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Grimeshotta

Grimeshotta

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Hi guys,

So first things first, I want to say that I have been following this website for years and years and I love just the way how I seem to not find any childish behavior or dissin`.

People seem to be real mature here, share their opinions and most of all help each other very very good. I want to give all of you compliments for that.

Thank you also for having the chance to be a member.

Now, to get to the business: I am an urban photographer, that means, I travel, shoot and whenever I have time, look at my pics and use them for different purposes.
I shoot mainly: Architecture/Landscapes/Urban/Urbex/Pictures of myself at different places (monuments) as a part of my Art project.

I have the Olympus OMD M-5 II
I have the 40-150mm lens ( I don't know exactly which, sorry)
I have the kitlens 14-45 I think, which I bought later because I couldn't get buildings on my 40-150 that's when I learned more about photography..
And last year I got the 17mm m.zuiko 1.8 and man have I been in Love ever since.

Now I have a couple of things to discuss and I need advice in the following:

1. My screen broke (it's the tilting screen) I have it locked with the screen to the camera at all times because I'm afraid it will break worse. It still works. Reparation costs without total is 75 euro just for sending it to Olympus or whoever takes care of.
My estimate for this reparation will be 200 euro.
2. I have 3 lenses now, but I want to keep the 17mm and get 1 other. I want a zoom lens, because I won't give away my 17mm it's just too perfect. However sometimes I can't walk around with the lens (in abandoned buildings, because it's too dangerous or just not doable so that is why I need a zoom) Also for photographing when I'm traveling.
3. I am thinking about the panasonic lumix g vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 because I already have a very good prime.

Question:
1. What do ya'll think I should get for lenses combo for my photography?

2. Should I think about getting a different camera? The only important thing I can't miss is the ability to shoot myself through smartphone or a remote. This is really important for my photography, no selfies guys, but stuff I do. And Olympus is just killing the remote game with wifi. I had a nikon and sent it back first day. So keep my cam and repair it or invest in another, suggestions?

Thank you in forward guys, I appreciate it a lot and I wouldn`t bother ya'll with this if I really had no clue. I am really stuck.

Please help me.

Lots of best wishes

Grimeshotta
 
I understand your dilema. I get that way whenever something breaks - makes me question everything :)

Having been shooting photos for 40 years and having owned pretty much every digital camera brand out there, I've actually become less particular about the gear. Other than deciding what size the camera should be - it's all pretty much the same to me. If I ever take an award winning shot, it will be due to my location, lighting, and composition - not the camera brand.

So, if you like the Olympus OMD M-5 II, then just get the mark III, and be done with it. IMHO.
 
EM5-II was once the benchmark of IBIS and it is a great little camera. Its supporters have long waiting for Mk-III to replace this wonderful but old model and hopefully a mk-III might be launched later this year. Although it is not a latest model, unlike Panasonic side which has kept on adding new features on new models, not much new things had been added by Olympus so far except using OSPDAF and more powerful hardware on flagship EM1-II/X and if you are happy with it, might get a replacement.

Or might consider the most recent M43 Panasonic G90, which is in similar class to EM5-II, for the latest feature.

Size and weight, if it is one of the factor you picked EM5-II, M43 is still the winner.

On the lens side, I suppose you should have the 14~42 (14~45 is from Panasonic, usually packed with older Panasonic models only) and the 40~150. IMHO the Panasonic 14~140 f/3.5~5.6 should have better IQ than these 2. Indeed it has IQ very close to prime lenses. Only draw back is slower speed of f/3.5. Paired it with a fast prime like the 17 f/1.8 (I prefer the Panasonic Leica 15 f/1.7 😆) could make it a wonderful set up for majority of general shooting.

My 2 cents.

--
Albert
 
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Thank you very much Bob, that is a very forward straight answer and I like it. I agree 100% with the fact and opinion that: it's not the camera that takes the shot, but the artist and the circumstances. With this feedback, I think I will stick with the II and just repair it, the shop told me already to stick to it as I seem to roll well with it so I am taking your advice very much in count, thank you again Bob. Best regards
 
Wauw another great answer, Thank you Albert, wauw I just like how you guys answer questions here. I have been using my cam for about 3 years and I still don't know all these terms you skilled guys know like OSPDAF (only when I google). I try to get the best out of my cam by my own experience, I'm not really the bookwork that loves to remember all terms, I know it's unconventional, but It's my way you know. Anyway as for your set up feedback which I very much appreciate like the explanation of the Olympus and Panasonic line up, I feel very confident with the purchases I have made and might go the changing lenses side which you suggested Panasonic in that case, may I ask why my choice of the Panasonic lumix g vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 was not chose by you for my set up? In my feelings: this is the perfect all round (I'm not experienced, remember please and bare with me haha) so the 14-140mm for all round and the 17mm for beautiful bokeh/ detailed shots?
I have been looking at the 15mm just so you know haha but didn't know if the 2mm is worth it with having the 17mm already..

Thank you, I appreciate your feedback.
 
The Panasonic 14~140 (mk-I or mk-II) should have IQ a step better than the Olympus 14~42 (I assumed you have it) and 40~150. Although if you might replace your broken EM5-II with the same model so that the DIAL IS-2 and DFD of 14~140 would not be utilised (only usable on Panasonic bodies), it is still a great performer saving the hassle of swapping lens. Alternatively you might consider Olympus 14~150 which is in the same class of Panasonic 14~140. It has a lot of happy users but according to reviews, is not as good as the Panasonic.

Yes, a lot of good comment on 17 f/1.8. It is a highly appreciated lens by the community.

To me, since the faster aperture would be more useful for darker indoor shooting, I prefer a wider angle lens for the flexibility of shooting in limited space indoor and so I picked 15. 14 f/1.7 indeed is ideal to me. Plus the DFD support of 15 for my Panasonic body, these are reasons for me to pick it rather than 25 f/1.7, 17 f/1.8 or 20 f/1.7... You should have lesser consideration than me on using Olympus body.
 
In Europe the Olympus Olympus 14-150 is 399 euro vs Panasonic 14-140 399 euro.
I prefer the 3.5 of the Panasonic over the 4.0 of the Olympus.
Plus it's just the little curiosity of having a Panasonic Lens, since I just want to touch and feel it (not literally meant), I think it would be some fresh air.
I read those same things online that you wrote, about the Panasonic being slightly better. Maybe that is also what itches my curiosity.

But I guess I'm pretty happy with your feedback, I'm happy I wasn't that off in my thinking. a 17mm and a good zoom would be enough for me.


Since I won't have the chance to buy a new body now (terms of stores are that old one has to be fixed first) it would be just too much money for my experience.
If the costs of repairing will be around 200-300 euro then I will stick with my EM5 II repair it and save for a good lens like the Panasonic 14-140 or even the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12‑200mm F3.5‑6.3 which I think if I understood it correctly it's better to have the same brand as the body and for the extra 300 euro I think I will have a killer duo.


I guess a new body plus repair of old is in my mind more expensive, than repairing and buying a lens. I can be wrong tho' and it might be very personal choice for all of us.
And getting the G90/95 is good thinking, but nowhere my budget or capabilities at the moment, keeping in mind my only reasoning for getting the MK5 II was the wifi and "360" tilting screen. I was just as happy with my OMD EPL7, but the screen blocked me from making beautiful shots because it didn't turn "360".

However, I am very very happy with my current camera and it is way beyond my current capabilities.
I feel like this cam will give me many years of pleasure, me being a noob I understand I'm not using it 100% but I like to walk the long road.
Because that is how you grow to love something imo.

So, if I might choose to repair it, I will post what the price is here in Germany and keep ya'll posted.
That is if people want to know it, because I know, I couldn't find any information on the internet about this broken lcd screen costs and I felt sad.
So I hope I can help someone with that information.

Thank you again Albert, I love the way you write your feedback, it is crystal clear.

Best Regards
 
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