E-P2 and 20mm "kit"

[PatrickT]

So I'm thinking hard about selling some of my unused gear and purchasing an E-P2 with the Panny 20mm as my walkaround/street photography combo. I'm getting a little sick of carrying my 5D for that stuff 🙂

Obviously, you cannot get the E-P2 with the Panny 20mm as a kit. What is the best way to obtain these items independently while saving on some money? I do not want the 17mm, nor do I want any of the zooms. Is it better to buy the camera/lens as kits and then sell off the parts I don't want? Not sure what to do.

Oh, and if you have any E-P1/2 shots with the 20mm, I'd love to see them 🙂

 

[coelacanth]

I'm actually thinking exact same thing. In my case, the "kit" is E-PL1 that I just received and 20mm, though. For my very limited digital camera use, I think this is really all I need.

My plan is to get 20mm on ebay or here, and sell the 14-42mm kit lens. $599 (E-PL1 kit) - $200 (estimated net sale price of 14-42mm + $350 (estimated price of 20mm) = $749 isn't too bad.

 

[andredossantos]

Finally got my hands on a 20mm. I bought the ep-1 kit with the intention to add the 20mm then sell the 17mm. The ep-1 is much cheaper but one has to forgo the EVF. I dont need/want an EVF so it was a no brainer to go with it over the ep2.

 

[andredossantos]

Some pics, only have a couple so far:

pinhole filter added during raw conversion

straight conversion to monotone

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I originally bought the GF1/20 kit, then sold the GF1, then bought the EP2/17 kit, then sold the 17.

 

[PatrickT]

Thanks for the replies. I just spent the last half hour on amazon comparing prices of kits vs. lenses. Seems like it's cheaper to get the 20mm in the GF1 kit than by itself by about $75. Probably makes sense to buy the GF1 kit and then sell the GF1 as new.

As a side note...I've never actually handled any of these cameras/lenses. Does anyone carry these in store? I know a couple camera shops carry the E-P1, but none (in Milwaukee or Chicago) that I can tell carry the GF-1 or E-P2.

 

[gnarayan]

So I'm thinking hard about selling some of my unused gear and purchasing an E-P2 with the Panny 20mm as my walkaround/street photography combo.

Just FYI, there is this exact kit up for sale at fourthirdsphoto.com in the Buy/Sell forum. I'd consider it spam to post the link but its easy to find on your own.

No connection to seller - caveat emptor etc but I figured if you were looking couldn't hurt to help.

Cheers,
-Gautham

 

[sabesh]

E-P2 + 20 @ F/1.7 (cropped about 35%):

 

[coelacanth]

Just FYI, Bing 8% cash back for ebay BIN is back now. There is a seller supposedly (no connection) Panasonic Authorized reseller selling 20mm for $379 with free shipping. With cash back, the final cost comes down to $350 shipped. If you prefer new product with US warranty, It's a fine deal, I guess.

I've pulled the trigger on this. Now I'll have to sell my 14-42mm as soon as the 20mm shows up.

 

[PatrickT]

Gautham - Thanks for the heads up, I'll look into it!

sabesh - Nice photo! The 20mm seems sharp 🙂

Sug - Thanks for the info. I've never used Bing cash back a(and am not sure how it works) but I'll certainly look into it!

 

[M4streetshooter]

If you don't plan on using the EVF, get the EP1. You could save a few hundred and put that to the 20mm.
I have the 17 on the Pen 1 and the 20 on the Pen 2.
For the street's is a great setup. I do not use the EVF....

 

[dovi]

Why not a Panasonic Body?

Why not a Panasonic Body?

Curious. Why the Oly body? I assume you want the panny lens because its faster...

 

[coelacanth]

My personal reason to go with Oly bodies. (I've owned E-P1 and G1 in the past)

Personally liked Oly's picture, especially how noise comes up at higher iso. E-PL1's picture handling is quite impressive. I didn't have problem with AF speed and such even on E-P1.

A snap with E-PL1 (kit lens, not 20mm) ISO1600 handheld straight out of camera. The room was very dark apartment.

Reason to go with Panny 20mm. I like 40mm focal length. I'm impressed with the overall quality of the lens I've seen so far.

Also with this Oly + Panny combination, you can use optical image stabilization in this tiny package.

One more reason to go with Oly body was that I could use external audio source. I'm planning to use this for quick demo video shooting at work so it's handy. (I don't plan to go as far as separate audio recording and syncing)


Patrick,

Go to bing.com and search for the item. Go to ebay from their cash back link and buy with BIN (doesn't work for auction items) and complete the payment and sign up with bing. You'll get 8% cash back on your paypal account after a couple months. Consider this as "mail in rebate" made a bit easier to process. 😉

 

[PatrickT]

Thanks for the responses. The reason for the E-P2 is the viewfinder and the in body IS. I've tried using cameras with just the screen but really don't like it so the viewfinder is a necessity. I've also read that the one for the Oly is MUCH better than the Panny.

 

[Burkey]

Hi Patrick,
I too have the E-P2 and the Panasonic 20/1.7. Absolutely a great combination. The kit zoom I got with the E-P2 is much better than I thought.
I only use the half-case shown in the picture when traveling. The hood is from "Heavy Star".
. . . Burkey

 

[PatrickT]

That's a nice looking setup. Makes me want one even more now!

That said...does anyone know where to try one of these in person before purchasing? I'm not in NY or California so I think that makes things a little harder...

 

[coelacanth]

Patrick,

You can order one from Amazon and play for a month. If you don't like it, return it. I think you'll like it though.