It's here! Olympus E-P1 "Digital Pen" m43 system

[tomcat]

Any news of special promotional give-aways by Olympus Singapore for early adopters of the E-P1 ? In Europe, they get a special expensive commemorative fountain pen.

 

[microcosm]

Any news of special promotional give-aways by Olympus Singapore for early adopters of the E-P1 ? In Europe, they get a special expensive commemorative fountain pen.

Nothing that I have heard.

 

[christysg]

Are the kit lenses specially made for the Pen in terms of size?

Exciting times indeed.

 

[dorts]

Are the kit lenses specially made for the Pen in terms of size?

Exciting times indeed.

Yes. They're made specially for the m43 system.. Small and compact...

 

[kiwitan]

Hi

I am very new to this micro 4/3 thing, having been using Canon all this while. Have a question about the lenses EP-1 comes with : the 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 and the 17mm f2.8.

How are these lens in terms of sharpness ? Are these considered as consumer or pro-sumer type of lenses?

Thanks

 

[dorts]

Hi

I am very new to this micro 4/3 thing, having been using Canon all this while. Have a question about the lenses EP-1 comes with : the 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 and the 17mm f2.8.

How are these lens in terms of sharpness ? Are these considered as consumer or pro-sumer type of lenses?

Thanks

They are counted as consumer lenses, "Standard" lens as Olympus calls them..

You might wanna check out the sample images at DPreview.

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/olympusep1/page13.asp

Personally, I feel, for standard lenses, they are already quite sharp.. They are kit lenses after all.

You might also wanna check out the normal Four Thirds lenses too. Anything from the "Pro" grade onwards are extremely sharp. I would say, as sharp, if not sharper than L lenses..

I think Olympus is gonna bring some of the normal Four-Thirds lenses down to the m43.

Hope this helps. :bsmilie:

 

[FilterFunk]

E-P1 has landed. Available from Friday onwards.

very good news indeed.. :devil:

 

[tomcat]

Wait for Leica's launch of pro-grade m43 prime lenses (at pro-grade prices of course) towards the end of the year for those who want pro-grade lenses.

 

[christysg]

They are counted as consumer lenses, "Standard" lens as Olympus calls them..

You might wanna check out the sample images at DPreview.

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/olympusep1/page13.asp

Personally, I feel, for standard lenses, they are already quite sharp.. They are kit lenses after all.

You might also wanna check out the normal Four Thirds lenses too. Anything from the "Pro" grade onwards are extremely sharp. I would say, as sharp, if not sharper than L lenses..

I think Olympus is gonna bring some of the normal Four-Thirds lenses down to the m43.

Hope this helps. :bsmilie:

"Kit lens" is hardly the synonym for "sharp" :bsmilie: However I've heard good things about the pair of lenses.

I have been contemplating on the 14-54 instead since it's brighter, but might get the kit one just for size alone. Cannot resist the range finder look at all The 14-54 is heavier than the body and will basically stick out like a sore thumb on it. Then again, I want something that will be on par or even better than my current DSLR (it can sit and collect dust, hah!). Decisions, decisions.

 

[dorts]

"Kit lens" is hardly the synonym for "sharp" :bsmilie: However I've heard good things about the pair of lenses.

I have been contemplating on the 14-54 instead since it's brighter, but might get the kit one just for size alone. Cannot resist the range finder look at all The 14-54 is heavier than the body and will basically stick out like a sore thumb on it. Then again, I want something that will be on par or even better than my current DSLR (it can sit and collect dust, hah!). Decisions, decisions.

:bsmilie: The 14-54mm is really wonderful glass. It would be quite bulky if you fit it with adapter...

Maybe get the kit lens first, wait for new lenses to be announced probably end of year?

 

[intosite]

Wait for Leica's launch of pro-grade m43 prime lenses (at pro-grade prices of course) towards the end of the year for those who want pro-grade lenses.

oooo... but as long they have can be used with hyperfocusing and have all the necessary markings... n i hope olympus update the firmware, and show like a current focus distance scale in the live view mode...i would think tat'll be much faster for me...

 

[cimman]

Check out july 2 2009 TODAY newspaper page 21 harvery norman advertistment.
Olympus E-P1 with ED 17mm 2.8 cost $1448.

that costs more than my E520 with kit lens, and I just bought that less than a year ago. To feed this hobby of mine, I've to get a second job.:sweat:, either that or make a killing at the stock market.

 

[cimman]

"Kit lens" is hardly the synonym for "sharp" :bsmilie: However I've heard good things about the pair of lenses.

I have been contemplating on the 14-54 instead since it's brighter, but might get the kit one just for size alone. Cannot resist the range finder look at all The 14-54 is heavier than the body and will basically stick out like a sore thumb on it. Then again, I want something that will be on par or even better than my current DSLR (it can sit and collect dust, hah!). Decisions, decisions.

the range finder look is cool, but I don't think it makes for a good hold for long lenses or zooms. I find even the E620 is not comfortable for a mid size zoom lens. E520 grip is comfortable for me. Forget about 14-54 for the E-P1, it's just too big after coupling it with the adapter. You can still hold it with your left hand on the lens body and the right hand is just for clicking the shutter button. But when hung around your neck, you will feel the uneven weight distribution.

 

[tomcat]

oooo... but as long they have can be used with hyperfocusing and have all the necessary markings... n i hope olympus update the firmware, and show like a current focus distance scale in the live view mode...i would think tat'll be much faster for me...

Manual focussing on the Sigma DP1/DP2 does just that.

 

[dorts]

the range finder look is cool, but I don't think it makes for a good hold for long lenses or zooms. I find even the E620 is not comfortable for a mid size zoom lens. E520 grip is comfortable for me. Forget about 14-54 for the E-P1, it's just too big after coupling it with the adapter. You can still hold it with your left hand on the lens body and the right hand is just for clicking the shutter button. But when hung around your neck, you will feel the uneven weight distribution.

I think it's just needs time to get used to..

The SLRs in the past had no such grip and they still worked... Personally, I'm comfortable without a grip now, after pretty long usage with my OM2n. But of course, long lenses will need a slightly different way of holding..

But I agree with you that the slinging part will be a bit of a problem.. But it happens too with my normal DSLR.

 

[intosite]

Manual focussing on the Sigma DP1/DP2 does just that.

yup.. tat's why i like my DP1 over the ricoh grd, and also something special bout the dp1's color.. just tat the wheel is a bit too 'smooth' should have little indents or something...

 

[christysg]

I think it's just needs time to get used to..

The SLRs in the past had no such grip and they still worked... Personally, I'm comfortable without a grip now, after pretty long usage with my OM2n. But of course, long lenses will need a slightly different way of holding..

But I agree with you that the slinging part will be a bit of a problem.. But it happens too with my normal DSLR.

I don't sling my cams so that aspect is not a problem for me. Like the LX3 if you have a leather casing that goes with it I think the grip will be much improved.

I'm looking at this as an alternative to my LX3. The LX3, while very good as its limitations. If I get the kit lens and it doesn't at least meet what LX3 offers then I see no reason in buying it. One immediate disadvantage that I can see is the f-stop. Which is why I'm looking at the higher range of lenses. I shoot a lot of macro but I'm not very happy with LX3 in that part, so for the Pen I'm considering either the 35mm macro or the extension tubes.

By the way, the Olympus extension tube is 25mm correct? Are there third party ones, perhaps from Kenko? I have the Kenko tubes for my Canon and I love them.

 

[dorts]

I don't sling my cams so that aspect is not a problem for me. Like the LX3 if you have a leather casing that goes with it I think the grip will be much improved.

I'm looking at this as an alternative to my LX3. The LX3, while very good as its limitations. If I get the kit lens and it doesn't at least meet what LX3 offers then I see no reason in buying it. One immediate disadvantage that I can see is the f-stop. Which is why I'm looking at the higher range of lenses. I shoot a lot of macro but I'm not very happy with LX3 in that part, so for the Pen I'm considering either the 35mm macro or the extension tubes.

By the way, the Olympus extension tube is 25mm correct? Are there third party ones, perhaps from Kenko? I have the Kenko tubes for my Canon and I love them.

I agree on the F Stop. But not forgetting that you get much better high ISO compared to LX3.

I suggest you get the 50mm f/2 instead... That's a extremely sharp lens.. Can cut you. :bsmilie:

For extension tubes, only the Olympus one has electrical contacts..

What's wrong with macro on LX3? I thought it has an advantage because of more DOF?

 

[christysg]

I agree on the F Stop. But not forgetting that you get much better high ISO compared to LX3.

I suggest you get the 50mm f/2 instead... That's a extremely sharp lens.. Can cut you. :bsmilie:

For extension tubes, only the Olympus one has electrical contacts..

What's wrong with macro on LX3? I thought it has an advantage because of more DOF?

It's more about the DOF/bokeh than the amount of light for me, actually. I'm a big fan of primes so I cannot accept anything > f2.8 :bsmilie:

If I'm not wrong...the price of the 50mm f2 can also cut me, right?

Yes, the f2 + macro in the LX3 is pretty good. However a PnS is still a PnS, there are still certain things that a DSLR will do better, imo. I actually think the LX3 is so perfect in what it does (sharpness etc etc) that I don't feel like I'm taking a photo. I'm just pressing a button :bsmilie:

 

[tomcat]

It's more about the DOF/bokeh than the amount of light for me, actually. I'm a big fan of primes so I cannot accept anything > f2.8 :bsmilie:

If I'm not wrong...the price of the 50mm f2 can also cut me, right?

Yes, the f2 + macro in the LX3 is pretty good. However a PnS is still a PnS, there are still certain things that a DSLR will do better, imo. I actually think the LX3 is so perfect in what it does (sharpness etc etc) that I don't feel like I'm taking a photo. I'm just pressing a button :bsmilie:

If you like shallow DOF/bokeh, wouldn't the E-P1 be better for you than the LX3? After all, the E-P1 is using a APS-C sensor while the LX3 is using a teeny-weeny 1/1.63" sensor.
As for bright prime lenses with nice bokeh, you can choose from amongst the many Olympus ZD, Sigma and Leica lenses eg the yummy Leica 25mm f/1.4 comes to mind