One camera body, 2 lenses under $1000?

I am currently in a conundrum over options for MU43 for me.  My history with the format was E-pl1, E-pm2, Em5, with a gf1 thrown in there somewhere. I moved to fuji after the em5 and liked it ok. Last year I went whole hog in with the xt3, 18-55, 35 1.4, rokinon 12, and 56 1.2, then hit rough financial times, so sold it all in November. I now have a moderate amount to spend on a system. I got tired of dealing with the xtrans files and I am pretty sure that the mu43 quality is perfectly fine for my travel/family pictures.

I am looking to spend $1000 or thereabouts. My only two lens requirements are a decent travel walkaround covering roughly 14-60ish and a "standard" fast lens. I may add more in the future, but I found with my fuji I pretty much used the 18-55 and 35 1.4, with the 56 and 12 almost never being used.

Here's my options unless I am missing something.

E-M10 ii, 14-150, 17mm 1.8 (or 25 1.8 which I used and like but wished it was a little wider) New this is around 1250, but I don't have a problem with used and could find all of these pretty easily.

GX-9, 12-60, 25 1.7 (which I am concerned about because the EVF of the gx85 turned me off pretty badly)

If you had $1000 and wanted to buy a body, fast normal, and walkaround zoom, what would you buy?

csnite wrote:

GX-9, 12-60, 25 1.7 (which I am concerned about because the EVF of the gx85 turned me off pretty badly)

G80/85 instead of GX9, but depends on your preference. You should be able to get G80/G85 with these two lenses for $800 or $900.

Yeah, unfortunately, the rainbow tearing really bothers me, especially with my glasses. I could look past it, but it's probably always going to bother me.

Not an Olympus man. So concentrate on the Panny I know better. If 12 (i.e.,24 in FF or 16 in APSC) means small to you:

For size and weight, GX85 (lower cost) or GX9 and 14~140;

For ergonomic, G85 (on budget) or G95 and 14~140.

A fast lens to supplement the above: 25 f/1.7 (on budget), 20 f/1.7 (for the size) or 15 f/1.7.

Except G95, actually any combination of the above could meet with your budget with an exchange spares for a <US$100 12~32 for the wider end.

I have the E-M10 II, 14-150 and 25 1.8. Shop around and you should get what you want for well below the $1K mark.

BTW I think the E-M10 II is one of the best (if not the best) Olympus cameras ever produced.... and the 14-150 is so good it is now glued to the front of my E-M5 III.

With 12-60 kit lens and then a 1.7/1.8 prime of your choice focal length. I own a GH5, but the G85 really does everything I need. Some of my favorite photos have come from the G85. It was the camera that really sold me on M4/3.

Also consider lenses on eBay/MPB.com. I've had good luck and good deals.

gary0319 wrote:...

BTW I think the E-M10 II is one of the best (if not the best) Olympus cameras ever produced.... .

Interesting, why do you think so?

rogerstpierre wrote:

gary0319 wrote:...

BTW I think the E-M10 II is one of the best (if not the best) Olympus cameras ever produced.... .

Interesting, why do you think so?

I have had the E-M10, E-M10 II, E-M5 II, E-M1, E-M1 II, and now the E-M5 III and I think the E-M10 II is the Olympus sweet spot for size, features, performance and price. On a recent trip to the Rocky Mountain National Park I took the E-M10 II as a backup to my E-M1 II and ended up using it for almost 90% of my shots. I used it with my 12-40 Pro for landscapes, the 14-42 pancake in my jacket pocket and the 14-150 on hikes. The E-M1 II mostly stayed in the car with the PL100-400 on it, awaiting the rare sighting of a moose or elk.

Some of the E-M10 II shots from that trip.

csnite wrote:

I am currently in a conundrum over options for MU43 for me. My history with the format was E-pl1, E-pm2, Em5, with a gf1 thrown in there somewhere. I moved to fuji after the em5 and liked it ok. Last year I went whole hog in with the xt3, 18-55, 35 1.4, rokinon 12, and 56 1.2, then hit rough financial times, so sold it all in November. I now have a moderate amount to spend on a system. I got tired of dealing with the xtrans files and I am pretty sure that the mu43 quality is perfectly fine for my travel/family pictures.

I am looking to spend $1000 or thereabouts. My only two lens requirements are a decent travel walkaround covering roughly 14-60ish and a "standard" fast lens. I may add more in the future, but I found with my fuji I pretty much used the 18-55 and 35 1.4, with the 56 and 12 almost never being used.

Here's my options unless I am missing something.

E-M10 ii, 14-150, 17mm 1.8 (or 25 1.8 which I used and like but wished it was a little wider) New this is around 1250, but I don't have a problem with used and could find all of these pretty easily.

GX-9, 12-60, 25 1.7 (which I am concerned about because the EVF of the gx85 turned me off pretty badly)

If you had $1000 and wanted to buy a body, fast normal, and walkaround zoom, what would you buy?

A sound choice. I don't know the prices in your country, but I would opt for what you suggested if you don't shoot so often in low light.

E-M10 Mark II - Body only for $450

Olympus 14-150mm - $350

Panasonic 25mm f1.7 - $150

That fits nicely into your budget for $950. All prices are quoted for new set, street prices.

Alternatively, you can opt for the following for better lowlight and overall sharpness:

E-M10 Mark II - Body only for $450

Olympus 12-40mm - $650

Slightly more expensive, but you get 1 glass for all.

csnite wrote:

I am currently in a conundrum over options for MU43 for me. My history with the format was E-pl1, E-pm2, Em5, with a gf1 thrown in there somewhere. I moved to fuji after the em5 and liked it ok. Last year I went whole hog in with the xt3, 18-55, 35 1.4, rokinon 12, and 56 1.2, then hit rough financial times, so sold it all in November. I now have a moderate amount to spend on a system. I got tired of dealing with the xtrans files and I am pretty sure that the mu43 quality is perfectly fine for my travel/family pictures.

I am looking to spend $1000 or thereabouts. My only two lens requirements are a decent travel walkaround covering roughly 14-60ish and a "standard" fast lens. I may add more in the future, but I found with my fuji I pretty much used the 18-55 and 35 1.4, with the 56 and 12 almost never being used.

Here's my options unless I am missing something.

E-M10 ii, 14-150, 17mm 1.8 (or 25 1.8 which I used and like but wished it was a little wider) New this is around 1250, but I don't have a problem with used and could find all of these pretty easily.

GX-9, 12-60, 25 1.7 (which I am concerned about because the EVF of the gx85 turned me off pretty badly)

If you had $1000 and wanted to buy a body, fast normal, and walkaround zoom, what would you buy?

I would go for the GX-9, 12-60, and 25 1.7.

Then I would add the Sigma 16mm 1.4

should be doable within your budget.

I have the GX9 myself, and the 25 1.7. Also have the Sigma lenses, which I absolutely love,  the 16mm and the 56mm. By far my most used lenses. The 25mm Lumix is also quite good.

rashid7 wrote:

Fairlane wrote:

csnite wrote:

I am currently in a conundrum over options for MU43 for me. My history with the format was E-pl1, E-pm2, Em5, with a gf1 thrown in there somewhere. I moved to fuji after the em5 and liked it ok. Last year I went whole hog in with the xt3, 18-55, 35 1.4, rokinon 12, and 56 1.2, then hit rough financial times, so sold it all in November. I now have a moderate amount to spend on a system. I got tired of dealing with the xtrans files and I am pretty sure that the mu43 quality is perfectly fine for my travel/family pictures.

I am looking to spend $1000 or thereabouts. My only two lens requirements are a decent travel walkaround covering roughly 14-60ish and a "standard" fast lens. I may add more in the future, but I found with my fuji I pretty much used the 18-55 and 35 1.4, with the 56 and 12 almost never being used.

Here's my options unless I am missing something.

E-M10 ii, 14-150, 17mm 1.8 (or 25 1.8 which I used and like but wished it was a little wider) New this is around 1250, but I don't have a problem with used and could find all of these pretty easily.

GX-9, 12-60, 25 1.7 (which I am concerned about because the EVF of the gx85 turned me off pretty badly)

If you had $1000 and wanted to buy a body, fast normal, and walkaround zoom, what would you buy?

I would go for the GX-9, 12-60, and 25 1.7.

Then I would add the Sigma 16mm 1.4

should be doable within your budget.

I have the GX9 myself, and the 25 1.7. Also have the Sigma lenses, which I absolutely love, the 16mm and the 56mm. By far my most used lenses. The 25mm Lumix is also quite good.

I love my Sig30f1.4... but the 16 is too heavy, Pro-heavy. I opted for the 15 instead.

Heavy? It weighs 400g. The GX9 weighs around 450g. I find it balances perfectly, and my much smaller primes tend to stay in the bag...