[Leica] Why Micro-4-3rds?

[mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner)]

> I bought a GF-1 because it seemed the most economical way for me to be
> able to use some of my existing lenses -- which quite frankly were
> gathering dust -- as well as replace a 5-year old Fuji P&S.
> 
> Micro Four Thirds is better than I anticipated and it has rekindled my
> interest in photography. I'm sure an EP-2 would have done the same.
> 
> The image quality from micro Four Thirds format is pretty darn good.
> Where it's lacking, compared to an FX format camera like the D700 is the
> low light capability. Still, Micro Four Thirds is OK at 1600 and really
> good at 400-800. Thus light gathering capability isn't a strength (OTOH,
> after years of shooting Tri_X, it isn't necessarily a weakness either).
> 
> Resolution is excellent for such small sized cameras. Image quality is
> closer to an APS-C camera than a P&S, but camera size is closer to a P&S
> than an APS-C camera.
> 
> On top of all that there seems to be a lot of R&D surrounding the format
> right now. That's resulting in good optics, good camera features, and
> generally more options from which to choose.
> 
> Dave R
> 
> 
> 
> 
I shot some pix coming back from Lincoln Center last night walking down the
sidewalk I just clicked away at some trees. I sucked them into my computer
and tweaked and rated them just now as I wanted to see some head shots of a
friend of mine and email it to him.
I'd shot these trees as I'm walking down the sidewalk and there's nothing
else to do and its a project I'm working on anyway.
I got some real super keepers.
As in one in  million supercalafragilisticexpealadocious shots.
I shot it with a compact 1.5 format camrea I use often right now.
I sure wish it was 1X crop. And I'm sure glad as hell is was not on a 2x
crop.
Micro 2x crop is a hell better than regular 4/3s but most the cameras you
get you can get a 1.5 crop camrea about the same size.
Like one from a camera company called "Leica". They make this X1 thing.
And other cameras companies too make them.
Soon there will be a 1X crop pocket camrea and you guys spending thousands
of dollars on 2X crop glass will feel like idiots.
One third the traffic on the LUG for a year as been on 2x crop camrea which
almost but not quite work with Leica glass.
While most serious photographers go to 1X shooting we on the LUG are
enthralled with 2x because a Leica 1X cost seven grand.
It's a darned shame.


[Rabs]
Mark William Rabiner