Need Advice on Possible Upgrade (or is this just GAS)?
Jan 24, 2017 12:36:41 #
I have two Olympus OMD 5 Mark IIs and 4 lenses ( 12-40 Pro, 15mm Pan Leica, 75 Oly, and 20 Pan). I shoot mostly street and some landscape and I send out my best ones for printing...mostly 12 x 18 and 20 x24 (my website is dhermanphotography.com). I don't do this for a living but I am serious about the work and take two 5 day photo workshops a year. I bought the Olympus because it was light and easy to carry a couple of lenses and traded in my Nikons (D 300s). Now I'm thinking of going back to the APS-C sensor for perhaps better quality and greater ability to crop more if needed. I was looking at the Sony a6500 and two lenses (the 16-70 for landscape and the 24 for street). The question is will this, or some suggestion you may have, be a worthwhile upgrade or do I have to go to a full-frame to realize enough of a difference to make the switch worthwhile? I hesitate to go FF since I don't want to carry around heavy equipment anymore and the a6500 is small enough to be discrete when street shooting. Thanks for your suggestions. David
Jan 24, 2017 12:40:39 #
Jan 24, 2017 12:41:08 #
streetshot wrote:
I have two Olympus OMD 5 Mark IIs and 4 lenses ( 1... (show quote)
I think it's wonderful that you're serious about your work. Too many these days are into "selfie" sticks and their phones... I know you understand that. I'd also say that unless you need an "upgrade" for work, don't. If your cameras are doing what you want them too do then why? However if you have the cash to buy an upgrade and you'd really enjoy it why not? Good luck streetshot.
Jan 24, 2017 13:08:04 #
Jan 24, 2017 13:13:06 #
David Vent the GAS and upgrade in a year when technology has moved more in your direction.Stick with what you got. My 2 cents.
streetshot wrote:
I have two Olympus OMD 5 Mark IIs and 4 lenses ( 1... (show quote)
Jan 25, 2017 05:57:57 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
streetshot wrote:
I have two Olympus OMD 5 Mark IIs and 4 lenses ( 1... (show quote)
Even though it is bigger, cost more, and heavier than the E-M5mrII, you might want to consider buying the E-M1mrII. It will offer you a larger sensor pixel wise to crop from. And all the lenses that you own will work on it. The A6500 is a very good camera and would serve you well, but it would require changing out your system for almost the same price (or more) as the E-M1mrII for not that much increase, if any, in IQ. Your low light shooting ability would be slightly increased along with a slightly narrower depth of field with the A6500. But again, it may not be a significant enough amount when compared to the E-M1mrII. You may want to rent before you buy just to feel the differences between the two.
Jan 25, 2017 06:49:42 #
Agree with above. If you need some fresh spark from new gear, get the om-d em1 II and sell one of your current bodies. Not cheap, but cheaper than switching systems. Read Steve Huff's and other's reviews. I just got it. Endless possibilities. Serious camera.
Jan 25, 2017 07:18:40 #
streetshot wrote:
I have two Olympus OMD 5 Mark IIs and 4 lenses ( 1... (show quote)
Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu
Jan 25, 2017 08:25:08 #
Image Wrangler
Loc: Sconsin
If you haven't looked at them already, check out the SONY A7 M2 or the A7R M2 full frame bodies. Currently, SONY has an incredible trade-in program going on. Visit your local camera store, have your present gear evaluated, add on the SONY trade $$. You could be walking out with an incredible camera at an incredible price. Incidently, the a6500 is not included in the SONY trade in program. https://m.dpreview.com/articles/9782001248/sony-a7r-ii-versus-a7-ii-eight-key-differences
Jan 25, 2017 09:01:15 #
Something similar I have seen in the forum before and because of the many answers you could be confused since we all think and act differently. I will give you my personal opinion.
You have two excellent mirrorless cameras and your assortment of lenses could not be better. For landscape and street photography that is all you need. If you need more than 16 megapixels because you crop often that is a different story. I am sure you are pleased with the quality of your prints.
I am not familiar with Sony products although I have seen many images from cameras like the one you have in mind and they are excellent the only drawback is that you have to start all over again. The a6500 as you know sports 24 megapixels.
Going to full frame will also be expensive since you have to buy the camera and the lenses you need. I shoot regularly with my D7000 and D610 and when it comes to quality it is pretty hard for me to see the difference compared with Olympus but that is me.
You have two excellent mirrorless cameras and your assortment of lenses could not be better. For landscape and street photography that is all you need. If you need more than 16 megapixels because you crop often that is a different story. I am sure you are pleased with the quality of your prints.
I am not familiar with Sony products although I have seen many images from cameras like the one you have in mind and they are excellent the only drawback is that you have to start all over again. The a6500 as you know sports 24 megapixels.
Going to full frame will also be expensive since you have to buy the camera and the lenses you need. I shoot regularly with my D7000 and D610 and when it comes to quality it is pretty hard for me to see the difference compared with Olympus but that is me.
Jan 25, 2017 09:28:29 #
It all comes down to 2 things. First--Is your current stuff is doing what you need, you don't need new gear. Second- if you do need new gear, how much money do want to spend on the new stuff. If you are going to go all new, take a serious look at the Pentax K1-- a pro quality full frame at a crop sensor price.
Jan 25, 2017 09:29:04 #
Jan 25, 2017 10:25:31 #
I would wait, personally. If you can't wait, why not look at an OM-D E-M1ii? It will give you an even higher hires option in addition to a 20mp sensor. There are award winning togs who shoot m4/3 and unless you are shooting a lot in low light the m4/3 format can produce great shots. They are actually, even at 16mp slightly more pixel-dense that a 24mp aps-c, the surface area is the difference.
If you decide to upgrade let me know how much you'd like for one of your m5ii bodies and lenses.
If you decide to upgrade let me know how much you'd like for one of your m5ii bodies and lenses.
Jan 25, 2017 10:59:09 #
streetshot wrote:
I have two Olympus OMD 5 Mark IIs and 4 lenses ( 1... (show quote)
Those are some damn good lenses!
I'd probably get an Olympus OM-D EM1 Mark II or a Panasonic GH5 when it's available in April. Both are 20MP flagship bodies, with extremely advanced AF systems. The Oly is probably aimed more at still photography, while the Panny has better video features and easier to use menus and ergonomics. Both appear to use basically the same sensor with no anti-aliasing filter and new color processing technology.
I went from APS-C Canons and Nikons and a Canon 5D to Micro 4/3 with the Lumix GH4, and haven't regretted it in the least. I've made 40"x30" prints from un-cropped images that look absolutely stunning when viewed at the diagonal dimension of the print (50"). That's the same perceived resolution as viewing a 20x15 at 25", or a 10x7.5 at 12.5 inches! Both the cameras I mentioned above are a lot better than what I'm working with, so check them out on the usual review sites.
Jan 25, 2017 11:36:38 #
I really think that this is a GAS attack and if you have just a little self control you will get over it especially considering your very nice Olympus set up now. If, however, if you need to make a change I would look seriously at the Fuji X-T2. Read about this camera on youtube videos as a comparison to Sony for both weight and price of lenses and for camera IQ.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.