m4/3 porn thread

[FaradayCage]

Brand new lurker with question... Looking for reasons to go for an EP-1 over GF-1, primarily on cost since an EP-1 kit is available for 200 bucks less than the panny body and lens. My rangefinder history is with a Contax G2, 28, 45 and 90mm lenses. Mainly shooting xprocessed Provia, TCN400 or even Kodak infrared. I used to pinch down the IR flare past the sprocket holes made by the Contax frame counter by placing a sliver of black electrical tape. An 89 filter which is nearly black was no problem when you use a rangefinder's separate VF.

Just being very frugal now... Would a leap from a panny mid range P&S to an EP-1 be worth going from $250ish to $679, given the AF issue, the screen issue (230K pixels), and the flash absence? Although I avoid using a flash 95% of the time anyway.

[Frank Petronio]

Any of the m4/3s cameras will blow away any of the small sensor cameras by a large margin.

Just bs'ing here, but if a modern Pany small sensor P&S produces an image of a "3" quality out of "10", then the EP-1 and GF-1 produce "9"s. Maybe the GF-1 makes a "9.1" imho, but the vast majority of the jump in quality is coming from the larger sensor, not from the specific camera.

You're also experiencing the internet phenomena of only seeing bad press about a product's shortcomings. The GF-1 has plenty of shortcomings too. The results -- final images -- from either camera are going to be very close.

Personally speaking, the best deal right now is one of the used Pany G1s in red or blue with the kit lens -- about $500 for a clean used one. You can add the 20/1.7 for $350 and have a nice compact only a tad larger than the EP-1 or GF-1 but with a real viewfinder. You can even sell the kit lens for $250 if you really want to be sly about it (although it is a great lens in its own right). That gets you a better Pany solution for $600 -- less than an EP-1.

Why buy a GF-1 or EP-1 only to buy an additional expensive EVF that is a PITA compared to one integrated into the body?

Of course I went back to film compacts so I am just Bs'ing. I just gave up on digital compacts -- too many small buttons for my big hands, hard to read with my 50-yr old eyes. A full-sized Nikon DSLR or a butt simple 35mm P&S seems to fit me better, ymmv.

I do wish Panasonic would just scale everything up 33% -- then they'd be perfect!

[gavinlg]

Originally Posted by FaradayCage

Just being very frugal now... Would a leap from a panny mid range P&S to an EP-1 be worth going from $250ish to $679, given the AF issue, the screen issue (230K pixels), and the flash absence? Although I avoid using a flash 95% of the time anyway.

There is seriously no AF issue - the AF is better than most compact cameras, namely the canon g11, sigma dp1/2 and the ricoh grdIII (I played with and compared all of them to my e-p1 in Yodabashi camera, tokyo)

There is no screen issue either - it has a really nice screen. Who cares if you can't magnify the image on your lcd a million times and see the pixel structure - the AF is super super reliable so you don't really need to check.

The IQ is significantly better than any other point and shoot bar maybe the dp1/2. It's at the same level as the entry/mid level dslrs.

As Frank rightly said, the G1 is the bargain right now if you like the form factor and the viewfinder. The e-p1 is so sweet in use though.

[Tom Diaz]

Originally Posted by Frank Petronio

Any of the m4/3s cameras will blow away any of the small sensor cameras by a large margin.

Just bs'ing here, but if a modern Pany small sensor P&S produces an image of a "3" quality out of "10", then the EP-1 and GF-1 produce "9"s. Maybe the GF-1 makes a "9.1" imho, but the vast majority of the jump in quality is coming from the larger sensor, not from the specific camera.

You're also experiencing the internet phenomena of only seeing bad press about a product's shortcomings. The GF-1 has plenty of shortcomings too. The results -- final images -- from either camera are going to be very close.

Personally speaking, the best deal right now is one of the used Pany G1s in red or blue with the kit lens -- about $500 for a clean used one. You can add the 20/1.7 for $350 and have a nice compact only a tad larger than the EP-1 or GF-1 but with a real viewfinder. You can even sell the kit lens for $250 if you really want to be sly about it (although it is a great lens in its own right). That gets you a better Pany solution for $600 -- less than an EP-1.

Why buy a GF-1 or EP-1 only to buy an additional expensive EVF that is a PITA compared to one integrated into the body?

Of course I went back to film compacts so I am just Bs'ing.

I agree strongly with Frank about the G1 and what a great deal it is. I use mine happily. I like the looks of the GF1, but I would want to use the electronic viewfinder all the time, so the G1 makes more sense in addition to being much cheaper.

Also the Panasonic cameras have significantly better autofocus performance than the Olympuses.

[JoeV]

I'm hopefully biased toward the G1, being an early adapter (it's been a year already) but if you forsee needing an EVF and onboard flash, the G1 does it in a more compact size than either other solution.

As for the side grip, I find it essential to the ergonomics of cameras this size; there are folks adding makeshift side grips to their GF-1s and E-P1s. And with the 20mm-f/1.7 pancake lens attached, it protrudes beyond the side grip just a tad, so the side grip doesn't add enormously to the bulk of the camera body at all.

It tells you a lot about how good of a design the original G1 is, when subsequent models haven't yet surpassed it in functionality. No wonder it was Pop Photo's camera of the year for 2008.

~Joe

[jsrockit]

I just wish the G1 wasn't so damn ugly!

[digitalintrigue]

The looks of the G1 are just right. I don't want subjects noticing it.

[digitalintrigue]

[HuubL]

I was almost going to post shots of my M3 and M4...

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by digitalintrigue

The looks of the G1 are just right. I don't want subjects noticing it.

I think this is a myth... people notice cameras completely, they just think photographers are wackjobs and choose to ignore them. I notice all cameras on the street. My GF notices cameras as well and she's not a photographer.

[mabelsound]

Originally Posted by digitalintrigue

Robert, did you buy one?

[sockdaddy]

i'm curious about neck/wrist straps for the GF-1, and which half cases are available for it.

anyone have experience with this? the only cases i've found (other than ebay) are from Panasonic (out of stock) or from JapanExposures ($200).

[dogberryjr]

Originally Posted by sockdaddy

i'm curious about neck/wrist straps for the GF-1, and which half cases are available for it.

anyone have experience with this? the only cases i've found (other than ebay) are from Panasonic (out of stock) or from JapanExposures ($200).

I don't have a case, but I bought a Gordy wrist strap and it's just right.

[sockdaddy]

I've been looking at the Gordy Straps, but can't decide on the actual attachment type. I'm leaning towards the string mount, but the split ring seems more stable to me. Which would you recommend?

[johnny9fingers]

Of course I went back to film compacts so I am just Bs'ing. I just gave up on digital compacts -- too many small buttons for my big hands, hard to read with my 50-yr old eyes. A full-sized Nikon DSLR or a butt simple 35mm P&S seems to fit me better, ymmv.

I do wish Panasonic would just scale everything up 33% -- then they'd be perfect!
__________________
http://www.frankpetronio.com

I'm going the opposite route, going digital. I'll hang onto a couple film cameras cause they are fun to use. I've been all over the place regarding "THE" camera to buy and looks like the E-P2 will be the one. The X1 looks to have great IQ but is too limited form me, the GXR is almost like buying a whole new camera with each lens/sensor unit. I'm tired or doing resarch and want to take pictures....
John

[FaradayCage]

Thanks for the replies about my noob question concerning an EP-1 or some other economical micro 4/3 camera; I couldn't get to a computer for a couple of days. Any thoughts about macro lenses for such a system? That will make everything more expensive, and almost makes me want to downgrade to an LX3 P&S or something similar. If only there were some digital body that could accept the Contax G rangefinder lenses, but the mount and drive are very odd. I adore that 28mm Biogon.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by FaradayCage

If only there were some digital body that could accept the Contax G rangefinder lenses, but the mount and drive are very odd. I adore that 28mm Biogon.

There is...

http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Adapt.../dp/B002XA3E9Y

[FaradayCage]

If only there were some digital body that could accept the Contax G rangefinder lenses,

There is...

http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Adapt.../dp/B002XA3E9Y

Holy silver halide... I saw that and just about fainted. I see no customer reviews. Anyone had experience with fotodiox products? I saw one for a different fotodiox adapter and it was not enthusiastic.

It's a pity the 28mm won't fit but my 45mm and 90mm will.

[digitalintrigue]

There is another adapter coming out, more here.

http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11575

[FaradayCage]

By the way, does anyone have thoughts on the EP1's alleged "blur anomaly?"

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/EP1/EP1BLUR.HTM

The EP1 continues to appeal now that it looks like it can use Contax G lenses and double as a source of HD movie clips, and the silver/black zoom kit is available new for as low as $660 as of this writing. But this potential blur anomaly spooks me.

[gavinlg]

Originally Posted by FaradayCage

By the way, does anyone have thoughts on the EP1's alleged "blur anomaly?"

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/EP1/EP1BLUR.HTM

The EP1 continues to appeal now that it looks like it can use Contax G lenses and double as a source of HD movie clips, and the silver/black zoom kit is available new for as low as $660 as of this writing. But this potential blur anomaly spooks me.

No, don't worry about it. They're fruitcakes.

[je2a3]

Digital Barnack, my first serious digicam.


EP1+CV50/1.5

Happy New Year everyone!

[FaradayCage]

Digital Barnack is making me drool.

[dogberryjr]

I went with the split ring- it just seems sturdier.

[Big Hairy Bee]

Originally Posted by sockdaddy

I've been looking at the Gordy Straps, but can't decide on the actual attachment type. I'm leaning towards the string mount, but the split ring seems more stable to me. Which would you recommend?

I bought the split ring with a rubber bumper. Works great!