Is a new EP-1 worth $150?

[Agent 13]

I was not happy with my ep2 at all,i traded it for a 500cm with 80mm lens and a lot of accessories. I could not get the pics i wanted with the oe zoom or my konica glass. Glad you guys like them,i got better,sharper pics from my 7 mp nikon p and s. 150 dollars though sure makes me want to try again.

 

[raid]

I still prefer film cameras over the EP-2, but the EP-2 is a great little camera for taking digital photos of my family with excellent lenses. It does not replace my M3 or M6 or Hexar RF.

 

[rparmar]

I think one needs to keep in mind what these little cameras are good for -- most day-to-day shots including street, etc. Higher resolution sensors are better for extreme telephoto or macro. Faster, more responsive bodies are better for action, sport, and so on. And those who like rangefinder will continue to like rangefinder.

But the MFT system makes point'n'shoot completely redundant in my usage. And beats my SLR for compact size and portable weight. Not to mention the bargain prices, which is what this thread is all about.

 

[stewmander]

Remember that the E-PL2 kit comes with the MkII kit zoom, which is worth a lot more on the secondary market than the original. If you factor that in, I managed to get a better deal on the E-PL2 than the E-PL1 (used market), though prices are volatile and YMMV.

The limitations of the E-PL1 would drive me nuts. I already find myself shooting against the limit of ISO200 and 1/4000s. With a shutter speed one stop slower, I'd need ND filters a lot of the time. Of course this depends entirely on your shooting style.

Yes, I agree the mk ii lense is worth more than the mk i

On cameta, they have a refurb. black epl1 kit for $200, and a refurb. silver epl2 kit for 280 which is OOS. There is a refurb. black epl2 kit, but its listed at $350. I do not know why the black body color is $70 more, i can see $10 more maybe, so I am hoping the silver kit comes back in stock for $280

Also, the 1 yr warrenty is a great deal, esp since a lot of credit cards will double your warrenty on items you purchase, so I can essentially get a 2 yr warrenty...

 

[Speedfreak]

The camera allows the use of many lenses vi adapters

Have you also looked for Sony NEX deals? I always found a 2x crop to be a deal breaker with analog-era lenses.

 

[raid]

I love the 2x for portraits. I use film cameras or Olympus lenses meant for the EP for wide angle lenses.

 

[stewmander]

I am beginning to think that the difference between a 1.6x crop and 2x crop isn't so bad...my 50mm becomes 80 or 100mm. At least at 2x you get the zoom, at 1.6 you're kinda stuck in the middle

 

[btgc]

It depends on the focal length - on wide end any crop factor is....bad, mkey? On long it doesn't matter so much, long or even longer - for me, at least.

 

[raid]

I just received a wonderful (blacK) set EPL-1 with 14mm-42mm zoom with battery and charger. They look new to me. I used a charged battery and a new card, mounted the zoom on the camera, and I took one shot. It works very well. There is nothing to using the camera. Point and shoot in Program mode. I got it for this purpose, and as a back-up to the EP-2 on which I will use Zeiss and Leica lenses.

 

[Bingley]

Congrats, Raid! Post some shots with the kit lens.

 

[raid]

Thank you Steve. I will do this soon.
It is amazing how quickly the prices come down for such cameras. What could you buy new for $150 that allows you so much flexibility? The zoom lens is tiny and light, and it will be my wide angle-normal lens, and I could add a 50mm/1.4 as my fast "100mm" lens.

 

[raid]

I have a question from those of you who have used the EPL-1;
Can I use the EVF for the EP-2 on it?
If not, what can I use with the EPL-1 as an external VF?
If there is no external finder, I will limit the use to AF lenses.

 

[Zonan]

Raid,

I just got mine, and am using with 14mm 2.5. I'm going to try using the 25mm Voigtlander VF that came with my 25mm Voigtlander. I know it's going to be wider, but i figure I can learn how much is cut off. Should be satisfactory for most work.

Rick

 

[raid]

Raid,

I just got mine, and am using with 14mm 2.5. I'm going to try using the 25mm Voigtlander VF that came with my 25mm Voigtlander. I know it's going to be wider, but i figure I can learn how much is cut off. Should be satisfactory for most work.
Rick

Hi Rick,
In your case, a fixed VF should b fine for one lens. What about multiple focal lengths and lenses that require focus? I don't own a good wide angle lens that wide for a RF camera. I could use a heavier SLR lens like the 7.5mm Canon or the 17mm lenses, but i might as well use the 14mm-42m zoom which is small, lijt, and sharp. I will use RF lenses with the EP2.

 

[wray]

I have a question from those of you who have used the EPL-1;
Can I use the EVF for the EP-2 on it?
If not, what can I use with the EPL-1 as an external VF?
If there is no external finder, I will limit the use to AF lenses.

Yes, you can use the EVF on the EPL-1!

 

[raid]

Yes, you can use the EVF on the EPL-1!

Thanks. This is good to know indeed.

 

[btgc]

It is amazing how quickly the prices come down for such cameras. What could you buy new for $150 that allows you so much flexibility?

$150 or $200 for a kit (if I do not miss something) is a nobrainer. Unfortunately, we outside U.S. aren't treated so well. Shipping alone wouldn't be deal breaker, but taxes top up.

Yes, why buy casual P&S when one get this kind of camera (sensor and mount). Cameraphones and small system cameras probably will eliminate P&S's as we knew them.

 

[raid]

I agree with you. In my case, there were no taxes or shipping costs, and the total was $199 with a one year warranty. There is no sign of use anywhere on the camera that is "factory demo".

 

[ampguy]

Excellent Raid!

Excellent Raid!

Let me know what settings you end up with, I toggle between A mode, and the art filters, and have programmed the fn button to let me customize white balance quickly. I have mine setup for auto iso up to 1250. One thing that wasn't intuitive to me was getting SF (super fine) jpgs, instead of just fine, I think I had to go into 2 menu settings to be able to enable super fine.

I just received a wonderful (blacK) set EPL-1 with 14mm-42mm zoom with battery and charger. They look new to me. I used a charged battery and a new card, mounted the zoom on the camera, and I took one shot. It works very well. There is nothing to using the camera. Point and shoot in Program mode. I got it for this purpose, and as a back-up to the EP-2 on which I will use Zeiss and Leica lenses.

 

[raid]

Let me know what settings you end up with, I toggle between A mode, and the art filters, and have programmed the fn button to let me customize white balance quickly. I have mine setup for auto iso up to 1250. One thing that wasn't intuitive to me was getting SF (super fine) jpgs, instead of just fine, I think I had to go into 2 menu settings to be able to enable super fine.

I will then also look for the SF settings. I don't need high ISO with this camera. In the EP-2, I liked the "natural look" mode, or similar, and I use ISO 100 most of the time anyways. Indoors, I use ISO 800 or 1200.

Thanks.