Michael H Offline Upload & Sell: On
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carstenw wrote:
What is it about the image quality you find lacking, if you don't mind me asking? I am thinking of converging on my Sony A7 and an E-M1. I have an E-PL3, and the colours and sharpness of that are good, but it is of course a bit older, and the dynamic range and ISO performance are a bit behind the times.
You know, that is a very good question. A great description has so far eluded me. Maybe it's just different than what I'm used to (certainly, actually). There is just a look and feel to the images...and not all of them...that just fall a bit short of what I would expect. I have not worked with my usual tools like LR and CS6, only the Olympus Picture view thing. As I sit here and type it might be that some of the images just look a bit too "digital". Does that make sense? There is a rich and almost organic feel to my 1DS3 images. I know this setup is not meant to be that full-frame tool. It might however just be the differences I'm spotting and not quite used to.
I'm not yet giving up. I am determined to see what I can get out of this great tool. I've seen too many great results from it to dismiss it. I'm sure it's pilot error at this point. When I get it right from my side the camera does great things. Like the image I posted above...the colors are spot on to what I saw in person. It's razor sharp. So sharp in fact that when I zoom in tight I can read the brand of kite on the lower tip of the sail.
What I really like so far;
--The build - it is solid. So much more solid than most of the smaller bodies I've picked up. Olympus did this right.
--The focus system - At least in single shot, the focus is fast and very accurate. Focus tracking sucks so far for me, and I've not had an opportunity to really test the face follow.
--The AWB and colors. The AWB has been mostly very accurate. A couple times I thought it should have done much better than it did.
--Exposure seems pretty accurate and it holds highlights very well. Maybe however at the expense of shadows.
--TONS of features for getting creative. I am quite certain I won't use any of the over the top art filters, or crazy picture styles there are some that seem interesting.
--As simple as it sounds, the WiFi and the app to control the camera. I think this is an incredibly handy tool. It works well in my limited testing and I see myself using it in many different activities. No fumbling with pocket wizards, etc. useless I want it for flash. Even then if I get the Olympus flash system that might even fit the bill for many things.
What I really don't like;
--My learning curve I know there is nothing to be done about that, but it is nonetheless a part I didn't give enough consideration to.
--EVF. I'm really torn on this. In low light, it's great. In bright light...not so much. The color quality of the EVF is also utter crap. Everything is presented far too cool and far from accurate. In fairness, my benchmark for a viewfinder is my big beautiful 1DS3 with a fast lens letting in tons of light.
--Focus tracking/servo/whatever its called is useless. Completely horrible and I suspect I will never use it. Thats a shame really because I was hoping to use this for the concert stuff I shoot. That may be a BIG limitation.
Below is a horribly framed example of SOC images that just look flat and lifeless to me. I noticed while saving the first one via the Olympus tool that it was -3 EV. A setting I always use when I want to get richer more saturated colors. The second image is taken back to +/- 0 EV. Some of the dynamics I saw in person are brought back. I am also impressed how it held the highlights in the waves.
The third image is one I grabbed quickly as I was shuffling between appointments. After sunset. Shot from a hotel entryway. This was very close and very accurate to what I saw in person. This one impressed me as it did not try to pull up the dark areas as I suspect my Canon bodies would have.
© Mike Huffstatler 2014
As shot. -3 EV
© Mike Huffstatler 2014
As shot except pulled back up to +/- 0 EV
© Mike Huffstatler 2014
A quick grab after sunset. Very accurate and close to what I saw in person.
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