MFT most interesting platform?

I would add to this article the fact that in my opinion MFT is probably the most scalable camera system that exists currently.
probably not
I'm just taking my own personal opinion here, but looking at the camera system itself, pretty much every price range is covered, and the same goes for the lenses.
another system, where everything is not so well covered with the lenses.
50/1.8 - 55/1.8 - 50/2.5 - 50/2.8 -50/1.4- 50/1.2... all of them are only native lenses + Sigma, Viltrox, Samyang and so on

--
Alex
http://www.instagram.com/alex_cy
 
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I would add to this article the fact that in my opinion MFT is probably the most scalable camera system that exists currently.
probably not
waiting for your arguments in the matter on why that's not the case.
I'm just taking my own personal opinion here, but looking at the camera system itself, pretty much every price range is covered, and the same goes for the lenses.
another system, where everything is not so well covered with the lenses.
50/1.8 - 55/1.8 - 50/2.5 - 50/2.8 -50/1.4- 50/1.2... all of them are only native lenses + Sigma, Viltrox, Samyang and so on
You're missing the point entirely. I don't care if Sony has a billion 50mm lenses since this is not what I'm talking about.
 
Obviously to get the true perspective we have to rate the users by a capability index.

I prefer, like most, just to keep buying more and more expensive gear in the pious hope that the next wonder gear will automatically fully replace my lack of skills.

../..

Birding camera? No, but I don't have the skills for birds in flight no matter what camera body I use. But the G100 is fine with the PL 200/2.8 when I need a boost to my lack of skills and maybe catch a wallaby in mid-hop. :)
Tom, thanks for this note. I travelled to Australia in the 80's (long way from home), and I vividly remember half a dozen wallabies hopping around, in the outskirts of Canberra. I was so amazed that I didn't ever think about taking a picture: those creatures were simply flying... one of my best memories !

___
Photography is so easy, that's what makes it highly difficult - Robert Delpire
 
Reading through this, I see a lot of reasons the system is so beloved, and rightfully so. But no new lens, or another computational photography feature, or anything similar will make M43 grow. Only marketing. Massive marketing. Without that, the market share will continue to drop. Just being interesting or highly capable will not save MFT. Something needs to change.
 
Not bad but nothing an FZ330 couldn't do in the same light.
it can't do 20mp images

d9aad5efa4ef4e468eccc7656d7d79ce.jpg
You can't beat the sharpness of the best M43 lenses with the FZ1000 though. Thats where a lot of the jump in IQ is.
there is no better zoom lens with 25-400mm or 24-600mm range
You stop halfway because otherwise you end up with a lot of weight
A7CR - 515 g
50/2.5- 174 g
if you want a do it all walkabout kit. But that's up to the individual.

Today I went out with my 40mm F2. I had to stop down a lot for landscape shots. I got a few goose pics but really after a quick glance I don't think I could really tell the photos apart from if I'd taken my GX9 and 12-60 out.
the same would be with RX10*, RX100*, FZ cameras
It's mostly about the envelope isn't it not what you can do on a sunny day at base iso.

For me M43 is good enough just like 1440p monitors are in comparison to 4k ones. Now 1080p, that's a step too far for me these days😀
To my eyes the fz330 can produce as good photo's as those fz1000 ones in the same good light, 12mp or not. But that doesn't make it as good.

We aren't talking about the zoom range really. Just in general M43 is better. Ofc it is because you can use lenses like the new 50-200 and 25mm 1.4.

A 1inch sensor can produce nice Images but there are limitations just like M43 has some.

But buying better lenses can help. With bridge cameras what you have is what you have.

And I wish people would stop using the A7CR as a comparison. It's a £2500 camera for one and it's still heavier than a lot of M43 cameras.

Unless you only use the small primes you will end up carrying a lot of weight.

My Z5 and 24-200 is 1245g. Not ridiculously heavy but definitely not light.

In general , especially with the quality glass you will have a heavy camera bag going full frame.

That's why people stop halfway.
 
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Reading through this, I see a lot of reasons the system is so beloved, and rightfully so. But no new lens, or another computational photography feature, or anything similar will make M43 grow. Only marketing. Massive marketing. Without that, the market share will continue to drop. Just being interesting or highly capable will not save MFT. Something needs to change.
As long as ‘market share” continues to be measured in percentages, or gross sales units or revenue, M43 will continue to be nothing more than a minor player, I can only hope that the OM offerings, going forward, meet or exceed the JIP financial plan, regardless of market share.
 
Not bad but nothing an FZ330 couldn't do in the same light.
it can't do 20mp images

d9aad5efa4ef4e468eccc7656d7d79ce.jpg
You can't beat the sharpness of the best M43 lenses with the FZ1000 though. Thats where a lot of the jump in IQ is.
there is no better zoom lens with 25-400mm or 24-600mm range
You stop halfway because otherwise you end up with a lot of weight
A7CR - 515 g
50/2.5- 174 g
if you want a do it all walkabout kit. But that's up to the individual.

Today I went out with my 40mm F2. I had to stop down a lot for landscape shots. I got a few goose pics but really after a quick glance I don't think I could really tell the photos apart from if I'd taken my GX9 and 12-60 out.
the same would be with RX10*, RX100*, FZ cameras
It's mostly about the envelope isn't it not what you can do on a sunny day at base iso.

For me M43 is good enough just like 1440p monitors are in comparison to 4k ones. Now 1080p, that's a step too far for me these days😀
To my eyes the fz330 can produce as good photo's as those fz1000 ones in the same good light, 12mp or not. But that doesn't make it as good.
Good, but not as good for many reasons.
We aren't talking about the zoom range really. Just in general M43 is better.
In general FF is better
Ofc it is because you can use lenses like the new 50-200 and 25mm 1.4.
Because of 50/1.2 and 200/2
A 1inch sensor can produce nice Images but there are limitations just like M43 has some.
no camera system without limitations
But buying better lenses can help. With bridge cameras what you have is what you have.

And I wish people would stop using the A7CR as a comparison. It's a £2500 camera for one and it's still heavier than a lot of M43 cameras.
FZ1000II is cheap, compact and light, but you still have something against it?
Unless you only use the small primes you will end up carrying a lot of weight.
A camera is a tool, no one makes cameras heavier than they need to be.
If you want to achieve background blur at least like the FF50mm f/2.5, you'll need the more expensive and heavier 25mm f/1.2 lens.
My Z5 and 24-200 is 1245g. Not ridiculously heavy but definitely not light.
FZ1000II - 800gr
In general , especially with the quality glass you will have a heavy camera bag going full frame.
no, unless there are other reasons for it
That's why people stop halfway.
For family and travel photos, 1" is enough: It's lighter, cheaper, and more compact.
For professional use - FF is perfect and covers almost any need.
I'm definitely not one of those few people who thinks "MFT is the most interesting platform"

--
Alex
 
Yeah and I think part of it is just showing that there's different kinds of photographers who enjoy different aspects of photography. There was a point where I loved poring over RAW files to extract every last bit of detail, etc. Some people really love the "darkroom" part of photography and find post-processing as satisfying (or sometimes more satisfying) than actually taking photos. For that type of person, the computational photography features are almost "taking away" one of the parts they find enjoyable (and some would argue, at the additional cost of inferior processing). I get that.
There are still a lot more boundaries to push especially when it comes to the storytelling aspect. I have always seen the computer postprocessing as an extension of my chemical dark room work and there are so many aspects that cannot be achieved in camera.

Getting g it right in the field is just as important as getting it right post processing
I don't really disagree with that, but a lot of this for me depends on the type of photography I'm doing. For my studio work, I'm often photographing with post processing in mind, because it's either impossible or impractical to do it "right" in camera. But the point is that I do not enjoy that kind of process - I would rather get it right in camera and only do very light post-processing on my phone later when I can. And for "every day" kind of work? Fuggedaboutit. I don't have the time or desire to go through an extensive RAW-based workflow. I still use JPEG+RAW, but rarely use the RAW files.
 
Yeah and I think part of it is just showing that there's different kinds of photographers who enjoy different aspects of photography. There was a point where I loved poring over RAW files to extract every last bit of detail, etc. Some people really love the "darkroom" part of photography and find post-processing as satisfying (or sometimes more satisfying) than actually taking photos. For that type of person, the computational photography features are almost "taking away" one of the parts they find enjoyable (and some would argue, at the additional cost of inferior processing). I get that.
There are still a lot more boundaries to push especially when it comes to the storytelling aspect. I have always seen the computer postprocessing as an extension of my chemical dark room work and there are so many aspects that cannot be achieved in camera.

Getting g it right in the field is just as important as getting it right post processing
I don't really disagree with that, but a lot of this for me depends on the type of photography I'm doing. For my studio work, I'm often photographing with post processing in mind, because it's either impossible or impractical to do it "right" in camera. But the point is that I do not enjoy that kind of process - I would rather get it right in camera and only do very light post-processing on my phone later when I can. And for "every day" kind of work? Fuggedaboutit. I don't have the time or desire to go through an extensive RAW-based workflow. I still use JPEG+RAW, but rarely use the RAW files.
 
While I'd agree, "the experience" and "creativity" and "fun" is also the line of Fuji and Fuji heads. The excerpted language from this article could almost be copypasta of what is expressed in that quarter as well.

Certainly I'd vote m43 the most charming system.

Edit to Add: It might not be apparent in this excerpt that the overall, er, focus of the fstoppers article is the new OM telephoto, and increased reach with reduced size/weight for wildlife, nature, hiking, etc. Which is great, but OMS has recently indicated they also intend to emphasize general travel, street, and lifestyle. Which would be excellent for those of us who don't find telephoto, "adventure," and outdoorsy computational tech to be the most "interesting" thing about m43.
Tomorrow, I leave for a 2 week "general travel, street and lifestyle" trip along with some scenic venues and family visits. My OM-1 and OM-3 will remain at home, and my OM-5 II kit is packed and ready to go (along with the TG7, of course).
Sounds like fun. Which lenses?
14-42 EZ, 40-150 f/4, and 8mm FE. It all fits easily inside my airline underseat personal bag.
Perfect! The only additions I might slot is a macro converter for the 14-42 EZ and a polariser for the 40-150.
For close macro shots I usually revert to the TG7 Super Micro mode. I hadn’t considered any filters for any of the lenses. For what purpose would the polarizer be used?
I'm sure you know but since you asked, when rotated to the appropriate angle:
- It minimises glare on water scenes.
- When travelling there is often need to shoot through glass as in a train or tour bus. It minimises reflections of strong light sources from behind the photographer.
- It can pleasantly darken blue skies, though problematic with WA lenses. Depending on the angle of the sun, it can produce strong gradation in blue sky that's hard to fix in post.
 
Pretty interesting thread! :)
-
That said, if OMshare app had an AI noise reduction facility for batch processing, that rivalled Topaz, or similar, their market-share would increase exponentially overnight.
-
It is perhaps the single biggest complaint made against MFT, resolution (sharpening) and low light/high ISO noise (AI noise reduction). Both these issues could be dealt with as a computational feature, or as an app based free PP feature in workspace and OMShare, that would simply blow the competition out of the water!
 
Yeah and I think part of it is just showing that there's different kinds of photographers who enjoy different aspects of photography. There was a point where I loved poring over RAW files to extract every last bit of detail, etc. Some people really love the "darkroom" part of photography and find post-processing as satisfying (or sometimes more satisfying) than actually taking photos. For that type of person, the computational photography features are almost "taking away" one of the parts they find enjoyable (and some would argue, at the additional cost of inferior processing). I get that.
There are still a lot more boundaries to push especially when it comes to the storytelling aspect. I have always seen the computer postprocessing as an extension of my chemical dark room work and there are so many aspects that cannot be achieved in camera.

Getting g it right in the field is just as important as getting it right post processing
I don't really disagree with that, but a lot of this for me depends on the type of photography I'm doing. For my studio work, I'm often photographing with post processing in mind, because it's either impossible or impractical to do it "right" in camera. But the point is that I do not enjoy that kind of process - I would rather get it right in camera and only do very light post-processing on my phone later when I can. And for "every day" kind of work? Fuggedaboutit. I don't have the time or desire to go through an extensive RAW-based workflow. I still use JPEG+RAW, but rarely use the RAW files.
Going back to the OP how many of all these features really push that? Most of the CP modes give you a RAW file so while you can do a bit more in camera it's just as much of an option as any other.
Really push what?

i don’t think this is all about JPEG vs RAW, I was just giving an example how how people approach photography differently. OMS has introduced many things that change how you act in the field and “the office”. Live ND/GND lets you carry less. HDR and Focus Stacking means less processing back at the office. HHHR means you don’t have to invest in a potentially more expensive, larger system and incur the “cost” of having every photo be high res to occasionally get more detail out of scenes that need it, etc
Fuji seems to be leading this with their film simulations which even have a dedicated dial on their newest camera.
 
Great article at fstoppers.com on this topic:

https://fstoppers.com/gear/micro-four-thirds-most-interesting-camera-platform-right-now-711262

The part that sums up my thoughts on MFT…
This is what makes Micro Four Thirds so compelling. It’s not just about megapixels or dynamic range charts. It’s about changing the shooting experience itself. OM System isn’t asking you to spend more time in front of a computer. It’s inviting you to do more in the field, in the moment, with the gear you already carry. It’s a creative philosophy as much as it is a technological one, and that might be the most interesting part of all.
To be fair, many of the computational features exist in the Panasonic L-mount bodies. The only thing missing is LiveND/LiveGrad. Those are cool features, but I recently picked-up one of Neweer's True Colour Variable ND+CPL filters. I can use it on almost every single one of my L-mount lenses, as they share the same 67mm diameter. It's pretty impressive.
 
Not bad but nothing an FZ330 couldn't do in the same light.
it can't do 20mp images

d9aad5efa4ef4e468eccc7656d7d79ce.jpg
You can't beat the sharpness of the best M43 lenses with the FZ1000 though. Thats where a lot of the jump in IQ is.
there is no better zoom lens with 25-400mm or 24-600mm range
You stop halfway because otherwise you end up with a lot of weight
A7CR - 515 g
50/2.5- 174 g
if you want a do it all walkabout kit. But that's up to the individual.

Today I went out with my 40mm F2. I had to stop down a lot for landscape shots. I got a few goose pics but really after a quick glance I don't think I could really tell the photos apart from if I'd taken my GX9 and 12-60 out.
the same would be with RX10*, RX100*, FZ cameras
Well said. I wish Sony would release a follow-up to the RX10 series. I could finally retire my m4/3 stuff and call it a day. Canon has already positioned themselves to severely cannibalise a lot of m4/3 at the wide/normal end with the Powershot V1.
 
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Do I need to read the link to see if Panasonic gets a mention?
What do you feel LUMIX has done in the last couple years to make MFT more “interesting”?
Well for a start OMS needs Panasonic commitment just as much as vice-versa. No interest in Panasonic product and Panasonic concentrates terminally on L-Mount.

Panasonic is a "huge conglomerate" (which does not mean as much as that term in practice). OMS is a light-touch financial investor and we must remember the sackcloth and ashes when they took over the Olympus Camera assets. Pomp and circumstance return.

Panasonic doe not have to prove a thing, OMS seems to need to have its brand debated at every opportunity.

The main issue was that this thread was not so much about M4/3 gear as "OMS + M4/3" gear with the elephant in the yard almost completely ignored.

I don't feel it necessary to defend Panasonic gear. It works, works well, and is long lasting.
You’re the one who brought it up! 🤷‍♂️ 😂

Your answer to my question appears to be “nothing”. Noted.
Yep, nothing ..... accepted.
 
Obviously to get the true perspective we have to rate the users by a capability index.

I prefer, like most, just to keep buying more and more expensive gear in the pious hope that the next wonder gear will automatically fully replace my lack of skills.

../..

Birding camera? No, but I don't have the skills for birds in flight no matter what camera body I use. But the G100 is fine with the PL 200/2.8 when I need a boost to my lack of skills and maybe catch a wallaby in mid-hop. :)
Tom, thanks for this note. I travelled to Australia in the 80's (long way from home), and I vividly remember half a dozen wallabies hopping around, in the outskirts of Canberra. I was so amazed that I didn't ever think about taking a picture: those creatures were simply flying... one of my best memories !

___
Photography is so easy, that's what makes it highly difficult - Robert Delpire
Nice to know that you saw them. They can move pretty quickly when they have a notion to do so. Most country Australian towns would have their share of Kangaroos and Wallabies hanging around their more rural outskirts. Especially where there is no broad acre cultivated farming. Kangaroos can breed up a storm since their usual predator (man) started getting his meals from the supermarket.

Around our rural coastal area there is a headland that has been pretty well taken over by herds of large Grey Kangaroos. The fully grown males are pretty intimidating as they can rear back on their tails and be much larger than any human male. Luckily they are normally pretty docile but I would hate to tangle with one that was a bit upset. Kangaroos herds on pretty headlands is not the usual face of Kangaroos in Australia.

Wallabies look generally like kangaroos with a slightly different facial structure and are usually smaller than the Kangaroo. I like them better as they are more our size and even more timid. There is a very large number of different species in the Kangaroo/Wallaby family. From tiny little darling Rock Wallabies (and Potoroos?) to the Western Red Kangaroos that seem to be physically as big as cattle.

My ambition is to capture some serious KIB images - which stand for immature males sparring with one another and rearing back on their tails to gain extra height. "KIB" = Kangaroos in Biffo I have some on one of my cameras - must find the images.

It is hard to catch this Kangaroo sparring as it only lasts a few seconds before they part again. I need to go get my camera (not far away) with a long lens and hope that they have not tired of the scrap before I get a shot. It is my version of catching a BIF.
 
I recently picked-up one of Neweer's True Colour Variable ND+CPL filters. I can use it on almost every single one of my L-mount lenses, as they share the same 67mm diameter. It's pretty impressive.
🍻☕️ Unhappymeal for heads up.

Just now picked up a Neweer ND2-ND32 + CPL 2in1. Will be able to utilise with Live Bulb Live Time on my m4/3 with several m4/3 lenses adapted lenses with setup up rings.

Next spring was planning picking up E-M1X or E-M1mk3 for live ND2-ND32 also other computational goodies.

This will tide me over.

59607cd431264bfdb4f22d02c3c472c4.jpg

--
Photography after all is interplay of light alongside perspective.
 
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It remembers me the EM1X review against a reflex for tennis shots. … the guy didn’t even tested the PRO capture … a total shame.
 
It remembers me the EM1X review against a reflex for tennis shots. … the guy didn’t even tested the PRO capture … a total shame.
Tennis is a fairly dynamic sport, and Pro-Captcha works in a specific area with pre-focusing. What exactly are you proposing to test there with Pro-Captcha?
 

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