Olympus Ep-1

[lxmike]

Thinking of getting an olympus EP-1 with the 14mm zoom kit, and also I have some pentax 110 lenses, 18, 24, 50, 70 whuch I believe can be used on this camera via an adapter. Unfortunately cost is an issue hence opting for the ep-1 as opposed to the ep-2. Woulkd love to hear how people find this camera and if anyone has attempted to use an EP1 with Pentax 110 lenses

thanks in advance Mike

 

[Zarkon]

I have an Olympus EP-1 and Pentax 110 lenses (with adaptor). The lenses work reasonably well (for manual focus on a rear viewfinder) on static images and shots where you have enough time to compose and focus. I find it difficult to shoot quickly without an EVF, the EP-1 has a low resolution rear screen and cannot take the EVF (which is pricey). You'd be better off with another Pen model and an EVF for manual focusing needs. The 110 lenses also do not sport an aperture (its inside the 110 body) so you're stuck at F2.8 (wide open). The Panasonic G series cams with built in EVFs are also an option.

 

[lxmike]

thanks Zarkon, what other pen models would you recomend

 

[ian paterson]

EP-2 bodies may come down in price and start appearing 2nd hand more with the imminent release of the EP-3. I think Olympus are also bringing out a cheaper version of their EVF at the same time.

Ian.

 

[Jason C]

I like my E-P1. I do not like Live View focusing, but it is what it is. Don't go beyond iso 400 and things will be fine. Oh yeah, the Oly tend to have 'issues' with highlights. I had the Panny 20/1.7 but sold it, was not using it. I only use C-mount glass now.

The Olympus Image editing software is god-awful slow, but for RAW files I find it still works best as oppossed to Capture One and DxO. These two RAW editors have good UI and are fast, but too much image quality is lost in my opinion.


Jason C

 

[lxmike]

thanks jason for the information

 

[lxmike]

Thanks Ian, very helpfull

 

[chrishayton]

I have an EP1 and its a damn fine camera. I dont use it as much as I should but thats because Im experimenting more with Medium Format at the moment.
I dislike the lack of optical finder but the external EVF's are bulky anyway.
Its not a DSLR beater but its a great alternative to a P+S

PS I made my 110 adapter from the mount of a faulty pentax body and a body cap

 

[mh2000]

My E-P1 is my main camera, very good IMO.

I put a paper aperture behind my lens in the adaptor to stop it down, the 110 lenses are much sharper stopped down (very good, but the 50 is probably better to use some Russian RF lens... look better too!). Adapter is expensive and mine does not focus to infinity. 🙁

The kit zoom is fine stopped down, but if you can get the body with the little 17mm pancake you might like it better. I have both but really only shoot the 17... very nice lens IMO, especially at f5.6!

Don't like the EVF's and actually like the liveview focusing and framing... perfect setup for me (and I've shot real SLR's for more than 30 years!).