DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Why this photographer switched to Olympus after shooting Nikon for 42 years

Dec 6, 2017 by John Aldred 31 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Not too long ago, switching brands seemed a silly expense. Bouncing back and forth between Nikon and Canon was just far more cost and hassle than it was worth. Some photographers simply bought into both brands (it worked out cheaper than swapping every couple of years). Others stuck with their brand through thick and thin.

Joe Edelman is one such photographer and stuck with Nikon for 42 years. But as technology developed and more manufacturers came back into the fray, Joe’s needs changed. So, he started playing the field to see what the others had to offer. Now, he’s finally made the switch to Olympus, and in this video, he explains why.

To be clear, Joe stresses that he’s not suggesting everybody or even anybody should just blindly switch to Olympus or any other brand. He’s just explaining the reasons for his own switch, as he’s been asked quite a lot.

Joe picked up his first Nikon in 1975. He went with a Nikon F and then switched to digital in 1999 with a 2.7MP Nikon D1. Then he went to a 5.6MP D1x, a 12MP D2X, 10MP D200, 12MP D300, 12MP D700, 36MP D800, D810, and finally the 20MP D500. Quite the evolution over the years, and similar to the one I’ve followed myself.

Joe says he stuck with them so long because they were familiar and comfortable. He liked the ergonomics. But since going full steam ahead on his YouTube channel, he picked up a Panasonic GH5. While the GH5 is primarily Joe’s video shooting camera, he has shot some stills with it. Let’s face it, though, who wouldn’t? Even if just to satisfy simple curiosity.

He says he was blown away by the results, and started looking at Micro Four Thirds more seriously. He likes the whole idea of mirrorless, loves electronic viewfinders and being able to see the finished shot before it’s even been made. He’s sick of waiting for Nikon to get caught up in mirrorless tech, and after chatting with Olympus ambassador Gavin Hoey at PhotoPlus Expo recently, he decided to rent some kit and try it out.

Why keep waiting for a company that I’ve been loyal to for decades to get their act together, when every other month there’s a press release that they’re losing money, or laying off people, or closing factories?

So, Joe picked up a pair of Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II bodies and an array of prime & zoom lenses. Now he says he couldn’t be happier. His kit’s lighter, easily keeps up with his needs, and offers more of the features he needs. Features that Nikon are failing to deliver.

With the constant sharing of the belief that “full frame > all”, it’s interesting to see so many jumping onto Micro Four Thirds, as well as other systems using sensors smaller than full frame 35mm.

Joe’s shot several commercial clients since making the switch. He said none of them gave a second glance to the equipment he was using, and were thrilled with the images. So, you don’t need the biggest camera possible in order to impress clients. You just need to be able to deliver the results they want.

Again, Joe’s not suggesting that anybody else should make the switch to Olympus or any other brand. But hopefully understanding his reasons will make you think about your own reasons for why you shoot the brand & kit that you do.

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

Why the godfather of sports photography switched from Olympus to Canon. In 1976 Why this photographer switched back to Nikon DSLR after half a year with Sony mirrorless 10 reasons why this photographer switched from Canon to Sony It doesn’t matter why this photographer switched from the Fuji X100 to the X-T20

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: Joe Edelman, micro four thirds, Nikon, olympus

John Aldred: from diyphotography.net

About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

« 10 tips to grow organically on Instagram
A black and white photography challenge by a colourblind photographer »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Here’s a bullet time video booth you can build yourself
  • Ricoh has discontinued the HD PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2AL Limited silver lens
  • This “stellar flower” unravels the twilight’s evolution in 360 degrees
  • Strobes vs Continuous LEDs – Which is right for you?
  • Wave goodbye to Apple’s My Photo Stream next month

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy