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My Camera Gear Journey: What Works for Me

My gear rundown! How it all began, what I started with, what works - where I went wrong - and what I'm using now 👍



A bit about Micro Four Thirds


OM System's Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras, previously branded under Olympus, are known for offering compact, lightweight designs without sacrificing image quality. These cameras use a Micro Four Thirds sensor, which is smaller than full-frame and APS-C sensors, but still large enough to deliver excellent image quality, especially in good lighting conditions.


Key Features of OM System Micro Four Thirds Cameras:

  1. Compact and Lightweight:

    • MFT cameras are highly portable due to their smaller sensor size, making them great for travel, street photography, and any situation where reducing gear weight is a priority.

    • The lenses for MFT cameras are also smaller and lighter compared to lenses for larger sensor systems, enhancing portability.

  2. Image Quality:

    • Although the MFT sensor is smaller than full-frame, it still delivers impressive image quality, especially when paired with OM System’s advanced optics and technology. The smaller sensor size offers a 2x crop factor, which is advantageous for telephoto work, as it effectively doubles the focal length.

    • OM System cameras are known for their excellent in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), allowing users to capture sharp handheld images even in low-light conditions without needing a tripod.

  3. High-Quality Lenses:

    • The Micro Four Thirds system has a wide range of lenses available, both from OM System and third-party manufacturers like Panasonic, Sigma, and others. These lenses range from ultra-wide angles to long telephoto lenses, providing versatility for various photography styles, including wildlife, portrait, and landscape.

  4. Weather-Sealed Bodies:

    • Many OM System cameras are built to withstand harsh environments. For example, the OM-1 and OM-5 are known for their rugged, weather-sealed bodies, offering resistance to dust, water, and cold temperatures, making them ideal for outdoor photography.

  5. Autofocus and Speed:

    • OM System cameras feature fast autofocus systems, making them suitable for action and wildlife photography. The OM-1, for example, boasts advanced AI-driven autofocus, which helps in tracking subjects like birds, animals, and moving objects with greater precision.

    • These cameras often offer high burst shooting rates, allowing for continuous shooting, which is useful for sports or fast-moving subjects.

  6. 4K Video Capabilities:

    • OM System cameras like the OM-1 and OM-5 are capable of shooting 4K video, offering high-quality video recording with in-body stabilization, making them great for handheld videography.

Popular Models:

  1. OM-1:

    • The OM-1 is the flagship model and a successor to the Olympus E-M1 series. It features a 20MP stacked sensor, improved dynamic range, and impressive autofocus. It’s designed for professional photographers, particularly those who focus on wildlife, sports, or outdoor photography due to its rugged build and fast shooting capabilities.

  2. OM-5:

    • A smaller, more affordable option, the OM-5 offers many of the same features as the OM-1, like weather sealing and image stabilisation, but in a more compact form. It’s aimed at enthusiast photographers who want a versatile camera for everyday use and travel.

  3. OM-D E-M5 Mark III:

    • This model is lightweight, weather-sealed, and offers excellent stabilisation. It is popular among enthusiasts looking for a compact, high-performance camera for both photography and videography.


Advantages of Micro Four Thirds:

  • Portability: The biggest advantage is the system’s size and weight, which is much more manageable than full-frame or APS-C systems.

  • Lens Selection: MFT has one of the widest selections of native lenses among mirrorless camera systems, providing flexibility across all photography genres.

  • Price: MFT cameras and lenses are generally more affordable than full-frame systems, making them accessible to a broader range of photographers (me!)


Disadvantages:

  • Low-Light Performance: Due to the smaller sensor, MFT cameras typically don’t perform as well in low-light conditions as full-frame systems.

  • Depth of Field Control: Achieving shallow depth of field (blurry backgrounds) is harder compared to cameras with larger sensors.


In summary, OM System Micro Four Thirds cameras provide a fantastic balance between portability, performance, and versatility, especially for photographers who prioritize travel, wildlife, and video content creation. They are well-suited for enthusiasts and professionals who need a compact yet capable system.


I'm personally very happy with my choice to stick with Olympus/OM System, my overall kit is small and relatively light and I can shoot pretty much anything with ease.


I also love the computational modes: Live Composite and built-in focus stacking (without tripod option) especially, plus the built-in ND Filters. I will upgrade to the OM-1 Mark 2 eventually, looking forward to using the built-in graduated filters!



The Camera Body I started with (with lens package). Olympus Em10 (although I had the Mark 1)


Then I upgraded to the OMD EM1 Mark 2


My everyday lens I use for landscapes and general photography, f/4.0 12 - 100mm


Taken with the 12-100mm




My wide angle lens for landscape and astro photography


Taken with the 7-14mm - nice and wide, great for big rainbows!




My Macro lens for insects and fungi


This one it taken using the built-in Focus Stacking. You have the option to shoot with out without tripod, this is without tripod:




My Initial Birding Lens 40 -150mm


Taken with the 40-150mm (no teleconverter)



My Current Camera Body


My Back-up Camera Body


Soon I'll Upgrade my Camera Body to the OM-1 Mark 2


The 150 - 400mm Pro Lens (Current birding lens which I love!




 

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