So much hate and negativism in this thread. Some posts are almost like DPReview.
I think we will always have people who are less happy because their expectations were too high and because they take advertisements literally. Yes, I believe there are some E-3 with bad and serious problems, I had one like that. But after having changed the one I had, I must say I am very happy. It is not a 100% error free camera, but is there such a thing? Or is this a problem of "The grass is always greener on the other side of the valley" syndrome? I find it strange that people are nagging so much about this and that, yet many do nothing about their problem, they nag on forums but never contact Olympus and even less send in their supposedly faulty camera for service. Why is that so? Did any of you ever read about my problems with my first camera? Definitely not BEFORE it got fixed, but AFTER. I see no point in nagging, if something is wrong than let them fix it. It is an expensive camera and it supposed to work.
But...
I think it needs engagement from the user in a different way, not just :flame: and :ipuke: and :mad2: and :thumbsd:, but also some proper tests to prove that there is something wrong with the camera and than using all the foruming energy to discuss the problem with Olympus mainly and not on forums. Of course, I am not saying these problems should not be mentioned, but I think the negativism is un-proportional in cyber space; it is an attention grabbing magnet.
I have also problems to understand all these "The D300 is better" type of posts. Yes, it is probably true that the D300 is better in some ways, but if I'd regard it as a better camera I'd sell all my Oly gear and start a new life with the D300, or whatever. What's the point of keeping a bad E-3 and continue bashing it? It is just a camera, if it is bad and can't be fixed; just get a D300 or whatever. I know it is an expensive change, but it is better to take the loss than not having a camera I am happy with.
Personally I was also thinking of the D300 as an alternative to the E-3 before I bought the E-3. I ended up with the Oly and I never turned back so far, in spite my first lemon. The second one is working as expected. It is not 100%, but I don't recognise all the problems people are having with the AF, the HLD-4 or the banding. Yes, the banding is there, but only in severely underexposed images. Yes, occasionally the AF misses, but so what? I see it immediately in the VF, so just releasing the button and pressing once again. So the grip won't work with AA batteries. So what? Use BLM-1s. Those are more powerful anyway than alkaline batteries, and it won't even be more expensive than the AAs considering the BLM-1 is rechargeable.
OK, I have to admit, I don't have SWD lenses (yet) but I find the E-3 focusing very fast and accurate with the 14-54 and all my other lenses, even the 40-150 and the 50/2, and in fact, the C-AF works also well with the 14-54. OK, I haven't tested in the same way the adverts with the cheetah so I still have some testing to do before I can say how it is, but come on, it is an advert.
Happy shooting. Sorry for my naggings and negative contribution.
