p.3 #1 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
jhinkey wrote:
What Nikkors do you use with the OM-D? What adapter did you purchase?
I would forget the adaption part, because the (good) MFT lenses are much better and of course smaller. I tried a few very expensive Leica M lenses on my OM-D, and they are way behind the Panasonic 25/1.4 for example. Not very strange since they have a larger image circle and are not designed for the ultra high resolution needed for the smallish MFT sensor.
I tried out the OM-D E-M5 this afternoon and I found the 12-50 kit zoom to be "adequate" - perhaps the sample I tried was not the best of samples - especially at the wide end.
The kit zoom is only so-so, but quite nice for walkarounds. I got rid of mine and bought the Olympus 12/2, Panasonic 25/1.4 and Olympus 45/1.8, and wow! I'm rarely touching my D700 with Zeiss 35/1.4 actually. It's that good.
p.3 #2 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
I have considered the Olympus as a light option, but I don't think it would have been wise to invest in another system. On the other hand, I might do within a few years, weight becoming more and more important to me. When I'll retire, I'll definitely go for a smaller and lighter system... but Olympus might not exist anymore by then
p.3 #3 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
That's one of my fears - that once I get a complete m43 system (fisheye, lots of high quality primes, and a basic zoom plus body) I won't take out my FX gear so much or at all.
I may just get rid of all of my FX zooms, keep the primes and use it for "serious" work only.
p.3 #4 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
better try that O system out in the sticks, adverse environment, and everywhere you might be using your camera. because it may be a big disappointment. At that point you would have wasted your money on a pretty system that does not perform and cannot
p.3 #6 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
Yes, well, in my mind the OM-D would be for backpacking and climbing/mountaineering where weight and volume really are huge considerations, but I might be tempted to use it in other situations as well.
And yes, I am constantly aware of the green grass syndrome . . . thus I've managed to hold off so far jumping in.
p.3 #7 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
I've been looking at the thread on this system in the Alternative Gear forum and I'm impressed. I understand the weight issue for you when hiking. This may be a nice complement to your D800.
p.3 #8 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
jhinkey wrote:
That's one of my fears - that once I get a complete m43 system (fisheye, lots of high quality primes, and a basic zoom plus body) I won't take out my FX gear so much or at all.
p.3 #9 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
CGrindahl wrote:
I've been looking at the thread on this system in the Alternative Gear forum and I'm impressed. I understand the weight issue for you when hiking. This may be a nice complement to your D800.
I'm currently using the GX1 + 25/1.4 and 9-18 as a low weight companion system to my D800 setup. Now I'm seriously thinking of selling the GX1 + EVF in favour for an OM-D body. I 'm just not finished rationalizing that transaction just yet. The main reason I'm considering this switch is the IBIS of the OM-D as well as, what I suspect a body wich is a tad bit better for manual control (two scroll wheels, and multiple programmable buttons). The weather sealing is also welcome.
p.3 #10 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
Well, my wife just asked me to photograph my girls 9th birthday party - Eight 9 year olds running around. The D800 + 50/.8G and 17-35AFS are going to get a workout. Not something I'd use the OM-D for I suspect.
p.3 #11 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
VTXT,
Question about the T2i vs M43- I currently use the T2i and 15-85 as my travel and hiking option. Am waiting on the sidelines for now before replacing my full frame replacement for old 5D. Much of my hiking and shooting has been in very wet conditions and have had a few close calls with the rebel. I have been extremely pleased with the quality of the files I get, frankly better than the 5D gave me. Have seriously been considering replacing the rebel with the OMD just for weather sealing. In what regard do you think the T2i is so much better? Almost everything I do is tripod, MLU, live view focus. All I really care about is dynamic range and final print quality. The only easy direct comparison is on dpreview studio comparison and that is limited more by the lenses used.
p.3 #12 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
For birthday parties the touchscreen of the omd could be a nice way to trigger/focus! It is very fast and accurate. we just switched from d7000 to omd for our lightweight set (no regrets).
p.3 #13 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
After using the OM-5D for a while now here are some observations comparing it to a D800:
* Don't expect the OM-D5 to replace the big guys for most pro uses. A well designed full sized DSLR is a much faster camera in typical pro usage. Things like button placement, size, and menus make a world of difference in favor of the DSLR.
* The IQ of the OM-D5 is very, very good. Not up to D800 standards but excellent none-the-less. Noise is on par with a Canon 7D and can be handled well with competent noise reduction skills.
* The 7-14 Panasonic is excellent. For the price of a 14-24 you can get it and the body and have lots of fun without a huge hit in quality. The other advantage is that distortion is corrected in body even with RAW files meaning that you can get some nice building shots without lots of work. The flip-out screen is really useful for low angle ultra-wide work.
* The smaller kit size is a real advantage in travel situations. The superb Oly 45/1.8 literally fits in my pocket.
The downsides of the OM-D5 include the following:
* The menus suck. Plan on buying a printed manual, you'll need it and it doesn't come with the camera.
* Controls and control names are not necessarily intuitive.
* MFing third party lenses is not as easy as it is made out to be. Very slow process suited for still objects only, preferably with tripod mounted camera. Like Chris Rock said, "Just because you can do it doesn't mean it is a good f**king idea." Especially true on longer lenses. If you think you're getting a good, fast, cheap 560mm by mounting a 1.4X on your 70-200 and throwing it on the OM-D5 think again and take the "fast" out of your thoughts. In most cases, also take "good" out as consistently "good" results are hard to obtain. Note: IBIS is helpful but not as steady thru the EVF as a good VR lens. Makes MFing difficult.
* Small means it feels awkward - to me. Two part grip is a mixed blessing. The first part makes the camera much easier to hold. Very well designed except that you have to remove it change batteries. Second section of the grip makes it much bigger and turns it into one of the best cameras I have ever held for vertical shooting. However, at this point it is as big, or bigger than a DSLR.
* Battery life is low. Batteries are hard to find. Battery life indicator is silly bad. No multi-battery charger and you'll easily go thru 2 or 3 in an active day.
* No longer telephotos that meet pro-level quality standards. Just came out with a 75/1.8 (150mm equivalent) but that's as long as the really good lenses go.
That said, I'll be spending some time in the UK and the OM-D5 is coming and the D800 is staying home.
p.3 #14 · Nikon DSLR Owners Considering An OM-D EM-5?
I covered two events in pretty low light and used the OMD as a second body and it performed very well. I don't have any issues with the menu's personally. Almost everything you need is on the super menu on the back screen. The in body IS works really well. It will not replace my Nikon gear but it sure is making like easier and shooting around the house and backyard fun.
