redrocktom Loc: Sedona

Getting ready to pull the trigger on the Oly EM-5mkII and 12-40/2.8 and would appreciate any recommendations from the EM-X owners on any accessories that you have found to be useful. I like wearing a waist pack when hiking, so a holster or belt pouch would be nice, but maybe asking too much with the 12-40. Also things like slings, wrist straps, wireless remotes, spare batteries, and camera specific "how to" books are all on my hit list. Or any other items found to be helpful would be much appreciated. The camera stores and offerings are very limited in my area, so hands on shopping experience is virtually nonexistent.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

I always order a spare battery with any camera. Second on the list is a new SD card.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Great kit! There's plenty available online, no stores handle this stuff here either. My main bag is lowerpro sling bag. I use a dsptch sling strap which attaches to camera lugs. I have a small waist pack for hiking when the camera is around my neck and I need a place for an extra lens, spare battery, filter and cloth. I use a trusty old Domke bag for extra lenses, but I never have all that with me, just what I can stuff in the sling. I got a wired remote for about $3 on eBay and it works fine. Use my phone for wireless remote. Be sure to download and set up Olympus Capture for tethered shooting, it is very cool to work with if you're taking photographs where you can have a laptop attached.

I'm sure you already got an extra battery, and it doesn't hurt to have 2 since they run down faster than DSLR batteries. I prefer Oly standard batteries, had an off brand that swelled up in the camera and I had a hexx of a time getting it out.

The new 40-150 is a great lens but the old cheap 40-150 is no slouch if you've already spent your main budget. Consider a nice prime too - they are so fun to shoot with. I have the 12, 20 and 45, and am saving for the 60. The Olympus site has good deals on refurbished lenses but you have to watch it closely because the most coveted ones move out fast.

A book is a good thing since the menus are more than a little obscure. David Busch puts out some helpful books for the Olympus stuff.

Have fun and share some images. I've seen some great stuff with that many-megapixel mode that thing has.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

I'd definitely recommend the battery grip and the FL 600R flash. The battery grip (and batteries) are great to have for that body. The flash is efficient, powerful and compact.
Good luck! :thumbup:

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Spare batteries. I have 4 and needed all 4 when I shot a wedding this past year with my em1.

Peak design sling.
Tamrac velocity 6 bag (fits my em1 12-40 and 75 perfectly)
Speaking of which...get the 75 and have the perfect two lens kit.

Hershel Loc: New York City

After many years of departure from my much loved photography hobby and many years of window shopping, I recently purchased and received the following:

Olympus E-M5 Mark II Black Body
M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO
M.Zuiko ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II
Power Battery Holder HLD-8 for E-M5 Mark II (HLD-6P & HLD-8G)
EP-16 Large Eyecup for E-M5 Mark II

Recently bought a small Kata shoulder bag and my next purchase will be an extra battery and a UV/Haze filter and perhaps a circular polarizer filter and then I'm taking a good long rest :).

Good luck in your decision making process!

HERSHEL

jcboy3

Good tripod and ball head so you can take advantage of the high resolution mode.

L-bracket for mounting horizontal or vertical on tripod.

Wired remote shutter release cable.

Flash that has remote capability. FL-600 will work, or FL-50R, or even FL-36R (but it's a bit puny). I like the FL-50R, have several.

Wireless radio trigger for flash that can be used as wireless shutter release as well. I like the Cactus V6; it can remotely control flash power on FL-50R.

Filters; circular polarizer, neutral density in various strengths (I don't like the variable ones), and graduated neutral density. I have a couple of these screw on, but also like the Cokin style plates (I use a LEE system).

Xume magnetic filter mount; so you don't have to spend time screwing filters on/off.

Rubber screw-in lens hood. These are great for any time you want to take a picture through glass window; press the rubber hood against the glass and eliminate most reflections.

Hoodman collapsible loupe. Useful for looking at the LCD screen in bright sunlight; especially if you are showing pictures to others.

OEM spare battery (I don't like third party batteries for m4/3 cameras).

Battery grip. I shoot a lot of portraits, and like the convenience of a natural hold for vertical orientation.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I have the E-M5 and had to have the battery grip for 2 reasons: feel of the camera and having the extra battery. They use a lot of power.

Kuzano

One half of the HLD-6 grip attachment. The Oly E-M5 grip was a must for me. Unfortunately NOT the whole grip, but sometimes you can find the center portion (not the battery added portrait portion) for a reasonable price. I bought mine new for $100.

For me the camera needed just a bit more grip on one end and a touch more base, since I was using the slightly bulky Panasonic 14-140 HD lens. Only downside was taking it off to get to the battery door, but I did not want the portrait grip and it's extra bulk.

There is a grip that has access to the battery door and is the same configuration. As I recall the name is Hoson, and it's found on eBay. It adds just about the same base depth as the grip portion of the single center section of the HLD-6.

Btw, the part number for the MKII is not the HLD-6... I think the digit is higher now.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

Might be the HLD-8.

redrocktom Loc: Sedona

Thanks Kuzano, forgot to mention that I'm also buying the combo grip/L-bracket. The camera feels much better in hand with the grip, and I also wanted an A/S L-bracket for tripod verticals. Oly part # ECG-2. I think it fits the mkii only.