Goodbye Nikon! Why I switched to the Olympus OM-D E-M1Mark II and the micro four-thirds format

I am now a proud owner of Olympus cameras and lenses and I am enjoying everything that the micro four-thirds format has to offer. I have made the switch from Nikon and my full frame and APS-C camera bodies to the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera bodies and Zuiko Pro lenses.

This video is the story of why I switched to Olympus.

My new Olympus camera system includes 2 OM-D E-M1 Mark II bodies which are 20.4 megapixel cameras.

I have three zoom lenses and four primes. The zooms are all Zuiko Pro Series lenses - the 7-14mm f/2.8 wide angle, the 12-40mm f/2.8 and the 40-150mm f/2.8

And if you are wondering about the 35mm equivalents of these lenses - just double the numbers - the 7-14 is the equivalent of a 14-28mm full frame lens. The 12-40 is equivalent to a 24-80mm full frame lens and the 40-150mm is equivalent to an 80-300mm full frame lens.

My new kit also includes four Olympus Zuiko rime lenses… the new 25mm f1.2 Pro lens and the just released 45mm f/1.2 Pro lens with its feathered bokeh. I also have a 30mm f/3.5 macro lens and a 300mm f/4 Pro lens which is a 600mm equivalent and great for shooting sports - if I add the 1.4 teleconverter this becomes an 840mm equivalent lens.

Olympus is the company that developed the four-thirds standard and then later paired with Panasonic to share technology and the micro four-thirds standard evolved. The consortium formed by these two companies now includes companies like Zeiss, BlackMagic Design, Fujifilm, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, Schneider, Iowa and a bunch of others - all with the goal of producing cameras and lenses that conform to the four-thirds standard.

Why now - at this point in my career after using Nikon for so long and right before they are hopefully gonna come out with a mirrorless camera???

I did it because for the last two years while I have been making these YouTube videos and traveling the country teaching and talking with photographers of all different skill levels from all around the world - my head has been filled with the anxiety from photographers worrying about Full Frame Is Better - More Mega Pixels are Better - More Dynamic Range is Better - Sony is Better - Nikon is Better - Canon is better. I hear this stuff day in and day out in the very next sentence I hear the complaints about the cost of equipment and size and weight all the while these same photographers are struggling to improve their craft.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
DON'T MISS OUT ON MORE WAYS TO LEARN

This includes my portfolio, over 300 articles, and interviews!

WANNA SEE MY GEAR?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
LET'S CONNECT!



- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
FTC Disclosure: No sponsors have paid for or provided equipment or material shown in this video
#nikon #olympus

[MicroFourNerds]

Woop woop!! It's so cool to see more pro photographers join the m43 side!

[natasaragih]

“I wanted to make photography fun again.” That’s the point!

[Joostered]

Don't tell em how good it is dammit, you'll drive the prices up. Stay with FF folks, nothing to see here.

[PostColorGear]

Welcome to the club!!! After going from Canon to Sony, I've settled on Olympus and I ABSOLUTELY don't regret it at all :)

[frankyvee]

I'm a firm believer of this quote " Use the gear that works for you" If the Olympus micro 4/3 system works for you then more power to you. I agree with you the best way to find out is to rent the gear for yourself before listening to a youtube video. You might find out what works for one person might not work for the next.

[alb]

Congratulations on pulling the bandaid!  And this looks like a great lens line up.  Regardless of the brand, looking forward to keep learning with your videos.  And happy 100K subscribers!

[martinthomas]

Welcome to the M43 world Joe! Congrats! I can't wait to see your images from that new 45mm f/1.2!

[avantgardetattooandartgall]

Wish you good luck with your new journey and thank you for sharing with us your toughts! i'm sure your next pictures will be great as always!

[bevleaross]

so loved this.. I swapped from canon to olympus OM-D EM1 MII about sixs months ago... OMG why didnt I do it sooner.. I love the olympus.. have the three pro lenses covering 7-150.. its a fantastic camera system ... your 'arguments' are bang on

[Nocturnal_Dreamcaster]

Kostas from Greece here. I just want to say a big "Thank you" for this video, it really helped me decide on my first camera.
I really like your style, both informative and entertaining, straight to the point, great mix of skill, talent and experience.
Wish you all the best, will keep watching you, don't change a bit!

[dunnymonster]

I'm firmly sticking with Nikon but wish you all the best with your move to M43 Olympus. Gavin Hoey is one of my favourite photographers and his work using Olympus is some of the best out there 😊

[MukilteoSailor]

Joe, great video. I saw in one of the Olympus FB groups you asking questions on flash system compatibility. Good to know you found the answers you were looking for and were able to make the switch. I moved to Olympus in 2014 as a way to get back into photography as I wasn't taking my Canon DSLR anywhere with me. Looking forward to more great videos in the future.

[Rezaroth]

Its all about the image, never been about the camera. I'm so happy for you.

[MrTaurushill]

Far and away, the best video I have seen on the subject. It proves (to me at least), that the author has more smarts than the vast majority of other photographers doing this on YouTube. I started my own photography a bit later than Joe, in 1979 or 1980. If I were to make my own video on the subject, it would be just like this one. Now, I don't have to! Thanks for that, Joe.
Kudos, and MUCH respect. You won't be disappointed by your choice, it only gets better from here. Jan

[theizza]

Ironically it's all the youtube politicians that hardly get out and shoot that make new photographers worry about megapixels, dynamic range, iso performance etc. Use what makes your job easy and fun as a photographer. Loved the video. Oh and you got a new sub.

[Marty]

Joe, what a great video. The fascinating thing is that you are completely satisfied with this system, and you are a pro photographer who depends on it to earn a living. The other 99.9% of us are amateurs, and for us a sixyear old Olympus EM5 was good enough, despite having a four thirds sensor. Currently I use an EM1 an EM5 and a Panasonic GM1 as my travel/street cam, and I will eventually get a used EM1 II when I can find one for half the original price. But I may have a long wait for that, since after two years the used ones still go for around $1, 500.

I really think you nailed it with this video. Chasing better specs doesn't make sense unless you are having fun and actually need the better specs. In terms of usability, M4/3 seems to have hit the perfect balance. And the lenses are mouth watering, with a huge selection at various price points.

[bobdrawbaugh]

Joe, welcome to the Olympus family. I’m no pro, just some guy with a camera. But, I love my Olympus gear.

[OneHarp]

Great video Joe! I have the E-M1ii and the 12-40mm f2.8 Pro, and I really love that combo. It's so fun to shoot! I will very much look forward to seeing your future videos with this kit!

[justk]

I listen for 2 minutes in already knew you are a true pro photographer unlike most channels that entertain better then they shoot! Also for the studio work Olympus will work for most. I'm own 3 Canon 1dx's for pro sports. Olympus is definitely not ready for that. But for portrait, studio awesome!, ,, in maybe events. No sure! Love the way you light different shades of skin. Perfect! Skills!!!

[gregoryvarano]

Fantastic video Joe! For me, working as a pro for over 30 years and using Nikon I just made the witch to Olympus and have been so happy. The image results are amazing, shot two jobs with my EM1Mrk 1 yes the Mrk 1 and my clients loved the images, I’m going to go all in with a Em1 mrk 2 and some pro lenses, just ordered a12-100 f4 pro zoom along with the 7-14mm f2.8 pro. Right now I’m using the EM1 Mrk 1 with the Olympus 14-150 ii and a Lumix 42.5 f1.7 prime . I bought it all just to get my feet wet so to speak. The results and ease of use sold me. Prints I’ve made for clients are clean and sharp with a natural rendering with very little post. Clean and accurate right out of the camera.