This is hard. I really love Olympus stuff. And their lenses. It's tough. And some of the things Olympus seems to do better than anyone else (JPEGS) are quite dear to me. But I can't stand some of the directions I am seeing, can't stand not getting a pro spec 410/420/620 and can't stand paying $1700 for a camera with an outdated sensor.
I still like like them. I will probably keep the minimum to do a wedding with them in case I have to use as backup for now and because I really love some of their lenses.
But I need to realize I also craved low light/natural light photography, and just saw some of the images that finally convinced me. Ironically from Pentax Japan (why Pentax USA doesn't have these?). Pentax Japan showed guts- every single company I have seen when they do their demo photos they show you, you know ISO 100's.
Not Pentax. They sampled even all the way to ISO 12,800. That requires confidence. Most importantly, I saw the photo and it's amazing. Deep rich blacks even at that ISO.
Looking at the other shots I am quite amazed too- the model in color dressed in blue shot with a telephoto prime- superb detail, tonal gradation.
But the shot probably that convinced me (along with the 12,800) is the low key shot of the model. This was shot with the standard telephoto DA* Gold (17-whatever it is). The thing that jumped to me is not only the detail there but the shadow detail. It's exquisite. Silk. Black and white to the extreme in extreme tonal range.
And Olympus, I miss that. Your new way of handling dynamic range got nice highlights at the expense of the shadows and there's no switch to it.
Moreover the current sensor just doesn't seem to be able to do this.
Panasonic's GH2's probably will come somewhat close. That would have worked. Too bad I can't stand the current micro four third lenses.
The GH2 is small but with a decent lens it grows. A pancake + K-5 starts competing with it in size at that point. Sure, there's the F 1.7 Panny pancake but that's one lens and still not in the same class (though not bad).
So- the AF issues I am sure I can handle them, it's seeing what the camera is seeing. The k-5 provides ample alternatives too with the live view and the manual focusing which looks like I can with the view finder.
As for Pentax Japan images, have a look:
http://www.pentax.jp/japan/imaging/digital/slr/k-5/ex.html
ISO 12,800
http://www.pentax.jp/japan/imaging/digital/slr/k-5/image/ex_04_4.jpg
Low key ISO 100:
http://www.pentax.jp/japan/imaging/digital/slr/k-5/image/ex_01.jpg
Super ISO 100 with bags of detail and tonal range:
http://www.pentax.jp/japan/imaging/digital/slr/k-5/image/ex_02.jpg
No color moire anywhere (another thing that shows on somewhat rare occasions on E-5, but now to watch for).
AS for the Pentax reds with magentas in daylight- that can be somewhat controlled in post, would prefer Pentax releasing a firwmare update to rescale that red channel and watch for it. If I was a color photographer that may be a deal breaker but I am mostly a B&W photographer, and in inside light/more over cast light this becomes a non issue.
Thanks everyone here for all your help. It has helped me a lot.
I should have some time this week hopefully for some shots, albeit low light.
I still like like them. I will probably keep the minimum to do a wedding with them in case I have to use as backup for now and because I really love some of their lenses.
But I need to realize I also craved low light/natural light photography, and just saw some of the images that finally convinced me. Ironically from Pentax Japan (why Pentax USA doesn't have these?). Pentax Japan showed guts- every single company I have seen when they do their demo photos they show you, you know ISO 100's.
Not Pentax. They sampled even all the way to ISO 12,800. That requires confidence. Most importantly, I saw the photo and it's amazing. Deep rich blacks even at that ISO.
Looking at the other shots I am quite amazed too- the model in color dressed in blue shot with a telephoto prime- superb detail, tonal gradation.
But the shot probably that convinced me (along with the 12,800) is the low key shot of the model. This was shot with the standard telephoto DA* Gold (17-whatever it is). The thing that jumped to me is not only the detail there but the shadow detail. It's exquisite. Silk. Black and white to the extreme in extreme tonal range.
And Olympus, I miss that. Your new way of handling dynamic range got nice highlights at the expense of the shadows and there's no switch to it.
Moreover the current sensor just doesn't seem to be able to do this.
Panasonic's GH2's probably will come somewhat close. That would have worked. Too bad I can't stand the current micro four third lenses.
The GH2 is small but with a decent lens it grows. A pancake + K-5 starts competing with it in size at that point. Sure, there's the F 1.7 Panny pancake but that's one lens and still not in the same class (though not bad).
So- the AF issues I am sure I can handle them, it's seeing what the camera is seeing. The k-5 provides ample alternatives too with the live view and the manual focusing which looks like I can with the view finder.
As for Pentax Japan images, have a look:
http://www.pentax.jp/japan/imaging/digital/slr/k-5/ex.html
ISO 12,800
http://www.pentax.jp/japan/imaging/digital/slr/k-5/image/ex_04_4.jpg
Low key ISO 100:
http://www.pentax.jp/japan/imaging/digital/slr/k-5/image/ex_01.jpg
Super ISO 100 with bags of detail and tonal range:
http://www.pentax.jp/japan/imaging/digital/slr/k-5/image/ex_02.jpg
No color moire anywhere (another thing that shows on somewhat rare occasions on E-5, but now to watch for).
AS for the Pentax reds with magentas in daylight- that can be somewhat controlled in post, would prefer Pentax releasing a firwmare update to rescale that red channel and watch for it. If I was a color photographer that may be a deal breaker but I am mostly a B&W photographer, and in inside light/more over cast light this becomes a non issue.
Thanks everyone here for all your help. It has helped me a lot.
I should have some time this week hopefully for some shots, albeit low light.