I'm looking at dipping my toes back into the OM world (I've owned the OM5, OM1, and EM5ii, in the past). Currently own a A1ii and A7cr and thinking about dropping the Cr and leaning toward getting a OM-3. Ideally I'd like to have this be my everyday walk around and leaning toward it being a capable long lens camera if a slap a grip on it. From what I've read without a grip it would not be enjoyable with the longer lenses. However, with a grip, other than EVF, one stop of IBIS is it really going to be much different than the OM1ii? Seems like the grip allows it to pull double duty as long lens rig or without it's an everyday carry kind camera with something like the 20 1.4.
I'm a hobbyist, and I dabble in all types of photography; everything from macro to landscape to family travel... and astro... and street... and wildlife if it finds me, occasional airshow, and recently starting to play with time-lapse and video.
My question buried in all that- with a grip, other than much better EVF and one stop of IBIS is the OM-3 really going to be much different than the OM1ii?
Seabassius wrote:
I'm looking at dipping my toes back into the OM world (I've owned the OM5, OM1, and EM5ii, in the past). Currently own a A1ii and A7cr and thinking about dropping the Cr and leaning toward getting a OM-3. Ideally I'd like to have this be my everyday walk around and leaning toward it being a capable long lens camera if a slap a grip on it. From what I've read without a grip it would not be enjoyable with the longer lenses. However, with a grip, other than EVF, one stop of IBIS is it really going to be much different than the OM1ii? Seems like the grip allows it to pull double duty as long lens rig or without it's an everyday carry kind camera with something like the 20 1.4.
I'm a hobbyist, and I dabble in all types of photography; everything from macro to landscape to family travel... and astro... and street... and wildlife if it finds me, occasional airshow, and recently starting to play with time-lapse and video.
My question buried in all that- with a grip, other than much better EVF and one stop of IBIS is the OM-3 really going to be much different than the OM1ii?...Show more →
My 0.02$
Once you put the grip on the OM3, it's size and weight would be no different than the OM1II, and you lose the things you point out (better EVF and IBIS). OM System still treats the OM1 as their flagship camera and differentiates the OM3 accordingly.
The OM5 seems like a better small everyday carry proposition (same EVF as OM3, similar IBIS, older 20MP sensor though) given price to capabilities. The OM3 proposition is heavily weighted towards the in-hand feel (metal body) and looks.
leolab wrote:
My 0.02$
Once you put the grip on the OM3, it's size and weight would be no different than the OM1II, and you lose the things you point out (better EVF and IBIS). OM System still treats the OM1 as their flagship camera and differentiates the OM3 accordingly.
The OM5 seems like a better small everyday carry proposition (same EVF as OM3, similar IBIS, older 20MP sensor though) given price to capabilities. The OM3 proposition is heavily weighted towards the in-hand feel (metal body) and looks.
Yeah, I was thinking I could put a grip on it and get a poor man's OM-1 ii or take it off for the merits the OM-3 size brings. Might order one from BH and give it a few weeks to see if I gel. I usually get from best buy but they show it in stock, it just doesn't ship to anywhere in the US which is kind of weird.
It all depends what you want and how sensitive to size you are. The Om-3 with a grip is still smaller and lighter than an Om1. The Leofoto grip adds very little weight and of course you can always take it off. The Om-1 will always be more ergonomic but what matters to you is all that counts.
I don't have the OM-3, and haven't even played with one. But, I do own the digital Pen-F -- so I can appreciate both the Retro styling and the Creative Dial of the OM-3. I also own the OM-1 Mkll, which is my main camera, but the Pen-F is a great travel and walk around camera that does some unique things.
I think the answer to your quandary is how important those things are to you, in the type of shooting you do. People who have not used the Creative Dial feature can't understand the real value of that for anyone who likes to be able to get some really unique looking images. It allows you to customize both color and monochrome images in ways that you simply can't with models that don't have it.
If you enjoy that type of creative flexibility and you like the retro look of the OM-3, then it is a camera you will enjoy. If not, then the OM-1 Mkll would make more sense.
I think your idea of giving the OM-3 a try is a good plan -- it looks like a fun, capable camera and you may very well find you fall in love with it.
gmccroskery wrote:
I don't have the OM-3, and haven't even played with one. But, I do own the digital Pen-F -- so I can appreciate both the Retro styling and the Creative Dial of the OM-3. I also own the OM-1 Mkll, which is my main camera, but the Pen-F is a great travel and walk around camera that does some unique things.
I think the answer to your quandary is how important those things are to you, in the type of shooting you do. People who have not used the Creative Dial feature can't understand the real value of that for anyone who likes to be able to get some really unique looking images. It allows you to customize both color and monochrome images in ways that you simply can't with models that don't have it.
If you enjoy that type of creative flexibility and you like the retro look of the OM-3, then it is a camera you will enjoy. If not, then the OM-1 Mkll would make more sense.
I think your idea of giving the OM-3 a try is a good plan -- it looks like a fun, capable camera and you may very well find you fall in love with it.
For the OP a lot depends on how you're going to use the OM-3. I have the Sony A7r5, OM-1 and OM-3 and have just sold the OM-5i.
I use the OM-3 (with Leofoto grip / L plate : which adds 68g I think it is) far and away the most of those 3 cameras. Usually with the 20/1.4, 45/1.2, 12-40/2.8, 75/1.8 or the Laowa 6mm or 10mm.
I love the Creative Dial and have programmed different recipes to the dial. For travel, street and general use it is far away my preferred camera. Always shooting RAW + jpg.
However for birds / wildlife I reach immediately for the OM-1.
Giving it a test run is the best idea however do note that the difference in handling using the camera with /without a grip is night and day.
For the OP a lot depends on how you're going to use the OM-3. I have the Sony A7r5, OM-1 and OM-3 and have just sold the OM-5i.
I use the OM-3 (with Leofoto grip / L plate : which adds 68g I think it is) far and away the most of those 3 cameras. Usually with the 20/1.4, 45/1.2, 12-40/2.8, 75/1.8 or the Laowa 6mm or 10mm.
I love the Creative Dial and have programmed different recipes to the dial. For travel, street and general use it is far away my preferred camera. Always shooting RAW + jpg.
However for birds / wildlife I reach immediately for the OM-1.
Giving it a test run is the best idea however do note that the difference in handling using the camera with /without a grip is night and day. ...Show more →
I used my Pen f yesterday set to Monochrome, but found myself still having to go through DXO with the RAW file to get rid of noise and then in LR apply the Monochrome profile once again to the RAW file. Do you use the JPG with the profile most of the time directly in LR?
johnvanr wrote:
I used my Pen f yesterday set to Monochrome, but found myself still having to go through DXO with the RAW file to get rid of noise and then in LR apply the Monochrome profile once again to the RAW file. Do you use the JPG with the profile most of the time directly in LR?
Hello John,
Yes I use the jpgs from the OM-3 directly in Snapseed on my iPad (not a great program - it doesn't have any NR - but quick and easy to use until I get back home to my computer) and again in ON1 when I'm home.
I rarely need to go to the RAWs as the profiles give me the colours I'm mostly happy with and there is rarely any serious noise (take a look at my Instagram feed - many of those shots are taken on trips and uploaded 'immediately').
Received the OM-3 yesterday and been playing with it around the house. Everyone is different, but I haven't taken to the size as of yet. Feels a little too small in the hand for me. I don't have a grip yet, but my intent was this would be something that I could use with or without the grip and I don't know that I am a fan of the "grip-less" experience. I'll play around a little more. Another issue I can see if if I wanted to use this when I'm skiing or any activity with gloves it might be difficult for some of the buttons.
