Phocal
Rookie
- Location
- Anchorage, AK
- Name
- God
As most of you know, I have been guiding Northern Light photography tours for the last few months. I learned a bit ago that the local camera store would have a KEH event next month. I was happy to hear this because KEH doesn't do free shipping from Alaska for selling items. I have been saving my tip money for a new camera and have a nice chunk of change set aside, even after buying the 7-14mm ƒ2.8 and Voigtlander 17.5mm last month.
So...
I looked at all my gear and determined I could dump it all to KEH and have enough to buy a full-frame camera, aurora lens, wildlife lens, and something in between the two to start with. I would have to stick with one of the full-frame cameras in the 24mp range, not enough cash for the big boys (yet). So it came down to the Nikon Z6ii and Canon R6ii (Sony was never in the running due to their shit weather sealing), with the winner being the Canon. The Canon is just superior at action photography compared to the Nikon. Ok, camera determined; now to lenses. That is where the problems started. Canon doesn't have the best selection of mirrorless lenses, and the Nikon Z 500mm ƒ4.5 is such a great lens.
At the start of this, I was sure it would be a Nikon. But the performance of the Z6 isn't up to my needs for action photography. I was disappointed when I looked at Canon's lens selection. I am sure they will round out the lenses, but at the moment, there is nothing I really want from them for wildlife. I was also surprised to find out that the only Nikon to have pro-capture is the Z9 and that it is only for jpg. Pro capture on the Canon is really limited compared to OM.
Here I sat with a huge conundrum. Canon has the bodies that tick most of my requirements, and Nikon has the lenses I want.
This sent me down a rabbit hole on the OM1.
I watched this video and was pretty damn impressed with the AF abilities of the OM1.
I followed up with this video and was impressed with what he was doing with the camera. He also brings up some things for me to consider when it comes to wearing gloves in the cold compared to the EM1X. Like him, I feel like the EM1X is the best laid-out camera I have ever used.
This video was the final nail in the coffin. I really like this guy's work, and the squirrel photo was what really sealed the deal for me.
I would like to mention that I am glad to see OM bringing in some young blood as Visionaries, compared to all the old guys that Olympus seemed to have. It is also great to see that these new Visionaries are more in line with what and how I shoot compared to all the portrait and street photographers that Olympus had. I honestly feel like OM is targeting people who will realize the system's strength and not try to appeal to everyone. I know that ruffles some feathers with a lot of people here.
My local camera store doesn't have an OM1 in stock. So I just ordered a camera and spare battery from B&H, and paid for the fastest shipping they have. My new OM1 will be here Tuesday by 10:30. Hopefully, I will get a chance to test it out on some aurora this week. The weather is not looking good for this week.
Back when the sale to OM was announced, I had just received my EM1X and was still in the return window for the camera. I did a hard search for another system to move to and really found nothing that could touch all the capabilities of Olympus. The only downside was the auto-focus system, even though I find the EM1X to be more than sufficient. But the OM1 takes autofocus to the next level and is almost on par with the best out there. I am really surprised that even now, there is nothing that really compares to the overall ability of the OM1. The owner of the tour company and one of the guides have the Z9. I have to admit, the images from that camera are pretty damn impressive. But overall, the OM1 has better specs for what I want in a camera.
There really is nothing out there system-wise that ticks as many of my boxes as OM does.
my two copper pieces,
Phocal
So...
I looked at all my gear and determined I could dump it all to KEH and have enough to buy a full-frame camera, aurora lens, wildlife lens, and something in between the two to start with. I would have to stick with one of the full-frame cameras in the 24mp range, not enough cash for the big boys (yet). So it came down to the Nikon Z6ii and Canon R6ii (Sony was never in the running due to their shit weather sealing), with the winner being the Canon. The Canon is just superior at action photography compared to the Nikon. Ok, camera determined; now to lenses. That is where the problems started. Canon doesn't have the best selection of mirrorless lenses, and the Nikon Z 500mm ƒ4.5 is such a great lens.
At the start of this, I was sure it would be a Nikon. But the performance of the Z6 isn't up to my needs for action photography. I was disappointed when I looked at Canon's lens selection. I am sure they will round out the lenses, but at the moment, there is nothing I really want from them for wildlife. I was also surprised to find out that the only Nikon to have pro-capture is the Z9 and that it is only for jpg. Pro capture on the Canon is really limited compared to OM.
Here I sat with a huge conundrum. Canon has the bodies that tick most of my requirements, and Nikon has the lenses I want.
This sent me down a rabbit hole on the OM1.
I watched this video and was pretty damn impressed with the AF abilities of the OM1.
I followed up with this video and was impressed with what he was doing with the camera. He also brings up some things for me to consider when it comes to wearing gloves in the cold compared to the EM1X. Like him, I feel like the EM1X is the best laid-out camera I have ever used.
This video was the final nail in the coffin. I really like this guy's work, and the squirrel photo was what really sealed the deal for me.
I would like to mention that I am glad to see OM bringing in some young blood as Visionaries, compared to all the old guys that Olympus seemed to have. It is also great to see that these new Visionaries are more in line with what and how I shoot compared to all the portrait and street photographers that Olympus had. I honestly feel like OM is targeting people who will realize the system's strength and not try to appeal to everyone. I know that ruffles some feathers with a lot of people here.
My local camera store doesn't have an OM1 in stock. So I just ordered a camera and spare battery from B&H, and paid for the fastest shipping they have. My new OM1 will be here Tuesday by 10:30. Hopefully, I will get a chance to test it out on some aurora this week. The weather is not looking good for this week.
Back when the sale to OM was announced, I had just received my EM1X and was still in the return window for the camera. I did a hard search for another system to move to and really found nothing that could touch all the capabilities of Olympus. The only downside was the auto-focus system, even though I find the EM1X to be more than sufficient. But the OM1 takes autofocus to the next level and is almost on par with the best out there. I am really surprised that even now, there is nothing that really compares to the overall ability of the OM1. The owner of the tour company and one of the guides have the Z9. I have to admit, the images from that camera are pretty damn impressive. But overall, the OM1 has better specs for what I want in a camera.
There really is nothing out there system-wise that ticks as many of my boxes as OM does.
my two copper pieces,
Phocal
.
to this friendly forum, mate.
