WHATS NEXT FOR M43, after Olympus, what future is left?

[one eye jack]

@Pitachu, AI answer to focal length and "effective" aperture...

• Not a Direct Measurement:
  The f-number doesn't directly tell you the diameter of the lens's aperture in millimeters, but it's a way to quantify the aperture size relative to the focal length.
  
  
  The f-number is the focal length of the lens divided by the effective diameter of the aperture. So in the case of the 35 mm F1. 4 G lens, when the aperture is set to its maximum of F1. 4, the effective diameter of the aperture will be 35 ÷ 1.4 = 25 mm.
  
  
  https://www.sony.com.sg/electronics/what-is-aperture-depth-of-field.
• 
  
• 
  By way of calculation eg. Om lens 800mm divided by 4.5 = 177mm or about 4.5 inch. Now I take it to mean the front objective lens that cover m43 sensor circle. Imagine if it covers full frame in which Signal 150 - 600 mm which in m43 equivalent 300 - 1200.
• Your wish that Sigma reduce the front lens element to a smaller size does not compute unless you want an F11 equivalent. Just saying , not trying to be smart aleck here
• 
  
• OMDS EM1X MK2
• You may not appreciate the monolithic construction of a pro body but it has their value eg. Although bulky and heavy it holds a bigger battery and therefore would last a day's shooting. For video the original OM1X has no overheating for video use as the body acts as a big heatsink. Again whether OMDS want to compete head to head with the big boys like Sony, Canon and Nikon depends if there is a viable business market share but the odds are stacked against OMDS because most professionals do not change systems as they have invested in proven and reliable cameras plus the inherent bias of full frame.

PS: Even if Sigma were to design telephoto to just cover m43 image circle resulting in smaller front objective lens , it might not be cost effective for Sigma doing the R&D and the number of lenses it can sell eventually. Hence the already available full frame lens it has on the FF market. Just change the outer comestics and logo.

 

[Pitachu]

Actually I am just imagining it like when we use a Full Frame lenses on a APS-C camera, only the smaller center part of the lenses is being used, that is why the outer area is being cropped away.

Hence, I am just thinking that the outer diameter of the lenses is not being used when we put a full frame lenses for a APS-C body.
Not sure if the image quality are affected if they trim away the lenses element LOL

@Pitachu, AI answer to focal length and "effective" aperture...

• Not a Direct Measurement:
  The f-number doesn't directly tell you the diameter of the lens's aperture in millimeters, but it's a way to quantify the aperture size relative to the focal length.
  
  
  The f-number is the focal length of the lens divided by the effective diameter of the aperture. So in the case of the 35 mm F1. 4 G lens, when the aperture is set to its maximum of F1. 4, the effective diameter of the aperture will be 35 ÷ 1.4 = 25 mm.
  
  
  https://www.sony.com.sg/electronics/what-is-aperture-depth-of-field.
• 
  
• 
  By way of calculation eg. Om lens 800mm divided by 4.5 = 177mm or about 4.5 inch. Now I take it to mean the front objective lens that cover m43 sensor circle. Imagine if it covers full frame in which Signal 150 - 600 mm which in m43 equivalent 300 - 1200.
• Your wish that Sigma reduce the front lens element to a smaller size does not compute unless you want an F11 equivalent. Just saying , not trying to be smart aleck here
• 
  
• OMDS EM1X MK2
• You may not appreciate the monolithic construction of a pro body but it has their value eg. Although bulky and heavy it holds a bigger battery and therefore would last a day's shooting. For video the original OM1X has no overheating for video use as the body acts as a big heatsink. Again whether OMDS want to compete head to head with the big boys like Sony, Canon and Nikon depends if there is a viable business market share but the odds are stacked against OMDS because most professionals do not change systems as they have invested in proven and reliable cameras plus the inherent bias of full frame.

PS: Even if Sigma were to design telephoto to just cover m43 image circle resulting in smaller front objective lens , it might not be cost effective for Sigma doing the R&D and the number of lenses it can sell eventually. Hence the already available full frame lens it has on the FF market. Just change the outer comestics and logo.

 

[one eye jack]

Sorry it is not simply trimming away the full frame lens to cover a m43 image circle and besides it is a waste of glass surface area and the extra trimming operation and costs. The proper way is a redesign of the lens to cover m43 image circle so a calculation of the new curvature or radius of the front glass element and other elements down the lens barrel for image correction. Then the lens will have the imperfection of a lens just like a full sized FF lens. So we are back to square one minus the bigger size. There is no free lunch.The analogy is like you order a large pizza but only eat the center portion.

It is better to design from scratch. Have you considered the lens coatings and scratches that result from rework? Not practical right?
Even using full frame lens blanks what a waste of materials.

Actually I am just imagining it like when we use a Full Frame lenses on a APS-C camera, only the smaller center part of the lenses is being used, that is why the outer area is being cropped away.

Hence, I am just thinking that the outer diameter of the lenses is not being used when we put a full frame lenses for a APS-C body.
Not sure if the image quality are affected if they trim away the lenses element LOL

 

[Pitachu]

Audrea Pizzini on the future of OM digital. (video below)

OMG..... imagine OM Digital produce a new M43 camera with the Sony 47mp sensor for M43.
But I guess what is holding back OM Digital is the decision whether to
1) give up all the computational features and high FPS for a 47mp sensor or
2) to increase the processing power and memory buffer but end up with a much higher price.

 

[Pitachu]

Not surprised that the OM-3 is now a very popular camera.
Put aside all the ideals of better dynamic range and resolution of Medium Format and Full Frame,
the OM-3 is a now currently the most fun camera to bring around (the fun idea is from Panasonic S9).
Main idea is that it is now possible to do in-camera some many of the post processing I used to drag having to do in PS and Lightroom.
eg. Light Composite, Focus Stacking, B/W, Pop Art Colors pls a fast frame rate and pre-capture, all in a tiny body.

Plus, I start exploring the Tiny primes with wide apertures which M43 have.
Used to ponder whether to bring along my Sony 85mm when there are portrait opportunities with models during my photo trips.
Looking at the size of the OM 45mm F1.8, I just throw it in my waist pouch. It is so tiny.
Same for the 60mm Macro, a very sharp 1:1 macro lenses but yet so tiny.
I like to bring it along whenever there are some nature walks where I can spot tiny critters.

To be honest, I got the OM-3 because I need a 2nd camera body for my coming Africa Safari.
Instead of getting another OM-1, I thought I might as well try out the OM-3.
And as I configure it, I found out out convenient they have made everything with the CP button and front dials,
hidden features which a lot of OM-1 users seldom reach for.

Very happy with my OM-3

The OM-3 is among the Best selling cameras at Yodobashi (First Half of March 2025) – 43 Rumors

www.43rumors.com

 

[ricohflex]

Trump imposed 46% tariff on Vietnam.
OM Systems moved their camera manufacturing to Vietnam.
Now they are in big trouble. Can close shop.

 

[Pitachu]

That's for cameras being imported to USA only, not to the rest of the world.
I have friends in USA already making plans to buy their camera gears on their next vacation (eg. Hong Kong is a good place to stop over).
This is exactly what happened about 25 years ago, where almost every overseas engineers who visited us asked us to bring them to a good place to buy a camera or video cam.

By the way OM is making a headstart in China again with the OM-3. I bought mine in Shanghai because I was only "playing" a display set and the saleslady came and spent more than 1/2 hr with me explaining all the features and differences and show me how everything works. She told me OM-3 was very popular and on some days when it was first launched, she sold as many as 6 a day. This includes OM users like me who wants something smaller than the OM-1 on some occassions as well as non-OM users. Seems that quite a lot of ppl like it. This shop also sell other brands like Sony and Canon so I dont think she is trying to promote OM only.

Trump imposed 46% tariff on Vietnam.
OM Systems moved their camera manufacturing to Vietnam.
Now they are in big trouble. Can close shop.

 

[Pitachu]

As mentioned in my earlier post, a shop in China with a larger display of Sony and Canon cameras told me the same thing.
The OM-3 have been selling very well. There was an OM-3 street photowalk last week and a couple of users took very good photos with the 4 Monochrome modes and some even tried to custom color profiles, which are all easily accessed with the front dial.

The OM-3 was the best-selling camera on Mapcamera – 43 Rumors

www.43rumors.com

 

[Pitachu]

I don't always agree to Robin's views, especially those on OM-1 as Robin is not a frequent wildlife photographer,
BUT I really like Robin's street photography and this is what Robin say about the OM-3.

 

[one eye jack]

I would rather put it here than in general photography Although it applies to all photography but more so for m43 with the stigma of poor lowlight performance regarding ISO especially high iso...noise but if you manage your expectations and the look you are going for. Create art or taking a photo? After the hardware it's the person behind the camera.
Tip: EXPOSE, EXPOSE, CORRECTLY!

Sharp photos...understanding shutter speed and iso.

For action shots...PREDICT rather than REACT.
Prediction always gets the moment and emotion which draw audience to your photo.

Hope I see spectacular photos here in future. Cheers.

 

[Blu-By-U]

That's why OM-Systems gives you that PRO CAPTURE.

 

[JW73]

I know some take huge file video and cut out the photo frame that has the moment. Game has changed.

 

[Pitachu]

I think current technology on most SLR only permits 30FPS for 8K video.
8K resolution is 7680 x 43207680 is 33mp. which is decent.

However, if you need faster than 30 FPS, you have to drop to 4K (4096 x 2160)4096*2160
which is 8.8mp only.

Recording video at the correct shutter speed and exposure can also be a challenge and I am not sure how to convert the selected frame to a RAW file for post processing.

OM System cameras let us capture RAW PHOTOS at 20mp at up to 120fps, which is very workable decent alternative.

I know some take huge file video and cut out the photo frame that has the moment. Game has changed.

 

[Pitachu]

BTW, has anyone compared the OM-3 and OM-1ii ?
I was on a trip with the OM-3 only to shoot other stuff except Birds.
And then I saw a bird in flight, and got curious.
Since I have set one of the custom mode for bird in flight, similar settings to my OM-1ii,
I noticed the subject ID lock on faster and more accurately with the OM-3 than the subject ID of my OM-1ii.

And then when I use it to shoot some models with the OM-3 while they are moving, I also noticed that the subject ID lock on
their eye more accurately compared to my OM-1ii.

OM System did not say they improved the subject ID on the OM-3.
Did anyone have a similar experience or I am just having a "New Broom Sweep better" syndrome?

 

[one eye jack]

OM System 100-400mm IS MK2, one lens three perspectives. Rationale for m43?

 

[Blu-By-U]

Thanks to @ricohflex , I wanna sell out but no takers.