pvdhaar
Peter
Which in the end means it's neither fish nor fowl.. It's not for the P&S crowd, because it's got no zoom, and it's not for the RF crowd cause it's got no VF..
Audii-Dudii
Established
Not that I'm made of money or anything, but $1,000 isn't that much money in the grand scheme of things, so I've pre-ordered one with the 17mm lens and also the accessory OVF. My only significant concern is the low resolution of the LCD ... for my purposes I have no problem with composing and focusing on an LCD (no doubt a product of my view camera background and despite the fact i live in Arizona, where it's nicely sunny much of the time), but the G1's LCD is the first one I've considered acceptable and the E-P1's LCD has only half of its resolution, which isn't promising. (The LCDs on the DP-1 and DP-2 sucked badly enough that I think they actually affected the quality of my photos by limiting what I was able to see through them. I do miss the Foveon's once-in-a-while "magic" with images, though.)
I do like the E-P1's form factor, though, and it will make a better everyday carry camera for me than the G1. In a perfect world, though, I'd prefer to have an updated Digilux 2 over either of them, but that's not on offer at the moment, so one has to choose among what is rather than what we'd like there to be.
I do like the E-P1's form factor, though, and it will make a better everyday carry camera for me than the G1. In a perfect world, though, I'd prefer to have an updated Digilux 2 over either of them, but that's not on offer at the moment, so one has to choose among what is rather than what we'd like there to be.
crawdiddy
qu'est-ce que c'est?
No way. I will save my money and buy a nice classic Pen F Gothic. And maybe get digitalintrigue to paint it black.
user237428934
User deletion pending
No zoom? There is the 14-42 kit lens for example.
Al Kaplan
Veteran
Audii-Dudii, you bring up an interesting point re view camera experience. It shouldn't be all that difficult to incorporate "View Camera Mode" and put an upside down reversed left-to-right image on the LCD screen. Many photographers used to claim that it was much easier to concentrate on the composition rather than the subject that way.
Another possibility would be a 45 degree mirror attachment for the LCD for using the camera at very low angles, or up overhead at arms' length like you can with a TLR or Hasselblad.
Another possibility would be a 45 degree mirror attachment for the LCD for using the camera at very low angles, or up overhead at arms' length like you can with a TLR or Hasselblad.
I just checked out the E-P1, here are my initial observations, bear in mind I only had a few minutes with the camera, it really takes a lot more time to carefully evaluate details.
1. LCD performs well in bright light, of course others may disagree, but I believe it is more than up to the task. Can you shoot with the sun directly shining over your shoulder into the LCD? No, but that is a rather rare occurrence, it's fairly easy to shift the angle of view and recompose, indirect bright light is not a problem. I didn't see any issues using the lower res display.
2. Autofocus on the kit zoom has more vibration than the Pansonic kit lens, but seems to be about the same speed, certainly fast enough for me.
3. The rep did not have the 17mm or the viewfinder, he did have the flash and the 4/3 adapter (but not the OM adapter.)
4. Manual focus works very similarly to the G1 -- press the info button, then ok, then use the thumbwheel to use 7x or 10x magnification
5. I tried putting a Pen F lens on the camera but the RJ (Jinfinance) adapter does not mount. I will try the Hawk adapter and some M adapters next.
6. I like the menu interface, it appears to have two sets of them, one more akin to point and shoots and one more like the Oly DSLRs, so whichever way the user is coming from, the camera can accommodate.
7. The Panasonic kit lens worked fine on the Oly, the Oly kit lens worked fine on the Panasonic.
8. I really like in body image stabilization!
9. The E-P1 is actually smaller than the original Pen (in this case a Pen FV.)
10. I like the stainless steel.
11. The control dial is pretty slick, it can rotate (ipod-ish) or can be operated with top/bottom/left/right button press.
1. LCD performs well in bright light, of course others may disagree, but I believe it is more than up to the task. Can you shoot with the sun directly shining over your shoulder into the LCD? No, but that is a rather rare occurrence, it's fairly easy to shift the angle of view and recompose, indirect bright light is not a problem. I didn't see any issues using the lower res display.
2. Autofocus on the kit zoom has more vibration than the Pansonic kit lens, but seems to be about the same speed, certainly fast enough for me.
3. The rep did not have the 17mm or the viewfinder, he did have the flash and the 4/3 adapter (but not the OM adapter.)
4. Manual focus works very similarly to the G1 -- press the info button, then ok, then use the thumbwheel to use 7x or 10x magnification
5. I tried putting a Pen F lens on the camera but the RJ (Jinfinance) adapter does not mount. I will try the Hawk adapter and some M adapters next.
6. I like the menu interface, it appears to have two sets of them, one more akin to point and shoots and one more like the Oly DSLRs, so whichever way the user is coming from, the camera can accommodate.
7. The Panasonic kit lens worked fine on the Oly, the Oly kit lens worked fine on the Panasonic.
8. I really like in body image stabilization!
9. The E-P1 is actually smaller than the original Pen (in this case a Pen FV.)
10. I like the stainless steel.
11. The control dial is pretty slick, it can rotate (ipod-ish) or can be operated with top/bottom/left/right button press.
i think this can correctly be categorized as a positive report!!!
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
So few dare to admit that they are Oly fanboys/fangirls
Olympus Fanboy ... that is a totally foreign concept to me ... please explain.
OK, I am waiting on this. Not because I don't think it's a capable camera for the type of photos I do/will make. I would love to have the 17/2.8, but want to see what firmware updates do for its CA performance -- even though I would be doing b&w 90% of the time, so who cares, I guess. It does seem plenty sharp enough wide open, and while f1.7 or f1.4 would be far more desirable for me, it is not a deal breaker.
But the biggest reason I will wait is to see whether I can live without fast wides/super wide primes on a camera like this. I am so used to having the 28/2.8 and 21/2 on my OMs, and I seriously doubt there will be a m4/3 10/2 or 14/2 prime produced ... that I can afford. Yes, I could use adapted fast wides, but there goes the size factor, along with the prices.
Whenever I get an M4-2/P, I will start with my year of Leica. Since I suspect I'll go with a 40mm, I'll have a whole year to see whether the E-P1 (or successor) with 17/2.8 (or similar) could be a digital equivalent for me. If getting through the year of Leica means serious wide withdrawal, I'll have to re-think the E-P1. The kit zoom could be the solution, but there goes the compact RF/replacement factor. By then Mr. Watanabi may have pulled a rabbit out of the hat.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
There is manual focus assist which neatly magnifies the focus area and gives very precise and quick mf capability.
Well, I certainly hope you will use it a lot. I want to see your photos with it. I'm certain they would be superbe, mon gar.This being a rangefinder forum ...
So in the end, I might buy the beige E-P1 for my girlfriend
It's getting closer to a 35SP-D or even OM-D,eh?
I have never been able to put it so precisely, but yes ... I still claim that. I find my view camera compositions to be quite different than anything from a "right side up" viewfinder camera. Thanks for putting into words what I have often felt.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
The next model will have a slightly taller top housing and have EVF.
It will be a weather sealed black body that will go good with the new Zuiko fast super wide lenses made for the m43.
It will be a weather sealed black body that will go good with the new Zuiko fast super wide lenses made for the m43.
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Whoever came up with the idea to attach the "Pen" name to this camera was a genius.
Pablito
coco frío
Definitely not, after watching the video in the other thread.
climbing_vine
Well-known
The image quality of the EP-1 blows the G10 out of the water. I'm sure you're not just making this up, so you must have seen some poor (or biased) tests somewhere. The G10, while interesting for its feature set, is the same imaging machine as Canon's cheap, noisy, pocket P&S. Tiny sensor, junky lens (comparatively--I use and like the Powershots, but neither the lenses nor the sensors begin to compare to something like the EP-1 or DP2).
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Just read the latest review - just posted - over at the Online Photogrpaher on the E-P1. Very positive, except for manual focusing an OM lens, which he declared just too fussy.
Larky
Well-known
I really want to test one, desperate to know about shutter lag. I'd happily sell my other gear for this as it seems to fit with everything I want. Actually I just lied, I'd always keep my Contax G1 as I adore it, and I'd never sell my Oly as it's proper good. Guess I'm just gonna have to save.
I didn't see any problems with shutter lag.
When I compared the autofocus, the G1 seemed a tad quicker, but maybe that was just due to my familiarity with the G1, or it could have been because the G1 AF is very smooth, where the E-P1 seemed to have more vibration in the lens.
The E-P1 seems very solidly built, especially comparing the shutter feel between the E-P1 and the G1. Kinda like comparing a Leica M7 to a Bessa or something. Not sure if that gives everyone a good idea of what I'm trying to describe, or not. Even though the camera is light, it seems very solid compared to the G1.
I tried the Hawk c-mount/Pen F adapter, the Milich LTM, and the Milich M adapter, they all fit fine. The Jinfinance Pen F adapter would not mount at all, there is some conflict that prevents it from turning onto the bayonet.
Here are some photos of the camera with adapted lenses:
And lastly a shot taken with the E-P1 using a 40/1.4 Pen F lens, focus was on the 4/3 logo on the E-30.
Focusing with legacy lenses works pretty much the same as on the G1, except that a half-press of the shutter button does not revert the image back to live view, it remains magnified. To turn off magnification, fire the shutter or press the ok button.
Also, the rep said that the Info button would 'remember' the last function pressed but I couldn't get this to work for some reason, or maybe I misunderstood him. The info button will bring up several other options including the manual focus box (which can be moved around the screen the same way it works on the G1) but sometimes I had to press the Info several times, cycling thru these other options, before getting to the manual focus box.
When I compared the autofocus, the G1 seemed a tad quicker, but maybe that was just due to my familiarity with the G1, or it could have been because the G1 AF is very smooth, where the E-P1 seemed to have more vibration in the lens.
The E-P1 seems very solidly built, especially comparing the shutter feel between the E-P1 and the G1. Kinda like comparing a Leica M7 to a Bessa or something. Not sure if that gives everyone a good idea of what I'm trying to describe, or not. Even though the camera is light, it seems very solid compared to the G1.
I tried the Hawk c-mount/Pen F adapter, the Milich LTM, and the Milich M adapter, they all fit fine. The Jinfinance Pen F adapter would not mount at all, there is some conflict that prevents it from turning onto the bayonet.
Here are some photos of the camera with adapted lenses:
And lastly a shot taken with the E-P1 using a 40/1.4 Pen F lens, focus was on the 4/3 logo on the E-30.
Focusing with legacy lenses works pretty much the same as on the G1, except that a half-press of the shutter button does not revert the image back to live view, it remains magnified. To turn off magnification, fire the shutter or press the ok button.
Also, the rep said that the Info button would 'remember' the last function pressed but I couldn't get this to work for some reason, or maybe I misunderstood him. The info button will bring up several other options including the manual focus box (which can be moved around the screen the same way it works on the G1) but sometimes I had to press the Info several times, cycling thru these other options, before getting to the manual focus box.
Larky
Well-known
I'm getting one.
photony texas
Light Sensitive
Touched it today...
I just held one for 2 minutes...It was at a local camera store in Austin, Texas and a Olympus representative had it. It seemed to focus quickly, the lcd was nice, felt good in the hand and the shutter was very quiet, a dull cluck sound. It was lighter than I thought it would be and the stainless finish looked good. The rep mounted a adapter and put on a huge fisheye lens, the lens was bigger and heavier than the camera with the balance point all in holding the lens, very comfortable. No time to do anything with it but the menu seemed easy to navigate.
If I go digital this probably would be it...!
I just held one for 2 minutes...It was at a local camera store in Austin, Texas and a Olympus representative had it. It seemed to focus quickly, the lcd was nice, felt good in the hand and the shutter was very quiet, a dull cluck sound. It was lighter than I thought it would be and the stainless finish looked good. The rep mounted a adapter and put on a huge fisheye lens, the lens was bigger and heavier than the camera with the balance point all in holding the lens, very comfortable. No time to do anything with it but the menu seemed easy to navigate.
If I go digital this probably would be it...!
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
In that case, I wait. And save up, cuz it won't be cheap.