Why I'm NOT Buying Olympus E-M1 Mark III - It Is Not What You Think

Summary

In this video, Robin Wall explains why they won't be purchasing the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, despite its impressive features. The main reasons include recent large financial investments in a new desktop PC and the purchase of new camera gear, along with the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to fewer photography jobs and canceled workshops. Robin emphasizes that their current Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II is still performing excellently, and with reliable backup gear, there's no immediate need to upgrade. Robin assures viewers that the channel will continue to produce valuable content and encourages support through donations and affiliate links.

Takeaways

• 😀 Robin Wall explains that they are not purchasing the Olympus EM1 Mark III, despite its significant updates over the EM1 Mark II.
• 😀 They have recently invested a large amount of money into a new desktop PC after their old one broke down, which takes priority over buying a new camera.
• 😀 The new desktop PC, which features a Ryzen 5 2600 CPU and 32GB of RAM, has greatly improved productivity, especially in video editing and photo processing.
• 😀 In addition to the new PC, Robin purchased the EM5 Mark III and the 75mm f/1.8 lens, which they find beneficial for both personal and professional photography.
• 😀 Due to the ongoing economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Robin is receiving fewer photography jobs, especially event coverage, which is a significant part of their income.
• 😀 Olympus Malaysia has canceled several upcoming workshops and photo events, further reducing Robin’s income, making it unwise to spend on new equipment.
• 😀 Robin reassures viewers that despite financial challenges, they are managing well and have backup plans in place to weather the storm.
• 😀 They emphasize the importance of focusing on creating more YouTube content and engaging with their audience through donations or affiliate links to keep the channel running.
• 😀 Robin clarifies that Olympus Malaysia did not pay them for any videos; they are creating content out of passion and their own resources.
• 😀 Robin highlights that the EM1 Mark II is still a reliable and capable camera, and the improvements in the EM1 Mark III are not significant enough for them to feel the need for an upgrade.
• 😀 Robin expresses that their photography business is not compromised, as they have sufficient backup equipment (EM1 Mark II, EM5 Mark III) and lenses to continue delivering quality work.

Q & A

Why is Robin Wall not purchasing the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III?

Robin is not purchasing the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III due to a combination of financial constraints, recent investments in new gear, and the fact that his current equipment is still sufficient for his needs.

What significant purchase did Robin recently make that affects his decision?

Robin recently invested in a new desktop PC after his old one failed. This was necessary for his work and has already contributed to improving his productivity, thus influencing his decision not to spend on the E-M1 Mark III.

How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted Robin's photography business?

The coronavirus pandemic has led to many event cancellations, reducing the number of photography jobs Robin receives. This decrease in work has made him more cautious about spending money on new equipment.

What other purchases did Robin make in addition to the new PC?

In addition to the new PC, Robin purchased the Olympus E-M5 Mark III and the 75mm f/1.8 lens, both of which he considers essential for his professional and personal photography.

How does Robin view the purchase of the new camera in terms of his business?

Robin views the purchase of a new camera, such as the E-M1 Mark III, as a business expense. With reduced income in the coming months, he believes it is not a wise decision to invest in such a costly item right now.

What is Robin’s current stance on his existing camera gear?

Robin is very satisfied with his current gear, particularly the Olympus E-M1 Mark II. He finds it to be reliable and capable of producing excellent image quality, meaning he doesn't feel the need to upgrade at this time.

Does Robin think his photography will be affected by not upgrading to the E-M1 Mark III?

No, Robin does not believe his photography will be compromised by sticking with his current gear. He mentions that the E-M1 Mark II still produces fantastic results, and he has reliable backup cameras to support his work.

What does Robin say about the E-M1 Mark III's improvements over the E-M1 Mark II?

Robin acknowledges that the E-M1 Mark III offers improvements over the E-M1 Mark II, but he feels that these upgrades are negligible in terms of image quality, which remains excellent on the E-M1 Mark II.

How has Robin’s financial situation influenced his decision-making process?

Robin’s financial situation, particularly the costs associated with recent investments and reduced income from photography jobs, has made him more cautious about spending money. This has led him to delay purchasing the E-M1 Mark III.

What can Robin’s audience do to support his YouTube channel?

Robin encourages his audience to support his channel by donating via PayPal or by purchasing items through his B&H affiliate link. He also appreciates likes, subscriptions, and shares of his videos to help grow his channel.