GF1 / EP-1: Poor man's digital M?

[PatrickT]

You might consider the E-P2 as it reportedly has a MUCH better EVF than the GF-1. I can't wait to get my hands on one and try it out!

 

[remphoto]

get the g1 along with the 20, just a great combo! and way more flexible.

i had an adapter to use m mount lenses on my g1 but sold it. i much prefer to use all the bells and whistles on the g1, including the quick auto focus and leave the m lenses and manual focus for the rd1.

I agree. The G1 with a pancake lens is still a compact package and has the advantage of a built in finder. I bought the 17 2.8 Olympus pancake for budget reasons and it works fine. The ability to use most of my FD lenses is a huge plus and they balance nicely with the G1's built in handgrip.

As to your questions:

No optical Viewfinder. How are you RF shooters taking on to the P&S camera style shooting of the GF1

I used Leica M's and zone-focus rangefinders for many years. At least at the moment, I'm having too much fun with 4/3 to miss them. The experience to a rangefinder is similar in certain ways but different in others. I like the EVF very much. It is bright in low light, allows you to see the effect of exposure compensation, and the focus assist feature is a big help for manual focusing. You can also chimp, adjust the settings, etc. without taking your eye off the finder. I still haven't opened the LCD screen -- not really necessary except for waist level or over the head work.

2. Focus. Since there is no focus ring on the lens, how will this affect the speed in shooting with the GF1

See comments above on focus assist. There is a focusing ring on the Oly Pancake (but no IS).

3. Performance of M / VC lenses on m4/3 cameras. Do they perform the same as when shot with film RFs? I have the elmar M and vc 35pII.

Have not tried them -- using FD exclusively.

 

[Kevin]

I'm considering the GF1 with the 20mm pancake.

You mean you are not going to wait a few weeks more and consider the Samsung NX10 with the 30mm pancake?

I've read elsewhere that the UK retailer Jessops is selling the NX10 + Zoom Lens + 30mm Pancake Lens for 599 pounds. That sounds like a really good price to me.

I've also been reading that buyers in Asia and the UK are extremely satisfied with their NX10 cameras and image files.

 

[shadowfox]

EP-1/GF-1(with out EVF) are useless in bright sun light, unless your a blind hip-shooter. manual focus by wire is a frustrating experience with the 20mm 1.7. It's not anything like shooting a summicron 35 on a M.

That's why I opted for the EP-2. The EVF makes it a breeze to shoot in a bright day. And also in the dark since in A mode, it compensate for the light, just make sure to check the histogram to confirm there is enough light for the exposure settings.

... and also for video 🙂

 

[pvdhaar]

I had an opportunity to fondle an EP-1 the other day, more or less expecting it to be a potential replacement for a P5100 Coolpix that's on its last legs.

What surprised me most, was the size and weight of the EP-1. It's quite hefty, and certainly not smaller than a Bessa. In fact, it's so substantial that for me, it'd occupy the same place as the DSLR. Given the 2x focal length multiplier, it also isn't a straight digital replacement for the Bessa. Basically, the EP-1 doesn't fit anywhere for me..

What I did like about it though, was its responsiveness. Certainly a step up from the Coolpixes...