Looking to upgrade from GF2... but to what?

lerch60 · Aug 1, 2012

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum but I'm going to go ahead and ask for some advice anyway

Basically, last year I rushed out to buy a new camera because someone had offered to buy me one as a gift. I didn't do a lot of research, and really didn't know what I was looking for. After reading a few reviews I settled on the GF2 with the 14mm pancake and 14-42 mm kit lenses , as the price was right and everyone seemed to be saying it was a great camera... and it is. In the past year I've had a lot of fun shooting it and I've really enjoyed it. I even bought the Panasonic 45-200mm tele because I like to shoot wildlife and generally keep my distance. Anyway, I'm starting to feel the GF2 wasn't the best choice for me. The lack of an EVF and articulated LCD are really making me want to upgrade. My question is .... to what?

I haven't really invested too much into my kit yet, and I'm open starting fresh with an entry level dSLR. My roomate seems to think this is what I should do, but I have read about a lot of people who have switched from dSLR to m4/3 who seem to be saying the smaller system is more than enough for aspiring enthusiasts such as myself. I'm not really sure what my photography future holds, but I definitely see this as something I want to keep doing and learning about.

So, here's what I've been thinking. The next lens I want is definitely a fast prime. I've been eyeing the panasonic 25mm 1.4f, but its going for over $500 bucks right now. Not cheap. For that kind of money I could almost make the switch to the larger sensor dSLR and get a viewfinder and articulated LCD. As someone who does this for a hobby only, am I really going to need the bigger sensor, or would I be better off I just changing my body and staying in the m4/3 universe? a G3/G5 maybe... I really like the GH2, but it seems pricey. For me size is not an issue, in fact, the GF2 feels a little dainty to me. I'm a big guy and I think I'd feel more comfortable with something that fits my hands better.

Any advice would be appreciated!!!

Ty :wink:

rexbobcat · Aug 1, 2012

Photography is not cheap, so almost any route you take will start to get expensive the more immersed you get into it.

DSLRs will give you more room to grow than M 4/3's at this point I think, because there are many more options for DSLRs.

With DSLRs you'll get more control over DoF as well. The crop factor will be different though.

The M 4/3's system has a sensor size that has a 2x crop factor as well for the most part, so that 14mm you've been using is closer to 28mm when mounted on the GH2.

The trade-off is basically ease of use and comparable IQ versus more control and more options.

If you want to get REALLY serious about photography, I would consider a DSLR. If you are more of an enthusiast who likes to document things and wants to seem less intimidating in group settings then I would go with the M 4/3's system

With DSLRs you also have access to third party lenses, some of hitch are just as good as name brand lenses, but are sometimes a third of the price.

lerch60 · Aug 1, 2012

thanks for you help. I appreciate it. I've seen that the m4/3 lens line up has started to be complimented by the third party developers as well... such as the voigtlander 0.95 25mm.... not cheap , but a serious lens! Do you see this as a trend that will most likely continue so that we can expect even more selection?

Seefutlung · Aug 2, 2012

I used both FF dSLR's and M4/3 systems. I strongly advocate the M4/3 systems. The new Olympus OM-D is a super camera. Up to an 11x14 there isn't any significant difference in IQ between my dSLR's and the M4/3. There are two glaring problems with the OM-D:

1) It cannot track a moving subject; and
2) No fast ultra wide lenses and no fast long lenses.

The fast lenses I think are not far off ... but if you shoot action and enjoy the continuous focus capability of dSLR's ... the OM-D is disappointing. It takes a lot more effort and one will miss quite a few shots with the OM-D. If you shoot in single shoot mode ... then the OM-D is as capable as the Big Boys.

You lenses will all work with the OM-D and you'll be packing a lot less weight.

Gary