On 11/13/2015 1:18 AM, Peter Klein wrote:
Q: How do you turn $1,000 into an obsolete pile of junk?
A: Buy the latest and greatest digital camera. Wait three years.
Certainly can be a problem, if one lets it.
Those of us who bought and continue to use the original OM-D E-M5 are not feeling the updated love. We do, however,
continue to take pictures. Just not as fast and fancy-shmancy as the newfangled contraptions.
I'm not sure where the line is ... on either manufacturer or user sides.
I used a Canon 5D for five years, during which time it was rendered "obsolete" by new models. But they offered nothing
new that was compelling for my use, so I didn't feel it was obsolete. In the end, it was mostly the promise of less size
and weight with no diminution of IQ that moved me on.
If you look at Oly's history with µ4/3 and the Pens, they tended to announce new models with the flimsiest of real
changes/improvements. The E-P2 and E-PL6 are blatant examples. The "6" is the worst, with only firmware changes. So I
find it a refreshing change of pace that they have chosen to offer free firmware upgrades with really significant
improvements for the OMDs.
Obviously, they have a line to walk with this. They need to keep selling cameras, and some improvements are hardware
changes. So, are they bad guys 'cause they aren't updating firmware for superseded models? Are they good guys because
they are offering significant firmware upgrades, rather than saving them for "new" models with no hardware changes?
My suspicion is that the original E-M5, which was my primary camera until the Panny GX7 came out, then co-primary until
the II came out, was not hardware compatible with the firmware changes later offered for the E-M1 and E-M10. The EFC
first curtain solution to shutter shock requires certain sensor capabilities. The E-M1 had a new sensor,
primarily/publicly to allow PD focusing with older 4/3 lenses. But did it also include a change allowing EFC? The E-PM2,
E-PL5 and E-PL6, using the E-M5 sensor, didn't have EFC. I would certainly have made sense to add it to the "new" E-PL6,
if possible if only already written and tested firmware was required to do so.
I moved so quickly to the E-M5 II primarily for a specific improvement, the much improved IBIS. That is a hardware
change that can't be added to the prior OMD bodies with firmware. For those who only use moderate focal lengths,
moderate close-up and only shoot things in the dark, such as people, that move, it may not be a big deal. For a Moose
who loves super tele, macro and shooting in the dark, it's a really BIG improvement.
Sure, I like the idea of the 40 MB High Resolution Mode. but have yet to use it. The EFC solution to shutter shock is
certainly an improvement over the 1/8 sec. delay, but not a game changer, nor is the related Silent Mode. And I love
the relocated on/off switch, fixing a pet peeve. The articulated screen is a mixed blessing, but on balance an
improvement. Even the diminution of the VF hump by eliminating the now redundant connector below the hot shoe is nice.
In total, a lot of hardware improvements that are fairly compelling. I might well have ended up buying one for all that,
after the dust cleared, when on sale.
But I would not have bought a new body as soon as available for those. It's about the IBIS! A clear, sharp shot @ 1/20
sec. and 600 mm eq. is DA BOMB!
If you don't need all that hardware change stuff, I can see no reason either to
buy a new body, or to feel unloved. ;-)
Slow Hand Moose
--
What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
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