Oly E-PL1

<p>Hmmm, there is not a lot of excitement over here in the Oly and 4/3 forum about the impending launch of the E-PL1. Not that I am excited about it. But I am a little excited about the 9-18mm Oly MFT zoom. It is more affordable than the Pany 7-18mm.</p>

<p>Well.... the excitement isn't there because the E-PL1 hasn't exactly been introduced by Olympus yet! No doubt it exists, but so far only in unofficial sites where you really cannot get a lot of information about the camera. You're jumping the gun just a little proclaiming there not being enough excitement yet about something we know little to nothing about.</p>

<p>There are other forums....not at Photo.net though....where information and excitement about the micro four-thirds system is in more abundance. A large portion of what goes on in this forum is not even digital-related.</p>

<p>Well, on one site, there is a huge amount of info. You literally have to keep scrolling down. Isn't it pretty much a done deal.</p>

<p>Point me to it, and it needs to be in english or forget it! I've seen the Japanese website with the image of the front of the camera. The problem is...well....it's in Japanese. It could be proclaiming every feature known to man and I would never know it, not knowing the first thing about Japanese.</p>

<p>I did see at DPReview it evidently is being introduced by Olympus tomorrow, February 3, but here in the US, February 3 isn't here yet.</p>

<p>It just crossed my mind that there was a lot of excitement some time ago about Sigma DP2 or Ricoh GRD high image quality for compacts. So wouldn't the Oly E-PL1 be their killer as far as compactness is concerned?</p>

<p>The Sigma DP2 is really more than a compact since it uses a regular aps-c sized sensor and is capable of giving true DSLR quality. For anyone willing to work within the limitations of the camera, which are mainly the single focal length lens and less-than-digicam-quality operational speed, it's an excellent camera. The GRD is a cool-looking compact with lots of usability. It uses a smaller sensor and comes at a pretty high premium price for a non-interchangeable lens camera, but many are willing to pay for that.</p>

<p>Where the E-P series of camera trumps those two are lens interchangeability. It sounds like the E-PL1 is going to be a less expensive version of the E-P1/2. How less expensive it turns out to be will probably determine where it falls compared to cameras like the Sigma and Ricoh. Buying extra lenses will probably elavate it way about the total cost of either a DP2 or GRD.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Well, there should not be much excitements because there seem to be no exciting improvements on E-PL1. A dedicated movie button? An integrated strobe? The body seems to be more comfortable to hold, but is that so exciting?</p>

<p>Greg, check out 43rumors.com, it's my second favorite photo site to check out! <br>

I frankly am excited about the popup flash, not because it is useful in and of itself, but because it allows the wireless flash system to work for the first time with micro 4/3. Yes, i do use the Canon St-E2 transmitter all the time on my canon gear. As far as the dedicated movie button is concerned it was considered huge on the Canon 7d when it came out. I do yearn and look forward to a prosumer model, which i would presume will have more bells and whistles and weather sealing and make coffee, but the EPL-1 is definitely a step in the right direction. </p>

<p>It is a pity the 9-18mm will only be available in May, after I have got back from my trip. :(</p>

<p>It should be an excellent lens. I use the 4/3rd's version of the 9-18 with my DSLR system. I have no doubt this new version will be just as good. I see Olympus is going to get a little extra premium for this lens from the initial buyers.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/#755591783_b4au4"><img id="lightBoxImage" src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Olympus-E30/P1020659/755591783_b4au4-XL.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/#608925404_JFnSt"><img id="lightBoxImage" src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Olympus-E620-Files/P8020855/608925404_JFnSt-XL.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/#554774373_G6evD"><img id="lightBoxImage" src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Olympus-E520/P6045529/554774373_G6evD-XL.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/#554774906_p3BDD"><img id="lightBoxImage" src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Olympus-E520/P6045531/554774906_p3BDD-XL.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p>Wow, Greg, great shots. Truly magnificent and fantastic. I am going to pre-order this lens for sure, never mind the premium as it is already way cheaper than the Pany version.</p>

<p>I will not get excited till they have a really good EVF build into the body, not that huge lump attached to the top. I've noticed that they don't even offer it as a body only or with the 17mm f2.8 option, just the kit zoom. Why can't these companies get a clue? Not all buyers are new, just stepping up from a point and shoot digicam. Some of us, many here I'm sure, want a 'system camera' to be be component driven. To be able to pick and choose according to our own needs and not what a marketing department has decided the target consumers will want. I'm not saying to not offer and promote a 'kit', just supply bodies and lenses as separate units at product launch.</p>

<p>Just a grumpy old man here who still goes on his daily walks with a Pen F loaded with B&W and a couple of extra primes in a cargo pocket.</p>

<p>The G-1 created a lot of excitement. Because it did show that one could take out the mirror box assembly, still have autofocus, have a meaningful relationship ( well not intimate yet, but meaningful) with an electronic viewfinder. Since Olympus was the main actor on the 4/3 stage there was a lot of excitement to see what they would come up with, and they got everybody itching to know. The PEN did not floor me, but it got a lot excitement. Now, except for the panting forums on dpreview, I am really glad that it hasn't created a brushfire of comment here. It brings micro 4/3 in Olympus down the cost ladder to compete with that G-1 class. I am interested in the video part of course. If that is to sell me, I don't know about yo all, it has to be really easy to employ... That has appeal. Having been around these matters of intros for a few years, I am way more interested in lens development. ( I am waiting to see if the Zuiko ED 4/3 100 macro will ever reach escape velocity but not holding my breath). </p>

<p>(Say, by the way, between us and the gatepost, notice that bit of verbal umbrage by dpreview EPL-1 hands on preview writer re lack of any value of the of that site's nondisclosure (agreement, I guess you call it on the release) detailing the EPL-1 specs. Getting upstaged by, it was not so subtly charged , leaks originating from The Company or its worldwide staff. Indeed!One of those emotional moments for me. Call the plumbers. But really, with the worldwide corporate branches and blog journalists hovering, rumors' r' us places , well it must be hard to make a living in the scoop- the- world camera review business.) Glad I am not drawn to it, well not <strong>too </strong> much,that is..gs</p>

<p> </p>

<p>You can get a 100mm f4 macro Digital Zuiko right now....get the 50mm f2 and then buy the EC20...instant 100mm f4 macro. I know one guy who uses the 35mm f3.5 with the EC20..</p>

<p><a href="http://www.pbase.com/eaaseth/image/103716448">http://www.pbase.com/eaaseth/image/103716448</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.pbase.com/eaaseth/image/103589934">http://www.pbase.com/eaaseth/image/103589934</a></p>

<p>Greg , you picked up on my ED100 macro comment. Fair add-on suggestions.<br>

I do use my 50mm F 2.0 with the EC 14 and I like that arrangement. Works well enough in that combo for me for closeups and portraits, and copying little 23 X24 mm film on a light table... I guess that says I am not all that impatient for their planned ( roadmapped which I see as a much less confining promise) Zuiko ED100 macro lens. </p>

<p>As you advise, Greg ,there are, indeed, fulfilling macro and closeup options right now... I use them regularly. Still, a 100mm is not a bad idea eventually. We always give this company some space without panting all over like eager puppies. Or Canon users... ( Now, If they were to discount the chunky SHG 150mm F 2, with its distance stops, I might see my way clear to buy one. And I may <em>yet</em> if my ship comes in :-)</p>

<p>I don't do much macro and am not that artful at it when I do. When I need a real closeup, or table top, I found the 50mm F 2.0 has ,thankfully, enough working distance so I can,(with no small effort sometimes), get a little artificial light squeezed in there. I did this bare- bones straight down image of my wife's class ring logo.. Just to give you 4/3dsers a an idea how close one can get with the 50 mm F 2.0 and EC-14 combo. Close enough for government work...no I did not say that...:-)</p><div></div>

<p>In the event anyone might be interested, I have a photo of my cobbled- together assembly</p>

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<p>Good stuff!</p>

<p>I have not laid out the funds for a dedicated macro yet. I use an EX25 tube with either the 70-300 or 50-200 SWD when I want to do closeup shooting, mainly at places like the Arboretum and such. I rarely do anything requiring a copy table setup like that. I do have the EC20 that I use with the 50-200 when the 300mm end of the 70-300 isn't long enough.</p>

<p>The 50-200 or 70-300 plus the EX25 gives an excellent amount of working distance at the mid to long range zoom setting.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/#488345663_GSjma"><img id="lightBoxImage" src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Dallas-Blooms-March-9-2009/P3091982/488345663_GSjma-XL.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/#488358360_gCLmd"><img id="lightBoxImage" src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Dallas-Blooms-March-9-2009/P3092039/488358360_gCLmd-XL-1.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/#488359719_2Yvcq"><img id="lightBoxImage" src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Portfolio/Dallas-Blooms-March-9-2009/P3092046/488359719_2Yvcq-XL-1.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>