[ Camera ] All about the OLYMPUS PEN Lite E-PL5

[apex84]

Thanks Wacky & Marmaladecorgi for your inputs =) I was abit too kancheong and eager so I got it in Singapore haha. I'll definitely try out your suggestion marmaladecorgi the next time I need to get a lens or another camera ;p.
Having been to the recommended list of shops, I find that the price range is pretty similar, TK, Click!, Cathay, SLR Rev, and Alan Photo all priced the camera btwn 986-990. I even ventured to SLS to ask around, surprisingly one of the shops on the 2nd floor Shutter & Pixel quoted me $963 for cash. I told the lady boss I would come back later, used my phone to google the shop was directed to a CS page where it seems like a few bros here have had bad experiences which made me feel abit uneasy la, plus I'm a noobie I didnt wanna become a carrot head haha. In the end I went back to Harvey Normanthe sales person abit, he quoted me 1090 (retail price), I talked **** sing song abit and said that this one was offered to me at a much cheaper price, in the end he offered it to me at 995, I could even use my credit card and opt for 24mth installment LOL. So no pinch felt for this purchase haha. And I even bought another 2 years extended warranty.

Perhaps this camera is a newer model and so the camera shops couldnt offer as much price off the rrp as I have hoped and most of the shops didnt seem keen on m business haha, they had a take it or leave it attitude, I wasnt even bargaining to start with. The option of the being able to pay via card as well as the extended warranty swayed me towards Harvey Norman. I usually would support the smaller underdogs but in this case I went with the big boys.

 

[alamak]

enjoy your new toy

 

[conditionred]

Perhaps this camera is a newer model and so the camera shops couldnt offer as much price off the rrp as I have hoped and most of the shops didnt seem keen on m business haha, they had a take it or leave it attitude, I wasnt even bargaining to start with. The option of the being able to pay via card as well as the extended warranty swayed me towards Harvey Norman. I usually would support the smaller underdogs but in this case I went with the big boys.

Can share which Harvey Norman branch? Thanks

 

[apex84]

enjoy your new toy

;p

Can share which Harvey Norman branch? Thanks

North Point. But I'm pretty sure you can walk into any Harvey Norman and ask for that price. The sales person told me that the instructions from the top was to match competitor prices.

 

[marmaladecorgi]

Thanks Wacky & Marmaladecorgi for your inputs =)

Not a problem. Enjoy your new toy too! Next up should be Samyang 7.5mm fisheye and perhaps an SLR Magic cheapo 35mm 1.7 - amazingly fun lens for the money!

 

[faisalj]

Yeapp.. SLR magic lens is super fun nice swirly bokeh.

 

[apex84]

Not a problem. Enjoy your new toy too! Next up should be Samyang 7.5mm fisheye and perhaps an SLR Magic cheapo 35mm 1.7 - amazingly fun lens for the money!

Yeapp.. SLR magic lens is super fun nice swirly bokeh.

I'll check those lens out! Anyway what lens do you guys use for landscaping? A wide angle lens that is not too costly, is there such a thing?

 

[marmaladecorgi]

I'll check those lens out! Anyway what lens do you guys use for landscaping? A wide angle lens that is not too costly, is there such a thing?

I use the aforementioned Samyang 7.5mm fisheye lor! 15mm on the m4/3 crop factor, can be fisheye or a plain wide-angle depending on how you shoot, no focusing needed for 99% of your shots and commonly found second-hand (check the m43 buy-and-sell forums here) for about 350 bucks give or take. Also found in either black or silver colour so you can match your camera. The Samyang forum here is a good place to see examples. Some of the shots are really lush.

 

[rapidburn]

If you are not craving for something super wide angle, the 14mm f2.5 Panasonic lens will serve you well like it does for me. A new sharp wide angle lens for a photographer on a budget. You can find it on BnS for around 200-250 used.

 

[apex84]

I use the aforementioned Samyang 7.5mm fisheye lor! 15mm on the m4/3 crop factor, can be fisheye or a plain wide-angle depending on how you shoot, no focusing needed for 99% of your shots and commonly found second-hand (check the m43 buy-and-sell forums here) for about 350 bucks give or take. Also found in either black or silver colour so you can match your camera. The Samyang forum here is a good place to see examples. Some of the shots are really lush.

Sorry I'm a noobie noob I have no idea what the numbers on the lens and all that mean! Got to go read up now! LOL Ok good! I have a silver one haha. How about the SLR Magic? How much does that cost? I was looking at the market place and I see loads of sellers for that lens but its for sony nex, so does that fit the epl-5?

 

[apex84]

If you are not craving for something super wide angle, the 14mm f2.5 Panasonic lens will serve you well like it does for me. A new sharp wide angle lens for a photographer on a budget. You can find it on BnS for around 200-250 used.

Hmmm sorry I really dont know much but if I understand correctly the smaller the number (mm) the wider the angle right? Please correct me if I'm wrong, if the kit lens is 14mm-42mm would a 14mm lens provide a wider angle? I do like that its pancake though much flatter haha!

 

[marmaladecorgi]

Sorry I'm a noobie noob I have no idea what the numbers on the lens and all that mean! Got to go read up now! LOL Ok good! I have a silver one haha. How about the SLR Magic? How much does that cost? I was looking at the market place and I see loads of sellers for that lens but its for sony nex, so does that fit the epl-5?

The SLR Magic is just 199 bucks brand new! Just read through the forum here (especially the shop/dealers forums) to find out where they are available. I got mine from a camera shop on the first floor of the Adelphi.

There is the exact same model in multiple mounts, so make sure you only get the micro four-thirds mount if you're buying secondhand. The SLR Magic's 35mm translates to 70mm in the m4/3 format so it's more for portraiture and closer-up street photography. If you are new and already have a 14-42mm and can only afford one "play play" lens, I'd suggest the Samyang 7.5mm before the SLR Magic though. 7.5mm is a focal length that is very useful for holiday landscape shots and isn't already covered by the kit lens.

 

[apex84]

The SLR Magic is just 199 bucks brand new! Just read through the forum here (especially the shop/dealers forums) to find out where they are available. I got mine from a camera shop on the first floor of the Adelphi.

There is the exact same model in multiple mounts, so make sure you only get the micro four-thirds mount if you're buying secondhand. The SLR Magic's 35mm translates to 70mm in the m4/3 format so it's more for portraiture and closer-up street photography. If you are new and already have a 14-42mm and can only afford one "play play" lens, I'd suggest the Samyang 7.5mm before the SLR Magic though. 7.5mm is a focal length that is very useful for holiday landscape shots and isn't already covered by the kit lens.

Sounds just like what I'm looking for, hmm I see that the second hand ones are selling for about 300 bucks? Would you recommend that over getting a 240 panasonic 14mm pancake that rapidburn recommended?

 

[wonglp]

Sounds just like what I'm looking for, hmm I see that the second hand ones are selling for about 300 bucks? Would you recommend that over getting a 240 panasonic 14mm pancake that rapidburn recommended?

Actually, since you are photography newbie, I would strongly recommend sticking to what you have - kit lens. And explore what the focal lengths really mean by using it, and aperture, speed, exposure, etc... There's a reason for kit lens, it covers the most common angle a user will need, from wide angle to a little bit more tele, so it's very versatile. While it is not fast or bright (by that I don't mean autofocus speed but rather how much light this lens can gather), using right technique, it can still be very useable lens.

There are many guides on the newbie section to help you as well.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/newbies-corner/309544-photography-notes-newbies.html
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/newbies-corner/206981-photography-related-faqs-links-newbies.html
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/newb...m-related-faqs-other-useful-info-newbies.html

SLR magic lens is a manual lens, meaning no autofocus, and that can be difficult for newbies to handle, so is the Samyang 7.5mm fisheye, and it's a specialty lens. It's extremely wide, and not easy to use, and will have distortions especially at the sides. You can use it as an ultra wide angle lens, but your corners will be distorted.

And we have a sunrise shoot this sunday at gardens by the bay, do join us if you are very keen to learn, there's a lot in this camera we can cover that too
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/four...ing]-43-m43-sunrise-20th-jan-gardens-bay.html

Lastly, have fun shooting with it

 

[apex84]

Hey Mr Wong! Thanks for the links, read through them and gained a better understanding! Took a look through your Flickr and traveling with pen pictures, I must say I feel inspired, you've got skills! I can't make it for this Sunday, but I would love to join you guys in the future

I shall heed your advice about staying off buying the other lens until I get a better feel of photography and my epl5

 

[microcosm]

WARNING TO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY

Our moderator "wonglp" is a highly dangerous character who is helpful, kind, and always willing to share his passion with us.
That is where you unknowingly get poisoned and in my case, spending more than $5k in a month.
For the last thirty days, even my wife ended up with a Asahi skinned E-PL5, highjacked my Panasonic lens, etc.
You have been warned.

But you will not listen.

Happy poisoning. :bsmilie:

For those who want to challenge yourself and see if you can resist the toxin, we have an outing tomorrow. See here.

 

[wonglp]

Hey Mr Wong! Thanks for the links, read through them and gained a better understanding! Took a look through your Flickr and traveling with pen pictures, I must say I feel inspired, you've got skills! I can't make it for this Sunday, but I would love to join you guys in the future

I shall heed your advice about staying off buying the other lens until I get a better feel of photography and my epl5

Thanks for kind words, I started with kit lens for 2 good years before starting on getting better gear (I'm not a fast learner) & I'm still learning, though I actually learn and enjoy photography more after I use mirrorless. Sounds strange but thats probably just me.

WARNING TO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY

Our moderator "wonglp" is a highly dangerous character who is helpful, kind, and always willing to share his passion with us.
That is where you unknowingly get poisoned and in my case, spending more than $5k in a month.
For the last thirty days, even my wife ended up with a Asahi skinned E-PL5, highjacked my Panasonic lens, etc.
You have been warned.

But you will not listen.

Happy poisoning. :bsmilie:

For those who want to challenge yourself and see if you can resist the toxin, we have an outing tomorrow. See here.

Erm, look who's talking
Too kind of you,not sure about helpful/kind but those who know me, knows I live by the motto "sharing love not poison"

 

[apex]

Out of topic:

What the street price for SLK E-PL5?

I was reading the last 5 pages, not much detail on the price from (MScolor/TK and Cathay)

Check on DSLR & PEN Bodies - DSLR & PEN Camera - Products and found out that RCP is

E-PL5 ZOOM KIT (BLACK) Free Gifts 8GB SD card. Free Delivery S$1,098.0

So I guess HV and Court will be selling at $1098 price.

 

[jackwolf]

WARNING TO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY

Our moderator "wonglp" is a highly dangerous character who is helpful, kind, and always willing to share his passion with us.
That is where you unknowingly get poisoned and in my case, spending more than $5k in a month.
For the last thirty days, even my wife ended up with a Asahi skinned E-PL5, highjacked my Panasonic lens, etc.
You have been warned.

But you will not listen.

Happy poisoning. :bsmilie:

For those who want to challenge yourself and see if you can resist the toxin, we have an outing tomorrow. See here.

I couldn't agree more about wonglp being a super poison guy.. somemore he stay on west.. he should be called "西毒＂instead.. hahaha no offend bro Wong.. just a joke..

but it is really good talking to him especially if you are new in m43.. he has good knowledge and experience in this and you will get to bring home some additional knowledge..

 

[wonglp]

Out of topic:

What the street price for SLK E-PL5?

I was reading the last 5 pages, not much detail on the price from (MScolor/TK and Cathay)

Check on DSLR & PEN Bodies - DSLR & PEN Camera - Products and found out that RCP is

E-PL5 ZOOM KIT (BLACK) Free Gifts 8GB SD card. Free Delivery S$1,098.0

So I guess HV and Court will be selling at $1098 price.

Ine the range of 980, probably not much freebies. You can always call the shops above to check for availability of colors and price. TK, MSC, SLR Revo, etc

I couldn't agree more about wonglp being a super poison guy.. somemore he stay on west.. he should be called "西毒＂instead.. hahaha no offend bro Wong.. just a joke..

but it is really good talking to him especially if you are new in m43.. he has good knowledge and experience in this and you will get to bring home some additional knowledge..

sounds nice, none taken, stay on EPL5 topic pls haha