What should I use?

I have a pretty lightweight system consisting of the gm-1 and e-pm2.

If you replace your m5 with the gm1, you can also replace the 14-42 with the 12-32mm gm1 kit lens, which is very small and lightweight.

If you need a viewfinder, you can buy one for the e-pm2. I bought a VF4 for my e-pm2 but it hasn't arrived yet. I think the e-pm2 and VF4 would be about 100 grams lighter than the M5.

I have a Panasonic 45-200mm telephoto lens but I may replace it with the new very small Panasonic 35-100 kit lens when it comes out. It depends on how light it is as the 45-200mm is only 200 grams.

 

What are you planning on photographing?

--Ken

 

For whatever reason you find either the em5 or the epm2 too heavy with the kit lenses, I may suggest that this system is not right for you...perhaps something like the Olympus Stylus might be a better choice


K

 

The first gen 14-140 is quite a heavy lens, that being said having tried other 'super zooms' it is head and shoulders above the others including the Nikon 18-200. I like it as a lens apart from the weight and somedays it is too heave to use with my fybro, DSLR became completely unusable. However I have done very large prints from it and they have been perfectly good, very good really, so if you want an all in one for that range its good. I have not tried any fast moving action with it apart from a 2 year old running around, so can not say about cars and such, it does not balance at all well on the EPM2. Depending on what you want it may be worth looking at the weight difference between the 2 only lenses you have and the 14-140 and do consider the Panasonic 12-32mm lens it weighs nothing and is really nice in use it has become just about my favourite lens, certainly zoom.

 

I agree.. but would recommend a Sony RX100 instead.

Or

Simply just carry the EPM2 + 1 lens.

 

The Oly 40-150 is very light, and can be quite a decent performer. They are "cheap and cheerful" as far as kit tele lenses go, but my copy has served me well when I do not need fast glass.

--Ken

 

It is not going to be easy to get much lighter in m4/3rd's than with the bodies that you have mentioned, excepting the GM1. If weight is a significant issue, and it sounds like it, consider some of the 1" sensors that are on the market. Unless you are blowing up to images of 16x20 or larger, the IQ is reasonably nice if you keep the ISO's at or below 800. It is something to consider, especially if you are not that happy with your current results.

Good luck,

--Ken

 

Don't make a decision yet. Photokina is just around the corner and I have the feeling that the new Pany LX8 will be ideal.

 

Gm1 + lx100

 

Or Panasonic's DMC FZ100. 1" sensor camera, superzoom, 25 to 400mm range. It's not really lightweight, though, and probably heavier than your E-M5 with a small plastic 40-150 zoom lens. Still, the range and overall portability of the package may make it worth a look.

 

Honestly, I'd recommend dropping the second camera body and get something like a 2 prime kit, perhaps the 17/1.8 and 45/1.8, then if you need more reach, the 40-150/4-5.6 is small, light.

I could shoot quite a bit with that and be happy. The body you keep would be up to you, but I would lean more toward the EM-5, if it were me.

 

Those lenses being the 12-50 and 40-150 zoom's? Good, but slow consumer lenses. maybe not so good for someone who has sold prints in the past and expects more. You could start with a second hand prime lens, and by the time you have the ones that fill your needs, you could have bought the 12-40 PRO. Either way, no one ever blames the primes or the 12-40 for not delivering keepers.

 

Keeping the OMD E-M5 and getting 17mm and 45mm lenses is exactly what I would recommend also.