Hi All, I'm New Here and Hoping for Some Gear Advice: Hi, I'd like to first say that I'm very new to this forum, but am very happy to have found this site, and have already learned a...

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

Hi, I'd like to first say that I'm very new to this forum, but am very happy to have found this site, and have already learned a great deal from the posts I've read. Ok, I'll get right to the point...Like many, I've been interested in photography for a long time, but it wasn't until recently that I've taken it seriously enough to attend classes and read everything I can get my hands on. It seems the more I learn, the more I want to learn, so I'm looking forward to improving my skills as much as possible as things progress. My interest began with taking images of the real estate projects I flip (I'm a real estate broker and an investor), but I'm now interested in landscapes, portraits, and possibly street photography as well. On the recommendation of a salesperson I've gotten to know through the years at a local camera store, I recently purchased an Olympus EM1 MII, with two pro lenses...7-14 f/2.8 and 12-100 f/4. While at first I was very excited to own this new camera, I realized, after seeing some of the images taken by other students in one of my classes, that my photos lacked something, which I now believe to be dynamic range, because mine looked flat, while some of theirs seemed almost three-dimensional. Also, since this camera has a M43 sensor, there's noticeably more noise at higher ISO's. I'm sure some of the blame lies with the person behind the lens, but from what I've read, the issue could also stem from the limitations of a small sensor.

While I love the size of my Olympus, I've concluded that I need to upgrade to full frame in order to obtain the results I'm seeking, which is why I'm asking for advice from what clearly seems to be a very experienced group of photographers.

Since I've grown accustomed to the mirrorless world, I first considered the Sony A7RIII, but it's a bit price-prohibitive, especially when the G Master lenses are considered. I even tried one for a day, and felt as though I wasn't ready for such an advanced piece of engineering, especially at my skill level. So, my latest plan is to purchase a used Nikon D750, as a first step into the full frame world, while keeping my Olympus for now as a travel camera, and see how things go. I also looked at the D810 (online, not it person) and since it appears to be about the same size as the D850, which I do have some experience with, I feel the body is a bit too large, and since I shoot high and low regularly, the tilt screen on the D750 is a bonus.

So, my question is, does my latest plan make sense, or is there another option I should consider? I guess I could always take another look at the Sony, and if I skip a few meals and don't date for a while, the economics could work, but there's something appealing about not having the very best while I'm still learning. Features are great, but at the moment, image quality is my primary focus. (pun intended!)

Thanks in advance for your help!!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The Sony is a great camera but the lenses will severely drain your bank account ! 8-( ........and you do need the lenses to get ALL that the Sony has to offer.

..

Nature_Shooter Loc: Chesterfield Missouri

Welcome! Looking forward to your posts and pictures. Happy shooting!

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

Yes, which is why I like the idea of having so many more lens options with the Nikon F mount.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Pat F 4119 wrote:

Yes, which is why I like the idea of having so many more lens options with the Nikon F mount.

NIKKOR legacy glass is something every new photographer should be made aware of.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Pat F 4119 wrote:

Hi, I'd like to first say that I'm very new to this forum, but am very happy to have found this site, and have already learned a great deal from the posts I've read. Ok, I'll get right to the point...Like many, I've been interested in photography for a long time, but it wasn't until recently that I've taken it seriously enough to attend classes and read everything I can get my hands on. It seems the more I learn, the more I want to learn, so I'm looking forward to improving my skills as much as possible as things progress. My interest began with taking images of the real estate projects I flip (I'm a real estate broker and an investor), but I'm now interested in landscapes, portraits, and possibly street photography as well. On the recommendation of a salesperson I've gotten to know through the years at a local camera store, I recently purchased an Olympus EM1 MII, with two pro lenses...7-14 f/2.8 and 12-100 f/4. While at first I was very excited to own this new camera, I realized, after seeing some of the images taken by other students in one of my classes, that my photos lacked something, which I now believe to be dynamic range, because mine looked flat, while some of theirs seemed almost three-dimensional. Also, since this camera has a M43 sensor, there's noticeably more noise at higher ISO's. I'm sure some of the blame lies with the person behind the lens, but from what I've read, the issue could also stem from the limitations of a small sensor.

While I love the size of my Olympus, I've concluded that I need to upgrade to full frame in order to obtain the results I'm seeking, which is why I'm asking for advice from what clearly seems to be a very experienced group of photographers.

Since I've grown accustomed to the mirrorless world, I first considered the Sony A7RIII, but it's a bit price-prohibitive, especially when the G Master lenses are considered. I even tried one for a day, and felt as though I wasn't ready for such an advanced piece of engineering, especially at my skill level. So, my latest plan is to purchase a used Nikon D750, as a first step into the full frame world, while keeping my Olympus for now as a travel camera, and see how things go. I also looked at the D810 (online, not it person) and since it appears to be about the same size as the D850, which I do have some experience with, I feel the body is a bit too large, and since I shoot high and low regularly, the tilt screen on the D750 is a bonus.

So, my question is, does my latest plan make sense, or is there another option I should consider? I guess I could always take another look at the Sony, and if I skip a few meals and don't date for a while, the economics could work, but there's something appealing about not having the very best while I'm still learning. Features are great, but at the moment, image quality is my primary focus. (pun intended!)

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Hi, I'd like to first say that I'm very new to thi... (show quote)

Pat, Welcome to UHH. My suggestion is to go with Nikon.

repleo Loc: Boston

Pat F 4119 wrote:

Hi, I'd like to first say that I'm very new to this forum, but am very happy to have found this site, and have already learned a great deal from the posts I've read. Ok, I'll get right to the point...Like many, I've been interested in photography for a long time, but it wasn't until recently that I've taken it seriously enough to attend classes and read everything I can get my hands on. It seems the more I learn, the more I want to learn, so I'm looking forward to improving my skills as much as possible as things progress. My interest began with taking images of the real estate projects I flip (I'm a real estate broker and an investor), but I'm now interested in landscapes, portraits, and possibly street photography as well. On the recommendation of a salesperson I've gotten to know through the years at a local camera store, I recently purchased an Olympus EM1 MII, with two pro lenses...7-14 f/2.8 and 12-100 f/4. While at first I was very excited to own this new camera, I realized, after seeing some of the images taken by other students in one of my classes, that my photos lacked something, which I now believe to be dynamic range, because mine looked flat, while some of theirs seemed almost three-dimensional. Also, since this camera has a M43 sensor, there's noticeably more noise at higher ISO's. I'm sure some of the blame lies with the person behind the lens, but from what I've read, the issue could also stem from the limitations of a small sensor.

While I love the size of my Olympus, I've concluded that I need to upgrade to full frame in order to obtain the results I'm seeking, which is why I'm asking for advice from what clearly seems to be a very experienced group of photographers.

Since I've grown accustomed to the mirrorless world, I first considered the Sony A7RIII, but it's a bit price-prohibitive, especially when the G Master lenses are considered. I even tried one for a day, and felt as though I wasn't ready for such an advanced piece of engineering, especially at my skill level. So, my latest plan is to purchase a used Nikon D750, as a first step into the full frame world, while keeping my Olympus for now as a travel camera, and see how things go. I also looked at the D810 (online, not it person) and since it appears to be about the same size as the D850, which I do have some experience with, I feel the body is a bit too large, and since I shoot high and low regularly, the tilt screen on the D750 is a bonus.

So, my question is, does my latest plan make sense, or is there another option I should consider? I guess I could always take another look at the Sony, and if I skip a few meals and don't date for a while, the economics could work, but there's something appealing about not having the very best while I'm still learning. Features are great, but at the moment, image quality is my primary focus. (pun intended!)

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Hi, I'd like to first say that I'm very new to thi... (show quote)

The new Sony A7iii with the FE 24-105 F4.0 G would be a great choice for you and all you would need for a long time.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Pat F 4119 wrote:

I've concluded that I need to upgrade to full frame in order to obtain the results I'm seeking, which is why I'm asking for advice from what clearly seems to be a very experienced group of photographers.

Sony A7III, $2000. Get yourself on the waiting list.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Pat F 4119 wrote:

Hi, I'd like to first say that I'm very new to this forum, but am very happy to have found this site, and have already learned a great deal from the posts I've read. Ok, I'll get right to the point...Like many, I've been interested in photography for a long time, but it wasn't until recently that I've taken it seriously enough to attend classes and read everything I can get my hands on. It seems the more I learn, the more I want to learn, so I'm looking forward to improving my skills as much as possible as things progress. My interest began with taking images of the real estate projects I flip (I'm a real estate broker and an investor), but I'm now interested in landscapes, portraits, and possibly street photography as well. On the recommendation of a salesperson I've gotten to know through the years at a local camera store, I recently purchased an Olympus EM1 MII, with two pro lenses...7-14 f/2.8 and 12-100 f/4. While at first I was very excited to own this new camera, I realized, after seeing some of the images taken by other students in one of my classes, that my photos lacked something, which I now believe to be dynamic range, because mine looked flat, while some of theirs seemed almost three-dimensional. Also, since this camera has a M43 sensor, there's noticeably more noise at higher ISO's. I'm sure some of the blame lies with the person behind the lens, but from what I've read, the issue could also stem from the limitations of a small sensor.

While I love the size of my Olympus, I've concluded that I need to upgrade to full frame in order to obtain the results I'm seeking, which is why I'm asking for advice from what clearly seems to be a very experienced group of photographers.

Since I've grown accustomed to the mirrorless world, I first considered the Sony A7RIII, but it's a bit price-prohibitive, especially when the G Master lenses are considered. I even tried one for a day, and felt as though I wasn't ready for such an advanced piece of engineering, especially at my skill level. So, my latest plan is to purchase a used Nikon D750, as a first step into the full frame world, while keeping my Olympus for now as a travel camera, and see how things go. I also looked at the D810 (online, not it person) and since it appears to be about the same size as the D850, which I do have some experience with, I feel the body is a bit too large, and since I shoot high and low regularly, the tilt screen on the D750 is a bonus.

So, my question is, does my latest plan make sense, or is there another option I should consider? I guess I could always take another look at the Sony, and if I skip a few meals and don't date for a while, the economics could work, but there's something appealing about not having the very best while I'm still learning. Features are great, but at the moment, image quality is my primary focus. (pun intended!)

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Hi, I'd like to first say that I'm very new to thi... (show quote)

Hi Pat! I’ll keep it short. It is your money, spend it as you see fit. My photos will not improve either way.

So...

https://www.pacartists.com/collections/bobby-tan?page=2

Bobby is a very talented photographer and very good at post processing. Do yourself a favor and look at his work. Especially the colors. He uses an EM1 mark2

While a larger sensor will have advantages, using FF gear means that you are carrying heavier equipment. It DOES NOT guarantee better photos or better colors. That should be clearly evident from checking out photos taken with FF gear on any photo sites. In fact, if you were l to do a blind test, you couldn’t really tell the difference.

Ming Thein once tricked his audience, by printing from his D810, D7200 and from his EM1. The prints from the 2 Nikon cameras were the same size. But the Olympus ones were printed much bigger. Nothing was labeled.

Guess what happened? Everyone was admiring those large prints, that “could only come from the D810” not realizing that those photos came from the EM1.

No one is saying that FF isn’t better, but try to realize that you can’t really blame the equipment when the person who is pressing the shutter is the weak link.

If you do your homework, you will see that there are exceptional results from m4/3 and terrible snapshots from FF cameras. But you will also discover, that there is no shortage of snapshots from m4/3, while there are amazing photos from FF. It is up to the photographer.

And I won’t mention the hi res feature from the EM1 and it’s 80mp file, that has better DR than any FF camera. But honestly, none of that really matters.

Snapshots are snapshots, no matter the technical excellence. Btw, did you know that if Olympus is famous for anything, it is for it’s jpeg engine? (Besides the best image stabilization) Meaning great colors?

Anyway, I sincerely hope that you find the right gear for yourself. Just don’t forget about the most important part of the chain. You.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Pat F 4119 wrote:

Hi, I'd like to first say that I'm very new to this forum, but am very happy to have found this site, and have already learned a great deal from the posts I've read. Ok, I'll get right to the point...Like many, I've been interested in photography for a long time, but it wasn't until recently that I've taken it seriously enough to attend classes and read everything I can get my hands on. It seems the more I learn, the more I want to learn, so I'm looking forward to improving my skills as much as possible as things progress. My interest began with taking images of the real estate projects I flip (I'm a real estate broker and an investor), but I'm now interested in landscapes, portraits, and possibly street photography as well. On the recommendation of a salesperson I've gotten to know through the years at a local camera store, I recently purchased an Olympus EM1 MII, with two pro lenses...7-14 f/2.8 and 12-100 f/4. While at first I was very excited to own this new camera, I realized, after seeing some of the images taken by other students in one of my classes, that my photos lacked something, which I now believe to be dynamic range, because mine looked flat, while some of theirs seemed almost three-dimensional. Also, since this camera has a M43 sensor, there's noticeably more noise at higher ISO's. I'm sure some of the blame lies with the person behind the lens, but from what I've read, the issue could also stem from the limitations of a small sensor.

While I love the size of my Olympus, I've concluded that I need to upgrade to full frame in order to obtain the results I'm seeking, which is why I'm asking for advice from what clearly seems to be a very experienced group of photographers.

Since I've grown accustomed to the mirrorless world, I first considered the Sony A7RIII, but it's a bit price-prohibitive, especially when the G Master lenses are considered. I even tried one for a day, and felt as though I wasn't ready for such an advanced piece of engineering, especially at my skill level. So, my latest plan is to purchase a used Nikon D750, as a first step into the full frame world, while keeping my Olympus for now as a travel camera, and see how things go. I also looked at the D810 (online, not it person) and since it appears to be about the same size as the D850, which I do have some experience with, I feel the body is a bit too large, and since I shoot high and low regularly, the tilt screen on the D750 is a bonus.

So, my question is, does my latest plan make sense, or is there another option I should consider? I guess I could always take another look at the Sony, and if I skip a few meals and don't date for a while, the economics could work, but there's something appealing about not having the very best while I'm still learning. Features are great, but at the moment, image quality is my primary focus. (pun intended!)

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Hi, I'd like to first say that I'm very new to thi... (show quote)

My guess is that you don't need new gear. I use a pair of full frame cameras for most of my photography, but I've been having a ball with a camera with a 1" sensor lately 2.78 crop factor, so it is smaller than an M4/3.

Here are some sample images:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157667029395028
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157689083645890
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157694805547345
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157665487054018
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157665486900208
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157690214837382

Thsee were shot as Raw files, then processed in Capture One. Great "Pop" can be made more easily when you shoot raw and process your images. Your Olympus should be better than my Sony RX10M4.

While you can take images made with a full frame camera considerably further into the range of "pop" it isn't automatic - you still have to learn the skills ro coax out the best in your images.

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

Thank you everyone for your input, this is very helpful. The images you shared were awesome, and are making me reconsider my thoughts about buying new gear. I know my images can be improved with my M4/3 as my skills improve, which is why am struggling with this decision, and why I am not willing to spend so much on the Sony at this time. Maybe it would be worth buying the used Nikon, and use both for a while to compare results, then, if I decide to stick with my Olympus, I won’t lose too much if I decide to sell the Nikon. In the meantime I will continue to take classes and practice, because I know in either scenario, I’m the weak link!

Pat F 4119 Loc: Branford, CT

Thanks Tdekany, this is very helpful. I know I’m probably the cause of the problem, which is why I’ll continue to work on improving my skills. I really liked your quote stating that light should be our primary concern. Thanks for your help!

Skiextreme2 Loc: Northwest MA

If you're using a wide open aperture, that could cause your images to look flat (very small depth of field). Try photographing at f11-f16 and see if that solves your problem. Ask your classmates what settings they used to get the "almost 3D effect" and then try similar settings. Always ask questions, if you don't know the answer, it's never a "dumb" question. Experiment with different settings. Take the same photo with many different settings to see the different results. And have fun doing it.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Pat F 4119 wrote:

Thank you everyone for your input, this is very he... (show quote)

Frankly, Pat, if you cannot take amazing images with an EM-1 II and PRO lenses, the problem is not with the equipment!

ELNikkor

I agree that the EM-1 is probably all the camera you need, but, if you do decide to try ff, the Nikon D750 is an excellent choice. It is very versatile, comparatively light weight and will give you awesome image quality. Many pros swear by them for their professional use, especially weddings.