Mirrorless Cameras

[VI™]

One of these is with the OM-D and one with a 5D MKII.

If that helps with people wondering about quality differences.

 

[kingalexthe1st]

The wife and I sold off Canon DSLRs and went with Olympus E-M1 we just got our second Olympus Pro lens, the 40-150 f2.8 It has the equivalent FOV of a 80-300 35mm FF.

I know I'm quoting from a post a few weeks back but I just have to ask, how is the lens? I'm wanting to use a telephoto again but my x100s isn't good for that. So I've been looking at the OM-D system again and saw this lens which looks like a decent-sized telelphoto. Could you tell me what it's like to shoot with? In terms of size and portability? And do you think the f/2.8 is fast enough for you?

Thanks in advance!
Alex

 

[upbraid]

I know I'm quoting from a post a few weeks back but I just have to ask, how is the lens? I'm wanting to use a telephoto again but my x100s isn't good for that. So I've been looking at the OM-D system again and saw this lens which looks like a decent-sized telelphoto. Could you tell me what it's like to shoot with? In terms of size and portability? And do you think the f/2.8 is fast enough for you?

Thanks in advance!
Alex

not the person you quoted but i use an omd em5 and have tested the 40-150 briefly. you have to keep in mind that the sensor size means your reach is 2x of a standard 35mm or full frame and the aperture is also proportionally affected. 2.8 is plenty fast in most situations but low light sucks. i think the lens is very good but compactability is not there for mirrorless once you get into telephoto lenses with constant aperture, really don't see the advantage of mu43 if you are only shooting with telephotos, might as well get a dslr or fullframe mirrorless that is way more robust and better in pretty much everyway.

 

[kingalexthe1st]

not the person you quoted but i use an omd em5 and have tested the 40-150 briefly. you have to keep in mind that the sensor size means your reach is 2x of a standard 35mm or full frame and the aperture is also proportionally affected. 2.8 is plenty fast in most situations but low light sucks. i think the lens is very good but compactability is not there for mirrorless once you get into telephoto lenses with constant aperture, really don't see the advantage of mu43 if you are only shooting with telephotos, might as well get a dslr or fullframe mirrorless that is way more robust and better in pretty much everyway.

Hey upbraid,

Thanks for your reply. If I can ask, with reference to my bold, I was under the impression that the built-in IS would compensate for low-light issues?
What started drawing me to the OM-D line was the price of the lenses and the portability. I know the 40-150 isn't cheap, but the I saw the 45mm f/1.8 on Amazon for £170(!). I was originally looking at the Fuji X-T1 which is the same price for the body and about the same size as the E-M1 (I want that big awesome viewfinder) but the lenses the Fuji system are expensive relative to the Oly's. So I'm left wondering, and asking anyone with experience to chip in their thoughts 🙂
Thanks!
Alex

 

[upbraid]

Hey upbraid,

Thanks for your reply. If I can ask, with reference to my bold, I was under the impression that the built-in IS would compensate for low-light issues?
What started drawing me to the OM-D line was the price of the lenses and the portability. I know the 40-150 isn't cheap, but the I saw the 45mm f/1.8 on Amazon for £170(!). I was originally looking at the Fuji X-T1 which is the same price for the body and about the same size as the E-M1 (I want that big awesome viewfinder) but the lenses the Fuji system are expensive relative to the Oly's. So I'm left wondering, and asking anyone with experience to chip in their thoughts 🙂
Thanks!
Alex

IS does help and you can crank up the ISO pretty high but sometimes its just not enough for night photography, anything else and the lens works great (have not tried action shots though). don't get me wrong the omd series is amazing and i have used it on my travels across 3 continents and a dozen countries, its very compact with a 20mm, non obtrusive, and pretty sturdy. however if dont travel i would definitely be using something else.

 

[MCAsan]

I know I'm quoting from a post a few weeks back but I just have to ask, how is the lens? I'm wanting to use a telephoto again but my x100s isn't good for that. So I've been looking at the OM-D system again and saw this lens which looks like a decent-sized telelphoto. Could you tell me what it's like to shoot with? In terms of size and portability? And do you think the f/2.8 is fast enough for you?

Thanks in advance!
Alex

Likely the best lens I have ever owned....and that includes lots of Canon L glass. Hopefully the 1.4TC will ship mid December ask Olympus has stated. I already have two purchased for the wife and me. The 40-150 and 300 Pro lenses with the 1.4TC will be our main wild lenses starting in 2015. Can't wait to use them in Kenya.

 

[Southern Dad]

I have the Sony α57 and I bought my DD12 a Sony α58 for Christmas. She hasn't got it yet. While not mirrorless they have the translucent mirror technology so the mirror doesn't have to move for each shot.

This is my second Sony. I moved from the α350. One great thing about alpha mount cameras is that they can use Minolta lenses.

 

[irishv]

I'm also interested switching to mirrorless to replace my ancient Canon XTi, likely with the Sony A6000. Could someone comment on the available lens options that will be replacing a 17-55mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8, and 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 (only used for the 15-16mm range)?

I travel weekly for work and would like something smaller that is easier to pack for travel photography. At the same time, I also want a fast, sharp option for taking family pictures with my kids. The Sony 16mm and 20mm pancake lenses look interesting for travel, although the reviews seem mixed on image quality. The Sony 35mm or 50mm primes look to have great reviews though. Are there any third party options that should be considered?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/29885596@N04/

 

[MCAsan]

Yesterday we picked up our new Olympus 1.4x TC that go with new 40-150 Pro lens. The TC will also work with the 300 f4 prime that will be released next year.

The E-M1 body, the Pro lenses, and the 1.4x TC make a great kit! 😀

 

[duncanapple]

I realize I am a little late to the party and the OP already made a choice... but for anyone else reading, I can't believe only one person mentioned the Fuji mirrorless cameras???

If you are okay with a single focal length, the X100S (which I think has now been updated to the X100T) has got to be one of the best cameras on the market period. Sharp, fast, fantastic color, APS-C (DSLR) sensor, and best of all, extremely small. Read some reviews and check out sample pics; no way you will be disappointed unless you are looking for Canon 1D full size DSLR type performance.

If you need lens interchangeability, check out the X-PRO1. Basically the same thing as the X100s with interchangeable lenses and a slightly larger body (and well under DSLR dimensions).

I realize I am a bit of a fuji fan boy/drinking the kook-aid at this point, but I traded my 5Dii and some nice L glass (35L and 135L) for this camera (plus a lot of money back in my pocket) and haven't regretted it a bit. Granted the 5Dii isn't the baddest on the block in the DSLR world anymore, but the X100S is better in every way which I think is impressive given the size/price.

Anywho, stepping down from my soapbox, Fuji is definitely worth a look. Before I bought mine, I sort of considered Nikon/Canon to be the main players and then after that, "everyone else" but I think Fuji has leap frogged the two main players in every category save for the really high end segment (canon 1D and nikon D4).

YMMV, my $.02, etc, etc

 

[iancheyne]

Nex

I have a Nex 3, 5 and 7. When I got the 7 I no longer felt the need to us the 3 or 5.

In the summer I purchased the A7R and even though I love it I still use the Nex 7.

I've been a Canon guy for years and so I purchased the Metabones adapter for the Nex / A7R and it works very well ... even supports auto focus on some lenses, but alas not all.

Sony has done a fantastic job with the e mount bodies, bring on some more decent native ef lenses and it will be perfect.

 

[phrehdd]

I realize I am a little late to the party and the OP already made a choice... but for anyone else reading, I can't believe only one person mentioned the Fuji mirrorless cameras???

If you are okay with a single focal length, the X100S (which I think has now been updated to the X100T) has got to be one of the best cameras on the market period. Sharp, fast, fantastic color, APS-C (DSLR) sensor, and best of all, extremely small. Read some reviews and check out sample pics; no way you will be disappointed unless you are looking for Canon 1D full size DSLR type performance.

If you need lens interchangeability, check out the X-PRO1. Basically the same thing as the X100s with interchangeable lenses and a slightly larger body (and well under DSLR dimensions).

I realize I am a bit of a fuji fan boy/drinking the kook-aid at this point, but I traded my 5Dii and some nice L glass (35L and 135L) for this camera (plus a lot of money back in my pocket) and haven't regretted it a bit. Granted the 5Dii isn't the baddest on the block in the DSLR world anymore, but the X100S is better in every way which I think is impressive given the size/price.

Anywho, stepping down from my soapbox, Fuji is definitely worth a look. Before I bought mine, I sort of considered Nikon/Canon to be the main players and then after that, "everyone else" but I think Fuji has leap frogged the two main players in every category save for the really high end segment (canon 1D and nikon D4).

YMMV, my $.02, etc, etc

I'll bite. I like the Fuji offerings. In fact, while I don't like superlatives, I can say comfortably that the the internal jpegs generated are among the best in the mirrorless class and some DSLRs. I prefer to shoot RAW and the only catch with Fuji is they are better served by other than Aperture, Lightroom or Photoshop as they don't use the typical sensor. The RAW files however can yield extremely good results with care. I think the Fuji is in great company with Sony, Olympus, Panasonic and a couple of others in the mirrorless category. The three things I hope to see Fuji accomplish is a more robust support for TTL flash, some better speed at focusing for active subjects and like many request, perhaps 24 rather than 16 megapixels. The megapixels for me allow for higher flexibility of crop.

 

[MCAsan]

On Tuesday night we had the first yearly meeting of one of the photo clubs where we are members. The club had a mini trade show with camera shops, cleaning booths, used equipment buyers, photo travel companies, and pro photographers selling their work.

One of the employees of Showcase Camera Store was asked to briefly tell about mirrors cameras. He had already sold off all his Nikon equipment and gone Fuji. Two other employees were there and had sold off all their Canon equipment and gone Olympus micro 4/3. Another pro was there who is only shooting Panasonic GH4 these days.

At our table the wife and I sat beside a lady who had just sold off her Canon equipment and gone Olympus m43. The 4 other people all wanted to know more and asked for websites about it.

The Times They Are A-Changin' by Bob Dylan

Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won’t come again
And don’t speak too soon
For the wheel’s still in spin
And there’s no tellin’ who that it’s namin’
For the loser now will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin’

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There’s a battle outside and it is ragin’
It’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don’t criticize
What you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin’
Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin’
And the first one now will later be last
For the times they are a-changin’

 

[Reality4711]

The wife and I sold off Canon DSLRs and went with Olympus E-M1 we just got our second Olympus Pro lens, the 40-150 f2.8 It has the equivalent FOV of a 80-300 35mm FF.

I was using an Olympus set up a while ago but two things force me to move(over statement).

I think the camera was the 'E5'? The af-c was unusable for what I was doing. Some advisors were at the time advocating using af-s all the time but for moving target shots continually half depressing the actuator (depress, lift, depress, lift and so on). Fairly damning advice and simply not what I could work with. The lens situation from the IQ perspective was outstanding (still life) but could not be judged on most of my subjects at the time because I could never trust the focus.

I think you can understand my slight hesitance at going back that way (especially as my wife will jump all over my previous decisions with Olympus being a financial boooob)

Are my fears unfounded? Do the E-M1 mk2 plus pro lenses now stand up on moving stuff(fast bird, dogs, wildlife)?

Appreciate a detailed answer as I really like the thought of 'Olympus' but once bitten!!

Regards. Sharkey

 

[Apple fanboy]

I was using an Olympus set up a while ago but two things force me to move(over statement).

I think the camera was the 'E5'? The af-c was unusable for what I was doing. Some advisors were at the time advocating using af-s all the time but for moving target shots continually half depressing the actuator (depress, lift, depress, lift and so on). Fairly damning advice and simply not what I could work with. The lens situation from the IQ perspective was outstanding (still life) but could not be judged on most of my subjects at the time because I could never trust the focus.

I think you can understand my slight hesitance at going back that way (especially as my wife will jump all over my previous decisions with Olympus being a financial boooob)

Are my fears unfounded? Do the E-M1 mk2 plus pro lenses now stand up on moving stuff(fast bird, dogs, wildlife)?

Appreciate a detailed answer as I really like the thought of 'Olympus' but once bitten!!

Regards. Sharkey

Personally I don't think any of us are going to be able to answer this for you.
Reading these threads there will be a % who will tell you mirrorless is the best thing ever, and a % who will tell you DSLR is still the best equipment out there.

Personally if I were you I'd hire one and try to find a controlled moving subject you can photograph over and over. Then take test shots with your DSLR and the Olympus and see which gives you the most hits on focus and keepers on IQ.
Then decided if (as I suspect) if the better results with the one out weigh the benefits of the other.
Otherwise this will just continue as another mirrorless v DSLR bun fight of which we've had enough of late.

 

[MCAsan]

Are my fears unfounded? Do the E-M1 mk2 plus pro lenses now stand up on moving stuff(fast bird, dogs, wildlife)?

There are worlds of products reviews available for E-M1 II and on the Pro lenses. Start with Mirrorless Matters.

 

[Reality4711]

Personally I don't think any of us are going to be able to answer this for you.
Reading these threads there will be a % who will tell you mirrorless is the best thing ever, and a % who will tell you DSLR is still the best equipment out there.

Personally if I were you I'd hire one and try to find a controlled moving subject you can photograph over and over. Then take test shots with your DSLR and the Olympus and see which gives you the most hits on focus and keepers on IQ.
Then decided if (as I suspect) if the better results with the one out weigh the benefits of the other.
Otherwise this will just continue as another mirrorless v DSLR bun fight of which we've had enough of late.

There are worlds of products reviews available for E-M1 II and on the Pro lenses. Start with Mirrorless Matters.

I am not trying to be a 'lazy boy' on this; really do appreciate everyone's comments. I will travel in the next few weeks to a local(nothing is local on the north coast of Scotland) supplier for a bit of a test on the XT-2 having still got the images from when I did the same thing with D800 & E5 (sad, so sad), return home and have a bit of a peak. The cost after discussion with the banker (wife) rules the Olly out of this and reviews/opinions I respect have pointed consistently towards the XT-2 so unless the testing throws up some real problems (handling etc,) I am drifting towards the Fuji.

At the moment though having my Epson Pro 3880 printer throwing wobblers has my full attention and the camera decision will go onto the back burner.

Thank you all for the advice.

Regards. Sharkey

ps.-looks like there are one or two of us up here (highlands). Perhaps a meet would be good this summer (summer-hmmmmm?)

 

[The Bad Guy]

looks like there are one or two of us up here (highlands). Perhaps a meet would be good this summer (summer-hmmmmm?)

All I really know about Scotland is from Scotch. And i know scotch from the highlands is for girls...maybe that explains your desire to go mirrorless. 😛

 

[Reality4711]

All I really know about Scotland is from Scotch. And i know scotch from the highlands is for girls...maybe that explains your desire to go mirrorless. 😛

I'm sure there is humour in there somewhere; yes I am sure. I cannot find it but it must be there otherwise why write it.
Oh I know it must be a reference to that extremely effeminate old school photographer David Bailey and his advert for the Olympus Trip (tiny automatic camera). That must be it because no one in their right mind would denigrate Scottish women using Scottish Highland Whisky or the other way round; neither of whom the writer could last a night with. No no that must be right🙄.

Regards Sharkey

ps:- no I don't

 

[kenoh]

All I really know about Scotland is from Scotch. And i know scotch from the highlands is for girls...maybe that explains your desire to go mirrorless. 😛

Steady on there fella... New Zealand is known for Lord of the Rings and Sheep....
[doublepost=1491148144][/doublepost]

I am not trying to be a 'lazy boy' on this; really do appreciate everyone's comments. I will travel in the next few weeks to a local(nothing is local on the north coast of Scotland) supplier for a bit of a test on the XT-2 having still got the images from when I did the same thing with D800 & E5 (sad, so sad), return home and have a bit of a peak. The cost after discussion with the banker (wife) rules the Olly out of this and reviews/opinions I respect have pointed consistently towards the XT-2 so unless the testing throws up some real problems (handling etc,) I am drifting towards the Fuji.

At the moment though having my Epson Pro 3880 printer throwing wobblers has my full attention and the camera decision will go onto the back burner.

Thank you all for the advice.

Regards. Sharkey

ps.-looks like there are one or two of us up here (highlands). Perhaps a meet would be good this summer (summer-hmmmmm?)

If you know some good spots to get some moody landscapes I would take a wander up from Glasgow!

 

[Reality4711]

Steady on there fella... New Zealand is known for Lord of the Rings and Sheep....
[doublepost=1491148144][/doublepost]

If you know some good spots to get some moody landscapes I would take a wander up from Glasgow!

A wander is a bit of an understatement of the mileage involved but my wife and I (very regal there) would be only too pleased to see you.

PM. me if you are interested.

Regards. Sharkey

 

[kenoh]

A wander is a bit of an understatement of the mileage involved but my wife and I (very regal there) would be only too pleased to see you.

PM. me if you are interested.

Regards. Sharkey

Assuming my wife lets me out on day release I may just do that!

Yep a wander was baiting the folks who think Scotland ends half an hour past Edinburgh. 🙂

 

[Apple fanboy]

Assuming my wife lets me out on day release I may just do that!

Yep a wander was baiting the folks who think Scotland ends half an hour past Edinburgh. 🙂

Isn't the isle of Sky half an hour past Edinburgh? 😉

 

[The Bad Guy]

I'm sure there is humour in there somewhere; yes I am sure. I cannot find it but it must be there otherwise why write it.
Oh I know it must be a reference to that extremely effeminate old school photographer David Bailey and his advert for the Olympus Trip (tiny automatic camera). That must be it because no one in their right mind would denigrate Scottish women using Scottish Highland Whisky or the other way round; neither of whom the writer could last a night with. No no that must be right🙄.

Regards Sharkey

ps:- no I don't

It was indeed intended in good humour. 😉

Steady on there fella... New Zealand is known for Lord of the Rings and Sheep....

**checks location** Riiiight...?

 

[Reality4711]

Isn't the isle of Sky half an hour past Edinburgh? 😉

Well if John Wane can "sup with his father in Nottingham this night" when standing on the south coast of England in the days of Richard III then why not breakfast in Edinburgh, all day on Sky and dinner at home the same day.

Sounds sound to me?

Regards Sharkey