My utilisation of M43 format is a choice made eyes wide open. When I started at the paper, the two long term togs there were either in one case curious or in the other dismissive of my choice, which led to a conversation that went something like this (roughly, from memory);
So, why do you use that format and brand* rather than the kit we have for you**?
The size and weight are far better and I like the lenses (results).
(Tog 2) But the little sensor must be a compromise in quality?
It is only a little smaller than the APS-C sensor in the D500 and has it’s advantages and remember, you hired me based on a portfolio made with it..
(Tog 1) Advantages?
Size, depth of field, sharpness, stabilising, AF accuracy (mirrorless over SLR’s).
(Tog 2) Example?
Ok, what is your favourite lens and camera combo?
(Tog 2) My 20mm f2.8 Nikkor on a full frame, which never fails to deliver. and can fit in my pocket (not issue kit)
Ok, I have a Pana/Leica 9mm (18mm FF) f1.7 that will be sharper, especially wide open, focus closer, is weather sealed, even lighter, faster focussing and two stops faster, but has the same depth of field as your wide open.
(Tog 1) My 70-200 f2.8 on.my D500, making a 300 f2.8 and really sharp.
Sure, my 40-150 does the same, but is faster focussing (on an EM1x), smaller and lighter. I have compared the one you gave me and that combo (on a D500) is not as sharp as mine.
(Tog 2) Yeah but in low light, the bigger sensor cams are better!
Ok, when we do National League basketball, what do you use?
(Tog 2) My D750 with 24-70 and 70-200 f2.8’s.
I use much the same on two EM1x’s, but get more depth of field wide open and for that we do not need to go over ISO 3200, so quality is basically the same. How about in the crappy light at the local basketball centre?
(Tog 2) Same gear, but I like to keep the ISO down to 6400, so my shutter speeds suffer.
(Tog 2) I use my fast 85mm sometimes (also not issue), but still use the zooms as needed.
Yeah, I often switch to my 150 f1.8 (I switched to FF terms there) for one end and a shorter f1.8 prime for the other
(Tog 2) 150 f1.8? Never heard of that one, must have cost a bomb!
Ok, bit naughty there, in M43 it a very sharp 75 f1.8, but same same.
(Tog 1) So I could use my 85 and crop?
Yeah but I am shooting with no crop, you are now shooting 10-12mp (which is plenty for paper use, but I can still do the same for I guess a 300 f1.8).
(Tog 2) Ok, what is the limit you will use?
I have never needed higher than f1.8 and ISO 6400 to get 1/750th or higher for indoor sports, so the limit is comfortable, the format makes the lenses more powerful and the reverse also. If I do need to go lower, it is not as bad for me with shorter actual lenses than the equivalent on a full frame.
(Tog 2) Yeah, I had to push into ISO 12,800+ the other day with f2.8 and 1/500th, which was not pretty. I should have carried a faster prime in case, but do not carry one normally and it would be this (holds up a massive 85 f1.4 also not issue).
I do carry both, because they are smaller, but also, the format needs it. I usually carry a pair of zooms (in FF terms), a 24-80 f2.8 and 80-300 f4 and fast 18, 35, 90 or 150 primes and 2 cams (G9 and EM1.2), so range and speed.
(Tog 2) In that?! (pointing at my Domke F-2).***
Yes, and a flash.
(Tog 1) Why two cams?
Because I prefer to change cams than lenses.
(Tog 2) Dust an issue?
Never. Olympus have the best sensor cleaners. Never had to clean one.
(Tog 2) Never?
Never. I just find lens changes take twice as long as switching cams an I can set up a cam and lens combo better.
(Tog 1) Ok, how do you shoot football?
A 600 f4 on one body and one with 80-300 f2.8 and a third cam with a wide zoom if needed in a small bag.
Yeah, not the same.
(Tog 2) Not possible!?
Ok, a white lie again, I used full frame equivalent focal lengths. For me that is a 300 f4, 40-150 (f4 or 2.8 depending on light) both on EM1x’s and shoulder slings and my 8-18 on a EM1.2 in a small bag. The whole lot weighs about the same as the D500 with 400 f2.8 alone.
No seat or monopod?
No. I walk around a lot more and can run if I need.
That’s handy. I am always looking for somewhere to leave my long lens and bits when I go into the middle or change rooms.
Can you crop that little sensor?
Down to about 20% without anyone noticing. Remember, the pixel count is basically the same as your cameras as long as the image that it captures is as good,
Have you?
Yes, and you have seen it.
Really, when?
Yesterday’s back page (decent crop of a footy shot roughly the same as below).
…………… oooohh….kaaaay.
So the perfect system?
No, like anything there are compromises, but for what we do, none that I cannot find an answer for.
You say there is more depth of field, so how about shallow depth of field?
When was the last time you took a news paper shot with super shallow depth of field, like a 50mm at f1.8 and close, unless you needed the aperture for super low light? The reality is, I use my lenses wide open most often and have about the right amount of DOF for subject separation and story telling background.
Just about perfect and not even wide open.
True, f2.8 is usually my limit and only if I have to or want the effect.
Do you use flash much?
Yes and the bad news guys, is my flash is effectively two stops more powerful thanks to the depth of field thing (f1.7 = f2.8). I do need an ND filter for daylight fill with shallow depth as the advantage flips then, but I have a dedicated lens for video anyway (I produce my tiny 17mm f1.8 with 5 stop ND from a little pocket).
(Tog 1). I will think of you when I use my 400 f2.8 next! This tog grabbed a Z9 with both hands when issued and loves the ability to crop the 45mp sensor so his massive 400 is a 6-800mm, but then I broke it to him, that is basically what I am shooting with, for less than half the size and a quarter the price.
(Tog 2). Not convinced but interesting I guess. Shame you are letting that gear go to waste (I had already swapped out my new 70-200 with Tog 1 who was using an old push-pull).
I was there for 18 months and Tog 1 was always open minded to the benefits and my work process and I learned a lot from him. Tog 2 was intransigent, a Nikon SLR shooter through and through. The same tog pushed for D6’s over Z9’s until Nikon set him straight that they do not make them any more.
My replacement, who was actually the guy I replaced when he got sick, is a Fuji shooter, so I guess he will have to go through it all again!
*Olympus, but I used Oly and Pan combined.
**D750, D500, 14-24, 24-70, 70-200 f2.8’s and 400 f2.8 if needed, all well “worn in”.
***One tog has the biggest bag I have ever seen and tends to use the boot of his car for storage, the other often limits himself to what goes on a shoulder, so few creative options once on the job.