Upgrading from compact.

[Joss 15]

I want to upgrade my rig from a rx100m2 with inon wet lenses and strobes. (I have been saving for a while though)

The Olympus OMD E1 m2 looks very interesting, but I'm wondering if I should go for a nikon d500.

I'm not concerned about size difference, but I have never use a DSRL.

At the end, price difference is around 30%. So price is not the most important issue.

I want to do wide and Macro, so far I have managed some decent macro with strong diopters but not much luck with wide angle.

Due to my lack of experience, I'm a bit worried about not seeing a substancial image improvement when compared to my current rx100m2.

Have any of you guys have gone trough this when upgrading?

Kind regards,

Joss

[Draq 118]

If the camera is limiting you, then an upgrade is probably worthwhile, but it is usually the photographer that is the weakest link and a better camera won't improve your skills. As I write that, it sounds sort of rude...I just mean to say that some people can benefit from an equipment upgrade more than others and it is wise to determine what is limiting you before looking to upgrade hardware. Perhaps you should upload some photos and identify what you want to improve and that will help others give you feedback.

 

If weight, cost and size are unimportant, then I would get the d500 unless you intend to use live view instead of the viewfinder. Bear in mind that when you look at cost, weight and size differences, it isn't just the camera. You need to look at housing and ports also.

 

Edited to add: Despite what I said above, I use the Olympus because, for me, size of the dive camera gear is important. I travel to dive and with the Olympus sized gear, i do not have to check camera, lenses, housing or ports. To me that is sufficiently valuable to stay with the smaller system and with each generation of camera, the difference between micro four thirds and aps-c gets smaller.

Edited April 4, 2017 by Draq

[adamtaylor 27]

Another thing to consider is that with all the great new camerw offerings people are selling their used gear.

 

A used rig which may not be as good as the EM1mk 2 or D500 will likely be better your current compact. Watch the classifieds, some great deals, and some which are barely discounted (I often scratch my head at that)

 

And if you strategically purchase good strobes / arms etc those can migrate to a newer rig if you feel you outgrow the used rig.

 

Good luck,

 

 

Adam

 

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[TimG 62]

Hi Joss

 

Although some years ago I moved from what was then a high quality P/S (Coolpix 5000) to a DSLR - then a Nikon D100.

 

The learning curve was steep although maybe not as steep as I feared - and understanding about ports, extension rings etc and jutting it all together seemed tricky at the time. But the difference in picture quality and, perhaps more noticeably, the ability to take exactly what I wanted when I pressed the shutter release was huge.

 

And, I found, a DSLR system will grow with you as you learn more.

 

So to answer your basic question: I think you would find a significant difference switching to a DSLR - in picture quality and, most noticeably, in functionality.

 

Being biased towards Nikon, I think a move to a D500 would be terrific. You'd need a 60mm to kick off with macro; then, every DX users favourite underwater WA lens, the Tokina 10-17mm. You'd have a great system.

[Joss 15]

Perhaps you should upload some photos and identify what you want to improve and that will help others give you feedback.

 

Thanks Draq, I think thats a good idea, here are 2 links to my fb albums.

I'm curious about your rig, do you use a 170mm (7in) dome? How do you pack it?

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153721343275358.1073741833.539830357&type=1&l=e78d4191af

and

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153648067040358.1073741832.539830357&type=1&l=047f95202c

 

 

Thanks and regards,

Joss

Edited April 17, 2017 by Joss

[Draq 118]

Joss:

 

I looked at your photos. You are doing well! I am not sure which aspects you want to improve with a new camera. It seems to me that some of your shots are a bit underexposed, although that could be the look you intended; what are you using for strobe(s)? Also I think some of the shots could be improved by being a bit closer. Might help with exposure as well.

 

I have usually transported all the gear (except camera body and lenses) in a Thinktank Airport International. That required the 170 to be packed vertically in the bag which is fine if the bag stays with me. If I anticipated that the bag might get checked, I moved everything into a Pelican 1510, and would put the housing or a port or two in a smaller carry-on bag. When I upgraded to the new housing for the E-M1 Mk ii, I found it just enough taller that the Airport International bag is not working for me. For now, everything but the housing goes in the Pelican and I put the housing in my "personal item" that the airlines allow and that also carries the camera and lenses. Alternatively, I could get everything in the Pelican except the 170 dome and carry that with me.

 

When I choose to leave a lens or two and a port behind, everything fits better, but I often take three lenses and three ports along with the strobes and all the bits and pieces.

 

I try very hard to avoid ever having my dive photo stuff get checked as luggage except when I have to take one of those small inter-island type planes.

[Pajjpen 63]

 

 

Joss:

For now, everything but the housing goes in the Pelican and I put the housing in my "personal item" that the airlines allow and that also carries the camera and lenses.

Note that many Airlines don't allow this "personal items bag" and it is quite common to only be allowed only 1 carry on, no matter the size.

My carry on is currently about 14kg, with 7 being the limit. Hopefully I don't get weighed haha.

 

 

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[Susa 2]

my reason for an upgrade would be the possibility of a good viewfinder (for example from Nauticam or Ikelite). I'm presbyopic and even with an optical mask I can not really see if focus is good on the camera monitor of my rx100 iii (which is in Acquapazza housing). this limits me more than the other camera features and the quality of the camera.

 

So I would like to go for a Panasonic Lumix g81 or gx80 or gx8. I'm used to panasonic overwater but budget for an GH5 is unfortunately not an option.

 

LG Susanne