4/3 vs dslr

[Lobby]

Originally Posted by HardCase

Lobby, those coin pics are nice. What sort of lighting setup do you use?

Taking coin pics isn't as easy as it looks. It's aggravating, hair pulling stuff, until you get your lighting setup right.

This is what I'm doing right now:



The lights are from Target, LED's.

[Lobby]

Originally Posted by NikonsAndVStroms

If you don't have one yet look at the 14-54 mkI as a good step up for that camera, I just bought a used one for my E-620 and the difference between that and the 14-42 is shocking. Plus it was only 280 from B&H in almost mint condition....KEH and Adorama have it for about the same price.

Amazing. The kit lens is pretty good, IMHO. If that other one is that much better, well, I might approach a Nikon.

[AerialCameras]

I've had an E-PL2 for only a few weeks and I'm already thinking of dumping the DSLR. The real love is being able to use my old OM and Nikon primes.

[DriveShaft]

Originally Posted by Grainbelt

75 is really long for a portrait lens on a 2x crop camera.

The 60mm Macro sounds sweet though, particularly with the OM-D tilting screen. Composing flower/bug shots at ground level thru a viewfinder blows goats. Those two, with a small tripod and a wider zoom would be a great compact nature/travel setup.

I know photographers who actually prefer the look of an equivalent 200mm lens (so a 100mm 4/3 sensors) for studio work. I think the preference has as much to do with not crowding the subject when shooting as it does with the look of the image. I know on my 35-100mm (4/3rds lens), I do clock it over to the 100mm side alot & just stand back a bit, which helps my kid sort of resist the urge to run up and hug me. I know the likelihood of models doing that to me is slim to none, but I think they subconsciously appreciate having the personal space, for other reasons. Anyways, at what I consider to be workable portrait distances, the 75mm/1.8 would be giving you something like 3-6" DoF to work with, which is great for its purpose.

Composing macros through a viewfinder definitely blows. I'm really really looking forward to the OM-D (which I think is their way of naming a whole new line of cameras, not just this particular camera...anything that is built by them w/ an integrated EVF, in the guise of the old OM models is their "OM-Digital." E-M5 happens to be this particular generation of OM-D. It looks effin' sweet. I think it stands a chance at handling 4/3 lenses quite well too, given its beefier voltage architecture, which gives me hope that my 14-35 f/2 & 35-100 f/2 still has an upgrade path.

I haven't owned µ4/3 since getting rid of my e-p1 probably 2 yrs ago, & lent out all my lenses to my sister & friends (really happy with my 4/3 e-5 though). I think I'll be calling those sheep back to the herd soon. :)

[NikonsAndVStroms]

Originally Posted by DriveShaft

I know photographers who actually prefer the look of an equivalent 200mm lens (so a 100mm 4/3 sensors) for studio work. I think the preference has as much to do with not crowding the subject when shooting as it does with the look of the image. I know on my 35-100mm (4/3rds lens), I do clock it over to the 100mm side alot & just stand back a bit, which helps my kid sort of resist the urge to run up and hug me. I know the likelihood of models doing that to me is slim to none, but I think they subconsciously appreciate having the personal space, for other reasons. Anyways, at what I consider to be workable portrait distances, the 75mm/1.8 would be giving you something like 3-6" DoF to work with, which is great for its purpose.

Composing macros through a viewfinder definitely blows. I'm really really looking forward to the OM-D (which I think is their way of naming a whole new line of cameras, not just this particular camera...anything that is built by them w/ an integrated EVF, in the guise of the old OM models is their "OM-Digital." E-M5 happens to be this particular generation of OM-D. It looks effin' sweet. I think it stands a chance at handling 4/3 lenses quite well too, given its beefier voltage architecture, which gives me hope that my 14-35 f/2 & 35-100 f/2 still has an upgrade path.

I haven't owned µ4/3 since getting rid of my e-p1 probably 2 yrs ago, & lent out all my lenses to my sister & friends (really happy with my 4/3 e-5 though). I think I'll be calling those sheep back to the herd soon. :)

Just reading the name of that lens makes me I can't let my 4/3 addiction go!

[HardCase]

I'm definitely intrigued by the new 75/f1.8 lens, even if it might arguably be a bit long for portraiture. Many years ago I had an el-cheapo Vivitar 135/f2.8 lens that I got a lot of use out of for a fairly long time and really loved it. I see the 75 as being an updated reincarnation of that fine and useful lens. But I have a sneaky hunch that it's going to cost a pantload o' dough. I am willing to pay a reasonable price to have one (or any lens that I happen to want, for that matter), but I'm guessing it could be north of a grand, and if that is the case I'd probably pass. I have wanted one of the Voigtlander 25/f0.95 lenses for a while, but they are running around $1200 and that's just too big a nut for me to crack.

[HardCase]

Time to bump this one up & see if there's any interest. Olympus has released their OM-D, a digital m4/3 reincarnation of the old OM line of SLRs. The reviews are generally quite good. Here's one:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/04...-D-E-M5-review

Does anyone here have this camera? Or are any inmates using m4/3 cameras/lenses and do you have any comments or experiences to share?

[DriveShaft]

Originally Posted by HardCase

I really liked my Pen with the only big beef being the lack of a built-in viewfinder. That aftermarket detachable one was bright and clear, but ungainly and insecure, and I lost one at a street fair where there were crowds and bumping and jostling. The GH2 is bulkier. The primary dimensions are similar to the Pen aside from the eyepiece, but even with the excellent 20mm pancake lens it's no pocket camera, more just like a nice compact SLR.

I agree that there are a few "tweaks" yet to be made to the m4/3 lineup. I'm curious to see what the GH3 is like when/if that one comes out one of these days.

While the GH3 is sure to offer improvements, If you get impatient, the G3 is actually quite a good offering, and as far as EVF's go, I always liked how Panny actually allows space for your nose. :) You won't be paying through the nose for the video stuff if you don't use it either. Even though I have a preference for dual control dials, I think I could adapt to Panny's single push-to-select dial pretty quick. I think I actually prefer that over Oly's fiddly second control dial on its pen series, which is just way too tiny & prone to accidental entry.

[HardCase]

Originally Posted by DriveShaft

While the GH3 is sure to offer improvements, If you get impatient, the G3 is actually quite a good offering, and as far as EVF's go, I always liked how Panny actually allows space for your nose. :) You won't be paying through the nose for the video stuff if you don't use it either. Even though I have a preference for dual control dials, I think I could adapt to Panny's single push-to-select dial pretty quick. I think I actually prefer that over Oly's fiddly second control dial on its pen series, which is just way too tiny & prone to accidental entry.

I'm not unhappy with the GH2, and I do like the fact that it is a really excellent video camera. I don't use that facet a whole lot, but do sometimes and am happy to have it. I'm content to wait and see what the GH3 (or whatever else comes along down the pike) has to offer. I had thought seriously about picking up an OM-D body, but have reconsidered. They still haven't "fixed" the C-AF in this format. Additionally, I really like the articulating LCD screen on the GH2 which can be rotated and put away entirely. I use the EVF almost exclusively except for video and the occasional very low or high angle shot, where the articulating screen really shines.

[Fredfredburger]

Anybody have a Panasonic GX1? I am looking to step up from my Panasonic point and shoot and I like the concept of the 4/3 mirrorless cameras, good photo quality with in a compact form factor that I may actually carry around. I like that I can get a zoom lens and shoot photos and video of my kids soccer games. I know it will not be as good as a DSLR but I would rather have something easier to pack on a motorcycle. The online reviews I read seem mostly favorable.

[HardCase]

Originally Posted by Fredfredburger

Anybody have a Panasonic GX1? I am looking to step up from my Panasonic point and shoot and I like the concept of the 4/3 mirrorless cameras, good photo quality with in a compact form factor that I may actually carry around. I like that I can get a zoom lens and shoot photos and video of my kids soccer games. I know it will not be as good as a DSLR but I would rather have something easier to pack on a motorcycle. The online reviews I read seem mostly favorable.

I'd go over to the Amazon website and read some of the customer reviews of the GX1. And go here for a more professional and comprehensive one:

http://www.dpreview.com/search/?quer...c+GX1&product=

I don't have one, have the GH2 and am quite happy with it, but the GH is a bit bulkier than the GX. You ought to be able to get very close to DSLR quality out of a micro4/3 camera with a few good lenses, and the selection there is quite good anymore with both Olympus and Panasonic coming out with quite a few and continuing to do so.

[overlandr]

Originally Posted by AerialFilm1

The real love is being able to use my old OM and Nikon primes.

I can never forgive Olympus for not providing a full frame digital body.

[Fredfredburger]

Originally Posted by HardCase

I'd go over to the Amazon website and read some of the customer reviews of the GX1. And go here for a more professional and comprehensive one:

http://www.dpreview.com/search/?quer...c+GX1&product=

I don't have one, have the GH2 and am quite happy with it, but the GH is a bit bulkier than the GX. You ought to be able to get very close to DSLR quality out of a micro4/3 camera with a few good lenses, and the selection there is quite good anymore with both Olympus and Panasonic coming out with quite a few and continuing to do so.

Thanks, that was a very comprehensive review. I don't have a store near by with this camera in stock but I took the plunge and ordered one based on online research. It should be light years ahead of my old point and shoot and a good step up with out going whole hog on a DSLR set up.

[FLYING EYEBALL]

Originally Posted by overlandr

I can never forgive Olympus for not providing a full frame digital body.

Yeah, all 10 Olympus shooters would have bought one

As far as 4/3, no viewfinder and a shortage of wide angles that aren't $spendy$ will keep me away for now.

[HardCase]

Originally Posted by Fredfredburger

Thanks, that was a very comprehensive review. I don't have a store near by with this camera in stock but I took the plunge and ordered one based on online research. It should be light years ahead of my old point and shoot and a good step up with out going whole hog on a DSLR set up.

I thought it looked pretty good too. What lens (or lenses) are you getting? I imagine it comes with one of the Panasonic kit lenses like the 14-42.