Comments on: Olympus E-P1 Review Diary – Part 12 – Conclusion

By: Lawrence Ripsher

Lawrence Ripsher — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:19:58 +0000

Hi Jeff –

The kit lens is good if you are shooting landscapes, etc – where the lack of shallow DOF is not missed… I’m not a huge fan of that Olympus spec cause it’s an f/2.8 and I don’t think that’s fast enough to overcome the price premium. The Panny 20mm f/1.7 is a lot better (on paper), even given the extra cost. As for me, when I use the E-P1, I only ever have one lens on it and that’s the Switar 26mm f/1.1 but that’s very expensive (> $1.5k). Of course, if you don’t mind the manual focus, you can try to find an old c mount online at the low end and still quite fast (f/1.4). Let me know what you decide(d)

By: Jeff R

Jeff R — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 08:49:48 +0000

Hi. Thanks a lot for your diary/review, I resonate with your preferences quite a bit, very helpful. I'm a longtime point and shooter looking to finally get serious. I want esp. to play with narrow DOF in semi-candid portraits like your many nice examples, and also take dusk and night street scenes. I am leaning toward the E-P1, because I know I won't want to lug a DSLR. Question: which kit lens do you use/prefer for the E-P1? Your examples don't always say what you're using. To stay compact, I'm inclined toward the 17mm over the zoom, but if I'm understanding things correctly, the 17mm doesn't seem fast enough to get the narrow DOF effects you're getting in many shots. I'm already stretching my budget so I want to get a kit lens and then go from there.

Thanks!

By: Calvin Chann

Calvin Chann — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:48:37 +0000

Hi Lawrence,

The "smaller" camera that I want hasn't been made by anyone yet, as far as I know. I am interested in the micro four thirds format, but not sure that I need interchangable lenses in a compact form factor. As you say, the 5DII will deal with those situations. What I really want is an integrated zoom on an APS-C sensor in a GF1/E-P1 sized body. The zoom doesn't need to be really super duper, just a little longer than the LX3 will do. IMO, the lens interchangeability increases bulk. Sigma have failed to do this with their DP's, and now Leica also with their X1, although I must say that I am intruiged with the X1, and may investigate it when released, obviously subject to reading reputable online reviews. Sadly, I can't see Canon doing this.

By: Lawrence Ripsher

Lawrence Ripsher — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:40:32 +0000

Hi there Robert. I was aware of that update – it'll be interesting to see what the improvements. Actually, your comment made me think that the recommendations section of my conclusion could be confused as suggesting that the E-P1 is only for advanced shooters. That wasn't the point I was making – more that it wasn't the best camera for that particular individual. He just happened to be a novice photographer. I'll amend the main section to include that edit.

By: Robert Bugariu

Robert Bugariu — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:56:23 +0000

Have you heard about the AF improvements coming in the September 15th firmware update?

This may make the E-P1 a more likely candidate for entry level DSLR seekers.

Should also level the playing field with the Lumix GF1.