p.2 #1 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
This is weirdest post I have read in a long time. Incredibly strongly formulated opinions which just don't really seem to connect to reality. At all.
Lee Saxon wrote:
Especially if you regularly shoot as rough and tumble as your D300's death suggests.
So what should he do in your considered opinion, buy another D300 and have it die in another river? If the camera is going in the river, it is going to die. Doesn't matter which camera, really, unless you buy an underwater housing.
EVF resolution sucks. EVF framerate sucks (even when you switch out of the inexplicably-default "low framerate mode").
The mirrorless revolution is in full swing, so the world disagrees with you. The E-M5 probably has the best EVF short of a NEX-6 or A99. I prefer a good OVF, and am keeping my D800 for this reason, but the VF-2 on my E-PL3 is really quite fine for shooting anything but action.
Ergonomics suck (very few buttons are reachable from a strong shooting position).
It works fine. I am really not sure what you are doing wrong here. If you would spend some time configuring the camera to your liking, there is certainly a setup which would work for you. It sounds like you spent very little time with it.
Tilting screen sucks (difficult to move).
Do you shoot in -40 or what is wrong here? It is just a normal tilting screen with some resistance to inadvertent movement.
Buttons suck (so tiny I have to press everything but the shutter with a fingernail).
We don't all have bratwurst for fingers. Yes, they are small, yes, they can be pushed normally.
Weight sucks (so light that vibration is out of control and you need triple the shutter speeds you would with a D300).
I don't know why you vibrate, you might want to get that checked out by a doctor. Most people around here are able to get astonishingly low shutter speeds from the IBIS in the E-M5.
p.2 #2 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
As someone who has gone from Nikon DX cameras to the OMD, I wouldn't go back. I wish the AF on moving subjects was better but I have other options if that is necessary. I love the size and portability. Still carry too many lenses though. I have this small shoulder bag that allows me to carry an equivalent lens range of 14-600 and I could never do that with my Nikons. Way back in the film days, there was a look best described as the"Serengeti" filter and I have never been able to replicate it but the 'Pop Color' Art filter comes closest. Still haven't figured out how big I can print but I'm working on it.
p.2 #3 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
I have gone from CaNikon FF, to Nikon DX, to the OM-D. I would NOT go back to DX, not now or ever, but I am planning on returning to FF soon.
If you can live with any crop factor/smaller format at all, then the M4/3 format probably won't be a bother to you. I would rather shoot M4/3 than DX, because i think it has better lens options, but overall I think I will be happier shooting full frame again.
p.2 #4 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
This forum is usually so civil. I am really surprised to be called a troll and weird and disconnected with reality and more, as though I was posting on DPReview, because I didn't pull punches while listing the problems I experienced in evaluating this camera.
p.2 #5 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
carstenw wrote:
This is weirdest post I have read in a long time. Incredibly strongly formulated opinions which just don't really seem to connect to reality. At all.
So what should he do in your considered opinion, buy another D300 and have it die in another river? If the camera is going in the river, it is going to die. Doesn't matter which camera, really, unless you buy an underwater housing.
The mirrorless revolution is in full swing, so the world disagrees with you. The E-M5 probably has the best EVF short of a NEX-6 or A99. I prefer a good OVF, and am keeping my D800 for this reason, but the VF-2 on my E-PL3 is really quite fine for shooting anything but action.
It works fine. I am really not sure what you are doing wrong here. If you would spend some time configuring the camera to your liking, there is certainly a setup which would work for you. It sounds like you spent very little time with it.
Do you shoot in -40 or what is wrong here? It is just a normal tilting screen with some resistance to inadvertent movement.
We don't all have bratwurst for fingers. Yes, they are small, yes, they can be pushed normally.
I don't know why you vibrate, you might want to get that checked out by a doctor. Most people around here are able to get astonishingly low shutter speeds from the IBIS in the E-M5....Show more →
Most of the Germans I met over there had huge fingers like bratwursts! Lol. Yeah, vibrations should be checked out by a doctor. It says he is in NOLA so it could be shake from all the alcohol they have available there or pre Parkinson's! JK you guys kill me.... Yeah, some may not like the OMD. I love it but flounder between it and the Fuji X system. To each his own.
p.2 #6 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
It's all good Lee. We have a good group here. A lot of analytical members here that do a lot of research on their gear and always helpful with others in breaking everything down for them. Some of your post seemed pretty far off what most of us have experienced. You've got a few posts under your belt so highly doubtful you are a troll. Just a hater . Setting up the body with so many configurations for yourself will def make the experience 10x better, especially with such a menu driven system like the OM-D. We need to get up to shoot next time I am there. Always looking to meet fellow members
p.2 #7 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
I agree 100% with the rational comments in this thread re: the excellent lenses and quality of the E-M5. One other thing that hasn't been mentioned is the weather-proofing. I took the E-M5 with the 12-50mm kit zoom (I still think this is a pretty good lens BTW) up the Columbia Icefields in a blizzard. We're talking so cold that everyone in my ascent party had frostbite! We spent 8 hours slogging through blowing snow (winds of 70km/h) and my camera was hanging out in the elements around my neck the whole time, being hammered by snow, wind and ice.
It's too bad I didn't get a photo of the camera once we finally got into the tent! It was plastered in a thick coat of snow and ice and I wasn't even sure it would work the next day. It worked for the next 3 days no problem and I have a 24"x48" picture hanging over the kitchen table right now thanks to that gear!
p.2 #9 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
Bifurcator wrote:
Maybe he's comparing it to a D4 or a 1Dx or something?
Lee Saxon wrote:
I was comparing it to a D300.
There's no doubt the EM-5 is awesome for what it is (a fun little camera to carry around in your pocket or keep in your bag as an emergency back-up). In fact, I almost bought one for that purpose but decided I liked the NEX a bit more.
But that's not what the OP was interested in. He was considering it as a full-time replacement for a D300. The EM-5 isn't up to that task in the best of circumstances, and certainly not for a photographer who destroys tough-as-nails D300s!! He needed to know.
It's fine if you and the poster before you disagree with my judgement. But I'd appreciate not being called a troll and such. ...Show more →
Yes, certainly... I hope my comments didn't seem to imply I thought you were trolling. I didn't think you were. I thought you were wrong but only that. And for sure you're right IMO on the issue of ruggedness. There is no rugged µ4/3 camera at this time. The GH3 may prove to be the most rugged µ4/3 body from what I've read but I've not seen one yet either so... Meanwhile I doubt something like the OM-D or even the more rugged GH2, would survive much of a drop-test - and for sure not a river submerging! The OM-D is splash-proof tho.
p.2 #10 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
Lee Saxon wrote:
This forum is usually so civil. I am really surprised to be called a troll and weird and disconnected with reality and more, as though I was posting on DPReview, because I didn't pull punches while listing the problems I experienced in evaluating this camera.
In a very short post, you managed to write "sucks" 10 times, and generally use the language of someone quite immature. You brought dpreview here, why are you surprised to find it? There is a huge difference between not pulling punches and posting an analytic and helpful evaluation. Clearly not everyone is going to share your opinion, which is only an opinion, so the trick here is phrasing it so that others can decide whether they are likely or unlikely to share it. The way you formulated things the immediate reaction of a potential reader was to want some distance from you.
p.2 #11 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
The GH2 is absolutely not anything close to a rugged camera. It's pretty much got the build quality of a Rebel XT.
Vern Dewit wrote:
It's too bad I didn't get a photo of the camera once we finally got into the tent! It was plastered in a thick coat of snow and ice and I wasn't even sure it would work the next day. It worked for the next 3 days no problem and I have a 24"x48" picture hanging over the kitchen table right now thanks to that gear!
Good to hear. My OM-D did a great job shooting during Hurricane Sandy.
p.2 #12 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
I apologize for ruffling feathers with the bluntness/harshness of my post.
But I'm surprised how many people also thought I was completely wrong about the camera! So I'll try to write a more detailed post.
I rented the NEX-7 and EM-5 for a week to evaluate them as DSLR replacements. I used my Nikon manual focus glass via Novoflex adapters. I shot a concert, portraits, side-by-side tripod-mounted architecture (both day and night), and even a studio-lit macro set-up (only on the EM-5, since NEX-7 doesn't have a standard hotshoe to attach my PocketWizard).
Image Quality - Both are fantastic. I wouldn't say either match up to Sony's D800 or even D600/A99 sensors, but they're both better than I expected. Even somewhat-disappointing low-light performance, particularly from the EM-5, was better than I expected. Both absolutely blew the pants off the NEX-5, which I have always regretted buying. Amazing how far things have come in 4 years.
However, both of these great sensors were in bodies I found thoroughly unimpressive. I won't get into the NEX-7 here, but to address the EM-5...
EVF - As has been mentioned, Sony's ECX331A panel in the NEX-7/A99/etc is only slight better. And the MicroOLED panel Red uses is only slightly better than that. However, I don't think that means that all three are great. For me, "great" would mean, "as good as an OVF." In all but direct sunlight, noise from digital gain makes them totally useless for focusing. Depending on your eyesight, an OVF is useful in far lower light. Maybe "as good as an OVF" isn't too far in the future, but it ain't here yet.
Shutter lag - I read the whole manual. I found the settings to turn of image review. I still saw my recorded image for a jarring several milliseconds (much longer than my D700's "mirror blackout") before things started moving again. If a more experienced EM-5 user still insists this one is user error, I guess I'll assume it was.
Ergonomics - I found the plastic of the "grip" hard and slick. I found that too many frequently-accessed buttons weren't reachable from "shooting position." I didn't like how hard it was to get the monitor "out" (I don't think I had a damaged camera because it rotated fine once it was "out"), or that you had to get it "out" to access many of the I/O ports. I found the buttons FAR too small (I'm genuinely shocked that people disagree with me on that one, I guess maybe I do have sausage fingers).
Tripod mount - Leica puts them off-center too, so I guess that one's totally subjective. But I still think it's a bad idea.
p.2 #13 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
Lee Saxon wrote:
I apologize for ruffling feathers with the bluntness/harshness of my post.
Yes, but you know swaggering is a personality flaw?
Lee further wrote:
EVF - As has been mentioned, Sony's ECX331A panel in the NEX-7/A99/etc is only slight better. And the MicroOLED panel Red uses is only slightly better than that. However, I don't think that means that all three are great. For me, "great" would mean, "as good as an OVF." In all but direct sunlight, noise from digital gain makes them totally useless for focusing. Depending on your eyesight, an OVF is useful in far lower light. Maybe "as good as an OVF" isn't too far in the future, but it ain't here yet.
Here is something interesting going on. It make me wonder if you are you into action only. That's the only reason I see for that judgement; "In all but direct sunlight, noise from digital gain makes them totally useless for focusing. is simply not right. If you prefer an OVF or an EVF is down to personal preferences. There are more and more users starting to prefer the EVFs over the optical ones. There are several reasons (and drawbacks as well) for that and one of the most mentioned ones is "Focusing!". Strange.
In my experience (since the 70's and then from the old Olympus E-330, respectively) an EVF beats an OVF every time when it comes to focus critically. Low light makes for an even bigger advantage for the EVF. The OVF wins if you are in a hurry. But, then you described your testing procedure didn't include a lot of actions. (Phrasing yourself "totally useless" again lessens the value of your post, btw. At least to me. Some may think it is a stronger way to tell the world an absolute truth.)
Lee also wrote:
Ergonomics - I found the plastic of the "grip" hard and slick. I found that too many frequently-accessed buttons weren't reachable from "shooting position." I didn't like how hard it was to get the monitor "out" (I don't think I had a damaged camera because it rotated fine once it was "out"), or that you had to get it "out" to access many of the I/O ports. I found the buttons FAR too small (I'm genuinely shocked that people disagree with me on that one, I guess maybe I do have sausage fingers).
Tripod mount - Leica puts them off-center too, so I guess that one's totally subjective. But I still think it's a bad idea....Show more →
You were genuinely shocked? Personally I agree with you the ergonomics but it's a long time since I genuinely became shocked to hear somebody express another opinion than mine.
Leica has nothing to do with this. Placing the tripod socket off-center is bad. The inbuilt "grip" doesn't fit my hands. All this, and more, is solved by adding a Milich or an RRS grip. Then you get a good grip and integrated AS plates in one package and a camera standing nicely on a table even with the Zuiko 75/1.8 mounted. This is an extra cost but essential in my opinion. Pleae note; some weird folks out there prefer the Olympus grip, or no grip at all.
Some buttons are too small, badly placed and with a weather sealed feeling to them. Several other buttons are easy to reach and are tactile enough.
Setting it up... There are several places with tips and ideas about how to set the camera up. I don't press the Menu button very often at all, the camera is configured for me.
p.2 #14 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
I must be ergonomically challenged. Based on only handling one in a local shop (leave aside all other features), consistent with some of Jonas' comments, I can't get my paws and fingers comfortably on its controls. Hands too big, fingers too long. I'm unable to get past the ergonomics, d@mn. I want to like this camera
p.2 #15 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
Well, if it is too small for your hands, then it is too small. However, you might want to try the grip before making a final call. Otherwise, the NEX-7 might well fit you better, with its beefier shape.
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Lee, well, kudos for a good comeback. I agree with some of what you say, not with other parts. Some comments:
The Olympus MFT cameras have large menus and many buttons (except the PM series), but they are very customisable. I would guess that most people need about 3-4 controls at their fingertips, and a few more in a top-level menu, and it ought to be possible to get that set up for *almost* everyone. It takes some menu digging to get it set up though.
With the hard plastic with little grip, I presume you mean the black edition, the silver one has more grip but a different, more classic look. The Olympus add-on grip really helps if your hands are a different size or shape.
Shutter lag, well, it works for you or it doesn't. It would be nice to have it faster, but the speed is enough for my uses.
Tripod mount: agree. I am guessing that there was some body-shape or internal reason for it. Maybe there just isn't enough room right under the lens. This is the case with my E-PL3.
EVF: I agree that they aren't as nice as OVFs, but they are already better at several things. I guess it won't be long before they pull even on almost everything. I will probably still prefer an OVF, but I can definitely use these, and don't consider them a reason not to buy.
p.2 #16 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
If you are a fan of wides, I would recommend that you go with the following:
Samyang 7.5mm fisheye, even unfished it yields excellent results
Panasonic 14mm f2.5 - a excellent performer and dirt cheap on ebay from Korean sellers
Olympus 17mmm f1.8 - since you really like the 35mm focal range
Pan/Leica 25mm f1.4 - I find this a boring focal length (I went with the slightly longer Sigma 30mm f2.8, which is superb)
Olympus 45mm f1.8 - an amazing little lens
There you go a tiny kit that will fit in a small camera bag, not weigh you down and super speedy in terms of handling any lighting condition handheld. Of these I have the 14mm, 30mm and 45mm and am saving up for the 7.5mm
p.2 #17 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
Pan/Leica 25mm f1.4 - I find this a boring focal length (I went with the slightly longer Sigma 30mm f2.8, which is superb)
Funny you say this - I've said this several times in the past but the PL25 made me a convert
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To respond to a few things mentioned, maybe the OP would be interested also
1) Filters on the 7-14 - One reason why I've never picked it up. Yes, it's an awesome lens -- noted. However, CPLs and NDs are still incredibly useful for some shots, and I'd hate to not have them when I needed them.
I wanted UWA and cheap so I got the Rok/Samyang 7.5mm - Great lens, even unfished. Of course I don't use filters on it When I need filters, though, I turn to my 12-50. Not the most optimal setup, so I might pick up the 9-18 if I find a good used deal on it.
2) Forced image "preview" - I'm not exactly sure what this is all about. There is no forced preview. Shutter blackout seems to be (to me) somewhere between a D300/7D and a 5D - Faster than 5D (or 5D2) but not as quick as the D300 or 7D.
3) AFC - If you used your D300 a lot in AFC, don't convert to m43...unless you're content with shooting very fast AF-S.
4) EVF - Overall I like it better than the Sony A77's (which is the NEX-7). Less noise "sprinkles" in low light. Less harsh contrast in bright light. Resolution is lower but not by much - I really can't tell too much.
I have good vision, though, so I prefer a FF OVF for the most part, but the EVF isn't horrible. YMMV.
5) Grip - I completely agree, the STOCK OM-D (black) is pretty poor. Get the a grip, seriously -- it improves usability immensely. Sucks to not have it "stock", I know, and the NEX grips blow the naked OMD away, but the grips makes that all go away.
6) Speaking of grip - Part 1 of the Oly grip realigns the tripod socket with the lens. Part 2 unaligns it again.
7) Button ergonomics - I don't like them, but I've adapted. I really wish the olympus rear control pad was designed differently, and Fn1 is too hard to get to with my thumbs (I use it for mag view x 10)
8) Firm folding rear LCD - looses just slightly over time. Slightly stiff when new. Simultaneously push down and pull out from bottom at once, much easier.
p.2 #18 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
After a short honeymoon period with the OM-D I made the decision to switch completely from a Canon FF, which I have used for a good 5 years or so and had some great lenses like the 24L II, 85L II and 70-200L IS II ... to the OM-D. Is the OM-D that good? No ... not really. Personally, it's miles away from a FF DSLR ... BUT the IQ IMO is equal to the 7D that I've owned previously, twice. And that is good enough for me. I am happy to settle for the 7D quality and save a ton of bulk, weight and cost. Can't wait for the release of the OM-Dx or OM-D Mk II ... and some fast long-lenses.
p.2 #20 · Thinking about moving to an OM-D ... Ways to put filter on Pana 7-14mm
Thanks for all the insight folks. Have an OM-D on the way care of a fellow FM`er. Not sure what is up with the thread title though, I didnt put the filter part on there lol.
you guys kill me.... Yeah, some may not like the OMD. I love it but flounder between it and the Fuji X system. To each his own.
. Setting up the body with so many configurations for yourself will def make the experience 10x better, especially with such a menu driven system like the OM-D. We need to get up to shoot next time I am there. Always looking to meet fellow members 
When I need filters, though, I turn to my 12-50. Not the most optimal setup, so I might pick up the 9-18 if I find a good used deal on it.