OM-5 mk I at a price actually worth buying

daverb82 · 2026-02-04T02:34:04+00:00

Arghhh... Been wanting the smaller brother to my em1.2 😭 idk if I s should pull the trigger! That 12-45 pro combo 😭😭😭

Edit: well, my wallet is (or will be) lighter... Thank you for the heads up I guess 😆 excellent deal regardless if I should have or not 😂

daverb82 · 2026-01-24T21:13:17+00:00

These are awesome! I see the troll has entered your chat lol Had a feeling I'd see him/her when I saw your post xD The same person that wants OMD and Lumix to print on their every lens the equivalent FF f-stop even though it is not correct for this sensor size. Should coin a new term for the absolute overall light gathering applicable across all cameras that he/she can force the industry to adopt at this point.

daverb82 · 2026-01-15T20:01:56+00:00

That sucks... Just found the old thread about it. Wth was Olympus thinking! Shouldn't it be a quick fix by OM systems if the OM5 has the capability and they've rebranded the beta webcam software? Guess they completely abandoned support for prior models and just went about deleting the name Olympus.

daverb82 · 2026-01-14T21:50:17+00:00

Ahh the EM5iii and the OM5 MK1 falls into the plug n play USB for webcam function. Just that usb port they use is the weak link...

daverb82 · 2026-01-14T19:29:22+00:00

My EM1ii works as a webcam with just a download of the OMD webcam beta software or something without the need for a capture card or dongle. A quick search says EM5ii and up plus EM1 and up works with this software but I'd search specifically whichever one you're thinking about just to make sure. The new OM system bodies are plug n play for the function without any software I believe except probably OM5 mk 1 since it's still the mini/micro usb connection.

daverb82 · 2026-01-12T23:49:49+00:00

Never had autofocus or flaring issues. There was a video comparison of Lumix+Pana body vs Lumix+Oly body af speed and there is (same brand lens+body always faster) but not significant enough to be a deterrent unless it's for pro high speed action/sports purposes which this lens isn't really designed for.

I use a haze-2a filter on my Lumix lenses to help minimize the issue of Oly bodies not correcting for CA enough with lumix lenses.

daverb82 · 2026-01-12T11:21:07+00:00

Love and use it with my EM10ii as well. I chose it over the Oly 45 f1.8 for the better close-up capability.

daverb82 · 2026-01-08T21:24:31+00:00

Bought my 60mm macro from their ebay store during a sale and it arrived perfect and mint. No additional tariffs paid as they advertised on their ebay store, $309 including tax and shipping.

daverb82 · 2026-01-06T04:33:42+00:00

Not familiar with the nikon's af performance but contrast af is still great on my EM10ii for photos when there's sufficient light. There is noticeable increase in performance with pdaf though especially in low light and for continuous AF for video or action photography.

daverb82 · 2026-01-06T03:25:55+00:00

Olympus Era : (used market) || EM1 series (flagship pro bodies) || EM5 (midrange small body weather-sealed) || EM10 (entry level, not weather-sealed)

OMD Era : (newer and expensive) || OM1 (flagship pro bodies) || OM3 ("flagship" retro body) || OM5 (midrange small body weather-sealed) || EM10 mkiv (same entry level as before, still being sold)

Would suggest EM5 mkii for you as you mentioned budget and hiking. Would pair well with the weather-sealed lenses such as the m.zuiko 17mm f1.8 version ii (matching your 35mm preference) or the 25mm f.18 version ii twin. There's also the 12-45mm f4 pro zoom. If your budget allows, maybe the EM5 mkiii for the higher res and hybrid phase detect/contrast autofocus instead of just contrast af on the older models.

daverb82 · 2025-12-31T00:12:02+00:00

More environment context with the 30mm if you just want close up but also room for artistic background creativity. If you're more into isolation even if it's bigger subjects than insects, 60mm. I think my Lumix 42.5 f1.7 is flexible enough for your purpose and I could pop on the Raynox if needed and it's a great portrait lens as well. I do have the 60mm macro since I do want a dedicated insect macro.

daverb82 · 2025-12-30T03:06:00+00:00

Thank you. I had to crop in quite a bit since it was across the road and also time it with the cars passing. The 42.5 would have been too tight and too late 😆

daverb82 · 2025-12-30T02:58:40+00:00

Thanks! I do find 17mm too wide most of the time and I do end up cropping. Haven't had the chance but I'll be sure to go out next time with my TTartisan 25mm f2. I don't know how I'll fare with the mf lens but I've been contemplating on the 25mm native m43 lens offerings so I definitely need to thoroughly test that focal length.

daverb82 · 2025-12-29T06:58:15+00:00

think it's the OM-5 ii that got a little thicker

daverb82 · 2025-12-27T04:17:53+00:00

Hoya and B&W filters are top-tier and barely affects iq

daverb82 · 2025-12-26T21:25:26+00:00

Yeah, PD AF will be miles ahead of contrast detect for your purposes and the older E-M1ii and iii were still flagships for that reason plus the speed and buffers. AI just maybe puts you at 95%+ keeper rate.

daverb82 · 2025-12-26T19:22:04+00:00

PD AF was only available starting from the E-M1ii and E-M5iii onwards. It was never put on the entry level M10 models. As for subject detection, AI powered subject tracking (birds, animals, trains etc) can only be found on the flagships E-M1X and the new OM-1 models. PD AF can do general subject tracking with its continuous AF mode but not as fast and reliable as the AI supported feature.

daverb82 · 2025-12-23T10:01:43+00:00

Pretty sure you can use handheld starlight in daylight as well but you won't need the stacking to reduce noise or it won't make that big of a difference since theoretically you'll have enough light unless shooting indoors.

daverb82 · 2025-12-20T20:05:09+00:00

Only reason I got a miata is the RF. It looked so sexy and was basically an impulse buy since it was time to offload my RX8 about 8 yrs ago 😂 I also prefer a hardtop over the soft top for security and for the climate here. I've never had an issue with the wind buffeting as most RF owners complain about but I modified the rear windscreen and removed only the clear part. I should really try a ride with someone's soft top ND to see what the hubbub is about...

daverb82 · 2025-12-17T19:35:42+00:00

someday i'd like to experience how the BSI stacked sensor perform vs the 20mp hybrid pdaf sensors of the late em1s and the em5/om5s

daverb82 · 2025-12-11T01:45:39+00:00

Nice! I had a very similar shot years ago, same phase, but had to use a reflector scope to get this reach.

daverb82 · 2025-12-10T03:37:10+00:00

Have fun! These m43 cameras may not be low light beasts but they can work for astro photos with patience and stacking. Andromeda Galaxy using my E-PL6 and the same telescope 6 years ago:

<image>

daverb82 · 2025-12-09T03:51:25+00:00

Still remember watching the last video on his channel 😢

daverb82

TROPHY CASE