I finally made the switch. I decided to purchase a new OMD E-M1. A silver one. After adding the HLD-7 grip, what a perfect camera! Since I use both micro and standard 4/3rd lenses, the grip is essential. I don't think that I'll own it for very long. My wife immediately spoke up and wanted one. She proclaimed how perfect it fit her little hands without the grip. How solid and well built it feels. How quiet the shutter is compared to her 7D and 5D MKII. How small and light it is, and that she wouldn't mind carrying it around all day. Having said that, I see myself buying another one soon.When I first handled an E-M1 six months ago, I didn't think I would like it. With it's electronic view finder, and it's array of programmable buttons. None of them labeled with their assigned function. Then add a 1-2 selector switch on top of that, that changes the function function of the dials and the buttons that are labeled. To be honest it takes about 1 day of shooting to get used to the viewfinder. Yes, an optical viewfinder is great. How does a EVF compare? You get used to it. It can be customized to display more, or less info to meet your individual needs. You also get an actual preview of the exposure before taking an image. As far as the buttons. I set them, used them camera for about a week. Now the layout seems second nature. I even programmed a couple of the "MyModes" . One of them set for fast action. With the press of one button it switches the cameras Mode, drive speed, S-AF to C-AF, and back-button focus.
I purchased the Zuiko 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens since they were offering a savings of $300 when buying them together. I had no intentions of buying this lens. I own a SHG 14-35mm f2.0. Hands down the best standard zoom I've ever used.
But I didn't have it with me when I made my unplanned trip to the camera store. So when they handed it to me to test on the E-M1 in store, it was a done deal. The E-M1 and Zuiko 12-40mm PRO are perfect together. It's no slouch in performance either. Focus speed, accuracy, or image quality.
What I'm really enjoying is using all my Standard 4/3rd lenses with the MMF-3 adapter.
I was always impressed with HG and SHG lense when using them on my E-30, and E-5. What an upgrade the 16mp sensor in the E-M1 is.
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| 14-35mm f2.0 SHG, Panasonic/Leica 25mm f1.4, Zuiko 12-40mm f2.8 PRO, 35-100mm f2.0 SHG, 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 SWD, Sigma 150mm f2.8 Macro |
I actually find myself using the 14-35mm the most. I have loved this lense from day one, but with the improved sensor performance it really shines. The focus speed on the E-M1 is about same as on the E-5, but I find the focus more accurate on the E-M1. I will be replacing the 50-200mm SWD this month with the 40-150mm f2.8 PRO. The Sigma 150mm is a great macro lens, but its a slow focusing lens compared to the others. Even with the focus limiter its annoyingly slow for everyday use. I'm currently looking for a deal on a Zuiko 150mm f2.0. to replace it.
When traveling light I have the Panny/Leica 25mm f1.4, the 12-40mm PRO, or the tiny Sigma 30mm f2.8. The P/L 25mm is great. It doesn't take up much room in the bag. It's sharp wide open, and at f1.4 its 2 two full stops faster than the 12-40 Pro and the Sigma.
Through this whole transition the most frustrating part has been finding a bag that works. With the E-5 or our Canon equipment we used a couple of Tamrac Expedition9 back packs. When I brought the E-M1 home I went every bag we own trying to find one that worked. I tried our messenger bags, backpacks large and small, sling bags and shoulder bags. In all of the little E-M1 seemed to just roll around. I ended up purchasing a Think Tank
Sling-O-Matic 20. I must say, this is a great design in a camera bag. Can be slung over either shoulder without having to remove or rearrange the strap. Has pockets on the front and back that can hold a tablet or a small (thin) laptop. I carry 5 lens in it. The 12-40 PRO, Sigma 30mm, P/L 25mm, 14-35mm f2, and the 35-100mm f2.0. I also carry a FL-LM1 & a FL600R flash, a EC-14 tele converter, memory card pouch, charger, and the Think Tank rain cover.
