Should I come back to Canon or stick it out with the OMD

Silly question that I know only I can answer. blah blah blah.....

For those of you who don't know or remember me, I went to the OMD E-M5 2 years ago due to health issues. I have a severe auto-immune inflammatory arthritis and using my hands is difficult at best on good days, even worse on bad. At first I LOVED the OMD. Still do to a point. But the last few months I just don't feel inspired any more with it and it's just sitting around aside from a few shots here and there. It's really served me well. But I'm missing that canon magical look to photos. I hate how it's a warmer image, and how the background can be dirty looking. Sure using a nice lens and setting it up well gets VERY good results, but there is just something missing. I love having it with me ALL the time. I have gotten some really great shots I would have missed if I didn't have it with me. Sometimes cool stuff like a rare to me moth on a wall, sometimes really silly stuff like the day we moved I went to get coffee for everyone on the way to get the moving truck and at the red light the car ahead of me had a buzz lightyear doll hanging off the bumper. Fun for that day to have it.

Now I left here with the 60D, 10-22, 28-105II, 28 1.8, 55-250 and loved that kit. Sure I wish the tele could have taken TC, I wish I could have handled the weight of the great teles and L glass I had over the years, but I was fairly happy with it aside from the weight. I'm scared to try to go back to a DSLR due to this. But I'm wondering if doing this would make me want to go out shooting more. I am thinking of getting a p&s to go with a kit so I can have something light in my bag all the time, but my husband thinks I should just keep the OMD for this. But I may want something smaller and lighter. I'm not sure yet.

Now I'm thinking I've always wanted to seriously go FF. The OMD was about on par with the 60D for most shots I take, so I'm thinking if I'm going to do this I might as well do it to get what I want and need. So right now I'm thinking the 6D since it's about the same size/weight as the 60D. But lenses on top of that scare me a bit (and no don't suggest a rebel, I tried a bunch of them over the years and the ergonomics on them cramp my hands really bad.) But I also want to get decent lenses. I had great luck with the consumer lenses, so I might stick with them. Money is an issue so that puts me in a bit of a bind as well. Which will make it harder to get the lenses I want.

I'm not sure if it'd be better to try to get better glass for the OMD and just deal with the slight inadequacies of it, or come back to canon DSLRs. I don't want to get everything and in 3 months want to sell it due to weight issues. Am I just wishing for something that shouldn't happen?

I didn't know you then, but welcome back. Come on in! The water is fine. I added a 6D to my arsenal about a year ago. I don't notice the size/weight difference between that and the 60D I don't shoot much anymore. I am also starting to get into shooting primes, which are a lot lighter than fast zooms. My standard out-the-door bag is 6D, 35 IS, 100 f/2, 580EX II. If things look to be at the wider end, I leave the 100 and take a 17-40, which is also small and light. The 17-40 on 6D, IMHO, is a lot nicer than the 10-22 on 60D (not guessing, I had the 10-22, still have the 60D). I really wish I had the money for a 24L II. That would complete my ff setup.

Buy a Canon refurbed 6D. If it is too much, you can get 95% of your money back. Welcome back and happy shooting!

If you haven't yet, I'd recommend trying out a Fuji camera. I prefer the colors and general look SOOC from my Fuji over all the Canon's I've used, including my 6D.

What omd lenses do you have? There is a warm white balance setting that makes shots warmer no matter what setting. Fullframe is nice but if the 60d caused issues for you, the 6d will, especially as ff lenses are bigger.

Hi and welcome back! I am a 60 year female with Rheumatoid Arthritis and I know what you mean about weight and how some days the smallest thing can be too big. I went through the same thing with my camera and choices. I had the 5d II and it just was too much weight for me, I was going to return to a Rebel or the xxD series, but couldn't give up full frame after selling my 5D ii.

I got the 6D with the 24-105mm lens. Most days it is OK, but I also like a light prime on it as well. In fact, I am giving serious thought to going primes only. I use a Crumpler neck strap, which carries the weight on my camera quite well. I often wear it more like a cross-body purse and it is very easy to carry around and grab when I need it.

Best of luck in your decision.

I currently have the 12-50 and 40-150 as they're light. I did just add the 60 macro and 9-18 as I missed the winder end, but 9 isn't quite cutting it. But the 7-14 can't take filters and I used ND filters on my 10-22 50-60% of the time.

I'm wondering if getting better zooms (keeping the two I have for when my hands really hurt) and getting good primes would give me more of that canon feel? I'm thinking the 12, 25, 45 maybe. I'd prefer a 14, but there really isn't a good one out yet, the 17 1.8 seems good though.

I do also have the warmer setting on the OMD turned off. I do PP a little more coolly too.

I haven't looked into fuji yet. I was just going to upgrade lenses if I stuck with M4/3, but when the OMD bites it I'll look into that.

But yeah, Ideally I wish I could get that lovely L look out of the OMD, maybe with better primes I can come close? I'm unsure coming back would be good, I'm worried it'll make me frustrated and regret it. But man I miss that look!

Robin I have Ankylosing Spondylitis, so yeah you know what I'm talking about!! My hands have been really bad lately. Like bad enough that it takes a good 2 hours to be able to get them to move every morning! I'm on cimzia but it's not working so great any more.

I was thinking of going with the 24-105 kit and getting some L primes. But canon won't listen to me and get a 28L! ha ha!! So I'd probably stick with the 28 1.8 that I loved so much. And if on FF it's too wide then see about the 35. I had the 200 2.8 and liked that weight over the zooms, but once I started getting too wobbly I went with IS and liked it quite a bit (the f/4 IS) then that got too much and I went down to the 55-250, which had issues, but I still really liked it!

A new camera may possibly renew your interest for a while, nothing wrong with that. I shoot an OMD and a 5D Mark II. The OMD EM5 weighs 15 oz. The 5D Mk II weighs 1.8 lb. The 6D weighs 1.7 lb. And these weights are without lens. I too love the look of full frame files. Sometimes if I am going on a city or country photowalk I will grab the 5D II and a prime to keep it simple and not too heavy. But truth is if I am going to be doing a lot of walking or hiking I'm likely to take the OMD and really good 2.8 zoom. I have considered the full frame Sony A7. It weighs 1.04 lb. There are always trade off's in our hobby. Good luck reviving your mojo..

gardengirl13 wrote in post #17078235
Robin I have Ankylosing Spondylitis, so yeah you know what I'm talking about!! My hands have been really bad lately. Like bad enough that it takes a good 2 hours to be able to get them to move every morning! I'm on cimzia but it's not working so great any more.

I was thinking of going with the 24-105 kit and getting some L primes. But canon won't listen to me and get a 28L! ha ha!! So I'd probably stick with the 28 1.8 that I loved so much. And if on FF it's too wide then see about the 35. I had the 200 2.8 and liked that weight over the zooms, but once I started getting too wobbly I went with IS and liked it quite a bit (the f/4 IS) then that got too much and I went down to the 55-250, which had issues, but I still really liked it!

i would stick with your E-M5, especially with your condition I would never consider going back to Canon especially full frame, those cameras are much much heavier.

another options would be Fuji x system of sony e system, if you really want full frame, take a look at sony a7.

forget about Canon, until maybe when they make a decent light mirrorless camera.

gardengirl13 wrote in post #17078235
Robin I have Ankylosing Spondylitis, so yeah you know what I'm talking about!! My hands have been really bad lately. Like bad enough that it takes a good 2 hours to be able to get them to move every morning! I'm on cimzia but it's not working so great any more.

I was thinking of going with the 24-105 kit and getting some L primes. But canon won't listen to me and get a 28L! ha ha!! So I'd probably stick with the 28 1.8 that I loved so much. And if on FF it's too wide then see about the 35. I had the 200 2.8 and liked that weight over the zooms, but once I started getting too wobbly I went with IS and liked it quite a bit (the f/4 IS) then that got too much and I went down to the 55-250, which had issues, but I still really liked it!

Sorry about the OT matter, but I am curious. Is the Cimzia successfully treating your spinal condition? Are you on 200mg Q2W, or 400mg Q4W? Are you taking anything between Cimzia injections for RA(?) in your hands?

If you insist on FF, the 6d with only primes can keep the weight manageable. Just crop the photo for extra reach if need be.
The Sony A7 is still in its infancy, especially with glass choices, but the size and weight savings in the body are substantial.
There are a number of mirrorless choices that will give you APS-C sensor size but keep the weight down: Sony "NEX", Fuji, Samsung. Those 3 will give you APS-C and lens choices ranging from really good (Fuji) to adequate (Sony), as well as pancake lens choices. Weight won't really be an issue

gardengirl13 wrote in post #17078229
I haven't looked into fuji yet. I was just going to upgrade lenses if I stuck with M4/3, but when the OMD bites it I'll look into that.

But yeah, Ideally I wish I could get that lovely L look out of the OMD, maybe with better primes I can come close? I'm unsure coming back would be good, I'm worried it'll make me frustrated and regret it. But man I miss that look!

I would try getting a prime or two for your current camera, but I doubt you'd be disappointed by going with Fuji. To give you an idea, I'm still debating myself about selling my 6D to go with a full Fuji (X-T1) kit, to my eyes the Fuji images are as good or better up to ISO800, past that the 6D is for sure better, but not by enough to matter most of the time. For those times that I need clean ISO6400+ though the 6D is awesome, that's the only big thing keeping it in my possession.

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17078284
Sorry about the OT matter, but I am curious. Is the Cimzia successfully treating your spinal condition? Are you on 200mg Q2W, or 400mg Q4W? Are you taking anything between Cimzia injections for RA(?) in your hands?

I started with 400 every 4 weeks, then after 3 months it started to not work as well (while it was working I felt like superwoman!) so we tried 200 every 2 weeks and that did NOTHING, so I went back to the 400 every 4 weeks. What's going on now is I feel ok for about 10-14 days then get this weird crash! Like nothing I've ever had before! It's crazy! It's like severe withdrawal or something???!!!! Then after about 7-10 days of feeling worse then I've ever felt before I feel my normal bad every day self until my next injections. I have my next one this week, but someone convinced me to see the rhuemys at NYU bone and joint hospital for another opinion, I see them next week so I'm going to postpone the injection until after that appt, which only delays it about 4 days.

As for treating it, it really does work better on the peripheral joints, but it does help the spine and the hips and shoulders a bit too. It takes the costchondiritis down a notch as well. They seem to be based more for RA then AS. I've tried all the biologics and they work anywhere from 4-9 months really REALLY well then the next month it'll be like injecting water. Nothing. This is the only one that's kind of ramped down on me like this.

If I stick with the OMD are there better settings or better PPing I can do to get it to look more DSLR like? Here's the look I'd like to get (some are L photos some are not but still have that look- and no these images really are not good, but it's the look I'm missing- as as you can see I'm no where near a pro, just someone who's been shooting since my dad taught me to focus the A1 when I was 5)

http://www.pbase.com/g​ardengirl13/image/9997​4363

http://www.pbase.com/g​ardengirl13/image/1269​13393

http://www.pbase.com/g​ardengirl13/image/1163​05348

comparison of the difference first is the 60D second is the same plant a year later with the OMD yes they're different settings etc but I can't get it to look quite like it. Not a huge deal, I know. But I miss it.

http://www.pbase.com/g​ardengirl13/image/1420​36947

http://www.pbase.com/g​ardengirl13/image/1493​61888

EverydayGetaway wrote in post #17078323
I would try getting a prime or two for your current camera, but I doubt you'd be disappointed by going with Fuji. To give you an idea, I'm still debating myself about selling my 6D to go with a full Fuji (X-T1) kit, to my eyes the Fuji images are as good or better up to ISO800, past that the 6D is for sure better, but not by enough to matter most of the time. For those times that I need clean ISO6400+ though the 6D is awesome, that's the only big thing keeping it in my possession.

I actually think the OMd does well with higher ISO. It looked better to me then the 60D high ISO. It's a more pleasing noise, more like film, less digital.

nekrosoft13 wrote in post #17078254
i would stick with your E-M5, especially with your condition I would never consider going back to Canon especially full frame, those cameras are much much heavier.

another options would be Fuji x system of sony e system, if you really want full frame, take a look at sony a7.

forget about Canon, until maybe when they make a decent light mirrorless camera.

I agree, it's not only the camera, but also the lenses. At least twice the bulk and weight with a Canon setup. If you want a light weight system look towards a mirrorless setup. Fuji and Sony both have wonderful systems that easily rival the images reduced by Canon DSLR's. The heavy, bulky DSLR will be a dinosaur in 5 years...left to the niche markets.