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My Story Why I switched to Micro Four Thirds

Photo Moment - March 05, 2021

This is the story of how I started shooting Micro Four Thirds (aka MFT or M43) for all of my work — including commercial work. This is a re-edit of a LIVE show originally broadcast in February 2017, telling a story from 2013. This is a much shorter version, with a new intro and “where we are today”. Don't miss the end!

The cameras I'm shooting with today…

The Story of My Switch to Micro Four Thirds…

Let me tell you the story of how I started shooting micro four thirds for all of my work – not just personal photography, but also commercial photography and video work. It all started when a friend of mine shipped me a box full of cameras to play with (pretty good friend, huh?!!). In it was a Leica S3 (the medium format Leica), a Fuji something-or-other, and an Olympus OM-D… hmm, whatever model was current in 2013. Probably the OM-D EM-1 or OM-D EM-5? Anyway, I had toys to play with. They Leica was amazing, of course. The Fuji was quite nice. But I hadn't touched the small-sensor Olympus camera. He called to ask how I was getting along with them, and when I told him I wasn't playing with the micro four thirds, he told me I needed to. Fine. So I did. And boy, was I impressed! SO much so that I used it for a small party I was hired to shoot, and then used it on a low budget commercial shoot where I was able to transfer the JPEGs from the camera to my iPhone or iPad, treat them in Snapseed or some other app, and send them to the client — all from the car, outside of the venue, before I went home! This was a game changing moment for me.

Then I was invited to join some friends doing a commercial social media project for Mercedes Benz. We had a garage-full of brand new Mercedes Benz cars to drive around New York City and Los Angeles for a few days in each city, shooting photos and posting to their instagram account! I decided to shoot it all on MFT, giving me the opportunity to not only shoot natively in square format (this was back when Instagram was square only), but more importantly, wifi transfer the photos to my iPad as I shot them, treating and posting the photos immediately! It was a huge advantage and made the journey a ton of fun for me. 

For my favorite shot of the journey, I needed to reach waaaay out over a ledge to get the shot I wanted of a gorgeous Mercedes Benz SLS that I was only able to get because I could tilt up the LCD on the camera (back then, very few cameras had this feature) and see the view as I was composing it! It was a remarkable adventure. 

Can you believe… when we were on the job, the  @Mercedes-Benz  instagram account had under 500,000 followers. It was our goal to push it past half a million — and we did it! Today, the account has over 31 million followers. Wow.

Some of the original Instagram posts…

 

Some More Photos from the Mercedes-Benz Shoot…

Mercedes-Benz SLS overhead photo in Los Angeles, shot on a Micro four thirds camera

Mercedes-Benz photo in New York going over the George Washington bridge, shot on a Micro four thirds camera

Mercedes-Benz photo with the Los Angeles skyline, shot on a Micro four thirds camera

Other Videos Mentioned

(this is the original long-form live show from 2017)

🔗 More links you seek

🔴 Don't miss the LIVE shows!

📄 Full Video Transcript

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Did you enjoy this story? It's not over! Be sure to subscribe so you hear… as Paul Harvey used to say… "the REST of the story" https://youtube.com/c/photojoseph?sub_confirmation=1
An 8 years way too late to the party story.
Good job, I still rewatch this video time to time
Thanks. I just remembered I'm almost 50... and my dad liked that guy.
So, got a follow up video coming out on Friday at all? ;)
The micro 4/3 is unbeatable for wildlife photography, unfortunately it is disappearing.
Really? The GH7 was just announced, with features that don’t exist in any camera from any manufacturer. The G9II came out not that long ago. The G100 was recently updated. Seems fine to me!
because of the small sensor, minimum DOF will always be larger with MicroFourThirds. Not so good
I have shot photos with nearly microscopic DoF on MFT, and a thousand portraits (street and studio) with blurry background. The “no shallow DoF” argument is a fallacy. Aperture number for number, it’s different than full frame — yes. Go medium format and the argument goes the other way. The argument/ discussion is irrelevant. The image you create is what matters and I’ve done countless commercial jobs on MFT. 🤷🏼‍♂️
My dream😢❤
Lumix GX9 and SZ200 are my go to's when I want to carry light.
So I use a EM5 Mkiii suctioned cup to my windshield to make my vids. Awesome video, Cheers!
Thank you.
Great photos with Mercides!!!
About 5 years ago I went to a Panasonic event where you could try out several of their Micro 4/3s cameras and lenses. One of the cameras I tried was the G85 with the 12mm to 60mm lens. My first reaction was for an equivalent of 24mm to 120mm Full Frame Lens, this is VERY light weight. Both the lens and the camera had image stabilization that worked together. When I switched the camera to video mode and walked, the replay was very steady and I was impressed. However, I never went out and purchased one.

Five years later I still thought about this system and the other day I found the G95 with the lens, case, memory card, AND the UV filter on sale for $699. It was a deal too tempting to walk away from. While I'm currently using APS-C, I should get the G95 in 2 days. It took a while, but Panasonic changed my mind.
That’s an awesome story! Thanks for sharing 😊
i have a gh5. wish i had a sony a7s3 aswell for lowlight. having 2 cameras like that prob is the best thing ever
HI, VERY INTERESTIMG, WELL DONE. ⭐😎📷👌😜
M1 markiii or X-T3
New subscriber here. Great story! I've been using M43 Lumix for years and thinking about going to S5... The M43 camera's weight and size kept me loyal :).
I do love the format!
what material are those shelves made from Joseph
The white shelves behind me? They're just MDF I guess… pretty inexpensive https://geni.us/vrk8srf
Do you think micro 4/3 is a good choice to concert photography or low light conference?
It certainly can be. Not gonna lie; full frame in general will perform better in low light. However, I've done quite a bit of concert photography and you're not actually shooting at extremely high ISO, because the lights on stage are very very bight. Conferences on the other hand can be quite a bit darker. The advantage of MFT here is going to be size and weight (and cost). If you can, rent some gear for a few shoots before making a decision! If you jump right in though, then look at either the G9 for MFT or the S5 for full frame. Good luck!
Realestate photographer here. In 2017 switched to m43 for both video and photography. In 2021 switched to a fullframe Nikon camera for photos. (fullframe saves me time editing). But for video I stick to the GH5 mark 2. The I.S. is just so good. Btw I should send Joseph some money.. I remember the video from 2017.
Awesome. The GH5 II is awesome. And thanks for the thoughts on supporting … best way to do that is to join the channel! YouTube.com/PhotoJoseph/join — we even have a private discord channel 😊
Story is just as good second time as it was the first time.
Most improved camera channel goes to!!! Photo Joseph!
Just wondering what lens/ses you used to take the portraits at 1:24-1:30? Zuiko 75mm?
@@photojoseph love it
Metadata says… “OLYMPUS M.45mm F1.8”
I use vpn. I watch, "zundi khi khi le" chocolate ad. I don't skip ad to support the creator.

Dear Singapore please use better name for chocolates!
An example of mouth diarrhea?
Gerner Little Troll! Stop vomiting!
I should ask what is actually wrong with you, but I'm afraid you might answer. So charming.
Using A7c Sony which is very small. Lenses are amazing but I still think about that EP2 with Panasonic 7-14 I had 11 years ago. Thinking about PEN f or EM5 III for lightweight travel.
In love with my new G9 🖤❤️
I have mostly panasonic lenses they work great on my g9
its a shame 12mm 42.5mm 100-400mm panasonic lenses won't do pro capture low. On my Olympus em1x
The 12-100mm is awesome
what do you mean, "won't do pro capture low"?
and now I have a Mercedes looking for this camera 🤣
sadly M43 has had its day
@@elephantgrass631 ok, I hear you, but let me respond. The announcement was made at the end of May, saying, and I’m quoting, “Expected by End of Year”. The announcement was made simultaneous to the GH5 II, and not long after the BGH1. One entirely new system for LUMIX (box), and one solid update to their flagship GH5. The GH6 announcement specifically uses the words “Expected by End of Year”… EXPECTED. So the potential for delays were built into the announcement, if you want to read it that way. And, it’s currently mid November. There’s still six weeks in 2021. There’s isn’t anything about the announcement of GH6 that is vaporware; everything is as was said and implied by the press release. It’s happening. Be patient.
@@photojoseph Haven't seen one yet, so as far as the market is concerned.... it doesn't exist. In the 90's, Microsoft would do the same thing and it was called "vaporware". Microsoft would announce a tool that was going to be a game changer, people would hold off buying the software tool from anyone else, making all the other small companies building the same thing go out of business. Then Microsoft would swoop in and buy the dying sofware company for pennies on the dollar. I'm not saying Lumix is doing this, but it just seems like m43 is on a lifeline and trying to keep it alive for that extra squeeze of revenue left.

If they don't let ambassadors like you say anything, then it's the dumbest marketing move in the history of camera. I love you PhotoJoseph, but your word of "m43 is going to have a huge future" (actually, I don't know if you've said that or not) still doesn't instill enough faith that this is a platform worth sticking with at this point. I was excited earlier in the year as per my posts from this video, but me specifically, have run out of patience. And my feelings are the same with most who are in a point where they're looking towards which platform they should invest in. Sorry Lumix, unfortunately you've cried wolf too many times and you don't care that I think this of your brand.

But I do appreciate the content that PhotoJoseph puts out.
@@elephantgrass631 🤨
@@photojoseph GH6 No such thing.
Uh, no… BGH1, GH5 Mk II, GH6…
I am still wiating for the point of this video. It was just a high speed ramble!
It’s a story, dude.
Great look back at your switch to Micro 4/3. And I agree with you, I made the switch back than also.
I just bought a GX9 recently.
Now to get some lenses.
I’m subscribed… but I want to see a GH6 LOL I just don’t understand, Lumix has a HUGE following for their GH5 users and I think the longer they wait the more likely some people might jump ship. If you have a GH5 let’s say and it breaks today you have to think long and hard about replacing it this late in the game with another GH5 IF a gh6 is around the corner. But not knowing if there is a GH6 officially around the corner do you buy another GH5 or do you take this time to buy into another system? I mean really Lumix has waited so long I think they are shrinking their easy money base, they could have put together a really good GH6 and it would have sold like crazy instead they put out these more niche full frame cameras that are good but if you gotta buy new lenses too the wise shopper always shops around, the goal of a company should be for their consumer base to NOT be looking around. I hope that makes sense. It’s like that with anything, if apple didn’t release anymore new iPhones for 4 or 5 years when people broke their old iPhone do you think they would buy another old iPhone or make the switch to android? I think that paints the picture better. Apple knows better and is very successful, they keep their products fresh for new consumers and the old consumers that may be needing a new phone and for those just looking to throw money out and upgrade.
Joseph how to make transition @0:30?
"The micro 4/3rds story is far from over," he says with a glint in his eye. Does Photo Joseph know something about an upcoming GH6?...
Welcome to the future
Why thank you, I think I like it here
GH6 I bet!
🙂
A GH6 in the summer with improved AF and crazy specs would be perfect right now
I was looking for more Affinity photo iPad videos... Did you stop those? :(
It's been a while, but here's all the ones I did. I did a 13 part series, plus several additional ones: https://photojoseph.com/tips/app/580
Love your story! Thanks for sharing. Also from a fellow joe!
haha awesome! Thank you!
For me, for video, Wildlife, travel and Macro, the m43 system is PERFECT!!! Fun factor!!!! For other and rare situations I can use my Nikon apsc and FF.
@@fmtoussant I would choose the e-m1 mark iii
so u got them all lol what would u keep it u can only keep one
Nice!
I love micro 4 thirds... please NEVER DIE......
☺️
Still waffling.....
@@photojoseph very good, I take it all back....respect for a top reply.
I prefer pancakes.
I remember that video!
Oldie but goodie :-)
Ah, but you've since become a full-framer have you not?
@@photojoseph Fair enough. Let us pray for a GH6.
Did you watch to the end?
I think you are wrong there, at 6:10, Canon has a flip out screen since or before 2010.
oh cool. At least ,no one had one on this shoot!
Great work.
Thank you! Cheers!
Why bother to release this 4 years later? In 2021, M43 is at the end of the tunnel just like DSLR.
Because it's not the end of the tunnel
Hey
I'm shooting on micro 4/3 to and love this i buy recently the 14-140mm Panasonic and i love him!
Now i want to buy Lumix g9 to replace my gx80
Awesome!
m4/3 is dead. the industry doesnt support it anymore. i only see full frames coming all the time. bad mount to invest in
or, you could be wrong. There's always that. May I remind you that a brand new camera, the BGH1, was just released. Totally new form factor, and an absolutely amazing camera.
I used to like your chanel until I realised you are payed to defend a clearly dying system. The one company was shamelessly sold and is essentially dead (Olympus). Panasonic moved to Full frame. Everyone is milking the cow of M43 for as long as possible before moving away from the system. RIP.
Funny reading these comments now the gh6 om1 em1X ect is out red also uses micro four thirds so does Leica and dji it’s not dead 😂😂😂
It’s “paid”, not “payed”, and I’ve always stated that I’m a LUMIX Ambassador. The MFT system is certainly not dying or dead. The most recent MFT camera from Panasonic is the BGH1 which is only a few months old. You’re entitled to your opinion, but you’re wrong.
"It's far from over.." I love the sound of that. ✨
me too ;-)
Hmmm...for some reason I'd lost track of you for awhile. Glad to see you alive and well. GH5 has been my workhorse video camera, but a few months ago I needed a B cam and decided on the GX85. Wonderful little camera with some limitations, of course, but shoots great video and is so compact. I've been a Panasonic video shooter since 1988 when I bought a 200 CLE early 3-chip video camera!
Haha that’s amazing. To think how far we’ve come.
@@photojoseph The 200CLE was a full-sized, 3-chip(2/3" chips), shoulder-held video cam with a thick, umbilical cable that connected to a fairly large, bulky and heavy, shoulder-slung, S-VHS recording deck. "Portable", but a bit of a bear to lug on shoots.
Oh yeah, I love my m43 Panasonic cameras!
Hey, I’m glad I’m alive and well, too!! 😂 Thanks for sticking around, and cool history! I’m not familiar with that old camera.
This is the 3rd reference to MFT in the last week I hear from different sources. Panasonic is shipping a demo version of the GH6 imminently. I wonder if the camera will come up on time for the Olympics hoping those will actually take place!
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