I have only one negative thing with Olympus - to complicated and should have been much easier to switch EVF boost on and off. I work outside and studio with or without flashes, and even with MySet im locked to the settings in MySet so I would like to have a solution that just turns if on and off on a Fn button. Any comments on this?
Joe Edelman Joe I love your authenticity, enthusiasm, and knowledge. I'm going through ALL of your videos and learning useful info daily. Thank you and keep up the GREAT job. PEACE from ATL✊🏾
I am a Professional photographer and for over a decade I shot with Canon DSLR's, whatever was their latest and greatest, I had to have it. I used Canon L series lens and I loved them. But in 2005 years ago I switched to Mirrorless and I never would go back to ANY DSLR. I had the Oly E-1 and E-3. Then I switched to Sony a900 in 2008 and brought all of their Carl Zeiss lens and the 70-200, it was a great system and full frame. I used Sony for years and loved it. I had a Fuji X100 when it came out. When the Oly EM1 came out I was hooked with m43. I have not shot with any other camera system since I switched to m43. I currently have the Oly EM1 M2, Oly Pen F, and Pany G9. The image quality is amazing and there is things that I can do with this system that are impossible with DSLRs. The lens I currently use are the Oly 7-14mm Pro, 40-150mm Pro, 75m f1.8, 45mm f1.2 Pro, 12-100mm Pro, Pany 200mm f2.8, and Pany 25mm. EVERY one of these lens are sharper than what would be their Canon equivalent, and a lot of them have NO full frame equivalent. Three bodies and 7 lens plus laptop, flash, batteries, portable hard drive and etc., ALL fit in a 30L Peak Design Backpack and only weighs 28lbs. Thats crazy. A Canon 300mm f2.8 and 400mm f2.8 are great lens, but weigh over 9lbs alone and you can't put both of them in a backpack. Micro 43 cost less, weighs less, has body IS, shoots faster than most systems available. I routinely print large prints and the files produce great prints.
It is fantastic to see someone that is able to articulate the reasons for their switch and knowledgeably debunk misnomers. I also like your "what works for me" perspective.
I totally understand Joes passion for Olympus :) I also switched from Nikon to Olympus per recommendation from a friend. Best trade ever. As an adventurer/hiker, caring heavy gear is so not optimal. yet, you still want to bring the good stuff. M43 surely saved my back! Also, for a stroke survivor like me with instability in my hands, the 5-axis stabilization comes soo in handy. I even cried when I scored my first sharp bird picture, after acquired the Olympus gear. As for using pro lenses: I am no rich person, on the contrary, but again, being outdoors most of the time in any weather condition, I want to have reliable gear, so in the long run, it is a well worth investment that is waaay below in cost than other brands with bigger censors. All in all, I would say, going smaller is a health and art investment! :)
Thank you Cat Ppanda! I really appreciate the kind words! Be sure to check out Olympus Visionary Scott Bourne - he is an amazing bird photographer and has published tons of information on photographing birds. Here is just one article spark.adobe.com/page/WuwmbVyXe6NLl/ and he has many more on the www.GetOlympus.com website:
Thank you for the advice and the good and hard work you do. Yes, I have been a fangirl of his for quite some time, before he even was a visionary :) I also follow Chris Eyre-Walker (another Visionary). It is a fairly small community, so it is hard to miss these fellas if one is into those topics. :)
I used to shoot Canon and went to Venice to do some night shooting. My bag weighed 30 lbs as I had the 100-400 in it. I thought I had ruptured a kidney after carting the bag around so when I came home I sold it all and bought an EM1 Mk1 and have never looked back. I shoot more than I used to and the Pro lenses are super sharp. Best move I ever made.
Thank you Joe. It boils down to the shooting style, experience, and experimentation. In this day and age, the camera and the sensor technologies are so advanced, that any person willing to get to know a system, and willing to spend time with a camera, they can produce great images. I have owned the exact model and most of the lenses you have in your arsenal and enjoyed it very much. I decided to switch, not because of quality, but due to personal preference. If a system works for you, as you said, great, just go out there and create great work and share.
People who say negative things about the Olympus menus are mostly camera reviewers, because they're comparing it to other brands. But once you get a hold of it, it's just as intuitive. I actually prefer the super control panel over the others. That's my take as a Canon, Panasonic, and Olympus user
ATT MEE it only took me 2 days adjusting the menus to my liking and get a hold of it in my em5ii. I like it. The only thing i wish i knew was how to tweak the white balance just like those in nikons and canons
Your video inspired me. I’m going to trade-in most of my beloved Nikon kit (it’s so big and heavy). Keep one body and a lens or two. Take the money and buy me another zuiko pro lens or two. Thank you, Joe.
Agreed. I read and heard so much negativity about the Olympus menus repeated time and time again before I finally got to take an Oly for a test drive (I think it was an E-PL5), I was expecting a hot mess of sub-menus of sub-menus. In reality, not only was it actually OK, but the quick menu reminded me a lot of the quick access menu Pentax cameras have, where everything is just a couple of clicks away. Big fuss about nothing.
Currently in the process of switching my workflow from Nikon to Olympus and I'm glad I found your video Joe. I was always under the impression that DSLRs delivered better image quality, low light performance and better information, but I have found that the more advanced technology and more compact size in my mirrorless systems outweighs everything about my old DSLR.
I recently purchased an Olympus em5 MKII and took it to shoot a friend that models. The first thing she said was " where's your big camera? Where's your Nikon ?" My other camera is a Nikon D610. I was in a tight space and used the 25mm f1.8 lens and off camera lighting. The pictures came out great, super sharp! The Olympus is so much fun to use, I'm done with Full Frame too!
I shoot motocross almost exclusively and was VERY reluctant to try Olympus having never used anything other than Nikon. I’m so glad I made the switch! The Em1 ii autofocus is insanely fast and accurate. No regrets
Finally clear words and a statement I like for the mft-system and at least for Olympus. Thank you Joe! Olympus is state of the art with nice looking vintage cameras like my Pen-F. The constant complainer out there must remember: Not the camera takes photos, it's the photographer!
Thank Joe for your enthusiasm for Olympus gear and championing the idea that photographers can choose the type of camera that suits their style and fulfills their photographic vision.
I've shot with Nikon, Canon and Olympus. I love the weight, ergonomics, and interface of the Olympus cameras the best by far. The build quality of the OM-D E-M1 is superb, and it's a delight every time I pick it up. I agree whole heartedly with your comments regarding noise/ grain and the film look. In addition to my Olympus digital gear, I still shoot with film for just that reason. I find many of the modern digital systems produce images that are too sterile looking for my taste, but it is the form factor of Olympus cameras and the remarkable quality of their pro lenses that makes me a loyal user. Thanks for the excellent video.
The most sensible blog on mft I’ve ever seen! I’ve used Olympus mft for almost 8 years now and love,love,love the system. As a former canon user I can’t help but agree about weight saving, I carry 2 bodies and four lenses plus accessories in a small lowepro backpack with ease and comfort. Keep up the great work
Your points about DOF , ISO, and cost of the high-end lenses are spot on. Too bad that people in forums/gear websites are too stubborn to stop and listen to videos like this one. More DOF, for me who I do urban, is actually a blessing.
Thanks Joe. I watched this when you first posted and am going through and watching your Olympus videos again now. I just upgraded from my Sony to the EM1 mark ii and so far absolutely love it. I'm happily surprised that I can still get beautiful bokeh and narrow depth of field. The lightweight and IBIS was the selling points for me. I have a bad back and carrying everything around was just getting too difficult. I can easily pop the EM1, 3 lenses, flash, and extra battery in my small messenger bag compared to using my 20 liter backpack. The 30mm macro and 45 1.8 are especially light, it's almost crazy how light they are. This has been so refreshing and has lit a fire in my desire to go out and shoot. I went to my local state park today and walked a hiking trail, then after dinner walked again in my local park system's trail as well. Must have gone 5+ miles total today which is a lot for my back but I truly loved it. I've of course had new cameras before and while they always spark my creativity, this was on a whole other level. If anyone is on the fence or just curious, I highly reccomend you rent an OMD or at least check it out at your local camera store. It's simply amazing what these tiny lightweight cameras can do. Also, omg the battery life of the EM1 is crazy long compared to my Sony A6400. Thanks again for all your helpful videos Joe. Keep these m43 ones coming. I know I'll need help with all of the new features.
I finally made the switch this spring, at least in the sense of selling off all of my Canon gear (well, I still have an EOS RT body around here somewhere). I started around five years ago with the Pen Mini, as a replacement for a broken P&S camera. Then the OM-D came out, and I could not say no. Before Canon, I had been an Olympus guy going back to the OM-1, but eventually I wanted something more current and supported than my OM-1/OM-4. Then it was more lenses, the E-M5 Mark II, more lenses, the Pen F. I really liked shooting with the m43 system. I like mirrorless, there are just thing about it that "fit my brain" better than Canon ever did. So when I was working on selling my house in Jersey (moving across the river to Delaware), I dropped my whole EOS rig off at my sister's house -- my niece had started in Canon the previous year, having outgrown the phone -- and I set off on a year+ of Olympus only. I never missed the 6D. So this spring, I sold it all off! It felt good... I don't like to leave useful camera gear sitting on a shelf somewhere.
Couldn't agree more about the Olympus menu system Joe. I also find it very intuitive. I've never understood the complaints made about it and can only think those complaining have spent zero time actually using it.
I have two Olympus OM-D cameras, an original EM-1 and original EM-5. The 12-40 f2.8 PRO zoom lives on the EM-1 and the 17mm f1.8 prime on the EM-5. I don't use long lenses that much, so I'm good with the little Olympus 40-150 f4-5.6 tele zoom. Everything uses the same batteries, somehow I ended up with 10 of them. I bought all of this gear second hand and am into the whole set-up for less than $1500. All of it fits in a compact shoulder bag that weighs in at just over six pounds, and that is if I carry absolutely everything with me. Typically I don't. For my photography at this stage of my life (I'm old and slow) this gear is perfect for me. For most of my pictures, I'm having a really hard time telling any difference between Olympus images and my APS-C D7200 or my old faithful D700, except that I like the Oly colors a bit better straight out of camera. I'm keeping my D700 just because I love it, but the D7200 is for sale. As for the Olympus menu system, I will say that I find it a bit hard sometimes to remember where something is in the menus, but once I find it, it is easy enough to understand and use. I think some of the Olympus naming conventions used in the menus reflect the differences in Japanese and the English language. But I have found that once you have learned to "speak Olympus" you can use the menus quite easily. My best friend just bought an Olympus TG-5 and I was able to use it instantly. I haven't had this much fun with a camera since I bought my first OM-1 back in the 70's. And my Olympus digital gear is not even the latest and greatest stuff. I'm thinking about an EM-5 Mark II, but I'm not sure if I would actually use its additional features over the original EM-5.
Tom Crawford the em5 mkii isnt really much of an upgrade from the original.... personally i prefer the tilt screen of the em5 to the flip out screen of the mkii but thats just me.... with the em5 mk3 on the horizon i dont see the need in picking up the mk2
I'm glad you enjoyed your gear. Just two questions, I found a deal for the original Olympus OMD EM-1 along with the 12-40mm pro lens for $800, do you think it's worth it? And is it suitable for a beginner like me with some basic understanding on photography to learn & improve with? I'm planning to be more of a hobbyist photographer & join photography clubs if I have the chance. Thanks for the feedback. 😊
Switched to Olympus 5 years back, sold my Nikon D300 and lens after taking 3 shots with one em5 and 45mm f1.8, never looked back. It is so true for me that shooting with Olympus is fun, lens color, rendering and sharpness is great.
It would be great if Olympus would add a "My Menu" tab, where you can add all the functions that you want quick access to, rather than go through the whole menu list.
WILD APPLAUSE!!! Nice report, Joe! I switched to Olympus a little over a year ago from Nikon and I feel the same. I've never regretted it after my first shot with my Pen-F. Before, I was shooting the Nikon D750 with a full complement of Sigma lenses. I found as I was getting older (now, in my mid-50s) that my gear was weighing me down too much and I needed a change. I swapped a lens for a Pen PL-5 with the kit lens. HOLY CRAP! This camera was small and cheap AND it shot cleaner and sharper images than my Nikon was shooting, even after full lens calibration. That's when I decided that my Nikon was staying at home more than the PL-5 so I sold all of my Nikon gear and jumped into Olympus. Even the consumer kit lenses are pretty stinking good. Worlds above any Nikon kit lens. I recently converted a co-worker to do the same. He went back and forth on wheather to make the change or stay with Canon. Let's just say that he thanks me every time I see him for converting him to Olympus. Sorry this is long... But I had to share my story in hopes that others might consider the same as I.
for budget reasons i went with the Olympus 10 mark 2. love the live bulb feature so I can see the nigh landscapes being made while capturing the image.
Love your channel. I too am a former Nikon shooter; I used to shoot events with a D300 and D700. After developing arthritis in my shoulders I found it necessary to lighten the load. I first found myself toying around with an Olympus Omd EM10. I instantly fell in love with this camera - the image quality, the light weight and the digital viewfinder. This camera was the motivation to fully move to micro 4/3 and to sell off all of my Nikon equipment. I now own the Olympus Omd EM1 ii and it's a fantastic camera
Hello Joe, great video, I switched from 5Dm4 to E-m1ii last year and it has been great experience. Since then I used my Canon only 2x. On my Olympus I do up to 2sec. hand held sharp images, got flushed by wave at the coast of Maine, the salt water didn't affect anything, just simply dried the camera with paper tower and kept going (well the filters were not so lucky). Anyway , great gear, well build, rugged for outdoors and LIGHT !!! Ohhh, my backpack is now only 10lb instead of 25lb ....
I’m shooting Fujifilm and have had issues with reliability. Seriously looking at Olympus and I think your enthusiasm has just convinced me it might be right for me. Thanks.
Well I have just jumped ship from Nikon to Olympus and just got the OMD EM1 MK2 with free battery grip. I have only got the 25mm 1.8 to start with to learn the camera. But it feels great in the hand. Good videos.
Joe: Thank you for being so generous! You and I spoke this week in Chicago at the Out of Chicago Summer Conference and you were easily one of the most approachable and interesting speakers. I'm not selling my Nikon gear, but there's a lot to think about here. Hope to see you next year!
Panasonic for me, but the M43 format has been amazing in every way! I just love how I can fit 4 lenses + body + speedlight + batteries + tripod in a tiny Lowepro sling bag while not sacrificing quality whatsoever :-)
Great summary Joe...thank you! I've been shooting with olympus for about a year and half and my experiences and thoughts pretty much match everything you said in this video. My demands are certainly not up to yours, but I have found this to be the most fun and pleasing camera system I've ever used. It shoots everything, from landscapes, to action, to portraits (as you've shown) so very well. I'm not sure I could ask for much more at this point. I'm just thrilled to have found something I love...and I'm glad I didn't listen to some of the commentary online, which has proven to be absolute bs.
The 'funnest' camera I ever owned was a Yashica Mat 124G. I wish somebody would produce a digital TLR of some reasonable quality! Oddly though the least fun camera was my Mamiya C33, also a (BIG, honkin', & heavy) TLR
The reason I upgraded last year from a Nikon 1 J5--a camera with many challenges that nevertheless was affordable, lightweight, and with its 4 lens fit easily into a small sling bag--to a Nikon D7100 and Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 lens was to capture moving--sometimes fast moving--subjects in low-light conditions with optimal image quality. Like a picture I took this year of a paceline of roller bladers flying around a city plaza after dark illuminated only by sodium vapor street lamps. If I can get quality images in low light from an Olympus MFT camera I'd be mighty tempted to buy one, because the other advantages it offers (in-body stabilization, portability, durability) would be upgrades from my D7100. If you have any examples of shots taken in low light, preferably with moving subjects, that you could share I'd be very interested to see them.
Great video, Joe. Well spoken and well illustrated. Sold off my 100lbs of Nikon gear in 2013 and it's been Olympus ever since. I used to carry a D800 with the trilogy and a big tripod, but now it's an EM1-II with the 7-14 and 12-100 and often no tripod at all because the stabilization is so amazing. Fits in a shoulder bag instead of a backpack and it's such a joy to travel with. Thanks for the post!
Thanks for another excellent video. It was great to meet and discuss with you about the Olympus system at WPPI. I finally made the switch from Nikon to Olympus last month and so far everything is great! Once again thanks for all your help, hope to meet again soon...
Joe, your beautiful images speak for themselves. Those are images that showcase your talent and all people would know is that they were created by a masterful photographer on a professional camera.
Like you I sold all my Nikon equipment and switched to the Olympus 4/3 system. I started with OM-D E M1 body but have now upgraded to the E M 1 Mark II body. I love the Olympus system and being an amateur photographer I only have 4 lenses two of which are their Pro line of lenses. I would never go back to the other system I had. The mirrorless camera is small and the in body IS works like a charm. AF with 121 cross type sensor is lightning fast. All in all I love this camera and lenses.
Great video Joe! I've referred others who bash M4/3 to your videos in various comments I've made online. You are living proof that M4/3 can produce results equivalent to FF when used properly! No reason to spend more $ and struggle with the excess bulk and weight of FF.
Hi Joe-- I am a firm believer that the photographer takes the photo, not the camera. Your quality hasn't gone down, IMHO and if you like the Olympus then that's great. I agree with all your points except one. I tried Olympus and Fuji mirrorless options and I didn't care for the ergonomics. I just feel like the Nikon full size camera feels better in my hand. Another great video though. Thanks for the update on your switch.
Hi Joe, I’ve been a pro Nikon shooter for 30+ years. Just bought the Pen-f - sweet walk around camera. Hopefully the next pro body mark 3 will have 24mp’s minimal with improved dynamic range- then I’ll jump. It’s all up to Sony sensor technology.
Such good common sense, Joe. I shoot in all formats and use micro 4/3 on vacations and when I'm out and about. I love the image quality. I constantly hear people talking about super megapixel cameras. These folks often have to blur portraits as the super-resolution is unflattering. There was a time when bigger sensors offered significant gains in low light performance and dynamic range, but these characteristics are less critical now with gains in smaller formats and fast camera microprocessors. DP Review recently reviewed the camera on the Pixel 3 and said in some ways it was as good in low light as some APS-C sensors! Thanks again for your realistic views.
if i wasn't shooting sports and wildlife, the Olympus system would certainly be on my radar for a day to day usage, portraits and lansdcapes etc. Great images presented in this video and can certainly see why you like it
This was quite fun to watch and do you know what, you actually described a whole new concept in photography; "SENSOR deprivation"! As you are shooting portraits you'll never see the difference a larger sensor would make. I remember reading a scientific paper back in the in the day of shooting film about the relationship between film format and the subject you are shooting. That was something many photographers never fully understood and why they went out doing landscapes with 135 film and never got that Ansel Adam revelation. I was never ready to jump up to large format cameras but I was seriously looking into buying a Pentax 6x7 for my landscapes, although I would hate lugging that behemoth up a mountain. You are absolutely right to look at it from the viewpoint what you need depending on the type of subject you are shooting. Cheers!
Hi Joe - Love your channel mate. Thank you. I am thinking about moving over to Olympus from Canon and your video on the model shots is exactly what I needed. I thought I would never be able to do a decent model shoot without my Canon 70-200 or with a micro 4/3 - I am pleased to say you answered my question about that in this video. All the best and thanks again. Cheers Jim
I also switched from Nikon to Olympus after "only" 15 years on Nikon. Such a fantastic system for me. Personally I don't have as much fun in post pixel peepeing and just love producing fantastic images. Pixel peeping isn't what makes a camera great and isn't really an experience you can share with others.
your point of view was really good... photography is all about the the feel and skills not the sensor size.. im been wanting to buy an entry level interchangeable lens camera, and ive been considering olympus omd em10 mark iii.. what made me decide to go olympus was the size, full manual control and sharp but creamy lens selection of m zuiko.
This guy is a great photographer, HOWEVER he is showing the viewers examples of studio portraiture. The amount of expertise in lighting studio portraits with beautiful models is considerable. It would be far more impressive to show pictures taken in various typical moderately lit indoor living rooms and kitchen tables etc instead. I am quite sure he would achieve similarly great studio portraits using 1 inch sensor cameras with all that great lighting. I think many average people interested in photography are looking to be able to take good quality photos indoors without having to turn on all the lights in the room
Hi Joe, when I watch your videos I see myself reflected in your comments I had lost the illusion for photography, gone through many bodies Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 5D Mark IV, Nikon D810 and Nikon D850 and Sony A7RII and Sony A7RIII and always loaded with professional optics and entering the war of the megapixels and new cameras for the end lose the spark I had to shoot, I passed as you changed all my equipment to move to the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II uff that change weight and volume I am still starting in the system of 4/3 but I returned to the illusion I mean that we always live to see who has better equipment, better lenses and enter the commercial war of the big brands that encourage us to change models constantly and increasingly with more megapixels. In conclusion I agree with you because I have also been the same, now I am excited again, thanks for your channel and continue like this. A greeting from Spain. Juan Jose
Really very well explained about bokeh, so many people buying very expensive full frames just for bokeh, but they don't understand how its works. U have aswell nice collection of lenses, I'm looking mostly for vintage manual lense for my Lumix Gx80 👌
Thanks for these videos on your switch to Olympus. I’d been debating changing from Fuji to Olympus for several reasons and your previous video on the topic gave me the confidence to buy into the Olympus system. What a surprise! I was expecting more noise and poorer OOC jpegs, but found just the opposite. I’m keeping my Fuji gear for the time being, but if I find that I’m not using it I’ll sell the lot and put the money into more M43 glass. Thanks for your ultra-positive way of presenting, and your fact-filled videos. New subscriber.
Great video Joe, I am also a long time Nikon shooter and continue to enjoy Nikon for my Nature shooting. I have recently entered the Olympus system with a used original EM1 , I am finding it to be very exciting and it has rekindled a spark in my photography. Not sure where I will end up in the future, but I do enjoy your insight. One thing that does turn me off is when folks get into gear wars. It’s not about that but a love of photography! Keep up the great inspiration!
Recently ditched my Canon DSLR set up for Lumix 4/3. Fantastic and no regrets. Found I increasingly didn't take my camera out as it was so big/ heavy. The hassle factor meant I simply stopped enjoying it. All change now as I have a small system with excellent lenses.
Excellent video Joe. I certainly see no quality differences between my Micro 4/3rds Panasonic G9 and my Sony A7R III except at the extremes of low light, or when needing to severely crop an image. Another huge benefit area for the Micro 4/3rds is that the telephoto lenses are dramatically lighter than the full frame lenses at comparable focal lengths.
Excellent video. I don't use Olympus cameras myself, but I do use Fuji cameras, which have replaced my own two Nikon D810's. I'm using them everyday, and my photography still gets complemented on. I rarely, if ever, shoot in low light, as I use studio lighting and camera flash heads, or natural light at low iso settings. After 35 years as a pro wedding and fashion shooter, my back is done in with carrying heavy gear. Although I'm going to add one piece of (slightly), heavier gear shortlt, and that's the Fuji GFX50R, with the forthcoming 50mm lens. I don't need lot's of lenses either, as the majority of my photography is done within the 24-80mm full frame equivalent range, although I enjoy wide angle for some travel and portraiture work. I own a Fujinon 8-16mm f2.8 and the 16-55mm 2.8 , a Yashica f2.8 80mm 1:1 macro lens, plus a Tomioka designed Yashica 55mm f1.4. I doubt if I'll ever need anything else. Although, I kept my old Mamiya 80mm f1.9 lens too, which can be adapted to both Fuji's for different looks. The points you make about DOF and field of view are well made, and bokeh can be wafer thin (if desired), or virtually absent, by learning how to use your camera correctly instead of listening to fanboy gurus elsewhere on RUclips. Love your channel, your photography, and your sense of humour. I look forward to your next video. 👍😎
Great review Joe. I've had experience with Olympus. I own an Olympus OM4-T and lenses from the film days. I've been checking out reviews on this system and I think I'll take the plunge when I get the chance. Thanks again.
Good points BIGTIME, I'm following you at IG and seeing those awesome portrait. I'm more of a hobbyist landscape photographer, before I was using the EM5 mkii then last December I was in the process of buying another camera ,my main camera, I thought of getting a Sony A7ii or an EM1 mkii, haven't printed a lot of photos but I'm planning to do printing. All advantage I can see in Sony A7ii was just the resolution and low light performance(yeah it's all important but I prefer the IBIS and weather sealing of olympus for both lens and camera), as I do hiking and landscape photography I needed something reliable without getting all of my savings :D, the IBIS, weather sealing and some software function like the live composite which I prefer more than the resolution, also less expensive line of lenses in the long run compare to fullframe. I shoot on almost all of weather condition except snow because we don't have it :D.
I love my Olympus gear which is pretty similar to yours, Joe, but if I were to start again I would go Vintage Russian. With a simple adapter you can use vintage Russian lenses such as the Jupiter series. These are supreme lenses based upon Zeiss and Lieca originals. They cost next to nothing and work very well with M4/3 systems. OK - they are manual focus and not weather or dust proofed but the optical quality is exceptional in my opinion. Thanks for your videos.
I'm a happy owner of Olympus em-5 mark II and have been using it for over a year now. It works well in all the situations EXCEPT the landscape photography. I still get images I'm satisfied with but I find them sharper on a full frame. This said, I'm very happy with my camera and I'm not thinking about switching to FF :)
As far as retouching goes, I find myself actually using the jpegs (I shoot jpeg+raw) directly out of the camera more often than I have ever done with my Nikons. When I do edit, the edits are generally very minor or are for artistic reasons. Battery life isn't as bad as people make it out to be. It doesn't last as long as my "now sits on the shelf" Nikon, but I just carry 2 extra batteries with me and make sure I charge up each time before I head out. Weight difference is amazing, even with a pro level lens.
Awesome Steven Kamradt! Thanks for commenting! Indeed I haven't found the battery life to be a problem - there is a reasonable expectation that an EV will use the battery.
Nice video. When I was living in Japan 4 years ago, I traded my Nikon gear for used Olympus/Panasonic m43 at Shinjuku. Lighter weight, smaller size, and splash resistance were big factors for the switch. Just a novice but no regrets for the switch.
Ok Joe! Your videos convinced me to consider a 4/3 system. My question is, is the low light grain, say at 1600 or 3200 iso, really manageable in post processing. I am sorry, but I say a couple of videos pretty much bashing the "low light" capabilities of olympus cameras. That said, I would love the small form factor, especially of the m. zuiko lenses! Really appreciate your thoughtful reviews and user experiences. Cheers
Thanks for saying all this! (the depth of field argument and the overview of the Olympus system) - I love my personal EM5 mark 2! Glad to hear that you still like and use the system! I just now rented the 17 1.8 and it's pretty damn good - especially for the price. I never gave it a shot before. I love the 12-40 and the 75mm also. Amazing lenses.
Wow, that was a polished presentation. I have Sony and Olympus cameras and enjoy using both but there is something extra special about using the Oly. Can’t explain why. Just a more fun, intimate experience... The retro look helps 😁
That was a great video, well spoken and well broken down. I just made the switch (prior to this) and have had my reservations. Bought the Panasonic G85 (which is excellent) a little more than a weeks ago. As a hobbyist...good wide angle lenses on this system are quite expensive..so I'm feeling the pain there. Missing the excellent Tokina and Tamron options on this system. I don't understand why outside of sigma with a few offerings, they haven't stepped up to the plate for m4/3 when it's been selling like hot cakes for a number of years now. I also miss the more easily available DOF (with the proper rules in mind to get it in the first place) from APSC and cost effective f/2.8 zoom options like my Tamron 17-50 (non-VC) which has been a favorite workhorse of mine for a long time. That being said, I just got the camera a week ago or so after much debate and research and there really are some incredible things about the camera and the system. I basically just got tired of lugging around a DSLR with heavy lenses when I would go hiking and the increasing megapixel sizes have become ridiculous. I helped my Dad make an awesome Maine coast image at 24x36" from his old 6MP Nikon D40 years ago and it looks awesome even upon close inspection. All my family that does photography has moved to m 4/3..i was the last holdout and after kicking it around for several years finally bit the bullet.
Let me know your questions about Olympus and M43 and I will do my best to get you answers!
I have only one negative thing with Olympus - to complicated and should have been much easier to switch EVF boost on and off. I work outside and studio with or without flashes, and even with MySet im locked to the settings in MySet so I would like to have a solution that just turns if on and off on a Fn button.
Any comments on this?
Joe Edelman Joe I love your authenticity, enthusiasm, and knowledge. I'm going through ALL of your videos and learning useful info daily. Thank you and keep up the GREAT job. PEACE from ATL✊🏾
How does the EVF quality look compared to something like Sony or Fuji?
Joe Edelman whats the olympus colour science like compared to nikon and panasonic?
Thanks for this video, I agree with your thoughs, I've been using the em1ii professionally since release and absolutely love it
I am a Professional photographer and for over a decade I shot with Canon DSLR's, whatever was their latest and greatest, I had to have it. I used Canon L series lens and I loved them. But in 2005 years ago I switched to Mirrorless and I never would go back to ANY DSLR. I had the Oly E-1 and E-3. Then I switched to Sony a900 in 2008 and brought all of their Carl Zeiss lens and the 70-200, it was a great system and full frame. I used Sony for years and loved it. I had a Fuji X100 when it came out. When the Oly EM1 came out I was hooked with m43. I have not shot with any other camera system since I switched to m43. I currently have the Oly EM1 M2, Oly Pen F, and Pany G9. The image quality is amazing and there is things that I can do with this system that are impossible with DSLRs. The lens I currently use are the Oly 7-14mm Pro, 40-150mm Pro, 75m f1.8, 45mm f1.2 Pro, 12-100mm Pro, Pany 200mm f2.8, and Pany 25mm. EVERY one of these lens are sharper than what would be their Canon equivalent, and a lot of them have NO full frame equivalent. Three bodies and 7 lens plus laptop, flash, batteries, portable hard drive and etc., ALL fit in a 30L Peak Design Backpack and only weighs 28lbs. Thats crazy. A Canon 300mm f2.8 and 400mm f2.8 are great lens, but weigh over 9lbs alone and you can't put both of them in a backpack. Micro 43 cost less, weighs less, has body IS, shoots faster than most systems available. I routinely print large prints and the files produce great prints.
It is fantastic to see someone that is able to articulate the reasons for their switch and knowledgeably debunk misnomers. I also like your "what works for me" perspective.
Thank you Adam Favre! I appreciate the kind words and support!
I totally understand Joes passion for Olympus :)
I also switched from Nikon to Olympus per recommendation from a friend. Best trade ever.
As an adventurer/hiker, caring heavy gear is so not optimal. yet, you still want to bring the good stuff.
M43 surely saved my back!
Also, for a stroke survivor like me with instability in my hands, the 5-axis stabilization comes soo in handy.
I even cried when I scored my first sharp bird picture, after acquired the Olympus gear.
As for using pro lenses: I am no rich person, on the contrary, but again, being outdoors most of the time in any weather condition, I want to have reliable gear, so in the long run, it is a well worth investment that is waaay below in cost than other brands with bigger censors.
All in all, I would say, going smaller is a health and art investment! :)
Thank you Cat Ppanda! I really appreciate the kind words! Be sure to check out Olympus Visionary Scott Bourne - he is an amazing bird photographer and has published tons of information on photographing birds. Here is just one article spark.adobe.com/page/WuwmbVyXe6NLl/ and he has many more on the www.GetOlympus.com website:
Thank you for the advice and the good and hard work you do.
Yes, I have been a fangirl of his for quite some time, before he even was a visionary :) I also follow Chris Eyre-Walker (another Visionary). It is a fairly small community, so it is hard to miss these fellas if one is into those topics. :)
It would be great if you made video about how you set up your mkIl.
I used to shoot Canon and went to Venice to do some night shooting. My bag weighed 30 lbs as I had the 100-400 in it. I thought I had ruptured a kidney after carting the bag around so when I came home I sold it all and bought an EM1 Mk1 and have never looked back. I shoot more than I used to and the Pro lenses are super sharp. Best move I ever made.
I switched from Pentax to Olympus and I am greatly satisfied by my choice.
Thank you Joe. It boils down to the shooting style, experience, and experimentation. In this day and age, the camera and the sensor technologies are so advanced, that any person willing to get to know a system, and willing to spend time with a camera, they can produce great images. I have owned the exact model and most of the lenses you have in your arsenal and enjoyed it very much. I decided to switch, not because of quality, but due to personal preference. If a system works for you, as you said, great, just go out there and create great work and share.
People who say negative things about the Olympus menus are mostly camera reviewers, because they're comparing it to other brands. But once you get a hold of it, it's just as intuitive. I actually prefer the super control panel over the others. That's my take as a Canon, Panasonic, and Olympus user
Agreed ATT MEE!
I found it the easiest to be honest, coming from Canon and Sony, although some items are indeed buried quite deeply.
ATT MEE it only took me 2 days adjusting the menus to my liking and get a hold of it in my em5ii. I like it. The only thing i wish i knew was how to tweak the white balance just like those in nikons and canons
Your video inspired me. I’m going to trade-in most of my beloved Nikon kit (it’s so big and heavy). Keep one body and a lens or two. Take the money and buy me another zuiko pro lens or two. Thank you, Joe.
Agreed. I read and heard so much negativity about the Olympus menus repeated time and time again before I finally got to take an Oly for a test drive (I think it was an E-PL5), I was expecting a hot mess of sub-menus of sub-menus. In reality, not only was it actually OK, but the quick menu reminded me a lot of the quick access menu Pentax cameras have, where everything is just a couple of clicks away.
Big fuss about nothing.
Currently in the process of switching my workflow from Nikon to Olympus and I'm glad I found your video Joe. I was always under the impression that DSLRs delivered better image quality, low light performance and better information, but I have found that the more advanced technology and more compact size in my mirrorless systems outweighs everything about my old DSLR.
Glad you enjoyed it Brian McKenna! I appreciate the comment!
I recently purchased an Olympus em5 MKII and took it to shoot a friend that models. The first thing she said was " where's your big camera? Where's your Nikon ?" My other camera is a Nikon D610. I was in a tight space and used the 25mm f1.8 lens and off camera lighting. The pictures came out great, super sharp! The Olympus is so much fun to use, I'm done with Full Frame too!
AMEN Marc Jones!
EM5 MK III is on its way.....
I shoot motocross almost exclusively and was VERY reluctant to try Olympus having never used anything other than Nikon. I’m so glad I made the switch! The Em1 ii autofocus is insanely fast and accurate. No regrets
Agreed motobros! Thanks for commenting!
Your explanation of depth of field on M4/3 actually made sense to me! No frills or anything.
Thank you Maxine Wav! Glad you enjoyed it!
Finally clear words and a statement I like for the mft-system and at least for Olympus. Thank you Joe! Olympus is state of the art with nice looking vintage cameras like my Pen-F. The constant complainer out there must remember: Not the camera takes photos, it's the photographer!
Thank you Andreas Becker! I appreciate the comment.
Thanks for a really practical "real world" review.
Too many others seem obsessed with pixel peeping and irrelevant minutiae.
Thank Joe for your enthusiasm for Olympus gear and championing the idea that photographers can choose the type of camera that suits their style and fulfills their photographic vision.
I've shot with Nikon, Canon and Olympus. I love the weight, ergonomics, and interface of the Olympus cameras the best by far. The build quality of the OM-D E-M1 is superb, and it's a delight every time I pick it up. I agree whole heartedly with your comments regarding noise/ grain and the film look. In addition to my Olympus digital gear, I still shoot with film for just that reason. I find many of the modern digital systems produce images that are too sterile looking for my taste, but it is the form factor of Olympus cameras and the remarkable quality of their pro lenses that makes me a loyal user.
Thanks for the excellent video.
I am only an amateur but i purchased the EM-5 and I very impressed.
The picture printed at 8 feet wide by Olympus was oh so gorgeous. Thank you, im selling all my Nikon gear and going with the G9.
Your pictures are beautiful!!! I bought an Oly and I’m falling in love everyday.
Awesome Erika Velázquez! Thank you for the kind words! And WELCOME to the Olympus family!
The most sensible blog on mft I’ve ever seen! I’ve used Olympus mft for almost 8 years now and love,love,love the system. As a former canon user I can’t help but agree about weight saving, I carry 2 bodies and four lenses plus accessories in a small lowepro backpack with ease and comfort.
Keep up the great work
Your points about DOF , ISO, and cost of the high-end lenses are spot on. Too bad that people in forums/gear websites are too stubborn to stop and listen to videos like this one.
More DOF, for me who I do urban, is actually a blessing.
Switched 5DSR to OMD EM1 II and i am a very happy guy...your are so right !!!
I tried one with a 25mm lens and was very impressed at the sharpness and fast focusing.
Thanks Joe. I watched this when you first posted and am going through and watching your Olympus videos again now. I just upgraded from my Sony to the EM1 mark ii and so far absolutely love it. I'm happily surprised that I can still get beautiful bokeh and narrow depth of field. The lightweight and IBIS was the selling points for me. I have a bad back and carrying everything around was just getting too difficult. I can easily pop the EM1, 3 lenses, flash, and extra battery in my small messenger bag compared to using my 20 liter backpack. The 30mm macro and 45 1.8 are especially light, it's almost crazy how light they are. This has been so refreshing and has lit a fire in my desire to go out and shoot. I went to my local state park today and walked a hiking trail, then after dinner walked again in my local park system's trail as well. Must have gone 5+ miles total today which is a lot for my back but I truly loved it. I've of course had new cameras before and while they always spark my creativity, this was on a whole other level. If anyone is on the fence or just curious, I highly reccomend you rent an OMD or at least check it out at your local camera store. It's simply amazing what these tiny lightweight cameras can do. Also, omg the battery life of the EM1 is crazy long compared to my Sony A6400.
Thanks again for all your helpful videos Joe. Keep these m43 ones coming. I know I'll need help with all of the new features.
Welcome to the M4 family Joey Brewer! I'm glad you're enjoying it! Thank you for sharing and thank you for the kind words.
Wow - AMAZING images. Gear reviews are a dime a dozen, but people backing up their opinions with actual work makes all the difference in the world.
I finally made the switch this spring, at least in the sense of selling off all of my Canon gear (well, I still have an EOS RT body around here somewhere). I started around five years ago with the Pen Mini, as a replacement for a broken P&S camera. Then the OM-D came out, and I could not say no. Before Canon, I had been an Olympus guy going back to the OM-1, but eventually I wanted something more current and supported than my OM-1/OM-4.
Then it was more lenses, the E-M5 Mark II, more lenses, the Pen F. I really liked shooting with the m43 system. I like mirrorless, there are just thing about it that "fit my brain" better than Canon ever did. So when I was working on selling my house in Jersey (moving across the river to Delaware), I dropped my whole EOS rig off at my sister's house -- my niece had started in Canon the previous year, having outgrown the phone -- and I set off on a year+ of Olympus only. I never missed the 6D. So this spring, I sold it all off! It felt good... I don't like to leave useful camera gear sitting on a shelf somewhere.
Couldn't agree more about the Olympus menu system Joe. I also find it very intuitive. I've never understood the complaints made about it and can only think those complaining have spent zero time actually using it.
I absolutely agree.
I have two Olympus OM-D cameras, an original EM-1 and original EM-5. The 12-40 f2.8 PRO zoom lives on the EM-1 and the 17mm f1.8 prime on the EM-5. I don't use long lenses that much, so I'm good with the little Olympus 40-150 f4-5.6 tele zoom. Everything uses the same batteries, somehow I ended up with 10 of them. I bought all of this gear second hand and am into the whole set-up for less than $1500. All of it fits in a compact shoulder bag that weighs in at just over six pounds, and that is if I carry absolutely everything with me. Typically I don't.
For my photography at this stage of my life (I'm old and slow) this gear is perfect for me. For most of my pictures, I'm having a really hard time telling any difference between Olympus images and my APS-C D7200 or my old faithful D700, except that I like the Oly colors a bit better straight out of camera. I'm keeping my D700 just because I love it, but the D7200 is for sale.
As for the Olympus menu system, I will say that I find it a bit hard sometimes to remember where something is in the menus, but once I find it, it is easy enough to understand and use. I think some of the Olympus naming conventions used in the menus reflect the differences in Japanese and the English language. But I have found that once you have learned to "speak Olympus" you can use the menus quite easily. My best friend just bought an Olympus TG-5 and I was able to use it instantly.
I haven't had this much fun with a camera since I bought my first OM-1 back in the 70's. And my Olympus digital gear is not even the latest and greatest stuff. I'm thinking about an EM-5 Mark II, but I'm not sure if I would actually use its additional features over the original EM-5.
Awesome Tom Crawford! Thanks for commenting!
Tom Crawford the em5 mkii isnt really much of an upgrade from the original.... personally i prefer the tilt screen of the em5 to the flip out screen of the mkii but thats just me.... with the em5 mk3 on the horizon i dont see the need in picking up the mk2
I'm glad you enjoyed your gear. Just two questions, I found a deal for the original Olympus OMD EM-1 along with the 12-40mm pro lens for $800, do you think it's worth it? And is it suitable for a beginner like me with some basic understanding on photography to learn & improve with? I'm planning to be more of a hobbyist photographer & join photography clubs if I have the chance. Thanks for the feedback. 😊
Great video Joe! I too made the switch from Canon and thoroughly enjoy it. It's hard to describe, but the Olympus is just much more fun to shoot with.
I dropped Canon two years ago, and regret not changing to Olympus earlier, the lenses are superb
Switched to Olympus 5 years back, sold my Nikon D300 and lens after taking 3 shots with one em5 and 45mm f1.8, never looked back. It is so true for me that shooting with Olympus is fun, lens color, rendering and sharpness is great.
I switched from Canon Full and Crop frame cameras 5+ years ago to M 4/3 and haven't looked back... As what Joe said, it made photography fun again...
Thank you! By-tor Glad you enjoyed it!
I have olympus 4/3. This video was the best video I ever saw , a lot of good clear information , and I didn't feel like I was being sold anything .
The lenses of Olympus cameras are allways superb.
It would be great if Olympus would add a "My Menu" tab, where you can add all the functions that you want quick access to, rather than go through the whole menu list.
WILD APPLAUSE!!! Nice report, Joe! I switched to Olympus a little over a year ago from Nikon and I feel the same. I've never regretted it after my first shot with my Pen-F. Before, I was shooting the Nikon D750 with a full complement of Sigma lenses. I found as I was getting older (now, in my mid-50s) that my gear was weighing me down too much and I needed a change. I swapped a lens for a Pen PL-5 with the kit lens. HOLY CRAP! This camera was small and cheap AND it shot cleaner and sharper images than my Nikon was shooting, even after full lens calibration. That's when I decided that my Nikon was staying at home more than the PL-5 so I sold all of my Nikon gear and jumped into Olympus. Even the consumer kit lenses are pretty stinking good. Worlds above any Nikon kit lens. I recently converted a co-worker to do the same. He went back and forth on wheather to make the change or stay with Canon. Let's just say that he thanks me every time I see him for converting him to Olympus. Sorry this is long... But I had to share my story in hopes that others might consider the same as I.
I made the same switch after 35+ years. So happy
Awesome Tjerk Heringa! Thanks for commenting!
You look like 30 but u have a grandson & 40+yrs of experience.OMG. Superb videos, it just keep getting better.
Thank you so much for the kind words Amit Krupal!
Absolutely spot on and bigger is not always better
for budget reasons i went with the Olympus 10 mark 2. love the live bulb feature so I can see the nigh landscapes being made while capturing the image.
Cool Raymond Earley! Congratulations!
Love your channel. I too am a former Nikon shooter; I used to shoot events with a D300 and D700. After developing arthritis in my shoulders I found it necessary to lighten the load. I first found myself toying around with an Olympus Omd EM10. I instantly fell in love with this camera - the image quality, the light weight and the digital viewfinder. This camera was the motivation to fully move to micro 4/3 and to sell off all of my Nikon equipment. I now own the Olympus Omd EM1 ii and it's a fantastic camera
Hello Joe, great video,
I switched from 5Dm4 to E-m1ii last year and it has been great experience. Since then I used my Canon only 2x.
On my Olympus I do up to 2sec. hand held sharp images, got flushed by wave at the coast of Maine, the salt water didn't affect anything, just simply dried the camera with paper tower and kept going (well the filters were not so lucky).
Anyway , great gear, well build, rugged for outdoors and LIGHT !!! Ohhh, my backpack is now only 10lb instead of 25lb ....
Very cool video, I dropped Nikon around 4 years ago for Micro Four Thirds.
Thank you! Tore Hansen Glad you enjoyed it!
Tore Hansen. Same here.
Thumbs up just for all the wild hand gestures.
I’m shooting Fujifilm and have had issues with reliability. Seriously looking at Olympus and I think your enthusiasm has just convinced me it might be right for me. Thanks.
Well I have just jumped ship from Nikon to Olympus and just got the OMD EM1 MK2 with free battery grip. I have only got the 25mm 1.8 to start with to learn the camera. But it feels great in the hand. Good videos.
Joe: Thank you for being so generous! You and I spoke this week in Chicago at the Out of Chicago Summer Conference and you were easily one of the most approachable and interesting speakers. I'm not selling my Nikon gear, but there's a lot to think about here. Hope to see you next year!
my last cam was a cannon i bought in the 70s im now getting back into to it you have given me a lot of great info im looking at an om5 thank you again
Awesome Allan Warmflash! Thanks so much for the kind words!
Thanks Joe. This was great outline of Oly virtues.
I am planning to buy an Olympus EM1 mkii soon. I think it will be great to travel with.
Panasonic for me, but the M43 format has been amazing in every way! I just love how I can fit 4 lenses + body + speedlight + batteries + tripod in a tiny Lowepro sling bag while not sacrificing quality whatsoever :-)
Great summary Joe...thank you! I've been shooting with olympus for about a year and half and my experiences and thoughts pretty much match everything you said in this video. My demands are certainly not up to yours, but I have found this to be the most fun and pleasing camera system I've ever used. It shoots everything, from landscapes, to action, to portraits (as you've shown) so very well. I'm not sure I could ask for much more at this point. I'm just thrilled to have found something I love...and I'm glad I didn't listen to some of the commentary online, which has proven to be absolute bs.
The 'funnest' camera I ever owned was a Yashica Mat 124G. I wish somebody would produce a digital TLR of some reasonable quality! Oddly though the least fun camera was my Mamiya C33, also a (BIG, honkin', & heavy) TLR
The reason I upgraded last year from a Nikon 1 J5--a camera with many challenges that nevertheless was affordable, lightweight, and with its 4 lens fit easily into a small sling bag--to a Nikon D7100 and Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 lens was to capture moving--sometimes fast moving--subjects in low-light conditions with optimal image quality. Like a picture I took this year of a paceline of roller bladers flying around a city plaza after dark illuminated only by sodium vapor street lamps. If I can get quality images in low light from an Olympus MFT camera I'd be mighty tempted to buy one, because the other advantages it offers (in-body stabilization, portability, durability) would be upgrades from my D7100. If you have any examples of shots taken in low light, preferably with moving subjects, that you could share I'd be very interested to see them.
Great video, Joe. Well spoken and well illustrated. Sold off my 100lbs of Nikon gear in 2013 and it's been Olympus ever since. I used to carry a D800 with the trilogy and a big tripod, but now it's an EM1-II with the 7-14 and 12-100 and often no tripod at all because the stabilization is so amazing. Fits in a shoulder bag instead of a backpack and it's such a joy to travel with. Thanks for the post!
Thanks for another excellent video. It was great to meet and discuss with you about the Olympus system at WPPI. I finally made the switch from Nikon to Olympus last month and so far everything is great! Once again thanks for all your help, hope to meet again soon...
Your Work says a lot so no need to explain in depth. You are the Boss with awesome Gears.
Joe, your beautiful images speak for themselves. Those are images that showcase your talent and all people would know is that they were created by a masterful photographer on a professional camera.
Like you I sold all my Nikon equipment and switched to the Olympus 4/3 system. I started with OM-D E M1 body but have now upgraded to the E M 1 Mark II body. I love the Olympus system and being an amateur photographer I only have 4 lenses two of which are their Pro line of lenses. I would never go back to the other system I had. The mirrorless camera is small and the in body IS works like a charm. AF with 121 cross type sensor is lightning fast. All in all I love this camera and lenses.
Awesome Wayne Bennett! Glad to hear it. Thank you for commenting.
Great video Joe! I've referred others who bash M4/3 to your videos in various comments I've made online. You are living proof that M4/3 can produce results equivalent to FF when used properly! No reason to spend more $ and struggle with the excess bulk and weight of FF.
Hi Joe-- I am a firm believer that the photographer takes the photo, not the camera. Your quality hasn't gone down, IMHO and if you like the Olympus then that's great. I agree with all your points except one. I tried Olympus and Fuji mirrorless options and I didn't care for the ergonomics. I just feel like the Nikon full size camera feels better in my hand. Another great video though. Thanks for the update on your switch.
Hi Joe, I’ve been a pro Nikon shooter for 30+ years. Just bought the Pen-f - sweet walk around camera. Hopefully the next pro body mark 3 will have 24mp’s minimal with improved dynamic range- then I’ll jump. It’s all up to Sony sensor technology.
Awesome Rudi van Starrex! Thanks for commenting!
Such good common sense, Joe. I shoot in all formats and use micro 4/3 on vacations and when I'm out and about. I love the image quality. I constantly hear people talking about super megapixel cameras. These folks often have to blur portraits as the super-resolution is unflattering. There was a time when bigger sensors offered significant gains in low light performance and dynamic range, but these characteristics are less critical now with gains in smaller formats and fast camera microprocessors. DP Review recently reviewed the camera on the Pixel 3 and said in some ways it was as good in low light as some APS-C sensors! Thanks again for your realistic views.
if i wasn't shooting sports and wildlife, the Olympus system would certainly be on my radar for a day to day usage, portraits and lansdcapes etc.
Great images presented in this video and can certainly see why you like it
Thanks for putting to rest the doubts I had about m43.
This was quite fun to watch and do you know what, you actually described a whole new concept in photography; "SENSOR deprivation"!
As you are shooting portraits you'll never see the difference a larger sensor would make. I remember reading a scientific paper back in the in the day of shooting film about the relationship between film format and the subject you are shooting. That was something many photographers never fully understood and why they went out doing landscapes with 135 film and never got that Ansel Adam revelation. I was never ready to jump up to large format cameras but I was seriously looking into buying a Pentax 6x7 for my landscapes, although I would hate lugging that behemoth up a mountain.
You are absolutely right to look at it from the viewpoint what you need depending on the type of subject you are shooting. Cheers!
Hi Joe - Love your channel mate. Thank you. I am thinking about moving over to Olympus from Canon and your video on the model shots is exactly what I needed. I thought I would never be able to do a decent model shoot without my Canon 70-200 or with a micro 4/3 - I am pleased to say you answered my question about that in this video. All the best and thanks again.
Cheers
Jim
I also switched from Nikon to Olympus after "only" 15 years on Nikon. Such a fantastic system for me. Personally I don't have as much fun in post pixel peepeing and just love producing fantastic images. Pixel peeping isn't what makes a camera great and isn't really an experience you can share with others.
Great video, thanks for sharing your experience!! Really helpful and great advice, since I just migrated from APS-C to M43.
You're very welcome Ziggicam! I am glad you found it helpful. Welcome to the M43 family!
great video. i also thinking about switching to mft. in my opinion to the panasonic g9. great to see that its the right way 😊
Superb presentation Joe. Very much appreciated.
your point of view was really good... photography is all about the the feel and skills not the sensor size.. im been wanting to buy an entry level interchangeable lens camera, and ive been considering olympus omd em10 mark iii.. what made me decide to go olympus was the size, full manual control and sharp but creamy lens selection of m zuiko.
totally agree with your findings joe. all the best. i have the full kit, also. j.
This guy is a great photographer, HOWEVER he is showing the viewers examples of studio portraiture.
The amount of expertise in lighting studio portraits with beautiful models is considerable.
It would be far more impressive to show pictures taken in various typical moderately lit indoor living rooms and kitchen tables etc instead.
I am quite sure he would achieve similarly great studio portraits using 1 inch sensor cameras with all that great lighting.
I think many average people interested in photography are looking to be able to take good quality photos indoors without having to turn on all the lights in the room
Hi Joe, when I watch your videos I see myself reflected in your comments I had lost the illusion for photography, gone through many bodies Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 5D Mark IV, Nikon D810 and Nikon D850 and Sony A7RII and Sony A7RIII and always loaded with professional optics and entering the war of the megapixels and new cameras for the end lose the spark I had to shoot, I passed as you changed all my equipment to move to the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II uff that change weight and volume I am still starting in the system of 4/3 but I returned to the illusion I mean that we always live to see who has better equipment, better lenses and enter the commercial war of the big brands that encourage us to change models constantly and increasingly with more megapixels.
In conclusion I agree with you because I have also been the same, now I am excited again, thanks for your channel and continue like this.
A greeting from Spain.
Juan Jose
Really very well explained about bokeh, so many people buying very expensive full frames just for bokeh, but they don't understand how its works. U have aswell nice collection of lenses, I'm looking mostly for vintage manual lense for my Lumix Gx80 👌
Joe you're an artisan. People don't want to put in the hard yards in learning the art and the craft - blood sweat and tears
Thank you The H Man Gill! I appreciate the kind words and support!
Awesome Joe! Keep the videos coming please. Hope to meet you soon in good ol’ Dan’s or an Olympus event
Great video! i have olympus cameras since i was 16. Still use the old OM glass and pen-f glass from the 60 on my 4/3 camera.
Great video Joe, also terrific shots, thanks.
You're very welcome Chris Simmonds! Thank you so much for the kind words!
100% agree with you , I really love using my omd em1 original , very sharp and amazing color tones that is not owned by another ones.
Thanks for these videos on your switch to Olympus. I’d been debating changing from Fuji to Olympus for several reasons and your previous video on the topic gave me the confidence to buy into the Olympus system. What a surprise! I was expecting more noise and poorer OOC jpegs, but found just the opposite. I’m keeping my Fuji gear for the time being, but if I find that I’m not using it I’ll sell the lot and put the money into more M43 glass. Thanks for your ultra-positive way of presenting, and your fact-filled videos. New subscriber.
Like you, I sold all my Nikon full-frame gear and went Olympus m4/3. Don't regret it one bit.
Awesome Judy Bruner! Thanks for commenting!
Great video Joe, I am also a long time Nikon shooter and continue to enjoy Nikon for my Nature shooting. I have recently entered the Olympus system with a used original EM1 , I am finding it to be very exciting and it has rekindled a spark in my photography. Not sure where I will end up in the future, but I do enjoy your insight. One thing that does turn me off is when folks get into gear wars. It’s not about that but a love of photography! Keep up the great inspiration!
Recently ditched my Canon DSLR set up for Lumix 4/3. Fantastic and no regrets. Found I increasingly didn't take my camera out as it was so big/ heavy. The hassle factor meant I simply stopped enjoying it. All change now as I have a small system with excellent lenses.
Awesome Phil Ware! Thanks for commenting!
Excellent video Joe. I certainly see no quality differences between my Micro 4/3rds Panasonic G9 and my Sony A7R III except at the extremes of low light, or when needing to severely crop an image. Another huge benefit area for the Micro 4/3rds is that the telephoto lenses are dramatically lighter than the full frame lenses at comparable focal lengths.
Thank you Betchel Photography! I appreciate the comment.
Excellent video. I don't use Olympus cameras myself, but I do use Fuji cameras, which have replaced my own two Nikon D810's. I'm using them everyday, and my photography still gets complemented on. I rarely, if ever, shoot in low light, as I use studio lighting and camera flash heads, or natural light at low iso settings.
After 35 years as a pro wedding and fashion shooter, my back is done in with carrying heavy gear.
Although I'm going to add one piece of (slightly), heavier gear shortlt, and that's the Fuji GFX50R, with the forthcoming 50mm lens.
I don't need lot's of lenses either, as the majority of my photography is done within the 24-80mm full frame equivalent range, although I enjoy wide angle for some travel and portraiture work.
I own a Fujinon 8-16mm f2.8 and the 16-55mm 2.8 , a Yashica f2.8 80mm 1:1 macro lens, plus a Tomioka designed Yashica 55mm f1.4. I doubt if I'll ever need anything else. Although, I kept my old Mamiya 80mm f1.9 lens too, which can be adapted to both Fuji's for different looks.
The points you make about DOF and field of view are well made, and bokeh can be wafer thin (if desired), or virtually absent, by learning how to use your camera correctly instead of listening to fanboy gurus elsewhere on RUclips.
Love your channel, your photography, and your sense of humour. I look forward to your next video. 👍😎
Great review Joe. I've had experience with Olympus. I own an Olympus OM4-T and lenses from the film days. I've been checking out reviews on this system and I think I'll take the plunge when I get the chance. Thanks again.
Awesome Jose A De Leon! Thanks for commenting!
Good points BIGTIME, I'm following you at IG and seeing those awesome portrait. I'm more of a hobbyist landscape photographer, before I was using the EM5 mkii then last December I was in the process of buying another camera ,my main camera, I thought of getting a Sony A7ii or an EM1 mkii, haven't printed a lot of photos but I'm planning to do printing. All advantage I can see in Sony A7ii was just the resolution and low light performance(yeah it's all important but I prefer the IBIS and weather sealing of olympus for both lens and camera), as I do hiking and landscape photography I needed something reliable without getting all of my savings :D, the IBIS, weather sealing and some software function like the live composite which I prefer more than the resolution, also less expensive line of lenses in the long run compare to fullframe. I shoot on almost all of weather condition except snow because we don't have it :D.
Thank you Bryan C! I really appreciate the kind words!
great explanation thanks from a Panasonic G9 user
I love my Olympus gear which is pretty similar to yours, Joe, but if I were to start again I would go Vintage Russian. With a simple adapter you can use vintage Russian lenses such as the Jupiter series. These are supreme lenses based upon Zeiss and Lieca originals. They cost next to nothing and work very well with M4/3 systems. OK - they are manual focus and not weather or dust proofed but the optical quality is exceptional in my opinion. Thanks for your videos.
I'm a happy owner of Olympus em-5 mark II and have been using it for over a year now. It works well in all the situations EXCEPT the landscape photography. I still get images I'm satisfied with but I find them sharper on a full frame. This said, I'm very happy with my camera and I'm not thinking about switching to FF :)
As far as retouching goes, I find myself actually using the jpegs (I shoot jpeg+raw) directly out of the camera more often than I have ever done with my Nikons. When I do edit, the edits are generally very minor or are for artistic reasons. Battery life isn't as bad as people make it out to be. It doesn't last as long as my "now sits on the shelf" Nikon, but I just carry 2 extra batteries with me and make sure I charge up each time before I head out. Weight difference is amazing, even with a pro level lens.
Awesome Steven Kamradt! Thanks for commenting! Indeed I haven't found the battery life to be a problem - there is a reasonable expectation that an EV will use the battery.
Another great video Joe, thanks for the info!
You're very welcome iamneallyons! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Nice video. When I was living in Japan 4 years ago, I traded my Nikon gear for used Olympus/Panasonic m43 at Shinjuku. Lighter weight, smaller size, and splash resistance were big factors for the switch. Just a novice but no regrets for the switch.
Ok Joe! Your videos convinced me to consider a 4/3 system. My question is, is the low light grain, say at 1600 or 3200 iso, really manageable in post processing. I am sorry, but I say a couple of videos pretty much bashing the "low light" capabilities of olympus cameras. That said, I would love the small form factor, especially of the m. zuiko lenses! Really appreciate your thoughtful reviews and user experiences. Cheers
Thanks for saying all this! (the depth of field argument and the overview of the Olympus system) - I love my personal EM5 mark 2! Glad to hear that you still like and use the system! I just now rented the 17 1.8 and it's pretty damn good - especially for the price. I never gave it a shot before. I love the 12-40 and the 75mm also. Amazing lenses.
Awesome insights from a guy who knows his business. Sure hope that M43 is around for a long time.
Old film lenses on MFT cameras will be the trend of the future.
I have both OMD EM-1 Mk2 and Sony A7r3. I love both. With sufficient there is not much in it.
Wow, that was a polished presentation. I have Sony and Olympus cameras and enjoy using both but there is something extra special about using the Oly. Can’t explain why. Just a more fun, intimate experience... The retro look helps 😁
That was a great video, well spoken and well broken down. I just made the switch (prior to this) and have had my reservations. Bought the Panasonic G85 (which is excellent) a little more than a weeks ago. As a hobbyist...good wide angle lenses on this system are quite expensive..so I'm feeling the pain there. Missing the excellent Tokina and Tamron options on this system. I don't understand why outside of sigma with a few offerings, they haven't stepped up to the plate for m4/3 when it's been selling like hot cakes for a number of years now. I also miss the more easily available DOF (with the proper rules in mind to get it in the first place) from APSC and cost effective f/2.8 zoom options like my Tamron 17-50 (non-VC) which has been a favorite workhorse of mine for a long time.
That being said, I just got the camera a week ago or so after much debate and research and there really are some incredible things about the camera and the system. I basically just got tired of lugging around a DSLR with heavy lenses when I would go hiking and the increasing megapixel sizes have become ridiculous. I helped my Dad make an awesome Maine coast image at 24x36" from his old 6MP Nikon D40 years ago and it looks awesome even upon close inspection. All my family that does photography has moved to m 4/3..i was the last holdout and after kicking it around for several years finally bit the bullet.