Camera Upgrade Thoughts.

[jhawk]

Hi all,

Thought I'd ask the question of you nice folks as to what I should do about an upcoming camera upgrade I'm hoping to make.

Currently shooting with an Olympus E-510 with two lenses: 14-42 and 40-150. However, I have found that the image quality isn't as sharp as some of the newer cameras out there, and I'd like an upgrade in the next few months to something a bit newer. I should mention that my budget will be around $500-$600, so I'm not looking for anything brand-spanking new, but an upgrade to something a little newer than what would then be an 11-year-old system.

It appears that if I upgrade from the current 4/3 format to a Micro 4/3 camera, I won't be able to keep auto-focus (unless I buy replacement Micro 4/3 lenses). Ideally, I'd like to keep AF. So, my option there is to upgrade the entire system from 4/3 to Micro 4/3 -- opening the door for brands like Olympus and Panasonic.

Other than that, I could buy a Full Frame or Mirrorless camera, and given that Mirrorless tends to be more expensive, I'm looking for a mid-level, or even entry-level full-frame DSLR, if I choose to switch away from the Micro 4/3 format.

I should point out that I shoot mostly landscape photography, with some wildlife thrown in there whenever the opportunity arises, hence the wider-angle 14-42 and the longer zoom of 40-150.

Anyway, I hope this is the right place for this, couldn't think of anywhere else to put it. If not, Shaun, feel free to move it!

Cheers!

 

[Milkfloat]

I would be looking to see first of all if the issue was with myself, then the glass before looking at changing the whole system. Luckily shooting landscape you can get away without the latest wizz bang fast AF system.

 

[Crackle]

Get rid of the zooms, there are few zooms capable of giving you the best results and the ones that are are reflected in the price. If you want to keep them do a zoom and aperture test to see where the zoom length is sweet and which aperture gives the sharpest results. View all your images at 100% to critique them and always use those settings.

Somewhere like dpreview often posts review images taken with a camera but different lenses. Compare a couple taken with a kit zoom against some taken with a prime. You should see clearly the difference in clarity and sharpness.

Here's the dpreview for your camera. Look at the difference between the prime lens shots and the zooms. The 14-40 is a particularly soft lens. It's OK in bright light but falls off rapidly (download the images and view them in your normal software at 100%).

You could change your camera but if you end up with the same lenses you are not going to see much better results.

 

[raleighnut]

Ditto for the lenses, zooms are OK for point and shoot 'snaps' but a prime lens will give far superior results.

 

[Cycleops]

Sorry, can't help. I really don't see the point in carrying all those lenses about, you miss those off the cuff shots. I'm very satisfied with my Sony RX100 compact thanks which slips on my pocket and produced great shots

 

[ufkacbln]

There is a "options"

IIRC the E510 is a "micro 4/3" camera

The cheap option would be to look at a prime lens as suggested above, and if that improves your images then you are settled

The second is then to look at the investment that you have and update the camera to something more modern, but keep to the micro 4/3 format so your present accessories work

The final option is to cut your losses and go for a new manufacturer and format

Personally I use a Pen EPL5 which is a superb camera and has fully met my expectations, a Pentax K50 and Pentax K70 which work as matched cameras so I can use different mounted lenses and interchange cameras

 

[potsy]

Sorry, can't help. I really don't see the point in carrying all those lenses about, you miss those off the cuff shots. I'm very satisfied with my Sony RX100 compact thanks which slips on my pocket and produced great shots

It's the difference between a photographer, and someone who just takes pictures

 

[Cycleops]

It's the difference between a photographer, and someone who just takes pictures

Pretentious, moi? I'd rather be someone who just takes pictures.

 

[accountantpete]

With landscape I'd recommend getting your lens first and then the camera to fit . Look for lenses that are sharp in the corners as that is where a lot of bad lenses fall down. As above I wouldn't bother with zoom lenses if you want sharp photo's.

With wildlife it's the other way around as you need a camera with a quick shutter speed and then a lens to fit the distance of the shot - check out lenses (or cameras) with stabilisation built-in to cut down problems with camera shake during hand-helds.

There are plenty of good forums such as https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/

 

[potsy]

Pretentious, moi? I'd rather be someone who just takes pictures.

And that's fine, but it sounds like jhawk takes it more seriously.

 

[Salar]

Sell the zooms and just get a couple of primes and use your feet to get close or far away from the subjects

I'm a film shooter most of the time and only use primes, so can't really help. (My Nikon DSLR rarely gets used these days)

 

[jhawk]

Cheers for the replies thus far, all. Taking all of this information on-board.

 

[Salar]

If I was staying with digital I'd go mirrorless, an Olympus or a Lumix could be in your price range.

 

[raleighnut]

Sell the zooms and just get a couple of primes and use your feet to get close or far away from the subjects

I'm a film shooter most of the time and only use primes, so can't really help. (My Nikon DSLR rarely gets used these days)

I wouldn't sell the zooms, use them to find out the focal width of lens most used then buy a lens that size.

My 2 favourite lenses are a Pentax 50mm f 1-1:2 and a Tamron 90 f 1-2:5 Manual Focus (with matching 'macro' tube)

 

[Salar]

Apologies for the diversion, think we need an analogue, film shooters thread.

Back to the thread...........................