Suggestions on replacing system!

[Arklatexian]

I don't understand why you want to change the system. You are in need of one ora few certain lenses. But to my understanding not all at the same time.
Why then not buy just one Nikon or Canon body and add that to your system for special use?

+1

 

[Jan Steinman]

You could get the OM mount Zuiko 350mm f2.8 at only 3.9kg. KEH currently has a 'bargain' grade one for 'only' $1825.00!

No, they don't!

They recently offered an extra 15% off all their film gear, and I snagged it for $1,530!

Then it arrived, and I was blown away! KEH "BGN" rating is like eBay "NEAR MINT+++++!" The glass was flawless. There were a couple tiny (1mm) paint chips, and some very minor brassing on the aperture knurls. The biggest problem was the lens supports in the case were unglued (easily fixed) and it was missing the second filter and holder and strap that would come with a truly "MINT" item.

On the OM-D E-M1.2, this lens is outstanding, and very nearly hand-holdable. (My muscles are the problem, not the IBIS.)

I tried the Olympus OM 1.4X-A teleconverter, and find it to be invisible, with essentially no visible impact on the result, yielding an outstanding 500mm ƒ/4.

Here's how it looks with the teleconverter. Note the grass is razor-sharp, edge-to-edge, even with the 1.4 teleconverter.

And here's an example of KEH "BGN" quality:

 

[Jan Steinman]

Have any of you used a 500mm reflex lens? Olympus ones aren't crazy expensive...

In general, reflex lenses are decidedly second-class.

But the Olympus OM Zuiko 500mm ƒ/8 Reflex is nearly in a class of its own, with several reviewers ranking it among the top mirror lenses. It rivals even better refractors in sharpness.

It's biggest shortcoming (besides donut bokeh and no diaphragm) is low contrast. For film, shoot Velvia, rather than negative film, which is typically low contrast.

For digital, contrast is easily fixed in post-processing. With IBIS, this lens is eminently hand-holdable; this was shot from the deck of a moving boat! I think the vignetting on the left is due to a combination of using a Viltrox EF-M2 focal reducer (for 350mm ƒ/5.6) and IBIS. I never see vignetting without a speed booster.