One Week with Vintage Olympus Four Thirds

"Brand new" e-4xx with 5,000 shutter releases initial impressions

 

OVF sufficient

Coming up/down from zero AF pips (on older MF) to dozens (on newer Nikons) not an issue

14-42 light and compact (but realize that u4/3 14-42 is 113 grams vs 190 grams) - who cares, the body is lighter

This baby is lighter than an E-M1

Incredible machine for something about 10 years old

Syncing with studio flashes (Elinchromes and Hensels) not an issue

Seems like a toy but can hold it just fine

Time between shots OK

Buffering OK (shooting RAW)

Dual card for an old baby like this = great

 

Overall for a travel DSLR - 9/10

 

Now looking for an e-400 for that Kodak Sensor

<p>I don't think the Olympus DSLRs are that old yet, just about 10 years (even though they are very much neglected). I got an E300 with about 11000 shots, still working great except the popular broken CF card door. But I like the Lumix L1 more because I can use it similarly to my old Canon EF (also because it is in great condition).</p>

 

The one that got me to go from Canon film to digital was the superb Olympus E-1. Although its bulk and weight drew much scorn for not following the OM light and small, it was and still is, it is a genuine classic. I still break out and use the E-1,which for hand holding has not been matched. I got mine in 2004. With a fine water resistant 14-54 zoom. A battery grip that was unmatched for long life battery..The system had the best dust removal strategy then and now. For digital, that was a troublesome bit. Olympus nailed it. ( Ok, the xD card was a non starter)...The system is great indeed. Use your toy in good health. gs

I hasten to add another thing about the older Four Thirds. The original lenses, the HG ones that I bought, were and still are superb by most standards. The 50m, F 2 for instance is still small enough even to go with micro four thirds. And yes, Olympus fulfilled its promise to keep the Four Thirds lenses usable with latest cameras. One can quibble about size and focus speed and all that, but they work. Recall all the predictions of the death of the four thirds format...it didn't happen. Count your blessings instead of sheep I say. Happy trails from a vintage community member. May we all live long enough to be declared vintage photographers!