My First Foray Into Micro Four Thirds

[Bif]

I felt like I needed a compact, easy to keep up with, digital camera for when I didn't want to mess with a DSLR, even the Rebel gets to be more than I want to carry sometimes when "running errands", usually can't resist grabbing other lenses and first thing I know I have a "bagfull" to "mess with".

I started looking at micro four thirds stuff and the Olympus Pen series seemed what I was looking for. Users really liked the color coming out of them, then I noticed on amazon the Pen e-PL1 was selling for as low as $290 with 14-42 "kit" lens. Video was limited to 1280x720 but the price was right to "try it out".

So I ordered it, added the 14mm Lumix f2.5 lens for $249 to it and a $200 VF-2 electronic viewfinder. It came in yesterday and I put the battery on charge.

Quick tests shooting stills look very good, ISO only goes up to 3200 and so far noise does not seem to be objectionable. Video looks fairly good also, I took a short test clip inside and put it on the timeline of my NLE, rendered it out to 60p WMV. The electronic viewfinder makes outdoor shooting and review easy. So far I really like it.

Later versions like the Pen e-Mini, e-P3 or e-PL3 offer more "performance" (ISO's up to 12,800 and faster autofocus but then the price is $499-$899 for body and "kit" zoom. You can get a Canon T3i for $709 at B&H right now.

I found the Lumix 20mm f1.7 on Adorama at a decent price and placed an order about an hour ago. This won't be replacing my Canon's (7D, 60D) in any way, just something that will go in a jacket pocket (with the "pancake" lenses) yet still take decent lenses when needed.

When GH-2 body prices drop I'll already have lenses on hand and may give that a try for video.

Bruce Foreman

[krewcial]

I just bought a second hand GH1, for the exact same reasons.
Plus the fact that the GH1 can be modded/hacked for full HD video.
I never got rid of my FD lenses, so I can make good use of 'm again now.

[Daniel Rutter]

Man, I'm jealous of you Bruce! I want that 20mm 1.7!

[Bif]

Both Adorama and B&H in New York list it for $339, I don't know how complicated it would get for you (customs and import fees) to order from them. I haven't checked into Hong Kong pricing, apparently some in Australia order from HK vendors.

The "kit" 14-42mm that came with the camera isn't bad, the Lumix 14mm f2.5 seems to me to be a VERY good lens for wide angle work, but the 20mm is likely to stay on the cam most of the time. Save up for it, you may be able to go for it before too long.

I missed a used GH2 with "kit" lens at B&H because I hesitated and "thought it over". Priced at $670 and someone "snapped it up" fairly quickly.

Bruce Foreman

[cgbier]

How does that VF-2 work? Is it easy to see?

[Daniel Rutter]

I missed a used GH2 with "kit" lens at B&H because I hesitated and "thought it over". Priced at $670 and someone "snapped it up" fairly quickly.

I wish I could say that one was me. Still haven't started saving for that one... I'll wait for my tax refund

[Bif]

How does that VF-2 work? Is it easy to see?

Phenomenal! Seems sharper and crisper than the LCD on the back of the camera. The one complaint in reviews is that it does not "lock" in place and can come off. Mine fits fairly snug and seems secure. If it ever loosens up a small piece of paper will "shim" it in place.

I like it.

Bruce Foreman

[Bif]

(about the used GH2...)

I wish I could say that one was me. Still haven't started saving for that one... I'll wait for my tax refund

I guess I start saving, too.

Bruce Foreman

[cgbier]

Thanks, Bruce.

[cgbier]

I have been toying with the thought of getting a Pen to replace my (graciously) aging E-1, but I just got a link from B&H to the revived OM. Looks yummy!

[Bif]

That does look good. May be a good option to watch since it looks like the GH2 is being discontinued. B&H carried the GH2 with 14-42mm "kit" lens as discontinued until yesterday then dropped it (body only and 2 options with accessory kits are still listed though).

Wonder if the GH3 is about to make it's appearance.

Bruce Foreman

[Bif]

Wow! I just saw a couple of comparison pics, one showing a shot from an Olympus P3 at ISO 3200 and another on the identical setup shot with an OMD E-M5 at ISO 12,800. The OMD shot is actually sharper and looks "cleaner" to me.

The Panasonic GH2 looks definitely discontinued, and a GH3 will have to go head to head with this OMD E-M5 with availability on the latter estimated in April. I'm tempted.

The more I use the Olympus Pen e-PL1 the more I like it. I have the 14mm f2.5 and the 20mm f1.7, may spring for one of the longer lenses with the 40-150mm looking useful. I love the compactness of the M43 lenses, the e-PL1 with the VF-2 viewfinder is a pleasure to use, I just wish it did 1920x1080 video (may have to start planning for an EP3. I "tumbled" for the PL1 when one vendor through amazon listed it for $290 with 14-42mm "kit" lens and that looked to me like a very good "purchase to try" price).

Here's a link to where I found the comparison images, scroll down in the thread to get to them in a post by Lisandra:

http://e-p1.net/olympus-om-digital-c...?topicseen#new

Bruce Foreman

[1]

I played with a Fuji X-Pro 1 on Friday. Looked pretty nice, I must say. At US$1700.00 sans lens, not really cheap though!

cam-lens-group-001.jpg

[Flozem]

I saw a review of an Olympus pen (demonstrating video quality)... I noticed some degree of wobbliness... what's your experience?

[Bif]

I haven't done any video I need to keep with the Pen PL1, it is limited to 1280x720. But I don't worry about "wobbliness" with anything I use; Canon DSLRs and Canon HF series. All have "rolling shutters".

Not a problem for me as I isolate gear from vibration, control movements and make slow pans. Just not been a problem.

Bruce Foreman

[cgbier]

Flozem, the Pens weren't really meant for video. They are still cams with video function. It seems the OM-D changes that.

[Bif]

As it would appear, so does the Pen e-P3, PL3, and maybe even the mini. But the more I read claimed specs on the OMD E-M5, look at comparison pix from pre-production samples, the more this one looks like my next camera.

If it weren't for the impending release of the OMD E-M5, I could make do very well with a Pen e-P3 (or PL3) and the accessory EVF. The fun I'm having with that "old tech" e-PL1 and the initial still photo results tell me I could make do very well if all I had was the latest version and a few lenses.

Only real "catch" is the comparative cost. The OMD will go for $999 body only, $1099 with a 14-42 "kit" lens, and $1299 with a new 12-50mm weather sealed lens (the body is weather sealed also). This last option is the way I would go.

But the Olympus Pen e-P3 is $899, that's right up there for small cam without built in viewfinder.

Just wouldn't be able to impress and intimidate like you could with a 7D (I remember one wedding I shot with a Mamiya RB67 just for the helluvit - I normally used a Hasselblad - and NOBODY got in front of me).

But the more I test out this Micro Four Thirds lens system with this little Pen camera, the more I like it.

Bruce Foreman