p.1 #1 · Requesting advice from OM-1 Mark II owners
As much as I love the feel of my E-M1X bodies, I’m ready to upgrade, and would welcome advice from OM-1 Mark II owners on any of the following:
1. If you’ve shot both, how much better at tracking (including BIF) is the OM-1 Mark II than the E-M1X on a percentage basis?
2. Is there a high-quality, one-battery charger for OM-1 Mark II that could be trusted for foreign travel? Or only the bulky two-battery charger?
3. Any downside to charging the battery in-camera (apart from camera unavailability)?
4. Can you recommend a forum thread or internet link with proven tips on setting up an OM-1 Mark II, including custom modes?
5. One online review says the HLD-10 grip is uncomfortable in hand and unbalances the camera. Does that match your experience?
6. Recommended bag for an OM-1 Mark II with a 12-100 f/4 PRO lens attached? (I’m all set for longer lenses.)
7. Any downsides, shortcomings, or annoyances with the OM-1 Mark II in your usage?
p.1 #2 · Requesting advice from OM-1 Mark II owners
1. OM-1 II is _much_ better. Bird tracking with bird eye-detect is very good.
2. only the OEM two-battery charger, IMO.
3. pretty much...will also probably wear out the USB port over time.
4. i don't know
5. i wouldn't say uncomfortable...but it's not that great, either. i have the EM1X and its ergo is _much_ better. OM-1 plus battery grip doesn't feel great because the HLD-10 feels cheap and its buttons don't line up like the way EM1X does regardless of orientation (case in point: the ISO button)
6. i personally like Billinghams for light setup
7. EM1x ergonomics is better and build quality is better. I wish for an OM1x that's OM-1 with built-in BG.
p.1 #3 · Requesting advice from OM-1 Mark II owners
1- OM-1ii is much better focusing and subject detection
2-Only OM System battery charger
3-don't know
4-John Grego Photography is most comprehensive. Several others are focused on birds or macro,
5-Have not used
6-Don't use
7-both cameras are bulletproof
p.1 #4 · Requesting advice from OM-1 Mark II owners
#2 "trusted for foreign travel" ??
I have a Kastar charger (it is 2-battery) that works fine on OEM and non-OEM batteries and was fine everywhere I used it. (Europe, Ireland, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, etc.)
They all so make a single bat charger (Amazon)
p.1 #5 · Requesting advice from OM-1 Mark II owners
Unless you want to charge more than one battery at once, or you need to use the camera when another is charging, there is no need to get the battery charger. I use mine because I assumed I'd need it, so I bought it. but when travelling I rarely use it and prefer to just recharge direct into the camera. The battery life is excellent and good enough for a days shooting, unless you are a fanatical bird shooter, and even then it might be. It is easy enough to do without the battery charger, nice as it is. It will depend on what you shoot
Whether you find the AF much better will depend on what you shoot. For normal shooting (non BIF) I think it is much the same. The OM is better though. The black out free viewing is very nice when you want it.
p.1 #6 · Requesting advice from OM-1 Mark II owners
Thank you all for your helpful replies. Much appreciated.
Dalegaspi, I’ll check out Billinghams. Re #7: me, too. I’ve been hoping for an E-M1X successor, but after waiting so long I’m about ready to throw in the towel.
Tom Reynolds, I’ll definitely look at John Greengo’s site.
Alan Kefauver, what I meant by “trusted for foreign travel,” is that I want something well made to take on long trips abroad vs. anything that might crap out after a couple weeks if I’m far from camera stores. I’ll check out Kastar.
Robin Smith, that’s good to know about recharging when traveling. Packing light matters a lot to us. And I won’t be shooting birds when out of the country. Even at home, I’m much more a casual shooter than a fanatical shooter of anything.
p.1 #8 · Requesting advice from OM-1 Mark II owners
You'll be giving up a bit of user interface benefit, switching from the E-M1X -- I think it's the best handling camera I've ever used, and I also own the OM-1 Mk1.
I use the grip on my OM-1, and don't think it's bad at all -- just not as good as the E-M1X.
As far as learning the camera, I agree with Tom Reynolds (I assume he meant 'John Greengo'). John's video course on the OM-1 has been updated to include the Mk2. I have the Mk1 version, and it is outstanding -- great coverage and graphics, as well as very clear in-studio demonstrations. -- it's well worth the price in my opinion. Here's a link:
p.1 #10 · Requesting advice from OM-1 Mark II owners
Alan Kefauver wrote:
#2 "trusted for foreign travel" ??
I have a Kastar charger (it is 2-battery) that works fine on OEM and non-OEM batteries and was fine everywhere I used it. (Europe, Ireland, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, etc.)
They all so make a single bat charger (Amazon)
if you check this thread there's a discussion about the OEM and third-party battery chargers and why the OEM one is better.
As mentioned in the thread, the only other third-party charger that I trust is Nitecore...too bad they don't have one for the OM System batteries.
p.1 #11 · Requesting advice from OM-1 Mark II owners
Yeu can get an OM-1 mark 1 on this site for $1000. If you don't need the extended buffer (very good for ProCapture) and the other computational advances, I think that the mk 1 would work very well for you.
Currently the mk 1 is $1700 plus tax so buying used is an almost 50% saving.
??