Tempted to enter MFT system for sports and action photography

tedolf wrote:

Seems like you already have a lot of cameras.

Do you really need another one?

Most of us get along fine with just one.

Tedolph

Such a nice way to welcome someone to this forum. Are you jealous or what?

JP (getting along fine with 3 cameras)

tedolf wrote:

Jappie52 wrote:

tedolf wrote:

Seems like you already have a lot of cameras.

Do you really need another one?

Most of us get along fine with just one.

Tedolph

Such a nice way to welcome someone to this forum. Are you jealous or what?

Yes, jealous.

JP (getting along fine with 3 cameras)

Might want to get rid of one or two of them.

Tedolph

Rid them your way, right?

Tommy S wrote:

Gosh! This guy pretty nailed it! Sony Ai vs OM-1

The thing I'd be careful with is that is about bird photography where the AI works really well. For people you'd rely on the tracking and that's about the same as my E-M1 II from all the reviews aka I wouldn't trust it. So you're going to use C-AF and zones most likely with m4/3 which it can work really well with in the right conditions. But with a group of players in a shot there's a good chance that it won't be focusing on the right one. You can definitely still get great shots, and the lighter weight could make it worth it. But it won't be able to track like the top tier bodies currently so your keeper rate will likely be noticably lower. For example my D500 is just way beyond what it can do in this respect for the keeper rate. I hope Olympus can improve this though either in firmware or their next model since it's their one main weak point.

Here's a video made by DPReview about it:

https://youtu.be/F_74R6e3eLc

Have relied on the E-M1 series and today, the combo of an E-M1iii and an OM-1 for sports--soccer, track and field, cross country. Lenses I'll use include the 300/4, 40-150/2.8, 12-100/4, 12-40/2.8, 12-45/4, 45/1.2, 75/1.8. That's a lot of lenses but it covers a lot of years and the slow growth of my kit with time. (The 12-40 reaches year 10 next year.)

Since I do not own Sony gear I cannot make a comparison, just that I frequently see a9 and a1 based kits on the sidelines, generally the 400/2.8 on one and the 70-200/2.8 on the other. Similar Canon kits are by a good margin the most common at events that draw pro photogs. Nikon generally a distant third.

What I can say is the Oly kit meets my needs and particularly, the OM-1 has addressed many of my low-light limitations. The gear absolutely works, it works for hours in a downpour, it costs a fraction of what my imaginary a1-based minimum kit would (have gone through the exercise more than once).

I gaze at the 150-400 with a certain nervous excitement, as it would be a fantastic field sport lens, but it's rather beyond my budget, even if a bargain compared to a 400/2.8. There's also a months-long waiting list.

Your proposed two-lens kit will absolutely work for sports, but know if you're shooting something like soccer, you will want to add something longer than 150mm to cover the field decently. For travel, something like the 8-25 and a fast prime in your favorite focal length, and you'd have a kit for all reasons.

HTH

Rick

Tommy S wrote:

I have been following news and reviews of the newest OM-1 recently, and I am more and more tempted to enter this system. Previously I used Sony APS-C and FF and 2 years ago I switched to Canon R6 with great satisfaction in terms of focus acquisition and IQ. I rejected Sony A9II due to its form factor and ergonomics, but must admit, that Sony's Tamron 35-150 is also very tempting combo for my type of photography, as I find this range of FL very usable.

Speaking of the FL range and having R6 I was waiting for R7 to come to the market to complement my gear. I have 24-70 and 70-200F2.8 EF lenses. I rarely use FL above 200 mm.

I have never played with R7 but after reading and viewing what the Internet gives about R7 I think I can give OM-1 (with 40-150 F2.8) a solid try. One of R7 blocking points (maybe not deal breakers) is shutter noise. I would also consider second R6 II body as money is not a big object. This is just hobby, but I never frustrate myself on purpose looking for a imposed balance of my budget and gear. In my hobby I always plan what I want to shoot in terms of topic and when I feel I have explored it I try to look for a new one to explore. This way I want to explore rodeo, stunt bikes and race cars.

To the point ... sorry for this wordy foreplay.

What I like about OM-1 (from what I read and viewed) is

• Form factor (size and ergonomics) as having two bodies of OM-1 with 12-40 and 40-150 is nice considering outdoor shooting and my age
• Both Zuiko lenses weigh twice less than EF 24-70 / 70-200
• Sensor readout speed and silent shutter (7.8 ms)

I would like to hear from you, what is your experience as far as sports / action photography, using OM-1.

PS. I read The Best Mirrorless Cameras for Birds in Flight Ranked and OM-1 handles very well.

I have a friend that shoots sports almost exclusively and he tried a Z9 and A1 sending them back. I encouraged him (almost as a joke) to try the OM-1 with a 40-150 f2.8 Pro lens just to see what it could do for him. Back in June when we were discussing this they were not typically available. On a lark B&H got the kits into stock. I called him to let him know and he ordered that setup along with that 40-150 f2.8 Pro to try it out.

He goaded me to also get one to check it out. I had a Canon R5 along with most of the top RF L glass so wasn't really strongly interested, but I figured what the heck I could play with it and send it back just to see what it was all about. And he wanted me to be able to set his up with me along for the ride. Well the short story is I did. Compared it right next to my R5's output at ISO12,800 and at HHHR mode. The OM-1 stood it's ground, and was such a joy to no longer have the bulk, after 2 more weeks or wringing it out in all regards I ended up selling off all my Canon gear and building up the Pro lens lineup for the OM-1 with a grip. So I would encourage you to try the setup for sure. I suspect you'll be very surprised.

CBR1100XX wrote:

Tommy S wrote:

Gosh! This guy pretty nailed it! Sony Ai vs OM-1

The thing I'd be careful with is that is about bird photography where the AI works really well. For people you'd rely on the tracking and that's about the same as my E-M1 II from all the reviews aka I wouldn't trust it. So you're going to use C-AF and zones most likely with m4/3 which it can work really well with in the right conditions. But with a group of players in a shot there's a good chance that it won't be focusing on the right one. You can definitely still get great shots, and the lighter weight could make it worth it. But it won't be able to track like the top tier bodies currently so your keeper rate will likely be noticably lower. For example my D500 is just way beyond what it can do in this respect for the keeper rate. I hope Olympus can improve this though either in firmware or their next model since it's their one main weak point.

Here's a video made by DPReview about it:

https://youtu.be/F_74R6e3eLc

For human eye and face detection, the OM-1 has another firmware or so to go before it stays with the likes of a Canon or Sony in regards to tracking. BUT as regards to birds and in flight it's right there with them. Sticky as heck and acquires a bird even faster then the Canon I had and from other peoples reports even an A1. So don't sell the animal tracking short, that seems to be it's current strength so far.

Tommy S wrote:

ProDude wrote:

He goaded me to also get one to check it out. I had a Canon R5 along with most of the top RF L glass so wasn't really strongly interested, but I figured what the heck I could play with it and send it back just to see what it was all about. And he wanted me to be able to set his up with me along for the ride. Well the short story is I did. Compared it right next to my R5's output at ISO12,800 and at HHHR mode. The OM-1 stood it's ground, and was such a joy to no longer have the bulk, after 2 more weeks or wringing it out in all regards I ended up selling off all my Canon gear and building up the Pro lens lineup for the OM-1 with a grip. So I would encourage you to try the setup for sure. I suspect you'll be very surprised.

I think OM-1 nailed it. As I was looking for second body to let me stop switching lenses I figured that OM-1 with 40-150F2.8 might be a good sidekick, much better IMO than R7 with 70-200F2.8.

As I am never attached to the system I use I even consider to have two OM-1s with some fast prime for close distance and shallow DoF. Such combo would be much nicer to walk around than any FF bodies with zooms.

What also surprised me was I decided to get a 25 f1.2 Pro lens to approximate the RF50 f1.2 L I used with a R5. What surprised me is it's no less sharp and has marvelous bokeh, and the build on the Oly lens is as good as it gets much like a Leica. So for indoor low light use or close in portraits it works amazingly well indeed. And the price is nearly 1/3rd of the Canon too.

tedolf wrote:

ProDude wrote:

Tommy S wrote:

I have been following news and reviews of the newest OM-1 recently, and I am more and more tempted to enter this system. Previously I used Sony APS-C and FF and 2 years ago I switched to Canon R6 with great satisfaction in terms of focus acquisition and IQ. I rejected Sony A9II due to its form factor and ergonomics, but must admit, that Sony's Tamron 35-150 is also very tempting combo for my type of photography, as I find this range of FL very usable.

Speaking of the FL range and having R6 I was waiting for R7 to come to the market to complement my gear. I have 24-70 and 70-200F2.8 EF lenses. I rarely use FL above 200 mm.

I have never played with R7 but after reading and viewing what the Internet gives about R7 I think I can give OM-1 (with 40-150 F2.8) a solid try. One of R7 blocking points (maybe not deal breakers) is shutter noise. I would also consider second R6 II body as money is not a big object. This is just hobby, but I never frustrate myself on purpose looking for a imposed balance of my budget and gear. In my hobby I always plan what I want to shoot in terms of topic and when I feel I have explored it I try to look for a new one to explore. This way I want to explore rodeo, stunt bikes and race cars.

To the point ... sorry for this wordy foreplay.

What I like about OM-1 (from what I read and viewed) is

• Form factor (size and ergonomics) as having two bodies of OM-1 with 12-40 and 40-150 is nice considering outdoor shooting and my age
• Both Zuiko lenses weigh twice less than EF 24-70 / 70-200
• Sensor readout speed and silent shutter (7.8 ms)

I would like to hear from you, what is your experience as far as sports / action photography, using OM-1.

PS. I read The Best Mirrorless Cameras for Birds in Flight Ranked and OM-1 handles very well.

I have a friend that shoots sports almost exclusively and he tried a Z9 and A1 sending them back. I encouraged him (almost as a joke) to try the OM-1 with a 40-150 f2.8 Pro lens just to see what it could do for him. Back in June when we were discussing this they were not typically available. On a lark B&H got the kits into stock. I called him to let him know and he ordered that setup along with that 40-150 f2.8 Pro to try it out.

He goaded me to also get one to check it out. I had a Canon R5 along with most of the top RF L glass so wasn't really strongly interested, but I figured what the heck I could play with it and send it back just to see what it was all about. And he wanted me to be able to set his up with me along for the ride. Well the short story is I did. Compared it right next to my R5's output at ISO12,800 and at HHHR mode. The OM-1 stood it's ground, and was such a joy to no longer have the bulk, after 2 more weeks or wringing it out in all regards I ended up selling off all my Canon gear and building up the Pro lens lineup for the OM-1 with a grip. So I would encourage you to try the setup for sure. I suspect you'll be very surprised.

I hate it when people "buy" things just to try them out and then send them back if they don't like them. This drives up the cost of everything for everybody.

If you want to try something, rent it or borrow it from a friend.

Tedolph

Get over it. Many of us have NO options for going to a store nor anything close to use to find out if a given product is right up your alley or not. I have on very rare occasion found a product did NOT live up to my expectations. In the case of the OM-1 it worked out gloriously well. B&H as an example, is set up to accommodate those just like me that live in the middle of nowhere but buy many thousands of dollars of gear over time.

Will just note that having places to be nagged already, I find nothing to be gained engaging with a nag in a community forum. This one harvested the ignore switch ages ago.

Skeeterbytes wrote:

Will just note that having places to be nagged already, I find nothing to be gained engaging with a nag in a community forum. This one harvested the ignore switch ages ago.

I have NO idea how you could possibly have an issue with my response to the fact that so many of us have no options for acquiring gear. And that the option of making certain gear you otherwise have no access to trying will work out is an issue. I hope you were responding to the guy that complained about those that utilize this ability that is a gift from the likes of a B&H.

ProDude wrote:

Skeeterbytes wrote:

Will just note that having places to be nagged already, I find nothing to be gained engaging with a nag in a community forum. This one harvested the ignore switch ages ago.

I have NO idea how you could possibly have an issue with my response to the fact that so many of us have no options for acquiring gear. And that the option of making certain gear you otherwise have no access to trying will work out is an issue. I hope you were responding to the guy that complained about those that utilize this ability that is a gift from the likes of a B&H.

Not you, the person you're being nagged by.