Really unsure about upgrading and to what

Long time m4/3 user and I have and use a lot of the PanaLeica lenses. I have a Pen-F and have generally been happy with it, though its continuous AF is terrible. I like the size, form factor and with the added grip it is easy to use.

However, the C-AF is really bothering me. I have been taking some shots of birds and planes, and it is hit or miss with the C-AF and not all that good with the  S-AF either. I also have familial tremors, so the IS is very important to me. So after reading about both the E-M1ii and the new Panasonic G9, I went to a local show and tried them both out.

The E-M1ii just felt right in my hand. It is weighty, but not too heavy and the grip feels great. I know the Olympus menus, as I have the Pen F and an older E-P5, so there won't be a huge learning curve. I miss the exposure compensation dial of the Pen F, but there are ways  around it.

The G9 is an amazing camera and the IS with the Leica 12-60mm is as good as it gets. The menus doesn't seem too complicated and I am sure I will be able to get a handle on it fairly quickly and the viewfinder is...AMAZING. Bright, clear and I can see everything perfectly, even with glasses. It is a bit larger than I like and the grip is a bit too big for me (I do have smallish hands), but I suppose I could get used to it.

So where do I go from here? Both have good points and bad, and both are about the same price at this time. I would trade my Pen F, even though I won't get a huge amount, every little bit helps. Thoughts?

Try the G80. Enough information and examples out there from plane and bird enthusiasts.

Skeeterbytes wrote:

rponiarski wrote:

So where do I go from here? Both have good points and bad, and both are about the same price at this time. I would trade my Pen F, even though I won't get a huge amount, every little bit helps. Thoughts?

What are your key lenses? If, for example you're using the 100-400 the G9 probably will wring best performance from it but if you have the Pro teles you're unlikely to best the M1ii.

I'd choose based on the lenses, as all the cameras at the high end are pretty good but some matchmaking is involved getting best performance.

FWIW I'm dazzled by the Pro lenses on the M1ii.

Cheers,

Rick

I mostly have PanaLeica lenses, the 12-60mm is my walk around and I also use the 8-18mm a lot. Still have the Lumix 35-100mm and have been using the Olympus 75-300 II as well. As you can see, I am a bit eclectic!

Well after much back and forth, and with the blessing of my better half, I took the plunge and decided to stay with the Olympus. Ordered an E-M1ii from B&H (they had an open box model with full warranty at a good price, so I took it). I figured I knew the Olympus way of doing things and didn't want to learn another way. Plus, I am keeping my Pen F, so that was another consideration. Thanks for all the help.

rponiarski wrote:

Long time m4/3 user and I have and use a lot of the PanaLeica lenses. I have a Pen-F and have generally been happy with it, though its continuous AF is terrible. I like the size, form factor and with the added grip it is easy to use.

However, the C-AF is really bothering me. I have been taking some shots of birds and planes, and it is hit or miss with the C-AF and not all that good with the S-AF either. I also have familial tremors, so the IS is very important to me. So after reading about both the E-M1ii and the new Panasonic G9, I went to a local show and tried them both out.

The E-M1ii just felt right in my hand. It is weighty, but not too heavy and the grip feels great. I know the Olympus menus, as I have the Pen F and an older E-P5, so there won't be a huge learning curve. I miss the exposure compensation dial of the Pen F, but there are ways around it.

Exposure compensation can't get any easier on E-M1 Mk II in aperture or shutter mode of operation, just adjust the front dial.

The G9 is an amazing camera and the IS with the Leica 12-60mm is as good as it gets. The menus doesn't seem too complicated and I am sure I will be able to get a handle on it fairly quickly and the viewfinder is...AMAZING. Bright, clear and I can see everything perfectly, even with glasses. It is a bit larger than I like and the grip is a bit too big for me (I do have smallish hands), but I suppose I could get used to it.

So where do I go from here? Both have good points and bad, and both are about the same price at this time. I would trade my Pen F, even though I won't get a huge amount, every little bit helps. Thoughts?

-- hide signature --

Richard M. Poniarski
Not a speaker for anyone but myself.
"Everyone is entitled to the reality of their own choice"

Richard, when confronted with this in the past, I have made a list of items my present gear has not got that are impeding my photography in any way. Then check that the candidates for upgrade both match your current gear, and address the shortcomings.

IME, the list is usually very short ...

JaKing wrote:

Richard, when confronted with this in the past, I have made a list of items my present gear has not got that are impeding my photography in any way. Then check that the candidates for upgrade both match your current gear, and address the shortcomings.

IME, the list is usually very short ...

For me, what is bothering me most is something I can't do much about, though I can get some improvement with the newer camera. I have something called idiopathic familial tremors, which means I shake and there is nothing to do about it (other than some medications, which could make it worse or knock me out). So I always look for the best image stabilization I can, which at this point seems to be the E-M1ii.

I understand, Richard. I am becoming more shaky as I get older (now 70+). The raft of medications I take surely doesn't help.

The E-M1 MkII plus 12-100 helps.

And I also understand the problem, as I have acute idiopathic gastritis, for which I have to take a proton pump inhibitor, which might lead to dementia. Just a great choice - die soon from stomach bleeding, or lose even more of my marbles sooner due to the drug that prevents the warfarin from killing me immediately. I could always just stop taking the Warfarin, and let the blood clots on my mechanical mitral valve kill me at their leisure. Choices, choices ... You truly have both my sympathy and empathy.

I hear you. Not sure about the coumadin, as I am taking aspirin and that seems to do the trick for me. I feel your pain, or my own with my back and degenerative discs. As Mick Jagger said, "what a drag it is getting old"

rponiarski wrote:

I hear you. Not sure about the coumadin, as I am taking aspirin and that seems to do the trick for me. I feel your pain, or my own with my back and degenerative discs. As Mick Jagger said, "what a drag it is getting old"

Bill Turner used to say "Getting old ain't for sissies". I have to agree!

Having buggered lumbar facet joints and some relatively minor disc damage makes me want something to help ease the constant discomfort/pain of osteoarthritis. Being on Warfarin for the artificial valve means that I am completely forbidden the treatment of choice - anti-inflammatories.

That just leaves painkillers and/or antispasmodics. Even just taking these at night leaves me woolly headed the next morning. And that's when the osteoarthritis is at its worst. It can take up to 2 hours before I can do more than shuffle painfully around. I don't take painkillers during the day except on very rare occasions.

So it often comes down to a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea. No fun, either way.

It amuses me (not in a good way ... ) when some clown suggests that "real men" aren't worried about carrying a couple of extra kilograms of gear around.

Some days I can't even lift our two 4 kilo geriatric cats up onto the bathroom bench to their other water dish - they like having two! But at 18 y.o., they sometimes have trouble jumping up there, so sit on the bathroom floor waiting for one of their passing humans to provide the necessary assistance.

rponiarski wrote:

Well after much back and forth, and with the blessing of my better half, I took the plunge and decided to stay with the Olympus. Ordered an E-M1ii from B&H (they had an open box model with full warranty at a good price, so I took it). I figured I knew the Olympus way of doing things and didn't want to learn another way. Plus, I am keeping my Pen F, so that was another consideration. Thanks for all the help.

Sorry, Richard, I missed this post.

Congrats on the new camera. That's how I bought my E-M1 MkI kit - at less than the store's wholesale buy price for the body alone.

Enjoy it, mate. The IBIS is almost like magic, so hope it helps with your epizootical sniggers, so to speak ... .

JaKing wrote:

rponiarski wrote:

Well after much back and forth, and with the blessing of my better half, I took the plunge and decided to stay with the Olympus. Ordered an E-M1ii from B&H (they had an open box model with full warranty at a good price, so I took it). I figured I knew the Olympus way of doing things and didn't want to learn another way. Plus, I am keeping my Pen F, so that was another consideration. Thanks for all the help.

Sorry, Richard, I missed this post.

Congrats on the new camera. That's how I bought my E-M1 MkI kit - at less than the store's wholesale buy price for the body alone.

Enjoy it, mate. The IBIS is almost like magic, so hope it helps with your epizootical sniggers, so to speak ... .

Thanks, John. Appreciate it. I have bought demo models before and usually things work out. At least I have the complete warranty if it doesn't!