considering a Pen - questions

[Florian1234]

Hello guys,

I'm considering to get me a Pen. Either a E-P1 or a E-PL1.

Coming from a Leica M6 and shooting film with a 35mm lens I would most likely get the 17mm pancake lens for the Pen camera.
However there are some questions about using these cameras in the day to day basis.
Apart from reading reports that the E-P1 eats batteries like we eat bread, meaning that the batteries are quickly empty and need to be loaded again, I have questions about handling.

If I'd get the camera with the optical viewfinder "only", how do I know where it will focus? I'm not used to AF by now.
I understand that the electronic viewfinder gets the display to the eye so that one can see the AF fields etc. (of course with the E-PL1 only / I'm not considering the E-P2 here btw!). But it also is a matter of budget etc.

Also, about lenses - does the 20mm Panasonic 1.7 lens fit on it without an adapter?

So, can you help me with some hints to decide which of the two Pen cameras to get? Thanks in advance.

 

[OlliL]

Hello Florian,

- Battery life: I can't complain. I used mine heavily this summer, with just one spare battery. Even at a full day shooting, I barely used the spare battery.

- Viewfinder: Just set the AF to "center" and you just focus like you did with your M.
I don't know how it works with the EVF, since that can't be attached to the E-P1

- lenses: Every m4/3 lens fits, without modification.


If I were you, I'd buy an E-PL1 because of it's dedicated focus-zoom button. When using legacy lenses you'll need it quite often.


Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Cron]

as I intend to do so also I can help in these questions:

e-p1 is smaller and not so bulky, AF-setting you only can see on display, not with optical finder;
Panasonic 1,7/20 fits without adapter.

My choice would (and maybe will be) be e-p1 with Panasonic 20 lens because of size and optical performance

 

[shadowfox]

Given the choice I'd get the E-PL1.
Get the EVF, it's worth the price.

Focusing manually with the EVF is a breeze. You hold the camera to your eyes, to steady it and then turn on the magnified view to get a very precise focus.

 

[johnny9fingers]

Here is another vote for the E-PL1. I had the E-P2, traded it for a different camera. Miss the Oly, sold the other camera and bought the E-PL1. The E-PL1 has a newer sensor-processor combo and will help you produce wonderful jpegs.
And it won't take long for you to see the need for the electronic viewfinder. And I guess I'm one of the few who likes the style of the newer pen over the E-P1. You can't go wrong with either camera, but if I were you, I'd go for the E-PL1 and get ready to take great photos.......
John

 

[zumbido]

Fully agreed with shadowfox and johnny9fingers.

Been using the E-PL1 almost exclusively with a J-8 for a month now, and love it. Using the kit zoom and AF now and then for kid pictures, and doing some experiments with 1-4 inch wide-angle close focus with modified cctv lenses. The focus-assist zoom button is uber-handy, and the EVF is just great. Way easier than RF focusing on any body I've used. Usually. Some subject/lighting combos are trickier than others, but generally, much easier for my eyes to handle.

 

[count_zero]

The E-PL1 also has AF tracking. But, the E-P1 is only the sexiest camera known to man.

 

[robertro]

Tough choice - I had the E-P1 and recently sold it and moved to the E-PL1.

What motivated me was the reputedly better IQ in low light and the ability to add an optional viewfinder. I use the 20/1.7, the 14-42, the 4/3 50/2, and a range of manual focus lenses (Canon 50/1.2, Leitz 50/1.5, Pen 38/1.8, etc...), but have not yet bought a VF-2.

The only down side I've seen on the E-PL1 is that the highest speed on the E-P1 let me shoot wide open even in daylight in situations where I have to stop down (or use a ND filter). The surprising upside has been the built-in flash, which can be tilted to bounce and, though not powerful, is always available. From reviewers, I thought that the controls on the E-PL1 would be a barrier, but now that I've used it for a few weeks, they are as clear as the E-P1 controls.

 

[andredossantos]

If financially feasible, forget the 17mm and get the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7. MUCH better lens (I had and used both).

 

[Flinor]

I've never used the EP-1 or the EPL-1, but just spent three weeks in the mideast with an EP-2 and the 20mm. The 20 is sharp enough to take a lot of cropping so I never felt the need for anything longer.

I shot a couple of hundred frames a day and recharged about every other night with no problems with two batteries.

I use the EVF 100% of the time and find it wonderful.

 

[deirdre]

The 20mm lens is my favorite (though the 45mm is becoming my favorite).

I bought a Panasonic because I wanted that lens and it seemed stupid to buy a lens I didn't want with an Olympus.

 

[seakayaker1]

The 20mm lens is my favorite


I bought a Panasonic because I wanted that lens and it seemed stupid to buy a lens I didn't want with an Olympus.

++1!

Love the 20mm . . . . .

DMC-GF1 - LUMIX G 20/F1.7 - ISO 400 - f/1.7 - 1/30 - 20mm

First day out with camera last March and stopped to pick up something to eat. Loved the colors - Love the GF1 - No Flash!


Life is Grand!

Dan
~ 😉

 

[M4streetshooter]

Well lots of my buddies posted here and I hate to go against the grain but I must.
Coming from a M with 35, the Pen1 with 17 and the OVF is as close as it gets.
It will work like an M as far as simplicity and unobtrusiveness goes.
I used mine like this for well over a year and actually bought a Pen2 because I didn't want to change the setup on the Pen1.

I'd be glad to give you a good street setup on the menu when your ready.
No, I don't use it anymore as I moved to a camera not in discussion here.
Shooter

 

[deirdre]

Well lots of my buddies posted here and I hate to go against the grain but I must.
Coming from a M with 35, the Pen1 with 17 and the OVF is as close as it gets.

True -- if you need 34mm vs. the 40 effective on the Panasonic 20mm, then that's the right choice for you.

For me: I wanted a fast prime as my first lens.

The only other lens I'll probably buy for the GF1 will be something wider angle than what I already have.

 

[Dave Jenkins]

Another vote for the E-PL1. But definitely get the EVF. In fact, a good reason to get the E-PL1 is that the E-P1 won't take the EVF.

 

[M4streetshooter]

True -- if you need 34mm vs. the 40 effective on the Panasonic 20mm, then that's the right choice for you.

For me: I wanted a fast prime as my first lens.

The only other lens I'll probably buy for the GF1 will be something wider angle than what I already have.

D...... you said it not me. I also prefer the GF1. That decision came after well over a year of using the Pens. Not that there's anything wrong with that.....
I have both the 17 & 20 and will get the 14 when it arrives. perfect spacing between FOV and still keeps the 17 in the middle as my normal lens.

 

[Burkey]

I have the E-P2 and the E-PL1, both excellent cameras. Another vote for the Lumix 20/1.7. It's an incredible lens.

. . . Burkey