Black
Photographer.
A couple of my earliest shots, using the much maligned Oly E-P2, with 14-42 kit lens and EVF. Still have to finish tweaking my preferred settings - its pretty much like re-learning things from scratch again, after being so comfortable with film and the simplicity of the M6.
Olympus PEN E-P2
Mono w/ yellow filter
14-42mm M. Zuiko Digital Lens
Crosby, Merseyside. Antony Gormley's "Another Place"
I have read countless of user reviews stating how much more they prefer the GF1 to the E-P1 & 2 (essentially the same beasts, bar one or two tweaks). People have also complained about the PEN's interface, but, I have to say, it isn't that complicated, as I seem to have nailed after a few hours. I updated the firmware as soon as I unwrapped it and the autofocus, whilst not blinding, is not bad. The only real issue I see is the kit lens does not focus as quickly as others in the range and focussing in general is not assisted by the lack of an AF Assist light. Other than that, the manual focus assist function is quite intuitive and I'll be looking forward to using it with some legacy lenses - but they are a few months down the line. Woe is me :lol:
The EVF is excellent, but that being said, I've never used one before, so the fact that the image through it is 2D, is a little odd, but you soon get used to it. I like the fact is its adjustable by 90º too - a real bonus and preferable to me that the flappy live view screens of late.
Lots of criticisms too, about the art filters. Ignore them. People have said that they are, and I quote "Geologically slow". Not true. A couple of seconds (read: 2-3) and they are applied. The diorama is an odd one, in that whilst composing, the fame rate slows massively (I think that is what said reviewer was perhaps trying to convey) and this makes it difficult to compose accurately. But the results are definitely fun. I don't think I'll be using the majority of them habitually, but they're there if I need a quick fix.
I think I was drawn the the E-P2's aesthetics and its form - as close to a digital M sized rangefinder without actually getting or being one. Its a lovely little thing - very portable and didn't seem to hit a branch of the ugly tree whilst falling past it (unlike the GF1, which, well, did)
I have neither the depth of knowledge nor talent to give you much more of a review other than that at this stage. But its nice. Very nice. And will keep me happy for a year or so, as long as I pepper my digital usage with the occasional analogue cameo.
Olympus PEN E-P2
Mono w/ yellow filter
14-42mm M. Zuiko Digital Lens
Crosby, Merseyside. Antony Gormley's "Another Place"
I have read countless of user reviews stating how much more they prefer the GF1 to the E-P1 & 2 (essentially the same beasts, bar one or two tweaks). People have also complained about the PEN's interface, but, I have to say, it isn't that complicated, as I seem to have nailed after a few hours. I updated the firmware as soon as I unwrapped it and the autofocus, whilst not blinding, is not bad. The only real issue I see is the kit lens does not focus as quickly as others in the range and focussing in general is not assisted by the lack of an AF Assist light. Other than that, the manual focus assist function is quite intuitive and I'll be looking forward to using it with some legacy lenses - but they are a few months down the line. Woe is me :lol:
The EVF is excellent, but that being said, I've never used one before, so the fact that the image through it is 2D, is a little odd, but you soon get used to it. I like the fact is its adjustable by 90º too - a real bonus and preferable to me that the flappy live view screens of late.
Lots of criticisms too, about the art filters. Ignore them. People have said that they are, and I quote "Geologically slow". Not true. A couple of seconds (read: 2-3) and they are applied. The diorama is an odd one, in that whilst composing, the fame rate slows massively (I think that is what said reviewer was perhaps trying to convey) and this makes it difficult to compose accurately. But the results are definitely fun. I don't think I'll be using the majority of them habitually, but they're there if I need a quick fix.
I think I was drawn the the E-P2's aesthetics and its form - as close to a digital M sized rangefinder without actually getting or being one. Its a lovely little thing - very portable and didn't seem to hit a branch of the ugly tree whilst falling past it (unlike the GF1, which, well, did)
I have neither the depth of knowledge nor talent to give you much more of a review other than that at this stage. But its nice. Very nice. And will keep me happy for a year or so, as long as I pepper my digital usage with the occasional analogue cameo.
I did not realize the EP2 was much aligned. I like mine. I do believe the menu system could be more straight forward. The VF more than makes up for it.
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silverbullet
Well-known
My plan if $$$$$$s are ok:
Bessa R4A & ZI for b/w film (already in the bag)
Leica M9 $$$??? for the future
Pen E-P2 for long lenses (90mm Tele-Elmarit) (already in the bag)
and
lenses from 21 - 90mm will see a triple usage. Clever?
BTW: The viewfinder even without magnifying provides a nearly 'springing' focus impression. The menues are soso - who can tell me the method of FN triggered MF-magnifying (on/off).....
Cheers
Bernd
PS: the 20mm pancake from Pana is a must:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36573929@N00/4751363392/
Bessa R4A & ZI for b/w film (already in the bag)
Leica M9 $$$??? for the future
Pen E-P2 for long lenses (90mm Tele-Elmarit) (already in the bag)
and
lenses from 21 - 90mm will see a triple usage. Clever?
BTW: The viewfinder even without magnifying provides a nearly 'springing' focus impression. The menues are soso - who can tell me the method of FN triggered MF-magnifying (on/off).....
Cheers
Bernd
PS: the 20mm pancake from Pana is a must:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36573929@N00/4751363392/
Bigeejit
Member
I got an E-P1 with the 17mm pancake lens and I love it.Took to it like a duck to water as I've got a beat up E-330 that I use most days.35,000 shutter actuations and still banging away! I like the grainy film filter as I dont know how to develop my own film and the one time I used Tri-X the developing cost more than the camera,a Vivitar 35, £5 in a flea market.A roll of B&W film is 12 quid in Snappy Snaps.Maybe I should try C41 film.Liked the look of the Tri-X,but too expensive so the art filter is nice to have even though its not the same.People say it's easy to develop your own film,but I tried to load a reel once and it drove me nuts.Couldn't do it with every light it the house on never mind by feel in the dark.Close focusing is surprisingly good with the camera set to Macro using the 17mm lens.Lots to like about this camera,glad I got one of the last ones.Sold my Canon G7 to help pay for it,nice cam.but the little Oly has me smitten.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Maligned by who?
just kidding, I know what you're saying. Most people prefer the GF-1 because it supposedly have faster AF.
Which, if you're taking pictures on the streets, probably won't be useful anyways unless the AF is as fast as the one in a Nikon F5 or Canon 1Ds.
Nice pictures, btw, the kit lens is *very* good, its only failing is the max. aperture of f/3.5.
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Vince Lupo
Whatever
Much maligned? Hmm...guess I haven't been getting out much, because I've been reading a lot of praise about the E-P2, and I love mine. As well, I just had three magazine articles published this year using the E-P2, and the shots look as good as what I get out of my D700. I think the EVF is just fine, and the menu is pretty straightforward, though admittedly it took me about a week to fully tailor the camera to my style.
If I had any complaint about anything, it would be the software that Olympus includes with the camera -- the RAW development process is a bit slow and cumbersome, but that might just be me.
If I had any complaint about anything, it would be the software that Olympus includes with the camera -- the RAW development process is a bit slow and cumbersome, but that might just be me.
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M4streetshooter
Tourist Thru Life
The AF on the GF1 is a little faster. Nothing to write home about.
The real advantage in the AF system is the adjustable target size.
Both are great machines and very capable.
I've never heard about any real bad rap on either and prefer to discover things for myself.
Enjoy your Pen2, I do mine.
Shooter
The real advantage in the AF system is the adjustable target size.
Both are great machines and very capable.
I've never heard about any real bad rap on either and prefer to discover things for myself.
Enjoy your Pen2, I do mine.
Shooter
ywenz
Veteran
For me the GF1 also serves as a general shooter. Including snap shots of family/friends in low light situations.. The Olympus does not have a built-in flash nor does it have AF assist light, making it effectively useless in low light situations. I was initially purchased with the E-P1 on an impulse due to the low price of the kit. I reconsidered and decided that the premium paid for the GF1 is worth it due to the expanded use I get out of it.
jerdjets
Member
I bought a GF1 last december, I didn't even give EP1 a thought because there were issues floating around the internet about how slow the AF was and how poorly the user interface was design. Dang, what a big mistake. I borrowed a friend's EP1 and get to shoot it for a month. I prefer the EP1 in everyway, the AF and the user interface didn't bother me at all. Oh well, at least I got the 20/1.7 with my GF1.
S
sfaust
Guest
Far from useless for me, and I feel exactly the opposite with regard to the E-P2 low light capabilities. Rarely do I use flash in my low light images since it spoils the natural ambiance. Because of that I find the E-P2 far more useful because of the excellent in-body image stabilization. This allows me to use natural lighting with very slow shutter speeds and extends my range much deeper into low light without requiring flash. Since I use both current and legacy lenses, the in-body stabilization is far more important to me.
I think no matter what reviews, opinions, or comments are made with regard to either camera, the users own situation will determine which is best for them in the end. Both are very highly rated cameras and excellent performers. We are pretty much arguing which high end sports car has better tires from my perspective
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ywenz
Veteran
What do you mean adjustable target size? You mean you can resize the focus area? How?
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
I think no matter what reviews, opinions, or comments are made with regard to either camera, the users own situation will determine which is best for them in the end. Both are very highly rated cameras and excellent performers. We are pretty much arguing which high end sports car has better tires from my perspective
And what a perspective it is
Spot on.
I do wonder sometimes about 4/3rd and m4/3rd system though, having been a user and monitoring the trends for years now, there seem to be an abnormally large group of naysayers which ... strangely enough, never used one, or had tried one but with all the negative pre-conception firmly held, therefore they are simply confirming what they already concluded.
It is truly a matter of perspective.
jky
Well-known
...not sure about the Olys, but with the GF1, you can change the size of the focus area. Make it tiny or large depending in your shooting situation .