Who here also uses another (dSLR) system?

[kiri]

I'm curious to know how many mFT photographers here also own and use another system, and if so what is it? (eg: Canon 5D, Nikon D300, or whatever else)

If you do use another system, what kind of situation do you find yourself using it instead of your mFT gear?

The reason I am mainly mainly asking is because I have only ever owned m4/3 or 4/3 cameras, so I really have nothing else to compare to. Also I recently saw a good deal on a 2nd hand 5Dmk2 which kinda got me thinking if it would be crazy of me to pick it up and see what I could do with it...

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/memoki/

 

[PC Wheeler]

I'm curious to know how many mFT photographers here also own and use another system, and if so what is it? (eg: Canon 5D, Nikon D300, or whatever else)

Yes, an EOS 7D system: Body; Rokinon 8mm fisheye; Canon 50 f/1.8, 18-200, 15-85 and 70-300L.

If you do use another system, what kind of situation do you find yourself using it instead of your mFT gear?

Action photography only (birds in flight, in particular). For most all else I use my GH2. The 7D gets very little use -- except by my wife when we travel; total shot count in 2 yrs is under 3,000. On a recent trip its high rep rate when shooting multiple images was handy for whale watching.

Worth adding is that I just sold a complete Sony A55 system with 9 lenses and returned to m4/3 (had a GH1 in 2010) after using the A55 for 10 months. I just got tired of carrying that weight and found that I was using a P&S most of the time. Now the GH2 with 14-140 goes everywhere with me (and other lenses as needed). The m4/3 size and weight win!

--
Phil

 

[Red Mountain Images]

Kiri,

I currently use m4/3 EPL-1 with the kit zoom, the 40-150mm, and the 20mm Pany.

In addition to the EPL-1 setup I use a Pentax DSLR with a couple of fast primes (35mm and 50mm) and several zooms. Since getting the EPL-1 I mostly use the DSLR equipment to hold down a shelf in my closet.

I do use the DSLR when I need indoor fast glass or fast autofocus - otherwise - the size factor of the m4/3 wins out.

Thanks, Steve
--
Steve
Red Mountain Images

http://www.RedMountainImages.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/RedMountainImages

 

[Bobo Hodls]

It was a 5D2 that I turned away from in time, going full time with µ4/3.

If interested in a finer resolution for large detailed prints, you can't go wrong with the 5D2 and L glass. My theory up until recently was to get the best, so the responsibility for output was more on me than the gear. That was good for keeping me focused on how to eke the best out of an exposure, a valuable experience with regard to finessed developing. Now I feel I don't need that extra resolution for the most part, trying to produce just as compelling images with a somewhat lesser fidelity.

Is a 5D2 needed? Probably not - though subject matter may suggest a DSLR would be preferred. But if you can afford to experience the experience, I wouldn't discourage you. Even though Mother warned me of many things, I still had to find out what she meant in my own, pig-headed way.

--
...Bob, NYC
http://www.bobtullis.com

"Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't." - Little Big Man
.

 

[Jeremy_T]

I used to shoot Minolta / Sony. I still have an A700 and some lenses that mostly gather dust after I bought my E-P2 last year. I really should sell them, but I keep it around because it's still "better" than my µ4/3 system. Never mind that it's not "better" enough for me to actually lug around...

After getting into µ4/3, I lucked into a 50-200mm SWD for $100 (yes, you read that right) which I wanted to use on the E-P2, but I was disappointed in the performance on the Pen. I also bought an E620 specifically for that lens.

 

[Alan_W1]

I use my m4/3 for video {gh2}, and my trusty nikon d2h for stills.

I bought my gh2 with the intention of replacing my dslr, when it eventually dies.

However, my gh2 lacks some essential features for my 'stills' uses, so when my dslr finally conks out, i shall have to have a re-think............either get another dslr to use alongside my gh2, or see whether the next incarnation of m4/3 are capable for both my stills and video needs.

 

[millsart]

I'm mainly a sports photographer for a living so I use Nikon D3s for my paid work. M4/3 doens't cut it when it comes to fast AF, long lenses like a 400mm f2.8 and super high ISO for night games.

For my casual shooting, traveling etc though I love my EP3
--
http://www.millsartphotography.com

 

[georgec]

Get the 5D II, fantastic camera, I have one and many L lenses.
Also have GH2 14-140mm 20 f1.7 100-300mm for travel and hiking

 

[Yohan Pamudji]

Canon 5D here. I use it for paid gigs when size and weight considerations take a back seat to performance, and when I need continuous AF. Also sometimes at home for personal use when I can just reach for the camera to use it instead of lugging around a heavy bag, particularly in low light when every ounce of light gathering capability helps. If m4/3 can gain about a stop of low light performance and a 17mm f/1.4 I might be able to stop using it for personal use aside from continuous AF, but until then the 5D + 35mm f/1.4 will soldier on.

If you can swing it, using a FF system for a while is one of those things I wish more people could experience. It's not the perfect, ideal system--nothing is--but I think the experience would give you a broader picture of what's out there and what kind of compromises you're making and benefits you're gaining with m4/3 compared to DSLRs in general and FF DSLRs in particular. Given the right lenses, there's a "wow" factor that you can achieve with larger sensors that is fun to experience for yourself. Looking at charts and numbers comparing performance doesn't prepare one for the actual experience of shooting with FF.

People say the same thing about MF and LF, but I'd have to sell my house to be able to afford those systems.

 

[murfthesurf]

I own a Canon 40D with a fairly large lens collection. A few of my favorite lenses are Canon 50 f/1.4, Canon 300 f/4 L IS, Tokina 24-200, Tokina 19-35, and Sigma 24-70 f/2.8.

I'll definitely continue to use this kit, but I have grown tired of carrying it around on vacations, family outings, hikes and bike rides, so I recently purchased an E-PM1. So far, I only have the kit 14-42 lens, but within the next few months, I hope to acquire a Pana 20 f/1.7, Oly 45 f/1.8, Pana X 14-42 pancake (for vacations), and something long (maybe Pana 100-300).
--

• Murf

 

[larsbc]

I'm curious to know how many mFT photographers here also own and use another system, and if so what is it? (eg: Canon 5D, Nikon D300, or whatever else)

Nikon D300 etc.

If you do use another system, what kind of situation do you find yourself using it instead of your mFT gear?

Portraits, weddings, events, sports. GH2 is for casual, travel, and camping.

larsbc

 

[odl]

I have an Sony a850 plus fast primes for the shallow DoF work. the 50mm f1.4 85mm f1.4, 135mm f1.8 and 100mm macro.

Iam currently between the my pro olympus bodies as most of my camera money is going into the pens system, but i have the 12-60 and 50mm macro for that all weather and quality zoom, may get the 50-200 in time.

My biggest system now is my Pen system with the EP2, 9-18, 14-42, 40-150, 17mm, and 45mm f1.8 and takes far more of my day to day pictures than anything else.

The pro olympus body and HG lenses represent something that cannot be replaced in other formats, for size, price, quality and reliability.

The AF zeiss primes for Sony, also represent something that is hard to achieve (canon has their 85mm f1.2) with other systems for their pricepoint (specifically the a850 body)

And the m43rds pen system, and the size of the lenses is just outstanding, take anywhere, discrete, with olympus colours and zuiko lenses.

Ab

--
alatchinphotography.com

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For
knowledge is limited to all we now know and
understand, while imagination embraces the entire
world, and all there ever will be to know and
understand.” - Albert Einstein

 

[maarensv]

Hi,

Mainly use my Canon gear (Canon 7D + some nice glass and accessories). I much prefer a DSLR viewfinder above any screen or digital viewfinder. My PEN is just for fun and I only use it with more static objects. The PEN makes a great combination with any of my lenses, although focus and aperture control are a bit tricky.

I shoot many civil aircraft and also like taking pics of people, landscapes and macro.

Regards,
Sandor.

 

[GodSpeaks]

I have both Nikon and Sony FF systems.

The Nikon and Sony I use in the studio at base ISO only.

I also have a GF1 and NEX-5, both of which I take when I holiday or go to an event or party. I will be replacing both the GF1 and NEX-5 with an NEX-7 in November.

--

The greatest of mankind's criminals are those who delude themselves into thinking they have done 'the right thing.'

• Rayna Butler

 

[sean000]

I'm curious to know how many mFT photographers here also own and use another system, and if so what is it? (eg: Canon 5D, Nikon D300, or whatever else)

I have a Nikon D200 and eight Nikon lenses that I have been using since 2006 (and a Nikon D70 from 2004 to 2006). In late 2009 I considered upgrading my D200 to a D300 or even a full frame D700, but in the end I decided that my D200 was still great for the majority of my photos and that what I really wanted was a more compact system for daily carry and travel. So I bought a GF1, 20mm f/1.7, 14-45mm, 45-200mm and an adapter to use some of my Nikon lenses (love the 50mm f/1.8 on m4/3 for portraits).

If you do use another system, what kind of situation do you find yourself using it instead of your mFT gear?

Mostly for event photography, action, and wildlife. I have some fast f/2.8 zooms for my DSLR: A 17-55mm f/2.8 and and 80-200mm f/2.8 that are superb for events, sports, and the 80-200mm is excellent for outdoor portraits. For wildlife I have a 300mm f/4 with a teleconverter. When it comes to fast moving subjects my D200 can track them more accurately, and I don't the LCD/Viewfinder blackout when shooting burst mode that I get with my GF1. It's just more difficult to track a fast moving subject with my m4/3 camera. I also have some Nikon flashguns that I can adjust output on and fire wirelessly with my D200.

The reason I am mainly mainly asking is because I have only ever owned m4/3 or 4/3 cameras, so I really have nothing else to compare to. Also I recently saw a good deal on a 2nd hand 5Dmk2 which kinda got me thinking if it would be crazy of me to pick it up and see what I could do with it...

That 5Dmk2 would be an excellent camera when used with excellent glass, but you might find (as I did) that it's more than you want to carry every day. That's why a lot of DSLR shooters own a compact P&S or a m4/3 or NEX to carry when they don't want to lug around a DSLR with big heavy lenses. Or you might find that m4/3 is adequate for everything you want to shoot. When it comes to available light candids of friends and family, as well as landscapes, architecture, etc. I am very happy with the results I get out of m4/3.

I could see myself giving up the DSLR eventually. I really like the balance m4/3 provides. A larger sensor has some advantages like more depth of field control (ability to get shallower DOF at wide to short tele focal lengths), but I think m4/3 provides enough DOF control and the portability factor is a huge advantage. Eventually m4/3 autofocus tracking will improve, and the viewfinder/LCD blackout will no longer be an issue. Image quality will also improve to the point where most people simply will not see a difference between m4/3 and most DSLR cameras. If they add some fast zooms to the lens lineup I'll probably sell off my DSLR gear.

Sean

 

[Jim Radcliffe]

I use the Pentax K5 in addition to my GF1 and GH2 cameras. I have found that sometimes the MFT gear is not the right tool for what I am after.

Looking forward to seeing if the GFX1 will be more to my liking. Love the small size of the MFT gear, one of the reasons I sold my Canon 5D MKII and switched to the K5 was the size factor.
--
Jim Radcliffe
http://www.boxedlight.com
Blog: http://boxedlight.com/blog

The ability to 'see' the shot is more important than the gear used to capture it.

 

[Diane B]

I have been Canon shooter for many years, I.e., original for digital D30 and film before that, even the original G1 up through 5D but opted not to upgrade from it and embraced m4/3 after several months with a G1 in early 2009. I sold off my L zooms, kept only fast primes and a 12-24 along with a tilt shift but I rarely shoot with it. My 5D is well used and though still looking good and working fine, it has to be near shutter replacement so I've opted not to sell it. Nonetheless, its as good as gone. If I was still shooting commercially (for furniture and textile industry) I would be using at least a 5DII and shooting with m4/3 personally--I'm now happy enough with m4/3 (G3) that I can let go of DSLR.

Diane

It was a 5D2 that I turned away from in time, going full time with µ4/3.

If interested in a finer resolution for large detailed prints, you can't go wrong with the 5D2 and L glass. My theory up until recently was to get the best, so the responsibility for output was more on me than the gear. That was good for keeping me focused on how to eke the best out of an exposure, a valuable experience with regard to finessed developing. Now I feel I don't need that extra resolution for the most part, trying to produce just as compelling images with a somewhat lesser fidelity.

Is a 5D2 needed? Probably not - though subject matter may suggest a DSLR would be preferred. But if you can afford to experience the experience, I wouldn't discourage you. Even though Mother warned me of many things, I still had to find out what she meant in my own, pig-headed way.

--
...Bob, NYC
http://www.bobtullis.com

"Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't." - Little Big Man
.

--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic
G1 gallery http://www.pbase.com/picnic/temp_g1

 

[SF Photo Gal]

I use two Canon full frame cameras - 5DII and 1DsIII.

Canon and Nikon have a level of professional support, not to mention 3rd party equipment, that you just can't get for m4/3.

That said, for my personal use, I have GH1 and GF1.

SF Photo Gal
Canon 1DsIII & 5DII/Panasonic GH1-GF1-LX3

 

[sillyconguru]

I'm curious to know how many mFT photographers here also own and use another system, and if so what is it?

Nikon D40, D70 & D200; with lenses ranging from 8mm to 400mm.

If you do use another system, what kind of situation do you find yourself using it instead of your mFT gear?

I only have a 17mm lens for my E-P1, so I'd use a DSLR when the Oly isn't suitable (which isn't too often, surprisingly).

 

[Jon Schick]

Still got an Olympus E-1. I love that camera, whereas I am impressed (mostly) by my GH-2.

Good thing is they complement each other quite well - the E-1 is perfect in rubbish British weather and can cope with anything I throw at it (including liberal doses of sea water on an ocean-going catamaran trip). And the ZD14-54 lens quite often finds it way on to the GH-2 too - because there is as yet no native fast m43 standard zoom.

--
http://jonschick.smugmug.com/