Thinking of switching to EPL-5, yet questions

oldphotog2 · Nov 28, 2012

I'm seriously researching on obtaining an Oly EPL-5 if I can sell some old Nikkor lenses. If I'm successful I should have enough for the body, two lenses and a flash, and enough left to use for X-mas.

I'm putting into the closet my Nikon D200, 12-24, 18-200, 35-70, SB-800, & selling the 70-200 f2.8 VR & TC-14eII teleconverter. The reason is a medical condidtion where I faint if the stuff hangs around my neck or shoulder for more then 30min. I haven't taken photos for the last three years and I really miss it. I've been taking photos everyday from 1972-1999 as a photojournalist. I retired just when things were switching to digital. I'm a Nikon zealot and used everything from Nikon F to F5. My two favorite lenses are 24mm & 70-200 f2.8, and if given a third it would be a 300mm f2.8. But today I can't even have the D200 with 18-200 around neck.

My hope is that the EPL-5 will do the job. I no longer freelance or have photos in the news magazines, and diffenantly given up doing my love of sports. Tis hard getting it into my thoughts that I no longer need the best, but would like to be prepaired with the right stuff just in case. Today it is just doing "fine art," just for me. And now that my first grandchild is born it will be on the little one and family events. I won't print anything larger then a 13x19 (if ever). Really couldn't care less about video (that's what camcorders are for), but guess I need to familiarize myself so that I won't totally be a dinosaur. My vision is 1/3 wide and the rest telephoto with wide open apertures.

I do not like the Nikon 1 CX censor; don't like the Canon EOSM for I fear the company will not support it; I 've looked at the Sony NEX but find it diffucult to focus for me and to large. Fuji is too expensive; and Panosonic just doesn't work (they're a stero company). Oly has a history with the line, and in the old film days I was very much tempted by the OM -1/2!

A problem is my computer hardware is old, I'm using Adobe CS2 suite and Lighroom 3.6. I want to upgrade to LR 4, but have to change OS systems from XP to win 8. If I do that, Adobe CS2 won't work.

I still have a studio strobe with a built in slave, so I guess one can fire to flash to trip the strobe. Don't like this but with no sync port this is all I can thinks of.

So question 1: Will the EPL-5 have the quality to make a 13x19 enlargment if needed?

Qestion 2: I don't like the fact that micro 4/3 seem not to have wides. Read that Oly now has a wide prime but $700 is a bit steep! What two lenes would one suggest?

Question 3: There is no company that has Olympus carried in the store for me to look at, to handle, to see if they will cause me to faint too. Suggestions?

As one can see, this is a big switch that must fill the need for years to come.

If it helps at all here's my old website: http://armourer.wix.com/gb-photo

Tomx72 · Nov 28, 2012

oldphotog2 said:
oldphotog2 wrote:

... My hope is that the EPL-5 will do the job. ...

It will, no worries. There are minor compromises though: there are no native fast telephotos and uwa-s. (2/12 on m43 is not uwa...) If you don't mind MF, you can even keep some nikon glass + get a 20$ adapter from ebay. I am currently migrating from D7000 to EPL5, and planning to keep my 2.8/105 AFD micro. My heart would break to see that lens going away...

oldphotog2 said:
A problem is my computer hardware is old, I'm using Adobe CS2 suite and Lighroom 3.6. I want to upgrade to LR 4, but have to change OS systems from XP to win 8. If I do that, Adobe CS2 won't work.

Yeah, computers should be upgraded with time, you will need a little power for those 16MP RAW files!

oldphotog2 said:
I still have a studio strobe with a built in slave, so I guess one can fire to flash to trip the strobe. Don't like this but with no sync port this is all I can thinks of.

check out the FL300R. Nice little+multifunctional flash for ~170$.

oldphotog2 said:
So question 1: Will the EPL-5 have the quality to make a 13x19 enlargment if needed?

Definitely: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/omd-em5/omd-em5A5.HTM

oldphotog2 said:
Qestion 2: I don't like the fact that micro 4/3 seem not to have wides. Read that Oly now has a wide prime but $700 is a bit steep! What two lenes would one suggest?

I am getting an M.Zukio 9-18. Far from perfect though... If you don't mind the fish-perspective, then the Samyang 7.5mm is a PERFECT lens.

oldphotog2 said:
Question 3: There is no company that has Olympus carried in the store for me to look at, to handle, to see if they will cause me to faint too. Suggestions?

No idea for the US, I am living in europe. Here I usually go to MediaMarkt or Saturn.

Chris Tofalos · Nov 28, 2012

I've been using M4/3 professionally for a while now and have no major issues with it for general work (it isn't good enough for sports work). The image quality is excellent and the weight saving really appreciated by my long-suffering back!

There are some public galleries of photo features on my Facebook page (Chris Tofalos Photography) which will give you an idea of what can be achieved (although they're all low-res - 1280 pixels on the longest side).

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the E-PL5 although I'd add an EVF to improve usablility (eye-level is steadier, easier to compose with and there are none of the problems associated with using LCDs).

And an E-PL5 is on my shopping list. I prefer the Olympus JPG quality and colour to Panasonic...

Chris

John Bean (UK) · Nov 28, 2012

oldphotog2 said:
oldphotog2 wrote:
A problem is my computer hardware is old, I'm using Adobe CS2 suite and Lighroom 3.6. I want to upgrade to LR 4, but have to change OS systems from XP to win 8. If I do that, Adobe CS2 won't work.

Are you sure about this? I still use CS2 on Windows 7 64-bit, I'm not clear about why you believe it would be incompatible with Windows 8.

That said I use it only very infrequently since I started using LR4.

Jorginho · Nov 28, 2012

I don't know why you faint but you seem to relate this to the weight of the D200. The chance of this happening with an EPl5 is of course smaller.

IQ of the EPl5 is significantly better than that form the D200. So no worries there.

Wide lens: Samyang 7.5 mm. Just use LR4 and its lens corrections 9 I use the Sigma 10 mm fisheye) and you'll be fine. You can cut out the overstretched corners and stll have a very wide angle.

Here some examples of the Samyang on my Gh2. Clikc on "gallery view" and than original size to get a larger view. Sadly it seems that dpreview processes the files itself as they do not look as harp as they do on my monitor....

Ansd here some shots of the EPl5, the cat is at ISO3200 under an yellow/roange streetlight (which explains the colours). ISO is fantstic and IBIs worked. I was in an awkward position and 1/15 s but stll there is little motion blur. May be very very slightly.

Here just some random shots with EPl5 at sundown...I just liked them. They give an impression of what it can do I feel.

Oh..found this..EPl5 with the Samyang 7.5 mm and bloew this one a crop. It is really sharp.

Hope this helps.

zkz5 · Nov 28, 2012

oldphotog2 said:
oldphotog2 wrote:

So question 1: Will the EPL-5 have the quality to make a 13x19 enlargment if needed?

Yes. I've printed that large with a much older m4/3 camera.

oldphotog2 said:
Qestion 2: I don't like the fact that micro 4/3 seem not to have wides. Read that Oly now has a wide prime but $700 is a bit steep! What two lenes would one suggest?

Doesn't have wides? What do you mean? Aside from the Oly 12mm you're talking about there's the Oly 9-18, The Panasonic 7-14, Panasonic 14 and 20 and fisheye primes, two different Olympus 17mm primes...

The Panasonic lenses do in fact work just fine despite the fact that "they're a stereo company". It isn't 1972 anymore. I own the 14 and 20 myself. The 14 is tiny and weighs nothing.

There's also going to be a Schneider 14mm. I don't think they ever made stereos.

Then there are also manual focus wides from third parties who also don't make stereos.

oldphotog2 said:
Question 3: There is no company that has Olympus carried in the store for me to look at, to handle, to see if they will cause me to faint too. Suggestions?

Order online from a major store like B&H or Adorama with generous return policies and return it if it doesn't work for you. Or rent them online.

number_6 · Nov 28, 2012

John Bean (UK) said:
John Bean (UK) wrote:

John Bean (UK) said:

oldphotog2 wrote:
A problem is my computer hardware is old, I'm using Adobe CS2 suite and Lighroom 3.6. I want to upgrade to LR 4, but have to change OS systems from XP to win 8. If I do that, Adobe CS2 won't work.

Click to expand...

Are you sure about this? I still use CS2 on Windows 7 64-bit, I'm not clear about why you believe it would be incompatible with Windows 8.

That said I use it only very infrequently since I started using LR4.

Don't upgrade to Windows 8 anyway. It's rubbish. If you absolutely have to upgrade, go to Windows 7. It's stable, fast and familiar and should run all your stuff.

John Bean (UK) · Nov 28, 2012

number_6 said:
number_6 wrote:
Don't upgrade to Windows 8 anyway. It's rubbish.

Not the words I'd have used but I can't disagree with the sentiment.

I stayed with my rock-solid XP installation until forced to change because of LR4, but having now used Windows 7 for a while I have to admit it's every bit as solid as XP and in many ways a nicer experience in everyday use.

I tried Windows 8 in a virtual machine and although it worked well enough "under the hood" the bodywork - the UI - is simply awful for a grown-up computer, I just couldn't work with it. I can see me sticking with Windows 7 for the foreseeable future or until something I need demands change - just as I did with XP.

rrr_hhh · Nov 28, 2012

oldphotog2 said:
oldphotog2 wrote:

I'm seriously researching on obtaining an Oly EPL-5 if I can sell some old Nikkor lenses. If I'm successful I should have enough for the body, two lenses and a flash, and enough left to use for X-mas.

I'm putting into the closet my Nikon D200, 12-24, 18-200, 35-70, SB-800, & selling the 70-200 f2.8 VR & TC-14eII teleconverter. The reason is a medical condidtion where I faint if the stuff hangs around my neck or shoulder for more then 30min. I haven't taken photos for the last three years and I really miss it. I've been taking photos everyday from 1972-1999 as a photojournalist. I retired just when things were switching to digital. I'm a Nikon zealot and used everything from Nikon F to F5. My two favorite lenses are 24mm & 70-200 f2.8, and if given a third it would be a 300mm f2.8. But today I can't even have the D200 with 18-200 around neck.

My hope is that the EPL-5 will do the job. I no longer freelance or have photos in the news magazines, and diffenantly given up doing my love of sports. Tis hard getting it into my thoughts that I no longer need the best, but would like to be prepaired with the right stuff just in case. Today it is just doing "fine art," just for me. And now that my first grandchild is born it will be on the little one and family events. I won't print anything larger then a 13x19 (if ever). Really couldn't care less about video (that's what camcorders are for), but guess I need to familiarize myself so that I won't totally be a dinosaur. My vision is 1/3 wide and the rest telephoto with wide open apertures.

I do not like the Nikon 1 CX censor; don't like the Canon EOSM for I fear the company will not support it; I 've looked at the Sony NEX but find it diffucult to focus for me and to large. Fuji is too expensive; and Panosonic just doesn't work (they're a stero company). Oly has a history with the line, and in the old film days I was very much tempted by the OM -1/2!

A problem is my computer hardware is old, I'm using Adobe CS2 suite and Lighroom 3.6. I want to upgrade to LR 4, but have to change OS systems from XP to win 8. If I do that, Adobe CS2 won't work.

You can download the DNG converter which is free. You will then be able open convert the resulting DNG into LR3.6; only you will have to use process 2010 instead of the new and better process 2012; the 2012 process handles DR better, however given the new good Sony senso used for the E-Pl5r, this is not a terrible loss.

oldphotog2 said:
I still have a studio strobe with a built in slave, so I guess one can fire to flash to trip the strobe. Don't like this but with no sync port this is all I can thinks of.

you can get something like the Hahnel Combi TF , but it won't offer TTL you probably still have a flash meter anyway ?

oldphotog2 said:
So question 1: Will the EPL-5 have the quality to make a 13x19 enlargment if needed?

You will be happy with that camera ! I own the OM-D and the IQ is similar to that of my Canon 5D. One of my friend a retired pro photographer like you, specialized in architecture photography says it is as good as his Canon 1Ds MKII. So I think that you will be able to do it, depending on the lens used and the viewing distance.

oldphotog2 said:
Qestion 2: I don't like the fact that micro 4/3 seem not to have wides. Read that Oly now has a wide prime but $700 is a bit steep! What two lenes would one suggest?

Here are a few links to lenses reviews :

Lenstip reviews of micro fourthirds lenses. Doesn't include all lenses and seems more focused on primes than zooms.

Photozone has reviewed more lenses.

and SLRGear too : Panasonic lenses and Olympus lenses (they are sub categorized in primes and zooms).

There are two zooms :

The Panasonic 7-14mm F4 which is a wonderful but expensive lens. It is already at its best at F4 and F5.6, so no reason to fear that it is slow. The link will bring you to the Photozone review.

The Olympus 9-18mm which is less expensive than the previous one, although not cheap; it is not as sharp in the corners and a little soft at the long end, but smaller and lighter, if you can compromise and not get the best of best ;-)

Three primes and a further one announced for 2013.

The Olympus 12mm F2 is a very good lens, sharper in the center than the 7-14mm at 10mm but not better in the corners. It is light and small, probably a better fit on the E-Pl5 than the 7-14mm.

There is also an SLR Magic 12mm I which opens up to 1.6 and has received good reviews, but which I don't know; it is a manual lens only and both bigger and heavier than the Olympus however.

The 14mm F2.5 Panasonic pancake is a lovely tiny pancake lens which would suits the E-Pl5 perfectly if it is wide enough for you. The corners are not the sharpest but the center is good.

Schneider Kreuznach has also announced a 14mm which will AF for next year, but it s going to beat h 7-14mm in price and will probably be heavy and big.

There are also two fisheyes : a Samyang / Rokinon 7.5 mm and the Pnasonic 8mm. There is a lens profile available for Adobe programs allowing defishing in LR.

oldphotog2 said:
Question 3: There is no company that has Olympus carried in the store for me to look at, to handle, to see if they will cause me to faint too. Suggestions?

is it the weight of the neckstrap ? If so a) the E-Pl5 is very light; b) further, it is quasi pocketable and you could wear a coat or a jacket with large pockets and keep the camera and mounted pancake in one pocket and a zoom in the other pocket. c) compute the total weight of the E-Pl5 plus the lenses you want, fill a plastic bag with approximately the same weight and hook it around your neck to simulate what it will be. You can try different scenarii with different lenses. d) I think it won't be a problem as long as you don't fill your bag with many many lenses.

One further suggestion : you may want to add one of the two optional VFs; they are very good and almost a must in bright sun. Plus they help stabilize the camera.

And a last one : you may wish to get the 12-35mm F2.8 Panasonic zoom, but it is both expensive, bigger and heavier. The second best standard mft zoom is the Panasonic 14-45mm (not to be confused with the later issued 14-42mm). It has sharper corners than the Olympus collapsible zoom, but it is also bigger and heavier. The Olympus kitzoom of course is a better match to the E-Pl5 in matters of size and weight and look. But the 14-45mm may be a good compromize between the Panasonic 12-35mm and the Olympus 14-42mm II R. The Olympus 12-50mm opens larger, but it is a jack of all trades and corner sharpness is deceiving : it makes a good occasional macro lens ( fixed 42mm position and 0.36mm magnification which corresponds more or less to 1:2 in FF) and is good for video (from hearsay, I don't do video myself). Like the Panasonic 12-35mm, it is wheather sealed.

At the long end, the 40-150mm Olympus is surprisingly good for its low price up to ast least 100mm. It is extremely light (which may suits you) but it extends at impressive length when you zoom in and add the lens hood.

oldphotog2 said:
As one can see, this is a big switch that must fill the need for years to come.

I think that this is the right time for a switch : the Olympus cameras have matured. The sensor offers all the IQ you want and you will be able to keep it for longer than I kept the E-P1 and even the E-P3.

oldphotog2 said:
If it helps at all here's my old website: http://armourer.wix.com/gb-photo

Sorry.. My iPad doesn't like lfash websites, or I would have paid a visit.

Good luck with your switch !

rrr_hhh · Nov 28, 2012

rrr_hhh said:
rrr_hhh wrote:

The 14mm F2.5 Panasonic pancake is a lovely tiny pancake lens which would suits the E-Pl5 perfectly if it is wide enough for you. The corners are not the sharpest but the center is good.

I forgot to add that the 14mm is really the tiniest mft lens, at only 55gr. It can be had very cheap on EBay from Asian dealers : between 160-190$, shipping included.

However I don't like to use it with people because it is rather heavily corrected in software and what stands near the edges get squeezed toward the corners in a way I dislike for group shots. Well read the reviews from the links I gave you.

--

rrr_hhh

oldphotog2 · Nov 28, 2012

John - Talking with computer techs have informed me that CS2 won't work on win 8 (win 7 yes, but microsoft has recalled all win 7). LR 4 won't work on XP.

oldphotog2 · Nov 28, 2012

Thanks for your reply. Very helpful!

John Bean (UK) · Nov 28, 2012

oldphotog2 said:
oldphotog2 wrote:

John - Talking with computer techs have informed me that CS2 won't work on win 8 (win 7 yes, but microsoft has recalled all win 7). LR 4 won't work on XP.

Whose computer techs? In any case the "recall" thing is complete nonsense; you can buy a copy of it almost anywhere - other than perhaps from Microsoft direct who are pushing Win8 of course. Heck, you can still buy WinXP new if you look hard enough, it'll be many years before Win7 fades away.

If you're buying new hardware it is probably a good idea to either look for a Win7 machine (still lots of them around) or buy a PC without Windows preinstalled and install a Win7 yourself.

acidic · Nov 28, 2012

Question 1: Will the EPL-5 have the quality to make a 13x19 enlargment if needed?

Yes. Any file from camera with more than 8MP, good glass, good technique, and good post-processing is capable of 13x19 prints. Sure some cameras will yield better results, but most people can't tell the difference except in side-by-side comparisons (excpetions are the pixel peepers types).

Qestion 2: I don't like the fact that micro 4/3 seem not to have wides. Read that Oly now has a wide prime but $700 is a bit steep! What two lenes would one suggest?

Get the Panasonic 14mm, which is reasonably wide and cheap. Check ebay, you can usually find them for under $200 new (though orphaned from a kit). The Oly 17mm is also pretty cheap, but only moderately wide.

Question 3: There is no company that has Olympus carried in the store for me to look at, to handle, to see if they will cause me to faint too. Suggestions?

Order it from Amazon, and if you don't like it, return it for a full refund. Sure, you'll have to pay return shipping charges (~$10-15), but think about how much you would pay for two trips to a brick and mortar store. Vehicles cost around $0.50/mile to drive when gas, wear and tear, and depreciation are factored in. Not to mention your time.

You can also see if Best Buy carries it, and order it online for in-store pick up if there's one near you. Again, if you don't like, just return it.

And finally, another option is to wear a camera strap with some some tied to it, and try walking around for a while. You can look up the weight of the camera and lenses.

I have an E-PL1 which I purchased as a throw around camera. I have Panasonic 14mm and a 20mm pancake lenses. With either one, it's super light and I barely notice it's around my neck (though I usually carry it over a shoulder or in my hand with the strap around my wrist). But then again, I normally shoot with Canon FF bodies and premium glass. If you're on a budget (it seems you are), the E-PL1 can be had cheap. It's not a very reponsive camera, but for purely image quality purposes, it does a great job and provides excellent bang-for-the-buck.

acidic · Nov 28, 2012

number_6 said:
number_6 wrote:

Don't upgrade to Windows 8 anyway. It's rubbish. If you absolutely have to upgrade, go to Windows 7. It's stable, fast and familiar and should run all your stuff.

My Windows 8 is rock solid and faster than 7. Had it since November 1 and have used it extensively since then. Sure it's different, but it's easy enough to adapt. We all had to learn how to use iOS and/or Android; the transition to Win8 is even easier.

People were unhappy* when Mac went from OS 9 to OS X and look how much better it is now.
People were unhappy* when Canon changed their camera mount from FD to EF and look how much better it is now.
Etc.

Windows 8 isn't for everybody, but it isn't complete rubbish either.

*I can't believe dpreview censored me for trying to use the word p!ssed.

RedDog Steve · Nov 28, 2012

oldphotog2 said:
oldphotog2 wrote:
I'm putting into the closet my Nikon D200, 12-24, 18-200, 35-70, SB-800, & selling the 70-200 f2.8 VR & TC-14eII teleconverter. The reason is a medical condidtion where I faint if the stuff hangs around my neck or shoulder for more then 30min. I haven't taken photos for the last three years and I really miss it. I've been taking photos everyday from 1972-1999 as a photojournalist. I retired just when things were switching to digital. I'm a Nikon zealot and used everything from Nikon F to F5. My two favorite lenses are 24mm & 70-200 f2.8, and if given a third it would be a 300mm f2.8. But today I can't even have the D200 with 18-200 around neck.

Consider a wide strap, 'fanny' pack or belt pack.
How much do you really need to carry at any one time ?

oldphotog2 said:
I do not like the Nikon 1 CX censor; don't like the Canon EOSM for I fear the company will not support it; I 've looked at the Sony NEX but find it diffucult to focus for me and to large. Fuji is too expensive; and Panosonic just doesn't work (they're a stero company). Oly has a history with the line, and in the old film days I was very much tempted by the OM -1/2!

Rather illogical dismissal of Panasonic, no ?
Lucky we don't have a m4/3 Leica ;->

rd

jalywol · Nov 29, 2012

oldphotog2 said:
oldphotog2 wrote:

I'm seriously researching on obtaining an Oly EPL-5 if I can sell some old Nikkor lenses. If I'm successful I should have enough for the body, two lenses and a flash, and enough left to use for X-mas.

I'm putting into the closet my Nikon D200, 12-24, 18-200, 35-70, SB-800, & selling the 70-200 f2.8 VR & TC-14eII teleconverter. The reason is a medical condidtion where I faint if the stuff hangs around my neck or shoulder for more then 30min. I haven't taken photos for the last three years and I really miss it. I've been taking photos everyday from 1972-1999 as a photojournalist. I retired just when things were switching to digital. I'm a Nikon zealot and used everything from Nikon F to F5. My two favorite lenses are 24mm & 70-200 f2.8, and if given a third it would be a 300mm f2.8. But today I can't even have the D200 with 18-200 around neck.

I didn't faint from the D200, but it did give me bad wrist and elbow pain.

The weight of the EPL5 will be a breath of fresh air after your Nikon kit. It is remarkably light; I suspect you may not realize how small these cameras actually are.

(Oh, by the way, make sure you get the VF-2 with the camera...since you are used to using a viewfinder, you will be much happier having one to use when you need it.)

BTW, I no longer use neck straps with any of my M43s (including the considerably heavier GH2 with the 14-140mm lens). I use a wrist strap, and I never have any neck pain or wrist/elbow pain from any of the M43s that I have had. I carry a small shoulder bag with whatever lenses I plan to use for the day, or else I stick the lenses in my jacket pockets and don't take any bag at all. It's a pain free solution with great image quality.

oldphotog2 said:
My hope is that the EPL-5 will do the job. I no longer freelance or have photos in the news magazines, and diffenantly given up doing my love of sports. Tis hard getting it into my thoughts that I no longer need the best, but would like to be prepaired with the right stuff just in case. Today it is just doing "fine art," just for me. And now that my first grandchild is born it will be on the little one and family events. I won't print anything larger then a 13x19 (if ever). Really couldn't care less about video (that's what camcorders are for), but guess I need to familiarize myself so that I won't totally be a dinosaur. My vision is 1/3 wide and the rest telephoto with wide open apertures.

I am quite sure the EPL5 will do the job. I suspect its output will look MUCH better than the D200's....I am even thinking of getting one as my "small" M43s to complement the GH2....

oldphotog2 said:
I do not like the Nikon 1 CX censor; don't like the Canon EOSM for I fear the company will not support it; I 've looked at the Sony NEX but find it diffucult to focus for me and to large. Fuji is too expensive; and Panosonic just doesn't work (they're a stero company). Oly has a history with the line, and in the old film days I was very much tempted by the OM -1/2!

Oh, come now. Panasonic happens to make very good cameras. Yeah, they were a dinky consumer electronics brand in the 70's, but they really do make excellent M43s products, and you shouldn't rule them out as a viable option.

oldphotog2 said:
A problem is my computer hardware is old, I'm using Adobe CS2 suite and Lighroom 3.6. I want to upgrade to LR 4, but have to change OS systems from XP to win 8. If I do that, Adobe CS2 won't work.

As others have said, if you look around I am sure you can find some Win 7 machines out there. You might also want to consider an upgrade to your Photoshop, since the new versions are really substantially better in all sorts of significant ways than the version you have.

oldphotog2 said:
So question 1: Will the EPL-5 have the quality to make a 13x19 enlargment if needed?

Yes, no question, absolutely.

oldphotog2 said:
Qestion 2: I don't like the fact that micro 4/3 seem not to have wides. Read that Oly now has a wide prime but $700 is a bit steep! What two lenes would one suggest?

How wide do you consider wide? The bargain lens of the batch is the Panasonic 14mm (28mm FF equivalent), available on Ebay for under $200. You can also go for the Oly 9-18mm or Panasonic 7-14mm, (but that is pricier).

oldphotog2 said:
Question 3: There is no company that has Olympus carried in the store for me to look at, to handle, to see if they will cause me to faint too. Suggestions?

Order from a reputable dealer that allows returns. Amazon, B&H, etc, and try it. If it does not work for you, you can return it within their specified returns window.

oldphotog2 said:
As one can see, this is a big switch that must fill the need for years to come.

It will, it will. I got an EPL1 two years ago to use as a portable complementary camera for my D90 and lenses. After using it for 7 months, I realized I was never going to use the Nikon gear again, and sold it. Zero regrets, by the way. I did upgrade to the GH2, which I am quite happy with, and will either get an EPL5 or whatever Panasonic comes out with to replace the GX1 this coming year, as my second, really small, body. It's nice to be able to use all your lenses on either the larger or smaller bodies, depending on the needs of the moment....

I personally prefer the Panasonic interface, but it sounds like the EPL5 is a better choice for your purposes, due to the remote flash capabilities. You will be very surprised at how good this format is and how great it is to be able to take excellent quality images with such diminutive gear.

Good luck in your decision!

-J

maggiemole · Nov 29, 2012

I bought a new laptop 2 months ago just to have Windows 7 so I could run LR4. Rather an expensive route to take, but my old desktop PC running XP would not run LR4. I considered what John suggests, buying the Win7 software, but I was advised many of my programs would no longer run on Win7 anyway, so I bit the bullet.

My biggest problem with the new setup is visual, and as I bought it specifically to handle LR4 I'm really disappointed. All laptops now have a wide screen, so I have lost height on the screen, and as I take quite a number of portrait aspect ratio photos it's a nuisance. Also the laptop screen is very angle-dependent in the vertical direction, which I hadn't realised it would be. I urge anyone getting a new screen to both ask for assurances in the store that there is no viewing-angle dependency, and to test for that before buying.

And I kept my XP PC as well.

Maggie

John Bean (UK) · Nov 29, 2012

maggiemole said:
maggiemole wrote:

I bought a new laptop 2 months ago just to have Windows 7 so I could run LR4. Rather an expensive route to take, but my old desktop PC running XP would not run LR4. I considered what John suggests, buying the Win7 software, but I was advised many of my programs would no longer run on Win7 anyway, so I bit the bullet.

Sales people are full of "advice", sadly not always correct. Not a single one of my existing XP programs failed to work in Win7, not even some truly ancient "DOS" programs. Win7 is very good at running old software in "XP mode". Some badly-behaved programs that are said to be incompatible need only minor adjustment to their environment to allow them to work correctly (my old Delphi 7 is one such example) but the "incompatibility" is often just bad behaviour rather than real functional problems.

maggiemole said:
My biggest problem with the new setup is visual, and as I bought it specifically to handle LR4 I'm really disappointed. All laptops now have a wide screen, so I have lost height on the screen, and as I take quite a number of portrait aspect ratio photos it's a nuisance. Also the laptop screen is very angle-dependent in the vertical direction, which I hadn't realised it would be. I urge anyone getting a new screen to both ask for assurances in the store that there is no viewing-angle dependency, and to test for that before buying.

Laptop screens are not good for photographic editing, but...

maggiemole said:
And I kept my XP PC as well.

... it's not too late to pick up a copy of Win7 for your old PC and breath some new life into it

Ulfric M Douglas · Nov 29, 2012

oldphotog2 said:
oldphotog2 wrote:

... I 've looked at the Sony NEX but find it diffucult to focus for me and to large. Fuji is too expensive; and Panosonic just doesn't work (they're a stero company) ... snip ...

oldphotog2 said:
(win 7 yes, but microsoft has recalled all win 7).

I'm worried that you appear to say some things which are completely untrue.

Thinking of switching to EPL-5, yet questions

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