Photos with E-P1 + Ziess 35mm f/2 Biogon

[DRabbit]

I really like this combo...

Overall, I really like the E-P1... it's a great little camera and a perfect fit for me. I find manually focusing easy, and AF speed (with the 14-42 and panasonic 45-200) just fine.

Thanks for looking!

 

[scottwallick]

My E-P1 and CV M adapter have been ordered. Twiddling thumbs. Can't wait to slap on my 35/2.8 ZM and see where it takes me.

 

[DRabbit]

Thanks for looking Scott. Have fun with your new setup... I sure have been!

The biggest problem really is the limitations of the 4/3 (m4/3) format when it comes to it's ability to do a shallow depth of field (which I love). f/2 is really quite wide, but you don't get that impression on m4/3... which means even wider would be better (like a 1.2 or 1.4, which I'm considering buying).

 

[leicaAngst]

Thanks for looking Scott. Have fun with your new setup... I sure have been!

The biggest problem really is the limitations of the 4/3 (m4/3) format when it comes to it's ability to do a shallow depth of field (which I love). f/2 is really quite wide, but you don't get that impression on m4/3... which means even wider would be better (like a 1.2 or 1.4, which I'm considering buying).

Like you I love shallow DoF, particularly for portraiture or close-up work. I used to have an Oly 35RD, and really enjoyed the small body big lens design and the beautiful images I could get - some of my best images came from that camera and B&W film.

I would LOVE to see what an f1.4 lens (say an OM 50mm) could produce on the EP-1.

Cheers, lA.

 

[Colman]

Any chance you could talk us through the process of manual focusing?

 

[DRabbit]

Sure Colman... it's really fairly simply.

First, you can program the Fn button to do whatever you want. I have it set (at the moment) to go between Auto-Focus and Manual-Focus. However, I recently discovered that by being in S-AF+M Mode (single auto-focus + manual mode) works just as well. With a MF lens on, the AF won't even attempt to work, so I can just stay in S-AF+M Mode. Either way, the point is that you need to change the camera to be in S-AF+M Mode or MF Mode. Even without the Fn button, you can do it by hitting the back arrow/AF button.

Once you're in MF mode (however you got there) you just manually focus by turning the focus ring on the lens.

If you want to engage Focus-Assist (which took me some help to figure out), it's not hard at all.

Press the Info button until you see the green square. Now, if you hit the OK button it will magnify your view for easier manual focusing. Hit the OK button again, and it will go back to normal.

Also, if you hit the OK button to magnify, you can toggle between 7X and 10X magnification by turning the wheel (the bigger one).

With one of my M-lenses attached, I just leave it in the green-square/focus assist mode. Even when turning the camera off, it'll start back up in that mode. That's the easiest way to toggle focus-assist on and off as needed.

It all sounds more complicated than it is (when you write it down). Really, it's as simple as being in S-AF+M or MF mode, setting the Info button to green-square/focus assist mode, and leaving it there. Then all you have to do when you want to take a shot is raise the camera and manually focus, hitting the OK button with your thumb to toggle magnification as needed.

If you have any questions, let me know!

 

[kywong]

Great, just when I thought I can resist buying an E-P1.

 

[rover]

Focus and recompose, just like a real rangefinder camera.

 

[freeranger]

All are really good but picture number three just blows me away! must...resist..

 

[DRabbit]

Kywong... come over to the dark side... LOL

Rover... sure... but you can also move that green-square I talked about around and magnify on the object you want (if you don't want to focus and recompose). I don't think it's all that practical honestly and I've always been a focus recompose girl myself, but for real fine-tuning it's handy.

Freeranger... thanks! I really like that one too. That and the two yellow flowers are my favorite and they really pop off the screen (especially at bigger sizes).

 

[Paul T.]

Actually, I find photo #3 impressive. Basically, because nearly all compact cameras seem to give such terrible barrel distorttion. You could never take a photo like this on my G9.

 

[scottwallick]

I like #2. It's sharp right across the horizon.

@Amy, do you find the 35mm focal length on the E-P1 a bit tight? Also, how does the live view respond to changes in DOF? I'm just wondering how apparent it is on the LCD.

 

[Silva Lining]

These shots are great. I'm hopiing to get out with my EP1 and a Canon 35/1.5 at the weekend...

 

[urban_alchemist]

Must. Not. Want.

 

[DRabbit]

Paul... do you mean the gear or the dock & benches?

Scott... thanks... I had to straighten the horizon out on that one, not for distortion, but because I always tend to get my horizons crooked LOL. Other than that, there's very little post processing (tiny bit of USM after resizing for web 50 .5 5, and a tiny contrast boost +8).

Silva... I'll look forward to seeing some of your results!

Urban... you must...

 

[back alley]

can you tell me where that dock is?

 

[DRabbit]

BackAlley... it's on Long Island in New York.... a little town called Sayville.

 

[back alley]

BackAlley... it's on Long Island in New York.... a little town called Sayville.

i KNEW it!!

i have been on that dock, my best bud in the world lives in sayville and i have been there many times.

i am originally from new york, queens, but lived my summers in port jefferson with my grand parents.

small world.

joe

 

[sirius]

Ah, Joe, that explains it. I always thought your posts on RFF had a New York accent

 

[DRabbit]

Ah Joe, yes, small world! I grew up in Bayport and like to go back and visit Sayville often. My husband grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens! Graduated from Newtown HS.