rhyde Loc: Little Rock, AR

I am the proud owner of a new Olympus OMD E-M5. When I purchased my Nikon D7000, I found all manner of third-party books and information on how to get the best from my camera. They proved to be invaluable. Perhaps it is because the Oly is a 4/3 format (rather than DSLR), and is still quite new on the market, but I can't find any books/information outside forums that support it and explain in a simpler manner how the camera works. Do any of my fellow UHHers know where I can find this information?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

That is one of the problems with buying cameras that are not main stream products. The biggest problem I have with the 4/3s system (and yes I have one) is the lack of availability of reasonable priced lenses and accesories. You are stuck with Olympus products. Have you looked at the Olympus lens prices? The reason Nikon makes DX lenses, and Canon makes EF-S lenses, are that they are cheaper to produce than lenses for full frame cameras as the APS-C cropped sensors are smaller than full frame sensors saving in the diameter of the glass lens elements necessary. The 4/3's sensor is smaller yet (2x crop factor) which SHOULD translate into even LESS expensive lenses. Yet Olympuses lens prices are typically higher than Nikon or Canon FULL FRAME lens prices? The whole situation smacks of "sell the bodies cheap and nail the customer with lens pricing!" to me. But thats just my opinion. I will not buy another Olympus myself because of this apparent lens price gouging policy.
Look at the Olympus 300mm F2.8 at $7000.00, and compare to the FULL FRAMES from Nikon 300mm F2.8 at $6000.00 and the Canon 300mm F2.8 at $6800.00. And if those are too pricey, you can get the Sigma 300mm F2.8 for either Nikon, Canon, Sony or Pentax for $3400.00. Aftermarket lensmakers for the 4/3s system are RARE if you can find them at all.

rhyde Loc: Little Rock, AR

MT, I value your opinions, and as a Nikon user, your knowledge of that system. However, I couldn't disagree with you more re: costs. I have yet to see the prices you cite. And 4/3 users are not stuck with brand, as are those who use Nikon or Canon. With inexpensive adapters, even Nikon legacy lenses can be used with Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, etc. Sure, you can find expensive lenses in any format, but the convenience of the smaller size and building a 4/3 system, in my view, certainly costs no more than average lenses that will work with my D7000.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

This looks helpful http://www.dpreview.com/articles/9115179666/user-guide-getting-the-most-out-of-the-olympus-e-m5

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The prices I quoted were TODAYS selling prices from B&H Photo because they had all the 300mm lenses in stock (you can check them all out there yourself if you doubt me). I have priced others as well, like I said, I have an Olympus too or I would probably have never seen the high prices for their lenses to begin with.

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

BUT, as MT pointed out the Oly lenses are a 2X factor so compare the 300 mm f/2.8 Olympus to the Canon or Nikon 600 mm f/2.8 and you'll see things a bit differently (what are they like 11 or 12K?). And then actually carry one compared to the Canikon monsters and THEN you will really see what's up. I used mine today along with their EC-14 1.4X Teleconverter and I can assure you these Super High Grade lenses are worth every penny. And the last time I looked nobody other then Olympus even makes a 70-200 mm f/2.0 or a 28-70 mm f/2.0 but Olympus do!!! I don't feel gouged just maybe a bit scuffed :mrgreen:

jfantasma

I agree. I own two Olympus cameras and the new OMD and an Evolt E520. Love them both! Of course nothing tops the 5 axis sensor. Lenses re a bit pricey but very well worth the money. I spent almost two years researching cameras before I decided to go with my first Olympus. Never regret a day of owning it. My wife thinks I'm crazy for wanting a $6000 lens but she likes my pictures lol.

Vanderpix Loc: New Jersey

I too am an Olympus user. While prices of their SHG lens mentioned are wll beyond my budget, I have three of their HG lens which perform quite well and excell in speed anything in the Nikon or Canon lines for the price. While the 50-200 lists at about 1200 I purchased one slightly used for 900. Recently I explored looking into Canon and Nikon for an eventual replacement of my system, but I could not find a Telephoto that went from 2.8-3.5 in the same price range as the 50-200. It also takes great pictures. It seems the trend for Nikon and Canon is to improve the camera electronics with less noise so slower lens can be used. Olympus system is noisier but the lenses are faster and really quite good. I plan to rent one of the SHG lenses, particularly the 35-100 2.0 as I wil not be able afford it in the foreseable future. Of course the way things seem to progressing in digital photography, things could be very different in say 5 years when I will need a new system. I am not tied to any company, but will go with the one that gives me the best bang for the little bucks that I have.

RiverNan Loc: Eastern Pa

dang this is timely...I have been fighting with myself over the om d or the E5 ever since I heard about the OMD
I love my P&S olympus..which also keeps me from shelling out all the big dough for cam and lens
I want to hear more about how much people love the new little cam....that helps.

rhyde Loc: Little Rock, AR

I've saved a lot of reviews and help columns on the E-M5, but not this one. It's a big help. Thanks!

Designerfin Loc: Utah, USA

I don't quite understand the 4/3 format's appeal. There are some great APS-c camera systems that are no more expensive than 4/3 and you have a bigger sensor. Is it all about overall size, then? If you pair a Canon T4i with the 15-85 IS USM (instesd of the 18-55 kit lens) you have an outstanding setup for around $1700 if you buy cleverly. But, to each his own.

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

The appeal is the lenses:

The original intention was to make DSLR's that were smaller and lighter than other brands. In the end the lenses that came along ended up being fairly large but of the upper most quality. Olympus specifically developed an entirely new set of lenses that were engineered to fit the "image circle" of the lens to perfectly match the sensor. They developed three levels of lenses the standard, high grade, and super high grade. The standards are basically kit lenses with plastic mounts and descent optics. The high grades are nicer with stainless mounts, mostly metal bodies, and great optics. Several, such as the 24-120 mm f/2.8-4.0 and the 100-400 mm f/2.8-3.5 are absolute super stars for build quality and optical performance. Then we get to the super high grade and were talking about lenses that are almost in a class unto themselves. There are four zooms and two primes in this line and every one of them has gained top honors amongst pretty much everyone that has tested them. They have a 70-200 mm f/2.0 (yes 2.0) that is considered the best on the market in that popular range. They have a 28-70 mm f/2.0 that is considered to be the best "standard" zoom lens on the planet and is especially popular with video shooters for use on high end video cameras. And they have a 14-28 mm f/4.0 that has something like a 130 degree field of view and almost no distortion, also considered amongst the top super wide angels out there. The last zoom is a 180-500 mm f/2.8 that has no peers for speed and focal length and all of these are internal zoom fixed aperture (they go from one end to the other without extending or loosing any f/stops). The two primes are a 300 mm f/2.0 and a 600 mm f/2.8 which pretty much handles any low light fast action stuff you may encounter. And if needs be they have a 1.4X and a 2.0X Teleconverter that are both razor sharp. And they are all built to the highest standards and are dust and water resistant. And to top it all off with the Olympus Pro and Pro-Sumer DSLR bodies have built in three axis Image Stabilization so anything you attach is stabilized. Their next DSLR Pro body (the E7) is supposed to be out soon. It is rumored to have the new 16 Mega Pixel sensor (same as the OM-D that beat some top of the line APSC sensor cameras in image quality as well as high ISO noise reduction), 3D Auto Focus, 10 FPS continuos shooting, 25,600 ISO (with excellent noise control), 1080P HD Video, and a new five-axis Image Stabilization system and all in the same rugged Magnesium alloy body of the other E-series cameras. I know those specs are already out there with other systems but Olympus is catching up. And when you combine this new body with those lenses, watch out because they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Now comes the Micro Four Thirds systems that have their own line of purpose built lenses which includes some great fast primes. And all of the four thirds lenses will work with an adapter. Take a look at the Olympus lens lineup and try and find a reason not to like them (except the price).

RJM Loc: Cardiff, S Wales, UK

I have the OMD M5 and it does take some great quality shots.

My only criticism of it is the menu system isn't that user friendly (to me anyway!) compared to my Panasonic FZ150.

RiverNan Loc: Eastern Pa

I love it....
just put it in manual and go....havent even got past that point in the menu yet...but I had an olympus before so the learning curve to get this far wasnt too bad.

RJM Loc: Cardiff, S Wales, UK

I'm a tinkerer and like to learn so I've been experimenting.

I used the art bracketing a couple of days ago. WoW!!!

I'm really liking it the more I use it. I was browsing the market for anther camera and looked at it after seeing it used and recommended by a 5 times master award winning photographer.

I just couldn't find a bad review. Now I know why!