenses.

In a perfect world (for me) the Fuji X sensor (Sony sensor that was "Fuji-ized") would be in the Olympus and I could have the best of all worlds.

 

[Parkin Pig]

I recently ditched all my DSLR gear for an Olympus PEN E-P5 (the high-end PEN model). Main reason for the change is that I wasn't taking all the bulky SLR gear out often enough just because of the bulk.

I love the PEN. Phredd made a good point in that if the Olympus had a Fuji sensor then it would be pretty much perfect.

I chose the PEN over the EM-1 mainly for aesthetics, although the EM-1 is a gorgeous looking camera also. The main downside to the PEN is that the electronic viewfinder is an add-on, rather than built-in. Obviously the EM-1 has weather-sealing as an advantage, but I can live without that. I believe the EM-1 also has an updated image processor.

On the plus side, the PEN (and presumably the EM-1) has the most astonishing image stabilisation I have ever used - you can get sharp photos down to half a second, or even slower with a steady hand. The auto-focus is extremely fast to the point of being practically instantaneous.

I currently have the 12mm f2.0 lens, the 17mm f1.8 lens, and the kit 14-42mm f3.5-5.6
Although the plastic body of the kit lens feels very lightweight, the results are surprisingly good. The 17mm and 12mm are premium lenses, and are excellent in low light.
Despite my being used to a range of quality zooms and primes on my DSLR, I have had the 12mm lens on the PEN for the vast majority of the time. It's encouraged me to move myself around to get the best angle, and it really is a great 'general purpose' focal length (it's the equivalent of 24mm on a full-frame camera).
I'd be very interested to try out the 12-40mm f2.8 Pro lens, although it would probably look massive on the PEN.

As for the EM-1 being a good way to 'get started' with M43, I'd say you're pretty much jumping straight in at the top, but if you can afford it, why not?

 

[MCAsan]

As for the EM-1 being a good way to 'get started' with M43, I'd say you're pretty much jumping straight in at the top, but if you can afford it, why not?

I think as the wife and are now retired, we simply can't afford top of the line DSLR kits due to cost, size, and weight. Bodies like 5DIII and D800 are in the $3000 range. We can't go there again.

The EM-1 is $1300 while it is still new without a price drop. That is about the same as 7D or D7100. That price should fall a bit by mid year. With many of the M43 lens in the $500 or less range, I think a very good kit based around EM-1 could be less costly plus, smaller and lighter.

Of course there is always Leica M.

 

[phrehdd]

I think as the wife and are now retired, we simply can't afford top of the line DSLR kits due to cost, size, and weight. Bodies like 5DIII and D800 are in the $3000 range. We can't go there again.

The EM-1 is $1300 while it is still new without a price drop. That is about the same as 7D or D7100. That price should fall a bit by mid year. With many of the M43 lens in the $500 or less range, I think a very good kit based around EM-1 could be less costly plus, smaller and lighter.

Of course there is always Leica M.

I hope you (and your wife) enjoy the Olympus as it truly is an outstanding camera. Unless you are making very large prints or require "pro" abilities, there really isn't a need to go to full frame cameras. My camera gives me rather impressive results when the RAW files are handled properly (including shooting high ISO). The camera you are opting for should also give you excellent results and last a long time. If I look back at all the cameras that impressed me for simply being good cameras, the FM/FE series from Nikon, and Olympus OM-1 and OM-2 come to mind. All smaller, direct and well made cameras that worked brilliantly. Olympus was the first to get it right with the smaller camera size and excellent brightness through the prism.

 

[MacRy]

I shoot exclusively with Fuji X cameras (X100 and XE1) and love them for the small size and great image quality. With the release of the XT1 you can pick up the XE1's pretty cheaply second hand now.

They're not micro four thirds by the way, they're APSC.

 

[HantaYo]

I sold my Nikon D90 and went with the Olympus EM5. It is great for hiking and backpacking. I bought a RIBZ front back and all my camera gear stores there and it is easily in reach when I need it. But I am drooling at the Sony A7.

 

[MCAsan]

I sold my Nikon D90 and went with the Olympus EM5. It is great for hiking and backpacking. I bought a RIBZ front back and all my camera gear stores there and it is easily in reach when I need it. But I am drooling at the Sony A7.

Even more......Sony A7R

 

[glenthompson]

The Olympus EM-1 and their 12-40 pro lens looks a great way to get started with M43 photography. Later this year they are supposed to have a pro 40-100.

Just wondered if anyone was shooting one of the Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji or other M43 systems.

I was considering a Micro 4/3 camera as a retirement gift but opted for the Sony Nex-7 instead. I'm very happy with the mirrorless format. Much smaller and lighter than a DSLR but great picture quality.

M4/3 is still a good option for those that don't want the bulk and weight of a full frame camera.

 

[Noctilux.95]

I shoot Canon and Hasselbad H for a living. Recently bought a Fuji X-E1 (XT-1 soon) along with four fast primes. The Fuji really excites me about photography the way only Leica M used to do for me back when I was a working photojournalist.
I love the look, the feel, and old world dials on the bodies and lenses. If I could do photography for a hobby, I would dump my Canon's and Hasselblad and buy a Leica M9P, MM, and keep the Fuji.

 

[FWRLCK]

I shoot an E-M5, primarily with the 17mm/1.8 and 45mm/1.8. Love it.