[ Opinion ] - Will You Buy The Olympus E-5?

[dorts]

Frankly Speaking, having a moderator like Microcosm IS precisely why many hate to come into this forum.

Do not jump into conclusion about me please. Please do read what I wrote carefully before you answer as your answers contain too much of your own emotional conclusions.

I started this thread hoping to hear from fellow Olympus lovers (I am too) what individual feels about acquiring the NEW E-5, and I am not the only one hoping Olympus will come out with some Fast Primes in this world, and I know exactly why I am sticking to Olympus, and loving the brand.

All the other people who have answered me in this thread have been helpful EXCEPT you, the Moderator.

I think Clubsnap should really "thank you" for spoiling it!

If you as a moderator can't take feedback from me, I think you should quit as one. :thumbsd:

If you as a member of CS can't take feedback from a moderator, I think you should quit as one too. :dunno:

I think Clubsnap should really "thank you' for spoiling it too.

----

He is just being critical and to the point. And, I don't see how this as become your thread of you asking questions. You said you started this thread to hear opinion of fellow 4/3 users.

But regardless of which, you said miss that shallow d.o.f. which other brand DSLR users are enjoying. He replied by saying to use adapters if you want bright lenses. He even suggested that you reading the discussion thread on the new E5 for more information.

And I don't see how "attacking" one moderator and thanking the other can achieve your goal on getting more user opinions. Both moderators work together to keep this forum nice and free. I've seen both their hardwork since I came into the 4/3s system, and when spidey was not a moderator. Both their contributions have been invaluable to many users and people who seek for advise here in the 4/3s forum.

Anyone who stayed long enough in this forum can proved what I've said.

 

[mojims]

Frankly Speaking, having a moderator like Microcosm IS precisely why many hate to come into this forum.

Do not jump into conclusion about me please. Please do read what I wrote carefully before you answer as your answers contain too much of your own emotional conclusions.

I started this thread hoping to hear from fellow Olympus lovers (I am too) what individual feels about acquiring the NEW E-5, and I am not the only one hoping Olympus will come out with some Fast Primes in this world, and I know exactly why I am sticking to Olympus, and loving the brand.

All the other people who have answered me in this thread have been helpful EXCEPT you, the Moderator.

I think Clubsnap should really "thank you" for spoiling it!

If you as a moderator can't take feedback from me, I think you should quit as one. :thumbsd:

I dunno what your beef is, but I don't see anything different from what everybody else is saying... and yet you're thanking everybody else... :dunno:

And I dun think they are abusing their status as moderator also... after all they've been stating their opinions as with the other users... I know you don't like what you're hearing overall, but don't single out the Mod just because he is one, even thought they're just saying the same thing... :nono:

 

[spidey89]

Microcosm has simply said what is on his mind because ever since the rumor about "4/3" ending, personally, I've seen many worries about it and with regards to the lenses, he's simply suggesting another way to get shallow DOF with bright lenses, though we're both moderators, Microcosm has been a moderator and been around here longer than I have and though we both work differently,think differently but work towards the same goal, keep a peaceful and tightly knitted community

 

[theITguy]

"I want the colours from Velvia 50, but I can't get it from E3!! Damn it!!" - Shoot Film

"I want the shallow DOF like Large/Medium format!! I have no 1.0 lens!!" - Shoot Medium Format

"I want an orgasm from photography!!" - Shoot film and medium format (sarcasm intended)


Olympus already told us to use the adapters they provided us with. I am also sure that they make it a point that such adapters are widely available. Let's be frank as well, whoever wants the primes, you have to pay probably 50-100% more than a competing one from C, N, S, P, simply because of the lack of demand/base. Anyway, knowing Olympus, it is not a specialty company who produces stuff like Leica (e.g. small quantity, niche group).

Just like tilt shift for E System, I know they will not make one. So I change system. In fact E System is very versatile, but I just like film and big slides more than digital, but cannot afford both.

 

[Evilmerlin]

How shallow a DoF are you looking for? For portraiture, the DoF that can be achieved is more than enough unless you're looking for the "focus on eyes and everything else is unfocussed" type of DoF then I think you're out of luck there brother. Plus more DoF can be plus point too. Shooting F1, I could use a wide open aperture, lower ISO and still get good DoF to get the cars in focus while other format users have to stop down and use higher ISOs to get equivalent DoF.

Microcosm might be a mod but he is also a contributor on the forums and is allowed his opinion as well (which you did ask for).

Back on to your original question. I will buy an E-5 but am willing to wait a bit for it as $2+K is quite a hefty sum to pay for body only (for me anyway). The new art filter and capabilities are very nice indeed and would be a worthy upgrade from my E-30. As to the lenses, well, like most of the guys here, I've got 18-400 (in 35mm terms) covered in 3 lens. Sigma does do a 30mm f/1.4 if you're really hankering for a fast prime. Good lens too but you might need to get it calibrated by Sigma (free).

 

[microcosm]

chua beng, under ClubSNAP user terms and conditions, you qualified, and justified me ending your registration with a full dereg of your account with that "post of attack to a moderator". But I am not going to do that because I think you have more to offer in this community when you realise what this community stands for. And also, I think you should re-read the posts I have taken time to write in reply to your question.

Some of the other senior members have replied on my behalf as well.

(for discussion to the rest of the community, disclaimer required in case TS thinks it is another attack on him.... pfft.)

The future of 4/3... this is just a rumor, and most likely started by angry fans and people with malicious intent. And of course, those who folks who can never can have enough.

Truth is... have anyone been retrenched from the 4/3 design team? The official word from Olympus is 4/3 is pretty much alive though focus has to be placed on m4/3 (the star product line). What else the world needs from Olympus? Customise your own 4/3 camera body and lens service?

With a company larger than Nikon, Olympus is answerable to their shareholders and investors, and they cannot simply lie and pretend. This is not the American senate. This is a company you are talking about here. Future development has slowed down, but not dead. There are differences in that.

Olympus have taken about 7 years to complete the E-System more or less, and from 2005, I have mentioned to some of the older members, the E-System is about investing into a range of lenses that suits you (SG, HG and SHG) and then upgrading the bodies every few years. And that remains true until today.

Regarding shallow DOF, physics cannot be changed. The smaller sensor sized platform E-System is not about shallow DOF. And buying f1.0 lens is ridiculous, not to mention most, if not all, are not sharp wide open... so why bother? It is cheaper to buy a Canon 5D with a 85mm f1.4 than to invest into a Noctilius f0.95. Just something I don't understand. The pursue of that thin DOF... it is the same mentality I hear at car showroom... Can this car do what that car do? You expect a BMW to out perform a Land Rover with off road capabilities, a WRX to out run a Pagani Zonda... at dirt cheap prices.

I believe that is the thing I have been reading for a long long time now.

Three solutions, really. Like our old friend Egnaro did, which I salute him.... Move and switch systems. I still highly recommend the CZ85mm f1.4 lens. Killer lens. Very usable wide open.

Another is to learn more about photography and understand "working distance" of lenses.

Lastly, there is always Photoshop. Equally, if not harder, to master than photography itself.

- - -

To my old friends (disclaimer again to prevent misunderstanding)...

It is CUTE when we first started whining we lack of this prime, that prime on the E-System.

It gets a little TIRING after a year.

These days, I suggest you move on. It is not going to happen.

How many of you are still keeping the 25mm pancake? Some yes, but not all. Look at the numbers. If I am Olympus, I won't be making more of those pancakes. Ain't going to be profitable. Might as well put all the effort into the micro Four Thirds platform. If I am a staff I will tell you this : It is my year end bonus, not yours, that keeps my wife happy.

See the logic?

And yes, THERE ARE ADAPTERS OUT THERE! And killer primes too! :bsmilie:

 

[microcosm]

To answer the question, YES, I will buy the E5.

- - -

Went for a smoke after replying above, and thought about Chua Beng's post.

I don't think I will reply to you otherwise too,

Because I am passionate about the E-System and what it has faithfully done for me.

But I am more passionate about photography.

I won't spend too much time whining about something that has not materialise. Maybe will never materialise. As a photographer, I see what tools are out there, available to me, pick them up and shoot great pictures. If the E-System lacks something I need, I will then look elsewhere for the other tools to fulfill that need. E-System's greatest advantage is that it allows you to shoot with other makes of lenses through use of adapters. But if it is not enough, there is always 35mm full frame, medium format, and large format cameras. Explore. Don't limit your creativity to just a system/platform.

Hopefully that answers your question.

 

[bousozoku]

TS:

Have you used an f/2.0 lens and experimented with depth of field (or for that matter, f/1.2, f/1.4, or f/1.8)?

If you're using an f/3.5 lens and saying that you can't get thin depth of field from it and applying that to Olympus' f/2.0 lenses, you're confused.

Perhaps, you're being pressured by a friend who doesn't know much and is repeating the "you have to have a prime lens...blah blah blah..."

Yes, it's most likely I will buy an E-5. Olympus isn't funding any new lens research for Four-Thirds but it's not like they've stopped everything.

 

[innerzen]

I have been reading the threads here but refrain from posting more just to confuse.

Anyway I don't worry about the future of Olympus, I don't worry about my own future so why should I worry about others. I guess the Olympus ppl don't worry about their future too, they know what they are going to do and produce. Let them do their work in piece.

I live for today ( ya I agree with what someone said here), my pictures are to be taken today. Few years from now I don't want to look at my camera and say it is still worth a few dollars. I want to look at my pictures and say I am glad I took those pictures and glad it was with 'that' camera that gave me the results that I want. So the moment the E5 were announced I ordered it , price unknown.

I have test the E5 in a few occasion, once on an invite to Olympus office. Another withe two photogs who were given the E5 on loan to shoot and write their feelings on their blogs. Robin Wong as some of you already know

http://robinwong.blogspot.com/2010/10/olympus-e-5-review-walk-in-malacca.html

This is his latest shoot and we met up the next day at Gunung Ledang too with a fellow Olympian photog Red ( Amir) from this group http://mychiaroscuro.net/forums/index.php , our highly respected guy in Spider macro testing the other E5. He shall be posting his shots soon.

Sorry I don't have that link right now, but you can find it in that dedicated forum, or I will post it later.


After testing I feel I have made the right choice.

 

[magicdragon]

Thanks for all the helpful input.

I am not wanting lotsa lenses. I'm just hoping for some FAST lenses with aperture below F2, primes mainly. I miss that shallow d.o.f. which other brand DSLR users are enjoying. If they do not produce anymore lenses, this hope will be unfulfilled.

If it's shallow d.o.f./bokeh etc you're after I suggest a full-frame DSLR with the Sigma 50mm F1.4. You'll probably need to send the Sigma lens for calibration and put up with a hit and miss approach to autofocus but you'll get beautiful bokeh. BTW I'm not trying to be funny here - Sigma reverse engineers the autofocus (so I'm told) that's why the autofocus sometimes not very choon-choon one. Just need to hoot more shots.

 

[innerzen]

Ah got it the link.

watch out for his posting on macros in a day or two..

http://malaysianspiders.blogspot.com/

 

[chua beng]

I am honestly getting very tired of people of nitpicking the Four Thirds system. If the other brands has many lenses, then I believe that the other system suits you better than what the E-System has to offer. Don't come to this platform with that mentality... Tatsuno lenses will never drop to Sigma prices unless you buy them second hand... and if you want f1.0 50mm lenses, there is always the other camera systems. Or buy an adapter. What is so difficult to understand?

It is like complaining why Singapore tap water cannot be more like Evian? Or Perrier.

I find this offensive. I am not here to nickpick. If all other fellows can answer with much nicer tone, why can't you?

 

[chua beng]

(Gently, gently, I have to whisper this to you) : The other systems are still out there. You should head back. Even Olympus says this officially. The E-System is not suitable for you. Technically speaking.

It is like complaining Hasseblad should make lightweight, PEN like cameras... I believe Hassebald will ask you nicely, to go buy a Leica.

Why are you assuming I am one of those out there who's nitpicking on Olympus? This comment is totally unnecessary.

 

[chua beng]

chua beng, under ClubSNAP user terms and conditions, you qualified, and justified me ending your registration with a full dereg of your account with that "post of attack to a moderator".

Go ahead and do it if you think I deserve that.

I still wanna say I appreciate all the rest of the contributors to this thread for the helpful input.

Microcosm, you have said many helpful things but I think you should refrain from those unnecessary statements and imaginative deductions on people.

 

[bousozoku]

I find this offensive. I am not here to nickpick. If all other fellows can answer with much nicer tone, why can't you?

It's really easy to assume that you don't have a Four-Thirds camera and that you're not really interested and that you only started a thread to make trouble as soon as you started mentioning lenses with an aperture larger than f/2.0.

Two of us have asked you about your experience and you've sidestepped both.

After all, if your real goal is to have such lenses, I'd think you'd realize that Olympus isn't going to develop any of them (after 7 years of sales) and go to a brand/format that has them.

If you really want that sugar-coated, we'll have to get a ship load of sugar because the truth isn't sweet.

 

[casey4355]

olympus rational is that most people prefer zooms for vesatility, for them primes will be left in the bag most of the time.
between the panny leica 25 f1.4 and ZD 14-35 f2, i prefer the zoom.

 

[albertri]

I dont know if I am still qualifed to post here I have already moved to anther camp, and have my Old gears up for sale.

To me if size and price is not an issue I would go for E5 after seeing Robing Wong's photos it blew me away specially the 50mm f2 photos those are super sharp killer photos he has there.

I also agree with most of the folks here that oly lens line up is I think enough for all.. maybe the only thing they need to to make an upgrade to those non CDAF compatible lenses like what they did with 14-54 and 40-150.

With regards to shallow DOF I am using Sony APSC (1.5 crop) with 50mm f1.8 when used at wide open facial portraits I need to step it down coz it's the DOF is too thin if I focus on the eye e.g. right eye the other tend to become out focus already. When I was still using Oly I have 50mm f1.8 OM lens and I could even take 3/4 of the face and would still be able to have a good focus on both eyes.

And lastly with regards to the MODs here. They are very passionate and helpful they do sometimes say things a bit harsh or may sound harsh but for me I take it possitively coz if you analyze what they said it's actually meaningful they've been there before and tried that so i guess partly they have the right to say those.

I've sadden I have to move on I love Oly lenses and I do miss the sharpness of the zuiko glass... I'm sure I will be back in oly someday when I mature enough... Bro microcosm and spidey did warned and advice me what to expect when moving to other cam/system I still did the switch, coz I want for me to experience and try also other platform... I know one day microcosm and spidey will tell me when I come back here "bro i've told you but you never listen". :bsmilie:

 

[theITguy]

chua beng, chill it.

There are people who care more about photography to be really passionate about it. If you look at me, I dun even care about this forum to make such statements.

*goes back to enjoy my F2.8 lens on my medium format"

 

[albertri]

*goes back to enjoy my F2.8 lens on my medium format"

:thumbsup::thumbsup::lovegrin:

 

[theITguy]

Anyway, chua beng, to answer your original question, I will still buy the E-5 if I need weathersealed body plus lens. Dun think any other system have such range of lens at such attractive prices.