My last post like this (sorry the one before, got out of sequence), talked about a very affordable, but powerful lens, flash combination and was pretty camera irrelevant.
This one is one f those rare times when you spend a lot, you take a punt on something that has a lot to live up to and it does. It really does.
The EM1x and 300 f4 (with optional 1.4 tc) is, I feel the best value, genuine true pro combination available. For about $4500 au, you get a camera that has performance and specs similar to a 1Dx and 600 f4 Canon (about $20,000au +).
For real?
Performance in real terms is comparable.
The lens is luxuriously sharp, mature and gentle with it, with that top end contrasty punch. Files are eminently crop-able and stable, especially in strong light. The files love being pushed, but rarely need it.
Plenty of reach for large field sports.
The camera produces excellent 20mp files, matching the 1Dx or D5 pixel for pixel, with the only real differences being depth of field rendering and maximum high ISO performance. Putting these in perspective, yes the Canon and Nikon can out perform the Olympus at higher ISO settings, but at 3-4 times the price (before lens), the gamins are not world changing.
The level of detail this lens is capable of, makes it feel more like a long macro rather than a long brute.
Lens for lens, the Olympus can double the full frame lenses for reach at the same F stop meaning otherwise crazy glass is reasonably achievable. A $2500 dollar lens doing what you need to spend $12,000 on from the big guys. Examples in FF equivalents are a 150 f1.8 for $900 au and an 80-300 F2.8 for $1500. The 300 is a premium bit of glass, made all the more so, by its cropping advantage.
Even fine detail can be cropped into as needed.
Anywho, the above combination is incredibly powerful. A hand holdable 600mm with small but substantial form factor, great close focus, razor sharp at micro detail with incredibly fast, AI focussing and shooting, not to mention spot on focus and exposure accuracy thanks to being on a mirrorless.
Taken within days of getting the lens and the EM1x, shot in jpeg (Lightroom update issues), but still acceptable.
I find myself expecting results I would not have dreamt of previously.