scrumptious Olympus OM-D E-M1.
Compact, but tough, fast, sharp, top ergonomics, great anti-shake, excellent selection of lenses...
... Now if only the on-off button was not on the left side of the camera so you can't turn in on one-handedly... Grrrr. (Actually this does not bother me much, but heck, nothing is perfect in this world, there's gotta be something to grumble about.)
(And Michael Reichman of The Luminous Landscape is on the same page.)
Yes, you can get sharper images (in big prints) and go into lower light with a full frame camera like the excellent Nikon D800, but you have to weigh this (literally) against the significantly added weight of those cameras and lenses. And their bigger sizes, and the bigger prices. All of those tend to be about 2x or more, so far from insignificant.
Me, I think that Micro Four Thirds is the new 35mm, and Full Frame is the new Medium Format.
I totally agree. This camera has even trumped the Fujis in my mind. It's just so smooth, and grabs focus very quickly. And it makes it easy to get photos onto an iPad, through the wifi. And built-in time lapse! What a machine. I'm taking it to Las Vegas next week with the 17/1.8 and 45/1.8 lenses, can't wait.
ReplyDeleteYes. The Fuji X-Pro system is clearly high quality. But it never really interested me, it lacks a je ne sais quois. No personality. (And I think the format is a step too big.)
ReplyDeleteYour kit sounds like great fun.
I don't have the 17mm, cuz I have a pana 20mm and an Oly 12mm. How is the 17mm? (It has been replaced from the old one, yes, the one introduced with their first m4/3 body?)
Have you considered bringing a second body for one of the lenses, like an E-PL5 ?
ReplyDeleteThe Fuji X-system is marvelous...but I have two young kids, and the focus cannot keep up with them. The E-M1 has no trouble.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I really enjoy shooting at waist level. That way, shots of kids are straight on, rather than downward and at an angle.
The 17/1.8 is a sweet lens. I love the 35mm focal length for general purpose shooting. And adding a second body is a swell idea - the E-PL5 with that 17mm is a tiny little kit.
I used to think full frame was where it's at, but I gotta say, Micro 4/3 is where it's really at.
Good to hear, emptyspaces!! I'm really loving mine, as well!! I got the 45mm, for a Christmas pressie, from someone who means a bunch to me; BEST present I have *ever* received!! First time w/a prime, as well, so getting used to that, as well!!
ReplyDeleteHave FUN in Vegas! Hope to see some of your shots, when you get back!! :-D
That is where I have arrived too. I think for most of us it is not really easy to imagine how much better sensors and software will become in the future. So some years ago we looked at the M43 sensor and said it's just not good enough for serious use. But that has completely changed and now we don't have to log around a two-kilo camera to get high quality and good focusing speed.
ReplyDeleteFor walk-around photography, I prefer zoom. I use mainly the wonderful Panasonic 14-140 mm f3.5-5.6. It is sharp, very compact, light, and it even looks good! :-)
When I work with such a lens, It seems I catch many more pictures I am happy with during one walk.
Of course, for critical uses and portraits, for example, nothing beats good prime lenses, and I do have several.
Oops, it seemed that we were typing at the same time. What my first line was answering was "M43 is where it's at." (not full frame anymore.)
ReplyDeleteI will share! I only get out at night while I'm there, but that's the best time to photograph in Vegas. I stay up on the Strip, but plan to go downtown this year to see the old casinos/lights on Fremont St.
ReplyDeleteHere's last year's effort, taken with a Fuji X-E1.
The thing I dislike about all modern cameras is none have a top-down viewfinder. I'm fine with digital over film - much less trouble - but I'd like a quality, and slimmer, version of one of the old Rolleiflex cameras. Part of the challenge with street photography is having to hold the camera up. A digital Rolleiflex would help with remaining mostly unseen and, possibly, less threatening.
ReplyDeleteI find that a tilt-out screen solves that.
ReplyDelete