Is a new EP-1 worth $150?

[dfatty]

No, I mean the other thing: all future models have the weaker AA filter. Only the E-P1 and E-P2 didn't. While I don't have enough cameras to test this myself (ha!), those that own them state this to be true. Basically, the sensor and pipeline remained mostly unchanged from the E-PL1 right through to the E-P3.

Oh, okay, thanks for clearing that up! I could definitely see a difference in the comparison you posted above.

 

[raid]

Actually you need to keep in mind it's a full 2x crop factor, so the 40mm 'cron becomes an 80mm.

I wish it was only 1.5x, I'd looooooooove my already amazing 1.4 DG Summilux to be a 35-37mm focal length lens. I mean, it's a FANTASTIC 50, but as a 35-ish, it would be truly unmatched.

Of course! That was an error. The 40mm lens beomes like an 80mm lens. This is correct. The DOF is like that of a 40mm lens.

 

[gavinlg]

$150 for a brand new e-p1? I'd buy it.
They're a very good little camera.

 

[raid]

I favored a factory reurbished camer with one year warranty and. Lens.

 

[Thardy]

I just bought from cameta camera for $199 a black set of EPL-1 plus 14mm-42mm.
When it says "outdated", it is not really outdated. They have multiple online outlets, and they simple move things around. I chose the factory demo with a one year warranty.

ItemItem NameQty.Price Ea.Ext. Price
1Olympus PEN E-PL1 Micro 4/3 Digital Camera & 14-42mm Lens (Black/Black) - Factory Demo includes Full 1 Year Warranty [262856A]
1$199.95$199.95
Subtotal$199.95
Shipping Cost for FedEx Home/Ground$0.00

Sales Tax$0.00
Total$199.95

Hi Raid, where did you look to get your EPL-1 kit? BTW, congratulations.

 

[raid]

Hi Thomas,
Cameta Cameta sells online. Go to their store directly to get zero tax and zero shipping.

Thanks.

 

[Dave Jenkins]

I bought the E-PL1 almost two years ago, and while I hate the menu system, I love the photos I get from the camera.

If you like, click on the link to the Blurb online version of my book Georgia: A Backroads Portrait in the links below. Most of the photos in the book were made before I got my E-PL1, but the wedding photo on page 25 was made with that camera. The mill on page 46 was chosen over a 5D shot of the same scene, and the tree on page 127 was picked over a Rolleicord Vb shot. The full-page photos are 12x12 in the book.

All of these were made with the original version of the kit zoom. I think most photographers will find the AF fast enough for just about anything except sports and maybe small children at play.

At $150 for a body, the E-PL1 represents just about the most picture-taking potential for the least money of any camera I know of.

I must confess, though, that I'm not going to get another one. I'm saving up for an OM-D, probably with the 12-50 zoom

 

[Thardy]

Hi Thomas,
Cameta Cameta sells online. Go totnrir store directly to get zero tax and zero shipping.

Thanks.

I'm getting "out of stock" messages on all of the low priced factory demos. I was looking for the EPL2 for $279. I do see one for $349 though. I think your EPL-1 w lens is "out of stock" now too. Oh well.

 

[raid]

I'm getting "out of stock" messages on all of the low priced factory demos. I was looking for the EPL2 for $279. I do see one for $349 though. I think your EPL-1 w lens is "out of stock" now too. Oh well.

I emailed them about the "out of stock", and they replied that I should call them. They have multiple online outlets. I told them that they have in stock the camera and they have in stock the lens, but the set was out of stock. It took 3 minutes to buy the set.

 

[Thardy]

I bought the E-PL1 almost two years ago, and while I hate the menu system, I love the photos I get from the camera.

If you like, click on the link to the Blurb online version of my book Georgia: A Backroads Portrait in the links below. Most of the photos in the book were made before I got my E-PL1, but the wedding photo on page 25 was made with that camera. The mill on page 46 was chosen over a 5D shot of the same scene, and the tree on page 127 was picked over a Rolleicord Vb shot. The full-page photos are 12x12 in the book.

All of these were made with the original version of the kit zoom. I think most photographers will find the AF fast enough for just about anything except sports and maybe small children at play.

At $150 for a body, the E-PL1 represents just about the most picture-taking potential for the least money of any camera I know of.

I must confess, though, that I'm not going to get another one. I'm saving up for an OM-D, probably with the 12-50 zoom

The photos in that book are very nice. I see scenes like that all the time while driving back roads and fail to pull over and photograph them, though you make them look much better than what I see.

Did you have those Rock City barns in Georgia? I see them less frequently today.

 

[Thardy]

I emailed them about the "out of stock", and they replied that I should call them. They have multiple online outlets. I told them that they have in stock the camera and they have in stock the lens, but the set was out of stock. It took 3 minutes to buy the set.

Thank you.

 

[kuzano]

Most factory refurbs are simply returns....

Most factory refurbs are simply returns....

I favored a factory reurbished camer with one year warranty and. Lens.

Factory refurbs are camera's that have been sold once as new and cannot be repackaged and sold as new again. So they run a checklist on them, which in fact is more attention than they get when packaged new.

Many, and I say many, digital camera's are returned because the buyer couldn't figure out the controls, menu's or manuals. Most DSLR and EVIL camera's were simply too much camera for the average buyer.

I really don't think the manufacturer's spend much time fixing cameras at this price point that are actually broken.

So, a refurb with full warranty is usually just a new camera, repacked and discounted.

Having worked with PC's for 25 years, I can tell you that is very true of computers also.... Particularly laptops, now that prices are down from the glory days 10 to 15 years ago.

I do not hold that view on printers and scanners, in the case where actual dismantling and re-assembly must be done with parts registration in mind.

 

[Dave Jenkins]

The photos in that book are very nice. I see scenes like that all the time while driving back roads and fail to pull over and photograph them, though you make them look much better than what I see.

Did you have those Rock City barns in Georgia? I see them less frequently today.

Thanks, Thomas. There are still many Rock City barns in Georgia, as well as other states, but they are gradually disappearing. That's why the sub-title of my Rock City Barns book is "A Passing Era."

 

[raid]

Factory refurbs are camera's that have been sold once as new and cannot be repackaged and sold as new again. So they run a checklist on them, which in fact is more attention than they get when packaged new.

Many, and I say many, digital camera's are returned because the buyer couldn't figure out the controls, menu's or manuals. Most DSLR and EVIL camera's were simply too much camera for the average buyer.

I really don't think the manufacturer's spend much time fixing cameras at this price point that are actually broken.

So, a refurb with full warranty is usually just a new camera, repacked and discounted.

This is good to know. Thanks. I went that way to get the lens for $50.

 

[stewmander]

Thanks for all the great info guys!! I am changing my mind every hour it seems. I will give Cameta a call and see if I can get a deal put together similar to raid, thanks for the tip!

rparmar, thanks for all the great info! I did read on dpreview that the epl2 had a weaker AA, but wasnt sure if it was the same, or nearly the same as the epl1. Seems like the epl1's higher IQ will be marginal only.

I am now looking more into the epl2, simply because of the faster focus with the mk ii kit lens...however I could get a used panasonic or even mk ii with the epl1 body...but at that point the price difference becomes smaller...

 

[raid]

Good luck with your purchase.

I will be able to use the EPL-1 side by side with the EP-2. In the end, not much money has been invested here. The lens alone is worth $100 to me, so the EPL-1 "cost me" $100.

 

[mretina]

Summary of EP-1 vs EPL-1 vs other options

Summary of EP-1 vs EPL-1 vs other options

I have been lazily looking for a while for an EP-1 to try some legacy lenses on digital, leitz/contax G in particular. Reading trough this interesting thread it seems that the EPL-1 is the one to get because of IQ. Thank you for this info of which I was not aware.

And I confirm I do not care about high ISO.

Are other options worth considering GF1? Sony?
USD 150 would be the right budget I am looking at as it would be more as a kit to play with lenses than a substitute for film or specific dslr use (sport, subjects in motion, etc..).

 

[raid]

The 14mm-42mm zoom is quite sharp, and you get AF too. That's why I spent another $50.

 

[rparmar]

Are other options worth considering GF1? Sony?

Depends on your priorities when it comes to other features. For me IBIS is the ace in the hole, so I wouldn't buy other than Olympus. Similarly my SLR system is Pentax.

 

[raid]

The camera based stabilization system makes all lenses benefit from the IS system. I love using the old Zeiss SLR lenses, including a 85mm/1.4 with available light on the EP-2 so far.