Micro 4/3rd users who moved from dslrs

[jaomul]

Hi all,

Can anyone who moved their gear from a Dslr set up to a micro 4/3 set up say how the smaller set up stacks up. Do you find dof for portraits etc limiting and is there any specific equipment you recommend. Thanks

 

[ann]

Since getting an OMD-EM5 I have barely used my d700.

Yes there is a limit with DOF, but not that difficult to work with (IMHO), others will certainly disagree.

Doing high action sports is an issue, but hopefully that will be resolved with the EM1.

I travel a lot and find the ease of use really nice, I can carry 3 lenses in a belt pack , the camera with a wrist strap and at the end of a long day am not tried and sore from lugging around 12 lbs or more of equipment.

If you like , check out the second to last image in the section called digital art, that was taken with my OMD with a 45mm lens at f4 at an iso of 6400 handheld.

here is the link

Ann Clancy: Photographer / Educator

 

[jaomul]

Thanks Ann. That is a nice portrait. I have posted about 3 or 4 questions here about the micro 4/3rds because I ordered mine a week ago but wont have it until end of week at least so I cant see for myself. I also intend on picking up the Em1 along with the Epl5 I ordered. My canon stuff is nearly gone

 

[ann]

I haven't gotten rid of my d700 YET, my dealer said to me one day. if you haven't used it in the past 2 years, it is time.

Did use the Nikon when I shot a rugby match as i wasn't happy when i tried a roller derby with the OMD. Am waiting to be able to handle the em1 before ordering, as I want a back up camera for a long trip I am taking in Dec. as i won't be able to call my dealer and say "FEDX " me ...........

 

[jaomul]

Hold your nikon a while so, the d700 is a great machine. I really like my 5d for portraits and generally everything but want something small for portability and don't want to have 2 systems. I'll decide for sure when I get a chance to play with the olly.

 

[Tinderbox (UK)]

I have tried a couple of 4/3 sensor camera`s and thought the image quality is great with good light, it was not very good in lower light, so i prefer the new mirror-less aps-c camera`s the low light performance is very good.

John.

 

[usayit]

I shot with a Canon 1DMarkII and 5D with a bunch of primes and L zooms.

I was an early adopter of the micro 4/3rds system first with the Panasonic G1 then with the Olympus E-PL1. I never intended nor expected micro 4/3rds as a replacement for my DSLR system but rather an alternative. On one hand the cameras are much smaller and so are the optics. My entire system is about 25% of the size and weight of my Canon DSLR system. My ONA Bowery bag (very small) that can fit my OMD E-M5 + 12-35mm f/2.8 + 35-100mm f/2.8. A bag that could not hold a 5D with a 70-200mm f/2.8 alone. No 600mm DSLR zoom exists that is comparable to the size of my 100-300mm. It is a crop sensor camera with PDAF implemented. With that comes some other compromises, such as high ISO performance, and AF tracking. Several members here and other forums have asked me similar questions and I always explain both sides of the coin with the final message that, one, its not for everyone, and two, many will not see this as a replacement for their DSLR. On one such discussion, I described it as the system the working professional uses on their break or personal time.

It-All-Depends-On-Your-Preferences-And-Expectations.

If size is a big deal... the micro 4/3rds is the sweet spot in my opinion. An ideal blend of performance and packaging (size/weight). No other system has the wide selection of camera bodies all with different designs/interfaces to select from. You can go as small as an E-PM1 or as large as the newer OMD E-M1 or G6. For video, you have the new Black magic camera as well as the GH series bodies.

If high ISO performance is a big deal... then simply stick to the FF DSLR systems and accept the sacrifice of a larger, heavier system. Same deal with DOF... heck consider MF.

As I said, I never intended and still can see the benefit of owning both my Canon system together with my current micro 4/3rds system. Except that I no longer shoot or have any intention of shooting professionally. My focus is my life and growing family and the micro 4/3rd system allows photography to blend into it rather than attempt to compete with it. As such, I shoot more... very important. I ended up selling my Canon because it was gather dust. My other system which is FF still remains though.

I still have and shoot with the E-PL1 but it is now joined with the OMD E-M5. The EM5 improves on sensor performance and AF. Shooting sports is still not as effective as my 1DmarkII but I've learned to work it with specific settings AND taking advantage of the EM5's very fast single AF... pump focus frequently. The newer E-M1 will be interesting as it hopefully improves on these issues further.

Of course there are other mirrorless cameras, in particular the Fuji cameras, that are interesting and equpped with APS sensors... but in general that means larger optics as well.


As for lens recommendations.... there are a lot to choose from although fast telephoto primes are still yet-to-come.... I recall two already announced.

I like and shoot with the following:

Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8
Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8
Olympus 9-18mm
Panasonic 100-300mm

Olympus 12mm f/2
Panasonic 20mm f/1.7
Olympus 45mm f/1.8

Other highly recommended that have peaked my attention.

Olympus 75mm f/1.8 (portaits...)
Olympus 60mm macro
Panasonic Leica 25mm

 

[The_Traveler]

Since getting an OMD-EM5 I have barely used my d700.

Yes there is a limit with DOF, but not that difficult to work with (IMHO), others will certainly disagree.

Doing high action sports is an issue, but hopefully that will be resolved with the EM1.

I travel a lot and find the ease of use really nice, I can carry 3 lenses in a belt pack , the camera with a wrist strap and at the end of a long day am not tried and sore from lugging around 12 lbs or more of equipment.

All that is true by me also.

But don't count on using POS lenses and hoping that megapixels will save you.

This is a small crop (perhaps 1/5th of the image) from a casual shot taken using an OMD 5 and the Panasonic 35-100 f 2.8

This is the 100% size clip from the picture below it using the Oly 45 1.7. Nothing but standard sharpening inbound conversion from raw.

 

[jaomul]

Thanks all. I will wait and play with my new 4/3rds camera before deciding if I should go all mirror less or keeo my ff canon