So, I think I want the impossible...

menthel

menthel

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Right, I am beginning to get fed up carting round my 40d and associated gubbins, so much so that my oly om2 is getting more use with its superb little prime lenses! Now the 40d serves me well when I want to shoot wildlife and at the zoo etc but as a walk around I would love smaller kit!

So, is this possible? I want to stick with chagable lenses and have looked at the micro 4/3 cameras but I am very worried about the loss of control of depth of field because of the x2 crop and also the range of lenses available- to get f2.8 I would be lumbered with big lenses again!

The ideal would be a 1.5-1.6 crop (or even better full framed!) in a body the size of the om-2. I could even stick with primes as I rather enjoy using 3 small and quickly changable lenses.

There is 1 answer but I don't have leica money sitting around! Any ideas or want to quell my worries on micro 4/3?
 
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I know how you feel, I "downgraded" to the 18-55mm IS kit lens to reduce the weight from the 17-85mm monster. Makes the camera much more usable. However, I am looking at an 18-135mm for days when I want a single lens walkaround that will do almost anything I need. And then only carry all the kit when I don't know what I need.....

If you want even more weight saving and size, look at the 500d or 550d which are much more similar to the Om-1n that I used to have in terms of size.
 
To be honest that is not what I want, the IQ from the kit lens is poor, the depth of field control is limited by its variable aperture and the xxxd cameras are not that much smaller than my 40d sans grip. I think I just want the moon on a stick!
 
menthel said:
To be honest that is not what I want, the IQ from the kit lens is poor, the depth of field control is limited by its variable aperture and the xxxd cameras are not that much smaller than my 40d sans grip. I think I just want the moon on a stick!
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the xxxd may not be much smaller but they are lighter. I had a 450D and with a small prime on it, it's as light as a feather. I can't see the 550D being much heavier, if any.
 
Perhaps its just me but I want something much closer to my om-2 experience, light, well built and I know it can take a beating with great quality, small, sharp lenses. But digital! As I have stated I do suspect I am asking too much.
 
Just keep using the OM2. The money you will save on another digital body will keep you in film for years.
 
markrichardson said:
I think the perfect camera for you might be the Leica M9...
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I did say don't mention it! It would be ideal but for the price of the camera and lenses I could buy lots and lots of things that I can't think of right now! Or even pay for a substantial part of my son's education!
 
menthel said:
I did say don't mention it! It would be ideal but for the price of the camera and lenses I could buy lots and lots of things that I can't think of right now! Or even pay for a substantial part of my son's education!
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I know you said don't mention it... I just think it is the only camera at the moment that really fits what you're looking for!
 
menthel said:
And it makes me cry!

Shame none of the micro 4/3 brigade have been in here yet though.
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We all thought you'd discounted M43, probably why you got no replies. I suggest you read the GF1 thread HERE on this forum to see what people think of them and see some images. Panasonic do a very nice 20mm f1.7 that gets rave reviews, and I understand you like your OM2 with primes. Olympus also do an M43 ( Pen) and again, a nice prime 17mm, and more lenses coming out all the time as well as adapters.
I suggest you have a serious look at one of these types, It may be what your looking for.
Allan
 
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allanm said:
We all thought you'd discounted M43, probably why you got no replies. I suggest you read the M43 thread on this forum to see what people think of them and see some images. Panasonic do a very nice 20mm f1.7 that gets rave reviews, and I understand you like your OM2 with primes. Olympus also do an M43 ( Pen) and again, a nice prime 17mm, and more lenses coming out all the time as well as adapters.
I suggest you have a serious look at one of these types, It may be what your looking for.
Allan
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Thanks mate. I know it sounds like I disconted them but I do really like the look of them. What I really need to do is buy one and give it a test drive but I just can't afford to without selling the canon stuff. How do you find the depth of field control? Are there any convenient zooms that offer fixed f2.8 and are relatively portable for those days that a bag of primes just doesn't quite work?
 
You are looking at the exact reason I purchased a m4/3 camera.

I stumped up the cash for a GF1 with the 20mm F1.7 lens. The sensor size is still plenty big enough to control the depth of field well and with m4/3 you can easily use all your olympus lenses with the addition of an adapter.

I actually see the increase in DOF as a positive - as I can shoot wide open at F1.7 and not worry about the DOF being razor thin
 
RichardtheSane said:
You are looking at the exact reason I purchased a m4/3 camera.

I stumped up the cash for a GF1 with the 20mm F1.7 lens. The sensor size is still plenty big enough to control the depth of field well and with m4/3 you can easily use all your olympus lenses with the addition of an adapter.

I actually see the increase in DOF as a positive - as I can shoot wide open at F1.7 and not worry about the DOF being razor thin
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Its probably a very good point! Keep the info etc coming (or if anyone wants to donate that leica...) and I will continue to think whilst out in Prague this weekend, with my 40d sans grip, 18-50 f2.8 and a bunch of filters. I will see how paring it down that way goes!

However something inside me does indicate that I may have to break the piggy bank and investigate m 4/3. Being a wierd one I do like the look of the olys though...
 
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