I use an Olympus E-3; it is a great camera. It is unfortunately looked down on by some, but I really don't care about that. It is an excellent complement to a 4x5. Having the 4/3rds format sensor, it will have more reach and less weight/bulk than Canon or Nikon APS-C DSLRs with lenses with equivalent angles of view. The Olympus E3 has an articulating LCD and is very rugged and weather-resistant, as are the pro-lenses.
Lenses for the Four-Thirds system are exceptionally sharp; but of course they need to be due to the smaller sensor. I have the Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-54/2.8-3.5, 50/2, and 70-300/4.5-5.6 lenses; as well as a Minolta Rokkor-MC 58/1.2 (which I'm now selling on eBay), and a Minolta Rokkor-MD 50/1.4.
Sine buying a 4x5, when I have both cameras with me, I'll generally leave the 4x5 on a tripod and hand-hold the Olympus E-3 (it's too much work unmounting and re-mounting he 4x5, even with a QR plate). If I find a shot I really like with my E-3, I'll take an equivalent with my 4x5. I have 90, 135, 150, 203, and 305 focal lengths for 4x5; although right now, I usually leave the Xenotar 135/3.5 (for portraiture) behind, and also leave the Symmar 150/5.6 convertible behind. I find myself using the Nikkor 90/4.5 and G-Claron 305/9 the most, although the Kodak Ektar 203/7.7 is also a fine very sharp lens, which certainly has its place for when I want a more "normal" focal length.
I've found that having a 4x5 has "slowed" me down on my Olympus E-3 as well; I spend more time looking through the viewfinder to find excellent shots before taking them. This saves time deleting sub-par shots later.
Shots I definitely will take with my 4x5 are ones where there is a lot of depth, but it can be captured by movements; or where there isn't so-much depth necessary. I am more hesitant photograph shots on the 4x5 where there is much depth, and the foreground is close and very 3D (not planar in any way), as then I'll need to stop down to f/64 (equivalent to more if I'm in he macro-range), which erodes much of the advantage of 4x5 over my Olympus E-3. Although the tonality and lack of grain is still there.
Thus, if you decide to keep you 4x5 and get a complementary system, I recommend the Olympus E-3. It is at the opposite end of the spectrum, and will fetch you advantages in being able to obtain extreme depth in your shots, albeit with some diffraction at f/22 (f/22 on 4/3rds is equivalent to f/45 on 35mm). The 4/3rds system also provides tremendous reach, with a 70-300mm lens being equivalent for AOV to a 140-600mm for 35mm. You can also use it as a light-meter for your 4x5 (that's what I do).
If you decide to sell your 4x5, then of course the benefit of the E-3 being complimentary to the 4x5 isn't there; but it is still a great camera. You can also go with an APS-C camera from Nikon, Canon, Sony, or Pentax. Or a "full-frame" 35mm sensor-format camera from Nikon, Canon, or Sony (there are of course much more expensive than smaller sensor cameras). Both the kind of photography you want to do and your budget determine your preference here.
Bookmarks