Disappointments and surprises of Olympus and MFT

Kharan wrote:

Hi everyone. I'm writing here because I find myself in a conundrum regarding my E-M1, and would like some input from other shooters. I've a fair bit of experience with cameras and photo equipment, but the E-M1 is my first "pro-level" camera. As such, I was expecting great things out of it, some of which it accomplished, and some others that it didn't. I love the build, the size, the control placement and versatility, the IBIS, and the picture quality in general. The EVF is fantastic. The WiFi sucks, and I'm kinda disappointed with it, as it is a feature I use. The JPEGs are terrible, to my taste (I really dislike the vaunted "Olympus color"), but the RAWs turn out pretty well, so I can't complain too much. But more importantly, its rear dial is failing, and getting worse by the day, and repairing it isn't an option (long story). Now, with all the other horror stories about strap lugs failing and EVFs getting blotched, I'm quite unsure whether to keep the camera or not.

Given your unhappiness, you shouldn't keep the E-M1. An it goes on :

I really don't think I'll find a body that I'll like better on any system or platform, but I'm not willing to purchase another E-M1 to see if I luck out with it.

Another big disappointment were the lenses. I invested a bit on a range of lenses for different purposes and needs. My two Panasonic lenses are terrific; the 12-32mm is stunningly good, small and light, and between it and my Olympus 12-60mm SWD there isn't a big difference (well, yes, in size!). I am kind of disappointed on the SWD, as I expected better performance out of a lens so large and heavy, and I know I have a good copy. It flares quite a bit, and I won't attach a lens hood to it for fear of having the front element pop off at some point. My copy of the Panasonic 25mm f/1.7 is simply outstanding - resolution, color and contrast are sublime, it works excellently in low light, and focuses very fast and accurately. For $99, it's a lens that is light years ahead of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8.

On the other hand, my Olympus 14-140mm mk. I is poor. From 14 to 50mm it works fine, and I tested it against an Olympus 14-42mm R and a Panasonic 14-42mm mk. I to show that it worked within spec. At the long end, however, it's a disaster. It focuses unreliably, and is soft. I wouldn't care much about this if it weren't for the fact that I bought other lenses to cover the long end, where I personally do much of my photography, in the form of the Olympus 70-300mm FT and the 75-300mm MSC II. I plan to do a comparative review of these two lenses shortly, but my executive summary is this: the old 70-300mm is a very good lens optically, with 0.5x maximum magnification (1:1 repro on 35mm terms) that left me very impressed, but with the most vile focus drive ever spit upon photographers in history. I'm not joking - it's a POS in AF AND MF, since it's focus by wire, and works in an imprecise, slow, and noisy manner. On the other hand, the new 75-300mm MSC is very quick in operation, has a reasonable build quality, but is softer at the long end, doesn't compare in maximum magnification, and has a noticeably slower aperture. That Olympus replaced one terrible lens with another, and both being weak at opposite things, I cannot for the life of me fathom.

With so much unhappiness, I think it would be self-torture to continue with the E-M1 and olympus lenses.

I think you should ask yourself some other questions than "which lens should I buy?".

But if you want to go on with Olympus : 12-40 f/2.8 + 40-150 f/2.8 are the most sensitive combo on a E-M1.

Having used the Olympus Systems for over 30 years and now the EM1 for the past three years I can safely say that I have none of your issues. This may be a case where you need to look somewhere else for other technology that may meet your requirements. Please drop us a note on what you have decided to go with I'm sure all of our readers would be very interested.

PS: I just used the repair facility in Hackensack NJ about 20 min from my house. I had an issue with the IS locked up on me. Dropped it off Tuesday around 4 and they called me at 2 the next day saying it was ready for pick up. Now that's service they also replaced the sensor with the complete IS system. fEngineer personally took time with me to explain everything. Please use this location.

fcheh wrote:

Having used the Olympus Systems for over 30 years and now the EM1 for the past three years I can safely say that I have none of your issues. This may be a case where you need to look somewhere else for other technology that may meet your requirements. Please drop us a note on what you have decided to go with I'm sure all of our readers would be very interested.

PS: I just used the repair facility in Hackensack NJ about 20 min from my house. I had an issue with the IS locked up on me. Dropped it off Tuesday around 4 and they called me at 2 the next day saying it was ready for pick up. Now that's service they also replaced the sensor with the complete IS system. fEngineer personally took time with me to explain everything. Please use this location.

Thanks, but I'm not in the US, and getting the camera repaired isn't viable for me.

Hi Frederic,

I do realize that my post is overly negative. I've gotten some very reasonable replies, lots of good advice, and also some poorly-considered words. Actually, there's many things I do like about Olympus, and especially about the E-M1, which is why I'm considering a change of optics. I love the size and the build of it, the EVF, the IBIS (also in video, it looks great!), the many controls, the bundled flash, etc. This has become more and more complicated to ponder for me as the camera's price in Korea has fallen again, leaving me with a net loss if I sell it (something I didn't quite expect when I bought it), but also the rear dial on my E-M1 is finally starting to respond, which is a welcome surprise. I think I might just get the Panasonic 14-140mm version 2 and some legacy fast and long lens, or a Canon with the Kipon adapter. We'll see.