Rediscovering m4/3 – perhaps

[Lasse Eisele]

I love my Nikon D800E. It's the best camera I have ever used and possibly the best I will ever use. The image quality is fantastic. The handling is great. The viewfinder, the ergonomy, the reliability. Whenever I take a bad picture, I can never blame the camera. It's always a pleasure to use and I love my D800E.

But as good as it feels in my hand, I don't love carrying it with a couple of lenses when I'm hiking or just strolling along without any specific purpose. A full frame DSLR is something you bring when you know you're going to use it.

I've been looking at smaller systems that might be good enough for what I want to achieve. Sony FF? No, once you add a couple of lenses only your wallet got lighter. Sony APS-C? No, hardly any lenses available. Samsung NX1? Very interesting camera, but the better zoom lenses are very expensive and quite heavy. Fujifilm? I have actually been rather close to buying into the Fuji system. The cameras seem to be made for photographers and the lenses would cover most of my needs. But what would I gain compared to m4/3? Not much, in my opinion. Image quality is supposed to be better, but I can't see the difference. Nikon 1? Yes, that system could be a real contender if only Nikon would take it seriously. The latest sensor (same as RX100) is quite good and the lenses are good. But where is the serious body?

So I have picked up my m4/3 gear again. I took my G3 and GX7 on two trips with my wife to beatiful Skåne (Scania), the southernmost province in Sweden, and also on my big annual hike in Swedish Lapland.

Here are some pics from Skåne:

























And a couple of images from my Lapland hike through three national parks (Padjelanta, Sarek and Stora sjöfallet):

































Lenses used: Oly 9-18, Pana 14-45, Oly ZD 40-150 4-5.6 (regular 4/3).

My verdict: I will never love the GX7 as I love my D800E. The D800E is an extension of my body and brain. The GX7 is just an electronic device, cluttered with randomly laid out buttons that I hit by mistake all the time. There is also a very obvious difference in image quality. However, the D800E may be more than I actually need in this respect and m4/3 may be good enough. I recently ordered a large print (A2+) of a G3 image for a friend and was almost blown away by the quality. 16 MP is probably enough for any print size. Unless you need to crop the image, which I do very often.

Well, I guess I'm back in the m4/3 camp, at least for now. I'm debating with myself whether or not to invest in a 35-100 2.8. Or should I rather buy an E-M1 to make better use of the ZD 40-150 (it's a very sharp lens in the 40-100 mm range but focusing is terribly slow on my Panasonic bodies)?

Regards
Lasse

--

http://lasseeisele.com/

 

[Michael M Fliegel]

Try an EM1. Best ergonomics of any camera.....period. The lens choices are staggering. The 35-100 2.8 is stellar.

I have never felt the call of FF. I like carrying everything I need in aDomke F5XB. You can't do that FF.

 

[Bobby J]

There are some nice images there. Just think how much better they would have been if you had used your beloved D-800E. You could have printed twice as big I'll bet. It would only weigh a little more than the m4:3 wouldn't it? Are you a whimp? HA!

Actually I think you've made a pretty good case for m4:3. It has it's place. It's when you need mobility and good IQ and you aren't able to lug around a back breaking load of equipment. At normal enlargements you won't likely see much difference in print quality up to probably around 20x24 inches. I think this is what the system is developed for and I think a lot of Pro's are figuring it out. I don't think it can replace FF, but makes a very good supplement when needed.

For me, and many of us, it's all we need for what we do. As the previous poster mentioned, I think the ergonomics on the EM-1 are fabulous. For me at least, it's the best camera I've ever used, and that's a lot of cameras over the years. When it's replacement comes out, I hope they don't change it very much.

 

[Henry Richardson]

Yeah, m4/3 and smaller sensors have come a long way. Read this today and it is on point:

http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/what-a-difference-a-decade.html

I have also written how even my Canon G16 with a Sony BSI 12mp 1/1.7" sensor matched with a fast 28-140mm f1.8-2.8 lens (which means you can usually use low ISO) has noise and dynamic range competitive with my APS-C DSLR from years ago (especially since I didn't have an 28-140mm f1.8-2.8 lens for it so usually used less fast apertures/higher ISO).

 

[Lasse Eisele]

Yeah, m4/3 and smaller sensors have come a long way. Read this today and it is on point:

http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/what-a-difference-a-decade.html

I have also written how even my Canon G16 with a Sony BSI 12mp 1/1.7" sensor matched with a fast 28-140mm f1.8-2.8 lens (which means you can usually use low ISO) has noise and dynamic range competitive with my APS-C DSLR from years ago (especially since I didn't have an 28-140mm f1.8-2.8 lens for it so usually used less fast apertures/higher ISO).

 

[Aleo Veuliah]

Good Pictures.

 

[agnost]

Very nicely stated and your post reinforces two well-known concepts: The best camera is the one you have with you, and no amount of equipment is a substitute for talent -- which you have in abundance.

 

[dulynoted]

I have absolutely no idea what the 5th shot is.......a storm? The 6th is very nice though. Looks like an abstract sunset painting in a way. Very nice colors.

 

[absoluutbeginner]

Lasse ....

I think you just have a luxury problem ....:-D

With the amount of camera's and lenses that Ive just heard pass by ;-)

Just breath and let your brain calm down !

Perhaps meditation would be a better option ;-)

Greets

 

[Jim Salvas]

In your shoes, I'd pick up a used E-M1 now (good prices to be had) and try it out. I came from Nikon (D300) and found the handling of the E-M1 to be even better. It's not as bulletproof as the top Nikon bodies, but then, you're not paying for a $3,000 + body and watching it depreciate.

If you find you like the E-M1, there's the likelihood of some major improvements when Olympus introduces its successor, probably in late 2016.

--
Jim Salvas
"You miss 100% of the shots you never take." - Wayne Gretzky

 

[Rusk]

Well, I guess I'm back in the m4/3 camp, at least for now. I'm debating with myself whether or not to invest in a 35-100 2.8. Or should I rather buy an E-M1 to make better use of the ZD 40-150 (it's a very sharp lens in the 40-100 mm range but focusing is terribly slow on my Panasonic bodies)?

Get the E-M1. I sold D800e because E-M1 body. The layout and functions in E-M1 is far better than D800e, that I respectfully as well highly praised, but it is nothing compared to E-M1.

It will make you carry more the m4/3 camera and leave the D800e for situations where you really need its slight advantage and you are ready to carry heavier load and larger setup.

There is probability that eventually you might even sell the D800e after a while using E-M1, as that happened to me.

If you are willing to "suffer" from using Panasonic bodies, the 35-100mm f/2.8 is excellent one.

You have fairly difficult position because you want a better body (E-M1 is the #1) but then you want smaller weight and size and using older ZD 40-150mm with adapter can be little let down sometimes.

 

[MatsP]

Very nice pictures Lasse! The first one from Skåne, where is it exactly? Can't recognise it. When I see your pictures from fjällen (excuse me for using the Swedish word) I really feel it was a too long time ago I was hiking in the mountains at summertime. I use to be skiing there every winter, but it's just so beautiful in summer or early autumn.

Anyway, I think your pics speak for themselves, mft is good enough. I have an E-M5 myself, and the fantastic 12-40 pro. I think the E-M1 would be ideal for you with your ft lens.

 

[Lasse Eisele]

Many votes för the E-M1 here and I have already been thinking along those lines. Actually, I was close to buying a used E-M1 a few days ago but couldn't make up my mind until it was too late.

My only experience with Olympus is the E-P1 which I still own but haven't used for years. It was a good camera at the time in some ways but the menu system and the user manual drove me nuts.

However, I'm beginning to think that Olympus has a lot of potential for the future. The first generations of IBIS didn't impress me much but the later 5-axis iterations seem to be very good. That's important to me since I'm mostly shooting handheld.

Then there is the sensor shift high res mode. If Olympus can speed it up to be usable handheld and for slow moving subjects, then I might finally ditch my Nikon gear for good. Regardless, I hope that future m4/3 sensors will have higher resolution. The GX8 is a small step in the right direction.

I said in my original post that I think 16 MP is enough even for very large prints, but I would still want more resolution from my camera, at least 24 MP and preferably more. High resolution gives you cropping room and easier editing. The only downside is that it needs more harddrive space, but that's a minor problem, in my opinion.

Anyway, I will likely wait some time before I make any new investments. I have retired and don't have a lot of money to spend. In the meantime, I will enjoy what I already have.

Here's an image from last year that I like very much. Just a water reflection turned upside down, so nothing original but I think it came out really good. It was taken with the GX7 and the humble 14-45.





Regards
Lasse

--

http://lasseeisele.com/

 

[Lasse Eisele]

I have absolutely no idea what the 5th shot is.......a storm? The 6th is very nice though. Looks like an abstract sunset painting in a way. Very nice colors.

The 5th shot is just wet sand on a sea shore. I like it but I can understand that it's not for everyone. The 6th shot is pretty much created in Photoshop. I had forgotten my ND filter so had to add digital motion blur in post processing. Glad you like it.

 

[Lasse Eisele]

Very nice pictures Lasse! The first one from Skåne, where is it exactly? Can't recognise it. When I see your pictures from fjällen (excuse me for using the Swedish word) I really feel it was a too long time ago I was hiking in the mountains at summertime. I use to be skiing there every winter, but it's just so beautiful in summer or early autumn.

Anyway, I think your pics speak for themselves, mft is good enough. I have an E-M5 myself, and the fantastic 12-40 pro. I think the E-M1 would be ideal for you with your ft lens.

Thanks Mats, the first pic was taken between Vik and Baskemölla in Österlen.

 

[Lasse Eisele]

Lasse ....

I think you just have a luxury problem ....:-D

With the amount of camera's and lenses that Ive just heard pass by ;-)

Just breath and let your brain calm down !

Perhaps meditation would be a better option ;-)

Greets

Of course it's a luxury problem. Isn't that what we're discussing all the time on these forums?

 

[Skeeterbytes]

Wonderful set. The river crossing is something I'd never encounter in California; ours are an order of magnitude smaller. Brrrrr!

Will echo the E-M1 recommendations. Even if a bit larger than ideal for backpacking, it does everything I need and shrugs off the weather. Has been my go-to camera for a couple years now and has proven fantastically adaptable for many uses.

Cheers,

Rick

 

[Gerry Siegel]

Lasse, it is fine to love one camera and use a GX 7 as a concubine camera. Not sure what you are asking. Yet, true it is that the OMD Em-1 is a notch higher in professional capabilities than the GX 7. And the pro level zooms by Lumix and Olympus are wonderful. As to layout, one can hardly have small and yet lots of real estate for knobs and buttons. The industry is trying out various combinations of those. I am not thrilled with the layout on GX 7 but the touch screen helps once you get familiar. So if you care to amplify, what is your question or goal. Sound like you are really pretty happy. And your photos would warm any fireside discussion. Live long and prosper. And wait a year to see the next iteration of micro 43s. I bet on it.

 

[108]

Very nice pics, the eighth one with the two guys by the red tent is simply gorgeous .

Which make a compelling case for the gx7 ;-)

 

[happypoppeye]

Nice pics ...why don't you just use the D800 and a small prime. Not much bigger then the m43 and at least three lenses you were using here.