Prejudice can have a strong influence on how people behave and interact with others, particularly with those who are different from them. Prejudice is a baseless and usually negative attitude toward members of a group. Common features of prejudice include negative feelings, stereotyped beliefs, and a tendency to discriminate against members of the group. While specific definitions of prejudice given by social scientists often differ, most agree that it involves prejudgments that are usually negative about members of a group.
The main disadvantage of Micro Four Thirds is prejudice. Keeping an open mind I challenge you all to read carefully:
1 – Bresson, Capa, later Meyerowitz and other masters of this craft early adopted what was in those days a very small “sensor”: 35mm. By that time “full frame” was, at least 120 roll film. Meyerowitz began photographing in color in 1962 and was an early advocate of the use of color during a time when there was significant resistance to the idea of color photography as serious art…
2 – The enormous advances in digital photography allow MFT to mitigate alleged limitations of the format when compared to FF, much more than 35mm did when it was introduced, compared to 120 film.
3 – No other system provides better image stabilization (7.5 stops).
4 – No other system provides this level of portability. Even Olympus E-M1X weighs less 370 grams than Canon’s flagship 1 DX Mark II. Forget lenses size and weight…
5 – Only MFT delivers 18fps with continuous AF and 60fps with locked focus.
6 – No other system offers this level of performance at this price point, not even close.
7 – Olympus new E-M1X AF system focus down to -6EV.
8 – E-M1X specifications regarding weather, moisture and dust sealing are referential – there is no other camera on the market offering this level of protection against the elements. Have you ever tried to wash yours under the tap?
9 – AF “deep learning” is not available in any other camera on the market today (Sony a6400 path is similar, nonetheless).
10 – Integrated (electronic) ND filters with this level of accuracy, delivering fabulous results were unheard of until today.
11 – RAW Handheld High Resolution and RAW Tripod High Resolution modes are unique features, delivering stunningly detailed pictures.
12 – Panasonic GH5 is one of the best video tools the world has ever seen, unbeatable price/quality/features/results.
13 – The range of available lenses and accessories is huge – enough to satisfy the needs of the most demanding photographer.
14 – Noise levels are on par with many other systems until 12800/16000 ISO. Need more?
15 – Bokeh depends of many factors; moving your ass around the subject, changing lenses, walking further into/further away will deliver the results you need.
16 – Due to the size of the sensor, flange focal distance and thread diameter, MFT delivers pin sharp images across the entire frame. No other system offers this level of sharpness across the frame.
17 – Yes, you can print massive sized outdoors from an MFT file. Outdoors have been around for more than a century and photographs have been used for decades and decades on this medium.
What MFT will not do for you:
1 – It won’t turn you into a great photographer. If you’re photography sucks, it will continue to be bad like hell.
2 – It won’t make you look like the “great white” predator. If that is your scene buy those FF 600mm monsters, big and noisy FF cameras. It will be impossible not to spot you, even if you wish to go unnoticed.
3 – It won’t break the bank. If you wish to spend a fortune go FF instead.
4 – It won’t make you look like a “professional, seasoned and old fashioned photographer”; you will look like a clever person that saves money, weight and effortlessly walks for miles with a backpack full of hi tech gear… Using MFT gear you’ll look like contemporary photographer taking advantage of today’s technology.
5 – If there is something about you that needs to show off big phallic objects you’ll be in trouble. Go FF.
6 – If you’re not an early adopter forget it. Innovators already bought the system many years ago. You’ll end buying it when everyone has it and uses it. Probably these clever users will be jumping on to the next big thing when you finally settle for MFT.
Final comment:
You need to be able to abstract yourself from your old beliefs and credos to really understand the benefits of MFT. Bresson’s photography was initially coined as anti graphic by the status quo… Get it? Prejudice cannot be part of the equation.
Photography is about photographers, about emotions, art, technique, sense and sensibility, about inspiration, about life, death, tragedy, joy, faith… Photography is about conveying emotions, passing on ideas and ideals. Photography is, essentially, an art form. Sorry, not everyone can be an artist, much less a great one.
When I switched from FF to MFT do you know what my clients said? Nothing. They didn’t spot the difference.
Photograph: Octopus, one of Chef André’s delicacies. What a cook he is!
From 2018 to 2019 – people having fun at 
It was cold, but the party went on and on and on… Very special (micro) essay focused on one of the most iconic nights of the year.
This will be part of my “No Surrender” series about Viseu – ongoing now for three years… Paying a tribute to the 40000 souls that celebrated New Year at Campo de Viriato.
