Olympus OM-D E-M5, E-M1, E-M10 - Mk1, Mk2 & Mk3 Owners Thread

not one for spending out on expensive lenses that will see little use ,I recently decided to go down the route of four thirds via adaptor .. the cost of the MMF-3 has gone to stupid prices so picked up a nice MMF-2 instead , works fine .. next came the lens choice and after a lot of brain bashing I decided the best all round compromise i.q + price would be the little known 18-180 , and managed to acquire one at a good price . its just arrived so taken a few test shots . . couple below granddaughters car and fuchsia bush in the garden . direct upload seems to have subdued the colours in both vw .jpgfuchia .jpg

fuchia by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr
 
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been out for a proper test run with the new to me lens olympus 18-180mm four thirds . well pleased with the results . slightly slower A/F ... but still snappy enough , more than sharp enough for my needs . handles well nice smooth zoom .. nothing to dislike about it .. and it covers a range I was lacking in before ..so will gel nicely with the 100-400 ..test shots below all from same spot 18mm/77mm/180mm
castle 18mm by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr
castle 77mm by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

castle 180mm by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr
 
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It will develop Trevor ,very young bird
 
Well, you never ever know what is around the corner!

Back in early December 2020, having done lots of online research, I pre-ordered the Olympus ED 150-400mm+1.25x Pro from WEX. As everybody in the world plus his dog knows, this flagship lens is still in very short supply and for a number of valid reasons - Effects of the global pandemic and its effect on both manufacturing and shipping, customs bureaucracy (wretched vat!), the lens being very sophisticated to manufacture, and all not helped by Olympus underestimating customer demand.

It is what it is and "Worse things happen at sea, Robin" as one of my best photo buddies (a Canon shooter) reminds me having survived his ship sinking in the Falklands after being hit by an Exocet missile.

I had become so used to the non-appearance and lack of reliable news about the lens supply, that I had almost forgotten about it and had also become unsure whether I would even want this lens. Afterall, my ED 100-400mm covers a very similar range and is very good indeed - I have had it since September 2020 and use it a lot. You could say that I don't actually NEED the 150-400mm and Captain Sensible screams at me that it's a big stretch to afford it. Captain Sensible got locked in the cupboard a long time ago.

So when I woke up yesterday morning (Friday) my WEX pre-order was very far from my mind. But, before breakfast I got a message letting me know that Ffordes Photographic in Inverness, whom I had never even heard of, had two in stock advertised on their website. I phoned to check and they had already sold one of the remaining two. They offered to reserve it while I sorted out my finances. So it was picked up by Parcelforce on Friday afternoon and, without me asking Ffordes for it, has been sent by 'Parcelforce Express 24' service which means I should receive it today Saturday!

Currently, last updated at 7.00am on the Parcelforce tracking system it is in my local delivery depot (about 50 miles away) and "Prepared for" but not yet "Out for Delivery". I keep checking their website every 10 minutes in spite of knowing that I'll get a text informing me of the delivery window today.

All of this isn't something which folks in this thread would benefit from knowing but I have to share my extreme enthusiasm and excitement somewhere with people who understand being a keen photographer (or gear slut!).

24 hours ago this wasn't even on my horizon - You never know what is around the corner.

Obviously in due course I shall be sharing my thoughts and experiences with it plus a few images. Will my pictures be any better? - Some will and some won't.
 
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RedRobin said:
Well, you never ever know what is around the corner!

Back in early December 2020, having done lots of online research, I pre-ordered the Olympus ED 150-400mm+1.25x Pro from WEX. As everybody in the world plus his dog knows, this flagship lens is still in very short supply and for a number of valid reasons - Effects of the global pandemic and its effect on both manufacturing and shipping, customs bureaucracy (wretched vat!), the lens being very sophisticated to manufacture, and all not helped by Olympus underestimating customer demand.

It is what it is and "Worse things happen at sea, Robin" as one of my best photo buddies (a Canon shooter) reminds me having survived his ship sinking in the Falklands after being hit by an Exocet missile.

I had become so used to the non-appearance and lack of reliable news about the lens supply, that I had almost forgotten about it and had also become unsure whether I would even want this lens. Afterall, my ED 100-400mm covers a very similar range and is very good indeed - I have had it since September 2020 and use it a lot. You could say that I don't actually NEED the 150-400mm and Captain Sensible screams at me that it's a big stretch to afford it. Captain Sensible got locked in the cupboard a long time ago.

So when I woke up yesterday morning (Friday) my WEX pre-order was very far from my mind. But, before breakfast I got a message letting me know that Ffordes Photographic in Inverness had two in stock advertised on their website. I phoned to check and they had already sold one of the remaining two. They offered to reserve it while I sorted out my finances. So it was picked up by Parcelforce on Friday afternoon and, without me asking Ffordes for it, has been sent by 'Parcelforce Express 24' service which means I should receive it today Saturday!

Currently, last updated at 7.00am on the Parcelforce tracking system it is in my local delivery depot (about 50 miles away) and "Prepared for" but not yet "Out for Delivery". I keep checking their website every 10 minutes in spite of knowing that I'll get a text informing me of the delivery window today.

All of this isn't something which folks in this thread would benefit from knowing but I have to share my extreme enthusiasm and excitement somewhere with people who understand being a keen photographer (or gear slut!).

24 hours ago this wasn't even on my horizon - You never know what is around the corner.

Obviously in due course I shall be sharing my thoughts and experiences with it plus a few images. Will my pictures be any better? - Some will and some won't.
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WoOt !!
Fingers firmly crossed for you Rob
 
This is good news Robin ( Ffordes Photographic have been around many years ) I feel sure you will find it to be as good as you can get and one of the best lenses ever made .
I look forward to seeing some shots it really is a lens that offers so much scope .

Rob.
 
Ooh… eagerly anticipating your thoughts Robin.
 
Waiting in anticipation . Don’t go out ,parcelforce website is at best not reliable , do not even go to the toilet .. keep looking out of the window ,here’s hoping
 
the black fox said:
Waiting in anticipation . Don’t go out ,parcelforce website is at best not reliable , do not even go to the toilet .. keep looking out of the window ,here’s hoping
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you got me looking out the window to see if Parcelforce are on the way to Robins :)
Rob.
 
C,mon Robin give us the tracking number so we can all get excited
 
Mike.P said:
Not really interested in Olympus but even I'm excited now.
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.... :D The contagious addiction of photography, eh? "Olympus" is just the label on the drugs bottle.
 
the black fox said:
C,mon Robin give us the tracking number so we can all get excited
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.... And so you can contact Parcelforce and tell them there is a change of delivery address (to Wales?) :LOL:
 
GyRob said:
you got me looking out the window to see if Parcelforce are on the way to Robins :)
Rob.
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.... :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: I literally laughed out loud when I read that!

Fortunately my desk is by a window looking down onto the street, so I usually see them arrive. Plus the Parcelforce App works well on my phone.
 
the black fox said:
Waiting in anticipation . Don’t go out ,parcelforce website is at best not reliable , do not even go to the toilet .. keep looking out of the window ,here’s hoping
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.... :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: Fortunately I have had breakfast and won't need the toilet for a long time. My desk is by my window onto the street and so that's easy. I have been invited to a barbecue later this afternoon so might have to cancel that at this rate.

They are definitely being slow on updating their website's tracking info system today. They even missed out the "Hub" time, so it suddenly went from Perth Scotland at 6:30pm last night to 6:30am in Poole Dorset this morning.

Fforde's email said they sent it via Parcelforce Express 24 and apparently that does deliver on Saturdays.

I'm okay with it arriving on Monday but I want to know if or when I can go out today - I need milk and bread etc. It's back to what we did before online and app tracking systems existed - Like film instead of digital.
 
Sootchucker said:
Ooh… eagerly anticipating your thoughts Robin.
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.... So am I !!!:D

Do you or anyone remember who already has the Oly 150-400mm in this thread?
 
RedRobin said:
.... So am I !!!:D

Do you or anyone remember who already has the Oly 150-400mm in this thread?
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I don't think anyone has it here Robin I wanted it but Olympus were just to slow to get it out and to slow with the bird AI update hence my move to Sony for the AF system .
Rob.
 
GyRob said:
I don't think anyone has it here Robin I wanted it but Olympus were just to slow to get it out and to slow with the bird AI update hence my move to Sony for the AF system .
Rob.
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.... I think I remember you considering it. By all accounts the Sony system is excellent being full-frame as well. It's relatively expensive (their best lenses) but there's no such thing as the perfect camera/lens!

I wonder how many sales Olympus have lost due to their massive delays in supply - I recall that the MC-20 Teleconverter was not available for months after the first batch. It has been the same with the Oly ED 100-400mm too! I got lucky and found the last MC-20 a supplier had in stock (rather like 'my' 150-400mm when it comes) but a well established and very successful professional wildlife and landscape photographer friend seriously considered changing from Canon to Olympus because he travels internationally (pre covid) most of the year and he told me that he couldn't invest in any camera system which had supply or replacement issues.
 
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Ajophotog said:
Cant wait to see the results from the lens when it arrives Robin, I have just purchased a new 20x75x85mm spotting scope, I'm going to try out some digiscoping with the Olympus.
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Ajophotog said:
Not expecting great things from myself but I am from you and your new lens Matey ;)
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..... No pressure then!! :D

I am expecting my best efforts to improve but I know there'll also be some results which aren't any better. It's the same when I compare my best Canon images (1DX-2 + EF 500mm II) with my best Olympus images. The key is to forget which camera system and get the best out of whichever gear you've got as long as you enjoy using it. I love the Canon results I got but prefer the Olympus physically and its very innovative and comprehensive features. Olympus weatherproofing is a massive bonus for me.
 
Ajophotog said:
Cant wait to see the results from the lens when it arrives Robin, I have just purchased a new 20x75x85mm spotting scope, I'm going to try out some digiscoping with the Olympus. Not expecting great things from myself but I am from you and your new lens Matey ;)
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Just aquired a scope myself had a few previously and found them iffy for specs users , gone for a 100mm objective this time to let more light in
 
the black fox said:
Waiting in anticipation . Don’t go out ,parcelforce website is at best not reliable , do not even go to the toilet .. keep looking out of the window ,here’s hoping
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.... I am still at my desk by the window (post-processing some images) but as it's nearly 3:00pm and nothing on the tracker beyond Prepared for Delivery at 6:30am, I am not expecting delivery to happen today. So much for Parcelforce Express 24 saying they deliver Saturdays.

Still, I have just upgraded my M1X Firmware to 2.2.
 
Robin

There are few folk on DPReview who have reported getting the 150-400mm, mostly USA, some Aus/NZ and a few EU.

Mike in this thread is the only one I recall(?) reporting that they have theirs and also the only one(so far?) who has posted about doing a MFA on the lens.


Focus Adjustment on 150-400mm F4.5: Micro Four Thirds Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums.
www.dpreview.com www.dpreview.com

PS roll on your delivery :)

PPS I think that even a 24 hour express by RM or PF needs to explicitly state a Saturday delivery i e 24hour Express & Saturday Delivery.
 
@RedRobin

Robin

In regard to M1X firmware v2.2, as I read it the update is to fix an issue when using video and thus for non video usage seems unimportant. So, did you find any stills based improvements and possibly more importantly.....did the update process (properly?) reload/retain all your custom settings???
 
I definetly would be p***ed if I spent 6.5k then needed to do a focus adjustment , , yeah fine on a cheapy lens but not on a high spec one
 
the black fox said:
I definetly would be p***ed if I spent 6.5k then needed to do a focus adjustment , , yeah fine on a cheapy lens but not on a high spec one
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I wonder if with the likes of Nikon, Canon, Sony etc ........are bang on "out of the box" 100% of the time with all bodies or do some folk have to MFA sometimes with their 600mm and 800mm lenses i.e. >£6000 premium grade lens???
 

Box Brownie said:
I wonder if with the likes of Nikon, Canon, Sony etc ........are bang on "out of the box" 100% of the time with all bodies or do some folk have to MFA sometimes with their 600mm and 800mm lenses i.e. >£6000 premium grade lens???
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Not had to do my FE 600F4 or any of my Sony lenses i check them about every 6 months S-AF and CAF .
Rob.
 
Ajophotog said:
What have you gone for Jeff? I got the Hawke Endurance ED 25-75x85.
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accuter ST22 its 22x67 x100. mainly for the owls on the marsh in winter as they can be a mile or more out at times
 
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Box Brownie said:
I wonder if with the likes of Nikon, Canon, Sony etc ........are bang on "out of the box" 100% of the time with all bodies or do some folk have to MFA sometimes with their 600mm and 800mm lenses i.e. >£6000 premium grade lens???
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that should really only apply to lenses fitted to DSLR bodies ,your not supposed to need it with native lenses on mirrorless .. I also do wonder if some of the u.s.a reports are really truthful
 
the black fox said:
that should really only apply to lenses fitted to DSLR bodies ,your not supposed to need it with native lenses on mirrorless .. I also do wonder if some of the u.s.a reports are really truthful
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the black fox said:
that should really only apply to lenses fitted to DSLR bodies ,your not supposed to need it with native lenses on mirrorless .. I also do wonder if some of the u.s.a reports are really truthful
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Fair point re dSLR compared to Mirrorless in regard to MFA....

But what are you referring to about USA reports as truthfulness or otherwise???
 
Box Brownie said:
Fair point re dSLR compared to Mirrorless in regard to MFA....

But what are you referring to about USA reports as truthfulness or otherwise???
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I often suspect that some posts are not written by actual olympus owners or users and are sometimes done to put off buyers .. either that or some of the writers are just waffling away to give a sense of self importance ..i.e try inputting some of the amazing menu programs that some allegedly use .. you will soon switch back to your old ones .. I even have the T-shirt to go with it . these days I work on the K.I.S.S principal it works
 
the black fox said:
I often suspect that some posts are not written by actual olympus owners or users and are sometimes done to put off buyers .. either that or some of the writers are just waffling away to give a sense of self importance ..i.e try inputting some of the amazing menu programs that some allegedly use .. you will soon switch back to your old ones .. I even have the T-shirt to go with it . these days I work on the K.I.S.S principal it works
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I take your point and personally will take setting suggestions with a pinch of salt......if only on the basis that some settings choices can be "user/usage" effected i e. what works for one may not be so suitable for someone else.

However, in regard to the 150-400mm lens the proof of the pudding is very much in the eating and if those that I have seen who eventually got their copies, to date AFAIK, it is only Mike who has reported the need for some MFA to be applied. Mike is an experienced Olympus user and reading the USA and Aussie users posts they also seem to be quite experienced.
 
Box Brownie said:
@RedRobin

Robin

In regard to M1X firmware v2.2, as I read it the update is to fix an issue when using video and thus for non video usage seems unimportant. So, did you find any stills based improvements and possibly more importantly.....did the update process (properly?) reload/retain all your custom settings???
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.... I haven't shot any stills images yet since updating the firmware.

My custom settings were saved in Workspace and then reloaded after the update. So far so good,
 
RedRobin said:
.... I haven't shot any stills images yet since updating the firmware.

My custom settings were saved in Workspace and then reloaded after the update. So far so good,
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Thanks for the insights :)

PS hopefully your 150-400mm delivery will come on Monday :D..........images to follow ;)
 
So Saturday was a fault's alarm - hopefully Monday it's a bit like a pregnancy this lol

Rob.
 
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