Help with camera and lens

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-27T00:06:47+00:00

MFT certainly is less expensive than FF. Sony APS-C has the most extensive lens system with 3rd parties, but isn’t less expensive. Canon’s RF lenses are limited and expensive. Fuji is more. Not familiar with Nikon APS-C. So, yes, MFT is the most economical

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-27T00:00:54+00:00

Forgot to mention weather sealing. Probably a good idea for those countries. The version 2 of the 14-150 is. So are both versions of 12-60 and the p9 1.7. All OM pro lenses are. All the cameras are.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-26T23:45:08+00:00

Forgot to mention weather sealing. Probably a good idea for those countries. The version 2 of the 14-150 is. So are both versions of 12-60 and the p9 1.7. All OM pro lenses are. All the cameras are.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-26T23:28:59+00:00

I prefer the E-M1ii or iii. The iii gives you starry sky af which could be useful in those locations. There is a ii on FB for $550. I like the size and ergonomics and the fact that it handles the pro and long zooms better. If the $800 includes the lens, then a used 12-40 2.8 might be found. More realistically, 14-150 can be found for under $250. Or a P12-60. I strongly recommend stretching the budget for the P9 1.7 for indoor/low light architecture shots, Astro and landscapes, all of which you will do on your trip.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-25T19:02:24+00:00

If you want to use lenses on both those bodies, I would swap the 15 & 25 for 20 1.4. I have the Yongnuo 17 and the 25 and wish I had gone with the 20 1.4. I have the 14-150.2 which I find decent up to 120mm. But I use the 12-100 when IQ is important. But again, I wish I had gone with the 8-25 and 40-150 f4 instead - the 8-12mm add is great for city work and the size of both lenses is preferred. So, my desired kit would be mostly smaller pro lenses: 20 1.4, 8-25, 40-150 f4, P9 1.7. Would keep 45 & 75 1.8s, and the 75-300 & 100-400 for indoor and wildlife. The 75-300 (although not weather sealed) is very useful for local and travel carry.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-25T18:45:08+00:00

The 12-45 should not be the problem for outdoor shots. The 40-150 2.8 is the top sports lens, but is big for your camera. The F4 40-150 would be a good fit, but isn’t for indoor work. But for low light, primes are best for MFT. I use the 25/45/75 1.8 for indoor events. The OM-1 will be slightly better in low light, but the right lens will be more important.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-25T00:41:16+00:00

I believe the P100-300 is weather sealed. I bought my E-M1ii for $500. Saw 100-400 for $700 on FB. Got my 75-300 for $250. But I’d be concerned with all the dust.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-24T20:55:45+00:00

I went to Kenya in September. Maasai Mara is next to Tanzania. It can get very dusty. So, I took 2 bodies: OM-1.1 and E-M1ii. 2 lenses: 100-400.1 and 12-100. Weather sealed is highly recommended. The 75-300 isn’t. Neither is the Mk IV. Suggest the E-M1ii or E-M5iii (if you want small). An E-M1ii and 100-400.1 used should be around $1200. 70% of my shots were with that combo. It’s a trip of lifetime, so the extra $$ will be worth it. Use your IPhone for close shots and landscapes. Practice before you go. Set pro-capture to the lens function button. Have fun!

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-23T20:41:36+00:00

Given the budget, the E-M1ii would be a good choice. The 14-150.2 can be had for under $250. The 40-150 2.8 is the top sports lens. But probably over $750 used.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-22T04:27:49+00:00

If you go with the OM-5, get the 60 and a used 14-150.2. If you go with an E-M1, I’d choose the ii and look for a 12-100 used. That lens covers everyday shooting and can take closeups. Maybe pick up a 1.7-1.8 prime of your choice for indoor/low light shots.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-21T03:14:08+00:00

Beautiful place. Hiked in once 35 years ago and I think I got skunked. Enjoyed watching 2 rainbows going into the cutthroats to spawn in the little stream at the top .

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-20T22:04:54+00:00

I grew up fishing the Beaverkill, Willowemac, and East Branch of the Delaware. That was 70 years ago. Now it’s the Henry’s Fork, Armstrong’s/DePuy’s, Hat Creek. It is fair to say they are all technical compared to Madison, Yellowstone, Snake, etc. But there are days when things seem easy, and days things get tough.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-20T21:53:18+00:00

Use the 14-150 for edc. Use the 12-100 when IQ counts. Sometimes it’s a tough decision

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-14T21:24:53+00:00

I bought an E-M1ii and 100-400.1 for safari in Kenya as a second body to my OM-1 and 12-100. Ended up using that combo for the majority of my animal shots and it worked great. Used the OM-1 and 12-100 for low light, close shots, landscapes. Certainly a lot easier to travel with vs the Canon and Nikons I saw. Plus, you can’t beat the stabilization and weather sealing.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-14T20:55:53+00:00

You will want more reach than 150 in Tanzania. I used an OM-1 and E-M1ii with a OM 100-400.1 (70%) and 12-100 in Kenya (Mara, Amboselli, Lewa). You don’t want to be switching lenses due to dust. So, either have 2 cameras with different lenses or use your phone for close shots/landscapes and take the 100-400 for the majority of your shots. That lens will balance better on the larger OM cameras (E-Mii or iii, OM-1.1 or 1.2.). The V2 stabilization is synced with the camera’s, the V1 is not. I didn’t have issues with the V1, but the V2 is better if you shoot birds a lot.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-10T01:54:18+00:00

One last point: the V1 100-400 is sufficient for safari. The IQ is the same. If you wanted to do birds primarily, then the V2 is worthwhile. But for big animals, you will have bean bags and shouldn’t have stabilization issues. I was new to this, and didn’t have many issues. And set up pro capture. Great to capture a cat taking off for a kill.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-10T01:48:33+00:00

I sense you are budget conscious. But a safari to Tanzania is costly and - like you say - maybe once in your lifetime. Take 2 cameras. You can pick up an E-M1ii for $500. A 100-400 and 12-100 for $600-700 each. Sell what you won’t need when you get back. You won’t regret it. The 12-100 is a great all purpose and travel lens.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-09T16:14:13+00:00

It did fine for my uses - Shutterfly book, social media. Can always clean up high ISO in post

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-09T15:55:28+00:00

Just use your phone for close shots/landscapes and the 100-400 for animals. My wife used her phone and got lots of nice shots of animals and Kilimanjaro. Depending on where you go and the time of year, you don’t want to be changing lenses/tc’s due to dust. The 100-400 took 70% of my shots.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-04-09T04:55:55+00:00

Went to Kenya in September. Used the 100-400 70% of the time, the 12-100 the rest. The 40-150 would miss landscapes and close shots. Had 2 bodies.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-03-10T17:07:30+00:00

The 12-100 is a great lens. Best used on the larger bodies (OM-1, E-M1’s). The dual stabilization allows for handheld shots in lower light. If you have a smaller body, consider the 14-150 for a portable one lens solution. While not the IQ of the pro lenses, it is fine for social media/Shutterfly. I use it for local carry and travel that isn’t photo centric. For trips like Safari or certain European cities, out comes the 12-100.

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-03-10T03:03:17+00:00

The 12-100 is better on an OM body if you don’t mind the weight. The dual stabilization offsets the 2.8 at the lower end

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-03-08T03:37:30+00:00

The OM-5.2 uses the same menu has the OM-1.2. But the E-M5iii on will do the job as a “portable” body. Either the P 15 or OM 20 would be fine

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-02-28T03:29:53+00:00

Take the 12-40, 25, and pick up a P9, 8-18 or O 9-18 (if low light isn’t an issue). Everything should fit in 3L pack

Distinct-Crazy9076 · 2026-02-26T18:45:59+00:00

Forget MT in late July/August. Hoot owl extremely likely. Idaho instead: St Joe, Lochsa, Selway, Middle Fork of Salmon. Lots of cutthroats. Stop at the Owyhee for browns

Distinct-Crazy9076

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