Nearly Three Months

[Olymore]

From reading the comments on four thirds rumours and the m43 forum here I would think that more people from other brands are moving to the E-M1 than E system users.
Many are changing from Canikon APSC becasue they have finally got an equivalent to their high end dSLR in a smaller size.

Add in the m43 upgraders and some of the remaining E system users and you have a camera that according to the Olympus manager in the DC watch interview is selling better than expected.

 

[pris]

pro or no pro, mediocrity or excellence, one more opinion:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/new...usiast-and-pro-cameras-and-lenses#best-procam

And this is from the outfit that generally is nor enamored with AA-filterless cameras.

 

[TrapperJohn]

Michael Reichmann and Andy Westlake.

While these aren't working pros per se, both are accomplished photographers, and both have ready access to the latest and greatest in the camera field.

Both bought EM1's. Not tested and liked them, bought them. These are people who get loaners from the camera companies, so it's not like they needed to buy a personal camera.

Obviously, this isn't the final word, but it's a very encouraging sign when two people who make their living working with cameras and writing about cameras, choosing the EM1 for their personal use. And, in both cases, it was a matter of not only being smaller, but being a complete package: small body, good lenses, all of which worked well together.

As an aside, the EM5 was purchased as a 'small solution' by quite a few big system owners. This isn't a scientific survey, but the majority of those people who left comments on 1041 found that they were using the EM5 far more than they expected. In many but not all cases, they ended up selling the large Canon or Nikon setup in favor of the EM5.

 

[Lab D]

It was 3 years ago everyone came to the realization that there would be no E-6x0 replacement and that Olympus was going to put the 12MP sensor from 2008 into their new E-5 body and charge $1500. Over the next 3 years many of the lower end users started dumping their cameras and switch to Canon/Nikon/Micro43 and some of the higher end users decide that it was time to switch too. It was obvious to most that E-5 was end of the road.

So that is why not too many are selling their old stuff. A lot of people did over the past 3 years. btw, if I still had an old 4/3rds camera body, I'd keep it with the lenses. They compliment the new Micro43 camera bodies.

 

[jforkner]

Perhaps what you're seeing is the result of no one (or very few) buying up used Oly equipment. The market doesn't seem to be there. Why advertise it if no one wants to buy it?

Case in point. I have a Zuiko 7-14 I've tried to sell over the past couple of years and received absolutely no interest in the lens. Granted, it's a specialized lens, but one of Oly's best. Yet no one seems interested. A quick scan on ebay shows there's at least a half dozen of these lenses for sale with no bids on any, Selling my E-620 appears equally futile. I'd rather keep it than give it away.

All I'm saying is there needs to be a market for something before it sells. I'm not convinced there's much of a market for used 4/3 gear.

Jack

 

[mapgraphs]

After some informal perusal of the Olympus Americas web site, B&H Photo, KEH and Cameta Camera I would speculate that the Olympus DSLR market in America is still present.

Olympus America still offers the E5, new and “factory demo.” There are not that many used E5 camera bodies listed, or E3, E30 or even E620 for that matter. There does seem to be a small uptick in the availability of E510 and E520 bodies however. Surprisingly there’s a noticeable increase in used or “factory demo” E-M5 bodies and the low price is down to around $625. The number of e-pm1 kits, e-pm2 and e-pl5 at reduced price suggests a very thin m4/3 American market. I wasn’t expecting to see so many used E-M5 cameras so soon or reduced prices on the e-pl5 & e-pm2 kits. At this point I would speculate that sales of the E-M1 are at the expense of the E-M5 rather than at the expense of the E5, E3 or E30 lines. Anecdotally, I was planning on picking up a used ZD 25mm from KEH but I didn’t move quick enough; the ZD 35mm cleared out pretty quickly too.

 

[dave gaines]

I've got ads for my 4/3 gear running in 3 or 4 places. Right now due to holiday shopping no one is responding. Three months later I'm still convinced I need to switch up to full frame, which may be the only way to significantly improve on Olympus's fine optics.

Yesterday I had a request to sell the 14-35 for $1200, which is about 3/4 of the asking price and estimated actual value based on recent sales. I can only guess this person was a speculator who wants to buy it cheap, below eBay prices, and resell it for a 33% mark-up. He was willing to drive an hour to see the lens and pay cash. He wanted a lower than eBay price without having to bid and after holding and testing the actual lens in person. I didn't take the offer seriously but offered about $100 off based on the savings in PayPal fees and shipping.

Here is my gear ad in the For Sale forum. Also look for two more ads for accessories and lens pouches, currently on page two of the forum.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/52686851

 

[Roger Engelken]

Perhaps what you're seeing is the result of no one (or very few) buying up used Oly equipment. The market doesn't seem to be there. Why advertise it if no one wants to buy it?

Case in point. I have a Zuiko 7-14 I've tried to sell over the past couple of years and received absolutely no interest in the lens. Granted, it's a specialized lens, but one of Oly's best. Yet no one seems interested. A quick scan on ebay shows there's at least a half dozen of these lenses for sale with no bids on any, Selling my E-620 appears equally futile. I'd rather keep it than give it away.

All I'm saying is there needs to be a market for something before it sells. I'm not convinced there's much of a market for used 4/3 gear.

Jack

I have bought quite a bit of four thirds gear since September 2012, much of it on the used market: ZD 150, ZD 35-100, ZD 14-35, E-1, E-30 to name a few. I am not buying right now, given the only gaps are the ZD 90-250 and ZD 300 and my printing press is out of service. Neverthless, I suspect there is still a market out there, and in the end, it will be supply and demand alone that determines the price, not what one thinks they can get for something.

And yes, the ZD 7-14 is a magnificent lens, never, ever, sell it short.

 

[boggis the cat]

So what of those sell offs? Well I have been monitoring our local auction sites with a certain degree of hope in picking up an Ex and glass for a bargain price. The reality is otherwise. Apart from one E620 and Kit Lenses (that has been asking too much), there have been no other E systems up for sale. None!! Plenty of mFT systems, but no E system units.

Photo&Video here in Christchurch have what appears to be a 'job lot' of standard FT gear up for sale.

• An E-5 body for $795
• A Sigma 50-500 for $750 (I want this, but I also need to pay bills...)
• A Sigma 105 macro for $295 (I had one, but didn't really use it so sold it -- nice but very slow AF)
• Olympus 50 mm f/2 for $395 (Also want...)
• Olympus 12-60 for $595
• EX-25 for $100 (good for the 50 mm, maybe the Sigma 105 if you want macro)

There was also an EC-14 and an EC-20 available, but there was a cat prowling for stuff who collected those up.

So maybe we will see some more stuff turn up as more people rationalise their collections and shift to MicroFT. After Christmas may be a good time to keep an eye on Trade Me and similar.

 

[harmbr]

Thanks Thane for starting this thread.

Thank you Mister Cat, just ordered myself a Xmas present, had already given up hope finding that lens in NZ.

(Hope I'm lucky and that lens wasn't sold yet, website doesn't look like it has active stock updates)

 

[OlyChamp]

So what of those sell offs? Well I have been monitoring our local auction sites with a certain degree of hope in picking up an Ex and glass for a bargain price. The reality is otherwise. Apart from one E620 and Kit Lenses (that has been asking too much), there have been no other E systems up for sale. None!! Plenty of mFT systems, but no E system units.

Photo&Video here in Christchurch have what appears to be a 'job lot' of standard FT gear up for sale.

• An E-5 body for $795
• A Sigma 50-500 for $750 (I want this, but I also need to pay bills...)
• A Sigma 105 macro for $295 (I had one, but didn't really use it so sold it -- nice but very slow AF)
• Olympus 50 mm f/2 for $395 (Also want...)
• Olympus 12-60 for $595
• EX-25 for $100 (good for the 50 mm, maybe the Sigma 105 if you want macro)

There was also an EC-14 and an EC-20 available, but there was a cat prowling for stuff who collected those up.

So maybe we will see some more stuff turn up as more people rationalise their collections and shift to MicroFT. After Christmas may be a good time to keep an eye on Trade Me and similar.

I want that E5 and maybe too the 50mm. Unfortunately Lotto has been rather unkind, so will save next year for one. Thanks for the info Boggis the Cat.

Thane

 

[OlyChamp]

Thanks Thane for starting this thread.

Harm

My pleasure Harm, so glad it was of help

Thane

 

[Michael99]

I have had my E-M1 for a couple of months now and have made over 6k exposures with it. Yes the battery is that bad!!!



I really like the camera but I have experienced many an outing when I have gotten less than 300 clicks per battery, in fact much closer to 200. Olympus really "screwed the pooch" with their choice of batteries for the E-M1 and it's a major flaw in what otherwise is an outstanding camera. Not only does this choice dictate numerous battery swaps per outing but I am convinced that it plays a role in the ability to focus quickly the 4/3rds lenses that the camera invites you to mount.

 

[boggis the cat]

Thanks Thane for starting this thread.

Thank you Mister Cat, just ordered myself a Xmas present, had already given up hope finding that lens in NZ.

There was one new "Bigma" available in FT mount for a while, for a mere $2000. I thought quite hard about that.

(Hope I'm lucky and that lens wasn't sold yet, website doesn't look like it has active stock updates)

It has definitely evaporated today, so I'd say that they'll be happy about the sell-through of their second-hand FT stuff this morning.

Let us know how that lens performs. And if you get bored with it, or want to sell it on without Trade Me fees...

 

[harmbr]

Thanks Thane for starting this thread.

Thank you Mister Cat, just ordered myself a Xmas present, had already given up hope finding that lens in NZ.

There was one new "Bigma" available in FT mount for a while, for a mere $2000. I thought quite hard about that.

Years ago when it was still a stocked item I had the choice between a new "Bigma" or a 12-60; I opted for the 12-60, later thinking I should have bought the "Bigma" first and a year later the 12-60.

Hindsight is a lovely thing.

(Hope I'm lucky and that lens wasn't sold yet, website doesn't look like it has active stock updates)

It has definitely evaporated today, so I'd say that they'll be happy about the sell-through of their second-hand FT stuff this morning.

You should claim commission

Got an email, it's on his way (Xmas comes early )

Let us know how that lens performs.

When I familiarized myself with it I'll sure post some shoots.

And if you get bored with it, or want to sell it on without Trade Me fees...

Your second in line, If I'm not careful my son might "borrow" it when he goes back to uni in March next year.

Cheers,

Harm

 

[boggis the cat]

Thanks Thane for starting this thread.

Thank you Mister Cat, just ordered myself a Xmas present, had already given up hope finding that lens in NZ.

There was one new "Bigma" available in FT mount for a while, for a mere $2000. I thought quite hard about that.

Years ago when it was still a stocked item I had the choice between a new "Bigma" or a 12-60; I opted for the 12-60, later thinking I should have bought the "Bigma" first and a year later the 12-60.

Hindsight is a lovely thing.

(Hope I'm lucky and that lens wasn't sold yet, website doesn't look like it has active stock updates)

It has definitely evaporated today, so I'd say that they'll be happy about the sell-through of their second-hand FT stuff this morning.

You should claim commission

That would be unethical. And commies don't dig rent-seeking behaviour.

Perhaps DPR needs an area for members to post up local finds of this type. It would be easier than constantly checking second-hand equipment lists throughout your area.

Got an email, it's on his way (Xmas comes early )

Let us know how that lens performs.

When I familiarized myself with it I'll sure post some shoots.

And if you get bored with it, or want to sell it on without Trade Me fees...

Your second in line, If I'm not careful my son might "borrow" it when he goes back to uni in March next year.

Yeah, I still have a 'loan' camera that has not come back after a couple of years.

 

[Dan]

I've heard similar stories about eBay...seems to be overly buyer friendly these days.

I haven't sold much on eBay ever and even prior to your story had convinced myself to never sell there again...great to buy there though.

Sorry about the hassle and lost money that's for sure.

Dan

 

[Godfrey]

I'm delighted with the E-M1.

Rather than selling off any of my FT lenses, I've added the EC-14 and 50-200 back into my kit. I've also purchased the 14mm f/2.5, 25mm f/1.4, and 45mm f/2.8 lenses available for Micro-FourThirds. And I'm not selling my E-1. ;-)

 

[Kim R]

Here in the states more use 4/3d is coming up for sale and the price is dropping some too. I think that after Christmas and as folks get a new camera gifted we can expect to see more good deals for the buyers of high quality Zuiko lenses.

I see lightly used E-5s going from 750 to about a high of 900 dollars.I thought about selling mine but may have waited a month to long.

Also some really of the super high quality lenses coming up for sale and dropping in price. I noted that here in OR and on Craigslist last week there were not one but two 300mm F2.8s and both were at 4000 and they would consider trades for vehicles.

On eBay just recently there have been several 14-35mm Zuikos that sold for from 1000 to 1400 dollars with quite a few hitting at 1150 to 1400 hundred dollars.

It is a buyers market and all good for someone wishing to buy 4/3ds lenses but not so good for those selling.

 

[Craig from Nevada]

I have noticed the prices of 14-35mm lenses dropping. Some of it is the holiday, with folks dumping gear for cash and some of it is the 12-40mm. Prices are below $1,300 for the items I have seen auctioned on ebay.

The 12-40mm is now out and available. At $999 it is the benchmark price for the all purpose lens. The size, focal length and optical quality of the lens make it a preferred choice for buyers. Picking up a 14-35mm used involves a trade-off of sorts of these factors. How much is the optical quality of the 14-35 worth over the price and size advantages of the 12-40mm? The 14-35mm may be better but is it $100, $200 or $300 better than 12-40mm?

I think next year at this time there will be parity in the prices. We shall see.