Forum menu
I don't think it's an open standard.
Badly worded I suppose - it's not limited to one manufacturer. Most cameras use proprietary lens mounts, but m4/3 has several manufacturers making cameras with the same fit.
Re telephoto lenses - I have a 40-150 and a 70-300 (which are the same lengths as the Oly m4/3 lenses). The shorter one is great for taking photos for general stuff and particularly people. They can be close enough for you to still be 'with' them but far enough so they don't notice you taking pictures. The shallow DoF produces some lovely results
70-300 I only take when trying to get photos of wildlife. Which is a bit pointless as actual wildlife is almost always still too far away when I'm walking through the woods, and tame wildlife is cheating! You may get better results if you are in the right places. I still use it a lot though because I'm basically an optimist. I have however got a couple of nice pics of people and objects when I haven't been bothered to take it off the camera.
I wouldn't worry too much about 'long' lenses. Anything around 150mm on m4/3 or 200mm on nex is as long as you need unless you start to get into specialist uses.
Wildlife photography is Specialist. Kingfishers doubly so...
I dont think it has been pointed out above that the Sony Nex range is not micro 4/3 - it uses bespoke Sony lenses.
However the screen was great and flipped up which I thought was really useful but I found the graphic images for the controls a bit grey and spindly which I thought would not be read easily in the real world.
also flash was bolt on
I ended up with the GF5 with the collapsing X lens and integrated flash which makes it nice and small. The screen it good but does not flip, but it is touch screen which does make getting at some of the controls very easy.
N
I dont think it has been pointed out above that the Sony Nex range is not micro 4/3 - it uses bespoke Sony lenses.
Oddly the Sony E-mount is more open than m4/3 as the specs are licence free. So Sigma, Tamron and Zeiss (plus some others) all make E-mount lenses. But only Sony make E-mount cameras.
The main differenece between m4/3 is Sony use a larger sensor. The same size as a standard dslr, in fact in general they use the same sensor as Nikon, Pentax and Sony dslrs.
Having said that, Olympus use a sligthly smaller version of the same Sony sensors in their latest cameras, so there's very little to choose between the two systems now. You could do worse than picking the one that looks or feels the best.
If you go for 4/3 get the 45mm F1.8 Oly lens. It's amazing for the price.
Ampthill I have a trick with the kingfishers. .. a handful of maggots opposite where I am fishing and they always turn up for the small silvers it brings in 8)
I am going to have a look at london camera exchange in Winchester and see what they have, worth a shout?
I am liking the look of the Panasonic lumix atm.... but thats bound to change!!
Well, for wildlife, as others said, you'll need a long lens.
This changes my recommendation considerably, as Sony NEX's only long lens isn't that sharp, and the focus is too slow for wildlife.
I'd recommend a Olympus E-PL5 (or wait until tomorrow and they will announch the E-P5!! - but that will cost a lot more) with the kit zoom lens.
Then add a 45mm f1.8 lens (plenty of new ones on ebay, because they were given away free with Olympus OM-D cameras for a while) for people shots and close wildlife. Outstanding lens for the money.
Also add a 75-300mm (the Panasonic 300mm lens is sharper, and has better stabillisation and is fully compatible with Olypus bodies).
They you are sorted. I used most compact system cameras and this would be the best choice for your budget.
Have a look at www.camerapricebuster.co.uk for the latest best prices for the above.
Rich
This changes my recommendation considerably, as Sony NEX's only long lens isn't that sharp, and the focus is too slow for wildlife.
Sony don't have a long lens for the NEX in E-mount.
What they do have is the LA-EA2 adapter which gives you full phase detect AF, along with proper tracking, for use with any alpha-mount lens. You then have access to wide range of excellent long lenses.
But.. the m4/3 75-300 is very expensive, as is the LA-EA2 and one of many lenses. All quite specialist kit.
Dunno if it's kosher to mention it here, but I am selling a Panasonic G1 body, a G2 body, a 14-45 and a 45-200. Looking for about 50% of the new price, so mail me if you're interested ...
Drj cheers but am waiting for some cash to come in and im not too sure when that'll be (solicitors and they're crappy time frames)
I am now definitely getting brain melt from all the choices. Panasonic and olympus seem to br front runners atm....
Just to add to the brain melt...
Olympus use in-body stabilisation. So whatever lens you put on it will be stabilised, even a 50 year old manual focus lens.
Panasonic use in-lens stabilisation, and not all their lenses are stabilised (their prime lenses for example).
Starts to gibber in a corner and cry slightly 😥
Daftvader, I was in a similar situation a few days ago (but with a smaller budget) and couldn't decide what to get. Wanted something for holidays and riding photos. Ended up spending £160 on a refurbished Olympus EPM1 which so far looks like it will do a good job. And because it wasn't too expensive I wont have any issues with selling it and upgrading in a couple of months if I find that it's a bit limiting.
Just get the Oly. You'll be fine with it.
WNB I might be interested in an e-pm1 in a few months' time.. after I've paid off the track frame I just bought 😳
5thelephant image stability (if thats what you mean), on reflection, is actually quite important. I have a permanent hand tremor which can be controlled if I really concentrate, but any help is always good on that score.
Whatnobeer I have been thinking along those lines (mostly to quiet mrs vader!!)
Image stabilisation is always good, yes.
after I've paid off the track frame I just bought
😆
Extremely excited about this.. all these camera purchases and I forgot I desperately wanted one.
[url= http://www.ebay.de/itm/OLYMPUS-OBJEKTIV-75-300mm-ZUIKO-DIGITAL-PEN-NEU-/330920353062?pt=DE_Foto_Camcorder_Objektive&hash=item4d0c63dd26 ]Might also want to keep an eye on this.[/url]
Ive been after a decent camera for a couple of years but other things always crop up instead... now I have the go ahead from mrs vader for a new camera and a new bike... happy days!
Edit... are you in Germany molgrips?
No, I used to be.. but that site is the European clearing centre for Olympus factory refurbs I think. They speak English, are good to deal with and ship over here.
well worth keeping an eye on then. cheers