E1 digital mount > other manufacturers' opinions on it?

Considering that Olympus is promoting its E1 digital system as a

universal lens mount, its future depends on the support and backing

of other camera manufacturers.

 

Has anyone heard opinions form Canon, Nikon, etc, on the E1 idea?

 

Kodak and Fuji got behind it, so perhaps a Kodak DCS 14n camera body

(12 megapixels I believe) built around a 4/3rds lens mount would be a

nice option.

A 4/3" chip is 13mm tall by 18mm. In 12 meg camera would give you about 4 micron square pixels,with all that that implys about dynamic range and image quality.

 

I can't see that many people would pay for a 12 meg camera with pixels that small with all the other options that they already have?

 

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~parsog/photo/sensors1.html

Are they really behind it? I don't think Fuji makes very many lenses, and I know Kodak

doesn't.

 

Maybe you're implying that they're behind it in the sense that they are planning DSLRs

in the 4/3 mount?

 

Canon and Nikon will both be sticking with their own lens mounts, that's for sure. I

can't imagine either of them making lenses in a different mount at this time.

 

I think more than other manufacturers getting behind the 4/3 system, its survival will

be determined by how dedicated Olympus remains to the E series as a system. Will

they produce another body in a year or two? How about many more lenses? They

certainly have an abundance of lens formulae. Will they innovate again, or will they

just give up on the E series when the bean counters tell them that they're making

more money on P&S cameras like they did in the late '80s?

 

I wish Olympus the best of luck, although I'm not holding my breath.

" They all laughed at Christopher Colombus...."

Actually, Gerry, he was sent off on his mission to find another route to India by the

Queen of Spain, with the full blessings of what was the biggest superpower in the

world at the time. I don't think anyone was laughing.

 

To suggest that Olympus is breaking ground in a similar fashion as Colombus was is

laughable, though.

If Olympus is still blatant about not offering some kind of adapter to mount our beloved Zuiko manual focus lenses, I feel that the OM users of the world, like me, as a whole will turn their heads at the E-1.

I agree. The fact that Olympus has not seriously incorporated OM lens into the E-system, well, ticks me off. It almost (just almost) makes me wish I had built my camera system around another manufacturer.

Yes, I have a large system of Zuiko and OM accesories; I am hearing thru the GV that OM is considering a dedicated adapter for our lenses. As of right now we can obtain an adapter for the EOS system. I believe that when OM sees that it is not selling the E-1 as well as it had hoped, they may decide to include us faithful with an adapter system or who knows? They may even change the mount to accomodate our stuff. I won't hold any false hope however.

"...when he said the world was round;..." Ira Gershwin,1936, from film Shall We Dance,Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Be well,eat high fiber cereals.:-) Thats a joke son.

I predict Olympus will introduce two new bodies this CY and three more lenses. Anyone taking this bet. A fresh pineapple and a kukui nut,anyone? The system already has five lenses of distinction, two strobes,two ring lights, cables,a power grip. My problem has been the price of accessories,but they are certainly of high quality. Olympus supported the OM system in the face of competition and its TTL method was a first I recall. That titanium OM model still fetches a premium. The ultrasonic dust removal module is innovative and suggests commitment to excellence. Zuiko lenses still work on OM bodies. As Canon FD work on FD bodies. Lets just see,I am betting on it. Pineapples in good supply.

Now what if,just if, Tamron introduces an E mount series of glass,huh? That is hinted rather strongly in the press.

BTW, at CES, an Olympus Marketing rep mentioned to me that they would probably bow to market pressure and release a OM to E lensmount adapter. This was unofficial, of course.

<i> " They all laughed at Christopher Colombus...." </i><p>

 

Did you really mean to quote Gershwin lyrics as the best support for a photographic

argument? If so, be careful about <i>"who's got the last laugh now." </i> (Especially

since the "They laughed at" argument is used by UFOlogists and all sorts of

crackpost.)

"...the full blessings of what was the biggest superpower in the world.." (Spain). Oh really. I didn't know that. I thought Portugal,which began exploration and settlement under Prince Henry,and ruled the oceans for 150 years or so, and the Venetians and the Genoese were pretty big sea powers in 1492. Not to mention the Ottoman Empire and Moors which held half of Iberia until the 15th century with the consolidation of Castile and Aragon. No offense to Columbus,an Italian trained guy with chutzpah and slyness, nor Magellan, a truly great explorer and one I admire even more. So where does this fit in the thread,beats me... But this also connects with technological innovation and brings the story back to pioneers,and little guys well positioned in history. A little guy with a finer astrolabe,backstaff, a better map, a bigger set of balls too can make history. Olympus is the name on my first digital camera, a 5050, and I am impressed with this class which may make it profitable for O to invest in pro systems. I will invest in their stock,won't you? Don't answer,as noone really knows R.J. We don't need 12 megapixels,maybe just better pixels and more innovative chip design. There are other mfrs out there beside s C and N,who make cameras, and-hold on to your hats-high tech outfits like HP who venture into cameras. Anything is possible in this best of all possible worlds.:-)

Sorry Zorro... I no taka de bait..chuckle.. Visualize world peace, support small business,er like Foveon. He who laughs last laughs last. Q.E.D.

Let's start another rumor right here. Bronica is a respected name that has no 35mm entry.(ala Hassy) What if Tamron releases an E mount body with the Bronica name. A little old lady wearing Reeboks whispered this to me on her way out of C.E.S. "My son Phil swore it on the phone,so help me" says she.

<i> I will invest in their stock,won't you? </i><p>

 

Investing in an overpriced camera with decidedly mixed reviews <u><b>and</b>

</u> its foreign stock? Sounds more like fanaticism that anything else. <p>

 

<i>"They all laughed at Roswell alien gawkers...</i>

"The E-1 system lenses' autofocus motors are in each lens. Check out the system's wonderful approach to focus control - it COMBINES autofocus and manual focus in a new and effective way. The feel of the manual focus, while a servomotor system, really feels like good old manual focus -- it is sensitive to your touch, focusing faster if you turn faster. You can set the camera to shoot without waiting for autofocus confirmation if you want. Along with this, you can set the camera for either 1) autofocus 2) manual focus, or 3) a unique combination of both using the speed of autofocus with the ability to touch up with manual! This is VERY effective, particularly with long lenses. Try it, feel it, at your dealer and see what u think. Olympus has broken new ground here. Bob Laubach Manassas, VA RALaubach@aol.com" Quoted without comment,R.J. Could this be a conspiracy to promote an outlandish device,maybe a disguised body snatcher device,yes,yes..must be work of Dr Strangelove or Dr No,my Peenemunde colleagues.

Olympus rules<div></div>

This thread has really gone to the dogs.

The connection is simple. Shot with 5 megapixel small sensor on C5050, of which Olympus gave out 25,000 to amateurs and pros who fill a coffee table book called America 24/7. My kind of company. But I returned the FL 50, too much designed for the E-1 and not fully functional with the C5050,but well made IMO.<div></div>

Right Dougie babe, the aliens have got me,-or maybe its tax time again!. Aloha, I will exit stage left,no bouquets needed, being a Canon FD follower at heart and not a bonafide Olympus coinnoisseur/maniac in good standing.

Many of the accessories in the E1 brochure (such as the macro flash gear) look like OM system stuff brought up to date for the digital age.

 

I have no doubt that Olympus has more lenses planned for introduction, including fast prime lenses and more zooms. But I don't think there will be a plethora of them. The company trimmed back its line of Zuiko optics (for the OM system) considerably over the course of time, and I notice that the 300mm f/2.8 lens for the E1 camera is only "manufactured on request" according to the sales literature.

 

The MA-1 adapter that has grown to mythic proportions in the hearts and minds of OM buffs everywhere is not the ultimate saviour. More akin to an OM to EOS adapter, unless there is at least some sort of automation built into the adapter.

 

I also question whether Olympus will want to continue to support repairs and spare parts for OM gear just because some photographers are using their old Zuikos on the E1.

 

And Zuiko lenses will really begin showing their age, even if the optics are good. Image Stabilizers, quick AF, etc, will become standard and you will begin casting your eyes in that direction.

 

Allegedly Olympus does have plans to release a cheaper, scaled back 4/3rds body during 2004.

 

Tamron/Tokina/Sigma lenses in a 4/3rds mount? I'd still prefer marque lenses unless the independent manufacturers are really making something that Olympus doesn't offer. (This happened with 80-200mm f/2.8 lenses)

I find the E1 to be the cat's meow. IMHO Zuiko optics are among the finest that can be had. Here we finally have a slr thats has lens designed specifically of digital photography. The E10 is no small shake either.

 

Jeff

Do you think that Panasonic/Leica may enter the '4/3' arena as well, especially for its digital version of the M serie ? (Just wondering...)