Downgrade / Sidegrade advice

Flukester

Flukester

Flukester

Man of Honour
Joined
1 Nov 2007
Posts
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Location
Christchurch UK
Hi Photonerds

Quick question. Some years back missus wanted to get into photography with a eye on doing it pro / semi pro. We started with a basic Canon 600D but put a nice EF-S 18-55 F2.8 USM lens on it which means it does actually take very nice photos. We also have a 430ex flash. From what I've heard the lens is basically 'red' quality without the price....

Missus now has another self employed job and wants something smaller for holiday... I was looking at all the micro 4/3 cameras. Would one of these be a good alternative, still giving great photos (nice depth of field). My head seems to think they are just not going to let in as much light as current setup.

I would also love the lens to be flexible in 'zoom' with a constant low F across range. So a do it all lens in same sort of range and maybe a telephoto.

Any help appreciated, and sorry for layman's terms. If the current setup could be sold to fund new one it would be win win.
 
M43 cameras are up there with DSLR's these days for photo quality, the only thing the struggle with is focussing on fast moving objects so they aren't really ideal for sports etc, that said, i never struggled with my Olympus OM-D E-M10 at BTCC. I haven't regretted going smaller from my Canon 60D, infact, i carry my camera around more now due to it's smaller size. You could get something like the E-M10 and a Olympus 14-150 (equivelent of 28-300) lens which will cater for most of your needs.

You would maybe have to put a couple of hundred quid towards it if buying new, but if you go 2nd hand you might get a camera and the 14-150 somewhere around or just over £550.
 
micro 4/3 is the way to go. See the thread on it.

Superb quality despite the smaller frame and much smaller/lighter.


Less light in doenst matter so much due to image stabilising on the panasonic lens and esp the 5 axis system on the oluympus ones.


Depends on budget as far as lens goes. The "best" zooms are the pro lens with a constant f2.8 like the 12-40mm (24 to 80mm in 35mm size) and takes stunning pictures.


the f2.8 40-150mm is a bit heavy and bulky though but the 40-150mm (80 to 300) f4-f5.6 gets really good reviews which takes great pictures for its price.


If you want a all in one lens which makes it easy to carry/travel then have a look at the 14-150mm f4-f5.6 lens. Obviously not fixed F or low and a compromise.


I have just bought the 40-150 f4-f5.6 and will get the 12-40mm f2.8 and then im thinking of adding a couple of f1.8 primes like 25mm or 17mm.
 
A 2nd had omd em-1 has phase focusing for action and go cheap on ebay. ANd this month get a massive firmware update adding all the features which have since come out on the em5 II and em10 II.
 
As above, the m43 sensors give an Image quality indistinguishable form your Canon 600D, only the latest Sony/nikon sensors have a slight edge.
AF is fine for static subject but tracking is a lomg way behind if you do things like Bird-in-Fight.


You do have a deeper depth of Focus by a bout 1 stop, so to get the same DoF as your 17-55mm f/2.8 you will need an f/2.0 lens.
 
Flukester said:
Thanks for all the advice guys...

How about this...

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-olympus-om-d-e-m10-digital-camera-with-14-42mm-ez-and-40-150mm-lenses-black/p1560720

It's a 2 year old camera now though... is there a better more modern option at similar price point ?
Click to expand...

I've had mine for a year and i still love it, perfect size for taking around with me. That's a good starter kit for you there and the 40-150 holds its value too so you could sell that for £75 when you go to upgrade. That said, the kit lenses from Olympus are actually quiet good to start with.
 
Thanks all... just ordered from Jessops (as slightly cheaper and dual lens kit available in silver) with the messenger bag. I'm sure it will be perfect for missus. Off to Caribbean on cruise in 12 weeks so will get some good use.

The old 600D with the monster lens will go on ebay tomorrow :)
 
She will love it. I still can;t get over how small they are. Had my 40-150 lens arrive today and I looked at it and went "is that it?" :D

I am so used to lugging around 10kg of kit previously.
 
pre digital days. Ive been on panasonic or sony big zoom bridge cameras for easy of carrying around but i miss the quality in the pics.

Prior to that i had a Minotla Dynax 7 with vertical grip with the following lens


f2.8 28-70 mm
f1.4 50mm
f1.4 85mm G
f2.8 100mm Macro
f4 70-210mm
f8 500m Mirror lens


Also had a Sigma 28-200 lens for holidays so I only had to lug one lens around.
Had a big camera bag to lug it all around
 
The camera arrived and blown away with the focusing on it... seems way above old DSLR.

Old kit sold for £600 straight away so jobs a good'un

Particularly impressed with the 40-150 zoom lens.
 
Yeah same here. Ive been playing with my 40-150 lens at lunchtime and its very, very nice so far.

I know what you mean about the focusing.....much nippier to what im used to.


Im still struggling that something so small takes such good pictures tbh.
 
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