Is the Oly E-P1 good enough as a dSLR replacement?

[electron]

I just purchased an E-PL1 at MS colours for $920 (Single lens kit)!!! Excited about it. I was advised to buy a UV filter at $15 and I did. I hope this UV filter doesn't degrade the photos in anyway !

Which filter did you buy? Im having trouble finding 40.5mm filter thread UV filters on the net.

 

[blueskye168]

Which filter did you buy? Im having trouble finding 40.5mm filter thread UV filters on the net.

Well, if you don't mind buying B+W UV-MRC 40.5mm (where I bought mine together during my purchased of E-PL1)

 

[zenith09]

Which filter did you buy? Im having trouble finding 40.5mm filter thread UV filters on the net.

It was a causal recommendation by MS colours the name of the filter is Vitacon yeah 40.5 mm.

I have no idea if this is good or not. Did a few test didnt see any difference which should be good. :bsmilie:

 

[electron]

Well, if you don't mind buying B+W UV-MRC 40.5mm (where I bought mine together during my purchased of E-PL1)

Only if you don't mind sharing how much it cost

 

[blueskye168]

Only if you don't mind sharing how much it cost

Oh sure, why not...

It cost me SGD$80 incl. of GST (if I remembered correctly... )+[with:bigeyes:supporting reason from the salesperson "oh such higher $$ due to the "rare-size=40.5mm"...:bsmilie: )

 

[morganoh]

It was a causal recommendation by MS colours the name of the filter is Vitacon yeah 40.5 mm.

I have no idea if this is good or not. Did a few test didnt see any difference which should be good. :bsmilie:

Vitacon has a HMC ultra slim 40.5mm UV filter selling at $29.
I bought my at Alan photo.
It's a HMC should be as good as any other high end filters.

 

[zenith09]

Vitacon has a HMC ultra slim 40.5mm UV filter selling at $29.
I bought my at Alan photo.
It's a HMC should be as good as any other high end filters.

thanks for the info, since i just got a UV filter maybe in future will buy HMC grade type of filters.

 

[powergoo]

got a non MC vitacon at AP funan @ $10

 

[cimman]

I think it all depends on the situations in which you normally take your photographs. I was in a restaurant and there was a dance performance going on. So happens I had a DSLR with me an I managed to take some pretty good shots. I don't think the PEN would have worked out.
Indoor dance means low light and fast movement, which requires a large aperture lens, a fast auto focus. I'm talking about a specific situation where DSLR wins PEN.
There are plenty of situations where the strengths of the DSLR doesn't come into play and PEN does. It all depends on the kind of photos you normally take.

 

[magicdragon]

Try to stay away from vitacon filters p esp the non MC kind. Shoot into the sun and you'll see a purplish cast. Minimum go for Hoya MC and if you can B&W - you really do get quality that matches lens quality with brands like B&W.

 

[cimman]

just the other day, I handled the PEN. I know a lot of people are excited about this new format and the market has spoken. However, to me, the form factor is neither here nor there. As a carry with you anywhere camera, a point and shoot form factor is much more convenient and portable, and gives you the same picture quality in good light.
Once you go on to tougher situations, ie. birding, or sports, the big zoom lens comes out and no way the big lens will match that puny body, you'll need a DSLR body for those big lens, and fast phase detect auto focus speed.

So, in tough situations, and exceptional IQ, the DSLR is called in (here I equate exceptional IQ to exceptional HG and above lens). For everyday snapshots, the small pocket size point and shoot cameras are used. That leaves the PEN for......???

 

[morganoh]

Try to stay away from vitacon filters p esp the non MC kind. Shoot into the sun and you'll see a purplish cast. Minimum go for Hoya MC and if you can B&W - you really do get quality that matches lens quality with brands like B&W.

All filters thats not multi coat has this effect.
u can sell reflection of the sun (lights) within the camera lens and filter.

Vitacom Multi coated UV are ok.
same as my Hoya HMC and B+W.
cant see any diff on the photos.

 

[elgkh]

just the other day, I handled the PEN. I know a lot of people are excited about this new format and the market has spoken. However, to me, the form factor is neither here nor there. As a carry with you anywhere camera, a point and shoot form factor is much more convenient and portable, and gives you the same picture quality in good light.
Once you go on to tougher situations, ie. birding, or sports, the big zoom lens comes out and no way the big lens will match that puny body, you'll need a DSLR body for those big lens, and fast phase detect auto focus speed.

So, in tough situations, and exceptional IQ, the DSLR is called in (here I equate exceptional IQ to exceptional HG and above lens). For everyday snapshots, the small pocket size point and shoot cameras are used. That leaves the PEN for......???

I wish the m4/3 cams were small enough to replace my IXUS, but that's not gonna happen in the near future.

 

[microcosm]

just the other day, I handled the PEN. I know a lot of people are excited about this new format and the market has spoken. However, to me, the form factor is neither here nor there. As a carry with you anywhere camera, a point and shoot form factor is much more convenient and portable, and gives you the same picture quality in good light.
Once you go on to tougher situations, ie. birding, or sports, the big zoom lens comes out and no way the big lens will match that puny body, you'll need a DSLR body for those big lens, and fast phase detect auto focus speed.

So, in tough situations, and exceptional IQ, the DSLR is called in (here I equate exceptional IQ to exceptional HG and above lens). For everyday snapshots, the small pocket size point and shoot cameras are used. That leaves the PEN for......???

... better picture quality than the point and shooters...

That is, if your eyes are trained enough to tell the difference. Else, you are right, if it does not work for you, it does not work for you. Better to save the money and buy a point and shoot.

 

[nex100]

Oh sure, why not...

It cost me SGD$80 incl. of GST (if I remembered correctly... )+[with:bigeyes:supporting reason from the salesperson "oh such higher $$ due to the "rare-size=40.5mm"...:bsmilie: )

I think you got conned.

 

[flowerpot99]

... better picture quality than the point and shooters...

That is, if your eyes are trained enough to tell the difference. Else, you are right, if it does not work for you, it does not work for you. Better to save the money and buy a point and shoot.

Agree with microcosm. Pen is not for everyone especially those who do not appreciate the extra controls, better image quality and a need for shallow DOF.

Think most people who have considered buying a Pen would have considered buying a LX3 or G11 too (I did). The ultimate deciding factor would be what is more important to you (size/weight vs image quality). Looking at the size of G11 and EPL1, I would be glad to carry abit more weight for the better IQ. If we treat Pen as a P&S which gives DSLR quality rather than a DSLR which is the size of a P&S, I think it has done pretty well. Currently, EPL1 has taken over the duty of my carry around compact P&S but I would say it still cannot take over task which require fast focusing.

If the format keep improving on the noise, autofocus and more good quality lens (I want more fast lens please), I can see the day that I will not need a big bulky DSLR coming soon.

 

[blueskye168]

Well, if you don't mind buying B+W UV-MRC 40.5mm (where I bought mine together during my purchased of E-PL1)

Oh sure, why not...

It cost me SGD$80 incl. of GST (if I remembered correctly...)+[with supporting reason from the salesperson "oh such higher $$ due to the "rare-size=40.5mm"...:bsmilie: )

I think you got conned.

Ooh is it......

In what way "got conned"??:think:

Perhaps you'd enlighten me please...Thanks

 

[Oly5050]

So, in tough situations, and exceptional IQ, the DSLR is called in (here I equate exceptional IQ to exceptional HG and above lens). For everyday snapshots, the small pocket size point and shoot cameras are used. That leaves the PEN for......???

If u do not see the need, then dun buy it.

For me, PNS image quality not acceptable for me. The PENs gives me IQ in a smaller form factor. When I shoot with the PEN, it feels so much more casual. No more...wah...big camera..DSLR....photographer. None of that. I am just a friend with a camera.

All my DSLRS are in storage now. Nearly all my amateur photographic needs are well covered by the PEN...and this includes travel and social photography. I think I will still bring my DSLR for major travel trips .... but I think it will serve more like a back up camera. eg. if PEN breaks down, or I am in a rare situation where I need a focal length that the m4/3 does not have, or if I am shooting sports / F1 (very rare...once in a year kind of thing), or when I am shooting in a studio or models (also quite rare now). For the last reason, the DSLR comes out just so that I dun look out of place. LOL!

To me, I am trying to do more with less rather than with more.

 

[thick]

Well I think the PEN is a poor man's Leica. Before you say it's an exaggeration, just think that the PEN is only about 1/6 to 1/8 the price of a Leica, but it gives that creamy glow that Leicas are famous for, and way beyond 1/6th the IQ of a Leica. I was glad Steve Huff did a few tests on his website to affirm this.

The last SLR I used was the FM-2. It was a nice camera exactly because the technicals(science) did not take over the art of photography.

I have a G9 (except for hi ISO, I don't think its IQ is that far from a G11). You cannot compare the G with the PEN. There is an obvious superiority in sharpness and colour, assuming you use OOC jpgs.

I think the PEN will only serve certain photographers. Obviously you won't use it for sports or wildlife super-tele. But as an urban camera I think it trumps most entry level DSLRs out there, and it only makes so much sense to use a 7D and above for casual street photography if you're not on the job.

The PEN is light and carry-everywhere-portable. And it's good because the best camera is the one that's with you.

 

[aryanto]

I think I will still bring my DSLR for major travel trips .... but I think it will serve more like a back up camera.

WOW :bigeyes:


the biggie is the backup, left in trolley bags, in the car, only taken out if PEN runs out of action. :bsmilie: