robert_meyers

We now know the following:

 

1. Rangefinder (Biogon is ONLY on rangefinders).

2. Digital or 35mm, NOT MF. There are no wide angles like that with MF with that wide an apature.

3. Somehow this has a panoramic feature (2:1)

4. That Zeiss is staffed with Saddists.

 

Note I was drifiting around their site. Zeiss got a Biogon to work on a MF digital... that says to me they figgured out the problem (Alpa with 38mm). So I am wondering if they ended up with an odd shapped sensor on a G Digital (hopping G... and lenses will work).

An aside, the Canon 1DS is a different price point and therefore may not be relevant.

Just as an aside. Zeiss M? Nope. Can't happen. Not tell the Kyocera contract is up. They have EXCLUSIVE rights to CZ for 35mm... so if it could be used by 35mm, not allowed.

One kidney. If no crop... they will get lots.

Ok. Now i am sure it is a Contax, not Sony or Zeiss (as in non-contax). I am betting on a Digital G with some new lenses (hopefully still compatible with my 90.. oh and my 45.. 35? 28? 21?).

?Robert, page 17 of dpreview's review of the E-1 claims that the in-camera JPEG isn't as good as that done by the supplied software. If true, this suggests the camera's processor is underpowered. It is particularly annoying given that Olympus doesn't compress their RAW. ? Interesting. I have not heard any complaints, and have compared them (many people seem to just shoot jpeg and be done with it). I do know, Phil used the old CS converted and complained about jpeg? and kinda became persona non grata on his own boards oly forum (because EVERYONE knew about the CS issue? which has since been resolved). I wonder if this has been resolved in updates (Phil used v1.0, we are on 1.4 now).

 

?Updating the firmware can only be done from Olympus's proprietary software, which will be practically impossible to run in ten years' time. That means the resale value of lenses and bodies will be nil in ten years' time. For the price, I expect these items to last longer than that.? Why would that be? Windows will see no major architectural changes in ten years, at least non-planned. Also, you are figuring that Olympus will cease supporting the system, otherwise this would be updated. On the other hand, as for updating the lenses and bodies? have you ever had an EF lens updated? I haven?t and have never heard of it being done. I would however like to see an update to make updating via CF available as an option.

?The choice of focal length for the macro lens is curious - these days, most people prefer 180mm equivalent, not the 100mm equivalent of the E-1 system.? I don?t get it either. I ended up using an S-Planar myself (60/2.8). I just don?t like the macro, to short, only a 1:1 after crop (my S-Planar is a 2:1 after crop). I am considering getting an apo-lanther 125/2.5 or a 180/2.5 Tamron SP and using it.

 

By the way, some basic information for anyone interested on planned lenses (according to their roadmap) for this year? maybe to be seen at photokina:

 

5-15mm (approximate) speed unknown

15-42mm (approximate) speed unknown

45-110mm (approximate) speed unknown

 

Next year the plan on bringing out several primes? including what looks like a 90 Macro.

 

Either way? I like the camera:)

Just as an aside, the E-10 and E-20 have commonly been used in the role you are looking at. The 10D would be better... with an 85/1.8, but... they are a lot cheaper. Then you can save up for a bigger system.

Shun, no the 50-200mm is not constant aperture. But remember, the 50-200 is being sold as a competitor to he 100-400, not the 70-200. Right or wrong, the FoV is equal to the 100-400. Even with a 1.6x crop the 70-200 is not quite as far. So? you get a lens that gave up bulk, lost half a stop at a FoV of 400mm (35 eq) and it is smaller than the 70-200? Works for me. In truth, I want to see the high end zooms coming, but from all information, it sounds like they will be constant F2 or f2.4.

 

Oh, and in one year, how many lenses did Canon, Minolta or Contax come out with? When they jumped mounts? It takes a while and the system is not yet one year old. Sheesh. ?You cannot keep using the "we are new" excuse? Could they at least have a first birthday? So far they have three primes (50/2, 150/2 and 300/2.8) and three zooms (11-22/2.8-3.5, 14-54/2.8-3.5, and 50-200/2.8-3.5). Not bad before a first birthday. Oh, and at least one kit lens is now shipping from Sigma.

Hello all, I just thought I would put in my two cents and clear up some misconceptions.

 

Edward, don?t expect a pixel drop, but in all truth 5 MP is enough and more that enough. It it wasn?t do you think the D2H would still be on the market? Expect the cheaper model (if they only do one, I am kind of with Melvin on this). Also, the camera is fairly fast actually a little better than the 10D? so expect a little faster than the 20D for the new one. Also, Edward, the 20D does not exist yet in peoples hands. On the other hand, the E-1 is much cheaper than the 8 FPS cameras, and the 20D is a broken and worthless for me. I need depth, over speed. The E-1 has a 12 shot buffer RAW+JPG. And how does the 20D compare? It doesn?t. So compare the 20D to the E-3 when it is released, not a possible E-300 and the E-1 is a generation behind.

 

Frank, the problem found at dpreview was NOT with the JPEG converter with the Oly, but instead they were complaining of the RAW in Photoshop CS, the current version of CS RASW corrected this. Oh, and what is wrong with the update procedure? It takes like 30 seconds and you can even update a lens or flash. Name another camera this is possible with?

 

Shun, the 300/2.8 is crazy. Everyone who uses an E-1 agrees (unless they own it). But it really is the only lens out of the normal. In fact the 11-22mm is downright cheap (and incredibly sharp). I kind of expect Oly to just lower the price of the E-1 and bring out an E-3. Oh and by the way, kit lenses have actually shipped from sigma now. I do get kind of irritated that others who signed on have not actually gotten in gear as of yet

 

David, we can only hope that Oly has their head on straight, and not do OM all over again. But a cheap bidy will sell more glass? lower the cost via volume.

 

My expectations? Total guesses.

 

E-300 introduced, $700-800 price point, Plastic body 2/3 the size of E1, 8 Megapixel, No weather proofing, 3 FPS, 7 Spot AF AND Keep everything else.

 

E-1 price reduced to $1199.

 

E-3 introduced $1999-2500 price point. Same as E-1 except: 7.5 FPS (hoping for 15 as they did before), 8 MP, Digital Image Stabilization (that matches their patent, though might end up 5 MP with this).

 

Ok my thoughts are out there? will check after photokina.

You could also pick up a G1 used with a 45 or 35, as a second body. You could pick it up dirt cheap (like less than $400 on ebay). On the other hand... that 21mm is nice (just picked mine up).

I have a G1 (21/28/35/45/90) and have had this happen before. Dismount & remount the lens. Sometimes this stops the noise. It has never had any photo go off on me though. Note that those are going to be noiser, as they are moving more glass and metal.

 

If it becomes a problem, Contax does lens repair.

Rangefinder and sports don't always work that well. Otherwise, I have heard a lot of good, especially on the R2.

Interestingly, vignetting is a different notifier.

 

Weird.

Oops. 135/2 + TC + Crop = 540/4 and 300/4 + TC + crop = 1200/8. Just for clarification. FoV and Light gathering not DoF being discussed here.

Hello all!

 

I was wondering on thoughts on a Contax TC. I am looking for a 2x

TC and pretty much would only use it on a 135/2 Planar, and maybe

later on with a 300/4 Tele-Tessar. So my question is Mutar I or

II? Note primarily this will be used on an E-1, so you can see I am

looking at FoV equiv of 270/2 and later 600/4. Thoughts?

Suggestions?

 

Thanks!

Personally I bounce between a Contax G1 (usually 35/2, though have 28.28 & 45/2 in my street kit leaving my 90 at home) and a Olympus E-1 w/ 45/2.8 COntax Tessar. An old manual focus pancake lens adapted to the 1V would be very nice as well and help you fit that kit in a brief case.

My lens parks between... but I leave it set, when I grab the camera, I partially depress the shutter button in one motion, bringing it to eye level. Once at eye level I have a basic focus, if I need to finesse, I do it then.

I MF my G1 all the time. Works perfect:)

I dunno, Contax is still producing new MM bodys. Also, new CZ MF lenses are a serious possibility, partly due to the poor response recieved by the N series (something Kyocera has noticed I am sure).

 

Also, I find no problem using CZ lenses on my E-1, and I am very happy with them. When I get my split image finder I will be even happier. I have had success with all the lenses I have used/own: 45/2.8 Tesser, 50/1.4 Planar, 60/2.8 S-Planar, 135/2 Planar. It is really nice... I plan on getting a 300/4 Tele-Tessar and a 85/1.4 Planar.

 

On the other hand I only have one Zukio... dunno... like the CZ much better.

He said no, as they are too slow of sellers.

"duel of two late, great systems, Oly/Zuiiko vs. Contax/Zeiss"

 

Late? I beg to differ.

Check out this list. http://www.contaxslr.com/

The G1 is the Camera I have been using for Street for a while now. It is fast and sharp, and I have never, had any problem focusing the 90/2.8 wide open.

 

Handling? The camera handles like a dream. Fast and simple. Reliable.

 

Battery usage? Umm? normally at least twenty rolls through the body. Sometimes a lot more. Just don?t constantly refocus all the time and you will probably be able to stretch even farther.

 

AF/Metering? AF is solid, fairly fast, and the metering is on nearly every time.

 

Buying used? Make sure it has the 35mm update. Other than that? your good to go.

 

The 28/2.8 and the 34/2 are sharper than anything you would ever believe.

 

Oh, and the G2 is nice to:)

I was just wondering about that. Do you want to email Stephen Gandy of Cameraquest, or shall I?

I really think this attack was fairly crude. It actually answered the questiuon at hand.