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Put E-5 kit up for sale, but not one taker ...

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veroman

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It wasn't even worth considering as a trade when I contacted my local high-end gear store.

What I'm really posting about is how some of the very best older digital cameras in general fall out of favor so quickly and so decidedly. Even when priced competitively ... or bargain priced as mine is ... the consumer trend is almost always in the direction of the newer, even if isn't as good as the older; and it's often nowhere near as good!

This trend has been going on for quite some time, but it always surprises me when this near-neurotic behavior affects me directly.

Truth be told: the E-5, in the right hands, is one of the all time great digital SLRs. I've often described the files as "jaw dropping," because more often than not that's exactly what they are. The build and handling is superb if not second to none. The resolution of fine detail is really quite surprising for a 12MP camera. I have had no issues whatsoever with capturing those fine details with this camera. And, true to form, the E-5 followed in the Olympus tradition of rendering images in a most non-digital way ... natural, real, full and rich. And let's not forget those amazing Zuiko lenses!

And yet, I can't even give it away.

What a world ...
 
Stew Volt said:
There's a message here, maybe? Keep the camera!
Click to expand...
Yes, that's exactly what I'm considering doing. It was a very difficult decision to sell it in the first place. Probably shouldn't. I know I'll miss it ... more than any other camera I've ever sold.
 
You might consider giving it to a close relative who loves photography -- I've given two of my Olympus digital cameras (E-20 & E-1) to grand kids. :-)

If it is any consolation, I still own a full Bronica GS-1 Medium Format system that I paid a fortune for new, and haven't sold it because I'd darn near have to give away. Here's a photo of it in it's current condition:

356cc353226e4b36b62a1588c432a242.jpg

I was hoping someone would make a digital back for these cameras, but it never happened. :-(

--
God Bless,
Greg
www.imagismphotos.com
www.mccroskery.zenfolio.com
www.pbase.com/daddyo
 
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veroman said:
It wasn't even worth considering as a trade when I contacted my local high-end gear store.

What I'm really posting about is how some of the very best older digital cameras in general fall out of favor so quickly and so decidedly. Even when priced competitively ... or bargain priced as mine is ... the consumer trend is almost always in the direction of the newer, even if isn't as good as the older; and it's often nowhere near as good!

This trend has been going on for quite some time, but it always surprises me when this near-neurotic behavior affects me directly.

Truth be told: the E-5, in the right hands, is one of the all time great digital SLRs. I've often described the files as "jaw dropping," because more often than not that's exactly what they are. The build and handling is superb if not second to none. The resolution of fine detail is really quite surprising for a 12MP camera. I have had no issues whatsoever with capturing those fine details with this camera. And, true to form, the E-5 followed in the Olympus tradition of rendering images in a most non-digital way ... natural, real, full and rich. And let's not forget those amazing Zuiko lenses!

And yet, I can't even give it away.

What a world ...
Click to expand...
 
Will speculate that at this point, the market for used E-series cameras is limited to current E-series users. Before the E-M1 I might have been interested in a second E-5 but now have another legitimate platform for my 4/3 lenses, and that's where my resources will go.

My E-cameras days are numbered, particularly if my kid doesn't take an interest in them. That's actually okay, since they've all given me valuable service (and the E-5 still does). But the page has definitely turned on this book.

Cheers,

Rick
 
What Steve's story describes is why I became a camera collector ... :-)

And to keep your Broni company in its lonley exile in emulsion-land .....



An ECTL that doesn't show the true wear and tear of its life. Still works unlike its owner....

An ECTL that doesn't show the true wear and tear of its life. Still works unlike its owner....



--
Bob
 
Hi Steve,
Your experience is why I still have the E-1,3 & 5 and lot of other stuff, too. I tend to reframe or reemploy the older units. The E-3, for example, is a go-to B&W unit to exploit the JPEG Monochrome Look.

I have been exploring the small & light with a Nikon 1 V2 and it is a lot of fun without a lot of annoyances found in the P&S area. My E-5 is still my go to camera for serious shooting and the M8 is a specialty thing when I'm feeling nostolgic...

Just think, the E-5 could be a paper weight for gale force conditions......;-)
 
daddyo said:
You might consider giving it to a close relative who loves photography -- I've given two of my Olympus digital cameras (E-20 & E-1) to grand kids. :-)

If it is any consolation, I still own a full Bronica GS-1 Medium Format system that I paid a fortune for new, and haven't sold it because I'd darn near have to give away. Here's a photo of it in it's current condition:

356cc353226e4b36b62a1588c432a242.jpg

I was hoping someone would make a digital back for these cameras, but it never happened. :-(

--
God Bless,
Greg
www.imagismphotos.com
www.mccroskery.zenfolio.com
www.pbase.com/daddyo
Click to expand...
Beautiful camera. So many photographers I worked with during my advertising days used this very camera ... or something very similar to it. Aren't you glad you held onto it?

--
SteveG
'When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.'
— Found in a Chinese Fortune Cookie
www.stephenmichaelgarey.com
 
Wu Jiaqiu said:
Member said:
if it's so good why sell it....
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I've retired from pro photographer and moving towards lighter gear. If the E-M1 hadn't been released, I would not be selling my E-5. No way. I didn't think the EM-5 was a legitimate replacement for the bigger bodies, and I know that my E-P5 isn't ... though it's a great camera. I also still have my E-1, which I have no intention of selling. It's still superb with the 14-54 and 50mm macro.
 
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Funny thing is, I thought I had these old OM Zuiko macro lenses lying around as paperweights for years ... until the metabones speedbooster came along and gave them a whole new lease of life on my E-M1. Nothing else can do what they do. So maybe I got lucky, but sometimes a frog can turn into a prince. (As could still be the case with the Bronica if someone develops a digital back).

Is there a lesson here ? Not a very strong one, but do beware of giving away your old jewels just because they're not fashionable today ..... The E-5 is a very special camera, don't let it go just because you think today's fashion is glitzier.

Colin
 
I sold my e5 when strong rumors came out about the em1 and its pdaf capabilities. I knew that the longer I waited the harder it would be to sell and naturally the less I would get for it. But I did already have the em5 and since getting that the e5 saw very little use.
 
Steve

My E30 and EM1 fight over the FT lenses and AF speed. My daughter has the E500, now the EM1 and DP1M are the lightweights.

Keep the kit and be happy you love it!

Andrew
 
It sold. Got exactly the amount I was asking. Go figure ...
 
...on eBay seems to happen in the last few hours.
 
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