A second body? Same or different?

It looks like I'll be fortunate enough to take a long tourist trip in a few months' time.  This has made me look closely at my camera gear!

On my last big trip, my E-5, 12-60 and 50-200 produced great photos, but I soon tired of carrying the 50-200 and left it in my room.  I bought a compact zoom (Panasonic travel zoom) to replace that focal range and just lived with the loss of quality in the photos.  Even the E-5 + 12-60 started to get me down and frequently my hands would ache from holding it.  But that's old stuff...

I now have an E-M1 + 12-40 + Panasonic 100-300.  This combination produces lovely images and if I use the HLD-7 grip it's juuuust big enough to hold.  Sorted?  Not quite.

The remaining down side is changing lenses.  I've long been sick of changing lenses and missing shots because of how long it takes, risking lenses and camera by fumbling, and often turning around and finding the group has moved on and I'm left behind.

I suppose I could buy a 14-150 and ignore the image quality but if I bought a 2nd body, I think my lens changing problems would be solved.  But which body?

A 2nd E-M1 would seem ideal.  I would automatically get a 2nd charger and compatible battery.  It would have identical feel, behaviour and settings to my primary camera.  And in my part of the world, for the rest of this month, Olympus is offering a sweet cash back deal.

But I recall that back when I was buying the E-M1, both the Panasonic GH3 and G6 felt better in my hand than the E-M1.  The G6 is cheaper than the E-M1 even with the cash back, and I could get it with some bundled (low end) lenses if I felt like it.

The GH4 seems like it's an upgrade over the E-M1, so perhaps the answer is to get one and consider the E-M1 the backup body.

Finally, the Panasonic GM1 is so small it has a trick that is almost magic: it can fit in my bag attached to the 100-300 as if it's a fat rear cap!  Apparently it can take good pictures, so why not get one?

So there's my array of choices laid out:

- save money and buy nothing (I would hate this as I would miss plenty of shots changing lenses)

- buy a 2nd E-M1 during the "cheap" time, i.e. now

- buy a G6 and score some cheap additional lenses

- buy a GH4 and consider my E-M1 the backup

- buy a GM1 "enhanced rear lens cap"

What do you think?  Can I go wrong with any of these options?

Personally, I would hate changing to a different camera manufacturer, since there would be too many differences in how the cameras operate.  In this situation, I would probably get the E-M10 (less expensive) and put the lens on it that was used less frequently, since it is smaller than the E-M1 and thus somewhat easier to carry as a second camera.  The disadvantages would be lack of weather sealing and a different battery.  If size were not a consideration, then I would get a second E-M1, since no relearning or adjustment required for quick camera changes and no battery difference.  In addition you would have the prefect backup camera, if either developed problems.  If your current camera was a GH4, then I would recommend staying with a second Panasonic (G6 or GM1).

Im in a similar boat. Im going on vacation in a month or two, reservations are made, and this will be my first trip with MFT. Problem is, i know there will be times when i want better tracking than what my GX7 will offer. It reminds me of a response i gave recently about whether "Panasonic should be kicked from MFT". As i said there, i think it's great we have so many differing cameras and brands, regardless of the direction any of them take. It gives us more choices for a wider range of uses.

We have multiple "sports" cams now, we have our choice of Pro video, we have other worldly IBIS for using any legacy lens we want, and we still don't know what Kodak will bring in the next few years. This is good, even if it means having more than one body. Im still shopping around for what i want as a second body, even outside of MFT, but the EM1 is looking more and more like a good idea.

There are times i want the things my GX7 does better, video, silent mode, and there are things an EM1 would do better were i to buy it, like low light/low SS shots which help keep ISO down. Action is another. I see nothing wrong with buying both. Yes the haters will insist it should all be in one body, but how many cameras offer that? Sony E mount doesn't have IBIS like Olympus, not video like a GH4. Neither does Nikon or Canon. None offer it all in one camera, let alone one that is under $2k, so i see no reason we should expect it here.

My mind isn't made up, but the EM1 looks like a good idea. Im taking family to the FL beaches, and we will be chasing eachother all over the place, other times basking in the sun. Small cameras, they can use the same lenses (and flashes) rather than carrying two system's of gear. I see it as an advantage to buy different bodies to always have each's advantage when needed. In fact, im kind of talking myself out of a D7000 i think...

I also am going on a trip and taking the GM1, which I just purchased used from BandH.  I was watching a video on Little Camera Big Picture blogg and Guillio mentioned that he sometimes uses the Iauto+ mode when he is busy.  I tried this with the GM1 and got incredibly good pictures.  You still can change the white balance by shifting it toward the warm or the cold and you can + or - the ev.  This makes the second camera very easy to use and then you will not have to change lenses and the camera is truly tiny but the IQ is very very good.

Hal

to the OP - if you found your E5 plus lenses was too much some time ago then IMHO you will also find 2 x EM1's too much...

Do what I did - get the GM1 as a backup to your EM1 - it's a superb little camera, quite capable, in fact in some ways more capable than the EM1 (better video/high-speed electronic shutter with silent mode/built-in flash/wifi to a laptop) and besides - it's so much fun to use!

It's a perfect backup device and even a large tele-zoom like the 45-175 fits and is perfectly useable.

It's also good to have a different UI - the Panasonic UI is very good, easier than the Olympus and unless you are short of brain cells you should be able to cope well with using both cameras together.

I'm finding that I tend to use my GM1 more than my EM1 - it's a bit of a worry...

I much prefer having two identical bodies so I can find buttons and change settings intuitively and by feel. I shoot events professionally, so I'm often working fast and in the dark with both cameras at the same time. Right now I have a G6 & GX7 - each for their respective strengths - but I find I prefer the GX7, so I'm going to get another to replace the G6.

I like the idea of a GX7 + 14-140 MkII as a vacation camera, with an LX7 or similar as backup. But, I like to make and sell large prints, so for top IQ I still carry two bodies and two zooms or one body and three zooms in a Tamrac Rally 4 shoulder bag. I frequently walk all day with this kit and do not find it burdensome.

Dr Hal wrote:

I also am going on a trip and taking the GM1, which I just purchased used from BandH. I was watching a video on Little Camera Big Picture blogg and Guillio mentioned that he sometimes uses the Iauto+ mode when he is busy. I tried this with the GM1 and got incredibly good pictures. You still can change the white balance by shifting it toward the warm or the cold and you can + or - the ev. This makes the second camera very easy to use and then you will not have to change lenses and the camera is truly tiny but the IQ is very very good.

Interesting idea about using iAuto on the second body.

My girlfriend and I been in Belgium for the past week (Brussels, Gent, Bruges, now in Antwerp… OMFG what a great town!!!!). We've got a GX7 and GX1. She likes using the 45-150mm (the 14-42mm II isn't zoomy enough, so I've promised her a 14-140mm II) and I've used mostly the 7-14mm and 17.5mm. I shoot in M mode and she likes iAuto.

I've been grabbing the GX1 instead of swapping lenses and been very pleased with iAuto results so far. It's great being able to use a second camera and iAuto let's me grab fast shots without fiddling. I've been surprised how well this system has been working.

anomalous wrote:

So there's my array of choices laid out:

1. save money and buy nothing (I would hate this as I would miss plenty of shots changing lenses)

2. buy a 2nd E-M1 during the "cheap" time, i.e. now

3. buy a G6 and score some cheap additional lenses

4. buy a GH4 and consider my E-M1 the backup

5. buy a GM1 "enhanced rear lens cap"

What do you think? Can I go wrong with any of these options?

In a system with two vendors it makes sense IMO to know what the other vendor is doing.

If you are shooting for money, then get 2nd back-up E-M1. Nothing else makes sense.

If you are shooting for pleasure, then my advice would be to buy camera from the other vendor.

The simple truth is, O&P do different things differently and thus has their own strong points. With Pana you get good video. With Oly you get IBIS. Pana favors simplicity, while Oly's menus allow to customize a hell out of the camera: but sometimes simplicity "just works" while one often one can't stop tweaking setting. Pana has full e-shutter/silent mode - Oly now has EFCS (electronic first curtain shutter). Pana cameras have better grips - Oly favors flatter bodies (E-M1 is the only exception). Pana has cameras with fully articulated LCD - Oly still hasn't.

Depending on your priorities, I'd say go for the G6 (prio: cheap all-rounder second camera) or the GM1(prio: take anywhere camera). GH4 - only if you have the money and want the latest and the greatest.

Agreed that it makes sense to go for a 2nd EM1 if you are doing pro stuff but for a holiday the GM1 makes so much more sense as the 2nd camera - it has many benefits as an all-day inconspicuous camera that weighs next to nothing and yet beats the EM1's capabilities in many ways.

IMHO the EM1 and GM1 are a perfect pair for a holiday situation.

The best of both worlds

Edit - after re-reading your OP perhaps you will find the GM1 too small and frustrating to use, it's is after all a very small 'soap bar'...

You seem to prefer a bigger body and also the lack of viewfinder in the GM1 could be a frustration...

You've gotten a good load of good advice by now.

For your choice you might want to consider one more point, tho: the type of situations in which you plan to take your pictures. Will you have enough time between one camera and the other to think and readjust your routine, or will you be in situations where you will want to change blindly and automatically between camera's?

If it's for family outings, you usually have time to think and adapt going from one camera to the next. But if you're in a situation where you have to change "blindly" from one focal lenght to a next that just happens to be on the other camera, then you'll need identical bodies or you're gonna loose pictures. No matter how bright the brain. In those situations you work with your reflexes, your muscle memory.

But, again, if you mainly will be in situations that allow you to work in a more relaxed way, why not please your back with a GM1!

A next consideration: if you don't want to have two identical bodies on the long run, you can always sell one when you're back.

Have a great trip!

Jeanette

anomalous wrote:

SidSnot wrote:

IMHO the EM1 and GM1 are a perfect pair for a holiday situation.

The best of both worlds

It's an interesting enough idea that I will try to find a camera store and test a GM1 with my lenses. A bit tricky though because I live a long way from any big city.

Edit - after re-reading your OP perhaps you will find the GM1 too small and frustrating to use, it's is after all a very small 'soap bar'...

I would get a Franiec grip if I got the GM1. Also, if it's attached to the 100-300, correct me if I'm wrong, but you'd be holding the lens in one hand and pressing the shutter button with the other, so holding the GM1 itself would be kind of irrelevant.

You seem to prefer a bigger body and also the lack of viewfinder in the GM1 could be a frustration...

Gak! Forgot about the lack of a viewfinder. Suddenly the G6, GH4 and E-M1 leap ahead...

PS I couldn't see an "edit" button anywhere, but because you managed an edit, I looked and looked, only to find it hidden behind "More options". Is it always so hard to find? That is rather surprising. Off to the "feedback" forum, I guess.

There's been a few times this past week I've posted a message and found a need to edit it right away, but the EDIT option isn't displayed in the drop down list.  FWIW

Personally, I'd rather change a lens than pick up a 2nd body that's different from the main squeeze.    I can usually change a lens in well under 30s (including putting the swapped out lens back in the bag), about the same time it takes for me to realize I'm hitting  the wrong button/switch/lever on a camera I'm familiar with (E-M5) but don't use as nearly as often as the E-M1.  Because I get to a point with the main camera where operation is intuitive, and it takes me a moment to switch gears in my head.   So I go out with one body when I want to travel lightest, and with two E-M1's when I want to be ready for almost anything.   But I'm a creature of habit.

If I didn't want to heft a 2nd E-M1 on a 2 week holiday far from home, I'd probably pick up a pocket camera as a backup, though (LXn, RX something, etc.)

Having just moved from a Panasonic G5 to a OM-D E-M1, I would stay with the same manufacturer. I think having different menus would drive me crazy.

We too are planning a big Alaska trip for next summer. I shoot the E-M1 and my husband shoots the E-M10. Our plan is to pick up a used E-M5 to keep on our Panasonic 100-300 during this trip. I suspect this lens will not be our most used, but will be needed the most quickly for wildlife shots.

anomalous wrote:

Jacques Cornell wrote:

Right now I have a G6 & GX7 - each for their respective strengths - but I find I prefer the GX7, so I'm going to get another to replace the G6.

The only thing holding me back is that I occasionally find the articulated screen very useful.

Interesting. I found the GX7 looked good on paper, but I failed to hold it in the store. As in, I can't hold the GX7 sufficiently well to take a photograph.

That's part of the reason I got one of each. I really like the G6 ergonomics. Good solid one-handed grip. In use, though, I've found that the GX7 ergonomics don't bug me, and other things make me strongly prefer it. Like the raised edges of the buttons. Working fast in the dark, I can find the GX7 buttons by feel. G6, not so much. Also, the GX7's manual mode Constant Preview, which makes the VF show what the exposure will look like, combined with the better color and higher resolution of the EVF, gives me a much better view of what I'm going to get. I shoot in manual mode a lot. I also like having IBIS for my unstabilized primes. I really hope a future G7 will incorporate these elements.

I like the idea of a GX7 + 14-140 MkII as a vacation camera, with an LX7 or similar as backup. But, I like to make and sell large prints, so for top IQ I still carry two bodies and two zooms or one body and three zooms in a Tamrac Rally 4 shoulder bag. I frequently walk all day with this kit and do not find it burdensome.

If I thought I could live with a 14-140 or 14-150, I'd just do that. But that would mean not using the 12-40 and that would be awful! How could I leave that lens behind?

Back to the topic at hand, for leisurely use I like the suggestion someone posted about having a small second body on the 100-300 and putting it on auto. Might even put it on "sports" scene mode. You'll want to make sure that these modes work with RAW. An alternative to a GM1 might be a GX1, which provides a bit better grip, more controls, the option of adding an EVF, and very decent IQ, in a package that's slightly smaller than a GX7.

Consider a smaller Olly camera of the same sensor generation - E-PM2, E-PL5, E-P5, or E-M10.

- The menus, overall camera behavior and IQ are similar so you'll face fewer decisions and make fewer mistakes.

- The flashes are compatible.

- The RAW files from the same shoot can be put through the same steps in Lightroom.

I currently carry the E-PM2 along with the E-M1 but if I were going to choose again I'd probably go for the E-PL5 just to get a proper PASM dial which I would promptly assign to MySets.