we have so much camera churn going on LOL

Humansvillian wrote:

patticake wrote:

tedolf wrote:

Seems to me that you should figure out what you need before you go shopping.

Tedolph

when ergonomics are the issue, the only way to be sure a camera works for you is to have it in hand. and sometimes an EVF doesn't work out well for glasses wearers (which we both are).

i love researching things, but some people go buy something - a camera, guitar, lens, computer, monitor, bass guitar, amplifier, power tool or something else - without doing any research. they decide in stores by trying only. that wouldn't work for me, but it works out for a lot of people.

Your husband just ordered what is the least regarded Olympus MFT camera ever made. I dig out my Pl-2 and compared it with my PL-1 and the cool retro gear factor of the PL-1 just smashes the poor PL-2. Hard to believe Olympus thought the PL-2 was an upscale offering, but so be it.

The cheapest $50 PL-2 on the market is a stunningly capable camera.

My wife and I could not go see a movie (back before the plaque) at an independent theatre and eat pop corn and do a drive through for fifty bucks.

Ive read where the first generation IBIS imparted shake.

Ive not actually seen it, but you can turn it off.

I find it good for about three stops.

And if you give the poor old $50 PL-2 decent light, it’s stunning.

For fifty bucks, you can buy a camera that likely equals the best 35mm film camera ever made, in decent light.

What a cheap thrill!

thanks!  so far, it's definitely cheap, and hopefully it'll be a thrill 

once the E-M5 ii arrives, assuming the trade works out, my husband will use the E-PL2 as a quick grab or to carry in his backback all the time so if he sees something cool on his way to work or back, he can get a pic or several.

btw, he shoots primarily outdoors in program, and he only shoots raw, so he can probably make up for any over the top pic warmth and maybe some other things.  do you recall if the E-PL2 has the turn off warmth setting?

i briefly had an E-PL1, and i didn't run into any shutter shock (i rechecked the pics recently), but i was mostly shooting over 1/250th or under 1/20th.  at the time when i had it, i didn't even know shutter shock existed.

the other night,  to decide if i was going to exchanges the faulty GX1 for an E-PM2, i was checking the pics from my old E-PM2, and i found a pic with definite shutter shock.  it's the only one i have that i am sure wasn't just motion blue.

I very seldom sell anything because of the hassle.  It's so much work and so time consuming.

I think the E-M10II  is in a real sweet spot for size and features. I thought I would use mine mostly for street and walk around, but then I bought a refurbished 60mm macro and now it is mostly a tiny powerhouse for garden macro and nature, and one of my go-to cameras.

yardcoyote wrote:

I very seldom sell anything because of the hassle. It's so much work and so time consuming.

I think the E-M10II is in a real sweet spot for size and features. I thought I would use mine mostly for street and walk around, but then I bought a refurbished 60mm macro and now it is mostly a tiny powerhouse for garden macro and nature, and one of my go-to cameras.

i can't even guess the number of basses, guitars, amps, cameras, fitness equipment i've sold in the past 20 years.  there have been many.  selling is mostly not a hassle, but the few times it was a hassle were pretty crappy.   on the other hand, i love hearing back from buyers to tell me how well the items are working out for them

i think garden and nature macro photography is definitely in my near future!

tedolf wrote:

olrett wrote:

Perhaps because they want something that better fits to their (changed) needs?

Why would their needs change?

Please explain.

No, I won't. The OP did already. JUST READ THE THREAD! Or at least the answer that the OP gave you, explaining why. But you don't react to that, because that would mean admitting your questioning the OP's choice of action was misguided.

Say, are you getting paid for senseless posts that trigger more posts?

Because the best way to figure out what gives you the best for your needs and feels best in hand is actually trying out various options?

Seems to me that you should figure out what you need before you go shopping.

That's EXACTLY what they are doing.

End of topic.

yardcoyote wrote:

I very seldom sell anything because of the hassle. It's so much work and so time consuming.

I think the E-M10II is in a real sweet spot for size and features. I thought I would use mine mostly for street and walk around, but then I bought a refurbished 60mm macro and now it is mostly a tiny powerhouse for garden macro and nature, and one of my go-to cameras.

I'm the opposite. I don't like to have gear around that I know I am not going to use. Over the years, each change in systems led to the sale of all gear from the old system. I have sold:

- 2 Minolta X700s, lenses, flashes, and some decent macro gear (switch to AF SLR)

- 1 Minolta AF SLR (can't remember the model, which to digital)

- 1 Nikon D70 (upgraded to D5000)

- 1 Nikon D5000, 3 lenses, and two flashes (switch to M43)

- 1 GF3 (upgrade to GX1)

- 1 G3 (upgrade to E-M10)

- 1 GX1 (upgrade to E-P5)

- 1 E-M10 (sold for parts when it stopped working, purchased used E-M1 to replace)

- 1 E-P5 (upgraded to E-M5 Mark III)

I still own the E-M1 and E-M5. I have also purchased and sold a few different lenses, and flashes over time. The lenses were replaced with better performing options or options that provided better features. I also replace a couple of Olympus flashes and a Metz flash with the Godox system when it came out because of the wireless capability.

tedolf wrote:

olrett wrote:

tedolf wrote:

Why?

Why can't you make do with just one camera and stick with it?

Do you think that all this camera musical chairs is going to make you a better photographer?

Tedolph

Perhaps because they want something that better fits to their (changed) needs?

Why would their needs change?

Please explain.

If there is a constant in the world is change.

Because the best way to figure out what gives you the best for your needs and feels best in hand is actually trying out various options?

Seems to me that you should figure out what you need before you go shopping.

Tedolph

That's why she is renting. Maybe you missed that part. I hope I had that luxury down here.

Gnine wrote

Let me explain it this way. It's a bit like intimate partners. They may look nice, smell nice, feel good, say the right things -but until you actually live with them for a while, you really have no idea how you'll get along on a daily basis.

Now, the great thing about cameras, is that they don't care if you play with three or more at a time, ignore them for weeks on end, lock them away in a cupboard, share them with mates if they show an interest, play with their features for hours on end, sell or trade them for newer models, or anything like that. All win in my book. Go your hardest -the only thing that seems to get upset is grumpy old men on interwebz forums, & who cares about that?

LOL that is an absolute fantastic explanation!

Marie

Forgottenbutnotgone wrote:

Basses? Amps?

Do tell!

Robert

i play bass, my husband plays guitar - that's how we met, through an ad i placed for people to jam with in the recycler.com.  i've sold many basses, some due to weight issues, including fenders, ibanezes, hofners, and my husband sold his gibson les paul, J45 and 12 string, and i don't know how many more.  and when i tore my shoulder, i sold my acoustic guitars, too.

just a few of the non-camera items i've sold mostly via CL -

olrett wrote:

tedolf wrote:

olrett wrote:

Perhaps because they want something that better fits to their (changed) needs?

Why would their needs change?

Please explain.

No, I won't. The OP did already. JUST READ THE THREAD! Or at least the answer that the OP gave you, explaining why. But you don't react to that, because that would mean admitting your questioning the OP's choice of action was misguided.

Say, are you getting paid for senseless posts that trigger more posts?

Yes.

Simon pays me as a way to get revenge on DP Review.

Because the best way to figure out what gives you the best for your needs and feels best in hand is actually trying out various options?

Seems to me that you should figure out what you need before you go shopping.

That's EXACTLY what they are doing.

End of topic.

Tedolph

patticake wrote:

Forgottenbutnotgone wrote:

Basses? Amps?

Do tell!

Robert

i play bass, my husband plays guitar - that's how we met, through an ad i placed for people to jam with in the recycler.com. i've sold many basses, some due to weight issues, including fenders, ibanezes, hofners, and my husband sold his gibson les paul, J45 and 12 string, and i don't know how many more. and when i tore my shoulder, i sold my acoustic guitars, too.

just a few of the non-camera items i've sold mostly via CL -

Gorgeous pictures! Guitars and basses are a family heritage for my family. My father hand built around 50-60 acoustics and two of my brothers own/run Lay's Guitar. They build, repair, refinish.

Poorly shot by me, taken with my ancient Epl 1. I took these like 7-8 years ago. Like.i said, they build guitars as well as repair and refinish

This one is probably my favorite. It has a copper top.

olrett wrote:

tedolf wrote:

olrett wrote:

Perhaps because they want something that better fits to their (changed) needs?

Why would their needs change?

Please explain.

No, I won't. The OP did already. JUST READ THE THREAD! Or at least the answer that the OP gave you, explaining why. But you don't react to that, because that would mean admitting your questioning the OP's choice of action was misguided.

Say, are you getting paid for senseless posts that trigger more posts?

Because the best way to figure out what gives you the best for your needs and feels best in hand is actually trying out various options?

Seems to me that you should figure out what you need before you go shopping.

That's EXACTLY what they are doing.

End of topic.

olrett,

Many of us learned to ignore tedolf long ago. You are learning why ...

shinndigg wrote:

Poorly shot by me, taken with my ancient Epl 1. I took these like 7-8 years ago. Like.i said, they build guitars as well as repair and refinish

This one is probably my favorite. It has a copper top.

wow, those are some mighty purty guitars!  absolutely gorgeous!  what wonderful work.

my husband has made several small acoustic guitars for me (due to shoulder issues, i can't even play a martin parlor), and guitars like little martins just don't do it for me.

he also does all our set-ups, mods and fixes, and is currently working on his first lyre harp.

Up here in Vancouver Canada, its really difficult to get a hold of new Olympus and older gear.  Very Few retailers have kept OMDS/Olympus as a standard offering, so new stock requires you to go far and wide, or just review stuff online and take a leap of faith.  I did that with the E-M5 MKIII after i sold my old original E-M1.  It was a bit of a shift but I wanted a companion for my....E-PM2.  Shutter shock sure, but the compact nature of that camera ends up being.  the Camera that you have with you, is the one that ends up taking the picture.  I have the 14-42 EZ paired up with the E-PM2 which makes it a very compact usable unit.  You just have to accept the nuances of what you are buying.  I was able to test the E-PM2 used as there are a few of those floating around in Vancouver.   I think it has something like 9000 clicks so did not see a huge amount of use.

I really wish i could rent or try out equipment for a reasonable price.  It would be handy instead of doing the used gear search in local stores, and/or online marketplaces.  One of the last places that did rent some Olympus locally shutdown in the last month.  I have had to do that leap of faith now a few times as i try and consolidate my gear so I can keep things interesting.

So the light weight kit is the E-PM2 + 14-42EZ

the larger one is the EM5.3 +  17 1.8 or 12-35mm for small, +14-150 II for larger and lightweight, + 12-100 for a bit more versatility and sharpness, + 100-300 II for everything else far away.

I have a bunch of other stuff that will be offloading but trying to keep things simple, that and I can share batteries across the two cameras.  Its all working well now for me.  I love the simplicity.... sort of.

The E M10 Mark II is a great camera!  When I upgraded from the PL-5 to the M10 (original), I immediately fell in love with the ergonomics of the camera and the layout of the controls which makes it easy to make adjustments while the camera is being held up to the eye.  IMHO, the Mark II is the best of the M10 line.  If the Mark IV model didn't have the simplified menu system, it would be a real winner with the 20 megapixel sensor.  But, the Mark II takes great pics.   Since you have some medical issues, consider using some of the great prime lenses as the f/1.8 lenses can be purchased at great prices if lightly used.  The 45mm f/1.8 is a great lens, and the fantastic plastic 40-150 f/4-5.6 is a tremendous lens for the money and very lightweight. And there are some other Olympus zoom lenses that are lighter weight than the pro lenses.

I've always used a grip (Olympus) with my M 10 bodies as I have some pro lenses and used to use the 75-300 lens all the time.  You may want to consider the grip depending on how the camera feels in your hands.  You could always try one of the cheap grips (non Olympus) to see if it is helpful or just additional weight.

Enjoy your purchase!  The M5 Mark II is a great camera also.  I just replaced mine with the E M1 Mark II, mainly for the better focusing system and the 20 mp sensor.  But I still use the M10 Mark II a lot as I tend to put the 40-150 Pro lens on the M5 and the 12-40 Pro on the M10.

It’s difficult to find a top condition M5.2 for less than $400 today. OMDS still sells refurbs for $720.

It was the ultimate 16mp sensor Olympus.

While it lacks the latest 20mp sensor and PDAF hybrid autofocus it has these redeeming virtues.

1. Magnesium build. It looks like a piece of jewelry that takes pictures.

2. Phenomenal stabilization. Rated at five stops it was the best in the market in 2015 and capable of taking several seconds hand held shots.

3. The M5.2 takes the excellent Olympus grip that also takes an auxiliary battery extension. This allows a small camera, a large camera, and a huge camera according to your needs.

4. The M5.2 was sold as new until November 2019 and has high resolution shot, focus stacking, focus bracketing, and tethering.  It has a 1/8000 “soft” mechanical shutter and 1/16000 full electronic shutter.  Full HD video is IBIS stabilized.

5. The M5.2 had a Scene mode that featured Hand Held Starlight, ePortrait, and Panorama the M1.2, M1.3, and M1X do not have.

6. It takes and supports a high speed UHS-II card.

7. It supports what might be the best small flash ever, the FL-LM3 tilt and bounce unit, that shipped with the camera.

8. It looks like the thousand dollar camera it was, when new. It’s waterproof and has buttons all over it. You can sit and admire your toy when you’re not using it.

Humansvillian wrote:

It’s difficult to find a top condition M5.2 for less than $400 today. OMDS still sells refurbs for $720.

It was the ultimate 16mp sensor Olympus.

While it lacks the latest 20mp sensor and PDAF hybrid autofocus it has these redeeming virtues.

1. Magnesium build. It looks like a piece of jewelry that takes pictures.

2. Phenomenal stabilization. Rated at five stops it was the best in the market in 2015 and capable of taking several seconds hand held shots.

3. The M5.2 takes the excellent Olympus grip that also takes an auxiliary battery extension. This allows a small camera, a large camera, and a huge camera according to your needs.

4. The M5.2 was sold as new until November 2019 and has high resolution shot, focus stacking, focus bracketing, and tethering. It has a 1/8000 “soft” mechanical shutter and 1/16000 full electronic shutter. Full HD video is IBIS stabilized.

5. The M5.2 had a Scene mode that featured Hand Held Starlight, ePortrait, and Panorama the M1.2, M1.3, and M1X do not have.

6. It takes and supports a high speed UHS-II card.

7. It supports what might be the best small flash ever, the FL-LM3 tilt and bounce unit, that shipped with the camera.

8. It looks like the thousand dollar camera it was, when new. It’s waterproof and has buttons all over it. You can sit and admire your toy when you’re not using it.

The E-M5.2 has high availability in the store for now. Anyone with a strong interest should consider buying one in a 20% sale before they become scarce. That would be $576. I would not chose used over recondition for a < $200 price difference.

OMDS has certainly increased the prices of the refurbished gear. The price of reconditioned E-M1 Mark IIs are ridiculously high at $1360. Used would be around $700.