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

@bl0at3r Number 2 stood out to me also.
@damianmkv I like that pic.


bl0at3r said:
Have owned a number of P20s and used the lens a lot on Olympus bodies (EM5s and an EM1) and I never saw CA.

You've mentioned the slightly slower AF and the potential for banding at high ISO but this never bothered me and the latter I didn't really see anyway as I limit high ISO use to 3200/6400.

It is a truly special lens and I am currently waiting patiently for another one to come up for sale to use on my E-M5 Mk2 so I can be reunited with its qualities - size, sharpness and bokeh.

And yes, with IBIS it is even better :)
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Thanks for the info. I guess I needn't worry. I'm hoping I don't find the Olympus bodies too less ergonomically thought out over my Panasonic G2, which is a common complaint I hear. i.e. Menu layout and buttons. I guess there is always the G6/G7 as an upgrade for me, but I really want IBIS and I don't think the new G7 will have it.
 
For me the issue with Oly isn't the menu system or button layout, it's that they are so customisable there are so many options on how to set it up which can be a little bewildering. There are some shortcomings though - I'd like to be able to assign a button to spot metering, for example, which I don't think you can do (or at least I can't find it!).

Also, there is the random behaviour whereby changing one setting somewhere (that you might not even know you've changed) disables or alters some other choices and it takes an age to figure out what :lol:
 
damianmkv said:
My issue with PP is entirely my fault as I'm no good at it.
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It seems half love PP and half hate all the messing around and get really frustrated. It's not for everyone.
I guess now I have a wifi camera, art filters mean you can send fancy pictures straight from the camera. But I still remain an art filter snob.
clicktor said:
I'm hoping I don't find the Olympus bodies too less ergonomically thought out over my Panasonic G2, which is a common complaint I hear. i.e. Menu layout and buttons.
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The EM5i had serious ergonomic problems. But since the EM1 and newer, shooting with the OMD cameras is not bad. The menus are generally OK. But still have a few small but stupid things. Like using or saving Mysets is unclear. Or toggle options that put you in a sub menu with just ON and OFF.
The worst, is a problem that many cameras have, and that is when you need to change values, like ISO or shutter speed you sometimes need to click or ratchet through 10 or more values to get to the chosen value. With ISO I'd like to define favourite values. So I could go straight to them. In my case 200, 3200 and Auto. Better use of the touch screen would speed that up. Press ISO, then tap the value on the screen you want. Done.
If you get used to these things it still doesn't excuse them. I have high expectations. But at these prices I expect them to have high expectations from their ergonomics professionals too.
 
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Whilst I agree there could be better use of the touch screen or direct access shortcuts, it really isn't that much of a slog to change ISO is it? Click OK to bring up the SCP, tap the touchscreen ISO box and click OK, then select your ISO speed. Hardly onerous IMO.
 
Which is 16 clicks to get there and another 16 to get back. If you want to go from AUTO to 3200 when it could be done with just 2 clicks.
 
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ianp5a said:
It seems half love PP and half hate all the messing around and get really frustrated. It's not for everyone.
I guess now I have a wifi camera, art filters mean you can send fancy pictures straight from the camera. But I still remain an art filter snob.
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It may be related to how we used film cameras (for those old enough to have started with film). I used slides so there was no post-processing and I want to use digital cameras in the same way. I try to take the shot as I see it and have no interest in fiddling with it afterwards.
 
I sometimes cropped slides with silver foil, and spent a lot of time in the darkroom with an enlarger or retouching. Which is thankfully much easier on a PC. As well as panorama, HDR, and artwork. I like having no pressure to make decisions and try out different things at my leisure.
sdb123 said:
Save your fingers then and set your Auto ISO to max out at 3200.
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Then I can't switch between a high ISO and a low ISO any more. And changing the auto ISO limit is still 10 clicks.
 
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ianp5a said:
Then I can't switch between a high ISO and a low ISO any more. And changing the auto ISO limit is still 10 clicks.
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I was being sarcastic! :)

Instead of clicking the direction button on the ISO screen, why not rotate the rear dial to the desired ISO setting? That's a lot quicker.
 
i think i have mine set on auto ISO with a max of 4000.
 
In low light for example, I'll be switching between a tripod (200 or Auto), and hand held with 3200 or higher. This is something I will deliberately set. I'm not going to use ISO 4000 on the tripod.
sdb123 said:
Instead of clicking the direction button on the ISO screen, why not rotate the rear dial to the desired ISO setting? That's a lot quicker.
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The rear dial is not much better. You either go carefully click for click through. Or you twist away really quickly. But then you will invariably go past the chosen setting or stop short. So you still have go click for click at the end to get the chosen value. It's not as quick as a dedicated ISO dial like on the OM-1. Or as quick as using the touch screen properly. Or put your favourites together on the ISO dial.

View attachment 37284
 
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due to lack of use I've just sold my Nikon D610, but low and behold i'm just been asked to informally take some photo's at my wifes gran/granddads anniversary party in Nov :nailbiting:

Problem is, I've had to try and get to grips with both camera's, but never really managed to get to grips with either. Now I can focus on the Olympus and we can be friends again.

Now I would have been happy to do this with the d610, but now left with my E-M10 i'm a bit nervous. I have the 45mm f1.8 lens and the 12-42mm kit lens. While I have plenty time to concentrate solely of the E-M10 unitl Nov and get to grips with the camera again, I was wondering if I could use some of my gains from the sale of the Nikon to add a flash and or another lens.

What do you guys think or recommend for indoor venue candid/formal shots? I'm going to assume dreadful ambient lighting!
 
ianp5a said:
I sometimes cropped slides with silver foil, and spent a lot of time in the darkroom with an enlarger or retouching. Which is thankfully much easier on a PC. As well as panorama, HDR, and artwork. I like having no pressure to make decisions and try out different things at my leisure.

Then I can't switch between a high ISO and a low ISO any more. And changing the auto ISO limit is still 10 clicks.
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Or 2 touch screen presses!
 
Yes. You will pay the price shown at the time of order
 
Lenses
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8 (£30 bonus),
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9‐18mm 1:4.0‐5.6 (£120 bonus),
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75‐300mm 1:4.8‐6.7 II (£100 bonus),
M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14‐150mm 1:4.0‐5.6 II (£120 bonus),
Cameras:
OM-D E-M10 (£75 bonus).
 
seventythree said:
due to lack of use I've just sold my Nikon D610, but low and behold i'm just been asked to informally take some photo's at my wifes gran/granddads anniversary party in Nov :nailbiting:

Problem is, I've had to try and get to grips with both camera's, but never really managed to get to grips with either. Now I can focus on the Olympus and we can be friends again.

Now I would have been happy to do this with the d610, but now left with my E-M10 i'm a bit nervous. I have the 45mm f1.8 lens and the 12-42mm kit lens. While I have plenty time to concentrate solely of the E-M10 unitl Nov and get to grips with the camera again, I was wondering if I could use some of my gains from the sale of the Nikon to add a flash and or another lens.

What do you guys think or recommend for indoor venue candid/formal shots? I'm going to assume dreadful ambient lighting!
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I have the 45mm lens. Fantastic lens. Next on my buy list is the 75mm. This would be ideal for candid and portrait shots especially for family events like you speak of in low light. Slight problem is the price...currently around £650 and not part of any cashback deals.
Also noticed the price of the EM10 has gone up at UK digital since the cash back deals. Bit cheeky that.
 
bl0at3r said:
Thanks Marcia, yes I really like it - but won't commit to it being a keeper just yet :)
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Glad to hear you're not being too hasty Alan! However hearing you admit to really liking it makes me want to try it out for myself! :)
 
Rapscallion said:
Think I will edit to slightly lighten the dark greens.
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While you're at it, perhaps think about lightening the top left corner a bit? looks like the polariser-on-a-wide-angle-lens or vignette effects might have made it appear a tad unnatural for the middle of the day? Great shot though, like it.
 
Xenon54 said:
While you're at it, perhaps think about lightening the top left corner a bit? looks like the polariser-on-a-wide-angle-lens or vignette effects might have made it appear a tad unnatural for the middle of the day? Great shot though, like it.
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I think I may keep the crop, but use a grad filter in lightroom to fix the corner darkening and also review the post crop vignette (I'm a sucker for those!). I'll post an updated one over the weekend, and some more shots from that day.
 
You could try darkening slightly the foreground field in the lower right and see how it looks as if in shadow.

Really nice image though as it leads in from the lower left and back to the centre.
 
wellyboot said:
Glad to hear you're not being too hasty Alan! However hearing you admit to really liking it makes me want to try it out for myself! :)
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I always liked the E-M5 - ever since I bought my first one on release day. Then I had a paddy and sold all my gear, then I bought another E-M5, rinse and repeat.

I didn't really get on at all with the larger E-M1.

They really have thought about subtle improvements and it even seems they have listened to feedback. Not revolutionary, but really well refined now. Paired with the 12-40 it really does shine and I'm sure with a couple of fast sharp primes it will do equally as well.

Maybe I'm getting old, but I've not thought about selling it once (y)
 
bl0at3r said:
I always liked the E-M5 - ever since I bought my first one on release day. Then I had a paddy and sold all my gear, then I bought another E-M5, rinse and repeat.

I didn't really get on at all with the larger E-M1.

They really have thought about subtle improvements and it even seems they have listened to feedback. Not revolutionary, but really well refined now. Paired with the 12-40 it really does shine and I'm sure with a couple of fast sharp primes it will do equally as well.

Maybe I'm getting old, but I've not thought about selling it once (y)
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High praise from you indeed Alan! Hopefully you'll still feel like that months and years down the line! With the new lenses Olympus are producing, all bases are beginning to be covered.
I am looking forward to the release of the 300 f4! Now I wonder how much that will be?
 
Thanks very much - it comes to something when my only subject matter is dandelions
 
well the darn olympus has put me in a quandry!. was going to get a tamron 150-600 for my canon ( i have budget of around £600 coming in 4 weeks and can get one for that secondhand ). then due to a discussion elewhere and some consequent research i could get the zuiko 75-300 for around £320 leaving me 280 for a secondhand oly ( think i could get an em-5 for that looking around on ebay with some luck ). know very little about the oly's so no idea what the em5 is like compared to what i see around being the em5 mk 2. the em1 is clearly out of price range and i assume the em10 is older and not as good as the em5.
so now im stuck.. do i get a big ass heavy tamron for my current canon system or buy a second hand om-d and new 75-300 lens ( equiv focal range being the same as the tamron 150-600! ) damn you olympus for releasing that lens!
 
I wouldn't assume the em10 is worse than the em5, snapsort has the 10 as the winner. Both have pros and cons, depending on what your requirements are

Hdew has the 5 at £315 but with the cash back at the moment, you can get the 10 for about £10 more
 
i assumed the number sequence of models related to the level of the camera ( lower number better camera. seems odd though looking at side by side comparison the em10 has version 7 processor the em5 version 6, and apart from a slighty faster 10fps on the em5 and slightly more WB presets the em10 has more focus points, more bracketing + 5 v + 3.
does seem not much between them
 
You can get both the E-M10 & 75-300 MKII on the summer cashback deal for very reasonable money...the only thing I would suggest is get the grip for the E-M10 as it transforms the handling.
 
The 5 is older ( hence the mk11 version now ) so the 10 has the newer processor. TBH, I doubt anyone could tell the photos apart.

When I had the 10 and the 75-300, it felt a little front heavy. Not majorly and I could still shoot using 1 hand but a grip helps
 
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