Raist,
You are missing a few very important points:
- Hardly any potential E-5 customers are interested in hearing yet again that 4/3 will be discontinued, the sensor is to small/old/noisy, Olympus is losing money/going bankrupt, the E-5 focuses slowly in low light, Pentax makes a better camera body etc. We all know this now, but some of us still believe that the E-5 or some other 4/3 camera are viable options for our photography.
I am sorry but looks like some people are from the e-mails I get asked about or thanks for putting things in perspective for some prospective buyers. I am afraid you don't speak for such set of the market.
- When film was the dominant medium for photography, the most important components needed to take a good photo were 1. The photographer 2. The lens 3. The film 4. The camera. This is still true. Some of us believe that Olympus makes some of the best lenses available for photography, only equaled by the likes of Leica an Zeiss. When it comes to zoom lenses, this is certainly true. No sensor technology can change that fact.
Of course the most important thing is the photographer. That's why I also like posting pictures and a link to a small ever growing portfolio! I have always said that. Pentax makes some of the best primes out there. There are other options. Zeiss makes lenses for Sony, Pentax, Canon and I believe Nikon mounts.
- Most photos are taken during daylight at relatively low ISO. Under those circumstances, Olympus cameras deliver files that for me requires much less post processing than what my Nikon cameras do.
Again you should speak for yourself. That's you. And you know, I have said many times that the E-5 is fantastic at low ISO. What exactly did I miss?
There may be the odd blown highlight, some shadow noise and the E-1 files lack resolution for really big enlargements, but somehow, my clients don't seem to care. When correctly exposed, even the E-1 delivered files at ISO800 that was perfectly usable for commercial purposes. Most of the time, I don't need more than that.
Then for your needs seems like a great match. I think I mentioned that in another thread.
- All camera systems have weaknesses, but none seem to attract as many doomsday prophets as Olympus. It has been like that since the OM-1 and possibly before. It seems to annoy those who use other camera brands that they still survive, in spite of making cameras that sometimes seem to defy the "Rules of Canikon".
I think all the minor brands always attract doomsday prophets. But I don't understand what is so doomsday about what I posted. If you could please help me understand how my original post is a doomsday post I would greatly appreciate it.
- As has been pointed out several times, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony are so far the only camera manufacturers that offer a transition between old, mechanical and new electronic camera technology. The fact that the E-5 is probably the last fully mechanical DSLR from Olympus is a natural consequence of that. Somehow, that is now played against Olympus even if it's a proof that Olympus is at the leading edge of camera technology. Canikon are the ones trailing behind, and at the moment, they seem to be surprisingly detached.
Who in this thread is playing that against Olympus? Not me certainly. Could you please point to me where I did that?
I participate on this forum to discuss ways of improving my photography and to find what camera equipment suits my needs the best. Hearing for the umpteenth time that Olympus is not a viable option because in theory, it's dead already, doesn't contribute much. It's typical for the situation that on most 4/3 fora, here and elsewhere, the top pro Zuiko lenses are hardly ever discussed, in spite of the fact that, in most cases, they are superior to their Canikon equivalents.
Where exactly I said Olympus is not a viable option for photography? The only thing I told you specifically- and I consider that a favor- is to make sure the 14-35 lens you seem about to buy fulfills your needs because it does have the moderate low light / low light AF issue. That shouldn't equate to a doomsday statement or the fall of Olympus. I think the lens is fantastic, I only mention that as something to watch for. If that is not an issue for you due to you do daylight shooting or do MF, great!
As a Nikon user the last 6 years, owning 4 different F-mount bodies at the moment, it puzzles me to observe that every time I use an Olympus or Panasonic camera, I feel more at home ergonomically and produce image files that are more usable straight from the camera than with most of my F-mount bodies (the S3 being the exception, but then we are talking about a camera that really has issues).
So please stop telling me that 4/3 will be discontinued and that the E-5 has an old sensor. I, and most other candidates for that camera, know that already, and it doesn't affect our photos one single bit.
The only thing I was telling you is the 14-35. The mention of the old sensor is because someone mentioned the E-5 presents this super high mark in photography which you would expect a camera in that category would get the right sensor too. I am not telling you specifically anything other than the 14-35 warning- and that looks like the E-5 will be a great match for you.
How is this translated into me making a doomsday statement about Olympus is simply something I am all ears if you can clarify.
- Raist