[ Discuss ] EP5 vs GX7. Or EM5?

[microcosm]

already found it seems, but i haven't try. the link i shared right down to the part number haha

The solution was exactly what I said didn't work. Still there, just different colors. They need to come out with the Mk II, which Panasonic released a press release and it became vaporware. I think it is about time Tatsuno intervene and save the world. The trick is the front element, and Panasonic thought was a piece of cake with Leica engineering. I remember the discussion about 10 years back when even Leica glass engineers marveled at what Tatsuno did when they released the 7-14mm.

What do I know? I am but the user.

Actually there r times where I find the purple friends nice, especially when using them together with Art filters. Technically it may not be optimum but creatively I do like how they turn out at times. Sometimes it's just making the best of what we have.

Not when the bloody lens is that expensive. If it is priced under $500, then yes, we can "live with what we have"... it costs more than double that.

*deep breath* *mental note to self to stop ranting about the 7-14mm*

(It is like having piles. You cannot seem to ignore it.)

 

[keithwee]

Microcosm , Take a deep breath and let it go haha Spending too much time piling up the pressure being unhappy with a lens probably will end up giving u piles instead.

I definitely can't afford a FT 7-14 and it's too heavy for me , for now it's just the Pana 7-14 till the UWA pro materializes for MFT.

 

[NazgulKing]

The solution was exactly what I said didn't work. Still there, just different colors. They need to come out with the Mk II, which Panasonic released a press release and it became vaporware. I think it is about time Tatsuno intervene and save the world. The trick is the front element, and Panasonic thought was a piece of cake with Leica engineering. I remember the discussion about 10 years back when even Leica glass engineers marveled at what Tatsuno did when they released the 7-14mm.

What do I know? I am but the user.

That problem looks worse than just "internal reflection". It looks more like the sensor itself is reflecting off the intense light. I never had such problems using the 7-14 on an early model EM-5, and hell I was working in clear blue skies, which you don't get much in Singapore.

Blaming that particular lens alone is dumb. People in that same thread linked by wonglp also cite the 9-18 as another lens with the same problem. If you ask me, the AR coating on the sensor doesn't have a sufficiently large acceptance angle, hence the problem. In short, Olympus decided to cut costs.

 

[microcosm]

Microcosm , Take a deep breath and let it go haha Spending too much time piling up the pressure being unhappy with a lens probably will end up giving u piles instead.

I definitely can't afford a FT 7-14 and it's too heavy for me , for now it's just the Pana 7-14 till the UWA pro materializes for MFT.

Ha ha ha... old man a little more grumpy. I love the size and the performance of the lens, and I shoot mostly in B&W with it. So there is some good with the lens. But as I am spending more time learning about landscape photography, not being able to use this lens when a beautiful scenery is before me can be quite frustrating.

Anyway, let's hope more can be done in software/firmware to resolve this. Until Olympus announces their UWA solution for us MFT users.

 

[tsammyc]

Someone finally found "shutter shake" on GX7!! but you have to use a specific lens

http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=1611

 

[keithwee]

Was at Salt for dinner tonight and i came across again one reason for sticking with the Pen.

The guy who helped the wifey and me take a photo in dim light at the restaurant:

'wow, what brand/model is this camera?'

 

[seafood]

alrightie .....been a month since I started using the EP5. Bear in mind these jottings are purely for OOC jpegs.

Just a note on exposure. When the exposure is correct, the colours and contrast are fabulous, especially on "Natural". The margin for error is probably 1/2 EV within ISO200-400. And 1/3EV up to ISO800. Beyond that proper exposure matters more and really make a perceptible difference. Out of these ranges, the highlights especially loses "contrast" very fast and the AWB shifts noticeably.

After not so much of experimenting but just shooting and looking at pictures (so this is NOT a scientific comment), I am now settling for -1/3EV by default on ESP and spot metering on Aperture priority on default "Natural" colour, up to ISO3200. And I use this for most daylight shooting conditions in good lighting. I find that the EP5's default metering at +/- 0EV tends to overexpose especially for high contrast scenes in brighting.

This is the first time I am doing this for Oly's cameras since my first 43 body. I used to tend to accept the default metering before this.

With the proper exposure, the EP5's OOC output is incredibly rich and nicely "textured". Colours are rich but not exaggerated. The biggest improvement I see is in the reds. For the EP3 and below, the reds tends to "break" first. When pushed (especially with higher ISOs), the reds starts to smear. In low lighting condition but lower ISO (<800), the reds are well preserved. In the EP3, the reds tends towards brownish in low lighting.

Contrast is also improved, and I guess this is also reflected in the wider dynamic range. Details in shadows are better preserved and obviously contrast is maintained in poor light.

I am still messing around in other than "natural" lighting conditions in high ISO (>1600) conditions. Anyone care to comment on my observations ?

 

[microcosm]

If you are aware of the 18% grey rule, Olympus' ESP metering is spot on. Compensate based on the 18% grey rule and you will be fine. That involves training your eye to analyse the image inside your viewfinder.

So I would not make it a 100% rule to shoot -1/3EV all the time in ESP mode. It is simply quite good in my opinion.

This shot below was shot using ESP metering with no compensation. (E-M1 with 12-40Pro). Had to pull out shadow details later in post processing but my clouds retained a lot of details in them.

 

[seafood]

If you are aware of the 18% grey rule, Olympus' ESP metering is spot on. Compensate based on the 18% grey rule and you will be fine. That involves training your eye to analyse the image inside your viewfinder.

So I would not make it a 100% rule to shoot -1/3EV all the time in ESP mode. It is simply quite good in my opinion.

This shot below was shot using ESP metering with no compensation. (E-M1 with 12-40Pro). Had to pull out shadow details later in post processing but my clouds retained a lot of details in them.

Incredible details. Incredible colors. Nice ...... but it just doesn't look like this in real life. And ..... I just don't have the patience / knowhow / time to do PP this way.

But the EM1 and EP5 don't share the same sensor so not too sure whether similar metering applies .....

 

[microcosm]

Incredible details. Incredible colors. Nice ...... but it just doesn't look like this in real life. And ..... I just don't have the patience / knowhow / time to do PP this way.

But the EM1 and EP5 don't share the same sensor so not too sure whether similar metering applies .....

Let's talk about this when we have a chance to drink coffee. I am sure after looking at the workflow of mine, you will be convinced it is just a few minute's work.

 

[keithwee]

Let's talk about this when we have a chance to drink coffee. I am sure after looking at the workflow of mine, you will be convinced it is just a few minute's work.

Maybe can run a quickie workshop at TCC this 3rd ?

 

[Icemilo09]

Hi,

I am using EPL5 + pana 14mm + VF2...just wonder should i change to EP5 or EM1???

Actually i like the look of EP5...However two things that bother me are it doesnt come with HDR(need to combine the photos myself...too lazy), external VF(cant use ext flash)...

EM1 is too ex for me and both Oly do not have Panorama(so disappointed)...

Although GX7 has all features that i wan but i just dont like pana cam...haha...

Will next firmware upgrade include HDR for EP5??? which i don think so...

 

[microcosm]

Maybe can run a quickie workshop at TCC this 3rd ?

I will try to bring my laptop... though it is always a bitch to carry one around.

And I need to see if anyone have a Intuos Pro Medium that they can bring down to lend me. That is an essential piece of equipment.

 

[keithwee]

Hi,

I am using EPL5 + pana 14mm + VF2...just wonder should i change to EP5 or EM1???

Actually i like the look of EP5...However two things that bother me are it doesnt come with HDR(need to combine the photos myself...too lazy), external VF(cant use ext flash)...

EM1 is too ex for me and both Oly do not have Panorama(so disappointed)...

Although GX7 has all features that i wan but i just dont like pana cam...haha...

Will next firmware upgrade include HDR for EP5??? which i don think so...

Think u probably have to ask yourself why U do wish to upgrade? the EPL5's a good camera with its sensor of a similar level with EM5's (k, EPL5's beats EM5's in low light perf slightly).

I had upgraded from the VF2 to VF4 (i couldn't tahan VF3 and sold it within a week) and at least coming to VF, I can say VF4 is a huge improvement over VF2. Another way to upgrade is also through lenses which U can consider too.

The built-in flash on the EP5 is powerful enough for general usage, hence using it with the VF4's sufficient for me so far.
Do u really shoot HDR that often?

There is no perfect camera, similar to lenses all have their quirks. My best advise is to try out the camera's feel , rent if needed and before u know it u will find the answer.

 

[wonglp]

Hi,

I am using EPL5 + pana 14mm + VF2...just wonder should i change to EP5 or EM1???

Actually i like the look of EP5...However two things that bother me are it doesnt come with HDR(need to combine the photos myself...too lazy), external VF(cant use ext flash)...

EM1 is too ex for me and both Oly do not have Panorama(so disappointed)...

Although GX7 has all features that i wan but i just dont like pana cam...haha...

Will next firmware upgrade include HDR for EP5??? which i don think so...

Have u turned gradation to auto to increase DR? it helps a little. Shooting RAW can help to recover more details as well. Switching to EP5 will still use up your port on VF, but there's also FL-600R & FL-36R wireless flash options. EM1 is certainly a different horse altogether. What do u miss in EPL5?

 

[Icemilo09]

Actually mainly because of handling...previously was using a350, then impressed by oly color so I bought epl5 when it launched...as I don't use PP and oly jepg is really good enough for me...
However I found that is too small for me to hold for long time...that's one of the main reasons...

 

[microcosm]

Actually mainly because of handling...previously was using a350, then impressed by oly color so I bought epl5 when it launched...as I don't use PP and oly jepg is really good enough for me...
However I found that is too small for me to hold for long time...that's one of the main reasons...

If you are looking at the ergonomics, I think its time to save for the E-M1 instead. The EP5 would not be any big improvement in handling.

 

[wonglp]

Actually mainly because of handling...previously was using a350, then impressed by oly color so I bought epl5 when it launched...as I don't use PP and oly jepg is really good enough for me...
However I found that is too small for me to hold for long time...that's one of the main reasons...

What you probably need is the mcg-2 optional large grip in the meantime of saving for EM1 which the grip is good, subjective as spidey89 has big hands and that didn't work for hi

Ep5 is actually worse in ergonomic that both Epl5+em1 as there's no optional grip. If does offer more controls than Epl5. Perhaps u can join in outing tmrw at tcc funan I can bring the large grip to let u try and certainly there will be em1 and Ep5 there as well. Nothing beats trying it physically.

 

[keithwee]

Actually mainly because of handling...previously was using a350, then impressed by oly color so I bought epl5 when it launched...as I don't use PP and oly jepg is really good enough for me...
However I found that is too small for me to hold for long time...that's one of the main reasons...

If you are looking at the ergonomics, I think its time to save for the E-M1 instead. The EP5 would not be any big improvement in handling.

Your handling refers to the grip and size only? For me handling includes the controls, buttons placement and overall user-friendliness of the camera.

If comparing grip size, the EM-1's the winner haha. The camera's looks alone tell u no horse run already. The EP5's grip is something I still wish they had improved on when using the larger MFT lenses like the 12-40/2.8. Getting a half-leather case for the EP5 helps provide a much better grip.

If its comparing controls and placement, the EP5 should be sufficient given its 2x2 which is brilliant which allows u to change camera settings ilke aperture, SS, exposure, WB , ISO etc without getting into the menus and definitely an big improvement over the EPL5's system.

For EM-1, the buttons and controls is even better with so much customizable options till I don't know which fn to map to which button already.


For someone coming up from the EPL5, u might need a bit of getting used to if jumping to the EM-1 whereas u will probably feel quite at home moving to the EP5.

Both cameras offer excellent handling, the fine line is rather a matter of preference. The better grip and of course customization options for the EM-1 at a cost of weight, size. Built-in EVF or?

For me, the size of the EP5 allows me to choose light or heavy days (don't think wrong way ah) Light i just place a 17/1.8 & VF1 on it and go, heavy days I place a 12-40 & VF4 onto it and go.

 

[Icemilo09]

Handling means grip plus roller to adjust A/S because epl5 lack of this two(although she is a nice beauty)...anything thanks for the advice...if possible will catch u guy at tcc...thanks...