first outing with the E-P1

[ywenz]

Bought an E-P1 + kit lens for our week-long road trip. I also brought along a Voigtlander Pancake 35/2.5 M-mount.

Overall the camera performed well.. It really needs a larger grip, and working with a manual lens is not entirely intuitive. I wish you can activate manual focus zoom mode in every display mode (not just the green box mode).

I also wish the camera displayed a distance scale with the AF lenses, or a easy way of setting the lens focus to infinity (like on my GRD)

I expected the image quality to be higher but then I reminded myself, of how much smaller the sensor is compared to my DSLR..

I do like the sound the shutter, and yes the smaller size/weight compared to a DSLR was very much noticed!

the northern lights - true colors!

 

[OlliL]

Great pics.
I do also use an E-P1 with a Summitar and it performs just well.

But I have to agree that the focusing is a little bit difficult.

 

[ywenz]

Great pics.
I do also use an E-P1 with a Summitar and it performs just well.

But I have to agree that the focusing is a little bit difficult.

Have you brought this up with Olympus? I just send them an e-mail about this.. It can really be easily added.

Seeing how they are gearing these cameras to enthusiasts, I hope they realize the cost/benefit of adding this feature.

 

[DNG]

This is a very nice set of images. A good diversity of lighting variants. The bit of the flare on the portrait is a good use of the effect and well placed.

The VM 35/2.5 is a nice lens. The Focusing will come... It isn't that hard, once you "get it" on edge sharpness differences. I assume you are using the Magnification in MF mode.

 

[ywenz]

This is a very nice set of images. A good diversity of lighting variants. The bit of the flare on the portrait is a good use of the effect and well placed.

The VM 35/2.5 is a nice lens. The Focusing will come... It isn't that hard, once you "get it" on edge sharpness differences. I assume you are using the Magnification in MF mode.

Thanks DNG.. my manual focusing frustration is not the issue of getting into focus. The zoomed manual focus assist is pretty helpful and most of the time I don't even need to use it.

My frustration is the simple fact that I HAVE to be in the green box mode to activate the MF assist (with a legacy lens). While in the green box mode, I can't change ISO, or WB etc.. I also wish that with a press of the shutter, it'll exit out of the zoom mode, instead of pressing "OK"

 

[NathanJD]

My frustration is the simple fact that I HAVE to be in the green box mode to activate the MF assist (with a legacy lens). While in the green box mode, I can't change ISO, or WB etc.. I also wish that with a press of the shutter, it'll exit out of the zoom mode, instead of pressing "OK"

I share these frustrations. i have recently bought an E-P1 and these points jumped out at me too. i think on the plus side that if i am in a situation where micro focusing is such a consideration it's usually when i have more time to shoot and can afford the extra time to set iso, wb etc… otherwise i tend to set the camera up and away i go.

that inability to get back out of the zoom focus with the shutter release catches me out constantly.

 

[ywenz]

I share these frustrations. i have recently bought an E-P1 and these points jumped out at me too. i think on the plus side that if i am in a situation where micro focusing is such a consideration it's usually when i have more time to shoot and can afford the extra time to set iso, wb etc… otherwise i tend to set the camera up and away i go.

that inability to get back out of the zoom focus with the shutter release catches me out constantly.

Had I realized this in my pre-purchase research, I would have opted for a GF1 because I think the GF1 has a dedicated MF assist button.

Olympus - :bang:

Hopefully these threads will be of help to anyone else doing pre-purchase research.

 

[NathanJD]

Had I realized this in my pre-purchase research, I would have opted for a GF1 because I think the GF1 has a dedicated MF assist button.

Olympus - :bang:

Hopefully these threads will be of help to anyone else doing pre-purchase research.

It's not enough to tarnish the camera in my eyes, and i'm glad i went for the E-P1 because it makes up for it's small niggles in other ways, but it has been enough to make me question whether i should sell my D40 and take the Oly as my only digital option.

 

[DNG]

Thanks DNG.. my manual focusing frustration is not the issue of getting into focus. The zoomed manual focus assist is pretty helpful and most of the time I don't even need to use it.

My frustration is the simple fact that I HAVE to be in the green box mode to activate the MF assist (with a legacy lens). While in the green box mode, I can't change ISO, or WB etc.. I also wish that with a press of the shutter, it'll exit out of the zoom mode, instead of pressing "OK"

I understand, with the G1, I just put it in zoomed MF after I get a general composition and take the photo when it's focused in Zoomed MF. I do keep the area centered though, 90% of the time, so I compose first, then focus and shoot. Not a bad work-flow, but. I am not familiar with Oly MF work-flow. And when I got the G1, I had no idea on the MF on either brand.

 

[Atavistic]

Nice photos!

You might want to opt for the E-PL1. Just bought one this summer and the grip is much better than the EP-1/2.

The MF zoom should be fixed in a firmware by Olympus.

 

[ywenz]

Nice photos!

You might want to opt for the E-PL1. Just bought one this summer and the grip is much better than the EP-1/2.

The MF zoom should be fixed in a firmware by Olympus.

Really? Are you saying you know of an upcoming fix? Or do you mean they "should" fix it via firmware?

I sent them an e-mail indicating the desire for the MF assist feature. Probably does nothing but, my request for a feature on the GRD was eventually provided via firmware.. so I dunno...

Played with the E-LP1 at best buy.. no go for me.. no physical dials means even less controllability for what I want to do..

 

[nightfly]

Love the colors in the portrait. What lens and how was that one processed?

 

[OlliL]

Why not keeping the PEN? No need for IS?

I haven't wrote to Olympus about the MF-assist, but will do so tomorrow.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

We have a Classified section for selling and buying equipment. Threads such as this should not be used as an advertisement.