Doesn anyone use the EP1 with the panasonic 20mm/1.7

Z

zdav

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Here's the dilema: I want a compact that I can use for social snapshotting in low light (bars, clubs, parties, .. without flash). The GF1 + pancake 1.7 has two stops more than the oly EP1 + 2.8 pancake amd I like the results from the GF1 but I can't afford it @ 699€.

I consider buying the EP1 body with the pana lens (should cost around 570€ in germany, only 70€ over my budget).

- Has anyone compared this combo to the EP1 with the 2.8 lens?
- Do you think it is worth the difference in price ? EP1+2.8 kit is around 440€, that's 130€ less.
- Do you think the pana lens is worth the extra money or do the lenses work best on their own brand ?

I know I'll have to make the final decission but I would certainly appreciate comparison based on real use ISO of figures and charts. :)

tnx,

Staf
 
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Why not the EPL-1 instead of the Ep1 ? Could save some bucks for the lens of your dream ; I do prefer the 20mm pany over the 2.8 pancake of the Olympus, the last one is not what I would expect from a prime lens...
 
zdav said:
I want a compact that I can use for social snapshotting in low light

- Has anyone compared to the EP1 with the 2.8 lens?
- Do you think it is worth the difference in price?
- Do you think the pana lens is worth the extra money ?
Click to expand...

Although I totally understand budget restraints, I think a Pany body with the 20/1.7 is a better lowlight kit.

The 35/2.8 really isn't fast enough for lowlight work, unless you have a sensor that can give you clean files cranked up to ISO 3200 and beyond. The 20/1.7 gives you an important edge.

None of the current Oly bodies have AF-assist lamps, so they're very slow focusing in low light. The Pany bodies have AF assist so they focus much better in low light.

In general, even after firmware upgrades, I find Pany bodies focus faster than Oly, even in good light. Most of the Pany lenses I've played with seem to focus faster than comparable Oly lenses as well.

If there were good manual-focus alternatives you could use an EP1 with a legacy lens and adapter, but there isn't much out there with full-frame coverage in very fast wides, and legacy wides don't give the best image quality on m4/3 sensors.

I also have a hard time outdoors in bright light without an EVF, so I'd rather have an EPL1 or EP2 than EP1 so at least the accessory EVF is an option.

If your budget is tight you might want to look at new/used Pany G1 bodies (if you don't need video) or a GF1. The G1 is a great buy, with integral EVF, swivel screen (I used this often indoors) and nice interface.
 
thanks for your replies so far

@wray: thanks for the link. those are some really nice pictures in that thread. each time I see more picture I want that lens a bit more

@JohnnyT: I want to buy the camera in Berlin when I'm there next month. Over there the EPL1 is more expensive than the EP1

@PCB_RF: the G1 is a little big to fit in my pocket. maybe I should just wait until I can afford the GF1 or buy an LX5.
 
zday,
I use the GF1 and GH1 with the 20mm, and it is an excellent lens for the purpose you describe.
I have no experience w the EP1, thus no experience with the combo. But I can’t imagine it wouldn’t work, and maybe even better than with the GF1- at least for your purposes.
The EP1 offers in body stabilization (as opposed to the GF1) and combined with the 20/1.7 will allow you to shoot in very low light.
The Focusing Assist light is only relevant for flash (IMO). If there is enough available light to shoot, there should be enough to focus.
Many experienced photographers work happily with the negligible limitations of the EP1 focusing speed – It is a perfectly capable camera.

FYI: Neither GF1 nor EP1 is pocketable, unless you are thinking of a large coat pocket – and the G1 is only a little deeper/taller due to the articulate screen and the EVF ocular. The grip is a non-issue as it protrudes less than the 20mm lens. IMO: it looks larger than it is and would probably fit in the same pocket that will hold the GF1.
 
I use the 20/1.7 on both my G1 and my E-P2. Great results. Very compact lens.
p1022924286-4.jpg

. . . Burkey
 
E-P1 + 20/1.7 is my alltime favourite one-body-one-lens combo. It's small, fast and versatile. The 20/1.7 is a superb lens, and the E-P1 is a lovely little camera that's easy to use and gives great results. I also love the combo for low light shooting. If you don't go higher than ISO 1600 with color shots, you'll get impressive results. Higher ISOs can be used in b&w, which then looks like high speed film.
You can find samples on my website if you'd like to have a look: http://www.efixmedia.de/photography/tag/201-7/
 
Last week I went for the E-PL1 + Pana 20mm 1.7 + EVF combo myself. So far I have been very happy with my purchase, I have not experienced issues with focusing in low light. I would argue that the in-built stabiliser is a must have for low light work (obviously for non moving subjects, unless you like the effect that is). You don't even have to crank up the ISO very high, but shoot with 1/8s speed at 200 ISO with the Lumix wide open.

It is also possible to turn on the MF assist from the body, so you can grab the focusing ring on the lens at any time you like and the body enlarges a chosen area of the picture for manual focusing (returning quickly to full view after you stop turning the focusing ring).

Now if only my FD -> m43 adapter was here already ... :)
 
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G1 and Oly EP-1 with Pana 20mm

G1 and Oly EP-1 with Pana 20mm

I have both the G1 and the EP1, and the Panasonic 20mm.

For full daylight shooting, I find the kit lens just about the same quality. Bigger, but as far as IQ goes, not much difference between them at F9.

As the light goes down, the 20mm does a much better job.

As to bodies, I much prefer the 20mm on the Oly body, the stabilization helps. I will add, that for some street shooting, I do prefer the G1 with the articulated screen. As to size, I much prefer this rig to the big Nikon D300 black boat anchor, but compared to the Epson RD-1, not that much difference.

I almost always shoot the 20mm in natural light, even with the G1 were I do have the option of flash. So, the extra stops are nice.

As many have noted, the Oly out of camera JPEG's are just a bit better than the Panny to my eye.

I just took the Oly/20mm to a big picnic, and it did a fine job, never missed having the choices that the Nikon and a big bag full of lenses would have made. Captured the moments just as well, and my back is better off for it.

Hope that this helps.

Dave
 
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