Author Topic: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?  (Read 7539 times)

Offline danny

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What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« on: April 25, 2011, 08:31:45 AM »
Hi guys,
I've always been a fan of the traditional 35mm format DSLRs and have been a loyal Canon user for a very long time. However, as age catches up with me, I find the weight and bulk of the 35mm DSLR body with 2~3 zoom lenses increasingly inconvenient. Hence I began to research the alternative system micro 4/3 system which promises image quality similar to the 35mm format DSLRs minus the size and weight.

Recently I bought the Olympus E-PL2 because I wanted to try a smaller form factor system and I have been very impressed with the camera. My own personal experience with the system has been very favourable so far. Despite its smaller size E-PL2 has proven to be a very competent camera, delivering excellent image quality without the accompanying weight & bulk normally associated with the 35mm format.  I opted for the twin lens kit which came with 2 very compact zoom lenses providing coverage from 14mm to 150mm (35mm format equivalent: 28mm to 300mm). The whole kit fit conveniently into a waist pouch.

So it got me wondering how many of us here at MWF are micro 4/3 users? I would like to know which brand and model you're using and what's you general impression of the system so far?

Offline silverstan

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2011, 10:00:46 AM »
i'm using E-P1.

with standard 14-42mm zoom, 17mm, 40-150mm from 43 system with adapter, China made 25mm & 35mm cctv lens with adapter.




Offline swleong

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2011, 10:27:15 AM »
I was once tempted to buy a micro 4/3 system (tested both EP-1 and GF-1), but my needs on the photography is speed and low light, thus finally bought DSLR. But who knows, in the coming years, micro 4/3 will catch up with DSLR?  :)


Offline danny

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2011, 11:34:04 AM »
i'm using E-P1.
with standard 14-42mm zoom, 17mm, 40-150mm from 43 system with adapter, China made 25mm & 35mm cctv lens with adapter.

Hi silverstan,
The cctv lens sound interesting. Do they give you the lomo effect? Any sample images taken with these lenses?

I was once tempted to buy a micro 4/3 system (tested both EP-1 and GF-1), but my needs on the photography is speed and low light, thus finally bought DSLR. But who knows, in the coming years, micro 4/3 will catch up with DSLR?  :)

Hi swleong,
Due to the smaller sensor size it is unlikely that the micro 4/3 will ever catch up with the 35mm DSLRs when it comes to high ISO and low light photography.
I believe the full frame 35mm DLSR will be best suited for these kind of applications.

 :Cheers:

Offline chrisyen

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2011, 09:42:23 PM »
using panasonic gf1 for many mths...
like the design of the camera more than the system...
fast focus
not so good in low light
great size with pancakes, not so heavy like dslr i used to carry



Offline danny

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2011, 07:18:40 AM »
using panasonic gf1 for many mths...
like the design of the camera more than the system...
fast focus
not so good in low light
great size with pancakes, not so heavy like dslr i used to carry

Hi Chris,
I agree with you that the micro 4/3 are especially portable when combined with the pancake lens.
I managed to find the Panasonic 20mm pancake lens and I must say that I'm very impressed with the image quality, especially the bokeh effect.

 :Cheers:



Offline N79KL

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2011, 10:40:07 AM »
Im using a GF1. I like everything but after having a taste of a bigger sensor, Im not sure if I will stay with this format. The lenses are expensive as well.
Mirrorless is definitely the way to go for me as I prefer smaller cameras. Now with APS-C sensors coming in much smaller packages, Im not sure if its worth buying into the m4/3 system any longer

Offline chrisyen

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2011, 01:40:35 PM »
yes. mirrorless system like sony nex series is good, small camera big sensor...
better image quality, good in low light
but the camera look ugly to me... :Laughing_on_floor:

and if the lens is big, the small camera also no use...

if sony make some good quality small size lens like leica.... then i will switch tomorrow

now im dreaming of the fuji x100, but should i sell my gf1 ?
then top up $$$ for the x100?

Offline takashi78

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2011, 03:01:52 PM »
Dreaming of the x100 also myself.
When got money always buy watch haha....

Offline N79KL

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2011, 04:26:18 PM »
How about NEX5 with Leica M lenses? I'm considering this route. I like the NEX but the current lenses are not good

Offline Gigi

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2011, 06:13:48 PM »
COnsidering it to replace my canon G3 (still going great tho).. Is there any good macro lens for micro 4/3?

Offline N79KL

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #11 on: April 26, 2011, 09:22:38 PM »
got one for macro - 45mm Leica Elmarit f2.8 i think



Offline Gigi

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #12 on: April 26, 2011, 09:53:07 PM »
got one for macro - 45mm Leica Elmarit f2.8 i think




does it cost a nuclear bomb to buy it?

Offline N79KL

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2011, 11:11:13 PM »
About rm2300

Offline cuffs

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #14 on: April 29, 2011, 11:17:34 AM »
got one for macro - 45mm Leica Elmarit f2.8 i think




what's the MFD on this?

if for NEX wouldn't the Zeiss lenses be more suited?

Offline silverstan

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #15 on: May 04, 2011, 11:49:30 AM »
i'm using E-P1.
with standard 14-42mm zoom, 17mm, 40-150mm from 43 system with adapter, China made 25mm & 35mm cctv lens with adapter.

Hi silverstan,
The cctv lens sound interesting. Do they give you the lomo effect? Any sample images taken with these lenses?


will upload some sample, need to check my pc at home. :)

Offline silverstan

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #16 on: May 24, 2011, 09:02:33 PM »
Only found this pic...



image quality from this lens is quite low, it's just a fun lens to play around.

Offline Scott C.

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Re: What do you think of the micro 4/3 system?
« Reply #17 on: May 25, 2011, 07:10:23 AM »
Only found this pic...



image quality from this lens is quite low, it's just a fun lens to play around.

Looks good to me ;)