Micro Four Thirds - DPChallenge Forums

02/29/2012 08:14:13 AM · #51

Jeff, thanks for posting the lens comparison link. Looks like the Olympus 45 mm 1.8 might be on my short list to check out. I could use a good low light prime.

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

02/29/2012 05:04:40 PM · #52

here's a couple of full size JPGs from the OM-D

The first 2 look great. The third one was taken with an art filter, so it won't offer much proof of image quality.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

03/01/2012 06:00:04 AM · #53

Originally posted by insteps:

Jeff, thanks for posting the lens comparison link. Looks like the Olympus 45 mm 1.8 might be on my short list to check out. I could use a good low light prime.

Your welcome, Henry. I'll probably get the 45 as well but will hold off until a black version comes out. I'm not all that fond of the silver so will probably get the Pany 25mm first and it's a better focal length for the street anyway. I hope the upcoming 75mm is in black, but it's only been shown in silver so far :(.

Tiny

Apple iPad mini 4

03/18/2012 11:31:24 AM · #54

I am now the proud owner of a Panasonic DMC-G3 and so far I am really enjoying it.
Love the fact I can carry it everywhere and not notice the weight
Only got the kit lens at present but hope to get more and possibly sell my Canon.
Nice results so far.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

03/18/2012 12:38:19 PM · #55

Tiny I'm so jealous. I went to buy one a few weeks ago, but they only had the demo model in store and wouldn't give a discount. When they sold it a couple of days later I came to the conclusion that the salesman didn't want to sell it to me because he was saving it for someone else. They're almost impossible to come by in South Africa and I'm starting to think I'll never get one.

Tiny

Apple iPad mini 4

03/18/2012 12:58:01 PM · #56

Is it not possible to get one from somewhere else shipped to you ?
I know nothing about world affairs so perhaps i,m saying something very wrong.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

03/18/2012 01:13:14 PM · #57

It's possible to get one shipped, but our postal service isn't very reliable and it's anyone's guess what tax I'd have to pay if it arrived. I've actually seen them advertised online, but one of the sites has just got into trouble for selling "grey" cameras, and the other one is totally unknown to me. I'm reluctant to buy from someone I know nothing about. So for now I'm stuck with carrying my Canon everywhere. I just never seem to have the right lens on me!

jagar

Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+

Sony Sonnar FE 2.8 35mm ZA

03/18/2012 02:10:05 PM · #58

Congrats Tiny, I'll be able to DMC you now on every challenge ;)

03/18/2012 07:06:23 PM · #59

Tiny, congratulations on your new ~~toy~~ tool. I know you'll enjoy it!

03/18/2012 07:12:43 PM · #60

Gina, where there's a will there's a way. I know it's a cliche but don't give up.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

03/18/2012 07:36:25 PM · #61

Originally posted by insteps:

Gina, where there's a will there's a way. I know it's a cliche but don't give up.

The shop has my contact details to let me know when they get stock, but I sense a serious lack of interest there. It's a place I deliberately stayed away from for a long time, but they are one of very few Panasonic stockists in my city. The other places I have contacted never even heard of the G3.

I've actually been told that all Panasonics in SA are "grey" - don't know whether it's true or just a salesman trying to sell me something else. I could wait of the new Olympus (I really want something with a built-in viewfinder) but I'm not keen to spend the extra money, and the Oly doesn't have a built-in flash. The stabilised body is tempting though.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

03/18/2012 07:53:39 PM · #62

I'm tired of carrying around all my gear for vaction trips and the like and have tried a vaiety of P&S cameras but now I'm waiting to see production model tests by DPReview on the new Canon G1X before deciding which way to go. Looks pretty interesting.

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/19/2012 02:25:24 AM · #63

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

I know you spend a good deal of time in the mountains, like myself, and it's frustrated me that so many of the high end P&S aren't really all that wide. The lx3 is suitably wide at 24, and while one may say it's only 4mm, that 24mm just is PERFECT for so much of my shooting for landscapes, and particularly mountainscapes, but also when I'm out with friends, which is one of the biggest uses of P&S anyway...

03/19/2012 06:24:11 AM · #64

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

Originally posted by insteps:
Gina, where there's a will there's a way. I know it's a cliche but don't give up.

The shop has my contact details to let me know when they get stock, but I sense a serious lack of interest there. It's a place I deliberately stayed away from for a long time, but they are one of very few Panasonic stockists in my city. The other places I have contacted never even heard of the G3.

I've actually been told that all Panasonics in SA are "grey" - don't know whether it's true or just a salesman trying to sell me something else. I could wait of the new Olympus (I really want something with a built-in viewfinder) but I'm not keen to spend the extra money, and the Oly doesn't have a built-in flash. The stabilised body is tempting though.

That was a selling point for me. When I was in the market Panasonic was building lenses with IS and Olympus built it into the body. I thought Olympus had a more elegant solution especially if you wanted to try a wider range of lenses. Not that big an issue but something to think about.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

03/19/2012 06:32:08 PM · #65

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

Well a few weeks ago they told me they were expecting stock the first or second week of March, so, having heard nothing from them, I decided to go and find out what was happening. The guy who served me didn't seem to know anything about it, but he said they were closing for renovation and hadn't ordered any cameras in the last couple of weeks. But I'd asked for it long before that, so I expressed my dissatisfaction with their lack of interest and left. A little while later (while still at the centre) I remembered that I hadn't mentioned that they had told me when they were expecting the cameras, so I went back to tell him. By this time another salesman had arrived. He told me that Panasonic had failed to deliver and they weren't going to get them AT ALL. Fine, but why didn't they let me know when I'd left my details and indicated I wanted the camera urgently. Panasonic may be giving problems, but I've always had bad service from this shop - when I ordered shaped apertures for my Lensbaby, it took about 6 months to get them after I'd been to ask on numerous occasions. So I won't forgive them just because Panasonic is difficult, and it will take real desperation to get me back in that shop.

So back to square one. The camera is available online, but not good options there. One site is already in trouble for selling "grey" goods without making customers aware of the fact. Another mentions in their terms of service that the authorised SA distributor "is under no obligation to honour the manufacturers guarantees/warrantees or to provide after sales service". Another advertises the camera but doesn't seem to have stock. Doesn't seem to leave me much in options as the shop I went to was the only one I could find which even knew the G3 existed.

I'll still look for a shop which has it, though there are very few Panasonic stockists around, but it rather looks like I'll have to wait for Olympus now. I'm not happy because the Olympus body only is likely to cost more than what I was quoted for the Panasonic with two lenses, and the Oly has no built in flash.

ETA: Sorry for the long post, but I'm really mad.

Message edited by author 2012-03-19 18:36:51.

03/19/2012 07:02:18 PM · #66

Gina, don't rush and make sure you get what you want. Maybe if you take a vacation this summer, well winter for South Africa, you'll find what you're looking for. I'm not exactly sure where you are or your situation so not sure I can really help. Take care.

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

03/19/2012 07:14:24 PM · #67

insteps I'm not likely to be travelling anytime soon, so I'm really restricted to what can be bought locally (at far greater cost than in the USA). One of the local shops I went into recently doesn't stock Panasonic, but does stock Olympus, which isn't easily available here either. Unlike most shops, all their staff are photographers, so they know more than most. I was served by a very nice guy who also edits a free photography magazine here. He said a lot of their staff have got Olympus M4/3 cameras and definitely felt that the new one would be a good buy. I've just been having a look at the preview on dpreview, and maybe it would be the better buy. As you said, in-body stabilisation sounds like a big plus. I just wish the price was closer to that of the Panasonic, but maybe the extra features are worth the extra cost.

On the other hand, another shop told me that stabilised lenses are better than stabilised bodies. I don't know whether that was a sincere opinion, or based on the fact that they don't keep Olympus. I find all the shops are very quick to run down the makes they don't stock!

03/19/2012 07:31:09 PM · #68

Gina, I'm no expert and take my advice for what's it's worth. He could be right that lens IS is better than body IS. I don't know and have never heard anybody compare the two. I'm sorry you're having trouble getting what you want. I'm going to drop off this thread for now but I'm happy to give you my opinion anytime. The micro 4/3 stuff is great for travel and carry around. Take care.

03/20/2012 12:37:41 PM · #69

here's my take on the in-body vs in-lens stabilization:

With the current technology, in-lens stabilization will give you about 1 stop more than in-body, all things being equal. That may change with the new camera from Olympus. The OM-D image stabilization is reported to be very very good.

I still prefer the in-body stabilization because you pay for the IS once, not every time you buy a lens. This makes for less expensive native lenses and provides stabilization on all lenses mounted on the camera. This is particularly advantageous in the m4/3 arena with its ability to use almost any legacy lens.

That said, I also think IS is overrated. It's nice for low light situations to use a lower ISO and such, but it does not replace fast lenses for action or sports photography.

I shoot Olympus and do own a few Panasonic lenses, but none of them have IS. From what I've read, you can use the IS on the lens or on the camera, but not both at the same time.

05/02/2012 01:22:27 PM · #70

My new Olympus OM-D EM5 arrived yesterday. It was given high marks in a recent DPReview article.

Going to break it in with my pal

DrAchoo at Bryce Canyon in a couple of weeks!

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

05/02/2012 02:09:49 PM · #71

scarbrd I can't wait to hear your impressions. I'll probably land up with a Panasonic G5 (yet to be announced) for 2 reasons: one it will likely cost a lot less, and two Panasonic service centre is a 30 minute drive from where I live, while Olympus is a 2 hour flight. But I haven't totally ruled out the Olympus yet because I'm sure it will be the better camera.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

05/02/2012 02:16:39 PM · #72

Originally posted by scarbrd:

My new Olympus OM-D EM5 arrived yesterday. It was given high marks in a recent DPReview article.

Going to break it in with my pal DrAchoo at Bryce Canyon in a couple of weeks!

Man, I wish I could spend some more time in Bryce! The EM5 may have the longest and most confusing model name in history, LOL, but it sure got a really nice review. With some good glass, it looks to be one damn fine travel camera.

ETA:
Micro Four Thirds has undoubtedly achieved "critical mass" as a system, with enough camera bodies and glass to make it a really viable format. It's great to have a choice of a compact camera that's not a tiny-sensor P&S. I'd love to have the E-M5 and a short zoom to take on motorcycle trips, though a purchase like that is way down my list, after upgrading my nearly-seven-year-old 5D body :-)

Message edited by author 2012-05-02 14:20:57.

colorcarnival

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Olympus 45mm f1.8 M.Zuiko Digital Micro Four Thirds

05/02/2012 05:14:11 PM · #73

Originally posted by scarbrd:

My new Olympus OM-D EM5 arrived yesterday. It was given high marks in a recent DPReview article.

Going to break it in with my pal DrAchoo at Bryce Canyon in a couple of weeks!

ugh. How did you get one already? I pre-ordered from Amazon in March. Still waiting. Still hating Amazon :)