Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Are there any m4/3 users her besides Rob MacLennan? I have not been frequenting this forum much so I really don't know the answer to my question.
I have had numerous cameras including Nikon D60, D90; panasonic G3; Sony A55 ; Olympus E1, 330, E510, E30, EP2 and most recently EP3.There are probably some others that I have forgotten like several Canons and L lenses.
Not a record that I am proud of but that's life when you suffer from GAS ( gear acquisition syndrome ).
So back to my query , do most of you consider M4/3 non professional?

Cheers
Leo Reinhard

I had the GF-1 for a year or two and loved it. Lenses were excellent to great. Ergonomics were amongst the best of any digital camera I've owned (only topped by my favourite - Ricoh GRD).

Sold the body and lenses to a buddy and regret selling the lenses since the GX-1 is so compelling.

It's a fine format and capable of excellent 8x10 prints and probably 11x14. Not sure who else uses the format but if you're satisfied with it, who cares!?

I have a E-PL1 with the kit zoom, the Panasonic 20mm F/1.7, and the Fotix adaptor to mount Canon EF lenses. However, I've I hardly used it, especially after getting the 7D. It isn't as compact as I thought I'd like so I don't take it with me. And if I do plan to bring a camera, I grab my 7D. I'm thinking of selling my m4/3 to get either the Canon GX1 or the S100.

I have an EP-1 and EP-3.

They are my fun cameras - not for professional use. I have used them in a photobooth setting because of their ready to print jpg files.

Olympus seemed very popular in HK - when I was there this past fall - I saw a ton of them on the streets used by lots of photographers - back here in Toronto. Not many Dealers want to carry them.

But that new Fuji X-Pro system is calling out to me - if only it were less expensive...

In Toronto I mostly shop at Henrys and sometimes at Vistek and they both carry Olympus and Panasonic equipment. Sometimes Aden Cameras has good prices on some m4/3 lenses but does not carry a large selection .

I would also be interested in the Fuji if it was not so expensive.

Cheers,
Leo Reinhard

Micro 4/3 is fantastic as a general purpose camera. I see things evolving with mirrorless cameras like micro 4/3 becoming the main cameras for advanced camera enthusiasts and hobbyists like 35mm cameras were in the film days. I see full frame DSLR filling a specialized niche for the pro photographer such as wedding and commercial in the same space where medium format film cameras dominated the space in their day because cameras size or weight are not as important as image quality. I see the days of the APC sensor DSLR as numbered.

I've owned and used everything from 4x5 field view cameras to medium format bodies, rangefinders, TLR's and various digital SLR's. I first dipped my toe in the micro 4/3 system by making a caution purchase in a inexpensive Olympus E-P2 body to evaluate and use with my fine collection of manual focus primes which is what I like to shoot with. Using only the E-P2 on a trip to Washington DC and evaluating the RAW files, I was blown away by the quality of the images from such a small camera, in-body stabilization with manual focus primes is amazing and carrying around a light-weight camera bag all day was shear heaven. I've since picked up two auto-focus primes (my first auto-focus lenses in years) with the Panasonic 14mm f2.5 and the Olympus 45mm f1.8. Along with these I use a manual focus OM 28mm f3.5 and a OM 100mm f2.8 to round out my system. This year I plan on acquiring the Samyang 7.5mm fish (I also shoot panoramics) and the new Olympus OM-D body to round out my system.

I had a GF-1 and loved it for the most part. I sold it to fund another hobby but I will eventually pick up another m4/3 camera in the future.

Well it seems that there are more m4/3 enthusiasts here than appears on the surface. Digital cameras have come a long way. I think my first digital was around 2 MP but even that was a relief from spending half the night in my darkroom developing film and using those smelly chemicals-remember developers, stop baths and fixers.
I recently traded in my old Canon Ftb and several lenses to help fund the purchase of my EP3. I did not know I had the old equipment until I decided to clean out a closet..-still have to throw out some darkroom odds and ends.
Right now I am giving a lot of thought to selling or trading in my EP3 kit with the 14-42 II R lense for the EM 5 body only. I don't need the 12-50 kit lense as I already have the Panasonic 14-45, 20mm 1.7 and the 25 1.4-all sharp lenses. Decisions decisions.

Cheers,
Leo Reinhard

I just recently picked up a E-PM1 Mini and love it as a replacement for my Canon S90. M43 is perfect as a more casual/personal camera I think. I started hating lugging my big DSLRs everywhere.

So far I've picked up the 14/2.5 and 25/1.4. The new OM-D looks interesting and love the size!

The E-PM1 is a great buy. Same image quality as the EP-3. I also have the 25 1.4 and is the sharpest lens I own. I passed on the Olympus 14 2.5 because I already had the Panasonic 20 1.7.

Cheers,
Leo Reinhard

When the E-P1 came out, I knew that it wouldn't be a mature enough camera for what I wanted it to do. I bought the E-P2, and it wasn't bad, but the focus speed just wasn't there. The E-P3 is there. It's the camera that Olympus should have released first. I shot a family Christmas session with mine, using an FL-50R and FL-36 remotely, with the 17mm pancake and 4/3 14-54MkII. Not a hitch.

If I hadn't bought the E-P3, then I'd likely be ponying up for a E-M5. As it stands I don't 'need' it, because the E-P3 is probably a better camera for my immediate needs. My E-P2 has been relegated to duty in a product shooting rig, where focus speed is immaterial.

Hey Rob. Long time no see. The E-P3 is certainly faster to AF than the E-P2. While the E-P3 is very good I am thinking of getting the E-M5 because of the 16 MP sensor that is in the G-3. I had the G-3 for a while bit decided to get the EP-3 because of the Olympus colors and the tone curve shows a more gradual roll of to white than the same sensor in the Panasonic cameras with the same sensor. Thus I am banking that Olympus can do the same magic with the 16 MP sensor.
Cheers, Leo Reinhard

you're just a couple years late for the party now everyone's into Fuji

Hey Leo.

I'm not going to be an early adopter, this time 'round. If I do ultimately pick up a E-M5 it will be long after the release, when the samples have been mulled over and the foibles are well known. I don't seem to need the extra MPix, at least not at this point, and I'm happy with the IQ of my E-P3 and E-5, for my applications, so there's no rush.

I had actually shifted back to my E-30 for candids, because the focus speed of the E-P2 wasn't there. Now, with the E-P3 and the Panasonic 45-200 I think that I've got a good candid sniper, that won't appreciably add to the already back-breaking kit that I cart around the track.

I've got a GX-1 and the 25/1.4. m4/3 is actually pretty popular.

Well... I just picked up a Nikon V1, which is a bit beyond 4/3 with the 2.7 crop factor, but I love what mirrorless has to offer. The camera is wonderful, and image quality is very good, and especially better in RAW.

I finally made up my mind. I pre ordered a silver EM5 body from Henrys this morning. I was told ETA was early April but I think they are only guessing.
I hope it comes sooner-like next week


Cheers, Leo Reinhard

I've been tempted, mainly by Panasonic's 3D lens, but it's not a serious tool (the pocket Fuji W3 is much more useful).

Although the OM-D is tempting, for the cool factor (not being a micro clone like the cameras Sony & Nikon have been putting out). I'm thinking of pre-ordering a silver one.