Trimming the m43 fat from my collection and expectations

Well, folks, this year I drank a ton of m43 kool-aid, ripped apart the much lauded m43 lens catalog, and the newer cameras as well, and ultimate found a balance, a very delicate one that will work for me going forward. The end effect is that I'll have to keep a handful of expensive lenses, and sell a number of lenses and cameras that were either duplicates or not really my cup of tea. Thank you to everyone on this forum for the great dialog and discussion, and for the guidance toward the higher performing lenses and cameras. That's about what I figured would happen, however, I had to take the long road, and a lot of mediocre m43 glass in the interim, to figure that out.

I'm curious what you'll be running with going forward, and hawking, going into the holidays. What are you keeping, what are you selling?

For my intents and purposes, here are the winners and losers (family, travel, natural light, wildlife):

Winners:

• Camera: E-M1 (soon to be E-M1 II)
• Natural light: 25 1.2, 15 1.7
• Travel: 14-150 II
• General: 12-40 f2.8
• Wildlife: 300 f4, TC

Losers:

• Camera: GX8 (by a hair), GX85, GH4, G7
• Primes: 25 1.4, 45 1.8, 42.5 1.2 (simply replaced by the weather sealed 25 1.2), 75 1.8, 17 1.8
• Travel: 14-140 II, 14-140, 14-150
• General: 12-35 f2.8, 12-32 pancake
• Macro: 60 f2.8, 30 f2.8
• Wildlife: 100-400 (300 beats it at 400, sorry), 100-300, 75-300, 40-150 f2.8 + TC

In 2017, for what it's worth, I will depend on the E-M1 II to bridge the gap between my expectations for m43 CAF and SAF (which by the way, contrary to a lot of m43 forum feedback, was not really close to being met), as well as to provide higher IQ. I love the IBIS in the existing cameras, and cannot see myself stepping down to a lesser performing stabilization system any time soon. Overall, just excited for this camera to breathe some life into my system.

Let me know if you have any questions about the lenses I decided not to keep, and why. I'll be happy to provide context for the "losers", many of which were simply personal decisions. I have a lot of time, perhaps 20,000 images through m43 this year, forty hours of dedicated video, with family, kids, and nature, so the emphasis is in that direction.

I would prefer categories other than "winners" and "losers".

Arizona Sunset wrote:

Winners:

• Camera: E-M1 (soon to be E-M1 II) 
• Natural light: 25 1.2, 15 1.7
• Travel: 14-150 II
• General: 12-40 f2.8
• Wildlife: 300 f4, TC

EM-1 II - Ordered
25 1.2 - Lens in hand
15 1.7 - On wishlist
14-150 - Skip for now
12-40 - On wishlist
300 - On wishlist

Looks like your findings match well with what I have ordered/intend to order in the future, cool!

Arizona Sunset wrote:

Well, folks, this year I drank a ton of m43 kool-aid, ripped apart the much lauded m43 lens catalog, and the newer cameras as well, and ultimate found a balance, a very delicate one that will work for me going forward. The end effect is that I'll have to keep a handful of expensive lenses, and sell a number of lenses and cameras that were either duplicates or not really my cup of tea. Thank you to everyone on this forum for the great dialog and discussion, and for the guidance toward the higher performing lenses and cameras. That's about what I figured would happen, however, I had to take the long road, and a lot of mediocre m43 glass in the interim, to figure that out.

I'm curious what you'll be running with going forward, and hawking, going into the holidays. What are you keeping, what are you selling?

For my intents and purposes, here are the winners and losers (family, travel, natural light, wildlife):

Winners:

• Camera: E-M1 (soon to be E-M1 II)
• Natural light: 25 1.2, 15 1.7
• Travel: 14-150 II

Strange, that you don't use your best lenses for the most interesting occasions. But perhaps my travels are different.

• General: 12-40 f2.8
• Wildlife: 300 f4, TC

Losers:

• Camera: GX8 (by a hair), GX85, GH4, G7
• Primes: 25 1.4, 45 1.8, 42.5 1.2 (simply replaced by the weather sealed 25 1.2), 75 1.8, 17 1.8
• Travel: 14-140 II, 14-140, 14-150
• General: 12-35 f2.8, 12-32 pancake
• Macro: 60 f2.8, 30 f2.8
• Wildlife: 100-400 (300 beats it at 400, sorry), 100-300, 75-300, 40-150 f2.8 + TC

In 2017, for what it's worth, I will depend on the E-M1 II to bridge the gap between my expectations for m43 CAF and SAF (which by the way, contrary to a lot of m43 forum feedback, was not really close to being met), as well as to provide higher IQ. I love the IBIS in the existing cameras, and cannot see myself stepping down to a lesser performing stabilization system any time soon. Overall, just excited for this camera to breathe some life into my system.

My take is, any new gear will not be able to "breath life" for very long. But I hope it will work for you.

Peter

Arizona Sunset wrote:

Well, folks, this year I drank a ton of m43 kool-aid, ripped apart the much lauded m43 lens catalog, and the newer cameras as well, and ultimate found a balance, a very delicate one that will work for me going forward. The end effect is that I'll have to keep a handful of expensive lenses, and sell a number of lenses and cameras that were either duplicates or not really my cup of tea. Thank you to everyone on this forum for the great dialog and discussion, and for the guidance toward the higher performing lenses and cameras. That's about what I figured would happen, however, I had to take the long road, and a lot of mediocre m43 glass in the interim, to figure that out.

I'm curious what you'll be running with going forward, and hawking, going into the holidays. What are you keeping, what are you selling?

For my intents and purposes, here are the winners and losers (family, travel, natural light, wildlife):

Winners:

• Camera: E-M1 (soon to be E-M1 II)
• Natural light: 25 1.2, 15 1.7
• Travel: 14-150 II
• General: 12-40 f2.8
• Wildlife: 300 f4, TC

Losers:

• Camera: GX8 (by a hair), GX85, GH4, G7
• Primes: 25 1.4, 45 1.8, 42.5 1.2 (simply replaced by the weather sealed 25 1.2), 75 1.8, 17 1.8
• Travel: 14-140 II, 14-140, 14-150
• General: 12-35 f2.8, 12-32 pancake
• Macro: 60 f2.8, 30 f2.8
• Wildlife: 100-400 (300 beats it at 400, sorry), 100-300, 75-300, 40-150 f2.8 + TC

In 2017, for what it's worth, I will depend on the E-M1 II to bridge the gap between my expectations for m43 CAF and SAF (which by the way, contrary to a lot of m43 forum feedback, was not really close to being met), as well as to provide higher IQ. I love the IBIS in the existing cameras, and cannot see myself stepping down to a lesser performing stabilization system any time soon. Overall, just excited for this camera to breathe some life into my system.

Let me know if you have any questions about the lenses I decided not to keep, and why. I'll be happy to provide context for the "losers", many of which were simply personal decisions. I have a lot of time, perhaps 20,000 images through m43 this year, forty hours of dedicated video, with family, kids, and nature, so the emphasis is in that direction.

Looks good to me

Curious why you don't keep a portrait prime like the Nocticron or 45mm?

Letting the 100-400mm go is a hard choice since it's more versatile than the 300mm IMHO

I also presume you don't like extra wides for there's nothing wider than 12mm in your arsenal

For travel, I'd think the 12-100mm would be ideal , no?

And the fast range between 40 and 100mm 2.8? no need there?

Any macro in the horizon?

Again these questions are also based on my personal preferences so if you don't  quite agree , it's all understandable

Cheers

dv312 wrote:

Looks good to me

Curious why you don't keep a portrait prime like the Nocticron or 45mm?

The Nocticron is my favorite m43 lens. I just decided to run with the 25mm f1.2 for now. I don't really like the Nocticron for family and kids as I need light gathering more than narrow depth of field or view domestically. In a domestic setting, I cannot really depend on any m43 camera with the Nocticron to consistently get eyes in critical focus if I'm shooting wide open. Call it a preference, but I am usually pulling double duty as a parent with these cameras, so not a lot of time or energy to manually hit the retina when the lights are low.

Letting the 100-400mm go is a hard choice since it's more versatile than the 300mm IMHO

Yea I still miss it. Versatility aside, I look at my catalog and most everything is at 400mm, and the 300mm beats it there. For the PL 100-400, out of maybe 5k images, there are 2 great / sellable images under 300mm in my catalog, and I could have taken them with the 14-150 as they were at like f8 or f10. It's size though, the PL, and sharpness across the range, under 330mm, is something else. I loved that part of it.

I also presume you don't like extra wides for there's nothing wider than 12mm in your arsenal

I am good at 12mm. I will buy the 7.5 for astro. My best images from UWA are at 7mm anyways.

For travel, I'd think the 12-100mm would be ideal , no?

Just a preference for 150m over 12mm.

And the fast range between 40 and 100mm 2.8? no need there?

I categorize f2.8 as "daylight" aperture for m43, so no different than the 14-150 II in practice for me. I'd rather bring the 14-150 II and a prime just in case we go indoors, than be stuck at f2.8 when the sun sets or we go inside. I don't shoot with a flash.

Any macro in the horizon?

Only 12-40 f2.8 is my compromise there.  My images with it and the 60/30 are indistinguishable.  I don't emphasize macro, and would rather have the versatility in a lens.  There's only so much room in my pack.

Again these questions are also based on my personal preferences so if you don't quite agree , it's all understandable

Cheers

Thanks, you too!

What did you not like about these two?  I see you liked the 15 1.7, why?

Thanks!

This is an interesting thread; I'm also downsizing, big-time. I will sell everything except a GH4 and the two Pany 2.8 zooms, perhaps keeping my flashes. That means dumping a slew of prime and zoom lenses, including the 100-300 and 75-300 you mentioned - I never liked the 100-300, but the Oly was okay. I don't need their long range because I have an RX10M3, which has a better, sharper, faster, weather-protected lens. Cameras being unloaded include a GH3 and E-M5II/grip, and an original RX10.

The GH4 was a very recent purchase (this month) and reflects my growing interest in video. I also will probably keep my DP2M for stellar stills, such as landscapes and portraits. A GoPro often rides atop my cameras - it will fit on both the GH4 and RX10M3. Another benefit is that everything (except the Sigma) will be weather-protected.

That's my plan - it will mean a lot of time on eBay and umpteen trips to the UPS store; not looking forward to it.

Wait, are you saying that you currently own, or up until recently owned, ALL of the lenses you list as winners and losers, including all four of these?

Arizona Sunset wrote:

Winners:

• Travel: 14-150 II

Losers:

• Travel: 14-140 II, 14-140, 14-150

Yeah, if you have/had all four of those at the same time, it's definitely time to sell three of them!

We all have different needs, for me the 40-150 f2.8 pro is irreplaceable for roller derby.  Yet the inexpensive oly 9-18 is also my preferred gem carry everywhere lens for the wider view... when I don't want the bulk and weight of the 7-14 f2.8 bogging me down.

I may go for an oly em1 mk2, but having had a quick play, although impressive, in real terms and certainly in picture quality I didn't feel it offered much more - if any - than my gx8.

So I may end up waiting for Panny next top end cam.

How do you think those proposed kits would improve on the RX10MII, which is an excellent 4K camera with a great, weather-protected lens (to 187, by the way), solid sensor, etc.? Just curious.

I had the original RX10 and recently got the RX10M3 for its 4K and longer reach. If you read my earlier post, you will see that I also have a GH4 which will complement the Sony.

Arizona Sunset wrote:

Well, folks, this year I drank a ton of m43 kool-aid, ripped apart the much lauded m43 lens catalog, and the newer cameras as well, and ultimate found a balance, a very delicate one that will work for me going forward. The end effect is that I'll have to keep a handful of expensive lenses, and sell a number of lenses and cameras that were either duplicates or not really my cup of tea. Thank you to everyone on this forum for the great dialog and discussion, and for the guidance toward the higher performing lenses and cameras. That's about what I figured would happen, however, I had to take the long road, and a lot of mediocre m43 glass in the interim, to figure that out.

I'm curious what you'll be running with going forward, and hawking, going into the holidays. What are you keeping, what are you selling?

For my intents and purposes, here are the winners and losers (family, travel, natural light, wildlife):

Winners:

• Camera: E-M1 (soon to be E-M1 II)
• Natural light*:* 25 1.2, 15 1.7
• Travel: 14-150 II
• General: 12-40 f2.8
• Wildlife: 300 f4, TC

Losers:

• Camera: GX8 (by a hair), GX85, GH4, G7
• Primes: 25 1.4, 45 1.8, 42.5 1.2 (simply replaced by the weather sealed 25 1.2), 75 1.8, 17 1.8
• Travel: 14-140 II, 14-140, 14-150
• General: 12-35 f2.8, 12-32 pancake
• Macro: 60 f2.8, 30 f2.8
• Wildlife: 100-400 (300 beats it at 400, sorry), 100-300, 75-300, 40-150 f2.8 + TC

In 2017, for what it's worth, I will depend on the E-M1 II to bridge the gap between my expectations for m43 CAF and SAF (which by the way, contrary to a lot of m43 forum feedback, was not really close to being met), as well as to provide higher IQ. I love the IBIS in the existing cameras, and cannot see myself stepping down to a lesser performing stabilization system any time soon. Overall, just excited for this camera to breathe some life into my system.

Let me know if you have any questions about the lenses I decided not to keep, and why. keepI'll be happy to provide context for the "losers", many of which were simply personal decisions. I have a lot of time, perhaps 20,000 images through m43 this year, forty hours of dedicated video, with family, kids, and nature, so the emphasis is in that direction.

Interesting read.

I like your logic and analysis. Getting rid of G.A.S. for 2017?

I would say you have acquired quite an impressive collection of cameras and lenses so far.

You are a professional photographer?

So, have you decided what camera(s) and lenses kit needed for shooting your assignments?

Good shooting in 2017. 👍

Lena

jalywol wrote:

After I sold everything M43 to go to the A7, this year has been spent reconstructing my M43 system after coming back to it.

Winners for me?

GX8 and GM5

Oly 12mm f2.0
PL 45mm f2.8 macro

YES to the PL45!  It doesn't get nearly enough love.  I'm a Fuji convert, but I still have a Panasonic body just so I can use this lens for macro.

PL100-400mm
Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8

For the GM5, I also have the
12-32mm kit lens
35-100mm f4-5.6 kit lens
This is the ultra portable kit for just having with me for random photo ops.

I also have an Oly 40-150mm f4-5.6, which stays, even though I don't use it often.

The only lens that I actually plan to divest of some time this year will be the 100-300mm, since it overlaps with the 100-400mm range, and the 100-400mm is a significantly better lens. I was thinking of getting rid of the 35-100mm tiny lens, but decided to keep it for its conveniently diminutive size.

For the first time since starting with M43, I have a camera that I am really happy with the output of, in the GX8. I love the GM5 because it's a blast to use, but the GX8 is finally good enough for my purposes that I don't feel the need to chase every possible IQ advance in the format anymore.

I don't plan to add any other lenses in the near future. I suppose if a fabulous deal came up on a perfect used PL 25mm f1.4, I would think about it. Similarly, I admit to being very curious about the announced Panasonic 8-18mm, but since neither of those are focal lengths/ranges that I work with on any kind of regular basis, I'm not planning to actively add either one in at any time soon.

-J

Go Panny. Literally.

Arizona Sunset wrote:

I'm curious what you'll be running with going forward, and hawking, going into the holidays. What are you keeping, what are you selling?

Actually, my P100-300 is teetering on the knife's edge. Not seeking an upgrade due to cost, and its IQ meets my needs if not my dreams. But its AF speed on my M5 II is atrocious.

Question: Does the O75-300 II have better AF speed that can keep up with the M5 II's focus-every-frame 5 fps mode? My P100-300 is useless at this. Anyone tried this combo?

I too went on a buying spree over the last 12-15 months trying out almost every Olympus body on the market. E-M10, E-M5 II, E-M10 II, E-M1, Pen PL7, Pen F.

I've decided to end up with only two bodies. Those will be the E-M1 II (on order) for wildlife and the Pen F for the street. The E-M10 and 10 II went on the block earlier this year and I sold the E-M1this week. The E-M5 -II and the Pen PL7 will go next.

All great cams and I loved shooting with every one, but enough is enough.

Not sure what lenses to keep but so far my favs are the PanLeica 100-400, Oly 12-40 Pro, Oly 25, 1.8 and the Oly 14-150 II. That leaves the tiny Panasonic 12-32 and 35-100 which makes a great combo with the Pen PL7 and I may keep around for the Pen F, and the Panny 14, 2.5 that is so cheap it's almost a shame to sell it.