doug_fir89
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Obviously this is an exceptional occurrence, but see this: https://petapixel.com/2017/05/23/gorgeous-10-second-milky-way-photo-shot-hand-held/ - a 10s exposure with the E-M1 II.
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Starting from Scratch - Recommend a Lense Set?
- Thread starter doug_fir89
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doug_fir89
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Thank you for the photos, those are more than adequate imo! I'd be extremely happy with that. A lot of Olympus sponsored photographers use the 12mm 2.0 with a lot of success, same with the 17mm 1.7, so I'm eyeing those. At any rate, I think I'm sold on the 12-40mm as a 'first lens' and will have to try things out from there. The Leica 7.5mm 2.0 is very lightweight for what it offers, and the two may make a nice beginner travel set. I really like that MFT allows me to carry more lenses, as I'm not a professional, but perhaps down the road I'll snag a Sony A7 series and a suitable astro lens and see if it's more suitable for astro dedicated nights. For now, I think MFT is perfect compromise for me. I really like how cheap and weatherproof the lens ecosystem is.
I keep hearing rumors of an Olympus 12mm 1.2.. That'd be awesome!
I keep hearing rumors of an Olympus 12mm 1.2.. That'd be awesome!
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Read post - Not biting on this. Trolling everyone's favorites and cherry picking. I can think of a hundred or so combinations. Plus you can always wait for something newer to com along. The lenses are all out there at Olympus' and Panasonics' websites. Go through there and pick what fits your style of shooting.
I suggest starting with a good walk around lens - 12-40, 12-45, 12-100, PL12-60 - relatively fast, and go from there. Then there are "fast primes" to consider. Lots of them - all good. Best Wishes and Welcome to m4/3.
Then get something wide or ultra wide, and finally a good, relatively fast telephoto. It's complicated, but it ain't rocket science. Get the fastest lenses you can afford - the faster, the better. There are really no bad ones - no real "dogs" of lenses anymore - just degrees of goodness, so choose what you want and can afford. Finally look at all the gigs and gadgets.
Again - Best Wishes
Peace.
John
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So You're going the way proposed below by kcdogger: fast zoom. It's also a good way, 12-40/2.8 is a great lens. The same Panaleica 12-60/2.8-4.0. It's an alternative way to go. For travel, You may just go with just such a lens and nothing more. At F/2.8 they can go with some interiors (I used my 14/2.5 often at F/2.8 there), maybe not totally dark. However, these lenses , though excellent optical quality, are rather heavy. Their low light performance is also not that great compared to really fast primes. That's why I chosen different aproach. F/3.5-4.0 zoom may be also good optically (like P. 12-60/3.5-5.6, O. 12-45/4.0), but save some weight of order, let's say, 150-180 g. This is the same or even more than the very weight of ligthtest MFT primes. Those are much faster than F/2.8, so their night performance is uncompromised. On the other side, in daylight outdoor You don't need F/2.8 lens usually (let's forget about huge long fast telefoto lenses reporters and some wildlife photogs desire).
So my point is that slowish zoom + fast prime set can be more functional for dedicated hiker, if the weight of the whole set is really critical. But it's just my point, nothing more. In my case the other motive were budget limitations. Fast universal zooms like 12-40 are not cheap, of course.
BTW, You've mentioned Laowa 7.5/2.0 ( not Leica, of course
). It's a little gem if You need really UWA in small size. I had it on my camera only once for a while. It was the copy owned by my already mentioned friend, who is probably playing with it on the 3-rd of my sky photos (that blurred person in the foreground). But the shortest FL in the lens set is a very personal choice. Some people like and often use extremal WA, some not. I'm probably the 2-nd camp. As my set was limited to 14 mm initially, I bought that little 12/2.0. But I use it more occasionally than expected. Maybe because it's to close to 14? If I was making choice now, I would prefer Laowa 10 mm (look at this lens also), as it seems to be more useful (for me!!!) than both 12 and 7.5. There are some excellent primes in the same range (like Laowa 9/2.8), but bigger and heavier.Regards,
-J.
Humansvillian
Senior Member
If you’d like to buy the best Olympus, that’s the $3,000 M1X. But that’s not the best for an amateur photographer.
The M1X is heavy, bulky, and imposing, for an amateur. Besides, lenses are extra.
The M1 III is the current $1,500 flagship camera. Again, it’s bigger and bulkier, than an amateur photographer needs.
Right now Olympus has a sale on their M5 III plus a 14-150 lens for only $1,100. That lens details for about $500 by itself. It’s waterproof, sharp, and the only daytime walk around lens you’ll ever need.
It effectively makes the camera only $600.
Then Panasonic sells a fast 50mm equivalent Prime 25mm normal lens for only $150. If you drop it, you’re only out $150.
The M5 IIII cannot be carried on a tripod mounted sling, so don’t carry it that way. Buy a $10 strap instead.
After you’re addicted to MFT, and that’s very likely, you’ll shop all the different lenses.
But for now, I think the M5 III with 14-150 plus a 25mm Panasonic prime gets you started.
Buy a decent tripod, too.
If you shoot the stars at night, you’ll want one anyway.
The M1X is heavy, bulky, and imposing, for an amateur. Besides, lenses are extra.
The M1 III is the current $1,500 flagship camera. Again, it’s bigger and bulkier, than an amateur photographer needs.
Right now Olympus has a sale on their M5 III plus a 14-150 lens for only $1,100. That lens details for about $500 by itself. It’s waterproof, sharp, and the only daytime walk around lens you’ll ever need.
It effectively makes the camera only $600.
Then Panasonic sells a fast 50mm equivalent Prime 25mm normal lens for only $150. If you drop it, you’re only out $150.
The M5 IIII cannot be carried on a tripod mounted sling, so don’t carry it that way. Buy a $10 strap instead.
After you’re addicted to MFT, and that’s very likely, you’ll shop all the different lenses.
But for now, I think the M5 III with 14-150 plus a 25mm Panasonic prime gets you started.
Buy a decent tripod, too.
If you shoot the stars at night, you’ll want one anyway.
Bobby V
Senior Member
Depending where op is the E-M1X is $1699 in the US and has been as low as $1399 with the trade up program...but yeah it's too bulky for what most people see in a hiking kit.
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Sure, I'll bite.
Option 1. Assume AF a "must" feature across the board . Go with the E-M5.3. This will give you the useful starry sky feature for AF simple astro shooting.
- 12/2 .. this gives you a fast, wide angle prime suitable for astro.
- 12-100/4 with IS. Worth every last penny. Sharp, stabilized, weather sealed. This will live on your camera.
- 8-25/4. For wide angle, and also a one-lens option for many hikes.
- 60/2.8 macro. You'll be surprised at the number of macro opportunities in a typical hike.
- 7.5/2 Laowa. Astro and ultrawide for landscape shooting, manual focus.
- 12-100/4
--
Jeff
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jck_photos/sets/
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maggiemole
Senior Member
maggiemole
Senior Member
That’s useful to know. Thank you.
Skeeterbytes
Forum Pro
Solid list. Want to make a slight revision because as far as I know E-M5iii has not had Starry Sky added via FW update. E-M1iii is the only camera to have it, or at least was the model it debuted in.
Cheers,
Rick
Atho
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Many thanks for that. And just to let you know that HH focus stacking with the EM1 II is by possible with practice.
Bassam Guy
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The filter must consume at least some light, perhaps 0.3 stops which would bring it to the same effective aperture as the 12 2.
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Thanks, I stand corrected. I have the E-M1.3, and google E-M5.3 to verify that it would have starry sky too, and misread the info. My mistake.
Now having realized that, I'm tempted to revise my advice to the OP. For the last week I've been playing around with the E-P7 with small f/1.8 primes, and it's just a lovely little bit of kit. With the 17/1.8 is covers a lot of ground for a day hike. A small kit with the MF 7.5/2 for ultra wide, and a couple of other small AF primes could be stuffed into the front pocket of a day pack.
--
Jeff
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jck_photos/sets/
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Hi all,
My camera & lens choice is driven by hiking, which for us means 4-7 day star or point-to-point hikes at 1800-3000m with approx 1000m up & down each day (Pyrenees/Alps/Scots Highlands ..., in summer, not winter).
I have had Lumix G3, then G6 and the last 4 years: G85, with a 14-140 all the time except the G3 (where I had 14-45 & 45-200: I decided I prefer not to change lenses as the group moves on ... admittedly more an issue in towns than when hiking where I can easily catch up ... at least you can see where everyone is). BTW, weatherproofing is nice, but I generally put it away if there's anything more than a short shower ... I have never felt disappointed with the 14-140.
The G85 was a huge step up, and - at 770gm lens included - makes for a combination that I'd replace only reluctantly with anything heavier. Camera included, the rucksack shouldn't weigh more than 12-13kg, including food and drink. I carry it on the strap (high up, on the left - very fast to take a picture and put back): I can't do better with a smartphone, where the lack of EVF is a real issue when hiking, often with bright sun ... I haven't yet done astro/night photography, although I admire the results
That's my halfpenny worth ... I'm open to proposals, after 4 years with this combination, which is only an extenstion of what I had before. I have been thinking of going much lighter (Sony RX or Lumix ZS200 ...) but the ergonomics are far superior with something like the G85 ... Have also been toying with replacing the G85 by a G9 (better sensor, EVF, features/ergo, huge following ...), but haven't made that move yet due to the additional weight - admittedly, a ridiculously small issue at some 150 additional grams. Could also eat less chocolate ...
My camera & lens choice is driven by hiking, which for us means 4-7 day star or point-to-point hikes at 1800-3000m with approx 1000m up & down each day (Pyrenees/Alps/Scots Highlands ..., in summer, not winter).
I have had Lumix G3, then G6 and the last 4 years: G85, with a 14-140 all the time except the G3 (where I had 14-45 & 45-200: I decided I prefer not to change lenses as the group moves on ... admittedly more an issue in towns than when hiking where I can easily catch up ... at least you can see where everyone is). BTW, weatherproofing is nice, but I generally put it away if there's anything more than a short shower ... I have never felt disappointed with the 14-140.
The G85 was a huge step up, and - at 770gm lens included - makes for a combination that I'd replace only reluctantly with anything heavier. Camera included, the rucksack shouldn't weigh more than 12-13kg, including food and drink. I carry it on the strap (high up, on the left - very fast to take a picture and put back): I can't do better with a smartphone, where the lack of EVF is a real issue when hiking, often with bright sun ... I haven't yet done astro/night photography, although I admire the results
That's my halfpenny worth ... I'm open to proposals, after 4 years with this combination, which is only an extenstion of what I had before. I have been thinking of going much lighter (Sony RX or Lumix ZS200 ...) but the ergonomics are far superior with something like the G85 ... Have also been toying with replacing the G85 by a G9 (better sensor, EVF, features/ergo, huge following ...), but haven't made that move yet due to the additional weight - admittedly, a ridiculously small issue at some 150 additional grams. Could also eat less chocolate ...
teejaywhy
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Certain that the OP is aware, but it hasn't been mentioned, Olympus is having some holiday savings right now, with $400 off the E-M1 MIII body and $200 off the 12-40 f/2.8 pro lens.
I used the opportunity to upgrade my hiking/travel kit from the G85 with 12-60 kit lens which has been a fantastic and lightweight kit. The new Oly kit just a bit heavier, but with more features and a faster lens. Looking forward to getting out over the holidays.
I will say the Oly menu system is a bit complex and not always intuitive, but I'll take on the challenge.
I used the opportunity to upgrade my hiking/travel kit from the G85 with 12-60 kit lens which has been a fantastic and lightweight kit. The new Oly kit just a bit heavier, but with more features and a faster lens. Looking forward to getting out over the holidays.
I will say the Oly menu system is a bit complex and not always intuitive, but I'll take on the challenge.
OMD is having a fire sale, which may be concerning. Companies liquidate products for two reasons:
1) They have replacement products coming out soon therefore OMD want to move existing inventory before they are stuck with it. Reason being, nobody wants the previous generation. Remember, the name Olympus is discontinued, they want OMD as the manufacture name on every product. I would expect a firmware update on all supported cameras that simply remove the word "Olympus" from its code in 2022. If they don't do that, then I would expect the EM5.m3 and EM1.m3 to be generally discontinued quickly unless all new manufactured products are simply stripping the name from the camera body.
2) OMD are existing the camera business but don't want to say that. Because if they announced an exit, everyone would expect product to be 50-60% discounted and not the present discount rate.
Their new product teaser was for the most part a large failure. No real images of what is to come. It was a "please wait, we are coming" tease. I viewed it as you are late by 45 minutes to your 1st date, so you call ahead asking that person stay because still stuck in traffic.
Patience is wearing thin.
3dpan
Leading Member
What an amazing thread. Lots and lots of useful information.
Some input from me.
I have used m43 exclusively for astro for the past 5 years, and haven't even considered another brand of body. I use a mix of m.zuiko in the shorter focal lengths, and legacy lenses for 100mm and longer.
I use a tripod/tracking mount only for astro, no handheld so I can't comment on portability.
Among the lenses I use are ;
The 8mm/1.8 fisheye is amazing. Light weight, fast, and excellent IQ, and AF if you need it. I can capture the Milky Way from horizon-horizon in one frame, wow.
The 12-40mm/2.8 is so versatile, fast enough for astro, though the IQ is best below 25mm. And I like the manual clutch option for astro. I tried it once for astro-landscape and wished for something wider, so just did a three frame stitch panorama. No problem.
I have just bought the 17mm/1.2 for astro, but can't comment further.
The 45mm/1.2 is superb for astro stopped down to f/2
A lens not mentioned so far is the m.zuiko 75-300mm. A bit slow for astro but very high IQ and very versatile for terrestrial photography including wildlife.
And so far I have only used the E-M5 II, though I am wishing for the E-M1 III for the HHHR and Starry Sky features.
Hope that helps.
PS,
I think/hope the new E-M-Wow will be so radical, especially for astro, with in-camera star tracking and other goodies.
Some input from me.
I have used m43 exclusively for astro for the past 5 years, and haven't even considered another brand of body. I use a mix of m.zuiko in the shorter focal lengths, and legacy lenses for 100mm and longer.
I use a tripod/tracking mount only for astro, no handheld so I can't comment on portability.
Among the lenses I use are ;
The 8mm/1.8 fisheye is amazing. Light weight, fast, and excellent IQ, and AF if you need it. I can capture the Milky Way from horizon-horizon in one frame, wow.
The 12-40mm/2.8 is so versatile, fast enough for astro, though the IQ is best below 25mm. And I like the manual clutch option for astro. I tried it once for astro-landscape and wished for something wider, so just did a three frame stitch panorama. No problem.
I have just bought the 17mm/1.2 for astro, but can't comment further.
The 45mm/1.2 is superb for astro stopped down to f/2
A lens not mentioned so far is the m.zuiko 75-300mm. A bit slow for astro but very high IQ and very versatile for terrestrial photography including wildlife.
And so far I have only used the E-M5 II, though I am wishing for the E-M1 III for the HHHR and Starry Sky features.
Hope that helps.
PS,
I think/hope the new E-M-Wow will be so radical, especially for astro, with in-camera star tracking and other goodies.
If you want to take your photography to the next level then your should have at least one of these lenses in your bag:
MFT Mount - Voigtländer
www.voigtlaender.de
3dpan
Leading Member
Thank you, I'm a real fan of fast lenses for astro. It's time I looked at the Voigtlander range.
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