Who here uses an M4/3 camera? Post if you do

[MrSquished]

Just curious how many here use MFT format. Please post if you do and with what camera.

 

[MrSquished]

bueller......bueller.....bueller

wow. everyone here is a dslr person or p&s. I cant be the only one on MFT. Is that possible?

 

[blastingcap]

I used to think MFT was a great compromise between compacts and DSLRs, but over time I grew to see MFT as an uncomfortable middle ground: too big compared to high-end compacts, and not good enough in low light compared to APS-C/DX/FX. Plus MFT tends to be expensive relative to what you can get from other systems and Olympus keeps losing money in their camera division, and I don't want to lock myself into Panasonic's bigger, heavier optical IS regime.

In English: You can't pocket MFT with anything other than the flattest of pancake lenses with crappy max aperture, and even then it's straining the definition of pocketable. And even the most expensive MFT still can't match my old D5100. MFT is also usually not the best bang for the buck, both lenses and cameras.

In the end, I sold my MFT stuff and replaced it with a RX100 M2. A RX100 M2 is truly pocketable and its lens range and speed covers 90% of my personal needs. There are less-expensive high-end compacts like LX7, RX100 (original), etc. that I would probably be happy with as well.

For low-light or times when I need very shallow DoF, I have kept my Nikon DSLR with 35mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8 lenses. I guess I'll hang onto my DSLR until I see a better option for low-light/shallow DoF. Big-sensor alternatives like NEX need better PDAF and EVF (resolution, dynamic range, and lag/refresh rates).

 

[GWestphal]

The current generation of m43 has come along way from the first m43s.

I just got a Panasonic GX7 and it is comparable or better than a mid-level DSLR like the Canon 60D and it is significantly smaller.

There are three tiers how I see it.

Portable: Point and shoots (keeping it in skinny jeans and clicking one button is of vital importance)
Utility: Midrange DSLRs and m43s (being able to do everything passably without having 10lbs on your neck)
Professional: High End DSLRs (getting the best image and bringing a backpack with you everywhere)

 

[foghorn67]

I do portraits, and I absolutely need background separation when the situation calls for it. I can't ever imagine switching to MFT as a primary. I already have a hard time with 1.5/1.6x sensors.
It's the same reason, I love my EOS-M, sure servo mode sucks, but I don't find it limiting for my uses. I rather enjoy it's 22mm lens at f2. 35mm in 35mm format.
The closest MFT is the Panasonic 20mm 1.7. 40mm equivalent. Bordering the normal range and not close to wide angle.

 

[blastingcap]

I just got a Panasonic GX7 and it is comparable or better than a mid-level DSLR like the Canon 60D and it is significantly smaller.

Canon is stuck in the stone ages re: its 500nm sensor tech, so that's not exactly the best example IMHO. A bottom-of-the-barrel Nikon D3200, which you can get used for $300 including kit lens, will be appreciably better IQ than comparably-priced MFT's. Even if you get a really expensive MFT body and lens setup to nudge ahead of the Nikon, all you have to do is get a 35mm f/1.8 lens for the Nikon ($150 used, $200 new) and it will once again easily beat the MFT setup. MFT is for those who place a huge premium on portability and EVFs, IMHO.

For those who usually carry multiple lenses but don't like the size/weight, there is another way to solve the problem other than going to MFT: you can carry both a DSLR and RX100, treating the RX100 like a DSLR-with-kit-lens (because that's basically what it is, image-quality wise). The DSLR then gets a specialty lens attached to it (ultrawide, ultra-telephoto, or ultra-fast prime). This makes is very fast to switch back and forth. Wedding photographers do this all the time, but usually with two DSLRs rather than a DSLR and a compact camera. The two-camera solution is a little bulkier and heavier than all-MFT, but it's faster to switch and gives better image quality in some cases.

 

[GWestphal]

I agree, that's where the m43s falls. People who need most of the features/performance of DSLR but need it in something closer to PaS.

I don't think carrying two cameras is the solution to wanting something more portable than DSLR though. In fact pretty sure it goes against portability out right. i.e. I want to carry less, I know I'll carry two things instead.

It is a tough choice at the moment, since nice low end DSLRs like the D3200 are cheaper than a nice m43s. But if the portability aspect is important then m43 is the way to go. That is why I did it. I have a 60D and nice L lenses, but they are heavy and expensive. I'd get tired wearing them around all day and they were inconvenient for me. Then I worried about being a target with my white lenses in less scrupulous areas of the world. I the 60D may not have been the best example, but control wise the GX7 kicks it and any other DSLR out of the water with the touch screen menus, so much faster the flicking dials and pressing sequences of buttons. I think we'll see m43 be the entry/mid level DSLR and mirror less 35mm or larger taking up the high end.

 

[monstercameron]

i bought into m4/3 with an olympus epl1 and panasonic g10, they definitely havent aged well. the epl1 is small and i throw in in my cargo shorts and the photos look great [not a pixel peeper]

 

[MrSquished]

I used to think MFT was a great compromise between compacts and DSLRs, but over time I grew to see MFT as an uncomfortable middle ground: too big compared to high-end compacts, and not good enough in low light compared to APS-C/DX/FX. Plus MFT tends to be expensive relative to what you can get from other systems and Olympus keeps losing money in their camera division, and I don't want to lock myself into Panasonic's bigger, heavier optical IS regime.

In English: You can't pocket MFT with anything other than the flattest of pancake lenses with crappy max aperture, and even then it's straining the definition of pocketable. And even the most expensive MFT still can't match my old D5100. MFT is also usually not the best bang for the buck, both lenses and cameras.

In the end, I sold my MFT stuff and replaced it with a RX100 M2. A RX100 M2 is truly pocketable and its lens range and speed covers 90% of my personal needs. There are less-expensive high-end compacts like LX7, RX100 (original), etc. that I would probably be happy with as well.

For low-light or times when I need very shallow DoF, I have kept my Nikon DSLR with 35mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8 lenses. I guess I'll hang onto my DSLR until I see a better option for low-light/shallow DoF. Big-sensor alternatives like NEX need better PDAF and EVF (resolution, dynamic range, and lag/refresh rates).

i gotta disagree. i you can't go into mft thinking it's always gonna be pocketable. the good cameras are not pocketable.

i'll say this, my 3oD and 40D kit, with a 17-55EFS, 100mm macro, 70-300IS and 10-20 wide angle became such a bitch to carry around it started to take the fun out of shooting.
here are shots from morocco all with canon kit. i see not a single one i couldnt have taken with the omD http://www.simplyathos.com/Travel/Perceptions-of-Morocco/i-Sd4Pv8B

omd, 9-18mm wide angle, 60mm macro, 12-35 panny lens & a 14-150 zoom lens weighs half as much if not less probably and i honestly can say i find the IQ as good if not better. shooting is fun again. i also shoot re photography with this kit:

the first ten pages are all OMD http://www.simplyathos.com/Real-Estate/Real-Estate

urban macro shooting:

http://www.simplyathos.com/Other/Urban-Macro-Project-NYC

this camera has taken fantastic indoor shots of my little niece. not super low light but not much light either. I have a lot more but been slacking on updating it: http://www.simplyathos.com/Zoe/2013-Random-Zoe/n-HCGbs some of the pics are soft because shot with an el cheapo panny 14mm lens. couldn't afford the good version, saved it for the 12-35 f2.8 lens later.

i dunno. mft has brought me back to photography. DOF is not as shallow but there are ways around it. the 60mm macro is a sick portrait lens with very shallow DOF. or use a zoomer. i can't say i miss most of anything besides very low light focusing. i don't shoot that much anyway, but its not as bad as people think.

 

[MrSquished]

I do portraits, and I absolutely need background separation when the situation calls for it. I can't ever imagine switching to MFT as a primary. I already have a hard time with 1.5/1.6x sensors.
It's the same reason, I love my EOS-M, sure servo mode sucks, but I don't find it limiting for my uses. I rather enjoy it's 22mm lens at f2. 35mm in 35mm format.
The closest MFT is the Panasonic 20mm 1.7. 40mm equivalent. Bordering the normal range and not close to wide angle.

the 60mm macro is excellent for portrait shooting. here is a general review

http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/09/21/olympus-60-2-8-macro/

 

[VashHT]

I used to have a OMD EM-5 and the kit lens and 45mm F1.8 lens. Very nice camera and kit but I basically just did amateur photography and eventually sold it and got a RX 100 instead. I know people here are saying it's not small enough compared to DSLR's to justify the cost, but I used a pentax KII and I found the EM-5 to be far lighter and smaller (much much lighter), and the EM-5 is a pretty big M43 camera.

I've also tried a Nex 7 and the 10-18 lens for a bit, really was a nice camera but I didn't like the EVF on the nex 7, it gets a really annoying noise pattern on it that didn't show up on the EM-5's EVF in lower light.

I thought the EM-5 was pretty good in lower light, I didn't mind using pics up to ISO 3200, and I felt comfortable with about the same with my Nex 7.

 

[MrSquished]

I used to have a OMD EM-5 and the kit lens and 45mm F1.8 lens. Very nice camera and kit but I basically just did amateur photography and eventually sold it and got a RX 100 instead. I know people here are saying it's not small enough compared to DSLR's to justify the cost, but I used a pentax KII and I found the EM-5 to be far lighter and smaller (much much lighter), and the EM-5 is a pretty big M43 camera.

I've also tried a Nex 7 and the 10-18 lens for a bit, really was a nice camera but I didn't like the EVF on the nex 7, it gets a really annoying noise pattern on it that didn't show up on the EM-5's EVF in lower light.

I thought the EM-5 was pretty good in lower light, I didn't mind using pics up to ISO 3200, and I felt comfortable with about the same with my Nex 7.

the RX100 is a great piece of kit. i'd like to own one. unfortunately i can't afford both mft kit and that. the 28-100mm focal length is just not enough for me. but i do admire what Sony has done. $500 s a great deal. just can't splurge right now. but i'd love to have both.

 

[LostPassword]

i'm just an amateur. i had a gh2. sold it, and now have a gh3.
i use it for my video camera too.
i was originally supposed to join a small film startup crew, but i got left behind (don't ask lol, still mad!).
i'm taking mostly pics now, so i'm also thinking about maybe just taking the plunge to full frame, maybe sony. iso 3200 still seems a bit noisy to me though on m4/3.
resale value of my gear seems to be terrible though, so i might just keep it for video purposes, i still dabble.

 

[blastingcap]

Good point. Video is one of those areas where MFT is a rockstar in terms of price/performance ratio, you can get EVF and fast CDAF or hybrid AF in a Pany/Oly body with manual controls. As an example, your GH3 compares favorably to Canon fullframe cameras costing far more.

 

[richaron]

I've had a GX1 for a couple of years now & still love it. Used mostly with 25mm 1.4. Having come from older low-mid DSLRs and P&Ss' I thought it was great; compact, flexible options, & comparable photos to entry level DSLRs (which is more than I need in reality).

Its slow burst rate holds it back a bit, but it's 7 point auto exposure bracketing still makes it a HDR beast. And it's old enough now that I'm finally ready to do a full spectrum conversion on it. The replacement "filter" has been sitting on my desk for months; taunting me to find a clean spot & break something...

 

[MrSquished]

panasonic has done video right on its mft cameras. if only it had in body stabilization like the EM5. but they have some nice IS lenses to choose from instead.

 

[richaron]

Yeah the video is good, but they neutered microphone performance by not allowing a plug-in. I'm fine without an VF, and the screen itself was crappy even when new. But what matters are the end pics.

...Probly much better with IS :-/

 

[kalster]

OMD E-m5 user, totally love it, have a few natives lenses (45/1.8, sigma 30/2.8 , sigma 19/2.8, panasonic 14/2.5). great setup, lovely jpegs , couldnt be happier. Had a pentax dslr setup before and find the m43 system far better suited to my style and much easier to carry around

 

[nOOky]

I have a Panasonic G5 with the kit lens and 20mm pancake lens. Being an amateur and being able to stuff the camera in my cargo pocket when hiking is great. I think it's a great compromise between physical size and quality.

If I were using my camera to make a living of course I wouldn't have one, but for vacation photos and general event shooting I like my smaller camera.

Truthfully 99.9% of my photos are shot with a crappy cell phone camera anyway.

 

[MrSquished]

I have a Panasonic G5 with the kit lens and 20mm pancake lens. Being an amateur and being able to stuff the camera in my cargo pocket when hiking is great. I think it's a great compromise between physical size and quality.

If I were using my camera to make a living of course I wouldn't have one, but for vacation photos and general event shooting I like my smaller camera.

Truthfully 99.9% of my photos are shot with a crappy cell phone camera anyway.

you can easily use this camera for professional use. I do for Real Estate photography. Others with DSLRs with more lighting may look better than mine, but it's the lighting setups not the camera making the images better - but my photos look better than a whole lot of RE photographers using DSLRS.

Ming Thein uses it for macro work on watches he gets paid for.

 

[SKORPI0]

You can also check this forum dedicated to MFTs.

http://www.mu-43.com/

 

[MrSquished]

You can also check this forum dedicated to MFTs.

http://www.mu-43.com/

been there but usually focus on the m43 forums on dpreview

 

[jaedaliu]

I have a Gx7.

The advice I found most useful when selecting my camera was to buy the smallest camera that will give you your desired image quality.

If I waited 6 months, I would have bought the new Panny GM1, but I'm happy with mine, with the exception of realizing how bad the autofocus algorithm is for the 20mm f/1.7 II on the Gx7. Played with my friend's old Oly EP2, and it's way better at getting the correct focus. I can only imagine how much faster the Oly EM-1 is.

Oh, and in body stabilization being turned on for video mode on the Gx7 would be nice, it's hard to play guestures and keep the camera still while it's my team's turn.