Thinking of moving to Olympus E-PL6

[gnesgnoy]

Hi all,
Need advise thinking of moving from DSLR to mirror less. Currently having D90, with 7 lens. Initial intending to Move to D600/610 FF but pro lens seems out of reach. After much consideration and research, thinking of moving to E-PL6. Pro as follows:-

1) Light weight
2) Better ISO performance
3) Cheaper lens.
4) Pro lens e.g. 35-100 (70-200) lighter and cheaper.
5) Flexi screen for creative shooting.

Need advise whether keep both systems or sell the Nikon system. Anything I will miss? (I believed wireless flash trigger, real curtain sync features should be available for E-PL6?)

Thank You.

 

[darkies]

Panasonic lens can be used

 

[thoongeng]

I think mainly you will miss the optical viewfinder, external controls, and AF tracking. If you don't mind composing on LCD screen, don't mind using the menu system more often and don't need to track fast moving stuff like sports then no problem

Regarding 'cheaper lens', I think the basic focal length range lenses are probably similar

You might also want to consider a D7000 or D7100?

Happy shopping

 

[alwaysjerricky]

Yeah probably the viewfinder and the DSLR feel. You can get an external viewfinder too, but you will lose your capability to put an external flash and accessories. Other than that, it's lighter, so if you're happy with it, go for it!

 

[DarkWingDoug]

I have the EPL6, it may be the first "better" camera that I own, but I've done a lot of research to validate my purchase.

I don't have experience on dSLRs except for handling some other people's for a short time and once in the stores, you lose out on ergonomics in the EPL6, but personally, it's not a big factor. I like m43 for its size and performance ratio.

Partnered with a VF4 EVF, I'm really happy with my camera so far.

 

[rhino123]

Hi all,
Need advise thinking of moving from DSLR to mirror less. Currently having D90, with 7 lens. Initial intending to Move to D600/610 FF but pro lens seems out of reach. After much consideration and research, thinking of moving to E-PL6. Pro as follows:-

1) Light weight
2) Better ISO performance
3) Cheaper lens.
4) Pro lens e.g. 35-100 (70-200) lighter and cheaper.
5) Flexi screen for creative shooting.

Need advise whether keep both systems or sell the Nikon system. Anything I will miss? (I believed wireless flash trigger, real curtain sync features should be available for E-PL6?)

Thank You.

I didn't move on from DSLR choosing to keep both my Canon system and my Olympus mirrorless system... frankly, I like the mirrorless, but something is still lacking (not sure what) that make me going back to my DSLR every now and then, if you are very used to DSLR, I think you will know what I mean.

Anyway, since you already had 7 lenses, another way was to get a Nikon mirrorless system with an adapter and you can attached all your Nikon lenses to the mirrorless.

Advantage:

1) Save money on getting new lenses
2) Very light weigh and size (smaller than the EPL6), great for travelling
3) Pretty fast AF system even using lenses built for your Nikon DSLR
4) Very good low light performance (but might not be as good as the EPL6 because sensor size is only 1 inch)
5) 2.7x crop (this is an advantage if you are shooting wildlife)
6) Some money had very very fast fps.

Disadvantage

1) 2.7x crop (wide angle is limited)
2) A bit unwieldy if you attached the bigger Nikon lenses to the small body of the Nikon mirrorless camera
3) Not too much accessories available yet (external flash is kind of small)
4) Not too much native lenses (but you can still use your existing lenses)
5) No OVF

Anyway, at the end of the day, it is difficult for any of us to tell you what you will miss because different people will have different preferences, I would advise that you go down to the shop and get a hold on these mirrorless systems and play with them for a while. You can even buy second hand one (for pretty low prices) and play with them for a couple of days before deciding whether you want to go fully mirrorless or carry on with your DSLR. The rational behind this is that when you get a mirrorless system second hand, and if you find that mirrorless is not something you like, you can still sell off the same system for little or no loses at all. If you like the mirrorless and find that you will not miss your DSLR, you can still sell off your DSLR system and get some extra cash to invest in better lenses for your mirrorless... you can even sell off your second hand mirrorless and DSLR and get a brand new one.

 

[gnesgnoy]

Thank you for all the valuable feedback and comments. I guess the access to the functions will be more rigid as need to go thru the button. Also may not use as a commander flash. The reason didn't go for D7000 cause the pro lens still heavy especially 70-200 2.8 and some are selling due to lack of use.
True enough will get a set to try out first before selling entire system as new and used the margin is too narrow.
Many thanks....

 

[zaren]

I moved from Nikon D5100 with a similar lens line up as yours, to Olympus EPL5 mainly for the lighter weight and smaller size of the camera and lenses, while maintaining very good image quality. Am happy with m43 so far and have not missed the DSLR setup.

 

[smartkel]

I am currently using the epl6 and would say the compact size makes it easier and lighter to carry around.
I am thinking of investing in a macro lens which produce nice close up bokeh shot. Was looking at Panasonic 75mm f2.8 leica lens. Any good review on this lens or other recommendation? Thanks.

 

[-120-]

45/2.8? Thumbs up.

 

[gnesgnoy]

45/2.8? Thumbs up.

I will be going down this weekend to get the system. Is VF4 good or should use the LCD instead.
Also should I get 17mm 1.8 or 45mm 1.8. Will like to know the 2x converter any lost in Quality?
Then will decide to keep my Nikon with lesser lens eg. Wide lens 11-16mm or sell entire system.
Thanks all for sharing.

 

[smartkel]

45/2.8? Thumbs up.

May i know how much is the retail price for this lens?

How about Hoya macro close up lens? i am considering this option due to tight budget. Anyone has experience using these filters? Care to share?

 

[undergrd]

May i know how much is the retail price for this lens?

How about Hoya macro close up lens? i am considering this option due to tight budget. Anyone has experience using these filters? Care to share?

How about Olympus 60mm f2.8?

 

[undergrd]

I will be going down this weekend to get the system. Is VF4 good or should use the LCD instead.
Also should I get 17mm 1.8 or 45mm 1.8. Will like to know the 2x converter any lost in Quality?
Then will decide to keep my Nikon with lesser lens eg. Wide lens 11-16mm or sell entire system.
Thanks all for sharing.

The Vf4 is good but whether to use the VF or the LCD actually depends on personal preference. You can try out the LCD for a few days and see if you really need a VF.

As for the 17mm and 45mm, both are good lenses and it also points down to what you intend to shoot with these lenses. So in this case abit difficult to advise which one to get. If money is not an issue, get both.

 

[keithwee]

I am currently using the epl6 and would say the compact size makes it easier and lighter to carry around. I am thinking of investing in a macro lens which produce nice close up bokeh shot. Was looking at Panasonic 75mm f2.8 leica lens. Any good review on this lens or other recommendation? Thanks.

Consider the Oly 60mm macro look at the shots shared by some of the users here.

And yeap, some use this lens for portraits too.

 

[keithwee]

I will be going down this weekend to get the system. Is VF4 good or should use the LCD instead. Also should I get 17mm 1.8 or 45mm 1.8. Will like to know the 2x converter any lost in Quality? Then will decide to keep my Nikon with lesser lens eg. Wide lens 11-16mm or sell entire system. Thanks all for sharing.

VF4 will do great as u will (yes you will - go try) be taken aback by how sharp and big the viewfinder is. No noticeable lag when swopping from LCD to EVF either which is very impt to me.

2x not much loss in quality , unless u pixel peep. I use my 12-40mm and hit a 160mm range with the 2x and no complaints so far.

17/1.8's merits are its Daxx fast in AF. If u bother to use the snap focus with the distance markers , it will be a well spent investment especially for street shooting. Some peers simply use the touchscreen exposure and snap street. I sold my 20/1.7 for this.

45/1.8's an even sharper lens, but the focal length might be an issue for some people , being quite tight at 90mm. I'll say if u r starting to build up your lenses , get the 17mm first , and if u wana go for portraits , using the 2x converter gives u ~70mm , a decent FL for portraits; the 45mm can come later.

 

[gnesgnoy]

VF4 will do great as u will (yes you will - go try) be taken aback by how sharp and big the viewfinder is. No noticeable lag when swopping from LCD to EVF either which is very impt to me.

2x not much loss in quality , unless u pixel peep. I use my 12-40mm and hit a 160mm range with the 2x and no complaints so far.

17/1.8's merits are its Daxx fast in AF. If u bother to use the snap focus with the distance markers , it will be a well spent investment especially for street shooting. Some peers simply use the touchscreen exposure and snap street. I sold my 20/1.7 for this.

45/1.8's an even sharper lens, but the focal length might be an issue for some people , being quite tight at 90mm. I'll say if u r starting to build up your lenses , get the 17mm first , and if u wana go for portraits , using the 2x converter gives u ~70mm , a decent FL for portraits; the 45mm can come later.

Went to Megatex @ Singapore Expo to try out the cam. Focus is fast I would say. $200/- for the double kit. Comes with Toshiba flashcard, pen case, additional battery and strap. Looks like good deal.

Anyway, thanks for all the comments.......

 

[jasonlim9090]

Anyone can advise if I should get a 40-150mm telephoto? I only have 14-42mm. But considering this camera being quite old, I'm not sure if I should just change the body altogether.

Thanks alot.

Cheers,
Jason
Singapore Piano Hub

 

[Octarine]

Anyone can advise if I should get a 40-150mm telephoto? I only have 14-42mm. But considering this camera being quite old, I'm not sure if I should just change the body altogether.

First of all, why don't you open a new thread? Bringing up a 2.5y old thread is a bit pointless.
Answer these questions:
- Do you need the range of 40-150mm? Do you frequently encounter situations where 42mm is far too short?
- Does your current body lacks in anything that stops you from taking the picture you want to take?

 

[dennisc]

owned PL6 before, I don't feel it's more than an excellent camera and that zoom snagged me a few awards. Great zoom, but if you're unsure why you want it for, then don't get it.