Selling APS-C kit for MFT, what for studio portraits?

[feppe]

I currently own a full (for my needs) Canon APS-C and Olympus MFT kit. I was recently on a 3-week trip in Central America and brought only my MFT kit as I was traveling light. I took 4,134 photos, shot on top of a volcano, several Mayan ruins, in rain and heat, and (informally) at my friend's wedding - and didn't miss my heavy and bulky APS-C kit at all. In fact, I have hardly touched my 550D after I bought Olympus E-PL1 earlier this year. Prints up to 13x19" look gorgeous as well. So now I'm considering selling the APS-C kit as redundant.

But I still want to have a digital camera for studio portraits. Digital in studio for me is mostly for getting lighting right (chimping), and backup to MF and LF film. MFT doesn't have the required shallow DOF, E-PL1's UI is quite fiddly for chimping, and it doesn't even have a remote release. Most importantly I can't imagine it playing well with external flashes, and mounting a 580EXII on it looks like a bad joke. I haven't tried it with external flashes, though.

I'm considering either keeping my 550D for studio, or moving to 5D (the original, used). The latter would offer DOF closer to MF/LF than 550D, and I already have an excellent portrait lens in the 135L. I still might need faster glass than my f/1.8 85mm for full-length portraits, but I'd need to buy one for facials anyway if I keep the 550D.

Any thoughts? Pros and cons I've missed?

[Ken Bennett]

I got an m4/3 adapter for my old Canon FD lenses, and the 50/1.4 works rather well. Kind of fiddly, though, for a portrait session. Going back and forth on focusing magnification is a PITA.

I think this is a good argument for owning multiple camera formats, just like the old days (35mm, medium format, large format.) My favorite studio setup is the Canon 85mm/1.2 on a 1D-series camera. Great combo.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

… I still might need faster glass than my f/1.8 85mm...

Why, oh, why!?

[feppe]

I think this is a good argument for owning multiple camera formats, just like the old days (35mm, medium format, large format.) My favorite studio setup is the Canon 85mm/1.2 on a 1D-series camera. Great combo.

That's the direction I'm leaning as well. I've been drooling all over the Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 for a while now - it has marginally nicer bokeh from the sample shots I've seen, and is also significantly cheaper than the Canon. No AF, though, but the brighter and bigger viewfinder of FF with a focusing screen should bring back some memories from 35mm film...

Why, oh, why!?

That's why I said might I don't think I'll need faster than f/1.8 in studio for full-lengths, but for outdoor full length it might be necessary for nice bokeh - haven't done any testing with FF.

[BJL]

... I have hardly touched my 550D after I bought Olympus E-PL1 earlier this year.

I have nothing useful to say --- as someone contemplating a mirrorless system I just want to ask you, as a competent and fairly demanding photographer: how do you compose on the ELP1? Are you working happily with the rear screen, or do you mostly use the accessory EVF, or some mix? (My local stores are pathetic, so I have not had the chance for a test drive.)

Same question to other µ43 users!

[Ken Bennett]

Same question to other µ43 users!

I have the GF-1, and I use the clip-on EVF about 99% of the time. I can't stand holding a camera at arm's length to compose and shoot.

[feppe]

I have nothing useful to say --- as someone contemplating a mirrorless system I just want to ask you, as a competent and fairly demanding photographer: how do you compose on the ELP1? Are you working happily with the rear screen, or do you mostly use the accessory EVF, or some mix? (My local stores are pathetic, so I have not had the chance for a test drive.)

Same question to other µ43 users!

Thanks I thought I'd miss the OVF/EVF, but I don't. It adds too much bulk, doesn't look robust (never used one), and is another fiddle factor if I don't keep it on the camera at all times. I compose on the LCD, which works even in the brightest sunlight with brightness cranked up all the way with the E-PL1 - I'd test it outside with other cameras. Having said that, I'm looking forward to the MFT camera with in-body stabilization and built-in EVF, and preferably an articulated screen, as those would offer more choices in various shooting situations.

Composing on the LCD makes you look like a tourist and casual snapper and nobody will mistake you for a serious amateur or pro, which might or might not be what one prefers. The only real challenge with the LCD is that you can't brace the camera to your face, so it's not as stable for longer exposures.

[stever]

the 5D remains an excellent camera which will deliver better resolution and lower noise than any of the current APS-C cameras with existing lenses.  the downside is no liveview or micro-adjust (which may mean getting the camera and/or lenses adjusted is you're shooting at large apertures with autofocus).  the upside is an interchaneable finder screen unlike the 5D2

i will have to admit selling the 5D after getting the 5D2 and becoming addicted to liveview for macro and landscapes

[BJL]

Thanks for your replies, though the differences are striking

I thought I'd miss the OVF/EVF, but I don't. ... I compose on the LCD, which works even in the brightest sunlight with brightness cranked up all the way with the E-PL1

I have the GF-1, and I use the clip-on EVF about 99% of the time. I can't stand holding a camera at arm's length to compose and shoot.

From my digicam days, I feel comfortable steadying a camera with my forearms braced to my torso when composing on the LCD, so daylight washout is my main worry, and in-store testing might not answer the question. So it is hard to dispute this wish:

I'm looking forward to the MFT camera with in-body stabilization and built-in EVF, and preferably an articulated screen ...

Especially as the owner of several nice but un-stabilized 4/3 lenses.