Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - Leaving Olympus and moving to a different system...advice?

eppicphotos · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:08 pm

For the past couple of years, I've been an Olympus DSLR user. I started with the 8 MP E-500 and now use the 10MP E-510. I've been saving up money and am now considering sometime this year to sell my Oly body and glass and moving on to another brand; I'm just at present undecided, so I could use some advice from the SS community.
First, the budget. I'm planning on spending up to 2500.00 for starters on both body and glass, but I'd like to spend more of that 2500.00 on glass than the body, since I feel that good glass is more important than an expensive body at this time.
Now, what I do with the camera:
I'm primarily a landscape photographer who shoots most of my material under 50mm focal length and most of my material is shot while backpacking, hiking, snowshoeing, etc with the camera and lens slung around my neck and shoulder, so size and weight are important to me, as is image quality.
Stuff like high FPS bursts, fast autofocus and that sort of thing aren't.
Bodies that I'm currently considering currently are:
D200, D60, and the Pentax K200. I'm a bit of a non-conformist, so by nature I don't lean towards Canons, but if I'm given a convincing enough of an argument otherwise, please speak up.

shiyali · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:37 pm

Curious? What are your reasons for leaving Olympus? From what I read Olympus does well in the small size, low weight department while still delivering quality images.

eppicphotos · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:03 pm

Yes it is true that size and weight are fairly good, but the 2x crop sensor isn't very condusive to wide angle work.
With the bit of macro work I do the 2x crop is great, but I'm a bit leary about pouring more money into a lens system that I'm quite uncertain will work for me personally in the future. I guess I want something with more options.

prisuktuvas · Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 170 Location: Lithuania

I would stay away from D40/40x/D60, because they haven't got internal AF motor. What about D50 or D70?

eppicphotos · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:29 am

I don't really want to move down to a 6 MP. Other microstock sites that I submit to pay according to size downloaded so some advantage is lost with smaller photo submissions then. I'd like to stay at least 10MP. From what I see right now the D200 or the K200 look to be the best options in terms of cost and features.

vclements · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:50 am

You can pick up a good used D200 body for less than $1000 (us).
That would leave you $1500 for glass

eppicphotos · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:00 pm

Yeah that's the appeal of the D200. Broadway photo is selling them new for $850.00 with free shipping.

vclements · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:09 pm

sonyho · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 780

eppicphotos · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:03 pm

Ah good point. Yeah Broadway Photo does have a bit of a checkered past. A D200 still though is a serious consideration for me.

vclements · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:12 pm

If you are not opposed to used, KEH has 2 bodies < $1000. ($959 and $919)

I've dealt with these guys a lot, and I have never had a problem.
The ratings are VERY conservative.

http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/home.aspx

stasvolik · Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 909 Location: Vancouver, BC

eppicphotos · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:03 pm

I am admittedly curious about the successor to the D80 and I'd actually like to look into that option before committing to anything.
Sony has some intriguing DSLR's as well but I don't know if I want to go with Sony. Who knows maybe I'll just stick with Olympus.

hospitalera · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:07 pm

What is wrong with a Canon 5D? Full frame, great sensor, ideal landscape camera... SY

photosky · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:12 pm

Canon 5D.
Also, it has the good ratio "quality/price".

P.S. I still prefer my Sony R1 for outdoors. It allows to shoot under absolutely crazy angles. But it takes ages to learn how 2 make stock-quality shots with it.