Would you still buy an Olympus EP-2?

[twhittle]

I have been thinking about getting a 4/3rds digi camera to compliment my B&W film efforts and have just found a Olympus EP-2 with the 17mm Olympus lens for £140.
What I want to know is should I get such an old digital camera?

Should I get it and try it out?
Wait and save up for a later model?

Just shoot film?

 

[k__43]

you could also buy my EP1 and get a true classic. LOL

 

[defconfunk]

I am not a fan of any of the 12mp m43 sensors. They were designed and built to be cheaper than the four thirds cameras, and as such they suffer at any ISO above 400 imo. I would hold out for a 16mp m43.

Edit: I want to clarify. I'm not saying 12mp isn't enough pixels. I'm saying that the 12mp m43 sensors made by both Panasonic and Olympus were designed to be lower end parts. This shows up in chroma-noise at iso levels above 400. My three year older 10mp E-510 took better pictures at ISO 800, and I didn't consider those to be good enough to make 5x7 prints from. The image quality improvements from when they moved to 16mp are significant. And yes, I know the Panasonic and Olympus sensors are different, but it looks like they made similar design trade-offs. /end edit

If you don't care about IBIS, the GX1 is a really slick camera to use, and (here at least) they show up used once in a blue moon for what the EP-2 costs (takign into acount currency differences).

If you want IBIS (admittedly, it helps with vf-less cameras), hold out for an E-PM2. It has (roughly) the same sensor as the E-P5, OM-D E5, and OM-D E10. Nothing to shake a stick at.

As for lenses, the Oly 17 seems good, as does the panny 20, and I've heard good things about the Sigma 19 (a bit bulkier, and only f2.8, but just as sharp as the panny @ 2.8). If you end up with any of those I expect you'll be happy.

 

[jsrockit]

Buy it, try it. Resell for same price if it doesn't work out. It's outdated, but will still make decent images.

 

[Noll]

Are you buying it to use adapted MF lenses or are you going to jump in with a couple m43 lenses?

If it's the former, I'd suggest not bothering unless you want to get one of the EVF's along with it. At which point, you're spending more than is probably worth it and would be better off getting one of the "older" Panasonic G series cameras with the built-in finder (I bought my G3 in summer 2013 for $150).

If it's the latter scenario and no EVF required, then I suppose why not? Shouldn't have to spend more than $100 on it right?

Edit - didn't see you posted the price for camera and lens. That's not bad at all, really.

 

[twhittle]

Are you buying it to use adapted MF lenses or are you going to jump in with a couple m43 lenses?

If it's the former, I'd suggest not bothering unless you want to get one of the EVF's along with it. At which point, you're spending more than is probably worth it and would be better off getting one of the "older" Panasonic G series cameras with the built-in finder (I bought my G3 in summer 2013 for $150).

If it's the latter scenario and no EVF required, then I suppose why not? Shouldn't have to spend more than $100 on it right?

Edit - didn't see you posted the price for camera and lens. That's not bad at all, really.

Thanks for your input, my sister has an unused EVF I could steal. I probably would just use it with the pancake lens and not use any MF lenses, unless I could find an adapter for my Pentax 67 Lens! 😀
The only thing that puts me off is the noise at high iso's and the speed of the auto focus. . .

Anyone have any thoughts on AF speed?

 

[zuiko85]

No.

I will not use evf until they are as good as my OM-1 with a 1-10 grid/matte screen.

For me the reason to buy a mirrorless is to use my real old (or is that old but real) lenses. Ones like my original Pen F lenses and OM Zuikos and M42 Takumars and CV lenses in LTM and M mount. Until I can accurately and rapidly focus and without 'trailing' when I pan the camera.

I like my 'old' lenses. They have features you can't even buy on modern AF lenses.

You know, silly things like smooth manual focus, an aperture dial, a DOF scale.

Yeah, I know, you can still buy such features on a few very expensive m43 mount lenses. But why would I want to spend multi K $ when I already have a shelf full of lenses already? Besides, I'm retired and on a limited income so the expense is out of the question anyway.

 

[defconfunk]

Thanks for your input, my sister has an unused EVF I could steal. I probably would just use it with the pancake lens and not use any MF lenses, unless I could find an adapter for my Pentax 67 Lens! 😀
The only thing that puts me off is the noise at high iso's and the speed of the auto focus. . .

Anyone have any thoughts on AF speed?

AF speed with m43 lenses (not adapted FT lenses) is fine. Compared to other consumer level DSLRs, the m43 cameras have always been quick focusing. I don't know what you are used to, but I'm sure you'll adjust to it quickly. Just don't plan on using it for shooting fast moving sports.

I don't know how much that Oly 17mm lens sells for on its own around you. For $150 Cnd, I'd buy the kit just for the lens, play it with it, and keep an eye out for a deal on a 16mp body whenever that came around.

On the topic of adapted lenses:
If you use the lens with larger apertures (f8 and up), the back screen should be good enough for adapted lenses. If your goal is a quick street shooting style (pre-focused, deep DoF), you'll have no problems at all.

The distance scale won't translate when fitting older lenses, and you've got the 2x crop factor to deal with, but you have two stops more DoF, so mount an old 28mm, set it to f8, focus near the far end, and you're set for a nice compact walk-around camera with a 55mm FoV, really deep DoF, and the rendering of an old lens you like.

At least, that's the idea with 35m lenses, putting you Pentax 67 lenses on there would be beyond silly - the camera body is probably smaller than your 90mm lens!

No.
I will not use evf until they are as good as my OM-1 with a 1-10 grid/matte screen.

Define "as good"?
Have you tried a modern EVF?

I can focus in lower light with my EVF, I can see exactly what will be blown out, and with focus peaking I can tell exactly what is in focus, even if it isn't in the centre of my VF. Lag is less than 1/10th of a second - visible under fast panning in low light, but nothing else.

Does it look like a computer monitor? Yes. It has that against it.

 

[Rodchenko]

An EPL-1, though technically in a lower band, is actually better specced than an EP-2, and at a better price. It's got a decent on-board flash, too.

 

[zuiko85]

Define "as good"?
Have you tried a modern EVF?

I can focus in lower light with my EVF, I can see exactly what will be blown out, and with focus peaking I can tell exactly what is in focus, even if it isn't in the centre of my VF. Lag is less than 1/10th of a second - visible under fast panning in low light, but nothing else.

Does it look like a computer monitor? Yes. It has that against it.

The last one I had a chance to actually look through (I don't live within a 100 miles of any camera stores that would actually have Olympus camers and EVF's to try) was Sept/2013. I finally looked through a EM-5 and was totally put off by the cartoon colors and smeary image when moving. As I only had a short time (pressing family concerns) I did not find out if it could be configured to present a more optical like view. I have read the EM-1 is improved but it may be years before I find myself in a place that has one to check out.

I think perhaps if EVF could be switched to monochrome it would be an improvement, at least for me. Strange.

 

[raid]

I like using my EP2. Make sure to use excellent lenses with it.

Zeiss 85/1.4 on EP2:

Vivitar 90-180:

 

[twhittle]

I like using my EP2. Make sure to use excellent lenses with it.

Zeiss 85/1.4 on EP2:

This is an amazing photograph!

I think I will go for it and see how I get along. If I'm not won over I could always sell it on. . .

I wish it had the Panasonic 20 instead of the 17mm Olympus. . .

 

[mh2000]

Since I am still shooting and liking my original E-P1, I'd say go for it. The cameras are very nice and stopped down, I am also very happy with the little 17 as well.

Granted, I shoot my E-P1 at base ISO, but it turns out very good images.

The E-P2 has significantly improved AF and the port for attaching EVF, but neither means much to me.

For me, the E-P1 and E-P2 more premium build makes them more enjoyable to shoot than the lower end models like the E-PL's and E-PM's. That added thumbwheel is worth it.

For an inexpensive m43, the E-P2 + 17 should be a nice camera to use. (The little 17 pairs really well with the camera for a nice classic package).

 

[mh2000]

Here's a photo my gf took of me (with an E-P1 + Holga lens) modeling my E-P1 (with adapted Russian Industar-69 pancake junk lens). Still a stylish camera IMO:

http://markhahnphotography.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/mark_st_davidii.jpg

Best! 🙂

 

[Swift1]

One my smartest purchases (IMO) was my E-P1+17/2.8+OVF kit that I bought refurbished in January, 2012. It's a great camera and always produces great images that have a very unique look and feel.
The Oly 12mp sensor is awinner in my book.
I say, go for it.

 

[raid]

Thanks. I really like the EP2, and my M8 and M9 cameras.
The EP2 is my favorite camera for tele shots.
Any fast 50mm lens becomes a great 100mm lens, with a 50mm DOF, that is more forgiving than a fast 100mm lens.
Get a cheap adapter ($25) for any SLR system for which you have sharp lenses, or buy then a sharp 50mm lens for it.




Raid

I like using my EP2. Make sure to use excellent lenses with it.

Zeiss 85/1.4 on EP2:

This is an amazing photograph!

I think I will go for it and see how I get along. If I'm not won over I could always sell it on. . .

I wish it had the Panasonic 20 instead of the 17mm Olympus. . .

 

[ruby.monkey]

I like using my EP2. Make sure to use excellent lenses with it.

Zeiss 85/1.4 on EP2:

This is an amazing photograph!

I think I will go for it and see how I get along. If I'm not won over I could always sell it on. . .

I wish it had the Panasonic 20 instead of the 17mm Olympus. . .

Personally I'd save up a little more for an E-PM1 and 20mm f/1.7, and benefit from the improved A/F performance and (to my eyes) better lens.

 

[mh2000]

The 20 is a better lens, but it also costs twice as much.

The E-PM1 is a cute little camera. I've seen refurb bodies going for ~$100 which is roughly what he'd be paying for an E-P2 bundled with a 17. That's another budget option to consider... though ultimately I would be more satisfied shooting the E-P2 for the ergonomics and feeling of quality. I considered the E-PM1 for a smaller backup camera and went through the operation and menus and found that it was adequate, though more annoying than the ergonomics of the E-P1/2.

The Pan 20 is sharper (harsher) and faster lens. The 17/2.8 produces more pleasing bokeh for most viewers. I also like the way the 17 flares better. The 20 produces spiny night time highlights while the 17 soft glowing halos -- some prefer one over the other. Anyway, agree the 20 is the better lens, but the 17 is cheap, smaller, focuses faster and has its own qualities that also make it a worthwhile cheap lens purchase. I also prefer 17mm FL over 20mm.

Even though I'm more familiar with Oly bodies, the Panasonic dmc-gx1 can be found for reasonably low prices and look nice to me. The 16MP sensors aren't supposed to be as clean as the newest m43 sensors, but they are probably as good or better than the Oly 12MP sensors and are 16MP.

 

[GaryLH]

I would say go for a newer body as well. Pany gx1 would be the one I would go for as well if u are budget constrained. The older 12 mp bodies tend to show noise at higher iso's sooner. If u are ok w/ staying around iso 400 and under, then go for it.

Gary

 

[Rick Waldroup]

I shot several of the Pen cameras and always went back to my Panasonic GF-1. I have been a m4/3 user since the very beginning and it is a system that I find perfect for what I shoot which is mostly street and documentary stuff. I even tried the Panasonic GX1 and just did not like it. The E-P2 is a fine camera but I just preferred the Panny GF-1. I shoot it with the Panasonic 14 2.5, the Panaleica 25 1.4, and the Oly 45 1.8. That makes for a great street shooting rig.

Try the Oly, I think you will like it. The m4/3 system is really a lot of fun at a very reasonable price point.