The OM System OM1 Mk II Stupid Good

[@waynebeaumont3274]

I've been shooting M43 for years now so am quite familiar with the usual criticisms of the system. But for me, it just works and I get the results I like. BTW, you do know that OM system cameras are meant for wildlife/adventure photography, not studio work ;-) Seriously though, I'm glad to see someone approaching the system for what it can do in whatever situation it's used in.

[@HussainNaseem]

12-100 f4 Pro, my goto lens for shooting flash photography in a studio setting. Nothing beats it.

[@stefanvasilev9318]

Amazing to see an OM camera used for portraits and studio work, and not just birds and bees 😂 E-M1X user over here, I totally love my tech! And yes, the 45 f/1.2 is absolutely incredible! Cheers from Bulgaria 🤙

[@tilo_in_space]

I also use MFT (EM1X and G9) mainly for portrait. Works great 😊

[@theuktoday4233]

It takes a good photographer and a great camera to get the best from a beautiful model. lovely shoot

[@GabrieleLopez]

The lovely thing about this system is how natural and organic files are, instead of clinical clean one I was getting from my previous other cameras...

[@lensman5762]

My old EM1 MKII has better dynamic range than my full frame Canon 5D MKII. Ireally think that these ' new ' photographers ought to learn how to get the expksure right, rather than constantly relying on the tech inside the camera to do the job for them. That comment you mentioned says it all. This s not only confined tp this damn digital. I often cone across ' photpgraphers ' on film related boards who claim that it is no longer necessary to calibraye the film to the developer because modern films have such huge exposure latitude. This shows that they neither understand how the combination of film and developer works, and I doubt very much if they understand photography at all. You made some very points. Lets hope that ot sinks in.BTW, the Leica Panasonic 42.5 mm F1.2 is an extraordinary lens for MFT cameras.

[@robertmccutchan5450]

Thanks for posting! "Back in the day", I shot with an Olympus E20-N 5 megapixel 2/3" sensor, which is smaller than a micro 4/3 sensor. I shot weddings (painfully!) and senior portraits, and sold a lot of 16x20 prints that looked great. I bought into all the hype, and I currently have several Canon full frames. I just got a EM1 and 12-40 2.8 lens from ebay, and if it performs like I'm expecting, I'll be selling all of my Canon gear. Thanks for putting all of these videos out there!

[@ted5017]

“Micro Four Thirds is dead”. My father used to hear this statement and since he gave me his GM-1, I’ve been taking more than 100,000 pictures. More than 85,000/50,000 photos on my GX80/G9, and now, around 10,000 photos on my new G9 II. This format released the great G9 II (Sep. 2023), the incredible OM-1 II (Jan. 2024) and the outstanding GH7 (Jun. 2024) plus more and more lenses from Leica, Voigtländer, DJI, Kowa, Kodak, Laowa (Venus Optics), Lensbaby, Mitakon, Olympus, Panasonic, Samyang, Sharp, Sigma, SLR Magic, Tamron, Tokina, TTArtisan, Veydra, Viltrox, Xiaomi, Yongnuo, Zonlai, and 7artisans. Maybe all these companies are producing MFT lenses without knowing the repeatedly sad news from uneducated FF fans and KZbinrs without photography knowledge and lack of skills…

[@kaskoPhoto]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 but damn well said!! Thank you

[@metalmick99]

I'm almost 2 years into owning an OM-1, and I still find it a delight to use. I've said this elsewhere but I'll repeat it here; it's a very well thought-out system seemingly designed by people who anticipated every use and were given the freedom to incorporate into it into the camera execution... but have also been told to not stop innovating, as the OM-1 MkII demonstrates.

[@vic_the_roman]

Congratulations on doing the thing you weren't supposed to be able do. 😎

[@harryhole4427]

Awesome work. The image at 4.56, special in so many ways. Great model.

[@kaskoPhoto]

Thank you so much.

[@JezdziecBezNicka]

If you’re curious about the 45/1.2, it’s basically the same as the 25 you already have. Those pro primes are very consistent throughout the whole line.

[@kaskoPhoto]

I found a used one, Cheap. Shot with it today, really like this focal length for me.

[@JezdziecBezNicka]

⁠Second hand market is a safe bet with these lenses, because they are virtually indestructible :D

[@williamburkholder769]

Between the OM Systems OM-1 Mark II and the Lumix G9 Mark II and GH7, there are three dynamite Micro 4/3 tools in the pro space. Each has specific strengths worth learning. Great job with a new model!

[@NickDelDuca]

That model is great I'm sure there are tons of photographers that would work with her. She could have a great portfolio going in no time!

[@allenschneider1847]

Your videos are so good. Very informative and helpful.

[@NPJensen]

I do low light concert photography as a volunteer photographer using Micro 4/3 gear every couple of months at a small, dark venue. There are always at least a couple of volunteer photographers at these events, and over a year, I estimate, that about 90% of us use Micro 4/3 gear. I have never had any negative comments about using an Olympus E-M5 iii, and I have gotten a lot of very nice shots out of my efforts. One benefit of the E-M5 iii is that I can use the AI noise reduction in OM-Systems free OM Workspace software. As we need high ISO to get the shots at the very dark venue, that really makes a difference. Anyway, your results are no surprise to me. Micro 4/3 is a lot more capable than the full frame "die-hards" would like to believe.

[@Centauri27]

Yes, I'm very happy to go all the way up to ISO 3200 on my Olympus and Panasonic gear; maybe 6400 in a pinch. Still retains great details and denoises very well using DxO PureRAW or Topaz Photo AI. (However, things to fall apart rapidly beyond that--even PureRAW couldn't perform its magic on recent ISO 10,000 images that I fed into it... 😉)

[@NPJensen]

@@Centauri27 I regularly shoot up to ISO 10.000, and the majority of my low light shots are shot at ISO 6400 - sometimes it's about getting the shot at all. The AI noise reduction in OM Workspace really does a nice job - especially up to IS0 6400.

[@harryv2297]

Great video and yes super impressive colours. Wish you had shown the raw versus your post processed photo, perhaps that could be a future video? Are the colours really that good? I’ve always been interested in this system but afraid that too much post processing might be required especially for skin tones. I don’t really want to spend much time in front of the computer. I also hike a lot and do landscape photography so thought this might be the ideal camera. Thank you !

[@henninggroenzin1224]

Sumbled about your channel for the first time by accident - was looking for information about the Voigtländer 90mm 2.8. Really like your channel. But seeing your discovery of the m43 system I am really surprised that you have not tried to adapt your Leica lenses to your OM-1 mk2? I know that it seems to defeat the purpose, the OM being fast with excellent AF, using a manual lens on it. But the high resolution of ghe viewfinder, the magnifying option and the focus peaking all make the use of MF lenses rather pleasant to use on the OM-1. When I started on Olympus in 2012, I started with only one m43 lens and my old Nikon MF lenses. It took years until I had replaced them with newer lenses. And since you are using Voigtländer on the Leica: There are some excellent lenses from Voigtländer for m43, too. In particular the Super Nokton 29mm 0.8. I fell in love with it from the first image I took with it, and it is now permanently attached to my Olympus Pen F. It has an amazing rendering and is really sharp even wide open - and at f/0.8 that is saying something….

[@ArminHirmer]

I enjoyed it too, what a great model with loads of energy. And what I always say, a pro can get with MFT and natural light way better photos, that a KZbin photographer with 10000 dollars of gear.

[@JeevesTCW]

Fabulous - I just don’t see how you get better results than that on any format

[@nigelpugh7003]

Love the model she is a breeze in studio😊

[@alanvandever9683]

Olympus has always had great glass. I spent 10 years as a staff photographer for a major newspaper before going on my own. The last 3 years on the paper, I shot with an OM system. I had two OM-1s and an OM-4 and they were fantastic cameras. I kept those cameras all through my freelance years and only retired them in 2007 after 32 years. As for micro 4/3rds. I think they are fine for the advanced amateur but just don't have the capabilities needed for a variety of pro work.

[@joedean3263]

What capabilities does it lack that's needed for pro work?

[@gregm6894]

I just recently retired from pro work, and used Olympus 4/3's and m4/3's camera systems to shoot weddings, portraits, real estate, print publication, product, and corporate conferences/events for about 17 years -- without a single dissatisfied client. I'm sure glad I didn't know my cameras and lenses didn't have the capabilities needed. Whew!

[@cornerofthemoon]

I use my Olympus OMD M5 III as a back up camera for portrait and headshot work but I find that if one has good glass it performs just as well (if not better) than my Canon R6 full frame.

[@rcarder2093]

You mentioned that you use Auto WB and it works well. But have you ever tried the one button custom WB? Its awesome on my old em1 mk2 when i use it indoors. I just point the camera at a white surface (usually a facial tissue) and push the top front button and take a photo and ive got my custom WB for that room. Try it you'll like it!

[@kaskoPhoto]

I do use it and it is amazing.

[@rikardhorberg9032]

Lovely pictures👍 What do you think about 4:3 aspect ratio compared to 3:2. I have the Om 1 first gen and absolutley love it. Fantastic Camera. You show everybody What it Can do in the right hand. Rikard Sweden

[@danny_r27]

I wish I had never experienced full frame, because if I never had experienced I would still be very very happy with micro four thirds and my now cured GAS problem would had never happened. Personally I don’t need the AF improvements of the OM1 Mark II so I think the OM-1 Mark I would be my personal choice given their price difference. I still keep a MFT camera with 3 primes (Lumix GX85 with Leica 15mm f/1.7, Leica 25mm f/1.4 II, and Olympus 45mm f/1.8) just to have it when I want a very small and capable setup. I rarely ever crop so 16MP is enough. Such a fun camera to use and very cheap on the used market. You should try it out. But man I wish I never experienced full frame. I would probably own a Lumix G9II right now with my dream lens lineup. Man I rue the day I ever tried full frame. Especially since my profession isn’t photography, would have saved sooo much money 😂 One thing MFT definitely made me really good at was getting the most out of the files like dynamic range. I got good at properly exposing my images so I can maximize editing potential in shadows and highlights depending on the scene. So thanks to that a Lumix S1R is overkill for me despite it being a nearly 6 year old camera.

[@LonerMob]

Just found your channel the other day and had to subscribe. Also using the Mk2. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the dynamic range of the camera when using 14-bit high resolution mode for natural/led light portrait photography.

[@kaskoPhoto]

Have not got there yet so I can’t speak to it just yet. But I don’t have an issue with the dynamic range with regular shooting.

[@dieseldavey]

Excellent video 👍🏻

[@FierceSleepingDog]

Those f1.2 primes are excellent. I use the 25mm and 45mm for indoor volleyball. They work great, better than the Olympus f2.8 zooms for indoor sports. I'm typically shooting higher ISOs (2000-6400) and setting my WB with an ExpoDisc because the lighting is all over the place and mostly sucks. I can pull out details from the shadows and do noise reduction in post-processing.

[@jacobh5817]

Totally agree with you. Great camera and great lenses. All very portable. Highly recommended also for travel photography. One question. Could you add the Instagram of the models in your description? Would be nice to keep up with their work.

[@BrunaPereira-h8l]

@bruna.canhos

[@banditalley9592]

People who criticise camera systems are just trolls. Any camera can take great photos in the right hands. I kept with Sony purely because of my own issues as a photographer - wildlife on 20mp doesn't leave much wiggle room for cropping, but that's a user input issue, not a M43 issue. One day I hope to get into M43 just for the convenience of size and excellent IBIS.

[@Centauri27]

Advanced new tools like Topaz Gigapixel AI is slowly removing the "not enough pixels for cropping" concern. Sure, having enough real pixels is still the best, but if a tool can get you 90% of the way there, and you get the benefits of the size and IBIS, the decision comes easier...

[@Bob4golf1]

Where do you get your models?

[@TCDEric]

Great video as usual! Have you considered doing content or maybe a course on client/collaborator relations? I understand the value of these get-to-know-you shoots, but am wondering how they fit into the overall "plan" of your work. Just practice? Is it TFP? Are you auditioning models for future client work? Do you do these for "regular" clients (e.g. grad photos) too and, if so, is that part of a greater package? Hope these random questions make sense--you're the first photographer I've seen talk about get-to-know-you shoots and it makes so much sense!

[@kaskoPhoto]

Most of my shoots are done for social media. This is a relatively inexpensive, fast shoot. It ranges from $175-$225 depending on the time. But when I do find a model I can use for a client, they get to know you shoot is to see if I can work with her and to provide the client images. I most certainly do some TFP work when I personally need to play with new equipment or work on lighting. But I keep that to once a month.

[@TCDEric]

@@kaskoPhoto Awesome! Thanks for your insight. It's very valuable.

[@wadecoffie7255]

​@@kaskoPhoto I live in a small rural area. Where do you find your models and how. I am older than you and I don't want to be looked upon as a creep. I want to be taken seriously. Thanks

[@kaskoPhoto]

@@wadecoffie7255 Most of my social media clients come from other clients. “I saw your work on “ “ page and would like to book a session. Start by reaching out to friends and family. Believe me there are a ton of guys and girls that would love a shoot but just need that easy way into it. I have the luxury of being in the business for 42 years so I built up a pretty big client base, so the referrals come easy. And you can also reach out to people who currently work with other photographers in your area. Reach out to them. Just keep it professional and about the shoot - not how good they look. And always tell them to bring a friend along with them.

[@KingfisherSeven]

TFP?

[@allenschneider1847]

So you liked the OM colors even netter than Fugi?

[@philmtx3fr]

You know what ? I love Brazil …

[@zardosspinosa6944]

The files that come out of my SonyA7Riii are simply gorgeous and on a different level than my Olympus system, but I started with Olympus I have always loved the system, for my portrait work I use Sony, for everything else Olympus, especially for travel, although I am guilty of taking the Sony as well so I can take pictures of my girlfriend, oh god, too much gear, heres coming from a man who owns four cars, look for the magic

[@robb8773]

I love shooting my EM1 MIII with the 25mm, F1.2 lens. I sell my work on line and through gallery's and no one has ever said, Oh, I'm not buying your work because it was shot with a M43 camera"!! I would like to upgrade my body but waiting for OM to make a sensor change to the OM1.............

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

Are you shooting in 14-bit raw? I noticed with my Olympus OMD E-M1ii dynamic range is very good at ISO 200 and ISO 400 but my cameras are only 12- bit raw.

[@nnamdiozo]

Which f-stop were you typically using during this shoot?

[@kaskoPhoto]

1.2 - 1.4

[@cornerofthemoon]

I found that AI technology pretty much levels the playing field in regards to low light performance so I’m sticking with M4/3 as long as the platform is viable.

[@haakon_b]

Normally you use a gradient ND Filter or flash for high brightness differences. Nowadays people just expose for the highlights and pull the underexposed part in post I learned in the late 80s, we had to expose correctly. Looks like basic knowledge has gone missing. M43 is a great system, both Panasonic and OM.

[@pentagramyt417]

"I learned in the late 80s, we had to expose correctly." Cmon, how can you expose correctly a black bird on a bright sky? You need expose to highlights and pull the underexposed part in post as you said.. There is no other choice.

[@kaskoPhoto]

I think those new Panasonic cameras look amazing as well. I do like the OM system camera though.

[@haakon_b]

​@@pentagramyt417That's not what I meant, digital rules for such things. But especially in landscape it has become normal to totally rely on the DR of the cameras and neglect trying to get a decent exposure in the first place. It's a good argument to continuously sell new cameras though.

[@pentagramyt417]

@@haakon_b Yes, landscapes would work differently, portraits too. Wildlife is crazy with proper exposure.

[@RichardTuck-m7p]

Beautiful lady with a great smile. Love the photos. How do the colours compare with Fuji?

[@kaskoPhoto]

That’s a tough question, because I don’t shoot Fuji in their film simulations- which is where they shine. In raw, the OM 1 is definitely a clear winner for me.

[@paulanderson24]

Tell the truth - the results are from the Hassleblad 😉 For m43 being so rubbish and unable to do x, y and x - I’m amazed that any photo even existed before the advent of “full frame mirrorless”. Guess a time traveler took my parents wedding photos in ‘68 on an a9

[@kaskoPhoto]

😂😂 Photography was not possible before mirrorless and the creation of the KZbinr.

[@paulanderson24]

@@kaskoPhoto glad to see an actual photographer use the system and dispel the myths the spec sheet chasers propagate. Another very enjoyable video, John

[@kaskoPhoto]

@@paulanderson24 thank you Paul

[@davidleong899]

Thanks for sharing this video. Great pics. I wonder what shutter-speed do you shoot with?

[@kaskoPhoto]

I shot at 1/500 to push the auto iso up - wanted to see how it did

[@davidleong899]

i find that with mft inside with normal bulb light I have to shoot a moving subject at 1/500 to 1/1000 or i get a blur. ISO set around 3200 to 4000. thanks for the info

[@BobN54]

An example of micro Four Thirds paranoia. Who ever said that you couldn't pull shadows with mFT - 'that small sensor thing'. Really - did anyone ever say that, or was it just a bit of insecurity in your head? You make fun of the iPhone comment, but in truth there are no photos that you show that couldn't have been shot with an iPhone. Really, they weren't very demanding. I say all this as a micro Four Thirds user. I've never ever had someone make a negative comment about my camera.

[@cameraprepper7938]

But MTF cameras need more compact designs.

[@kaskoPhoto]

If this OM 1 was any smaller I couldn’t use it. It’s really easy to hold/use and the lenses are very manageable. This camera in hand is surprising

[@frits1463]

OK, OM System is good. Bute is it better than Fuji, Nikon etc? I mean, the OM System is not a cheap product.

[@kaskoPhoto]

I think that is personal preference. But for me it is a near perfect system for a lot of my paid work. And it’s a joy to use.

[@uyims56]

In my opinion it is better than Fuji and I own both. The only advantage of the current Fuji APSC lineup is the higher megapixel sensor. In every other aspect, AF, burst speed, computational modes it beats the Fuji. The Sony system overall beats OM-1 on AF and probably higher IQ (especially the high resolution cameras) but OM has better ergonomics and computational modes. I previously owned an A7RIV and A7III, and always taking my Olympus/OM with me if I couldn’t take more than 1 camera

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

I only have one micro four third camera and that is the Lumix LX100 and I hardly ever use it cos I get depressed when I zoom in on the files. Even the Nikon D5000 and the Canon 350D is better

[@Kvistum-Media]

The key sentence here is: "I have no issues!" The rest is merely theoretical pixel peeping. I have been using two OM-1s in my profession as a journalist for the last couple of years. Weight, size, durability, handling and cost are my major priorities, as long as I have no issues with image quality. And of course, I don't have any issues. One thing puzzles me, though: Why doesn’t OM System market the camera more towards guys like me? It is almost perfect for my needs.

[@pentagramyt417]

Canon is doing that :) every of them have their own policy. Like OM is for wildlife, Sony is for vloggers, Nikon is to wildlife, and Canon for journalism and weedings.

[@Kvistum-Media]

@@pentagramyt417 Well, these days you will find quite a few press photographers with Sony cameras as well. Even Nikon has still a share of that market. It is not just about the products, but also pro grade service and support. Back in the days Olympus had some dedicated fans among press photographers, for the same reasons that makes the current system appealing today: Size, weight and handling. But that was before my time.

[@Kvistum-Media]

By the way: Canon was my former system, until I switched to Olympus/OM System.

[@kaskoPhoto]

I asked myself that every day. I get that it’s a really good camera for wildlife but for what you do and for how influential social media is, I think micro 4/3 is actually coming into play more than ever

[@Kvistum-Media]

@@kaskoPhoto Agree. When you - like I do for a living - produce images, video (and text) for specialised B2B media that already is digital first and rapidly becomes digital only, full frame is overkill - slowing and weighting you down. M43 is faster and leaner, both for stills and video.

[@Hector_Malot]

The micro 4/3 is dead and it's a shame. Even Sigma is stopping manufacturing lenses for micro 4/3.

[@dylangarcia3696]

Its not dead yet its still in many uk camera shops, it could happen :) but I hope not :)

[@kaskoPhoto]

I used my OM1 today and it worked great 😂 not dead for me.

[@Hector_Malot]

@@kaskoPhoto So much the better but personally I am not going to invest in a moribund system.

[@kaskoPhoto]

@@Hector_Malot You should probably tell Panasonic this - they just released 2 new Micro 4/3 cameras - maybe if they knew the system was dead they would have ditched them instead.

[@mmartel]

Your choice, and your $$$, so spend where you please. But micro four thirds has been declared dead every year since it was born. I'm hardly unbiased, as a micro four thirds owner, but doesn't it seem like Nikon Z DX or even Canon ASP-C is just as likely to "be dead" compared to micro four thirds? Anyway, regarding Sigma... We need to remember that Sigma hasn't made lenses specifically micro 4/3 ... ever. It simply took lenses aimed at APS-C mounts, bolted on a m43 mount instead, and plugged in firmware for m43 standard. These lenses didn't end up being as competitive as native lenses because: (a) lenses like the 16mm f1.4 are very good but completely obese compared to, say, a PL 15mm f1.7 or Oly 17mm f1.8 (b) lenses like the 30mm f1.4 are very good but completely obese compared to, say, a PL 25mm f1.4 or Oly 25mm f1.8 (c) lenses like the 56mm f1.4 are very good but almost no one shoots portraits with micro four thirds cameras (d) great compact Sigma zoom lenses like the 18-50mm f2.8 which don't have as much competition in Fuji/Sony/Canon APS-C formats would have to compete with superb native m43 zoom lenses (all of which are better options on m43 given the crop factor) like the Oly 12-45mm f4, Oly 12-40mm f2.8, Pan Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4, Oly 12-100 f4, and Pana 35-100mm f2.8. I could continue, but basically, Sigma lenses are more competitive with APS-C lenses because they're designed and priced to be competitive with APS-C lenses. The bet in m43 that Sigma made was that it wouldn't cost them that much to adapt existing APS-C lenses for m43 so why not give it a shot. But the bet ended up not really paying off because m43 lenses were simply a better fit and value prop for most buyers. Also, you may not know this but Olympus/OM Digital System recently launched its 150-600mm f5-6.3. You may also know this as the Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3. Because it is, in fact, the Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3. With an m43 mount attached, and m43-compatible firmware. So Sigma is, in fact, still making lenses for m43. Just not under their own name, but licensed to Olympus. Whether this lens will fare any better than other Sigma lenses (or simply be discarded as unnecessarily large and heavy since the full image circle isn't being utilized on m43) remains to be seen. But the fact that it's being sold for twice as much as it is for other mounts isn't going to help things much.

[@rossimusicinc]

Olympus OMSystem cameras are stupidly good. Built in ND and GND filters dust prevention super fast accurate auto focus the best macro camera setup the best affordable birding camera lightest weight all pro lenses super weather sealed and light the camera is weather sealed super reasonable cost to own and YES better than an iPhone. They are not high resolution but a Canon R1 is $6,300 (24mp) the OM-1MKII is $2,300 quad pixel 20.4 stacked. You do not have to crop in because the lenses are double their focal range in m43. A 150-400 internal focus lens is 300-800mm plus with built in teleconverter is 1,000mm. 1,000 auto focus points the best IBIS in the industry and computational features not found in many other cameras. Good color science and did I mention UNDER $2,500. Sony A-1 is $6,500. Hello????????? Get what you like but OM cameras are a pretty damn good value and M43 is still terrific for certain things. His resolution hand held 50mp on tripod 80mp. WTF. Does it need to be free? Pros don’t care about MP. You can make great images with anything if you know what you are doing. Thanks for another great video.

[@kaskoPhoto]

100% on board with you on all of it! But using this for almost all of my business clients (they are all on-line digital media now) is going to be amazing.