Birthday dilemma

[chris]

I hit a half century next month, so will hopefully have a bit of birthday present cash to play with....

I'm happy on the landscape side of things, which is my main interest, using an Em5mk2 + 12-40pro as a nice carryable, water sealed set up coupled with a quality tripod.

However, I've done a bit more wildlife stuff this last year - wild red deer and mountain hares mainly, using my 75-300. I want to do more of this, but need to up my game too.

So considering I can't afford both these options, which would reap the most benefit to that end.

Sell the 5mk2 and buy a used 1mk2, sticking with the 75-300.
OR
Sell the 75-300 and scrape together enough for a used 300pro, keeping the 5mk2

The second option may not even be viable cost wise, so it may be the body upgrade, which I think is probably the sensible option anyway - better focusing, pro cap, sensor benefits. But just considering options...

[IainMacD]

The second option without a doubt.
You will get so much more from the quality of the 300mm f4 and 5.2 than sticking the 1.2 behind the 75-300.
The problem is you will still crave the 1.2

[MJ224]

Chris, I have the em5 ii, its a great camera. I like it particularly because of it lightweight and easier to carry.

Personally, when specifically "birding", I find its the 300mmPro lens is the heavy weight. Whether its on the Em1 or the EM5. I find that the EM5 and the Pany 100-400 is really good combination. Both are much lighter than the Em1 and 300mm, and have the zoom ability and flexibility.

Without doubt the EM1 series are better cameras, easier to use, IS is better, which for a "older" man is very useful..:-(

Subject to what your main photography urges, my recommendation to you is to upgrade the lens, you should be able to live with the Em5, the sensor size does not really make a significant difference, the IS is probably good enough. The EM5 Mk3,as the Em1's have the Pro cap ability, which is really good, but you can probably live without it for the time being...

I suspect the 2nd hand prices of the Pany100-400 are still above the EM1's,

What do you photo mainly, wildlife, landscape portrait ???

FWIW, and this not an advert, I may well pass on my EM1 ii is the next month or two...

[chris]

Currently I do 90% landscape / 10% wildlife, the wildlife is usually when there's a specific target - the deer rut and the winter mountain hares were this years. I would like to make that more of a 50/50 split and have hopes for puffins, kingfishers, fox, badger and owls!

I'd not considered the panny, I assume that's not as good as the oly 300? but is a zoom with extra reach mmmm.... isn't that the lens with known issues mounting to Oly bodies though?

[Phill D]

Yes it certainly can have mounting issues if you are unlucky like I was. I went the MC20 route.

[wanderer]

Another possibility which would permit variation on landscape and some good wildlife would be to buy the 40-150 F2.8 and the MC-20 tele converter.
That would give you a continuous run of focal length from (35mm Equiv.) 24 to 600mm.
The lens will also work with focus stacking on your EM-5 MkII.
Its not too bulky and is a saving of over £700 on WEX prices.

Just to confuse the issue.

[chris]

Another possibility which would permit variation on landscape and some good wildlife would be to buy the 40-150 F2.8 and the MC-20 tele converter.
That would give you a continuous run of focal length from (35mm Equiv.) 24 to 600mm.
The lens will also work with focus stacking on your EM-5 MkII.
Its not too bulky and is a saving of over £700 on WEX prices.

Just to confuse the issue.

Thanks Duncan, I'll add it to the list! There's an extra benefit there too, in that it would fill the gap I created when I smashed my 35-100 panny falling down a hill in the peaks!

[timboo]

The 40-150 makes for good portraits too

[Phill D]

I went for the 40-150 plus MC20 as well and find it to be an excellent combination. Plus I can also go for a 300mm as well one day when I'm flush!

[chris]

I think I'm leaning towards Duncan's suggestion.
Not only does it cover 2 ranges for me, but I can buy the lens then the convertor separately to make the initial outlay a little more palatable!
I can't see any used MC20s for sale anywhere though. What do they go for used?

[MJ224]

They are a bit new to get 2nd hands ones, though you may be lucky....you could look at the grey imports

[timboo]

I think I'm leaning towards Duncan's suggestion.
Not only does it cover 2 ranges for me, but I can buy the lens then the convertor separately to make the initial outlay a little more palatable!
I can't see any used MC20s for sale anywhere though. What do they go for used?

There will no doubt be some offers on the mc20 again in the near future. I think the lower end brand new was around 340-350 when on offer. The 40-150 is probably my most used lens owing to its versatility with no convertor 1.4 and 2x. Its also lighter and smaller than the 300 pro. Only downside is that your widest aperture is 5.6 on the 40-150 pro with 2x convertor vs f4 on 300 pro

[Phill D]

I don't think that the f4 vs f5.6 is that much of an issue really considering the extra versatility you get plus you can use it at F2.8 for the shorter range without the MC20 when needed.

[chris]

Thanks for all the input guys, much appreciated

[timboo]

Totally agree Phil its a small price to pay the 40-150 imo is the better option. Also the most obvious advantage is that its not a fixed focal length 😃

[chris]

Could anyone advice on approx overall length of Body + MC20 + 40-150mm f2.8? I'm just looking at bags, and thinking ahead!
Looking at specs I think about 25cm? but not sure on the MC20 protrusions and mount interfaces..

[wanderer]

I usually carry the MC-20 in its little pouch & fit when necessary. That shortens it by about 25mm. The 40-150 is 170mm long (with UV filter).
Add on your body and 'Bob's your....'
I use a smallish Kata DC 443 day bag into which I get;
EM1-X with 12-100 F4 mounted. 40-150 F2.8 on end, MC-20 in pouch, 60mm F3.5 Macro. Various filters, remote control, bag rainhood, etc.
The bag is 31cm x 18 x 21 high. Sadly no longer available as they merged with Manfrotto.

[chris]

Thanks Duncan, much appreciated