Is this setup crazy?

Started 7 months ago | Discussions thread
Dennis
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Re: Is this setup crazy?
In reply to darkhorseSG, 7 months ago

darkhorseSG wrote:

I am an amateur and photography is only an hobby for me. I'm trying to create a kit that I can travel with and have the best balance of portability and image quality.

First the facts that everyone knows -

1) full frame have an inherent advantage when it come to wide angles (no crop). 4/3 have an inherent advantage when it comes to telephoto (2x magnification).

2) full frame bodies like D600 are not too bulky - it's the lenses like 70-200mm 2.8 that break your back.

3) FF will always have the bokeh advantage (laws of optics). Crop sensors can also have good bokeh with fast telephotos.

So to cover 24-200mm, and have 2.8 or faster lenses without breaking my back while travelling, I have the following setup -

1) D600 + 24-70mm 2.8 + 85mm 1.8

2) OM-D + 35-100 mm 2.8

(Instead of buying 70-200 2.8, I'm getting OM-D and 35-100 for roughly the same price. 70-200 2.8 is one the greatest lenses ever; but carrying it is no fun.)

This setup will cover all bases. I wouldn't even have to change lenses regularly.

Do you people think it's a viable setup? I am just trying to exploit the strengths of each system.

24-70mm is the white elephant here but for the range it gives exquisite images, especially with a full frame. And I don't mind it's weight as long as everything else in the bag is very light.

The "facts" are certainly disputable.  But moving on from them ...

The goal of having f/2.8 lenses regardless of sensor size is misguided.  It seems very arbitrary.  You're comparing a 35-100/2.8 to a "back breaking" 70-200/2.8.  To get the same depth of field and low light capabilities of that m43 lens, you only need a 70-200/5.6.  The 70-200/4 is an interesting alternative.  And while you might still conclude that the latter lens is too big, don't be fooled into thinking you're getting anything like the 70-200/2.8 from the m43 lens.

If you want to avoid lens changes, and can live with f/2.8 on the m43 sensor (not unreasonable; I'm content with f/2.8 on APS-C and the E-M5 is about as good in terms of low light ... I just have better isolation with a 70-200/2.8), then it seems reasonable enough.    But then, I wonder why not go with a pair of E-M5's with a 12-35/2.8 on one and pick up the 45/1.8 ?  (DOF isn't as shallow, but I already stop down my 85/1.4 to f/2 on APS-C because I don't like the ultra shallow DOF I get wide open).

Just some food for thought .

- Dennis

--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com

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