It's like coming home....the move from APS-C to M4/3
In my early adventures in photography, and my first foray into the professional DSLR market, I purchased an Olympus E-1 nearly a decade ago: a 5 megapixel, magnesium alloy beauty, and the first DSLR with a lens mount and imaging system designed specifically for digital photography. Already behind in the megapixel race with offerings from the stalwarts of photography, Canon and Nikon, and venturing into the world of reduced sensor size, the E-1 boasted a four thirds (4/3) sized sensor smaller than the standard APS-C sensor offered by other manufactures.
While the megapixel race reigned supreme in the world of digital photography progress, the E-1 drew me in and served me well for several years, by (in my opinion) rising above the competition in on area I held most important: Color. Saturation, accuracy, richness, dynamic range - in countless galleries browsed online, the E-1 stood out among the competition.
Over 10 years later, after while relying on my trusty E-1 I had flirtations with the Olympus E-330 (ahead of its time with an articulated rear LCD screen) and the Sigma SD14 (still ahead of its time with Foveon Sensor Technology), I found myself standing solidly in the camp of another historic pioneer of the photographic industry: Pentax.
After losing some faith in the future of Olympus in the arena of professional photography following the demise of the 4/3 mount, I found myself 5 years later having amassed quite the kit of Pentax gear:
Pentax K3
Pentax 12-24 f4 ED AL
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD
Pentax SMCP-DA 40 f/2.8 ED Limited Edition
Pentax D-FA 100 f/2.8 Macro WR
sigma 100-300 f/4
Sigma 400 f5.6 Telemacro
Pentax DA* 60-250 f/4
Pentax O-GPS1
Now, in the same year as Olympus has officially discontinued the 4/3 line, I have come home to the storied brand where I first began my adventures in digital photography.
Moving to the Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) mount, I have traded in my Pentax K3 (foundly nicknamed "Dupree") and a strong collection of incredible glass, for a smaller, lighter more advanced Olympus kit that covers the same range and needs, plus more:
Olympus O-MD E-M1 ii
Panasonic Leica 12-60 f/2.8-4
Olympus 60 f/2.8 macro
Olympus Pro 40-150 f/2.8
Panasonic Leica 100-400 f/4-6.3
So stay tuned for more on my adventures with my so far nickname-less Olympus, details on why I made the switch, reviews and plenty of photography tips and tricks. In the meantime, it's like coming home to those Olympus colors....
