Is a new EP-1 worth $150?

[Bingley]

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, absolutely. I purchased the EVF to use on my E-PL1 w/ my M and LTM mount lenses, and it works fine.

 

[Bingley]

One further thought. If you have a 14mm lens (or use the kit lens at 14mm), the CV 28mm brightline finder works great on the E-PL1. Just set it to auto, and face recognition, and use the brightline finder to frame.

 

[rparmar]

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?

The two EVF units work on all PEN models except the original E-P1. I believe some bodies will need a firmware upgrade to take the VF-3, but they work out of the box with the (superior) VF-2.

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.

I am happy using ISO3200 with my E-PL2. In fact I even add in a bit of grain to give the monochrome images some life. Of course it depends on what you are shooting, but it's there if you need it. If you ask me, these cameras work miracles.


Logikparty

 

[raid]

One further thought. If you have a 14mm lens (or use the kit lens at 14mm), the CV 28mm brightline finder works great on the E-PL1. Just set it to auto, and face recognition, and use the brightline finder to frame.

This is a good tip, Steve. Thanks. I have an FSU turret fi der that could be used for multiple focal lengths.

 

[raid]

Robin,
The image looks great. I can see the usefulness for high ISO in dark places.

 

[Speedfreak]

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

A 35mm lens cropped to 56 is "acceptable". Cropped to 70 is too much. YMMV

 

[raid]

I use the camera mostly for portraits. Here, I used a Vivitar macro zoom 90mm-180mm handheld in available light.

 

[stewmander]

A 35mm lens cropped to 56 is "acceptable". Cropped to 70 is too much. YMMV

I agree, but if the best you can do is still only "acceptable", I am starting to to think that its not worth it to bother with or spend a lot more money getting the best crop factor and just use your lenses on their full frame (film) bodies and have a small, m4/3 etc. digital system along for digital. Then you can add an adapter for zoom shots or just playing around.

 

[raid]

Think of your micro 4/3 with its own lenses as a versatile camera system. Then think of the same camera with SLR/RF lenses as an excellent camera for portraits.

Think simple.

 

[Mr_Toad]

Okay, I ordered me a $149 E-P1 body off Amazon.

I'm gonna plop a plastic lens on it and call it: a DIGITAL HOLGA!!!

Maybe I'll actually use some of those goofy "In-Camera Art Filters".

😱 <--- me...reacting to the "Pop Art" setting.

 

[raid]

Congratulations. This camera should be fun to use, no matter which lens you use with it.

 

[Zonan]

I'm quite enjoying mine. I'd have liked more dials, but the quick menu and super menu options available with one button are much more convenient than I imagined (sure beats my Nikons). I'm using it a lot, and it really does fit in my chinos pocket with the 14mm Panasonic on it. The only negative is the aperture blade chattering I am getting with the 14mm in bright light. Can't be good for the aperture blades' longevity, and probably the reason I would not buy a "serious" Olympus like the OM-D- I like my Panasonic lenses.

The Super Fine jpegs are very nice, and probably the best I've seen. More than adequate for most of what I'm using this for.

 

[raid]

This is good to know. Thanks for the input on the EPL-1.