For legacy lenses - NEX, Pen or Lumix?

[kuzano]

An overlooked option......

An overlooked option......

I have an E-PL1, but I kept my Olympus E-420. Now the 420 is a standard 4/3 mount, but all the adaptors for all legacy glass were out in the standard mount before it was out in m4/3.

So, all my legacy glass has mounts for 4/3.

I also now notice that the E420 is only marginally bigger than the Pen m4/3 cameras.

With the 420 (which can be had low-count for $150 approx) I have a built in EVF, magnifiable live view, good ergonomics, a more substantial flash, scene modes and art filters per Pen, etc.

Granted, it does not have IBIS, but I could cure that buy replacing it with an E520, or for the latest image processing image the E620. The E520 can be found for around $200-225.

I guess I'm having a bit of trouble here with the fixation/obsession over the micro mount.

Also, the 420 is 10 MP, and the 620 would be 12, same as current M4/3 in Oly.

The images here show the small difference between the two bodies, and again the E620 would be almost identical in size comps. Furthermore it seems like the E420 would be a less expensive match in all ways for the G1, and the E620 would update the technology AND add IBIS.

Surprised at the willingness to rule out the original 4/3 standard.

Yes... the Pen's are cute, but mine's getting used alongside the E420 and slowly losing sway, particularly since the Olympus HG and SHG glass handles better on the E-X20 bodies.

Another aspect of this has also been mentioned. Olympus has the advantage of native lenses that often outshoot most legacy glass out there, according to posts seen often on this subject.

 

[ampguy]

see, that's the problem

see, that's the problem

the tiny sensor of the 4/3... I can't see any images?? 😉

I have an E-PL1, but I kept my Olympus E-420. Now the 420 is a standard 4/3 mount, but all the adaptors for all legacy glass were out in the standard mount before it was out in m4/3.

So, all my legacy glass has mounts for 4/3.

I also now notice that the E420 is only marginally bigger than the Pen m4/3 cameras.

With the 420 (which can be had low-count for $150 approx) I have a built in EVF, magnifiable live view, good ergonomics, a more substantial flash, scene modes and art filters per Pen, etc.

Granted, it does not have IBIS, but I could cure that buy replacing it with an E520, or for the latest image processing image the E620. The E520 can be found for around $200-225.

I guess I'm having a bit of trouble here with the fixation/obsession over the micro mount.

Also, the 420 is 10 MP, and the 620 would be 12, same as current M4/3 in Oly.

The images here show the small difference between the two bodies, and again the E620 would be almost identical in size comps.

 

[kuzano]

oops

oops

the tiny sensor of the 4/3... I can't see any images?? 😉

I thought I had the images ready to post. finally made it.

 

[douglasf13]

Maybe so but I have no trouble using the NEX LCD as is. Plus this Clearveiwer looks cumbersome, but to each their own.

It's really not cumbersome at all, and it folds out of the way for tilting the screen. It's great for wide aperture shooting when you don't want to take the time to focus zoom. Worth the $50 IMO.

 

[Dante_Stella]

Is the main part of that magnifier metal or plastic? And is the premium lens AR coated?

Thanks!
Dante

It's really not cumbersome at all, and it folds out of the way for tilting the screen. It's great for wide aperture shooting when you don't want to take the time to focus zoom. Worth the $50 IMO.

 

[douglasf13]

The Clearviewer is made out of a lightweigt, but sturdy plastic, and I don't believe the premium lens is multicoated. Don't get me wrong, I'd prefer an EVF option, but I've been using the cheapie Clearviewer quite a bit.

 

[ampguy]

The clearviewer is tempting for me, but I'm not sure it will be what I've found I need to get used to, which is being able to see the screen easily and focus mf lenses accurately, but consciously noting that I have to fire the shutter when the subject is in sharp focus, I can't move the camera back or forward while waiting for the 'decisive moment'

It's refreshing to use this camera, because in a way, it's very retro, in that you are presented with only a signle plane of sharp focus, the way things were meant to be. None of this hokey pokey dof, scale focus silly stuff.

 

[vidgamer]

The bad rep of the NEX menu interface isn't entirely deserved. It's not so bad in my view; it's just very, very different from what most are used to.

I think this it, mostly. They tried some new ideas for the interface, and those looking for the same, traditional approach immediately had a problem with it. In actuality, the lack of external buttons isn't as severe as first reported. The UI has some odd quirks, but lack of buttons isn't high on my list of them.

You also have to wonder how much of the complaints were due to reviewers wanting to cycle through the same options over and over -- for example, to test ISO, you set it to 200 then 400 then 800, etc., forcing one to dive into the menu each time. Without the latest firmware, you did have to make a few keypresses to get there. Under normal circumstances, I submit that you'd use a few extra keypresses, set it, then forget it for a while, as that was the change you wanted to make for a given situation. Although, with the new firmware, I have to admit that I set ISO to the lower button. 🙂

Sure, I was also confused initially by the menus and lack of dials. But after a week, I'm starting to see the logic about the clustering of menu items and the way the items are 'sticky' to the central button and control wheel. I've found it's 'magically' always the most crucial setting for each mode or for switching between modes. I'm not entirely certain that what I've set in the menus actually influences what's tied to the control buttons at that point, but it does feel like that. Still, it doesn't hurt to go through all the menu options and set them to match your shooting style. I guess that most prospective buyers don't have the time to go through this process when handling the NEX for a couple of minutes in a shop.

Most buyers probably will really like the UI fine. It does seem more P&S-like.

And yet, I have no problem accessing all of the manual controls.

As for the lack of finders, there's one (optical) for the 16mm. I've no clue whether an EVF is in the works or even possible; the electrical connections in the accessory port now drives the flash. Maybe it can do more than that. I'm not sure if I'd get an EVF though. One of the main attractions of the m4/3 EVF's is that they can tilt so that you can shoot with the camera below eye level. The NEX has a up/down tilting LCD to do things like that.

I would like an EVF for some situations, but the LCD is fine most of the time. The large size and high res is appealing. I figure if Sony ever comes out with one, it'll probably be more than I'd want to pay. :bang:

 

[vidgamer]

www.jtec-online.com has a screw-in cold shoe.

Wow! I think that'll be helpful...

 

[black macleod]

I have an E-PL1, but I kept my Olympus E-420. Now the 420 is a standard 4/3 mount, but all the adaptors for all legacy glass were out in the standard mount before it was out in m4/3.

So, all my legacy glass has mounts for 4/3.

I also now notice that the E420 is only marginally bigger than the Pen m4/3 cameras.

With the 420 (which can be had low-count for $150 approx) I have a built in EVF, magnifiable live view, good ergonomics, a more substantial flash, scene modes and art filters per Pen, etc.

Granted, it does not have IBIS, but I could cure that buy replacing it with an E520, or for the latest image processing image the E620. The E520 can be found for around $200-225.

I guess I'm having a bit of trouble here with the fixation/obsession over the micro mount.

For me its not about the mount per se, but the mirrorless option. A lot of my wide angle LTM glass and my Contax G glass simply won't work on a camera with any kind of mirror inside, unless I want to hear crunchy noises 😀

I've yet to purchase anything yet .. I was on the fence between an EPL1 and a Nex 3 or 5, but reading here about the lack of viewfinder will probably push me towards the Oly.

 

[FPjohn]

Originally Posted by Dante_Stella
www.jtec-online.com has a screw-in cold shoe.

Wow! I think that'll be helpful...

Fits the Nex 5 but not the Nex 3 as I found to my chagrin.😡

yours
FPJ

 

[Kent]

Originally Posted by Dante_Stella
www.jtec-online.com has a screw-in cold shoe.




Fits the Nex 5 but not the Nex 3 as I found to my chagrin.😡

yours
FPJ

Hey, that's really some useful information. Thanks!
I was about to order one for me NEX-3...