So who's ordered one?

[pdk42]

Previous discussions on here and elsewhere had make me take a long hard look at my needs, desires, and finance relating to the whole photography hobby.

I have never sold photos, simply enjoyed taking photos and viewing my achievements. Members on here have previously stated they have thousands of photos stored on additional computer hard drives. Why ? If not a professional, what are you going to do with several thousand photos which, if you are brutally honest, nobody but yourself and possible a few members on here are remotely interested in. Experience with family and friends has taught me whilst people are polite and express all the standard Oh and Ahhs, they can't wait for you to finish showing your latest pics.

Well, let's be honest here, everything we do in our lives is ultimately destined to turn to sand (or more correctly, humus). I know this is getting very philosophical, but unless we think there is some deity who is providing external purpose, then the only purpose we have is that which we chose to make for ourselves. Taking photos and enjoying the gear and the experience is just as valid a purpose as anything else in my opinion. If it motivates you and gets you out of bed in the morning, then it's doing its job. It's nothing really to do with what others think.

Next is the subject of GAS. Again if not a Pro Togger do you really think the latest model is going to make a massive improvement to your abilities and skill ? Yes, looking at the latest offering costing more than our first house purchase is enjoyable. However, when you honestly weigh up the improvements on the latest version compared to what you already own, do you consider those few extra pixels and slightly better looks are worth maybe £1k+ ? I do appreciate that it is a hobby and all hobbies cost money.

Again, if gear is what interests and motivates you then why not? Of course, there are environmental issues to consider, but I think camera gear compared to many other hobbies is the least of our global concerns about climate, habitat loss etc.

Photography is akin to fishing in that unless you have someone who has the same interest who comes with you on walkabouts and photo shoots, it can be the loneliest of hobbies. I started my interest in photography many years ago with an Olympus Trip which I still own together with an original OM1n film camera still in mint condition.

I suspect that photography appeals to those like the loneliness, at least to some degree. If very active social hobbies is what you seek, you'd be doing something different.

The difference in cost of todays cameras and lenses etc. together with the opinions and feelings already expressed has sadly made me lose most of my interest in photography. I have other hobbies that over a 12 month period compared to photography, cost virtually nothing. Each to their own I guess.
Jax

I don't think cameras in real terms are any more expensive today than they were in the past. As a case in point, my first real camera was a Pentax Spotmatic II that with a 50mm f1.4 lens cost me and my father (mostly my father) £92 in 1973. In today's money £92 is £1400 since the pound has lost almost 94% of its value over that time. £1400 would easily buy a mid-range body and 50mm lens today. In fact, I reckon it could be done for well under £1000, so real prices of photo gear are less today than in the 1970s.

[Jax]

Paul, thank you for the very detailed response. As I said it is a matter of each to their own and we are all different in that respect. I will never understand why someone who does not sell photos needs to save hundreds of thousands on numerous hard drives. I would be interested to know what happens to them when the person dies. My wife wouldn't have a clue and probably send all my camera and computer gear to the closest Auction House. I know several people who have digital cameras and take photos on high days and holidays, never print them, just save them on dozens of memory cards and stored in the loft ! In my own personal opinion, I do think we all do things in a hobby that produces an item to enjoy admiration. I also enjoy woodwork and wood turning but wouldn't enjoy producing something that others didn't like. Actually that hobby is also under question now as few seem to appreciate natural items seeming to prefer the plastic equivalents. I have several boxes of self made items from lovely grained polished natural wood that nobody seems interested in. Hmmmm just thought. We have just had a new multi fuel fire installed 😃

[The Dragon's Father]

Haha I don't think I've ever agreed with you more than on the answers you've given to Jax.

Since I'm retired Photography has become my 'raison d'etre'. It stimulates my imagination, encourages further learning and debate, forces me to investigate and learn about potential photographic locations and encourages me to make solo trips I'd never, ever have made otherwise (and some have been incredible: Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Iceland etc.), as well as providing a stimulus to arrange holidays with my better half.
It gets me out of the house and even gives me an income to cover the cost of my hobby so my wife can't moan (too much). On top of which I put my prints up around our home, gift them as presents and produce books and zines on our/my trips. In short it not only gives life meaning but without it I can't imagine how boring life may have become.

[rchammer]

I must admit to seeking a purpose to my photography without being published in National Geographic, The Sunday Times etc. but I can live in hope. What helped me have a “purpose”, outside of just enjoying doing it, has been:
- doing an annual yearbook that has some of my “arty” photos mixed in with holiday snaps. My family nag me to do this because they love looking back over the holidays and events of the year. I treat taking photos here as a documentary assignment. I also try reallly hard to get my wife to see sufficient merit in my photos to put them up on the wall at home - I have managed to do that but I want more!
- offering services at a local sports club, small theatre or theatre group, unknown band etc. These “free gigs” have an audience that can really appreciate seeing photos of themselves and for use on social media, websites etc. It is quite a thrill for me seeing my pictures in the match programme for my local semi-pro football club, for example.
- being the unofficial backup photographer at family or friends events such as christenings, weddings etc. I have on two occasions presented friends with photo albums that made them cry (in a good way not because the composition was terrible).

As to it being lonely, whilst I sometimes like to wander off on my own with my camera, I have a good friend who is a Canon shooter and we sometimes go to events together and are able to share our fun of taking photos at an airshow, racing circuit, cricket etc. I’ve never been a member of a photography club but I expect one might get the same social interaction / cameraderie to make this not always a lonely endeavour.

[Dave in Wales]

Take a look at these.

My money would be on a PEN-F MK2 with OM-3 innards.

[Ian]

I have noticed that all the photos show the om3 with the om 12-45 , or the new small primes. Do you think the balance would be off with th 12-100, 100 - 400 or even the 12-40?

I'm not necessarily representative of the majority here, but I am - personally - quite agnostic to the shape of the camera body, as long as the controls are in the right place. I don't shoot one-handed very often, so one hand is supporting the lens sand the other, the camera body. The shape of the camer body is probably more important for when not taking a shot, and for how you prefer to carry the camera around. If you are someone who doesn't like a neck/shoulder strap, the camera body grip and the size of the lens attached could be more important.

Ian

[pdk42]

I'm not necessarily representative of the majority here, but I am - personally - quite agnostic to the shape of the camera body, as long as the controls are in the right place. I don't shoot one-handed very often, so one hand is supporting the lens sand the other, the camera body. The shape of the camer body is probably more important for when not taking a shot, and for how you prefer to carry the camera around. If you are someone who doesn't like a neck/shoulder strap, the camera body grip and the size of the lens attached could be more important.

Ian

In truth, having a grip rather than a flat profile is way more ergonomic. Every digital camera I’ve had that had a flat profile I’ve ended up adding a grip of sorts to it. I think actually that the EM5, in all its variants, was a great compromise. In fact, apart from the plasticky build quality, the current OM5 is I think a way more ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing approach than the OM3.

[Ian]

You are right, it's simply that for me, the lack of a grip isn't a deal-breaker. I've just picked up the old film OM-2n with 50 1.4 and most of the weight is being supported by my left hand. The profile of the body is much the same as the new OM-3. I don't get any alarm bells ringing that the OM-2n is uncomfortable or badly arranged - but that's me. On the other hand, as an OM-1 Mark I owner, I don't feel the need to swap to an OM-3, but that decision isn't because of the ergonomics.

[cedge]

I did the same, picked up my OM-2n Ian..I actually can see why they went the way they did with a lot of the design elements/choices on the OM-3. I think the advantage of a flat profile is that you can in all likelihood add a grip if you want but you can't take it away on those cameras that have a grip built in.

[griffljg]

As an OM-1 (Mark I) owner, I don't feel the need to upgrade yet. If I were to upgrade now, I would opt for the OM-1 Mk II in preference to the OM-3. The lack of a grip is an annoyance, rather than a deal breaker, while the lack of a second card slot is, for me, a deal breaker. But that is just me and it is for historical reasons.

The shutter on my niece's old E-M10 Mk II died on her in Greece last year. She and her hubby managed to find themselves an E-M10 Mk IV in Athens, but are thinking of investing in another camera. I have suggested the OM-3 in a few months' time, when the prices have hopefully dropped to more reasonable levels.

[Downwind Dec]

I'm holding off while my EM1ii is still giving good service.

I do get that there is something to be said for a camera that looks and feels nice, so there's more to it than a question of 'camera collector' vs photographer. I often pick up, heft and admire my little GM5 which feels like it's machined from a solid block of metal; I'd find it hard to pass up a 'modern' equivalent if it brought a bigger EVF and a decent bump in IQ over the EM1ii.

On the other hand, I love the handling of the EM1ii. I regularly have it on a wrist strap, dangling lightly from a finger on the grip. I'll be hoping for similar ergonomics from its eventual replacement so probably not an OM-3 as a main carry.

[Melaka]

I decided long ago that the EM1ii would be my last camera. Later models offer little improvement for my style of photography.

[pdk42]

I had a play today at LCE in Leamington. In no particular order:

- It's got a nice quality feel to it, BUT ... one of the demo units already had a number of scratches to the paint (yes, the chrome is paint) which looked quite unsightly. I know that demo units get a bit of heavy treatment, but this thing can't be more than a week or so old. I guess real owners will look after them, but like the chrome Pen-F I think it'll get scruffy over time. In the case of the Pen-F, the black edition fared much better for some reason. But for the moment there are no plans for a black version.

- It's a fast camera with lots of features. I guess anyone with an OM1.2 will understand that since it's basically the same camera from a sensor/electronics/firmware point of view.

- The EVF is pretty decent. Comparing it side-by-side with the OM1, it's clear that the OM1's display is larger, a bit brighter, and crisper - but I don't think the OM-3 EVF is bad at all. It's definitely better than "adequate".

- The handling is fine. The lack of a grip is mitigated to some degree by the longer-than-usual right-hand side of the camera; and the "creative dial" acts as a good place to grip it with your little finger!

- It's great to have proper C modes again (over the EM5.3/OM5), but there's definitely a paucity of buttons. I really missed the drive mode buttons that you find on the top left of the OM1/EM1 etc.

- I wish it didn't have that black plastic edge between the "pentaprism" and the lens mount. It think it spoils the line. A personal aesthetic opinion I know.

- The shutter sounds lovely.

- Unlike the Pen-F, the baseplate has lots of screws in it (small point, but I thought this part of the Pen's design was quite exquisite).

So, it's a very nice camera. But I wasn't wowed by it, which is what I was expecting. I was absolutely wowed by the Pen-F, but the OM-3 doesn't do it for me. Don't know why. Maybe it's a case of expectations vs reality? In fact, they had the OM1.2 there as well and if I had to make a choice between the two, it would be be the OM1.2. It does everything the OM3 does, plus:

- Better EVF

- Better handling

- More rugged

- Just as pretty in its own way

- Takes a battery grip if needed

- More controls/buttons

So, close but no cigar from me (at least for the moment).

FYI - I noticed that Cotswold cameras are selling the nikon Zf for under £1400.

[BDennis]

Thanks for the update / feedback. A shame about the chrome paint being weak, that would really annoy me. They should really do a black one!

I've been tempted as I find the OM1Mk2 a bit of a lump for a casual carry-about with a short lens. The new 17mm f1.8 is tempting as well, optically the same as the old but the lack of rain-proofing on the old one has stopped me taking it out regularly in the UK when I don't have a bag to hide it from the weather.

[LadyG]

I missed Paul by about 2 hours, arriving at LCE Leamington at around 1230 and would agree with the majority of what he says above.

However, with the 'advantage' of smaller hands, the lack of a grip didn't really bother me; it felt really good in my hands and if it wasn't for the current price I might be thinking of trading in my OM-5 for a copy. Despite some of the anti comments I've seen, it sounds as though pre-orders are reasonably healthy because I was told that if you pre-ordered one on Friday you wouldn't get it until mid-March.

So I'll have to see what the situation is when my house sale/purchase completes - I'd be trading in the OM-5 because the days of needing 2 camera bodies is over for me. If I get to shoot a big festival again, I'll just hire a second body for the weekend.

I particularly liked the fact that basically it's an om-1 in a slightly larger than om-5 body, and it has a lot of the features that I would have liked when I switched systems. I'm reasonably happy with the OM-5 but do miss some of my full frame handling and bells and whistles. but I just can't bear the weight of the OM1 (in whatever version). However, I'll be interested to see how the scratching on the bodies develops and whether there's any comment about that in continuing reviews.

I also had a quick play with the 17mm (very nice), and didn't even try with the 100-400. I picked it up and put it down again very quickly - at 1.125kg there's no way I'd be able to put that on my little OM-5 and lift it!

[pdk42]

BDennis

I've been tempted as I find the OM1Mk2 a bit of a lump for a casual carry-about with a short lens.

In terms of size and weight there is not a lot of difference between the OM-3 and the OM-1:

OM1: 135mm x 92mm x 73mm, 599g
OM3: 139mm x 89mm x 46mm, 496g

So, it's practically the same size as the OM1 apart from the lack of a grip. And the weight difference is 100g. Virtually nothing really!

[MikeOxon]

[QUOTE=Dave in Wales;n1009711]Take a look at these.

My money would be on a PEN-F MK2 with OM-3 innards.


The pseudo-pentaprism seems to have become a status symbol. There's no real need for it as the Pen-F demonstrated. Presumably market forces are against that format for a 'serious' camera.

[Dave in Wales]

I had a play today at LCE in Leamington. In no particular order:......................


So, close but no cigar from me (at least for the moment).

FYI - I noticed that Cotswold cameras are selling the nikon Zf for under £1400.

Thanks. for that Paul, I won't even bother to go to Carmarthen Cameras Open day now.

Your comments on scratches etc have defo put me off it.

[The Dragon's Father]

I went on to Taobao to check the status here (Shanghai, China). The official store says it is in stock (and selling at 12,999rmb = £1,422 or US$1,789). I'll be at the camera mall downtown next week so I'll check at the official OM store to see if it is actually in stock or those are just pre-orders (it seems to be selling really well) !

Check out the 2nd image below - that's over 1,000 orders, or sales. That could be any number up to 9,999 btw). And that's just from one online shop, there are many.

The 3rd image below is the translation from the official store - which says 'in stock'. However I believe that means pre-orders not physically in stock.

No sign of the 3 new lenses though - only the older versions on sale here for around £120 each.

I guess I'll be buying it here in a couple of months as it's £577 cheaper here than in the UK (I'm back in the UK/Europe for the Summer and would love to have it for that trip) !

[The Dragon's Father]

With regard to the Pen F discussion above. That camera is just far too small for me. I dislike my OM5 because the buttons and handling are/is just too small for my largish hands so you can imagine how the Pen F feels. So whilst the OM3 lacks a grip (can always add one later I'm sure, the pre-orders here are excellent so expect the likes of Smallrig - who make a ton of accessories for other M43 cameras - to be on it pronto) the larger buttons (if anyone can confirm this - it certainly seems they are more like the OM1's) will improve the handling, for me at least, to be more akin to my OM1.

[Ian]

Yes, we're all different!

[ronidog]

The OM3 is already being shipped to the UK by OM online sales

[pdk42]

(it seems to be selling really well) !

I think it will sell well. If it were £1200 or thereabouts it would sell even better !

[Andy Elliott]

I think I… probably might get one…

[ronidog]

Good for you putting your head above the negativity that seems to be prevalent here!!

[pdk42]

A few here are commenting that the OM1 is big compared to the OM3. That's not the case really:

OM1: 135mm x 92mm x 73mm, 599g
OM3: 139mm x 89mm x 46mm, 496g

So, it's practically the same size as the OM1 apart from the lack of a grip. And the weight difference is 100g. Virtually nothing really!

[griffljg]

So is it a case of if you're interested in style, get the OM-3, while if you're more interested in ergonomics and function, get the OM-1?

[The Dragon's Father]

griffljg I wouldn't say that is exactly so. Remember the OM3 has the guts of the OM1ii so functionality is nearly identical in most aspects (some relatively minor differences), UNLESS you want to shoot wildlife/birds/sport (as the OM3 doesn't have the same fps rate as the OM1) and of course it's form means it's not ideally suited to large tele lenses (maybe if you add a grip when they become available). I'll add a post below with images so you can see the quite large difference in form and how that will affect haptics.

[griffljg]

My usage fits under the "UNLESS" list. ;-)