Author Topic: E-P3 arrived finally, initial impressions (Read 4013 times)

count_zero · « **on:** July 28, 2011, 08:40:55 PM »

The E-P3 has arrived. Just ran some quick tests. The 17mm f2.8 focuses blazing fast, but the first generation 14-42mm ED is not so great. I don't see much improvement in speed with the 14-42mm and 4/3 40-150mm f4-5.6 ED with MMF-2 adapter vs. the E-P1. It's a little smoother, but not a miracle improvement. Keep in mind that I'm testing indoors in a small room with 1 14watt CFL light on in the roof lamp.

The sequential shooting live view refresh rate is still slow. The initial shutter blink is improved, but you still get the stop motion jaggedness effect when trying to pan at the same time. I seriously doubt I'll be able to hunt down a super bike while zoomed out to 150mm, and maintain a lock on the bike while shooting sequential as they zip by at 100+ mph. The C-TR might help a little, but when you start shooting sequential the C-TR target box disappears. I can't see Olympus releasing a "pro" E-Pwhatever until they fix the live view lag. In this case a normal dSLR is still the way to go. In the meantime, we can all pray for a hybrid view finder that will show the C-FT target box when in optical mode.

The OLED display is 10x clearer, sharper, and punchier than the E-P1. I'm not sure if glare will still be an issue since it's dark out right now. I assume it will look similar to the OLED in Samsung Galaxy S phones out in the bright sun, which isn't too bad. I probably won't waste my money on a VF-2 or VF-3, and just pray for a hybrid view finder instead.

I really like the touch screen focus/shoot mechanism. It also works with C-TR, where you touch the screen to set your tracking target, then hit the shutter button or the screen again to take the picture. That should be exciting to use with sports.

The Live view display is also improved. Metering mode, AF home/size, and grid line (if enabled) show up as real thin grey lines. Similar to an optical view finder on a DSLR. The histogram background is also transparent. There is a direct button to go into zoom mode for fine granular manual focus.

Overall, it's a nice upgrade. Their main focus obviously was AF improvements. There are a few more options to customize your AF preferences. All of the menu options have a pop up that displays the help for that menu item. It has all of the new beginner "live guide" features if you want to enable them (on by default). I'll take some photos this weekend to test for noise etc...

voyager · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2011, 08:46:24 PM »

Sounds like it was worth the upgrade after all then.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2011, 08:51:27 PM »

its not in nyc yet but id love more info as you work with the machine 8)g foward to it

asterinex · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2011, 08:53:51 PM »

Please keep us informed !

count_zero · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2011, 09:03:23 PM »

Quote

its not in nyc yet

Actually, I bought mine at 17th street photo through Amazon, and BH have it in stock now too.

Agent00soul · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2011, 11:06:43 PM »

What happens if you're in live histogram mode or blinkies mode and push the button to activate the green focusing square? Does the histogram (or blinkies) remain or do they disappear?

count_zero · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2011, 11:16:21 PM »

They disappear. The only one that remains is the grid display.

Agent00soul · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2011, 11:36:32 PM »

Quote from: count_zero on July 28, 2011, 11:16:21 PM

They disappear. The only one that remains is the grid display.

Damn. This is the biggest problem with the Pens, IMHO. In order to focus manually or control the size of the focus point, you lose control over exposure. I had hoped they had fixed it in the E-P3, as it has a separate button for the green square mode.
As it is now, you can't get a smaller focus point or manual focus assist without losing control over exposure. This needs to be fixed on the Pen Pro.

API75 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2011, 11:52:46 PM »

Please, I have a question concerning the magnification with legacy lenses: it is possible to magnify the desired focus point only by touching the screen, without having to push the magnify button (or any other one)? The same question on the other side: when you are in the magnifying mode, can you go back to the standard view by touching the screen only? Thanks!

count_zero · « **Reply #9 on:** July 29, 2011, 12:33:41 AM »

Quote

As it is now, you can't get a smaller focus point or manual focus assist without losing control over exposure.

I use exposure lock AEL. Set AEL/AFL memo to On. This will keep exposure locked after release the AEL button. On the EP-3 you can program it to be either fn1 or fn2 buttons.

Quote

Please, I have a question concerning the magnification with legacy lenses: it is possible to magnify the desired focus point only by touching the screen, without having to push the magnify button (or any other one)? The same question on the other side: when you are in the magnifying mode, can you go back to the standard view by touching the screen only?

Yes, you can set the touch screen to control mode only without taking a picture. When using manual focus only lenses, it will show the green box then you can use the onscreen sliders to set the zoom level, then tap the screen again and it will zoom in. Tap it once more and it will zoom back out.

API75 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2011, 12:39:40 AM »

Thank you!

Agent00soul · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2011, 01:53:01 AM »

Quote from: count_zero on July 29, 2011, 12:33:41 AM

As it is now, you can't get a smaller focus point or manual focus assist without losing control over exposure.

I use exposure lock AEL. Set AEL/AFL memo to On. This will keep exposure locked after release the AEL button. On the EP-3 you can program it to be either fn1 or fn2 buttons.

[/quote]

But how does this solve the problem? There will still be button-pushing to go from exposure information (histogram or blinkies) to small AF point, won't it?

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2011, 06:11:30 AM »

Sounds like a great upgrade, and a good mix of features.
Will you do a review in time?

niva_explorer_photo · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2011, 06:20:02 AM »

I also received the camera yesterday, and I am very impressed with it, I have done only a few indoor shots but I will test it properly tomorrow Saturday.

Regards!

Agent00soul · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2011, 07:55:06 AM »

Can you have touch focus enabled and still see the live histogram or blinkies?

gazn357 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 30, 2011, 09:17:57 AM »

Quote from: count_zero on July 28, 2011, 08:40:55 PM

The E-P3 has arrived. Just ran some quick tests. The 17mm f2.8 focuses blazing fast, but the first generation 14-42mm ED is not so great.

Doesn't the lens require a firmware update to take advantage of fast focus on E-P3?

cosinaphile · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2011, 01:26:49 PM »

Quote from: count_zero on July 28, 2011, 09:03:23 PM

Quote
its not in nyc yet

Actually, I bought mine at 17th street photo through Amazon, and BH have it in stock now too.

ok... i was going by adorama i was there on thursday and although my sales guy got to briefly handle one [ he was impressed by rhe focusing] he had none to sell yet

i just blew my camera cash on an x 100 anyway....
and i was there trying to snag an ep3!!
.ill have to wait to next week

seems like a nice machine

count_zero · « **Reply #17 on:** July 30, 2011, 09:03:47 PM »

Quote

Doesn't the lens require a firmware update to take advantage of fast focus on E-P3?

I've got the original version 1 of the 14-42mm. Version 2 has the High-speed Imager AF MSC (Movie-Still-Compatible) lens drive, which is needed for the faster AF. Keep in mind that the 14-42mm version 1 wasn't bad after the 1.1 update. The E-P1 also improved a lot with version 1.4 firmware.

When I test with the 17mm f2.8, the E-P3 is noticeably faster, but it doesn't have any special Hi Speed Imager MSC AF whatever chip/motor. Honestly, I don't know why the version 1 14-42mm doesn't have much speed improvement with E-P3. The 17mm and 14-42mm are both at version 1.1 firmware. It could just be a speed limit in the focus motor/servo of the lens.

gazn357 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 02, 2011, 05:34:53 PM »

Quote from: count_zero on July 30, 2011, 09:03:47 PM

Quote
Doesn't the lens require a firmware update to take advantage of fast focus on E-P3?

I've got the original version 1 of the 14-42mm. Version 2 has the High-speed Imager AF MSC (Movie-Still-Compatible) lens drive, which is needed for the faster AF. Keep in mind that the 14-42mm version 1 wasn't bad after the 1.1 update. The E-P1 also improved a lot with version 1.4 firmware.

When I test with the 17mm f2.8, the E-P3 is noticeably faster, but it doesn't have any special Hi Speed Imager MSC AF whatever chip/motor. Honestly, I don't know why the version 1 14-42mm doesn't have much speed improvement with E-P3. The 17mm and 14-42mm are both at version 1.1 firmware. It could just be a speed limit in the focus motor/servo of the lens.

Humm... I thought I read somewhere that a software update is or will be available for the older lens to take at least some advantage of faster focus on EP-3 camera.

Updated: Ok...went back and read older thread and it specifically states older MSC lens. I have an older version 1 14-42mm as well.

lisandra · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:03:08 PM »

ive seen a couple of videos of af with the older version and its noticeable faster no firmware. Is it gonna be faster than that?

count_zero · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2011, 11:26:22 PM »

There is this semi-secret mode in the E-P3 that also existed in the E-PL2 except hardly any one knows about it. You can adjust the tone curve in camera while in the exposure compensation menu. Basically, click on EV compensation by pressing the up arrow, then press info and it will let you adjust the tone curve to blacken the blacks or whiten the whites without changing shutter, iso, or aperture.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_support_faqs.asp?id=1552#43

Agent00soul · « **Reply #21 on:** August 03, 2011, 03:21:06 AM »

Quote from: count_zero on August 02, 2011, 11:26:22 PM

There is this semi-secret mode in the E-P3 that also existed in the E-PL2 except hardly any one knows about it. You can adjust the tone curve in camera while in the exposure compensation menu. Basically, click on EV compensation by pressing the up arrow, then press info and it will let you adjust the tone curve to blacken the blacks or whiten the whites without changing shutter, iso, or aperture.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_support_faqs.asp?id=1552#43

Is this adjustment remembered for all subsequent shots?

count_zero · « **Reply #22 on:** August 03, 2011, 09:06:42 AM »

Yes. You'll see a small icon that looks like a tone curve with +- whatever number you set it to, it can range from +7 to -7. I don't know if these are stops or what.

Author Topic: E-P3 arrived finally, initial impressions (Read 4013 times)

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