Any regrets after switching from DSLR to full M4/3 system?

[MechaEd]

If you shoot raw, you won't have the "oly" colour and you can tweak until you are happy.

That's not quite true. Canon RAW files look different than Oly RAW files in their base pre-edited form. Same goes with Fuji and Sony RAW files. Sony RAW tend towards warm. Fuji RAWs tend towards a green tint. I find Canon RAWs the most neutral to work with. Oly RAW files have a (to my eyes) brown tint to them that I don't quite like. And I've tried the hardest to get rid of this 'brown tint' in post but no luck so far. I actually still go back to edit these files from time to time to try to get them to look the way I want them to.

Anyway, the EM-5 is in a better home in the hands of a friend who thinks the world of its output. All the better.

For the record, I've never shot JPG on the EM-5.

 

[bousozoku]

I'm probably a minority in a minority in that I sold my EM-5 because I actually didn't quite like the 'Oly look' in the photos. It's too bad really, since it's a perfectly good camera and system especially for traveling. Can't servo for nuts but that's par on course with all MILCs (for now), not just Oly.

Changing the white balance should fix most of the issue, and a small change to the tint should finish it.

What do you mean by "servo"? To me, a servo is an electromechanical device.

 

[Oly5050]

For the record, I've never shot JPG on the EM-5.

I no longer shot raw on Olympus. The Jpegs are so good that shooting RAW is like masochism. I find that you gotta be really good in post in order to make the RAWS look better than the Jpegs on olympus. I have LR4 and have tried different profiles. In any case I think you are right in what you hv done - sticking to canon and selling the em5 to someone who prefers the output. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Oly5050]

Changing the white balance should fix most of the issue, and a small change to the tint should finish it.

What do you mean by "servo"? To me, a servo is an electromechanical device.

He means the continuous AF tracking.

 

[Mikefellh]

Just to respond to this:

I've only had two main issues since migrating to m4/3:
1) Lack of options in triggering studio strobes - most studios include Canon or Nikon triggers or a PC sync trigger, I've not found a decent tutorial or thread showing how other m4/3 users trigger monolights in a studio

Most studio strobes are NOT TTL, they operate with a manual power level adjustment on the strobe unit or power supply itself, and only use the main centre contact of the hotshoe to trigger the flash unit. In fact in all the studios I've shot in I have NEVER seen a strobe with a Nikon/Canon dedicated connectors, and I always use Olympus cameras with their equipment.

The only time it would be a Nikon or Canon dedicated connector is if they used on-camera flashes instead of large strobes...and any studio that does that would be stupid for two reasons...one is alienating half of the popular cameras out there, and speedlights aren't meant for heavy duty use because these flashes overheat and can melt down.

Regarding PC flash connectors, there are a million PC to hotshoe adapters out there for just a few bucks, and radio triggers and optical slaves with PC connectors or adapters out there.

 

[jackaroo77]

hi all, just got a EPL-3 and Oly 17mm f2.8. Was trying the continuous AF on my kid since they are on the move. Maybe i tested in home so the light condition was not gd, i cld not get a decent shot even on burst mode. Realise the servo motor is always focusing. Is that normal? Feel that my previous 550d is better. I will bring the oly outdoor for more test.

 

[keithwee]

hi all, just got a EPL-3 and Oly 17mm f2.8. Was trying the continuous AF on my kid since they are on the move. Maybe i tested in home so the light condition was not gd, i cld not get a decent shot even on burst mode. Realise the servo motor is always focusing. Is that normal? Feel that my previous 550d is better. I will bring the oly outdoor for more test.

It's probably the lens than the body. The 17/2.8 isn't one of the newer or faster lens around. Try it with the 17/1.8 n I'm sure u will see e difference

 

[sje4182]

I'm probably a minority in a minority in that I sold my EM-5 because I actually didn't quite like the 'Oly look' in the photos. It's too bad really, since it's a perfectly good camera and system especially for traveling. Can't servo for nuts but that's par on course with all MILCs (for now), not just Oly.

Can describe what is this "oly look"?

 

[esoeij]

hi all, just got a EPL-3 and Oly 17mm f2.8. Was trying the continuous AF on my kid since they are on the move. Maybe i tested in home so the light condition was not gd, i cld not get a decent shot even on burst mode. Realise the servo motor is always focusing. Is that normal? Feel that my previous 550d is better. I will bring the oly outdoor for more test.

Unfortunately this is quite normal. The spot AF of mirrorless cams has become very fast and accurate. But the al servo or continuous AF is still not as good as DSLR's.

 

[bousozoku]

hi all, just got a EPL-3 and Oly 17mm f2.8. Was trying the continuous AF on my kid since they are on the move. Maybe i tested in home so the light condition was not gd, i cld not get a decent shot even on burst mode. Realise the servo motor is always focusing. Is that normal? Feel that my previous 550d is better. I will bring the oly outdoor for more test.

I've been using the Panasonic GH3 and 35-100mm f/2.8 for sports and the continuous AF is still terrible, although the combination works well occasionally.

 

[jackaroo77]

Well then, i guess shooting my 2yr old kid while on the move will be quite a challenge

 

[Errz]

Well then, i guess shooting my 2yr old kid while on the move will be quite a challenge

try use single focus ?

 

[Agrivar]

Well then, i guess shooting my 2yr old kid while on the move will be quite a challenge

You need to shoot in SAF. Also someone mentioned above that the 17/2.8 is the wrong lens. Totally agree. This lens is first generation tech released with the EP1. It's soft, and slow focussing.

For indoor without flash you'll need a bright prime like the oly 17/1.8 or panasonic 25/1.4. Both of these focus v fast and shooting kids is no problem.

Alternatively. Use flash. Then the 17/2.8 is not such a limiting factor.

 

[ricohflex]

My opinion is that MFT is a complement to, not a replacement for DSLR.

 

[MechaEd]

Can describe what is this "oly look"?

If you google around, you will find many people praising the 'olympus colors', specifically, very accurate skintones. I'm sure most Oly users here will say that too. To my eyes though, there's a sepia tone to a lot of the pictures I've gotten from the EM-5. A brown-ness throughout the picture for lack of a better word. And for the life of me I couldn't post process the tone away (since I don't like it). Here's an example:


Legoland Malaysia by Eddy_M, on Flickr

This is one of my favorite shots of mine in 2012, but you can still see some of the brown-ness on the guy:


All by myself by Eddy_M, on Flickr

I find Oly pictures more contrasty in general vs Canon, Fuji and Sony (I don't have a Nikon anything) and takes a bit more time for me to post process for some reason.

Anyway this is only from my own observations. Truth to be told, I really liked the EM-5. I think it's a better camera than the NEX-7 (Did I just stir a hornet's nest with that statement? ). It's definitely more fun to shoot. Pity really that I don't like the output I'm getting. Once I figure out the magic formula, I'm sure I can't resist getting one again...

 

[george671]

My opinion is that MFT is a complement to, not a replacement for DSLR.

Damian McGillicuddy Food for thought...

 

[george671]

If you google around, you will find many people praising the 'olympus colors', specifically, very accurate skintones. I'm sure most Oly users here will say that too. To my eyes though, there's a sepia tone to a lot of the pictures I've gotten from the EM-5. A brown-ness throughout the picture for lack of a better word. And for the life of me I couldn't post process the tone away (since I don't like it). Here's an example:


Legoland Malaysia by Eddy_M, on Flickr

This is one of my favorite shots of mine in 2012, but you can still see some of the brown-ness on the guy:


All by myself by Eddy_M, on Flickr

I find Oly pictures more contrasty in general vs Canon, Fuji and Sony (I don't have a Nikon anything) and takes a bit more time for me to post process for some reason.

Anyway this is only from my own observations. Truth to be told, I really liked the EM-5. I think it's a better camera than the NEX-7 (Did I just stir a hornet's nest with that statement? ). It's definitely more fun to shoot. Pity really that I don't like the output I'm getting. Once I figure out the magic formula, I'm sure I can't resist getting one again...

Guess I need to get my eyes checked...I don't see anything wrong with your pics and I do not see any "browness"... OH well ... I am almost 60 so maybe I do not see as well??? The pics look just fine to me...:dunno:

 

[bousozoku]

Can describe what is this "oly look"?

The Olympus photos, starting with the E-1 camera body have a bit more saturation and warmth than other brands. It's not always a bad thing but other brands have tried to emulate this with a "vivid" mode, which is not close and like those over-the-top HDR photos, make me laugh.

 

[Sherronchua]

So far i come along Olympus EM5 can shoot purple colour so well as in Not in raw pix. i love EM5 too . portable and light especially when im at oversea im so glad i dont have to carry heavy loads of lenses like what normally people does. I dislike to tour around with a extra camera bag are so troublesome and heavy.
1992 I was into Nikon F2 & F10 but that was when i was young , in between this period been shooting with compact camera untill the day of iphone 3G are out, i shoot with Iphone till the day OMD out, due to its result and compact so my jusband and myself got one each . just love it !
Willing to share my pictures in my FB if u keen , using OMD and mixture of Phones pictures can search Sherronchua.
thanks and have a great day

 

[Agrivar]

Damian McGillicuddy Food for thought...

In case those who don't know who Damien is, here's his bio. Key thing is he switched to m4/3 and is using the E-M5 for his professional work.

Since leaving art school in 1986 Damian has dedicated his entire professional life to photography, with no "years out" or "career changes” and this is a career which has seen him amass the following awards & distinctions:

Damian also became the 68th Master Photographer Fellow in the World, and is currently theONLY Photographer to have 5 UK Master Photographer of the Year Awards and 7 Society Photographer of the Year Awards, and has won individual Photographer of the Year in the following categories;

Wedding
Glamour
Child
Fashion & Beauty
Contemporary Portraiture
Traditional Portraiture
Environmental Portraiture
In 2010 Damian became the 1st photographer ever to be presented with a Double Masters Award for services to photography in the categories of Wedding and Portrait & Fashion and Glamour. In 2011 Damian was also awarded the rank of Master Craftsman by the Guild of Photographers, an honour he is very proud of to be in such esteemed company. 2012 saw the honour role augmented by the SWPP as Damian became one of only three inaugural Grand Masters of the Societies

April 2013 announced as Olympus UK's principal photographer and educator... a very proud day.
Add to the above 7 International Fellowships, including an Honorary Fellowship awarded in the 2000 Millennium Celebrations for Services to Photography, and you should by now get the picture, (no pun intended), as to where Damian is as a professional photographer.