Anyone abandoning SLR?

I've barely touched my e-510 and 4/3 lenses since I got my E-P1. Anyone else thinking of switching over entirely to micro 4/3? Feels like there's something wrong about giving up the "real" camera, but if one isn't using it...

Just enjoy these cameras if you like them but don't get too carried away to think that they are the best choice for everyone, especially those who are using more advanced dSLRs.

I am going from a Sony A900 to a GH1. Sold my A900 and lens. I am very much looking forwards to the smaller lighter size and the video. The Sony A900 is an awesome camera but very large, very heavy and because of that out of all of the digital cameras I have owned since my first one in 1990 is the only one that I had for a year and had less than 600 shots on it. Because of the size and weight of it and the lens I pretty much stopped taking pictures with it.

The cameras that I used the most were my Panasonic FZ20 and FZ30 so I think I am going to be very very happy with the GH1. It should be here Wed.

Robert
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Ketchup is just over loved tomatoes.

When digital came of age I thought the SLR concept was obsolete. Why would you choose a complicated mechanical system over true WYSIWYG? Well, wrong, until now if you wanted good technology at all you had to buy into the (to me) absurd combo digital-cum-SLR. But when the G1 came out this changes and so I switched.

There are trade offs, but almost all are positive. The few disadvantages of the G1 vs the D70 I can live with so far. And the missing optcical VF is not one of them, I never felt like I missed the mirror.
Markus

I have. I went from a Nikon D300 to the EP1. I had enough of the bulk. What's a DSLR good for if you're thinking twice about carrying it around (in my case, anyway; some people don't mind the bulk and backpack-full of gear). In the end, it's the picture that counts. And for a picture to be taken, one must, first and foremost, have a camera at hand. Since I got the EP1 I'm carrying with me everywhere I go. Of course, this meant that I had to re-evaluate my shooting habits: do I need 6fps? Rarely, in my case. High-Iso? I don't really like digital noise, so I rarely take high Iso pictures. Additionally, the EP1 gives me surprisingly good results at 3200 Iso, maybe not as good as the D300, but good enough, given the trade-off in size.

In short, I am not giving-up DSLR features that are crucial to me. What the EP1 gives me is good enough for my needs, actually, it exceeds my needs, in terms of colours reproduced, style, and the use of great (and cheap) legacy lenses. Come think of it, the exorbitant price of current pro Nikkor lenses, such as the 70-200 f2.8 Nikkor, played also a significant role in my switching. I can get great results by using some really nice legacy lenses on my EP1, for a fraction of the Nikkor lenses's prices. Lenses such as Canon 55mm f1.2, or Zuiko 50mm f1.4, Pentax Super Takumar, and so on.

No regrets whatsoever.

No. My 5D still gets the serious shoots. m43 gets everything else.

For what I do the G1 viewing system is superior to DSLRs. That more than offsets the slightly slower frame rate -- the only disadvantage in what I do.

I don't know that I will stick with m4/3 forever -- there may be better alternatives in a year or so -- but I am very unlikely to go back to DLSRs and flapping mirrors.

Gato

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Street Fashion and Alternative Portraits:
http://www.silvermirage.com

I guess it really depends what kinda shoots you do ... micro4/3 is not replacing SLRs for professional use anytime just yet ... but for casual use, it's great

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Christopher Tan
http://micro4thirds.blogspot.com

The DSLRs will go.

I think video will become increasingly important. People say newspapers will never die- perhaps not but they will become rarer. Even regular photos are becoming replaced by video capable electronic frames.

Posters even are being replaced by electronic versions. All posters will not die- but the quality images ones are the ones going electronic first. The low cost low res are the ones to remain paper the longest.

Magazines are going electronic and can incorporate video. I foresee the day when pictures that cannot spring to life the way videos can in play mode on the m4/3 cameras, are seen as out of date. If the image is great- why not see before and after?

I am not saying all shots- but the use of video will increase.

I still have the full frame Canon gear. I just don't use it much. It wont go away for a little time yet but full frame at 35MP is realistic now and I just never need 35MP so I will not need large lenses and camera bodies to support such a capability. Video is more important than 35MP. Neither are video or 35MP are without their uses- I just see the use for Video far more often.

To fully drop the SLRs I need more m4/3 lenses and even better camera bodies. However both are inevitable. As is the end of the SLR for me.

Sold my Canon 350D + grip, 580EX flash, 17-40mm f/4L, 70-200mm f/4L, 100mm macro, extension tubes, 50mm f/1.8, Tokina 12-24mm...

Several thousand bucks worth of gear.

I've replaced it with a few manual focus primes (including a 200mm), the E-P1, a macro bellows, vivitar flash... and I'll pick up an ultrawide one of these days if I ever get around to deciding which one. I'm hoping Olympus will release an m43 version of the 9-18. Otherwise, either the panny 7-14 or the 4/3 9-18.

gringobaiano said:

I've barely touched my e-510 and 4/3 lenses since I got my E-P1. Anyone else thinking of switching over entirely to micro 4/3? Feels like there's something wrong about giving up the "real" camera, but if one isn't using it...

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In my experience, both in viewing images online and in talking to real people, most of those with advanced dSLRs are vastly out-spec'd by their cameras

But your point is valid - at least until AF and shutter lag (the latter is probably more important) catch up. At that point it's just apples and oranges.

G1Houston said:

Just enjoy these cameras if you like them but don't get too carried away to think that they are the best choice for everyone, especially those who are using more advanced dSLRs.

Click to expand...

The GH1 has taken over as my primary snapshot and travel camera.

But I'm keeping my 40D and will eventually upgrade it to something better in the same digital EOS family. However, I am planning to downgrade my EOS lenses to non-IS versions and recoup some money there because now I primarily shoot the Canon while tripod mounted and so IS is not a benefit.

• While the GH1 EVF and LCD are good, I prefer a real optical viewfinder for critical focusing -- while I still have good eyesight at least.

• The m4/3 cameras lack a PC socket for studio strobe work. Granted, most people don't need this, but it's critical to those who do use it.

Other than that, the GH1 is an outstanding camera. I just hope they improve the video functionality a bit more in the next generation.

Panasonic GH1 does both stills & video in full HD mode (with stereo sound noless.) Smaller/lighter/simpler than any DSLR. Why are DSLR's still being made?
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Birk Binnard
http://www.birkbinnard.com/photography

FWIW I just found out that a $10 adapter for the G1 hot shoe will work for my strobes.
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Markus

My Canon gear (1Ds II, 30D + a bunch O lenses) will most definitely stay in use. I use my E-P1 a lot, and it goes with me for everyday stuff more often, but for any time I'm out where the sole purpose is photography, the SLRs come out. The E-P1 has good image quality, but it doesn't hold a candle to the 1Ds II in most situations. (In low contrast bright situations, they're very close in a print, when using the 40 Nokton at f/2 or smaller, but that's about it). The 1Ds II has significantly better dynamic range, much better shadow detail and shadow noise control. Much better high ISO noise control. Better total color response (Oly color is great, but it doesn't hold up when adjusting levels nearly as well as the 1Ds II), and most importantly, there isn't a m4/3 body in existence that can touch the 1Ds II's autofocus. I know the GH1 is fast...it's nowhere near the 1Ds II with a USM lens on it, especially in servo tracking. Being able to have a full frame image with an f/1.4 or f/2 lens on, with the focus point on my daughter's eyeball, while she runs all over the place, and get shot after shot dead on in focus...can't do that with m4/3.

Plus, the look of images out of a full frame sensor just have that extra something, especially in portraits. (landscape and deeper DOF stuff isn't too different, except for the dynamic range already mentioned).

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http://www.jordansteele.com

The only thing keeping me from selling my E-3 is its weather sealing, and its wireless flash and pc sync capabilities. Otherwise, the E-3 is sitting in a corner collecting dust except for the occasional studio shoot.

Now, if Olympus (or anyone else, for that matter) were to release a high-end body with weather sealing and decent studio flash connections, then it would be a different situation...

(I kinda wished the fl14 had wireless control, which would have solved the flash problem for me)

Yes - just done it. Last week sold 3 Samsung/Pentax DSLR's and brought a G1 for wife and GH1 for self.

Having the HD Video in the camera and shooting at 16.9 with stills is great, mainly because most of what I take goes on to Blu-Ray HD TV.

I don't know if I'm "abandoning" dSLR's, but I'm selling all the stuff in the pic below (2 bodies, 5 lenses & other peripheral stuff) today, literally. That'll leave me with a Leica V-Lux 1, a Pany TZ5, and a Canon G11 (on the way, soon). At some point I'll either pick up a m4:3 camera (probably a 2nd Gen G-1 or a 1st or 2nd Gen GF-1) or Oly's next m4:2 offering (I like Pany's lenses better, tho). Since I no longer do any of this for work, why have a virtual studio that I carry around to different locations? I will already, by this evening, have equipment that will allow quality prints up to A3 & online displays are even less demanding. If something comes along that's even more demanding, I can always rent what I need. If I oin the lottery, I'd go get a Leica M9 & 2-3 lenses.

Mostly, what now do is travel & street photography, portraits, landscapes & (occasionally) birds.

The comment above about many photographers having equipment that's WAY beyond their skills is laughably true. Its hilarious to see people with way more money than ability carrying around the latest & greatest stuff for what amounts to snaps of their vacation & kids' birthdays!
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http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/mfurst_photos/Surmang%20and%20Yushu%202009/?albumview=slideshow

With all the choices in radio slaves and dedicated flash units not many people use PC cords anymore, so no surprise camera makers are dropping the connectors.

I keep a couple of hotshoe-to-PC adapters and a few sync cords around just in case, it has been several years since I used one. Last time I remember was working directly under a radio transmitter tower and my radio triggers simply refused to work.

Gato

--
Street Fashion and Alternative Portraits:
http://www.silvermirage.com

bjmike said:

The comment above about many photographers having equipment that's WAY beyond their skills is laughably true. Its hilarious to see people with way more money than ability carrying around the latest & greatest stuff for what amounts to snaps of their vacation & kids' birthdays!

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Meh, who cares. I see this in many other gear based hobbies / professions. Let amateurs enjoy their hard earned cash the way they want to. It keeps the high end equipment manufacturers and sellers in business, or at least in a more viable and fertile business, which is good for the professionals who can really stretch the equipment.