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

I think that lens has been out of stock at Cotswold for a little while now (unless you have spoken to them and they think they can get you one).

I agree it's a good price and a stunning lens, but I promised myself no more expensive photography related purchases for the rest of this year now, especially micro four thirds, even though I was recently thinking of getting an OM-1 MK11 body, I don't think that's on the cards for me now. I'm not sure how long I'll be keeping my system as I tend to shoot Nikon Z full frame most of the time now (but I do love my OM1, and the system does have a somewhat sentimental attachment for me).
 
peat said:
I might be preaching to the choir here but if anyone is like me and is thinking about the 150-400mm from the 300mm f4 then this rambling post might be for you :)

Ive had the 300mm f4 for just over 2 years and love it to death. The sharpness has always blown me away especially in such a small package (I came from the Canon 500mmf4). I never really got upset with the locked focal length making me miss shots like when a Dragonfly would land too close etc but one thing that always niggled was when going out whether to put the tc on or not. It was always a decision to make. Yes I can add or remove in the field but if getting a bird or insect in an instant you don't have time for that.
I never considered I could get the 150-400 due to the cost but also always assumed it could never match the sharpness of the 300 since that is a prime. Even as much as all the youtubers would say its really sharp and amazing etc. Its hard nowadays to work out who is a brand ambassador or who would dare to say something different to everyone else and look potentially like an idiot.
But suddenly I noticed the lens is 4999 on Cotswolds. Selling on the 300mm would bring the lens price down to something that isnt so eye watering for me. But I am risk averse and pretty sceptical so decided to hire one from lenspimp for 7 days. I really wanted to know how is the weight when on the shoulder as i walk a ton with my lens over my shoulder. I also wanted to see the sharpness for myself, is the IS any better, is the AF any better etc?

Anyways it came today and of course the weather is dreadful but i got to use it on my lunch break in the garden. Even in dreadful light I am pretty shocked by just how sharp it is and how nice the bokeh is. I even tried some mad way off shots of a greenfinch with the inbuilt tc on just to see. Shots I would never even think of with my 300 + 1.4. The versatility has impressed me too. Going from getting a stunning sharp shot of my dog at 163mm (lens ring moved) right out to videoing a goldfinch way away in a tree handheld with the 1.25tc engaged and the inbuilt tc on as well and getting something more than usable.
So far it feels to me (compared to the 300mm bare) the bokeh is better, the AF is quicker, the IS seems similar but that is impressive since its longer and I currently feel like its sharper than the 300mm bare, the 1.25 tc on absolutely blows away the 300mm + 1.4tc imo. But it will be interesting to see what happens if I get any sun.
I will hold off my final judgement till after saturday when i can get out and walk with it but after just 40mins using it I have gone from hmmmm i probably wont as its a lot of money to the CC card is in hand.
Dog was 163mm at f4.5 iso 2000
Greenfinch was 500mm at f4.5 iso 2000 (and was way off)
Handheld video of a goldfinch. with 1.25tc engaged and halfway through i turn on the inbody tc https://streamable.com/bzail1

Just noticed the photos uploaded are way softer than the ogs. Prob cus i havent used flickr. :(
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How much sharper is it though? i hear this but often the differences are so often
indistinguishable without pixel peeping. Not saying you're wrong of course just curious as lenses are generally pretty sharp nowadays anyway
 
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pete 1 said:
How much sharper is it though? i hear this but often the differences are so often
indistinguishable without pixel peeping. Not saying you're wrong of course just curious as lenses are generally pretty sharp nowadays anyway




https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=4a6a8a0f9655352e&rlz=1C1SQJL_enGB932GB932&sxsrf=AE3TifPTotPb-SFGZ4N2Tjmt-vZISrzK-g:1760632064091&q=indistinguishable+meaning&si=AMgyJEukIw2ultp8BT4X8IinVtpBzVbQtYqlChMbqbKrUCXA3ldbM4fedHlL5AphIKWzqHL0DUsvuXtTTzEiP7CQ-Y3DbwxPW102Zb7v51AMb63TWlEBHu-_oX1HYNREJewQNnwc7NpJg27KQtILiQwl9MXQbOsILriamZdA3yLhnOteuNsNfKc=&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwijsIrGkamQAxW6XEEAHR9cD88QyNoBKAB6BAgZEAA&ictx=1
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yeah thats the problem isnt it. I was sceptical about it being sharper. But when i have chimped after a photo im straight away going woah. Maybe its better AF or IS that makes the sharpness stand out rather than glass quality. Im not sure, but shots just seem sharper. From the little time I have had with it so far.
 
om1 mkii + 150-400mm. Was at 400mm f4.5. This is cropped by half i reckon. iso 1600. Im still trying to find the best sharpening settings in lightroom. Ive always applied a small amount before going to photoshop for my 300mm and way higher on lenses before that but i had to do 0 on this or it oversharpened.... :O
Robin, Isle of Man by Pete, on Flickr
 
Sorry for the posts. I think i am sold though and its probably on this shot of a dunnock. It wasnt close. I had the 1.25tc on, light was dreadful (iso 4000), the background is busy yet still its sharp, AF is spot on, the bokeh for the busy background i feel is better than how the 300 would have done it.
Dunnock, Isle of Man by Pete, on Flickr
 
peat said:
Last one I promise. :) This was at the closest focus with the 1.25tc engaged. The versatility is really impressive, I cant deny that. Iso 3200

Wasp, Isle of Man by Pete, on Flickr
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Pretty impressive i must say, will you stop now. You're doing my gas problem no good whatsover. I'm off to Tanzania in feb i was thinking of the 150-600 for that reach but you've just put a spanner in the works:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
So I am probably going to get another Olympus as my ‘modern camera’.
My day to day is still my older Fuji. But I like to have a camera that will give me a few more modern features if required.

I have had e-m1 mk3’s before, but the price difference between 2nd hand mk3’s and a mk1 OM-1 is now only about £200.

I have never had any issues with the mk3, but for the extra £200 I can get the newer camera, so does seem a bit of a no brainer.

Would you guys go for the OM-1 for that small difference ? I need to add a lens or two from what I will sell my xt50 for.

I can probably get an OM-1 and 12-45/4 for about £1100 to start with.
 
OM3, OM17mm Mk2, f2.2, uncropped, natural light.

Fungii by Stephen Lee, on Flickr
 
jerry12953 said:
Does anyone know if OM Systems will still send you a paper manual for a new body if you ask nicely? I've emailed customer services but I may have to wait five days for a reply.
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Don't think so, but I have used these people in the past. Link
 
jerry12953 said:
Does anyone know if OM Systems will still send you a paper manual for a new body if you ask nicely? I've emailed customer services but I may have to wait five days for a reply.
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Sadly not, I have gotten manuals FoC from them up until the OM1.
Stephen L said:
Don't think so, but I have used these people in the past. Link
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And another with the 17mm. Really impressed with this lens, and it suits the OM3. PS OOC jpeg in mono mode.

Worm gear by Stephen Lee, on Flickr
 
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jerry12953 said:
Does anyone know if OM Systems will still send you a paper manual for a new body if you ask nicely? I've emailed customer services but I may have to wait five days for a reply.
Click to expand...

Stephen L said:
Don't think so, but I have used these people in the past. Link
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Thanks for the replies. I won't keep my hopes up.
 
Sorry I might spam a few shots from today. I had had no luck all afternoon with where I chose to go so in the end just sat on a beach down south of the island. Amazingly the sun peaked out! and then a Wheatear popped up right in front of me. Talk about a big pile of luck. and the biggest luck of all was having the 150-400 in my hand at that second. This is easily my best wheatear photo in 22 years taking wildlife photos. I am absolutely over the moon with this. at 400mm at f6.3

Northern Wheatear, Isle of Man by Pete, on Flickr
 
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Will only spam twice :).

This was Rock Pipit with the inbuilt TC engaged (500mm). I keep flip flopping between deciding if the 400+inbuilt tc is sharper than the 300mm with 1.4tc. I think its close on that front.
Im quite positive the 400mm end is sharper than the bare 300mm. By eye it looked like it but then by the fact i need to do zero sharpening in lightroom to the 400mm shots.

Rock Pipit, Isle of Man by Pete, on Flickr
 
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My last full day with the rental 150-400 :( So bit of spamming incoming but then wont be much from me as i will be depressed waiting for my grey import to arrive :LOL:

This Chough came too close so i had to zoom out! Nice to need to use that side of the lens. I really really wish it had indents on the 400mm though even just a little one. Im sure Ill get the hang of checking but i missed a few today where i went to shoot and found i had shot at like 250mm and not 400mm.

Chough, Isle of Man by Pete, on Flickr
 
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As of about an hour ago, I’m now 100% OM-System only. I’m running 2x Om-3, 1 with a zoom or two and the other with my primes. Both in my bag ready to go. Using an Om-5 for edc use and when I’m at work with a couple of primes. All fit into a small Domke f6 with batteries and weigh less than the om1 with the big zoom and its gubbins.

Sold all of my Fuji, Sigma gear and even my om1 ii and big lenses. Even sold my beloved but massive zf.
 
bumper said:
As of about an hour ago, I’m now 100% OM-System only. I’m running 2x Om-3, 1 with a zoom or two and the other with my primes. Both in my bag ready to go. Using an Om-5 for edc use and when I’m at work with a couple of primes. All fit into a small Domke f6 with batteries and weigh less than the om1 with the big zoom and its gubbins.

Sold all of my Fuji, Sigma gear and even my om1 ii and big lenses. Even sold my beloved but massive zf.
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Good to hear. Is the OM5 the Mk1 or Mk2? I moved back to m4/3 from the ZF also. Lovely camera, but with the lenses quite a weight. When I use primes on my OM3 I tend to go bagless, and carry a couple of spare primes in my pockets.
 
Stephen L said:
Good to hear. Is the OM5 the Mk1 or Mk2? I moved back to m4/3 from the ZF also. Lovely camera, but with the lenses quite a weight. When I use primes on my OM3 I tend to go bagless, and carry a couple of spare primes in my pockets.
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It’s the mk1 om5. It was a good price new and didn’t want to pay £600 more for usbc.

I often just use the Om-3 on a peak leash. I know carrying a camera on a neck strap isn’t fashionable these days, but I don’t envy people lugging 20kg backpacks!
I’ve only saved my tripod for the handful of times a year it may be used.
 
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