Originally posted by clockwork247 ug did you see those guy's gear? if you dump that much money on a regular DSLR you'll get decent pictures too... he's using micro 4/3 but with very expensive lens... he even got a 7k lecia m9, most people on here got a pentax with kit lens... if you got that much money invested in photo gear you'll be force to learn more too haha.
Actually I have an M3 which I am in the process of selling to a real professional art photographer (as opposed to commerical photographer- and that's not a criticism of either one) who mainly uses a medium format Hasselblad. I don't shoot film anymore since I no longer have a dark room. Actually if you shop on Goodwill Auctions, thrift stores, and pawn shops you'd be surprised at some of the great deals you can get. Forget Ebay.
In fact if you wait a couple of weeks every thing except the DA Limiteds and the 31mm and 77mm will be listed on the forum. I just sold my K7 to a forum member for a pretty reasonable price.
On Micro 4/3 I use either the Panasonic 45, the Panasonic 20 or the Olympus 9-18mm. I don't think this format is for everyone, but I like it. I will be the first to admit the Panasonic 45 is expensive. But it's a good camera lens and I use it a lot. Perhaps my personal situation is different than others but I don't see that as a cause to insult me. I'm older than probably most people here, I got divorced quite a while back and don't have any children, just two dogs. I live very modestly. I don't drink or socialize. I have a 1 bedroom/1 bath house way out in the country so my expenses are very minimal. When I die the only just need enough for a pine box funeral in a no name cemetery and everything else goes to the World Wildlife Fun and the ASPCA. Therefore that allows me to spend what little money I have on camera gear which is just a hobby or my dogs. The dogs get most of it.
As for the M 4/3 the reason I like it is I am more interested in art photography than say model shoots or sports photography. I'm more interested in Robert Frank, Weegee, and William Eggleston. But that's just me and it in no way implies that it's the "right" thing. That said if you read Kirk Tuck's blog he's a professional photographer who uses an EPL2 for some of his commercial work.
I also have a K5 which is a really great camera.
Actually right now my favorite camera is a DP2 which I got for at a pawn shop for less than $150. It's kind of a hassle to use but it really makes great B/W photos.
I am getting rid of a lot of stuff so I can get a Sigma SD1 when it's released. I am very impressed with the Foveon sensor. That said, it's not for High ISO shooting unless they do something with different with this camera.