I read somewhere on another forum about a stock agency that had set a minimum pixel count criteria that would exclude anything that Oly offer. Also, some pros rely on lens rental arrangements where Canon and Nikon are the only realistic choice. Other professional outfits are no doubt predicated on certain lens mounts.
That's not to say that there is anything inferior about Olympus cameras and lenses. Just the commercial realities.
Funny, because if megapixel count is the criteria, all the Nikons would be excluded minus the D3x as well. I can rent Oly glass pretty easily as well... even easier for those in Canada.
I don't think its uncommon for the various stock agencies to set certain arbitrary standards on the images they'll accept. If you're an Olympus shooter, it's probably best to avoid those agencies that specify a higher pixel count than 12MP (though why any of them would specify anything over 10MP - more than good enough for a full page spread in a glossy, is beyond me).
What do you think about Olympus 4/3 camera? What's your impression of OM's camera? Not that professional comparing with Nikon and Canon? I really wonder...
Its a great time to be a photographer. There are alot of really great choices, and there are not really bad choices.
I'm invested in Olympus and I'm quite pleased. The reason I got started with them was they offered great kit lenses for a very reasonable price. The reason I've stuck with them (ie: spent a load of money) is because I love their glass. I'm not talking against anyone elses kit, but its hard to find a bad Oly lens.
As a side benefit, I've not yet cleaned a sensor. I have the E-3 and I don't even bother to cover it up when it rains and I have yet to send a single thing in for service.
The top Nikon and Canon offerings dust my system for C-Af and the full frame offerings offer much better low-light performance, but Oly does well for most of my shooting.
I can shoot from 7mm - 600mm (EFL 14mm - 1200mm) and I wouldn't want to carry the kit with the big sensors, so it has its place with me and my use.
I read somewhere on another forum about a stock agency that had set a minimum pixel count criteria that would exclude anything that Oly offer. Also, some pros rely on lens rental arrangements where Canon and Nikon are the only realistic choice. Other professional outfits are no doubt predicated on certain lens mounts.
That's not to say that there is anything inferior about Olympus cameras and lenses. Just the commercial realities.
That might have been true awhile back but now they have 12MP models and if that is not the standard than the D2x, D3, D700, D300 etc. wouldn't be accepted.
Also I know many accept images from the Fuji S5 Pro so Olympus shots should be no issue.
Now as to Olympus's advantages for pros they have 2 very key ones.
1) Durability, you can do anything to a E-3 and it will keep on going. Additionally dirt on t sensor is not much of a worry due to the smaller opening/SSWF.
2) Telephoto, since they have a 2x crop factor you can have much longer reaching lenses that are more compact.
Well, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't lust after the SHG 35-100 f/2 (she will be mine. Oh yes, she will be mine). Same field of view and DoF of a 70-200 @ f/4 on a full frame... but two stops lower ISO
it doesn't actually let any more light in, the aperture is the same physical size after all. It's just that the light is focussed on a smaller sensor. A d700 can go to very high iso if required.
it doesn't actually let any more light in, the aperture is the same physical size after all. It's just that the light is focussed on a smaller sensor. A d700 can go to very high iso if required.
... but the end result is still the same, that's why f-stop is a ratio ... now that I think about it, my 50mm f/1.4 OM lens is still a f/1.4 on my E-620.
My laser pointer is brighter than the sun, for example, although it produces less photons.
I can run f/2 with that lens @ ISO 200 with the same DoF, angle of view and shutter speed as a D700 can run with ISO 800 @ f/4 using the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G ED VRII. Let's assume that noise levels are on par in this comparison.
The big plus is that although I will spend around $150 US more on the lens, I spend $2000 US less on the body (E-30). Assuming the next Oly pro body comes out soon and has a similar release price as the E-3, then it's still $1500 US less than the D700.
All these points, however, are moot. The only thing that matters is the end result. Leica, Panasonic, Canon, Olympus, Hasselblad, Nikon, etc, etc, etc... Use what you like.
I'm a fan of the Oly E-PL1. It's got great features and is inexpensive. I use it with the Panasonic 20 1.7. I chose it over the Panasonic body because it has much better straight out of camera JPGs. After all, when I'm carrying the E-PL1, I'm doing it to avoid fuss.
The pictures are amazing, and the recent reviews show great low noise capability.
Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
~ Gear Pictures
I'm a fan of the Oly E-PL1. It's got great features and is inexpensive. I use it with the Panasonic 20 1.7...
I'm curious to hear more about your experience with this camera-lens combination.
Is it reasonably easy to put and use this camera in Aperture Priority mode? And how is it in terms of fiddling with manual settings? Also, how well does the AF work? And finally...how is the manual focus mode?
I'm curious to hear more about your experience with this camera-lens combination.
Is it reasonably easy to put and use this camera in Aperture Priority mode? And how is it in terms of fiddling with manual settings? Also, how well does the AF work? And finally...how is the manual focus mode?
Quite a bit of questions.
I love the combination. That lens gives me images and quality I am used to on my regular DSLR.
Aperture, Shutter, and Manual modes are fairly easy. I wish it had wheels because buttons are slower to use. Anyways, you turn the mode dial to aperture, press a button on the back (+/-), then press up or down to change the aperture and press left or right to change the compensation. It pretty much works the same for shutter and manual.
Auto-focus works great but slower than a DSLR, it's more like a point and shoot. So half-press shutter pre-focus techniques become important. It hits the mark accurately but I do have problems with subjects moving toward me or away from me. But there is a chance I just didn't put it in the right mode.
Manual focus is very controlled to me. Not what I am use to on a DSLR. It's kinda like driving one of those automatic cars with the ability to manually shift. It's not as responsive as a true manual. That being said, I like that it can digital zoom while manually focusing to help with it. DSLRs can't do that.
Summary:
If you need speed, get a DSLR.
If you want something small but with DSLR quality get the E-PL1.
I have both, If I'm working I use the DSLR. If I'm out having fun, I take the E-PL1.
John
Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
~ Gear Pictures
Whatever the technical merits, the bottom line is that 4/3 cameras are potentially smaller and lighter, but with worse high ISO (low light) performance.
While the high ISO noise is slightly worse in the smaller sensors, it's nearly indistinguishable to the non-pixel peepers. Also, in prints 8X10 and smaller noise nearly identicle across the board. A final note on this aspect is that this argument is so far removed from the current offerings that it's moot. The size of the sensor is really becoming irrelevant. Take a peek at the new Oly pens. At ISO 3200 (E-PL1), it fairs much better than the Nikon D3000 in both detail retention and noise performance. Food for thought.
What you do need to keep in mind is that when compared to any crop sensor, the current offerings (from at least Olympus) lines up with the competition. Even at ISO 3200. Nikon is still the best at lack of high-ISO noise, but only marginally (D3000 is worse than the E-PL1, however). The 4/3 cameras were never meant to compete with full-frame cameras. That is both reflected in the size and price.
They also produce images with a 4:3 aspect ratio, not the 3:2 aspect ratio used by other DSLRs. Most 4/3 DSLRs do have a 3:2 ratio image option that cuts off the top and bottom of the image.
... and respectively, the 3:2 sensors have an option for a 4:3 ratio that cuts off the sides
Olympus (and 4/3 partners Panasonic and Samsung) have bet on a 2x crop image sensor standard that is about 60 percent the size of the 1.6x and 1.5x crop sensors used by Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax.
Olympus over larger image sensors. Canon, Nikon and Sony not only disagree but have doubled-down with 1x full frame DSLRs that have an image sensor 3.6 times the size of a 4/3 sensor.
Whatever the technical merits, the bottom line is that 4/3 cameras are potentially smaller and lighter, but with worse high ISO (low light) performance. They also produce images with a 4:3 aspect ratio, not the 3:2 aspect ratio used by other DSLRs. Most 4/3 DSLRs do have a 3:2 ratio image option that cuts off the top and bottom of the image.
Factually inaccurate on a number of points.
And are you saying that a 3:2 aspect ratio is somehow better, just because Canon Nikon Sony and Pentax use that format in their DSLRs?
Olympus came to the DSLR world with a blank spec sheet, not having a line of legacy lenses based on 35mm film bodies with AF. They went with the FourThirds format for better or worse.
Olympus (and 4/3 partners Panasonic and Samsung) have bet on a 2x crop image sensor standard that is about 60 percent the size of the 1.6x and 1.5x crop sensors used by Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax.
Olympus over larger image sensors. Canon, Nikon and Sony not only disagree but have doubled-down with 1x full frame DSLRs that have an image sensor 3.6 times the size of a 4/3 sensor.
Whatever the technical merits, the bottom line is that 4/3 cameras are potentially smaller and lighter, but with worse high ISO (low light) performance. They also produce images with a 4:3 aspect ratio, not the 3:2 aspect ratio used by other DSLRs. Most 4/3 DSLRs do have a 3:2 ratio image option that cuts off the top and bottom of the image.
If all other things were equal, yes smaller denser sensors will have higher noise. But there are so many other factors in noise performance. The E-PL1 as tested by DPReview shows very good noise performance, even edging out the Nikon as mentioned above.
Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
~ Gear Pictures
Considering the same! I'm trying to decide on the E-P2 vs the E-PL1... Not sure the E-P2 is worth the extra $$$.
More than style or build quality, I think the lack of a dial on the E-PL1 would start to annoy me after awhile, unless I was shooting legacy glass with the aperture dial right on the lens.
Considering the same! I'm trying to decide on the E-P2 vs the E-PL1... Not sure the E-P2 is worth the extra $$$.
I got the EPL-1 and I kind of wish I'd gone the E-P2. The lack of dial(s) makes it more of a pain making aperture changes, PLUS the excelllent viewfinder is included with the E-P2 and the back LCD leaves something to be desired IMHO.
You miss out on the popup flash on the E-P2 if that's a concern.
In any circumstance the little Panny 20 f1.7 is a sweet little lens that makes the camera. I also have an adapter for the 40-150 kit lens that makes a really light weight hiking cam.
This (ZD 300 f2.8/EC-20 teleconverter) is a bit of overkill
I got the EPL-1 and I kind of wish I'd gone the E-P2. The lack of dial(s) makes it more of a pain making aperture changes, PLUS the excelllent viewfinder is included with the E-P2 and the back LCD leaves something to be desired IMHO.
You miss out on the popup flash on the E-P2 if that's a concern.
In any circumstance the little Panny 20 f1.7 is a sweet little lens that makes the camera. I also have an adapter for the 40-150 kit lens that makes a really light weight hiking cam.
This (ZD 300 f2.8/EC-20 teleconverter) is a bit of overkill
Greg
Yep, You trade dials for point and shoot like button presses, but they aren't that bad. Though as for the view finder, it uses the exact same one that the E-P2 uses, it just doesn't include it.
Speaking of accessories, the E-PL1 is the only one that olympus makes an underwater case for.
Canon Gear: 5D MkII, 30D, 85 1.2 L, 70-200 2.8 IS L, 17-40mm f4 L, 50 1.4, 580EX, 2x 580EXII, Canon 1.4x TC, 300 f4 IS L, 100mm 2.8 Macro, 100-400 IS L Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
~ Gear Pictures
Greg - wow, that's quite the lens for that little gem. I'm not sure I'd miss the flash on the E-PL1 but DO wonder about the EVF and dial... of course, that's a $400 difference which could easily pay for the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 lens.
Olympus (and 4/3 partners Panasonic and Samsung) have bet on a 2x crop image sensor standard that is about 60 percent the size of the 1.6x and 1.5x crop sensors used by Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax.
Olympus over larger image sensors. Canon, Nikon and Sony not only disagree but have doubled-down with 1x full frame DSLRs that have an image sensor 3.6 times the size of a 4/3 sensor.
Whatever the technical merits, the bottom line is that 4/3 cameras are potentially smaller and lighter, but with worse high ISO (low light) performance. They also produce images with a 4:3 aspect ratio, not the 3:2 aspect ratio used by other DSLRs. Most 4/3 DSLRs do have a 3:2 ratio image option that cuts off the top and bottom of the image.
Quick correction, Samsung uses APS-C sensors, also Pentax last I recall was using Samsung sensors in their DSLR's.
Greg - wow, that's quite the lens for that little gem. I'm not sure I'd miss the flash on the E-PL1 but DO wonder about the EVF and dial... of course, that's a $400 difference which could easily pay for the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 lens.
This one is more up the E-PL1's alley. I'm much more likely to have the big lens mounted on the E-3 and gimbal with the E-PL1 and 40-150 sitting on my lap. I can shoot from my lap, trusting the autofocus, without even having to raise the camera to my eye. The wildlife isn't disturbed by a couple shots of a chipmunk while the big camera waits for the special guest to arrive at the party.
Sorry for the quality. Snapped with an old digicam I hadn't touched for years.
If I want extreme telephoto vids, the E-pen's are the only game in town as far as Oly gear is concerned. Haven't done it yet, but might give it a try somewhere along the way.
Comments
Funny, because if megapixel count is the criteria, all the Nikons would be excluded minus the D3x as well. I can rent Oly glass pretty easily as well... even easier for those in Canada.
http://silversx80.smugmug.com/
Olympus E-M5, 12-50mm, 45mm f/1.8
Some legacy OM lenses and an OM-10
Its a great time to be a photographer. There are alot of really great choices, and there are not really bad choices.
I'm invested in Olympus and I'm quite pleased. The reason I got started with them was they offered great kit lenses for a very reasonable price. The reason I've stuck with them (ie: spent a load of money) is because I love their glass. I'm not talking against anyone elses kit, but its hard to find a bad Oly lens.
As a side benefit, I've not yet cleaned a sensor. I have the E-3 and I don't even bother to cover it up when it rains and I have yet to send a single thing in for service.
The top Nikon and Canon offerings dust my system for C-Af and the full frame offerings offer much better low-light performance, but Oly does well for most of my shooting.
I can shoot from 7mm - 600mm (EFL 14mm - 1200mm) and I wouldn't want to carry the kit with the big sensors, so it has its place with me and my use.
Greg
www.spanielsport.com
www.spanielsport.com
That might have been true awhile back but now they have 12MP models and if that is not the standard than the D2x, D3, D700, D300 etc. wouldn't be accepted.
Also I know many accept images from the Fuji S5 Pro so Olympus shots should be no issue.
Now as to Olympus's advantages for pros they have 2 very key ones.
1) Durability, you can do anything to a E-3 and it will keep on going. Additionally dirt on t sensor is not much of a worry due to the smaller opening/SSWF.
2) Telephoto, since they have a 2x crop factor you can have much longer reaching lenses that are more compact.
it doesn't actually let any more light in, the aperture is the same physical size after all. It's just that the light is focussed on a smaller sensor. A d700 can go to very high iso if required.
... but the end result is still the same, that's why f-stop is a ratio
My laser pointer is brighter than the sun, for example, although it produces less photons.
I can run f/2 with that lens @ ISO 200 with the same DoF, angle of view and shutter speed as a D700 can run with ISO 800 @ f/4 using the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G ED VRII. Let's assume that noise levels are on par in this comparison.
The big plus is that although I will spend around $150 US more on the lens, I spend $2000 US less on the body (E-30). Assuming the next Oly pro body comes out soon and has a similar release price as the E-3, then it's still $1500 US less than the D700.
All these points, however, are moot. The only thing that matters is the end result. Leica, Panasonic, Canon, Olympus, Hasselblad, Nikon, etc, etc, etc... Use what you like.
http://silversx80.smugmug.com/
Olympus E-M5, 12-50mm, 45mm f/1.8
Some legacy OM lenses and an OM-10
The pictures are amazing, and the recent reviews show great low noise capability.
Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
~ Gear Pictures
I'm curious to hear more about your experience with this camera-lens combination.
Is it reasonably easy to put and use this camera in Aperture Priority mode? And how is it in terms of fiddling with manual settings? Also, how well does the AF work? And finally...how is the manual focus mode?
Quite a bit of questions.
I love the combination. That lens gives me images and quality I am used to on my regular DSLR.
Aperture, Shutter, and Manual modes are fairly easy. I wish it had wheels because buttons are slower to use. Anyways, you turn the mode dial to aperture, press a button on the back (+/-), then press up or down to change the aperture and press left or right to change the compensation. It pretty much works the same for shutter and manual.
Auto-focus works great but slower than a DSLR, it's more like a point and shoot. So half-press shutter pre-focus techniques become important. It hits the mark accurately but I do have problems with subjects moving toward me or away from me. But there is a chance I just didn't put it in the right mode.
Manual focus is very controlled to me. Not what I am use to on a DSLR. It's kinda like driving one of those automatic cars with the ability to manually shift. It's not as responsive as a true manual. That being said, I like that it can digital zoom while manually focusing to help with it. DSLRs can't do that.
Summary:
If you need speed, get a DSLR.
If you want something small but with DSLR quality get the E-PL1.
I have both, If I'm working I use the DSLR. If I'm out having fun, I take the E-PL1.
John
Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
~ Gear Pictures
While the high ISO noise is slightly worse in the smaller sensors, it's nearly indistinguishable to the non-pixel peepers. Also, in prints 8X10 and smaller noise nearly identicle across the board. A final note on this aspect is that this argument is so far removed from the current offerings that it's moot. The size of the sensor is really becoming irrelevant. Take a peek at the new Oly pens. At ISO 3200 (E-PL1), it fairs much better than the Nikon D3000 in both detail retention and noise performance. Food for thought.
What you do need to keep in mind is that when compared to any crop sensor, the current offerings (from at least Olympus) lines up with the competition. Even at ISO 3200. Nikon is still the best at lack of high-ISO noise, but only marginally (D3000 is worse than the E-PL1, however). The 4/3 cameras were never meant to compete with full-frame cameras. That is both reflected in the size and price.
... and respectively, the 3:2 sensors have an option for a 4:3 ratio that cuts off the sides
http://silversx80.smugmug.com/
Olympus E-M5, 12-50mm, 45mm f/1.8
Some legacy OM lenses and an OM-10
Factually inaccurate on a number of points.
And are you saying that a 3:2 aspect ratio is somehow better, just because Canon Nikon Sony and Pentax use that format in their DSLRs?
Olympus came to the DSLR world with a blank spec sheet, not having a line of legacy lenses based on 35mm film bodies with AF. They went with the FourThirds format for better or worse.
And what is APS-C, if not a mongrel?
Alistair
http://alistairj.smugmug.com
If all other things were equal, yes smaller denser sensors will have higher noise. But there are so many other factors in noise performance. The E-PL1 as tested by DPReview shows very good noise performance, even edging out the Nikon as mentioned above.
Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
~ Gear Pictures
Thanks, John. I was about the pull the trigger on a GF1 but I think I might go with a E-PL1 now. I appreciate the insights.
Considering the same! I'm trying to decide on the E-P2 vs the E-PL1... Not sure the E-P2 is worth the extra $$$.
More than style or build quality, I think the lack of a dial on the E-PL1 would start to annoy me after awhile, unless I was shooting legacy glass with the aperture dial right on the lens.
I got the EPL-1 and I kind of wish I'd gone the E-P2. The lack of dial(s) makes it more of a pain making aperture changes, PLUS the excelllent viewfinder is included with the E-P2 and the back LCD leaves something to be desired IMHO.
You miss out on the popup flash on the E-P2 if that's a concern.
In any circumstance the little Panny 20 f1.7 is a sweet little lens that makes the camera. I also have an adapter for the 40-150 kit lens that makes a really light weight hiking cam.
This (ZD 300 f2.8/EC-20 teleconverter) is a bit of overkill
Greg
www.spanielsport.com
Awesome.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
Yep, You trade dials for point and shoot like button presses, but they aren't that bad. Though as for the view finder, it uses the exact same one that the E-P2 uses, it just doesn't include it.
Speaking of accessories, the E-PL1 is the only one that olympus makes an underwater case for.
Other Gear: Olympus E-PL1, Pan 20 1.7, Fuji 3D Camera, Lensbaby 2.0, Tamron 28-75 2.8, Alien Bees lighting, CyberSyncs, Domke, HONL, FlipIt.
~ Gear Pictures
That's kind of what I'm looking at. I think I'd rather have the 20mm f/1.7 than a dial, but if you can afford both, more power to you!
I'm hoping to score one (with the pancake lens) before a trip to the Oregon coast this weekend. Maybe it will stop raining in time...
Quick correction, Samsung uses APS-C sensors, also Pentax last I recall was using Samsung sensors in their DSLR's.
This one is more up the E-PL1's alley. I'm much more likely to have the big lens mounted on the E-3 and gimbal with the E-PL1 and 40-150 sitting on my lap. I can shoot from my lap, trusting the autofocus, without even having to raise the camera to my eye. The wildlife isn't disturbed by a couple shots of a chipmunk while the big camera waits for the special guest to arrive at the party.
Sorry for the quality. Snapped with an old digicam I hadn't touched for years.
If I want extreme telephoto vids, the E-pen's are the only game in town as far as Oly gear is concerned. Haven't done it yet, but might give it a try somewhere along the way.
Greg
www.spanielsport.com
www.spanielsport.com