Any love for the E-1 on this forum?

[ChrisP]

I did a quick search to see what comes up for the Olympus E-1 on this forum because its a camera that definitely plays well with the more "refined tastes" of rangefinder owners at least in my opinion.

The colors have always been considered exceptional, the shutter is one of the quietest among DSLR's (and gets quieter as you break it in), Oly has a DOF advantage great for street shots and the Oly glass (even the kit lenses) is very sharp (the 14-35 f2 is often regarded as the sharpest of the 24-70's, even wide open).

So I'm starting an E-1 one appreciation thread. Hopefully we'll gather some pics to show off the camera's potential. Here's my favourite with the camera.


5x7-120302 by Albino_BlacMan, on Flickr

 

[krötenblender]

I never had a E-1, but I had a bunch of Olympus DSLRs as my main cameras, and still have a E-30, a much younger sister of the E-1. I can say, that I prefer the Olympus DSLRs over the ones from Canon, Nikon and so on for several reasons. The only DSLR, that I can imagine to replace my E-30 currently is a new and shiny E-5. Since they are all successors of your E-1, I can really understand your feelings for that really nice family of cameras.

 

[kuzano]

Have had many OLy DSLR's

Have had many OLy DSLR's

Up to, including, the E-PL1 (not dslr).

I've settled back to the E-500, the last model with the Kodak Sensor in the Oly lineup. I had two of the E-1's and very happy with the colors from the Kodak sensor. The E-1, was 5 Mp and the E-300 and E-500 was Kodak 8Mp sensor. The actual last Kodak sensor was in the E-400 (not dist in the US) and was 10 Mp. I would get an E-400, but they are hard to find.

I've never been really pleased with any of the Oly's not using the Kodak sensor. The color rendition that is mythical for Oly is the Kodak sensor models.

The E-1 was the first and is still quite a cult camera for it's color output. Reasonable in price, good low shutter count E-1s sell for between $200 and $300. The 10 Mp E-400, however, commands more like $400-$500.

Here is an image shot with the E500-14x54mm lens. No sharpening NO POST processing, which is my goal. I dislike PP greatly.. perhaps because I have been working on computers for a living for the last 20 years. I want to minimize my time in front of the computer, so am very picky on camera/lens selection.

The image here... also many like this with the E1.

 

[bbodine9]

Excellent camera for its age, that E-1

Excellent camera for its age, that E-1

Till I bought the DP1 my only camera was the E-1.

 

[TXForester]

I haven't used one, but considered getting an E-1 body. I've got the E-510, so I've already got a couple digital lenses and some Olympus OM mount lenses with an OM to 4/3s adapter. I wouldn't say I love the E-1 since I haven't shot it, but looking at other's pics, I like it enough that I may pick one up.

 

[TaoPhoto]

I have also had many Olympus DSLR's, and for the same reasons as Kuzano, I've sold all but an E-300 and an E-500. The E-1 is really a very nice camera, but I think I found my point of happiness in the Olympus digital world with the E-300. Sleek, quiet, wonderful color, and 8MP is more than enough for me.

 

[shadowfox]

It is so refreshing to hear people talking about E-series DSLR from Olympus.

Here's a shot from my E-300 through an IR filter:

I am toying with the idea to convert this camera to IR only, so it will be a more potent IR shooter.

Also, I am secretly waiting for someone to sell his E-3 + 12-60mm lens cheaply because he's moving on 🙄

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

I bought an E-330 for a specific purpose: Live-view focusing for macro, when these were the only cameras which would do so.

I was surprised to find the controls more intuitive, better thought out, a more natural fit than my Nikons. Not enough better to lead me to switch systems, but I was quite impressed. My OM-1 was great. This E-330 is great. Olympus makes great cameras.

 

[Gid]

Probably my favourite digital. I've had it since it was available in the UK (early 2003) and still use it fairly regularly. Besides its incredibly quiet shutter, the metering is faultless and the focus (although slow by today's standards) when locked is spot on. It is a joy to use and the colours are beautiful. Although only 5MP, I have many A3 prints and some crops which are A2 equivalent where the detail is amazing.

Some pics:

 

[shadowfox]

Nice shots, Gid.

 

[Gid]

Nice shots, Gid.

Thanks.

I'm surprised that there are no more RFF users.

 

[shadowfox]

Gid,

I'm not expecting any Olympus DSLR users in RFF at all.
Because more people (anywhere, not just here) tend to trust specs than try.

And the E-series now occupy a dim corner way out of the limelight of popularity.

Pity really, I just saw the 35-100mm (x2 if you want the 35mm equivalent) 1:2 (that's two!!) Zuiko for sale on another forum for $1600. The closest thing any other brands have are the $4000-5000 Canon-Nikon bazookas.

 

[kuzano]

The crop factor is the bugaboo for many...

The crop factor is the bugaboo for many...

Whereas the 4/3 sensor is only slightly smaller than the APS-C sensor, the 2X crop factor puts many off. Particularly holders of legacy lenses who want to use their lenses (manual focus) on digital DSLR.

Unfortunately for Olympus, those people who turn up their noses at the crop factor, overlook the size and weight savings, as well as the lens superiority of Olympus. The Olympus kit lenses kick ass on the other manufacturer kit lenses. I've done the testing and know for myself. In addition, all the HG and SHG Olympus lenses outshine the high grade lenses of other manufacturers for far less money per focal length. The shining point for Olympus is in areas where long focal lengths are dominant, like birding and nature.

One can be carrying exceptional equivalent 600mm focal length at both a fraction of the weight AND cost, plus weatherproof to boot, over Canon and Nikon.

It's an interesting dilemma, and one that has Olympus and Panasonic continuing development more in the micro 4/3 mirrorless area than in full 4/3 cameras.

For those who don't have a lot of leica and other old glass, it's a bit unfair to snub one's toe on the crop factor. The fact is that both Oly and Panasonic lenses native to the system have been shooting as well as many of those old lenses, as noted by the many posts that have actually taken the leap and tried the systems.

I've made my peace with the 4/3 sensor, and continue to watch the new advances as they roll out. I am currently waiting to see the Pen Pro that is rumored. However the new Panasonic G3 is very attractive in the interim. More Mp, in camera EVF and much more.

 

[Jack Conrad]

I have a 520 and it's true the color is lacking, especially reds and yellows.
Otherwise, with the exception of erratic low light noise issues, the camera is very usable and durable.

The FF wide angle issue caused me to experiment with film again, so that's a plus and of course I have all kinds of awesome dirt cheap high quality manual focus glass to play with.

 

[gavinlg]

Pity really, I just saw the 35-100mm (x2 if you want the 35mm equivalent) 1:2 (that's two!!) Zuiko for sale on another forum for $1600. The closest thing any other brands have are the $4000-5000 Canon-Nikon bazookas.

I've used this lens a number of times - the Olympus rep for QLD lent me one about 2 years ago when I was considering buying it. Optically it's great - f2.8 was the optimum aperture, f2 was still very sharp, and is built like a tank.
However, the focussing is slow (old focus technology) in comparison to Canon and Nikons USM, the lens is actually larger than the canon/nikon 70-200mm f2.8's, more expensive than the 70-200mm's, and is no optically better than (especially) the canon f2.8 II. The f2 side of things was attractive, but olympus sensors were 2-3 stops behind top nikon and canon sensors in noise performance anyway, so it kind of negated it.

Sorry to be a party pooper, it really was an interesting lens otherwise!

 

[andydg]

I'll never sell my E1

I'll never sell my E1

I've had my share of digital cameras. Starting with a Casio back in the mid 90's to a D70, D200, D2x, E1 (my favorite still), E3, E510, and several point and shoots.

Now it is just my E1 and M6.

Simple is better.

 

[gavinlg]

I would agree that the e-1 is one of the classics of the digital camera world. It's a seriously lovely camera.

 

[shadowfox]

I've used this lens a number of times - the Olympus rep for QLD lent me one about 2 years ago when I was considering buying it. Optically it's great - f2.8 was the optimum aperture, f2 was still very sharp, and is built like a tank.
However, the focussing is slow (old focus technology) in comparison to Canon and Nikons USM, the lens is actually larger than the canon/nikon 70-200mm f2.8's, more expensive than the 70-200mm's, and is no optically better than (especially) the canon f2.8 II. The f2 side of things was attractive, but olympus sensors were 2-3 stops behind top nikon and canon sensors in noise performance anyway, so it kind of negated it.

Sorry to be a party pooper, it really was an interesting lens otherwise!

You need to keep this up, Gavin.
Because I am going to pick up this lens and the others when *everyone* has switched to Canon or Nikon
and long forgotten about the E-3 and E-5.

:angel:

 

[Zarkon]

I have an E-1 and a couple of lenses. It has the best dust removal system for the time (better than my K10D which came later). Nice pictures too. But 4/3 never did achieve the goal of smaller cameras or lenses. Pentax Limited lenses and bodies are unmatched for size and quality combination. SHG lenses are gigantic - where are the small and affordable primes? One of my friends shoots an E-3 with the 150mm F2 - talk about big and heavy... Looks comparable to my Pentax 67 (with a 90mm lens). 4/3 is capable of producing really nice pictures - the DOF arguments between 35mm, APS and 4/3 are comical really. If you really want thin DOF shoot a long lens on 6x7.

 

[David Hughes]

I have an E-1 and a couple of lenses. It has the best dust removal system for the time (better than my K10D which came later). Nice pictures too. But 4/3 never did achieve the goal of smaller cameras or lenses. Pentax Limited lenses and bodies are unmatched for size and quality combination. SHG lenses are gigantic - where are the small and affordable primes? One of my friends shoots an E-3 with the 150mm F2 - talk about big and heavy... Looks comparable to my Pentax 67 (with a 90mm lens). 4/3 is capable of producing really nice pictures - the DOF arguments between 35mm, APS and 4/3 are comical really. If you really want thin DOF shoot a long lens on 6x7.

OK but compare the E-3 and 150mm f/2 with a 35mm SLR with the equivalent which is a 300mm f/2 and look at the weight, size and price of them. That is where the FourThirds system pays off. And some of their lenses, to quote the BJP, are to die for...

Regards, David