Am I crazy? Full frame to Micro 4/3rds??? (travel, casual, etc.)
Sep 1, 2009
I upgraded from my 20D to the 5d2 when it was released because I wanted full-frame coverage, delicious bokeh and, well, I mean, the 5d2 and it's predecessor both have an excellent reputuation, but after all this time, because of a vacation I'm about to embark on, I'm seriously considering ditching my 5d2 and going 4/3rds (micro 4/3rds? which is it?) Hear me out and tell me what you think...
First off, I'm traveling to Cambodia and Thailand and my initial thought was to invest in a water resistant, shock resistant, freezeproof camera, but I wanted an integrated GPS and a quality image and eventually, after a lot of research, determined that they don't make that camera yet.
Meanwhile, friends on my side of the fence were telling me: "Dude, take the DSLR, I want to see the awesome pictures you'll take..." And I too still go back and forth. The quality of the 5d2 rivals film, right? And you want to take good pictures of Angkor Wat, right?
However, there are a couple of problems with this. First, the only travel insurance I've found (world nomads) that I can get on the spur of the moment without a ton of paperwork only insures luxury goods (cameras, diamonds, etc.) up to $500 which doesn't even cover the LENS on the 5D2, much less the camera itself. And, if my camera is lost or stolen, because I'm currently living and working abroad, I have no homeowner's insurance or equivalent to cover the camera, meaning I'd be out a paycheck and a half if it got pinched from my bag while I was in Cambodia. Add the fact that I'm not sure I can find my original recipt for the 5d2 and/or the lens to the equation and I'm basically not going to be able to get ANY coverage at all on my camera equipment, which is a second reason I'm considering ditching the 5d2 for something smaller and lighter...
And finally, I'm traveling light. A single, very rugged waterproof sealed-backback and little else-- possibly a camelbak for day expeditions. As it stands, the 5d2
24-105 fits but the combo is heavy, in my bag and around my neck and while it all handles well enough, I wouldn't call it intuitive or anything-- video mode is, especially, a pain in the ass.
Which brings me here to the Micro 4/3rds board. Should I ditch all this and just grab a GH1 for the trip? Will it and the kit lens be a lot lighter/easier to manage than my big ol' DSLR full-frame job? I'd be able to insure it for about 1/2 of it's value with the recipt and I'd be less stressed, as its not even a 3rd of the value of my big rig. Meanwhile, I feel it would be a great change to try out, and hell, everything I've read about the GH1 seems to be roses and rainbows. Is there anything I'm overlooking here? Am I crazy to want to downgrade like this? And no, this isn't the only thing I'm planning on doing with the GH1-- in addition to it being my travel go-to camera, I'm thinking of letting it handle my casual photography needs and sort of pushing the 5d2 into the background until uh, I guess I need it again. Until I start printing in magazines, or something I guess.