What is your camera of choice while traveling?
May 12, 2016, 7:29 am
#826
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Join Date: Sep 2000
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I don't have the Oly 25mm, I opted instead for the Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 for the extra speed. At any rate, for my tastes, the 25mm is just a tad too long for casual walk-around use. I use mine primarily for interiors where flash is not an option.
The 17mm is a fine lens and would work admirably if you really want a prime. I might counsel at least a look at the Oly 9-18mm. The UWA lens offers a lot of utility for street use and is very small. The Oly 7-14mm Pro is a great lens but really large and heavy for carrying around.
Again, if you prefer a prime, that 17 f/1.8 is very good. I keep mine on my back-up PM2, switching it occasionally to the EM1 to make the main camera "smaller." I think if you poll a dozen Oly shooters, you will get a dozen preferences. Other than the two you mention, you might also look at the excellent and very popular Panny 20mm f/1.7.
The 17mm is a fine lens and would work admirably if you really want a prime. I might counsel at least a look at the Oly 9-18mm. The UWA lens offers a lot of utility for street use and is very small. The Oly 7-14mm Pro is a great lens but really large and heavy for carrying around.
Again, if you prefer a prime, that 17 f/1.8 is very good. I keep mine on my back-up PM2, switching it occasionally to the EM1 to make the main camera "smaller." I think if you poll a dozen Oly shooters, you will get a dozen preferences. Other than the two you mention, you might also look at the excellent and very popular Panny 20mm f/1.7.
That being said I am returning a backpack to B&H today and will look at the options.
May 12, 2016, 9:27 am
#827
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
I had looked at the Olympus 9-18mm but it was only f4.0-5.6 while the 17mm was f1.8 which makes a world of difference. The Panasonic 15mm f1.7 (Leica glass) is $549 while the Olympus 17mm f1.8 is $449. The Panasonic 20mm f1.7 was only $269 but I recall reading on DPR it doesn't compare to the Olympus 17mm or the Panasonic 15mm and I would rather invest in good glass upfront.
That being said I am returning a backpack to B&H today and will look at the options.
That being said I am returning a backpack to B&H today and will look at the options.
I know you didn't ask, but the 45mm f/1.8 is a killer small portrait lens.
May 12, 2016, 10:59 am
#828
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: most of them
Posts: 3,283
I have the Oly 7-14 PRO. It's really not much bigger or heavier than the 12-40. Balances very nicely on the E-M1. And it's built like a tank. Dropped mine visiting the Bayon in Siem Reap and feared that it was $1100 down the drain but it just has a little scratch on the barrel and works perfectly fine.
May 12, 2016, 11:50 am
#830
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,902
Yes it is a tad heavy and half of the total weight of the body and lens combined comes from the 12-40mm pro lens. The IQ on this lens is amazing. The 40-150mm 4.0-5.6 lens is plastic is extremely light weight in comparison but virtually everyone who commented on it on DPReview recommended it for really good IQ and also it has a good bang for the buck at the current $149 sale price.
The OM-D E-M5 Mark II body is weather resistant which is great for outdoor shooting and has a really solid build. I was lucky and managed to locate one of the limited edition titanium models available in the US at Adorama, everyone else was sold out. Compared to the black and silver bodies that you always see the titanium body is simply beautiful.
My next investment after these two zoom lenses is to select a nice walk around the city type everyday prime lens. I am torn between two Olympus primes that are currently on sale on their website. The 17mm f1.8 is $449 and the 25mm f1.8 is $349. They are both lightweight and have received really good reviews for their IQ. Which one do you like better and what are the pros and cons?
The OM-D E-M5 Mark II body is weather resistant which is great for outdoor shooting and has a really solid build. I was lucky and managed to locate one of the limited edition titanium models available in the US at Adorama, everyone else was sold out. Compared to the black and silver bodies that you always see the titanium body is simply beautiful.
My next investment after these two zoom lenses is to select a nice walk around the city type everyday prime lens. I am torn between two Olympus primes that are currently on sale on their website. The 17mm f1.8 is $449 and the 25mm f1.8 is $349. They are both lightweight and have received really good reviews for their IQ. Which one do you like better and what are the pros and cons?
Can't go wrong with the 17...I did sell mine as I found that focal length too hard to use
May 12, 2016, 11:56 am
#831
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Not sure about convenience of traveling with a drone, but on the last two trips I totally wished I had access to one. Having one at safari would have been really cool, and when I visited Myanmar in over Christmas I really wished I could shoot some of the pagodas from the air (most popular ones did have signs in English prohibiting the use of drones around them, so I suspect I wasn't the only one with this idea).
And the integrated camera is 1/2.3 inch so it's tiny, not even the size of the 1-inch sensor in the RX100.
For cameras with larger sensors, I don't see how you can take a drone on a carryon, unless you can disassemble them or something. The cost goes up a lot as you increase the sensor size, which means a heavier camera, which means a bigger drone.
But people do post beautiful videos, including 4K videos.
I suspect if you blow up the stills and watched the videos on a large screen though, they might not look as impressive.
May 12, 2016, 12:16 pm
#832
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: DL FO, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
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I have the Oly 7-14 PRO. It's really not much bigger or heavier than the 12-40. Balances very nicely on the E-M1. And it's built like a tank. Dropped mine visiting the Bayon in Siem Reap and feared that it was $1100 down the drain but it just has a little scratch on the barrel and works perfectly fine.
May 12, 2016, 2:08 pm
#833
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum; UA; Delta; SW; Hilton
Posts: 70
I've been using my iPhone for the past year or more, and it's been more than wonderful. However, my favorite "smaller" camera is my trusty Cannon G12 -- it takes beautiful raw photos and fantastic video. However, if I were going on safari or needed a long-distance lens, I would take along a professional camera.
May 13, 2016, 5:45 am
#834
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 4,891
Yes it is a tad heavy and half of the total weight of the body and lens combined comes from the 12-40mm pro lens. The IQ on this lens is amazing. The 40-150mm 4.0-5.6 lens is plastic is extremely light weight in comparison but virtually everyone who commented on it on DPReview recommended it for really good IQ and also it has a good bang for the buck at the current $149 sale price.
The OM-D E-M5 Mark II body is weather resistant which is great for outdoor shooting and has a really solid build. I was lucky and managed to locate one of the limited edition titanium models available in the US at Adorama, everyone else was sold out. Compared to the black and silver bodies that you always see the titanium body is simply beautiful.
My next investment after these two zoom lenses is to select a nice walk around the city type everyday prime lens. I am torn between two Olympus primes that are currently on sale on their website. The 17mm f1.8 is $449 and the 25mm f1.8 is $349. They are both lightweight and have received really good reviews for their IQ. Which one do you like better and what are the pros and cons?
The OM-D E-M5 Mark II body is weather resistant which is great for outdoor shooting and has a really solid build. I was lucky and managed to locate one of the limited edition titanium models available in the US at Adorama, everyone else was sold out. Compared to the black and silver bodies that you always see the titanium body is simply beautiful.
My next investment after these two zoom lenses is to select a nice walk around the city type everyday prime lens. I am torn between two Olympus primes that are currently on sale on their website. The 17mm f1.8 is $449 and the 25mm f1.8 is $349. They are both lightweight and have received really good reviews for their IQ. Which one do you like better and what are the pros and cons?
Now i run the 40-150pro which is just superb, and awesome weight/build/size for the capability...but obviously still far far heavier and larger than the R
i dont REALLY see the point of the 17 prime when the 12-40 covers that length AND is not really that much bulky, body-considered. (if you were using a PEN, or GM1, or other compact body, different story...)
the 25 and 45 both i find utterly superb value and performance. but once again, due to the overlap with the 12-40 i rarely rarely carry them around unless specifically shooting in low-light-only situation
May 13, 2016, 10:47 am
#835
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,902
I find holding the 40-150/2.8 awkward, it's just not comfortable....the EM5 MK II is just too small/light when paired with it. So, it's gets little use.
May 13, 2016, 12:34 pm
#836
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: most of them
Posts: 3,283
In good light the 40-150R is great. At $100 it is a total bargain. I shot some racing at Saratoga and some soccer with it a few years ago and it produced some excellent shots.
The 40-150PRO is obviously a very different tool...much bigger, heavier and more expensive. But it is fantastic for closeup insect shots among other things. The minimum focus distance of all the PRO lenses are amazing.
The 40-150PRO is obviously a very different tool...much bigger, heavier and more expensive. But it is fantastic for closeup insect shots among other things. The minimum focus distance of all the PRO lenses are amazing.
May 14, 2016, 4:05 pm
#838
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 4,891
yes on that also. shelved my 60/2.8 macro for the pro lenses when needing mag ratio in a pinch
May 14, 2016, 6:50 pm
#839
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SYD
Programs: QF
Posts: 490
My issue with the Olympus mirror less designs (while extremely cool) has always been its size. They're only marginally smaller than an APSC sized DSLR but with a smaller sensor and less flexible lens options. For the folks who have one, could you guys explain to me the appeal of the M43 system?
May 15, 2016, 9:33 am
#840
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
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My issue with the Olympus mirror less designs (while extremely cool) has always been its size. They're only marginally smaller than an APSC sized DSLR but with a smaller sensor and less flexible lens options. For the folks who have one, could you guys explain to me the appeal of the M43 system?
The E an FE mount lenses for APS-C bodies are definitely more money with fewer choices to select from. Also an correct me if I am wrong but for the most part the micro four thirds lenses are smaller in size.