Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

[benvendetta]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

It's a great day out irrespective on Olympus being there. Tiring though. Still haven't decided whether or not to go but it would be the Monday or the Tuesday if I do.

[ndl0071]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

As some folk around here will know I had the same thoughts whirling around my head toward the end of last year was it to be an E5........ or something else, it was an E5 all the way until at the death Pentax released the K5...after a try out at Park Cameras and after attending a special 'Pentax day' I was persuaded into the system. I was impressed with the Pentax reps, they really wanted my business and gave me one heck of a deal on the day, one that couldn't be refused.
Do I regret the change..........Not a bit, the K5 is all it's cracked up to be, believe the reviews, it's also smaller and lighter than the E5 not to mention a whole lot cheaper.
I've kept my kit very simple all I've added to the 2 kit lenses which btw are very good but rarely used is 3 of the Ltd Edition Primes which played a big big part in my decision to change, they are simply awesome.
Pentax seem to be committed to the cause although you never know what's around the corner.Their attendance at Focus is a great indicator of their intentions IMO.

[Zuiko]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

As some folk around here will know I had the same thoughts whirling around my head toward the end of last year was it to be an E5........ or something else, it was an E5 all the way until at the death Pentax released the K5...after a try out at Park Cameras and after attending a special 'Pentax day' I was persuaded into the system. I was impressed with the Pentax reps, they really wanted my business and gave me one heck of a deal on the day, one that couldn't be refused.
Do I regret the change..........Not a bit, the K5 is all it's cracked up to be, believe the reviews, it's also smaller and lighter than the E5 not to mention a whole lot cheaper.
I've kept my kit very simple all I've added to the 2 kit lenses which btw are very good but rarely used is 3 of the Ltd Edition Primes which played a big big part in my decision to change, they are simply awesome.
Pentax seem to be committed to the cause although you never know what's around the corner.Their attendance at Focus is a great indicator of their intentions IMO.

Hi Neil,

Nice to hear from you and I'm pleased the switch has worked well for you. Are there any concerns on the Pentax forums about the long term future? The market share wouldn't fill me with confidence but they do now seem to have some great products.

How do you rate the kit lenses against the Oly kit lenses? And which primes have you got? Any problems with dust so far?

If I had to change systems now, sadly I think that I would go with either Canon or Nikon for stability, not that I like much about either of them. Luckily, I'm at that time of life where I reckon their is enough Oly stuff out there to see me through, even if they pulled the plug tomorrow.

Keep popping in to let us know how you are doing.

[Kiwi Paul]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

What is the K5's sensor size? It's not full frame is it?
What is the equivalent focal length ratio compared to full frame?

Paul

[Guest]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

What is the K5's sensor size? It's not full frame is it?
What is the equivalent focal length ratio compared to full frame?

Paul

It's an APC sized sensor with a 1.5 crop. So the 16-50 mm f2.8 lens is equivalent to a 24-75 mm f2.8 in full frame terms and the 50-135 mm f2.8 is equivalent to a 75-202.5 mm f2.8. I had a look at both the day before yesterday and was impressed, for fast weather sealed lenses, they are a good size and much smaller than their full frame equivalents. The 55 mm f1.4 (82.5 mm equivalent), also weather sealed is really compact.

If I were to change systems and didn't want the weight of full frame this is what I'd go for. Neither Canon or Nikon has an equivalent range of fast, weather sealed lenses for their APC sensor cameras.

[ndl0071]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

Hi Neil,

Nice to hear from you and I'm pleased the switch has worked well for you. Are there any concerns on the Pentax forums about the long term future? The market share wouldn't fill me with confidence but they do now seem to have some great products.

How do you rate the kit lenses against the Oly kit lenses? And which primes have you got? Any problems with dust so far?

If I had to change systems now, sadly I think that I would go with either Canon or Nikon for stability, not that I like much about either of them. Luckily, I'm at that time of life where I reckon their is enough Oly stuff out there to see me through, even if they pulled the plug tomorrow.

Keep popping in to let us know how you are doing.

Hi John

Thanks for the welcome. I've not really been away I often look in on the
forum to see what's going on, old habbits die hard and let's not forget that I've still an E410 although of late my daughter seems to have taken a shine to it She's looking to start a photography course in college next September and has her eye on using it.

Now to the K5, well to answer your questions there doesn't appear to be any major concerns at all about Pentax by it's loyal users. The release of the KR series together with the K5 and the 645 have been well recieved.

The K5 sensor is rated on par with Nikon D3s and just above the D3 and D700 it's rated way ahead any of the Canon offerings and yes alas even the E5 (info from DxO) Pentax have also released new lenses of late, the new series seem to be weatherproofed in keeping with the K5.

I've not really used the kit lenses in anger but in the early tests that I did they performed very well, I know of some Pentax users who see no reason to upgrade from them especially as they are weatherproofed. Pentax users have the same opinion of their kit lenses as Oly users have of theirs.

The choice of primes was a strong motivator to switch, I went through a phase (and am still there)where I just yearned for 'simple' photography, you know like the olden days!! The Limited Edition range of lenses gets a great press from review sites and are well sought after by Pentax users, they are small, light and very sharp although not that fast in some cases. I've the SMC DA 15mm f4, SMC DA 21mm f3.2 and the SMC DA 40mm f2.8. I don't often need a long lens but on the odd occasion the kit 50-200mm f4-5.6 does the trick nicely.

No issues with dust so far but having just looked at my manual the K5 has a shake system similar to the Oly system but it needs to be manually activated, it also employs a dust alert system which maps out and shows you where the dust is on the sensor. I didn't know any of that until about 5 minutes ago so not required thus far!

IMO there is an alternative to Canon/Nikon, it's such a shame though that Oly users are becomming disillusioned, there seem to be more people thinking and discussing a switch than ever before on the forum, Oly haven't done themselves any favours with their recent decision making.

I hope this helps John, I'll keep looking in and will try to participate in the various threads when I can.

If you or anyone else has any questions, fire away and I'll do my best.

I hope you are keeping well and warm.

All the best
Neil

[StephenL]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

Thanks for those comments re your Pentax.

In idle moments I've been churning in my head what I would go for were I to ditch Olympus as my main system, and the K5 (or perhaps an older K7) keeps coming to the fore.

It seems to me that Pentax are going for "my" market - someone who wants a quality system away from the Canik herds, which is small and neat.

Unfortunately the Olympus E-3 and E-5 are moving away from this ideal. Maybe the new/imagined m4/3 semi-pro system which is much rumoured will fill this gap. I just wish they'd hurry up and DO something!

[benvendetta]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

If I was to leave Olympus it would be to get a FF sensor and that would mean only Canon or Nikon. I have got used to larger camera bodies and lenses since buying an E-3.
I wouldn't bother with Sony's FF system, or APS-C (any of the marques) despite the quality that is undoubtedly out there.
Just my own opinion you understand and unless I win the lottery it ain't going to happen for a while!

[Zuiko]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

Hi John

Thanks for the welcome. I've not really been away I often look in on the
forum to see what's going on, old habbits die hard and let's not forget that I've still an E410 although of late my daughter seems to have taken a shine to it She's looking to start a photography course in college next September and has her eye on using it.

Now to the K5, well to answer your questions there doesn't appear to be any major concerns at all about Pentax by it's loyal users. The release of the KR series together with the K5 and the 645 have been well recieved.

The K5 sensor is rated on par with Nikon D3s and just above the D3 and D700 it's rated way ahead any of the Canon offerings and yes alas even the E5 (info from DxO) Pentax have also released new lenses of late, the new series seem to be weatherproofed in keeping with the K5.

I've not really used the kit lenses in anger but in the early tests that I did they performed very well, I know of some Pentax users who see no reason to upgrade from them especially as they are weatherproofed. Pentax users have the same opinion of their kit lenses as Oly users have of theirs.

The choice of primes was a strong motivator to switch, I went through a phase (and am still there)where I just yearned for 'simple' photography, you know like the olden days!! The Limited Edition range of lenses gets a great press from review sites and are well sought after by Pentax users, they are small, light and very sharp although not that fast in some cases. I've the SMC DA 15mm f4, SMC DA 21mm f3.2 and the SMC DA 40mm f2.8. I don't often need a long lens but on the odd occasion the kit 50-200mm f4-5.6 does the trick nicely.

No issues with dust so far but having just looked at my manual the K5 has a shake system similar to the Oly system but it needs to be manually activated, it also employs a dust alert system which maps out and shows you where the dust is on the sensor. I didn't know any of that until about 5 minutes ago so not required thus far!

IMO there is an alternative to Canon/Nikon, it's such a shame though that Oly users are becomming disillusioned, there seem to be more people thinking and discussing a switch than ever before on the forum, Oly haven't done themselves any favours with their recent decision making.

I hope this helps John, I'll keep looking in and will try to participate in the various threads when I can.

If you or anyone else has any questions, fire away and I'll do my best.

I hope you are keeping well and warm.

All the best
Neil

Hi Neil, thanks for your detailed reply. I know little about the Pentax system and I reckon it's always better to get the opinion of someone who actually uses a brand rather than someone who just tests it.

If I was forced to change systems I think I'd look closely at the K5, Canon and Nikon both have good points about their APS-C cameras but the affordable lens range of both is a real barrier. Full Frame for me would not be an option.

Pentax do seem to be better focused and more positive on the direction their range is taking than Olympus. Promotion is also more pro-active, for example I see in the latest issue of Outdoor Photography magazine that they have started to sponsor a double spread Opening Shot feature. I just hope they continue to thrive and are successful in increasing their relatively small market share. They certainly deserve success, whereas it could be argued that many of Olympus's problems are self inflicted.

That said I would be very reluctant to jump ship, even if I could afford to do so, because despite all the problems and uncertainty I still find the E-System bodies and lenses are exactly what I want and suit me fine.

[Alan Clogwyn]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

I'd like to see Oly take a leaf out of Canikons boo kand introduce Full frame DSLRs with the 4/3 system as their budget/prosumer line and sell the m4/3 branch to Panasonic, who've made a much better job of that section from day 1.

[Wreckdiver]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

Any recommendations for which is the best day to go to the Focus show? I'm not out to buy much (if anything) but fancy a day out and see what the show is like - never been to it before. Would have thought the Sunday would be the busiest. Got a free ticket.

Steve

[photo_owl]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

is the Ficus on Imaging event worth trundling up to the celestial city for

Hec

has to depend on why you are going........

to see 'new stuff' - nope; won't happen as people don't launch there

to meet people - well if you arrange it this will happen, but you could meet somewhere else have better food and play with gear you are interested in.

[Click29]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

How very true - wise words indeed !

[Adagio]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

It would appear that Canon will not be there either !

[Ian]

Re: Olympus @ Focus on Imaging - NOT

It would appear that Canon will not be there either !

Yes this is correct.

Now, I don't want to jump the gun, but I do believe there will be some Olympus presence at the show after all, but I have absolutely no details. Of course I'm seeking clarification and will let you know here as soon as I have more news.

Ian