Monday
Jun222009
Here we go... Post a Comment below with your questions?
Monday, June 22, 2009 at 04:56PM Hello everyone,
I have the E-P1, 17mm f2.8 pancake, 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, OVF and flash... please post a comment below with your questions. We'll make diary entries here which address your questions moving forward.
In addition, please join us this Thursday for the UK Premiere launch of the Olympus E-P1 in London. We will be meeting in the early afternoon before the event for a team meeting and chance to use the E-P1 for yourself.
Kind Regards
Brian
Reader Comments (15)
Hi Brain,
I am definitely getting the EP1 (replacing an E420 as my small/backup body). I have the 14-42 kit lens that came with the E420 and considering getting the kit with the 17mm (no two lens kits planned for the US yet). How much better is the performance of the micro 14-42 compared to the 4/3 14-42 with the adapter with regards to AF speed/accuracy? (I realize that needing the adapter means the combination will be a bit larger than using the micro lens.)
Thanks (and enjoy your new toys),
Steve Wandy
Please provide definitive answers to the following questions to assure your place in heaven...
1. Is the AF focus speed noticeably slow either in good light and in poor light, and is there any difference between the two lenses in that regard?
2. How usable is the LCD in bright daylight?
3. Is the 230K LCD too coarse for accurate MF focus in good light?
4. In what respects can previous E live view SLR owners judge the E-P1's LCD usability based on their own camera's LCD?
5. Is the E-P1's shutter sound any different in quality or loudness from the G1's?
6. Are there any other gotcha's that would interfere with using this camera for street/candids/decisive-moment?
Of course, you'd never have thunk any of the above questions on your own ;) If you had some adapters, there would be a whole raft of further questions about using 35mm primes, so consider you've been let off easy.. ;)
Hi Brian.
Whats the DR and noise at 800 & above like compared to E-620 . Thanks
Brian:
#1 Can you confirm that a Panasonic four thirds to micro four thirds adapter (DMW-MA1APP) will work on the E-P1? Specifically that the E-P1 can autofocus *all* four thirds lenses with the Panasonic adapter. That would be very helpful :-).
#2 Any information at regarding lens performance of various four thirds lenses on the E-P1 would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you Brian!
Re: Dale
You can hear what the shutter sounds like here:
http://www.imaginginsider.com/?p=96492
and here:
http://translate.google.com/translate?=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/review/pview/20090618_294689.html
From what I've read online, the sound is supposed to be quieter than the G1... which makes me happy because I find the G1 to be quiet :-). Brian can probably tell us for sure...
Iain, the DR and noise looks excellent - I'll do some comparison shots to show the difference to the E-620.
Kind Regards
Brian
Is there a reason Olympus did not include a distance scale on the barrel of the 17mm lens? Hyperfocal or zone focusing techniques would seem to be a natural match for the OVF. It is easy enough to set the aperture in-camera, but it would be so nice if I could scale focus and shoot quickly without peering at the LCD.
Terry, there isn't any room for a distance scale - the pancake lens is extremely narrow.
Also, it's a 'fly by wire' focusing ring... which means that it rotates freely, there's no absolute end stop.
I've posted how to pre-focus here.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Brian
Brian: at some point it would be great if you could create a separate diary entry addressing the experience of using the E-P1 with a 35mm prine lens, such as OM or M mount. There was an early report that the number of steps needed to use the manual focus enlargement facility (and perhaps other things) puts a damper on this aspect of the camera. Having IS work on one's collection of older lenses would make the E-P1 attractive to certain potential buyers, but only if all other aspects of the user experience are acceptable.
Hi Dale,
I can't imagine how any reviewer has managed to produce such extensive Previews and Reviews given only an hour, or even a day or two... I've been practically sleeping with this thing, and still have so much to explore and share.
I've already tried my 40mm f1.8, 85mm f1.8 and 135mm f2.8 Hexanon legacy lenses with the E-P1, so will write up a diary entry to kick things off today.
The problem with user interface is almost certainly going to be due to lack of familiarity - the LCD is big enough to focus without even zooming in to 10x live view... and you get that 'glimmer' when focusing on subjects with a fine texture which tells you you've got critical focus.
Cheers
Brian
Hi Brian,
I know you really enjoy manual focusing with old legacy lenses with the G1 EVF, how is the experience with the EP-1 LCD?
And how about the size of the Hexanons 40f1.8 and 50f1.7 + adapter +EP1.
Many Thanks
Guillaume
Hi Guillaume,
the E-P1 is perfectly fine for manual focusing of anything up to 135mm FL... the stabilisation helps a lot - I'll try to get some illustrations of the holding/focusing technique I use - I've tested manual focusing in strong sunlight and it's possible.
I'll look forward to demonstrating this in London tomorrow - since it seems to go against what other reviewers are saying.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Brian
Hi Brian
Does E-P1 FL14 Flash feature a AF Assist lamp like the FL36?
Thanks
Cheers
Martin
Hi Martin, no I'm afraid not... and it doesn't have an option to use the FL36 AF Assist lamp either.
Kind Regards
Brian
Movie Modes: I would love to hear some tips for movies. I am going to try it out today inside a theater. Stage lights only. Any tips. Thanks.
Hi All,
First post and asking for help. Where can I get my E-P1 sensor cleaned? I have two small marks caused by water droplets from my wet hand. I know, I know! I live in Northern Ireland but would post camera to any competent person or shop etc. If any member can help me out, I would be very grateful indeed.
Thank you and best regards.
David Wilkinson