willie_901
Veteran
The local camera store let me play with the EP-1 for as long as I wanted to yesterday.
All I can say is that I was wrong about the EP-1 being unsuitable for rangefinder-style photography. The LCD screen works well for manual focusing. I did not even play with AF mode because I really don't care about AF mode. There are two manual focus zoom modes, 7X and 10x. For me the 7X is more than enough zoom. I think 10X would be useful for tripod work. I'd like a 4x or 5X zoom option. I used the kit zoom (adapters and the 17mm pancake are due to arrive later this month). For electronically compatible lenses (any m-4/3 or 4/3 lens), the auto zoom MF feature is nice. I put the camera in manual focus-zoom mode with the lens set to 14mm for most of the time. Thankfully when the camera is turned off in this mode, it wakes up in this mode. This way I could get a feel for how I would use the camera with my manual focus lenses. I was surprised at the ease of use. Except for my shaky hands in 10X zoom mode, there was nothing frustrating at all using manual focus. I am concerned about keeping the camera position fixed once focus is set without having my eye to a finder. I held the camera as close to my face as possible so my arms were not extended at all. I can see how just pressing the shutter could move the focus point when DOF is shallow because the camera is not held to the eye. Of course with the small sensor size, a razor thin DOF will not be common for the lenses and subjects I intend to use and shoot. The method I would use is to frame, focus zoom, focus and shoot. I can imaging how a viewfinder would facilitate this process. Either way, one will be able to see what's outside the frame and adjust. When an external finder is not available, one could un-zoom the LCD view and re-frame if the aperture was sufficiently narrow. I am not fussy about framing accuracy when shooting with a RF camera (I use a DLSR with a 100% finder when framing accuracy is important). I think the CV 15/4 would be a super candid/street lens. The LCD is just clear enough for manual focusing in normal light. Since it was mostly cloudy, I did not take the camera outdoors as I would not have gotten an idea about using the LCD in bright direct sunlight. I have no reservations about manual focusing this camera.
The metal body felt nice in my hand. There is no sense of cheapness or frailness at all. I now realize the sensor image stabilization is valuable to me in the EP-1. Because of the small sensor size, shooting with a wide angle-of-view means slow lenses (f 4) and the EP-1 does not have the sensitivity of a high-end DSLR. At this point it looks to me like the EP-1 has a signal-to-noise ratio similar to my D200. ISO 400 is as high as I'd want to go for color and ISO 800 would be the maximum for B&W. This means having vibration reduction available for every lens that can be mounted to the camera is valuable (unless there is significant subject motion in which case the EP-1 will let you down for wide angle-of-view applications).
So, I was wrong. The EP-1 is a viable option for some rangefinder camera photographers. I must say that the EP-1 is a real temptation for me. I have no reservations about using one daily. At this point I do not plan to add the EP-1 (or any other digital camera) to my bag. But this has more to do with how much I enjoy using my ZI-M and how I like the look of film (even scanned film) for the projects I'm currently working on.
All I can say is that I was wrong about the EP-1 being unsuitable for rangefinder-style photography. The LCD screen works well for manual focusing. I did not even play with AF mode because I really don't care about AF mode. There are two manual focus zoom modes, 7X and 10x. For me the 7X is more than enough zoom. I think 10X would be useful for tripod work. I'd like a 4x or 5X zoom option. I used the kit zoom (adapters and the 17mm pancake are due to arrive later this month). For electronically compatible lenses (any m-4/3 or 4/3 lens), the auto zoom MF feature is nice. I put the camera in manual focus-zoom mode with the lens set to 14mm for most of the time. Thankfully when the camera is turned off in this mode, it wakes up in this mode. This way I could get a feel for how I would use the camera with my manual focus lenses. I was surprised at the ease of use. Except for my shaky hands in 10X zoom mode, there was nothing frustrating at all using manual focus. I am concerned about keeping the camera position fixed once focus is set without having my eye to a finder. I held the camera as close to my face as possible so my arms were not extended at all. I can see how just pressing the shutter could move the focus point when DOF is shallow because the camera is not held to the eye. Of course with the small sensor size, a razor thin DOF will not be common for the lenses and subjects I intend to use and shoot. The method I would use is to frame, focus zoom, focus and shoot. I can imaging how a viewfinder would facilitate this process. Either way, one will be able to see what's outside the frame and adjust. When an external finder is not available, one could un-zoom the LCD view and re-frame if the aperture was sufficiently narrow. I am not fussy about framing accuracy when shooting with a RF camera (I use a DLSR with a 100% finder when framing accuracy is important). I think the CV 15/4 would be a super candid/street lens. The LCD is just clear enough for manual focusing in normal light. Since it was mostly cloudy, I did not take the camera outdoors as I would not have gotten an idea about using the LCD in bright direct sunlight. I have no reservations about manual focusing this camera.
The metal body felt nice in my hand. There is no sense of cheapness or frailness at all. I now realize the sensor image stabilization is valuable to me in the EP-1. Because of the small sensor size, shooting with a wide angle-of-view means slow lenses (f 4) and the EP-1 does not have the sensitivity of a high-end DSLR. At this point it looks to me like the EP-1 has a signal-to-noise ratio similar to my D200. ISO 400 is as high as I'd want to go for color and ISO 800 would be the maximum for B&W. This means having vibration reduction available for every lens that can be mounted to the camera is valuable (unless there is significant subject motion in which case the EP-1 will let you down for wide angle-of-view applications).
So, I was wrong. The EP-1 is a viable option for some rangefinder camera photographers. I must say that the EP-1 is a real temptation for me. I have no reservations about using one daily. At this point I do not plan to add the EP-1 (or any other digital camera) to my bag. But this has more to do with how much I enjoy using my ZI-M and how I like the look of film (even scanned film) for the projects I'm currently working on.
Thanks for the report.
back alley
IMAGES
but the next one will be better, closer to what we really want.
And some day there will be an affordable Leica full frame DRF too.
FrozenInTime
Well-known
And if we are really lucky, CV might make something like a MF 12mm f/2.8 that's got an image circle just large enough for µ4/3. Then there will be no need for me to worry about finding the money to buy a FF M9.
DRabbit
Registered
And I will only be able to dream of affording it. Unless I win the lottery my M8 is probably the only digital Leica I'll ever own unfortunately. Thank GOD (or the Japanese) for m4/3.
BTW, the EVF is mostly fine even out in bright sunlight... where I've done most of my shooting so far with the E-P1. I think really dark conditions might present more of a problem (I haven't tried yet). The LCD can get a bit grainy in a dark room, and the graininess makes it hard to see focus. Again, I haven't tried it with an M lens, so I don't know... but with the slow kit lens, forget it.
back alley
IMAGES
did you read the interview with the head of oly?
there already is a new one in the works, with built in finder and advanced features.
this one is geared for the consumer base not us.
and btw, there is an affordable (not ff) rf out there...the rd1!
joe
Eric T
Well-known
I am beginning to come around on the E-PI. I am visitng Luzern, Switzerland and saw it in a store today. It's an impressive camera.
To bad it costs 50% more here than it does in the states. Of course, I couldn't buy it here anyway because I wouldn't have a USA warranty.
To bad it costs 50% more here than it does in the states. Of course, I couldn't buy it here anyway because I wouldn't have a USA warranty.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
In the meantime, make pictures with what is. Wating for "the solution" is nonsense.
back alley
IMAGES
not when it is close...
hkrz
Long Life Itch
You could, as all Olympus cameras come with worldwide 1 year warranty. I got serviced a 12-60 lens bought in Japan in Poland on warranty free of charge. I got even a free lens pen
The only difference Europe vs world wide is that it's 2 years in Europe and only 1 year in the rest of the world.
I should have put a smiley on my post. But, I have pledged to only concern myself with today.
You could, as all Olympus cameras come with worldwide 1 year warranty. I got serviced a 12-60 lens bought in Japan in Poland on warranty free of charge. I got even a free lens pen
The only difference Europe vs world wide is that it's 2 years in Europe and only 1 year in the rest of the world.
The worldwide warranty offered by many companies is good everywhere but in the US.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
It's easy to contact Olympus America about the warranty.
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Ah, the great technology chase. Ain't it fun? :bang:
gavinlg
Veteran
would you prefer to live in a mud hut and record visual scenes by using your finger and scribbling into the dirt?
Kevin
Rainbow Bridge
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
"would you prefer to live in a mud hut and record visual scenes by using your finger and scribbling into the dirt?"
Not if it also means I have to give up my Ipod Touch and Kindle!
Not if it also means I have to give up my Ipod Touch and Kindle!