The OM-4/Ti is a great camera, but from my experience its usefulness is mostly
limited to nature
photography where you have ample time to analyze a scene, mount it on a tripod,
set exposure and
shoot. Passion runs high among the list members for this camera and for good
reason. Its metering
scheme unrivaled in *any* camera is basically an implementation of the zone
system. I know
people who are so in love with their Nikons becuse of the 'spectacular' matrix
metering..but they don't
know the first thing about exposure. "I just set my N70 to matrix and fire
away" If only you heard some
the things he said about spot metering.... you would be ROFL ! Matrix metering
will not teach you
anything about exposure. Its for people who want acceptable pictures without a
fuss.
One thing I have rarely heard people suggest is to raise two families of camera
systems, as long as they
complement each other. For me Olympus is the primary system for focal lengths
below 100mm, including
macros. And going out on a limb here, I am afraid to say that the Zuiko family
had no quality zooms in the
70-200 range. So I decided to start a new family with a Nikon N80(gifted to
me), and the absolutely
fabulous Nikkor 80-200/2.8ED. Sorry Zuikheads, but the Zuiko 85-250/5 is
*nowhere* near the Nikkor
80-200/2.8, resolution or contrast. (I know this is blasphemy and I can see
war breaking out.. :-) )
The quality long lenses from Olympus ( 180/2, 250/2, 350/2) are very expensive
and I truly don't see the
rationale behind their cost. (Perhaps because they are old designs and manual
focus ?) So for me the Nikon
family will grow with the long lenses , maybe a 300/4 AF-S sometime in the
future, while I will happily
keep the shorter ones from Olympus.
What does this mean for you ? If you want to be an expert nature photographer
get an Om-4/Ti by all
means. It just doesn't get any better than that. But if you want to pursue
photojournalistic type of subjects,
such as closeup grab shots of people , or even serious wildlife - forget
Olympus. You will spend an
eternity focusing and fumbling with the spot meter. So you might consider
buying into another system,
not necessarily by getting rid of what you have.
Life is short. Taste the best of everything .
-Tim
> >I'm wondering on the intelligence of investing in an Om4-Ti. It's a
> >dead system... But I would like spot metering on my Om1n, and I'm
> >wondering if another brand wouldn't yield me a better buy? I
> >currently have 3 lenses... and that seems to be the leverage in
> >investment, but for an OM4Ti, I can buy quite a bit of another
> >brand..Or go digital SLR..
> >
> >What do you all think?
> >Albert
>
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