Dude, am so happy to see you still kicking and apparently doing well. That’s infinitely of more consequence than the worthiness of a new camera upgrade.
So pleased to see you looking so much better then you were. Wishing you well and looking forward to the day when you can announce that your recent health issues are behind you and you can move on. Take care.
I enjoyed your videos in the past but had no idea you were fighting with cancer! Shit. That explains the lack of videos lately. I hope the treatment goes well and wish you a good recovery 🙏
Thanks for the review. i am currently using em1mk3 and really attracted by new features of om1m2. I will always pray for your health across the Pacific. Love your videos and your attitudes towards life really encourages me. ❤
Back in March I upgraded my EM1 Mk2 to an OM1 Mk2. It's great! Truthfully, taking a photo of the Orion nebula on a whim when I first received the camera to test the star focus, which is not on EM1 mk2, is the reason I am exploring astrophotography now - I was hooked instantly. Good luck with your battle. That I see quite a few videos after this I hope means you are doing well.
When the EM-1 mkiii was released, it was priced around $1799 in Feb 2020. The OM-1 was $2199 in March 2022. The OM-1 mkii at $2399 in 2024. What a person can avoid in filter and tripod costs and carrying headaches easily offsets the $200 price difference, much of which probably went to ram costs and other computational development costs. The Panasonic G9 was released in 2017 at $1699. The G9 mkii in 2023 at $1899. The overall inflation rate since 2020 has been 19%. Since 2022 about 8%. That puts the price point easily within the $2300-$2400. And the camera is a significant capability increase. If you really want to be shocked, look at the price changes of McDonald's Hamburgers. :)
I've been pretty surprised regarding the degree of negativity on YT generally regarding this camera release. I found your viewpoint far more reasoned than many. It's good you posted this video to keep the view balanced. Best of luck with your C journey.
Thanks for the video. I still have (and enjoy) the E-M1 mark iii. The additional features of the OM1 or Mk 2 have not been enough for me to upgrade, though I do like the split neutral density feature in the Mk 2. Related to astro. rather than more camera features (i.e., tracking), I would certainly appreciate a camera (and sensor) that support higher-quality OSC images when attached to a telescope (or long lens). My mark iii does a respectable job but hoping that a future OM Systems camera can provide a bigger step forward (i.e., a step closer to a dedicated OSC camera with the same/similar sensor). My only astro-specific cameras are mono (love narrowband - thank you Narrowband Channel). Also would like an OM systems camera that can be controlled by the ASI Air (I know that is not an OM Systems' feature but that alone might cause me to upgrade).
I love my OM1. I shoot birds and wildlife almost every day and it’s excellent. I was really hoping for 4K 120p and improved C-AF in video mode with the MKii. The new computational features on the MKii sound cool but I probably wouldn’t use them. ND grad like keystone correction is better done in post. The increase buffer for birding sounds good on paper, however I returned the G9II because the buffer took far too long to clear. It is sad to loose the Olympus logo, however the “OM System” logo has some history as well appearing on Olympus 35mm film camera lenses. My thoughts are with you regarding your health. Stay strong and recover quickly!
The only thing that I heard hardware wise internally in the camera, which was changed, was they increased the ram to improve performance inside the camera, I know the best way to get better performance out of a computer is to double up Meram or Max it out to get the best performance out of your computer and digital cameras are just computers with lenses on them so I guess it makes sense to up the ram.
Was planning to get an OM-1 pretty soon, but it looks like I will be holding off just a little bit longer jist to see where the price settles after release. Can understand existing owners being disappointed, but it's still the best option out there for me. In terms of size, weight, features and performance for an outdoor photographer, there really isn't anything else out there that does what it does.
I have the OM-1 but it think I’m going to resist gear temptation and wait. I’m more curious about what the mark iii will be like. That camera will be telling as far as the future of OM.
Thanks for sharing your initial thoughts, hopefully OM will loan you one to test for ASTRO. I only tried the original OM1 at an Olympus event, and the only thing I did not like from memory was the playback where the fist screen no longer could show the highlight/shadow warnings. You had to go a the more detailed view, which was a bit of a pain. Did they ever fix/add the highlight/shadow warning back to the main playback screen ? Since I only tried it once I did not experience the AF issues that have been reported . My main concern on the new model [that may be unfounded] is the rubber coating on the front and rear dials. Wonder why they did not just revert the the previous material used as no one seemed to complain about that. I have had to dispose of a number of items after the rubber [feel good] coating got sticky. So to me hearing rubber coated dials is a red flag. I could just image what would happen if they got sticky over time. Perhaps if OM lend you a camera they could elaborate / confirm what they mean by this rubber coating? . You seem to be the main person discussing Mu-43 for astro so I guess they would give you a loaner?
I found with C-AF Sensitivity +2 face detect on the OM-1 works fine. Certainly good enough for my kids. Putting a custom focus zone horizontally on the upper third grid line where you typically place a head in a photo helps additionally to catch them sharp. The other tip is that Bird detect actually detects my kids very very often full body! So worth a try.
You’ve probably sold a lot of gear for OM system and Olympus because of your content. I personally ended up pulling the trigger on a 100-400 because of your channel. They should send you a camera.
Most importantly, you have all my support and well wishes for your health fight! As for the OM-1 Mk II, I think this is a fair review. I've shot Olympus all my life but it's time for OM System to take the stage - only because of OMDS can we have this conversation. To me, this Mk. II coming only two years into the OM-1 design life and just four months after the G9II release says OMDS is nimbler and more responsive than Olympus, which is a critical in this market. These incremental enhancement models are to make the product more competitive in the larger market, not so much to drive mass upgrades from those with the prior model.
I really love the OM-1 that I pre-ordered as soon as announced. I wonder why there is no face detection since there is bird detection and so on. It for sure could be easily implemented with a firmware update.
I like the Starry AF. When it works, it's great. If they can do the Pentax thing without violating that patent, I'll love to see a bit of tracking. And I'd upgrade to that MkIII. Problem is, will OM Digital survive long enough?
Om Systems got its own patent approved in July 2023. I guess they didn't get time to properly implement that as they had to release the camera before the contract to use the Olympus name expired. Maybe the next camera in 3-4 years?
@@gsdhanjal 3-4 years will be too late for OM Digital's survival. Few OM-1 MkI owners will upgrade to MkII as the changes are too few. If MkIII comes next year, perhaps it can help save the company. But then MkII people will be pissed off.
Ok I understand. So I do not see anyone using them ever mu guess then is no they would not help. Better to just us a Light Polution filter. @@debasisroy7556
OM System lost me with the introduction of the first OM1. I am still on my E-M1III - not being a dedicated birding or wildlife photographer. The only thing I don't have with the E-M1III I wish I had from the OM1 is the improved EVF. I did buy the Nikon Zf though - which is AWESOME for people photography, great IBIS, fantastic auto-focus and tracking, fantastic image quality, also at high ISO - at USD2,000(!!), a heck of a lot cheaper than the OM1II in comparison. That inflation argument is kind of irrelevant. Consumers do not compare the OM1II against the price of the OM1 considering inflation (and even if they did, you'd still be wrong about the inflation argument, see below on R&D costs) - they compare the price based on competitive products and their costs and the features that ACTUALLY matter to most consumers - hint, it's not the wildlife/birding features like pro-capture, frame rate, the computational stuff etc. - it's just like you said, the most important images most people take are of their kids and the features needed to not miss those shots. OM System is focusing on the wrong features and product criteria to address the larger market. They've turned themselves into a brand for a small niche market with a high price, high margin product strategy. And that's another explanation as to why the OM1II is objectively too expensive - clearly the OM1II offers only very minuscule, incremental improvements and changes over the original OM1, it is fair to say that the R&D spend on the OM1II also only must have been incremental given how small the differences are between both products. As the OM1 has been on the market for a while now, R&D for the OM1 should have amortized by now and OM System should be able to pass the written off R&D of the OM1 down to OM1II consumers via a reduced price of what is essentially a product without a full blown R&D expense. Instead they have chosen to add that portion onto the price of the OM1II to grow their margin. I am not convinced OM System will be successful with their high price, high margin strategy. Take the Nikon Zf which inherited almost all the new tech from the Z9 and Z8, plus added new tech (improved IBIS, IBIS calibrated to the focus point) and Nikon is offering that camera at a VERY competitive price point even compared to their own lineup and the competition. The threefold cost of their re-labeled Sigma monster zoom lens that can be had new for EF mount at under USD1,000 (and 235g less weight! LOL) just reeks of desperation to add margin wherever they can. I don't think OM System is going to persist very long in market with this strategy. How far can you stretch margin against an ever smaller customer base in the nice you're focusing on? Canon dropped the price of the R3 by USD1,000, when you compare the cost of the OM1II with that new Sigma re-labeled zoom against the R3 with the same EF zoom and the EF adapter, there is now only some USD1,300 or so price difference between both setups - and the size and weight difference is also melting away. I am not convinced by their product strategy. Maybe in three years time or so when the OM1/OM1II has deprecated considerably I will pick up a used OM1 or OM1II. Sorry, OM System... I won't join your high margin product strategy plan. Good luck though!
Hi! You have some solid arguments there, totally agree. If you look up at the video Camera Conspiracies did on the OM1 ii you'll see just how bad the new OM1ii + 150-600 stack up to the competition. In a hopefull scenario, Olympus will make enough money from their medical business and buy back the camera division from JIP, but in the meantime JIP will milk it as much as possible with wery litttle interest to the legacy of the brand or care for customers.
@@TheNarrowbandChannel The best we can hope for is when JIP runs OM System into the ground, Ricoh will pick up the pieces and revive it again properly.
OM System is a small company now, they need high margin on small volume and they probably don't have the capacity to maintain two products with their own lifecycle side by side. Haven't they already pulled the plug on the OM1? As far as I thought I saw, the OM1II will replace the OM1. If you want the features, you have to upgrade.
@@thedarkslide small means you need to work harder to to treat your customers better than the rest. This is going to rub many the wrong way without something for their flagship camera that had so few firmware upgrades. I’m not interested in that camera, way too big for m4/3 and I don’t do wildlife. I’m a om5, x100v, xt5 size style and size. And if they don’t do something soon I’m going to be all in with Fuji before the end of the year.
@@WhoIsSerafin I don't disagree with you. I also think their current product strategy is going to fail - The EP-7 was a flop (outside of Japan). The E-M10 line seems to be dead. The OM5 essentially is a crippled E-M1III in an inferior quality body, also sold as a high margin product in spite of the R&D costs for the E-M1III long being in the past and amortized. I kept all my MFT gear, I buy up used MFT bodies where I see a deal, I have been using Olympus since the E-520 all the way through the E-5, the E-PL1, E-M5, E-M1, Pen F and E-M1III, I've added many Pen bodies since, I own about 20 Olympus MFT bodies by now, plus a handful of Four Thirds bodies. I love the system, but it's not my only system anymore as OM System is taking it into a direction I won't follow. I've added other gear since, mostly used but recently a Nikon Zf which is absolutely fantastic with IBIS which is almost on par with the E-M1III. Don't wait for OM System.
@@TheNarrowbandChannel i feel like they would make better cameras for everything if I could find a good way to operate them without a separate computer.
Dude, am so happy to see you still kicking and apparently doing well. That’s infinitely of more consequence than the worthiness of a new camera upgrade.
Thank you!
The weight is back! I hope it means you're getting better.
So pleased to see you looking so much better then you were. Wishing you well and looking forward to the day when you can announce that your recent health issues are behind you and you can move on. Take care.
Thank you!
I enjoyed your videos in the past but had no idea you were fighting with cancer! Shit. That explains the lack of videos lately. I hope the treatment goes well and wish you a good recovery 🙏
Congrats, you look great!! Always strong!!
Thank you!
Thanks for the review. i am currently using em1mk3 and really attracted by new features of om1m2. I will always pray for your health across the Pacific. Love your videos and your attitudes towards life really encourages me. ❤
Back in March I upgraded my EM1 Mk2 to an OM1 Mk2. It's great! Truthfully, taking a photo of the Orion nebula on a whim when I first received the camera to test the star focus, which is not on EM1 mk2, is the reason I am exploring astrophotography now - I was hooked instantly.
Good luck with your battle. That I see quite a few videos after this I hope means you are doing well.
Glad to see you back, hope all going well 👍
Glad you feeling better!
Thank you
When the EM-1 mkiii was released, it was priced around $1799 in Feb 2020. The OM-1 was $2199 in March 2022. The OM-1 mkii at $2399 in 2024. What a person can avoid in filter and tripod costs and carrying headaches easily offsets the $200 price difference, much of which probably went to ram costs and other computational development costs. The Panasonic G9 was released in 2017 at $1699. The G9 mkii in 2023 at $1899. The overall inflation rate since 2020 has been 19%. Since 2022 about 8%. That puts the price point easily within the $2300-$2400. And the camera is a significant capability increase. If you really want to be shocked, look at the price changes of McDonald's Hamburgers. :)
Oh McDonalds. It has changed so much for the worse since I was a kid.
Great video - looking fwrd to your next video!!
I hope the best for you and your family 👍
Thank you!
Get well!
Great video. Hope you are feeling as healthy as you look. See a lot of people changing their tunes about the mark II. Hope it does well for OMDS.
Me too.
I've been pretty surprised regarding the degree of negativity on YT generally regarding this camera release. I found your viewpoint far more reasoned than many. It's good you posted this video to keep the view balanced. Best of luck with your C journey.
Thanks for sharing your support!
It's a shill for OMD.
This guy would be thrilled with a rock if it said OMD.
Thanks for the video. I still have (and enjoy) the E-M1 mark iii. The additional features of the OM1 or Mk 2 have not been enough for me to upgrade, though I do like the split neutral density feature in the Mk 2. Related to astro. rather than more camera features (i.e., tracking), I would certainly appreciate a camera (and sensor) that support higher-quality OSC images when attached to a telescope (or long lens). My mark iii does a respectable job but hoping that a future OM Systems camera can provide a bigger step forward (i.e., a step closer to a dedicated OSC camera with the same/similar sensor). My only astro-specific cameras are mono (love narrowband - thank you Narrowband Channel). Also would like an OM systems camera that can be controlled by the ASI Air (I know that is not an OM Systems' feature but that alone might cause me to upgrade).
Same here - still very happy with my E-M1III as the main camera for my MFT lenses and MFT use cases. Not a lot of good reasons to "upgrade".
I love my OM1. I shoot birds and wildlife almost every day and it’s excellent. I was really hoping for 4K 120p and improved C-AF in video mode with the MKii.
The new computational features on the MKii sound cool but I probably wouldn’t use them. ND grad like keystone correction is better done in post. The increase buffer for birding sounds good on paper, however I returned the G9II because the buffer took far too long to clear.
It is sad to loose the Olympus logo, however the “OM System” logo has some history as well appearing on Olympus 35mm film camera lenses.
My thoughts are with you regarding your health. Stay strong and recover quickly!
The only thing that I heard hardware wise internally in the camera, which was changed, was they increased the ram to improve performance inside the camera, I know the best way to get better performance out of a computer is to double up Meram or Max it out to get the best performance out of your computer and digital cameras are just computers with lenses on them so I guess it makes sense to up the ram.
Was planning to get an OM-1 pretty soon, but it looks like I will be holding off just a little bit longer jist to see where the price settles after release. Can understand existing owners being disappointed, but it's still the best option out there for me. In terms of size, weight, features and performance for an outdoor photographer, there really isn't anything else out there that does what it does.
M43 user for decades.
I regret buying the OM-1. My EM1.2 is much better and my OM-1 is idle.
@@formermpc10 Get a life, you have been trolling everyone's replies, go away.
I have the OM-1 but it think I’m going to resist gear temptation and wait. I’m more curious about what the mark iii will be like. That camera will be telling as far as the future of OM.
Thanks for sharing your initial thoughts, hopefully OM will loan you one to test for ASTRO.
I only tried the original OM1 at an Olympus event, and the only thing I did not like from memory was the playback where the fist screen no longer could show the highlight/shadow warnings. You had to go a the more detailed view, which was a bit of a pain.
Did they ever fix/add the highlight/shadow warning back to the main playback screen ?
Since I only tried it once I did not experience the AF issues that have been reported
.
My main concern on the new model [that may be unfounded] is the rubber coating on the front and rear dials. Wonder why they did not just revert the the previous material used as no one seemed to complain about that.
I have had to dispose of a number of items after the rubber [feel good] coating got sticky. So to me hearing rubber coated dials is a red flag. I could just image what would happen if they got sticky over time. Perhaps if OM lend you a camera they could elaborate / confirm what they mean by this rubber coating?
.
You seem to be the main person discussing Mu-43 for astro so I guess they would give you a loaner?
Explaining medical lab results.
Just curious, with how m43 is a system, have you tried any of the Panasonic bodies or lenses?
I found with C-AF Sensitivity +2 face detect on the OM-1 works fine. Certainly good enough for my kids. Putting a custom focus zone horizontally on the upper third grid line where you typically place a head in a photo helps additionally to catch them sharp. The other tip is that Bird detect actually detects my kids very very often full body! So worth a try.
I discovered that bird detect trick to with the EM1x. It's sometimes finicky but is a decent solution.
You’ve probably sold a lot of gear for OM system and Olympus because of your content. I personally ended up pulling the trigger on a 100-400 because of your channel. They should send you a camera.
How much extra performance do you think OM systems has got out of the OM-1II by increasing the ram.
Most importantly, you have all my support and well wishes for your health fight! As for the OM-1 Mk II, I think this is a fair review. I've shot Olympus all my life but it's time for OM System to take the stage - only because of OMDS can we have this conversation. To me, this Mk. II coming only two years into the OM-1 design life and just four months after the G9II release says OMDS is nimbler and more responsive than Olympus, which is a critical in this market. These incremental enhancement models are to make the product more competitive in the larger market, not so much to drive mass upgrades from those with the prior model.
I like the ZWO asi294mc and the ZWO asi183mc.
I really like my OM-1. But it’s obvious that OM System is milking the tech they’ve acquired.
Well of course they are they bought the engineering rights to them so why buy a company and not use it’s assets
@@bomcuming3007How will they innovate?
I'm still using Olympus OMD E-M1ii. This is a upgrade I'm like ok this is worth it now. I really want 14-bit raw.
No, stick with your EM1.2 .
Skip this expensive FW update.
I really love the OM-1 that I pre-ordered as soon as announced. I wonder why there is no face detection since there is bird detection and so on. It for sure could be easily implemented with a firmware update.
Wait, does the OM-1 really not have face detection? That's unbelievable - who do they think they are, Hasselblad?
I like the Starry AF. When it works, it's great. If they can do the Pentax thing without violating that patent, I'll love to see a bit of tracking. And I'd upgrade to that MkIII. Problem is, will OM Digital survive long enough?
Om Systems got its own patent approved in July 2023. I guess they didn't get time to properly implement that as they had to release the camera before the contract to use the Olympus name expired. Maybe the next camera in 3-4 years?
@@gsdhanjal 3-4 years will be too late for OM Digital's survival. Few OM-1 MkI owners will upgrade to MkII as the changes are too few. If MkIII comes next year, perhaps it can help save the company. But then MkII people will be pissed off.
Just curious whether GND filter would be of any help for astro in light polluted areas.
GND?
@@TheNarrowbandChannel Graduated ND that is.
Ok I understand. So I do not see anyone using them ever mu guess then is no they would not help. Better to just us a Light Polution filter. @@debasisroy7556
OM System lost me with the introduction of the first OM1. I am still on my E-M1III - not being a dedicated birding or wildlife photographer. The only thing I don't have with the E-M1III I wish I had from the OM1 is the improved EVF. I did buy the Nikon Zf though - which is AWESOME for people photography, great IBIS, fantastic auto-focus and tracking, fantastic image quality, also at high ISO - at USD2,000(!!), a heck of a lot cheaper than the OM1II in comparison. That inflation argument is kind of irrelevant. Consumers do not compare the OM1II against the price of the OM1 considering inflation (and even if they did, you'd still be wrong about the inflation argument, see below on R&D costs) - they compare the price based on competitive products and their costs and the features that ACTUALLY matter to most consumers - hint, it's not the wildlife/birding features like pro-capture, frame rate, the computational stuff etc. - it's just like you said, the most important images most people take are of their kids and the features needed to not miss those shots.
OM System is focusing on the wrong features and product criteria to address the larger market. They've turned themselves into a brand for a small niche market with a high price, high margin product strategy. And that's another explanation as to why the OM1II is objectively too expensive - clearly the OM1II offers only very minuscule, incremental improvements and changes over the original OM1, it is fair to say that the R&D spend on the OM1II also only must have been incremental given how small the differences are between both products. As the OM1 has been on the market for a while now, R&D for the OM1 should have amortized by now and OM System should be able to pass the written off R&D of the OM1 down to OM1II consumers via a reduced price of what is essentially a product without a full blown R&D expense. Instead they have chosen to add that portion onto the price of the OM1II to grow their margin. I am not convinced OM System will be successful with their high price, high margin strategy.
Take the Nikon Zf which inherited almost all the new tech from the Z9 and Z8, plus added new tech (improved IBIS, IBIS calibrated to the focus point) and Nikon is offering that camera at a VERY competitive price point even compared to their own lineup and the competition.
The threefold cost of their re-labeled Sigma monster zoom lens that can be had new for EF mount at under USD1,000 (and 235g less weight! LOL) just reeks of desperation to add margin wherever they can. I don't think OM System is going to persist very long in market with this strategy. How far can you stretch margin against an ever smaller customer base in the nice you're focusing on? Canon dropped the price of the R3 by USD1,000, when you compare the cost of the OM1II with that new Sigma re-labeled zoom against the R3 with the same EF zoom and the EF adapter, there is now only some USD1,300 or so price difference between both setups - and the size and weight difference is also melting away. I am not convinced by their product strategy.
Maybe in three years time or so when the OM1/OM1II has deprecated considerably I will pick up a used OM1 or OM1II. Sorry, OM System... I won't join your high margin product strategy plan. Good luck though!
Hi! You have some solid arguments there, totally agree.
If you look up at the video Camera Conspiracies did on the OM1 ii you'll see just how bad the new OM1ii + 150-600 stack up to the competition.
In a hopefull scenario, Olympus will make enough money from their medical business and buy back the camera division from JIP, but in the meantime JIP will milk it as much as possible with wery litttle interest to the legacy of the brand or care for customers.
I do not think Olympus will ever by the camera devision back. They had zero interest in it when they owned it.
@@TheNarrowbandChannel The best we can hope for is when JIP runs OM System into the ground, Ricoh will pick up the pieces and revive it again properly.
I can understand why they can't put many of the features in the OM1, but not the upgraded face detection?!?!?!?!
Considering what they added to the original EM1 and the OM5 without the extra memory I would like to think most of the software extras could be added
OM System is a small company now, they need high margin on small volume and they probably don't have the capacity to maintain two products with their own lifecycle side by side. Haven't they already pulled the plug on the OM1? As far as I thought I saw, the OM1II will replace the OM1. If you want the features, you have to upgrade.
@@thedarkslide small means you need to work harder to to treat your customers better than the rest. This is going to rub many the wrong way without something for their flagship camera that had so few firmware upgrades. I’m not interested in that camera, way too big for m4/3 and I don’t do wildlife. I’m a om5, x100v, xt5 size style and size. And if they don’t do something soon I’m going to be all in with Fuji before the end of the year.
@@WhoIsSerafin I don't disagree with you. I also think their current product strategy is going to fail - The EP-7 was a flop (outside of Japan). The E-M10 line seems to be dead. The OM5 essentially is a crippled E-M1III in an inferior quality body, also sold as a high margin product in spite of the R&D costs for the E-M1III long being in the past and amortized.
I kept all my MFT gear, I buy up used MFT bodies where I see a deal, I have been using Olympus since the E-520 all the way through the E-5, the E-PL1, E-M5, E-M1, Pen F and E-M1III, I've added many Pen bodies since, I own about 20 Olympus MFT bodies by now, plus a handful of Four Thirds bodies. I love the system, but it's not my only system anymore as OM System is taking it into a direction I won't follow. I've added other gear since, mostly used but recently a Nikon Zf which is absolutely fantastic with IBIS which is almost on par with the E-M1III. Don't wait for OM System.
@@WhoIsSerafinIf you don’t shoot wildlife, most of the advantages of m43 are gone. You might as well go with Fuji or other full frame options.
Surprise! Another ad for OMD disguised as a review.
OMD should at least give you a free hat!
Nah I think I will just by a used camera, and at that price I could just buy a astro cam and build a camera body around it.
A dedicated cooled camera is the way to go if your are serious about astro .
@@TheNarrowbandChannel i feel like they would make better cameras for everything if I could find a good way to operate them without a separate computer.
$2400 for a flagship camera is dirt cheap, no matter the sensor size