This is a photography Forum, I just made a major change in my equipment, I thought some people on here might find it interesting. If you felt it was too long you could have simply skipped it. I am tempted to make a sarcastic reply many times when someone asks the most basic question but I stop myself and remember that the purpose of this forum is to "talk" about photography. Maybe its time to look elsewhere for photography conversations.

:x

I have posted several times that I use and love Olympus Pro series DLSR's as well as some of their better glass. I have from time to time contemplated making a switch to either Nikon or Canon for three very good reasons. First I "need" better high ISO performance than the Oly's can deliver. Second I "need" a camera that can shoot faster than 5 FPS for shooting sports. And last but not least I get tired of missing out on some of the other third party gear that only works on The BIG TWO. Problem was I am so invested in Olympus that I would need something to push me over the cliff to make the switch.

So that "push" came about a month ago in the form of a like new Canon 5D MkII. Its a long story but basically a young man whom I helped at a very bad point in his teen years acquired it (legally) and, knowing I am a photographer, gave it to me. He almost tossed it out thinking it was a cheap old piece of crap!!! It had a EF 24-70 mm f/2.8L lens on it to boot that was like a brand new lens. I downloaded some freeware and the thing only has 5995 shutter actuations on it which is nothing for that model. I looked inside and the mirror was cracked which worried me but the thing took great pictures so not too worried.

I called up Canon and asked where to take it and turns out they have a Service Center in Irvine CA which is not too far from my place (about 70 miles). I just drove over and dropped it off and they said no problem we'll get it all fixed up for ya. Three days later they call and its just a cracked mirror and the rest of the camera is in great shape. So $108.00 for a new mirror which also included a complete factory cleaning and tune em up and it was all ready to roll. I also had the MODE knob replaced with the new version that has a locking button in the middle that you have to push to move it. It makes it where the knob cannot be moved by rubbing on your body or your camera bag which is a pain in the rear. That cost $100.00 so all told $208.00 and she was all ready to serve.

OK so now what? Simple, I decided to simply sell all my Olympus gear, take the loss in stride, and buy all new Canon equipment and not look back. I was loosing faith in Olympus anyway while watching Canon and Nikon release newer and newer models while Olympus is going full tilt into the Micro 4/3rd's direction so this all has a silver lining I guess.

I put all my stuff on Ebay and let the games begin. I am still selling some because the total value was way over what us civilians can sell in a month on there. Overall I am simply letting the money fill up my PayPal account and when I reach a sufficient amount I pull the trigger on the next item. I started with lenses and made a list of "must have" lenses and worked on them first. I got the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, then the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, then the 400mm f/2.8 USM (no IS), I had the 24-70mm f/2.8L USM so that gave me pretty much the same coverage and quality I had with my Oly stuff. All told I "almost" broke even loosing about a thousand or a little more on the deal (I considered myself lucky).

So given that I am primarily a Sports Shooter I realized that the 5D Mkii is not the best for sports. It does WAY better in low light/high ISO situations but its a slow poke. So I decided to add a couple of 7D bodies since they are almost identical in layout to the 5D2 and use the same batteries as the 5D2 which would make the chargers all work. The 7D is a fantastic body that does what I need and can shoot at 8FPS which is almost a 50% jump in speed and way good for me. I also liked the 1.6X Crop Factor of the APS-C over the 1.3X of the APS-H sensor in the 1DMk4 bodies (plus I could buy two for the price of one). I plan to use the two 7D's for the action stuff and the 5D2 for the before and after stuff as well as any other work I do such as portraiture and the like. I added battery grips to all three bodies because I like the feel better and I can shoot all day on a set of batteries, plus I got them brand new in the original boxes on ebay for a third of the cost from Canon. Then I had to add a pile of batteries (after a bunch of research I decided to just buy original Canon batteries since they are chipped and talk to the cameras), a few more chargers, and a 580 EX II speed light and I was back to ready to shoot.

I downloaded the Owners Manual for both models and the speedlight and actually read them cover to cover. I have been a professional photographer for over 25 years and I actually read even the most basic stuff AND LEARNED STUFF HAHA. I knew it had been many years since I was a Canon guy (I had a lot of Canon stuff including an F1 back in the days O de Film) and I know that you need to really know your gear when stuff is happening fast so I had to get up to speed quick. I really did read the manuals and I have spent a bunch of time practicing with the bodies to get my brain around where things are at compared to my Olympus cameras. Overall I am comfortable with the new cameras so we will see how that goes when I'm under the gun.

So there ya go, what happens when one wing nut decides to change systems. I am very much loving the Canon brand even though I have always really wanted to be a Nikon guy (no idea why I just like them). I was treated well by their Service Center (I am taking the 7Ds there to have their MODE Knobs replaced with locking versions soon) and I really like the features of these bodies. The lenses are "almost" as nice as the Olympus glass and overall the Canon stuff is really pretty cool. One small thing I like is the ability to "Micro Adjust" the focus. I bought a Lens Align Pro Plus setup ($160.00) and tested all these expensive super duper "L" lenses and they were all off a tiny bit. Most were back focused about 5 to 8 "clicks" and once dialed in the sharpness (especially on the long lenses) was really something else. I am looking forward to putting all this new gear through its paces and with Fall Sports coming soon ITS FOOTBALL TIME low light here I come :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Big D,

Interesting story. Years ago I purchased a 20D and got some great pics with it. Then about 6-7 years ago, I purchased a 50D & figured I was done (as if).

I've been doing a good deal more wide angle lately & decided to bite the bullet on a 5D MKII. When I purchased the body, I went with the 24-70mm f2.8L. I also purchased the 8-15mm f4.0L. I don't use it on 8mm too much, but the 15mm length still provides a bit of distortion and it's GREAT for scenics. Later on I picked up the 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L USM IS.

I was a happy camper until I tried to use it for sports and found the burst rate and autofocus somewhat lacking. Recently, I traded in my 20D and 50D bodies along with a Canon 18-55mm kit lens and picked up a refurbished (by Canon) 7D. WOW!!! What a camera. I just downloaded the new 2.0 firmware and what a difference. I heard Canon was coming out with a newer version of the 7D this year but with the firmware updates, I have to wonder why. Recently, I added the 70-200mm f4.0 (I got a really good deal on it), but I'm hoping to upgrade to the f2.8 IS version down the road.

As far as Sony goes, I have the NEX-7 & 5N and I love 'em both. When I run out on a quick errand, I have them and some extra lenses packed in a kit bag by the door.

Enjoy your new gear!

PD

I didn't think your story was too long. I did expect (and wasn't surprised) when someone inferred that your new equipment may have come to you by other-than-legal means. My comments were an argument against nonsense such as that. That is called "providing information" which is what we do here. If that bothers you, I apologize.

Thanks I am having a blast with the Canon stuff. I came to the same conclusion pretty much right up front that the 5D2 was a slow poke with good Image Quality. I grabbed two 7D's for the fast stuff and added grips to them both. They were both already loaded with the new 2.0 Firmware so I get all the cool new features. I also plan to send them in for the MODE Knob upgrade but I got tired of bleeding money for a while so I hit the pause button. Especially now that I am seriously looking at the 1Dx, if Adorama or B&H had one in stock it would already be on its way so I'm kinda glad they didn't :mrgreen:

Big D,

You're a mad man & I'm green with envy.

I put the grips on my bodies as well. I even had them on the 20D and 50D when I traded them in. I have pretty big mitts and the camera feels better in my hands plus it makes vertical holds easier as well.

I thought about the mode dial lock but I've never found it to be a problem. I usually check the setting when putting it to my eye. Even if I forget, 90% of the time, I shoot in Aperture Priority. If I put it to my eye & the wheel changes something else, I know something's wrong. Admittedly, I could miss a shot if shooting sports. If I lived within driving distance to a service center though, I'd give it serious consideration.

BTW, if you want to get into HDR down the road, check out Photomatix; GREAT software!

PD

You don't need to go anywhere! We all enjoyed your experience and found it interesting.
I too, have am Olympus, but no longer use it. I'm using a Fugi HS20, and very happy with the results.

I've always wanted a Nikon or Canon, but believe their prices are so high only because they know they are the best!
I don't want to give them the satisfaction!

I like my Fugi, one lens, (24 to 720 mm) 16 MP, 11 FPS
It does take good pics, but does not like high ISO.

So...hang in there, and keep us posted on new & interesting adventures with your camera.

Harry

Why thank you. I know I bought some nice stuff but I'm not a Rockefeller I had about seven years worth of top Olympus stuff to peddle. I keep my gear in great condition so I got a good return on it and that really helped. I put my name on the list today to get a Canon 1Dx, $7K just vaporized but DAMN what that thing can do is worth it. :shock: :shock: :shock:

Have fun with it, and get use some pics to look at!

You don't need to go anywhere! We all enjoyed your experience and found it interesting.
I too, have am Olympus, but no longer use it. I'm using a Fugi HS20, and very happy with the results.

I've always wanted a Nikon or Canon, but believe their prices are so high only because they know they are the best!
I don't want to give them the satisfaction!

I like my Fugi, one lens, (24 to 720 mm) 16 MP, 11 FPS
It does take good pics, but does not like high ISO.

So...hang in there, and keep us posted on new & interesting adventures with your camera.

Harry