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Alternative to the E-M5-II : E-M1-II or E-M5-III (or else) ?

Alternative to the E-M5-II : E-M1-II or E-M5-III (or else) ?

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John Bean (UK) said:
David5833 said:
My only small concern about mounting the E-M5iii body on a tripod, regardless of the lens, is that the corrugated area surrounding the socket stands proud of the rest of the baseplate by about a mm. If you mount it directly to a tripod or use a typical QR type plate you will see that the the corrugated area creates a small space between it and the baseplate. So, if you are using a ball head and the tension is stiff, you may be flexing the area around the corrugated area which is acting as a hinge.
Click to expand...
Good point. I use ball heads occasionally but always adjust them "loose" - even with solid cameras like the E-M5 II it just feels wrong to me using the camera as a lever. When I need more precise adjustment I use a 3-way head instead. Problem solved.

In either case I normally use a fairly large QR plate; I don't really like the typical third-party L-brackets. That said I can count on one hand the number of times I've used a tripod this year so it isn't really an issue for me anyway.
Click to expand...
Be careful using a large QR plate if it extends under the lens mount. Managed to dent my 12-100 like that on my E-M5 ii. Fortunately only cosmetic, that was four years ago and its worked faultlessly since.
 
Trolleyman said:
John Bean (UK) said:
David5833 said:
My only small concern about mounting the E-M5iii body on a tripod, regardless of the lens, is that the corrugated area surrounding the socket stands proud of the rest of the baseplate by about a mm. If you mount it directly to a tripod or use a typical QR type plate you will see that the the corrugated area creates a small space between it and the baseplate. So, if you are using a ball head and the tension is stiff, you may be flexing the area around the corrugated area which is acting as a hinge.
Click to expand...
Good point. I use ball heads occasionally but always adjust them "loose" - even with solid cameras like the E-M5 II it just feels wrong to me using the camera as a lever. When I need more precise adjustment I use a 3-way head instead. Problem solved.

In either case I normally use a fairly large QR plate; I don't really like the typical third-party L-brackets. That said I can count on one hand the number of times I've used a tripod this year so it isn't really an issue for me anyway.
Click to expand...
Be careful using a large QR plate if it extends under the lens mount. Managed to dent my 12-100 like that on my E-M5 ii. Fortunately only cosmetic, that was four years ago and its worked faultlessly since.
Click to expand...
Yep, done something similar in the past. Fortunately I don't have any lenses "fat" enough to give me any problems on my E-M5 II/III bodies.
 
Thank you all for your feedback.

Though initially reluctant (as I did not want to risk facing a similar issue again), I might consider getting another E-M5-II, as first that camera suits my needs (plus that fact that I already own several batteries), and second budget is a serious consideration in that decision.

May the god of second hand cameras be with me.
 
MGinitials said:
Dear all,

I like my E-M5-II very much (and the lenses that go with it...) and do not need anything fancier for my needs.

However, this camera (at least mine...) seems to be cursed with its on/off switch (see there : https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67359393). I have been patiently fixing it until now, but I'm growing tired... So I'm currently thinking about finding an alternative to it : I have been leaning towards either the E-M1-II or the E-M5-III.

Here is my current state of mind :

- the E-M1-II is cheaper (second hand, of course), but I fear it might feel less compact than the E-M5-II, which is something I appreciate very much on this camera ;

- the E-M5-III is as compact as the E-M5-II, but I read here and there that its body might not be as sturdy as the one of the E-M5-II (I hike a lot with my camera, use tripod from time to time).

I'd be glad to read your feedback.

Regards from France,

MG
Click to expand...
I have a brand new (less then 100 clicks) EM5 ii with extras that I'm not using. If you' consider it, PM me.

John
 
Last edited:
MGinitials said:
Thank you all for your feedback.

Though initially reluctant (as I did not want to risk facing a similar issue again), I might consider getting another E-M5-II, as first that camera suits my needs (plus that fact that I already own several batteries), and second budget is a serious consideration in that decision.

May the god of second hand cameras be with me.
Click to expand...
Good choice - if you really like the em5.2, why look for anything else? There are also many good ones out there, seems you just had bad luck (mine is still as crispy as new). Hope you have better luck with your next one.
 
MGinitials said:
Dear all,

I like my E-M5-II very much (and the lenses that go with it...) and do not need anything fancier for my needs.

However, this camera (at least mine...) seems to be cursed with its on/off switch (see there : https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67359393). I have been patiently fixing it until now, but I'm growing tired... So I'm currently thinking about finding an alternative to it : I have been leaning towards either the E-M1-II or the E-M5-III.

Here is my current state of mind :

- the E-M1-II is cheaper (second hand, of course), but I fear it might feel less compact than the E-M5-II, which is something I appreciate very much on this camera ;

- the E-M5-III is as compact as the E-M5-II, but I read here and there that its body might not be as sturdy as the one of the E-M5-II (I hike a lot with my camera, use tripod from time to time).

I'd be glad to read your feedback.

Regards from France,

MG
Click to expand...
I upgraded from an E-M5 II to a III in 2019 and the PDAF (also on the E-M1 II) has doubled my AF accuracy - it will bring you greater confidence. I have used it with tripods extensively but treat it carefully. The E-M5 III has survived falls on rocks & boulders unblemished that would have dented a metal body. Buy that if you want lightweight. Don't fear the fragile tripod socket unless you intend to abuse it.

If you don't mind the weight, though, the E-M1 II is probably a better choice. It has faster burst rates and longer battery life. I also have an E-M1 III but usually take the E-M5 III when I hike or mountain bike.
 
I have had all of the E-M5 models, and the E-M5 III does much better C-AF. I put an RRS base plate on it for comfortable holding and mounting on a tripod or strap. Avoid PD clips, and don't bounce it around with the 12-100 f4 or 7-14 f2.8.

The E-M1 II is a very good camera. I had two of them, but I upgraded to an E-M1 III and OM-1 for the added computational features as well as improved user interface (except for the placement of the menu button on the left side).

If you want to use big lenses, the E-M1 models are better. But if you appreciate the smaller size of the E-M5 II and use smaller lenses (like the f/1.8 primes), then definitely get the E-M5 III. It is, in my opinion, a much nicer looking camera.
 
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