getting comfy with the Olympus E-M1

[Godfrey]

The Olympus E-M1 arrived two weeks ago. I've been testing it, studying it, getting to know it, and trying out my lenses on it. Yesterday, was only the second time I had the opportunity to go for a walk with it.

I took it out for a walk yesterday carrying two lens setups: a Summicron-R 90mm f/2 and a Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 fitted with Sony .75x wide converter. Fun ... work two entirely different FoVs and lens types for a half hour walk.

I set the camera to square format as you can see, took the grip off, set up Aperture priority and my usual control arrangement, set Auto ISO to run up to ISO 800, and fitted a Street Strap.

I'll post photos later on, but let me tell you: this camera is terrific. The responsiveness is superb, the manual focusing is superb, the AF is superb ... It is right on the verge of disappearing in my hands. Just another day or two and it will. That's the most valuable thing any camera can do for me: disappear and let me concentrate on seeing.

I'm so delighted.

G

 

[Range-rover]

I saw it yesterday at Photoplus, your right it's a great camera and with a 12-40mm 2.8
lens, way cool!

Range

 

[jsrockit]

Well, I'm not a huge fan of m4/3 (don't like the aspect ratio, etc.), but I also saw it at Photoplus and was shocked how much nicer it was than the E-M5. Honestly, it was the nicest feeling camera I've felt in a long time. No more TV remote type of buttons like the E-M5. It felt better than the A7 by far IMO. Not my thing, but I can see why you love it Godfrey.

 

[Keith]

I can see how this camera would be that good Godfrey because one thing I remember about the brief fling I had with an OMD was how responsive it was. If this is better it must be very, very good! 🙂

 

[Godfrey]

I couldn't get on with the E-M5 model's controls, too cramped and tight for my hands, but the E-M1 is magically superb with just a little difference in size and a re-layout. It is a terrific camera in use.

Of course, that doesn't mean it's perfect. No camera is. But it does the job I wanted it for very nicely. 🙂

G

 

[Godfrey]

Eight photos from my walk with the Olympus E-M1 on Saturday.
Using the Summicron-R 90mm f/2:

​

Using the Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 fitted with Sony 0.75x wide converter:

​

thanks for looking! comments always appreciated.

G

- A flickr set of Olympus E-M1 photo posts:
First Olympus E-M1 Photos 2013 - a set on Flickr

 

[mh2000]

love the light in Tree #204. pretty shot! 🙂

 

[zuiko85]

Since I live in out in the boonies it is sometimes years before I see a (no longer) new camera so thanks for your impressions. Believe it or not I had not seen or handled an E-M5 until last month. The VF left me cold but then I compare everything to my OM-1 with a 1-10 screen. Is the VF a notch or two above the E-M5?

I might not be fair to the E-M5 as I only had a few minutes to look at it and the colors were way too vivid and bright. I have read that it's brightness and color can be adjusted.

Price wise the new offering is in another universe but it's fun to dream. Believe it or not I've considered getting an E-1 and FS-2 focusing screen to see if I can nail focus on my legacy lenses. I figure a in focus 5mp image beats any out of focus 16mp image.

 

[Godfrey]

thanks Mark!

 

[Godfrey]

Since I live in out in the boonies it is sometimes years before I see a (no longer) new camera so thanks for your impressions. Believe it or not I had not seen or handled an E-M5 until last month. The VF left me cold but then I compare everything to my OM-1 with a 1-10 screen. Is the VF a notch or two above the E-M5?

I might not be fair to the E-M5 as I only had a few minutes to look at it and the colors were way too vivid and bright. I have read that it's brightness and color can be adjusted.

Price wise the new offering is in another universe but it's fun to dream. Believe it or not I've considered getting an E-1 and FS-2 focusing screen to see if I can nail focus on my legacy lenses. I figure a in focus 5mp image beats any out of focus 16mp image.

The E-M1 viewfinder is a healthy notch and some improvement on the E-M5. I have an E-1 as well, and use the same Leica R lenses on it that I am now using on the E-M1. It is FAR easier to nail critical focus on the E-M1. 🙂

G