I've been looking at jump-starting the process and not waiting
much longer for investing in a digital "system". A "bridge
camera" such as the Minolta A1 isn't that bad of an idea, except
the opportunity for full-timing it is looming large. I'd rather
not waste money on any camera not part of the "big picture".
Since my eye-opening experience Saturday, I've revisited the
reviews and specifications and placing them in the context of
"how I shoot" and "what I shoot" and "who I shoot for".
As a working pro in a smaller market, I have some unique
challenges that are different than those of established pros
with established commercial accounts.
1. Weddings. Whatever system has to be instill confidence that
it won't croak at a worst-possible moment. Good integration
with flash gear, stroboframes, filter-holders, etc. Must have
excellent skintones and good contrast control to capture high
and low values without loss of detail. Has to be as good as
Portra 160NC. 'Course, the camera also has to look serious.
2. Portraits. Ditto. Decent Bokeh a requirement.
3. School sports. Ok, this one is the killer. The camera must
be exceedingly responsive, fast focusing and have a big buffer
with fast write times.
4. Commercial/Advertising. High-pixel count is important, but
unfortunately I can't afford the Canon 1DS.
5. All else. Needs a good, flexible, robust camera system that
does everything well. Robustness is really important.
What is really intruiging about the E-1 is that I haven't found
any weaknesses other than pixel count for what I need it for.
Pixel count is a problem for #4, but is adequate for everything
else.
I'm reminded of January 1986. I went into a camera store and
took a gamble with a camera system. A certain company had
produced several exceptional cameras with every imaginable mode.
Imagine, having a camera with full program, aperature priority,
shutter priority and manual modes. Imagine, a camera that was
feature-wise way ahead of the competion. The handwriting was on
the wall, and the word-on-the-street was that all of the other
manufacturers were about to go out of business if they didn't
join the feature war. I decided to go by what I felt was a
better "camera" not a just become a slave to the features.
Hence, I walked out with an Olympus OM-2S instead of a Canon A1
or T90.
18 years later, I'm STILL using the same camera and lens that I
walked out of the store with. Meanwhile, those who chased the
feature wars have changed cameras HOW MANY TIMES?
Features aren't everything. If they were, NOBODY but a few
retrogrouches would use Leicas, medium formats or large format
cameras. Ok, most of us 4x5 shooters are a little sick.
When we forget what is important, we can be distracted by the
features. The problem with features is that they get stale in a
hurry. The next PMA always brings around something that trumps
what we just bought two months ago.
It comes down to several key points for me. Is the viewfinder
comfortable and "composing-friendly"? Is the grip comfortable?
When you press the "go button" does it take two weeks to take
the picture? Size and weight--Does the camera announce its
presence when you walk in the room? Lens quality and options.
I have to say it. Olympus is running in the lead. When
comparing the "camera" portion of the cameras, the Olympus is
one very well designed and built cameras. It loses in the pixel
and image stabalization wars and with a few other feature items,
but when it comes down to a camera that is a true camera first,
it is comparable to the Nikon D2H and 1D. The E1 runs circles
around any N80 based camera in this regard.
So, is this 1986 all over again?
AG-Schnozz
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