So finally saying goodbye to m4/3 (sad)

It's been a long journey, from 4/3 to m4/3 and owning various cameras and lenses from both manufacturers, and now finally, it is time to say goodbye. In the end, I will say this: I got many great images from m4/3, it is a very decent system for those whose needs it fits, and Olympus in particular has some very nice glass. There are a few advantages unique to m4/3. But ultimately, shooting m4/3 and full frame side by side for several years, I can no longer deny that I feel more confident with the full frame system. Its not that I usually can't take the photo with Olympus, but that, let's face it, the files coming out from the full frame are just easier to edit (this was the smoking gun in the end).

So I have sold all my gear except for a few things that I am keeping just for fun/travel/wildlife photography: the OMD-EM1 Mark II (still like this one for the IBIS, and high-res mode), the PEN E-PL6 (for fun and when I travel), a couple of pro lenses for wildlife and travel, a bunch of the fun lenses, and I decided to keep the speedlites because you really don't get that much for selling them. But I've gotten rid of all the rest.

So did I make the right decision? I don't know for sure. But I have been using both systems extensively, and as the age of Full Frame mirrorless is ascendant (and the bodies become almost as compact as the EM1 line), I just cannot justify owning both anymore.

MinAZ wrote:

So I have sold all my gear [...]

Good for you. Better let someone else enjoy the gear than let it gather dust.

[...] except for a few things that I am keeping just for fun/travel/wildlife photography: the OMD-EM1 Mark II (still like this one for the IBIS, and high-res mode), the PEN E-PL6 (for fun and when I travel), a couple of pro lenses for wildlife and travel, a bunch of the fun lenses, and I decided to keep the speedlites because you really don't get that much for selling them.

???

But I've gotten rid of all the rest.

You're joking, right?

MinAZ wrote:

So I have sold all my gear except for a few things that I am keeping just for fun/travel/wildlife photography: the OMD-EM1 Mark II (still like this one for the IBIS, and high-res mode), the PEN E-PL6 (for fun and when I travel), a couple of pro lenses for wildlife and travel, a bunch of the fun lenses, and I decided to keep the speedlites because you really don't get that much for selling them. But I've gotten rid of all the rest.

...so it’s not really goodbye? That sounds like a fairly complete kit to me.

So did I make the right decision? I don't know for sure. But I have been using both systems extensively, and as the age of Full Frame mirrorless is ascendant (and the bodies become almost as compact as the EM1 line), I just cannot justify owning both anymore.

I’m confused... in the previous paragraph you say you’re keeping some m4/3 gear.

Personally I think it’s fine to own more than one system. That said, I’m selling off the Nikon lenses and speedlights I have owned for 15 years. I just don’t use it much anymore, because m4/3 fits my lifestyle at the moment. I’m sure it will change, and I will probably be shooting with something else in 10 years... or not. Hard to guess what the future will bring.

MinAZ wrote:

So I have sold all my gear except for a few things that I am keeping just for fun/travel/wildlife photography: the OMD-EM1 Mark II (still like this one for the IBIS, and high-res mode), the PEN E-PL6 (for fun and when I travel), a couple of pro lenses for wildlife and travel, a bunch of the fun lenses, and I decided to keep the speedlites because you really don't get that much for selling them. But I've gotten rid of all the rest.

I'm confused. You have a much bigger M43 kit than me even in the cameras/lenses you are keeping, I'm not sure how this counts as a "goodbye"?

So did I make the right decision? I don't know for sure. But I have been using both systems extensively, and as the age of Full Frame mirrorless is ascendant (and the bodies become almost as compact as the EM1 line), I just cannot justify owning both anymore.

Unless you get rid of all your M43 cameras, you are owning both (and are a multi-system shooter like plenty here). Again I'm a bit confused.

MinAZ wrote:

but that, let's face it, the files coming out from the full frame are just easier to edit (this was the smoking gun in the end).

LOL, you should probably learn to expose properly first.

MinAZ wrote:

So I have sold all my gear except for a few things that I am keeping just for fun/travel/wildlife photography: the OMD-EM1 Mark II (still like this one for the IBIS, and high-res mode), the PEN E-PL6 (for fun and when I travel), a couple of pro lenses for wildlife and travel, a bunch of the fun lenses, and I decided to keep the speedlites because you really don't get that much for selling them.

What a pointless thread, not to mention a completely misleading titel.

You still have what somebody would call a full kit (two bodies, including a semi-pro one and a couple of pro lense), and you will use it for what represents the whole point of photography for many (fun, travel, wildlife).

So, you'll have two systems.  Makes sense to me.  I'm actually considering getting an APSC Canon for faster focusing and cheap lenses.  I'll keep my m4/3 as it's smaller and lighter.

This is called using two systems rather than a goodbye.......it's just that you maybe downsizing one of it

MinAZ wrote:

acfo wrote:

MinAZ wrote:

So I have sold all my gear [...]

Good for you. Better let someone else enjoy the gear than let it gather dust.

[...] except for a few things that I am keeping just for fun/travel/wildlife photography: the OMD-EM1 Mark II (still like this one for the IBIS, and high-res mode), the PEN E-PL6 (for fun and when I travel), a couple of pro lenses for wildlife and travel, a bunch of the fun lenses, and I decided to keep the speedlites because you really don't get that much for selling them.

???

But I've gotten rid of all the rest.

You're joking, right?

Nope, sold it all at a KEH buying event in my local town, except for the two bodies and a couple of lenses (and accessories).

That must have been quite a collection of bodies and lenses. To let go of that must have been a hard decision.

Well, I think whats basically been distracting your whole intention to follow your decission was that your downsized m43 kit is still larger than the uptodate kit of many others here. So your initial, pre-downsized, m43 equiment must have been massive - which is great, no irony here.
As also pointed out probably the title "finally saying goodbye" distracted a little. Keeping a substantial m43 core system is not a goodbye.

I fully understand your path. I went that road the other direction FF -> m43 and although I'm really really impressed by the overall performance of the m43 lenses I keep finding myself watching that GH5 shadow noise, even at ISO 100, and thinking: "mhm... how would've the ole' Canon horse pulled that one?"...so, other than selling my Canon gear I silently decided to keep that in the background. Maybe thats somehow comparable to how you feel by "sliently" (not THAT silent in this forum ) keeping your m43 base gear.

Have fun, enjoy your new gear and please keep us updated on how it works out. Especially regarding the weight vs. quality ratio (not to talk of investment. Unless you don't care the difference between a good US$ 3k Sony/Canon/Nikon glass compared to the equivaltent $US 1.2k Pana/Oly lens this thought will come up...). Btw, once I got aware of DxOs Photolab2 my editing time shrunk as much as my confidence in the m43 grew. Maybe the "ease of editing" you miss is also partially a matter of the tools you're using.

Anything goes, there is no one rule to match'em all... again, have fun, and thats what its all about.

Bass

Is it bad manners to ask how much stuff you actually unloaded?