Thinking of Going to the other Dark Side - Four-Thirds

[asnow]

Middle of next year I will be retiring and will probably spend a lot more time doing photography. That's when I will buy some new gear. This is just some preliminary thoughts.

Stay with what I currently have - Canon APSC
- perhaps buy the new Canon 7D Mark II and one or two new lenses (L or equivalent)
- Advantage - this is what I am familiar with.
- Advantage - I can can still rent whatever I need for specialty occasions. Seems most places only rent Canon or Nikon
- Disadvantage - the size and weight.

Switch to Micro four-thirds
- Advantage - I'm not getting any younger so smaller and lighter would be real nice.
- Disadvantage - I'm not aware of anywhere where I can rent micro four-thirds lenses. So for those occasions where the lenses I have don't have, I would have to drag out the old 7D (I'm thinking of keeping it for this reason) and rent what I need
- Disadvantage - Not sure if this is a disadvantage or not. What's the quality and high ISO capability of micro four-thirds. Are the lenses of equivalent quality of Canon L lenses.

Has anybody out there switched to or tried micro four-thirds. What's your experience? Any suggestions on what the best micro four thirds is. Went to Vistek today to have a first look and they suggest the Olympus OM-D E-M1. I realize that what is best now may not be the best middle of next year when I'm buying.

p.s.
After HBG switching to Nikon I realized that perhaps I'm getting beat up from two sides. I see Canon as very similar to Microsoft (I use Windows). These large companies are too complacent and slow to react to market trends.
Canon - They are getting their butts kicked by the smaller and more nimble companies such and Olympus, Panasonic, and Fuji for innovation. Perhaps add Sony to that as well.
Microsoft - all that needs to be said - Windows 8 - what the H??? was that. Not a fan of the Apple closed Eco-system so unlikely to change to there. Sucks that the popular system for photographers is Apple. Mind you Windows 10 due out in Mid 2015 looks much better. Maybe Microsoft finally came to their senses. Perhaps Canon will as well.

Sorry - I think I'm getting tired - enough of that rant.

[JAS_Photo]

Well, if it is of any consolation, Scott Kelby, who had been a Nikon user for years did a complete 180 and switched to Canon because of his interest in sports photography (I guess it goes beyond interest; he does get paid for it). As far as Apple goes, I do not know of any creatives or really anyone that uses Apple that has a complaint about it. Now that I do all my editing on my imac, I wonder how I ever managed to do it at all on my Sony laptop that I used to use.

[Runmonty]

Scott Bourne from Photofocus went down this path a while ago as well.

Seven Myths About The Need for Full Frame Camera Bodies (Updated) | Photofocus

[ewaizel]

My advice, don't worry much about the gear. I'm an IT engineer and actually in charge of a group of photo lovers at my office. Many of us love talking about this topic. Nevertheless, I can say a good photographer is good with any gear. Yes, you need a camera and if yours is already falling apart, it is time to change. There are also many items that can also be included into the list (lighting, tripods, lenses and other fun extras) where you can invest the $$$.
There is a lot of noise about Sony, Panasonic, Fuji & Olympus. Canon and Nikon are probably slow to react. At the end, who cares? What's the point if there is still a lot to learn in the art of observing and being creative?

[ericmark]

In general the smaller the sensor the lower the ISO or PPI, but I would not want a large format in digital and even 35 mm I would question if really required except for commercial work. Smaller cameras mean every thing else can be smaller including tripod and lenses.

The main point about 4/3rd is the loss of the mirror and as a result the lens is closer to the sensor which also means smaller lenses. Also no mirror to cause camera shake. I have not moved over because it would mean all new lenses, but if starting again it would be 4/3rd.

To my mind the only reason why Canon and Nikon survive is the hiring of lenses. When Nikon released a firmware upgrade which stopped people using third party batteries I realised they were not a nice firm and the only reason I have a Nikon is it was given to me by my late father. In the main I use two cameras a Pentax K10D and a Casio compact Exilim 6.0 Mega Pixel which had a firm ware upgrade to allow a larger SD card to be used.

I will admit with the Casio I miss having RAW but it's always in my pocket so it gets used far more. Although the Pentax is the better camera the Casio is always there for me. It's also not as intrusive so one can take more candid shots. It would seem one after the other in the club are going for the 4/3rd format and I expect it will become the norm.

Large format film cameras still exist and so I think so will the 23.6 x 15.6 or there abouts sensor will be around for some time. But the 18 x 13.5 sensor I think will over time become the standard size.

At the moment there is a lack of lenses but I think that will change.