OM-D - I just had to...

[Johnmcd]

Firstly, this is Keith's fault entirely. Well not really

What can I say? A new edition to the stable. If it works out well, I think the 7D will go. Great camera but I only use it for the odd sports shoot. Ironically, the one thing that the OM-D probably doesn't do to well. But the 7D (and lenses) is way too much capital to have gathering dust.

First and foremost, I CAN focus reasonably fast and with good accuracy using legacy lenses through the EVF. The 50/1.4 at F2 is very sharp. This was my number one concern and I am very happy. My next must have was weather proofing, so happy there when the time comes.

First impressions? Solid and beautifully made. But I will only be taking off the grip to change batteries. In my opinion the grip is integral in the way the camera can be comfortably gripped despite the small size. It just feels so right.

I have only tested the 14-42 of my E-P1 and it seems fine but not as fast as the 12-50 I tested in the store. I will get mine soon when new stock comes in (they had sold the lenses from my kit by accident).

More shots and feed back over the next week but here are some boring test shots in the meanwhile.

But first some porn.



My partner has a Tea House so instead of helping I just played with my new toy

These are all taken with the zuiko 50/1.4. Manual focus through the EVF. Most are F2 where it is tack sharp.

200 iso



1600 iso









Bit softer. Probably F1.4





Cheers,

John

[Keith]

Congrats John ... and I accept full responsibility!

What adapter are you using for the Om lens?

As a matter of interest mine is languishing in the cupboard ... I refuse to use it again until the 25mm Summilux I bought from Sug arrives! I seriously did not like that zoom it came with!

Those photos are great by the way ... out of camera jpegs?

[Keith]

And I meant to add ... manual focusing through the EVF is a cinch! I'm glad you agree here because I was really impressed.

[Johnmcd]

The adaptor is a cheapie I picked up in Hong Kong when I first got the E-P1.

Forget the 25mm! Use all that superb zuiko glass you have!

[robert blu]

i decided no new gear before Photokina, and I'm asking myself why does everybody tempt me so much! But not yet had one in my hands...
robert
PS: good to know about manual focus...

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Johnmcd

The adaptor is a cheapie I picked up in Hong Kong when I first got the E-P1.

Forget the 25mm! Use all that superb zuiko glass you have!

I've just bought a late 35mm f2 Zuiko from Maitani so that will get some use I suspect and who knows what the 50mm f1.2 I have will be like wide open ... a 100mm equivalent focal length f1.2 lens. I definitely need to get an adapter!

[Johnmcd]

Originally Posted by Keith

I've just bought a late 35mm f2 Zuiko from Maitani so that will get some use I suspect and who knows what the 50mm f1.2 I have will be like wide open ... a 100mm equivalent focal length f1.2 lens. I definitely need to get an adapter!

That 1.2 will look so huge on the front of that camera!

[Johnmcd]

Originally Posted by Keith

Those photos are great by the way ... out of camera jpegs?

Yep, just resize and an unsharp.

[Trius]

John, you know you need a 50/1.4 > 1.1M serial number, right?

[Johnmcd]

Originally Posted by Trius

John, you know you need a 50/1.4 > 1.1M serial number, right?

Much different to mine in quality?

[shadowfox]

Nice, John.
I'll say it one more time:
I've seen lots of angst and disappointments with Fuji X, Nex, et al.
But I've yet to hear people selling OM-D or even say that they regret buying it.

[Shade]

Looking good, how are you liking the battery grip addon ?

[Johnmcd]

Originally Posted by Shade

Looking good, how are you liking the battery grip addon ?

I really like the grip. In my opinion it completes the camera and gives more substance. Very nice to hold.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by shadowfox

Nice, John.
I'll say it one more time:
I've seen lots of angst and disappointments with Fuji X, Nex, et al.
But I've yet to hear people selling OM-D or even say that they regret buying it.

And though it will ultimately happen not one has yet appeared in the classifieds!

I think with the Fuji people expected more and got less ... with the Oly we were all pleasantly surprised that it has exceeded our expectations.

I love that battery grip on John's camera ... not so keen on the price though! As a matter of interest John how much was that grip?

[mgilbuena]

Hanging out on this forum and reading all of these OM-D posts will make my camera bag even heavier...

Has anyone taken one out into a dust storm yet? I'm considering having one of these in time for Burning Man this year.

[Bingley]

Nice photos, John!

Does anyone know if there is an adapter for Minolta MD Rokkor lenses for M 4/3d? I can see replacing my Minolta SLRs with an OMD, but I do like the Rokkor glass...

[yossarian123]

Just sold my x100 a few days ago. I'm in a holding pattern now, I really want to try this out and I'm thinking about selling my d700 so I can get the OM-D and a few lenses.

[fireblade]

Originally Posted by Bingley

Nice photos, John!

Does anyone know if there is an adapter for Minolta MD Rokkor lenses for M 4/3d? I can see replacing my Minolta SLRs with an OMD, but I do like the Rokkor glass...

yes..
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Minolta-M...item3cbe3bcf24


btw...very nice John

[coelacanth]

Originally Posted by Keith

Congrats John ... and I accept full responsibility!

What adapter are you using for the Om lens?

As a matter of interest mine is languishing in the cupboard ... I refuse to use it again until the 25mm Summilux I bought from Sug arrives! I seriously did not like that zoom it came with!

Those photos are great by the way ... out of camera jpegs?

It seems the Lux is already in the land of oz so it should be showing up at your doorstep any day now.

The OP shots look really nice! I gotta try some OM Zuikos on OM-D sometime.

That said, I really recommend trying out the Oly 45/1.8. It is one superb lens.


Half-Frame Sniper at Tea Ceremony by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr

[Johnmcd]

A quick shot taken inside in low light. Not tack sharp but very usable.

1600 iso 50/1.4 @ F2 1/4

[kuzano]

Originally Posted by Keith

with the Oly we were all pleasantly surprised that it has exceeded our expectations.

Interesting... Olympus, while not perfect by any means, has repeatedly made surprisingly "right" decisions since the early 70's. It has been even more true with their offerings in the digital arena.

Their glass .... high on the charts of desirability and image making capabilities.

Happy Olympus and Zuiko user throughout the reign of the OM, and during the DSLR era starting with the E-1 and E-300 evolt, and a number of the successors.

Olympus has always met or exceeded my expectations. I admit there have been forays into FF Canon and Nikon, and a few others, but always find the path home to Olympus.

The last good Fuji's I've used and still do... the big Fujica "Texas Leicas" in Medium format. Only camera I have not left behind in various returns to Olympus.

[Johnmcd]

Another with the 50/1.4 F2 1/50th 1600 iso

[Keith]

I have to ask ... what was she doing? Then I realised ... sewing!

My first reaction was ... the poor woman is flossing her teeth and there's obviously no privacy when your partner has a new camera!

[ChrisN]

Keith - considering some of the photos you have shared - you're in no position to complain.

Just teasin'. And jealous because my wife won't let me photograph her.

[Speedfreak]

A good demonstration of how the 2x crop factor turns a fast standard lens into a soft tele.