New to DSLR: OM-D E-M10
Discussion
After much deliberating, research and three visits to the camera shop, I bought an E-M10 on Saturday. I wanted a system camera which could be configured as a compact backpacking camera while also having the capability to capture passable motorsport snaps etc. I'm happy with my choice but, having migrated from point and shoot cameras, I am now confronted with the daunting task of learning the craft rather than relying on 'Auto' mode!
I have already been recommended a book on the subject but as I am living in Thailand at the moment it isn't always easy to find particular books.
Is there a single good guide online which will cover all of the basic settings? better still, anything specifically tackling the set-up and use of my particular camera?
I have already been recommended a book on the subject but as I am living in Thailand at the moment it isn't always easy to find particular books.
Is there a single good guide online which will cover all of the basic settings? better still, anything specifically tackling the set-up and use of my particular camera?
I bought an EM5 for travelling and am very pleased with it. Yours is a bit smaller but pretty similar in many ways. There is lots of on-line help but you might start by looking at this on youtube. In terms of learning how to use the camera you might consider courses such as this run by the Institute of Photography which gives a good all-round grounding and access to expert critique. Assumes you can get reliable internet access. Hope that helps.
Also try Steve Huff's site link here
He does a lot of good stuff around mirrorless cameras and has used the Olympus extensively.
I got one about a year ago, primarily for the weight saving over hulking a D3 around. At the end of the day I've hardly noticed carrying the little Olympus around and as it's so light it comes out a lot more with me.
Upsides
1. Weight (or lack thereof) - you really don't notice carrying it round all day
2. Size - much easier to fit into a small day rucksack if out in the hills (camera with 12-40 f2.8 is a very compact little unit)
3. Size - lenses are correspondingly smaller and lighter as they don't have to create such a big image circle
4. Out of camera jpegs are really quite good
5. Customisation - the camera is very flexible for setting up as you want
6. Focus peaking - never had this on an SLR and am finding it quite useful
7. Live view refresh on long exposures - I have only played with this a little but am liking the feature a lot
8. Size - as it's so small no one takes it for a "professional" camera so people out an about seem to react more normally when you are photographing with this small little machine and not a big old brick
Downsides
1. The AF is nowhere near as good on moving subjects as a full SLR. That's not to say it's useless, far from it, for motorsport where the motion is reasonably predictable then I'd say it's up to the job in most well lit situations, but for things like birds in flight I'd be reluctant to rely on it.
2. Noise - there's no getting away from it the smaller sensor is more noisy, esp at higher ISOs. I notice it in landscape skies
3. In built HDR function is a bit poor and can't easily have a 5 shot view like the D3.
I'm really liking mine and as I'm not currently printing bigger than A4'ish it fits my needs rather well. I'm going to see just how big I can print with acceptable quality, if it can get me to A3 then I'm completely sold.
He does a lot of good stuff around mirrorless cameras and has used the Olympus extensively.
I got one about a year ago, primarily for the weight saving over hulking a D3 around. At the end of the day I've hardly noticed carrying the little Olympus around and as it's so light it comes out a lot more with me.
Upsides
1. Weight (or lack thereof) - you really don't notice carrying it round all day
2. Size - much easier to fit into a small day rucksack if out in the hills (camera with 12-40 f2.8 is a very compact little unit)
3. Size - lenses are correspondingly smaller and lighter as they don't have to create such a big image circle
4. Out of camera jpegs are really quite good
5. Customisation - the camera is very flexible for setting up as you want
6. Focus peaking - never had this on an SLR and am finding it quite useful
7. Live view refresh on long exposures - I have only played with this a little but am liking the feature a lot
8. Size - as it's so small no one takes it for a "professional" camera so people out an about seem to react more normally when you are photographing with this small little machine and not a big old brick
Downsides
1. The AF is nowhere near as good on moving subjects as a full SLR. That's not to say it's useless, far from it, for motorsport where the motion is reasonably predictable then I'd say it's up to the job in most well lit situations, but for things like birds in flight I'd be reluctant to rely on it.
2. Noise - there's no getting away from it the smaller sensor is more noisy, esp at higher ISOs. I notice it in landscape skies
3. In built HDR function is a bit poor and can't easily have a 5 shot view like the D3.
I'm really liking mine and as I'm not currently printing bigger than A4'ish it fits my needs rather well. I'm going to see just how big I can print with acceptable quality, if it can get me to A3 then I'm completely sold.
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