Author Topic: My Thoughts on using My E-P1 (Read 1494 times)

GrandadHarry · « **on:** November 03, 2011, 01:45:15 AM »

Hi all. I have had my E-P1 Kit for some time now & basically just 'played around' with it
However I become more enamoured of the results I have been getting!
Yesterday I took it to my Golf Club & to the Park atoss the way.
I have posted some images in my " Bits & Bobs" album I am delighted with so much so I have ordered a 17mm
Olympus Pancake lens.
I looking forward to using this kit when In the Lake District In a couple of weeks!
Leaving my Nikon DSLR gear at Home!!

RT_Panther · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2011, 02:18:06 PM »

E-P1 + 17mm = Great Combination

javarob75 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2011, 05:18:09 PM »

Quote from: RT_Panther on November 03, 2011, 02:18:06 PM

E-P1 + 17mm = Great Combination

Totally agree! My favorite combo

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

cosinaphile · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2011, 09:33:44 PM »

i havnt used my slr since getting my ep1 ,gf1 ricoh gxr fuji x 100 ,, i know exactly what you mean

mynameisjonas · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2011, 01:33:25 AM »

Same here. I had a Nikon D90 that produced fantastic images, but the day I got my E-P1, the D90 started collecting dust. One big reason was that the Panasonic 20/1.7 I got for the E-P1 is a much better lens than the Nikon lenses I had (18-55mm kit zoom, 50mm 1.8 ), but it was also just a lot more fun to use. The image quality isn't in the same league of course, but I feel that the E-P1 allows me to get shots that the D90 wouldn't, and that's more important to me than dynamic range and low noise.

ghostivv · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2011, 02:21:21 PM »

OK I've to admit now that I'm struggling to get a decent pics off e-p1. Yes always was with PNS and a noob by miles but most pics coming worst (noise, focus, DOF) than fuji F30fd is baffling especially all over net there is a praise for camera.

a) Out of Focus: primary subject (peoples) in foreground is much softer than distant landscape in background, especially when large DOF is desired. Tried all methods of focussing available in camera.
b) On a nice blue and a couple of bit grey looking cloudy sky, if focussed on foreground subject, the sky is blown to white with clouds to be seen nowhere. (on front page seen something similar on scottish parliament shot).

Only great and impressive shots i get is of shallow DOF. Taken with (b) above, I'm guessing DOF range of camera (lens) is not very large. Probably I'm doing something wrong but tried all options, gone through few tutorials and ends up with above issues. On a note- i played with mate's canon and defo I can shoot some decent pics

. Strongly toying with idea to offload and replace this with LX3 and later upgrade to proper DSLR. Any suggestions ?? I already decided against getting panny 20mm as for the price I probably will get some decent used body.

Cheers.

voyager · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2011, 04:42:27 PM »

I know exactly how you feel, and it was very frustrating learning how to use the E-P1 to its true potential (which I argue is better than any other camera). If you can learn to do this, change settings around, compensate for things like underexposure and use manual focus more, you will fall in love with it. It's really a lot more like the older styled cameras where you have to do things more manually, but it really does help you improve your photography if you take the time and patience to do it.

GrandadHarry · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2011, 10:15:39 PM »

Hi As Voyager says it is more like using a vintage film camera.
The reason I bought mine was because of the Vintage Look & by Olympus-- ie the Original " Trip" 35mm.
Read the manual, play with the settings, get a couple of older lenses & adaptors so you get used th working the ' Old way'!
Really it comes down to getting familiar with the camera!
I am still doing this!
But hey! it is good to take a step back!!

ghostivv · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2011, 11:30:52 PM »

Thanks. I'm encouraged

should I open a new thread? Need help on above issues especially of focus as well on choosing the compatible adapter and some old wide lenses.

A quick one and to start: what is all of yours standard ISO? I prefer mostly 100/200/400. Too low?

mynameisjonas · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2011, 11:40:54 PM »

Quote from: ghostivv on November 04, 2011, 02:21:21 PM

a) Out of Focus: primary subject (peoples) in foreground is much softer than distant landscape in background, especially when large DOF is desired. Tried all methods of focussing available in camera.
b) On a nice blue and a couple of bit grey looking cloudy sky, if focussed on foreground subject, the sky is blown to white with clouds to be seen nowhere. (on front page seen something similar on scottish parliament shot).

a) Have you tried using a single focus point? The E-P1 uses contrast detection AF, so if you're using multiple points and shooting a portrait against a contrasty background it might opt for the background. 99% of the time I use the center focus point, half-press to focus on the subject, compose my shot (with the shutter release still in the half-pressed position), and then click. Apart from the slow AF speed, I find it to be extremely accurate, and I pretty much always get the focus where I want it.

b) Check your settings and see if you have it set to spot metering. If so, change it to average and see if that gives you better results. If it's already set to average, get to know the exposure compensation. It's really easy. If the live preview looks too bright or dark, just turn the dial until it looks good.

RSilva · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2011, 04:22:40 AM »

I also have the E-P1 and it´s not a easy camera to start with, but if you give it some time you will start getting amazing pictures.
As already said it´s a good idea to use the single focus and central weighted or spot
exposure to lock your subject and then recompose.
You should also shoot raw and over expose 0.3 to 0.7ev to avoid shadow noise.
Also avoid HDR scenes because the camera flaws in that respect.
I also turned noise reduction and noise filter off to improve image detail. By overexposing I end up with none or little noise anyway.
Avoid going further than iso 800, even iso 800 is to grainy. Therefore get some fast lens like the 12/2 20/1.7 25/1.4 and 45/1.8.

voyager · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2011, 11:30:32 PM »

Quote from: ghostivv on November 04, 2011, 11:30:52 PM

Thanks. I'm encouraged should I open a new thread? Need help on above issues especially of focus as well on choosing the compatible adapter and some old wide lenses.

A quick one and to start: what is all of yours standard ISO? I prefer mostly 100/200/400. Too low?

Feel free to always start a new thread with your questions.

Jason C · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2011, 07:41:04 PM »

Quote from: ghostivv on November 04, 2011, 11:30:52 PM

A quick one and to start: what is all of yours standard ISO? I prefer mostly 100/200/400. Too low?

I'd like to use iso 100, but not with t eh E-P1. My default is iso 200, but it all depends on where my camera is going to be. Such as I bring it to work; iso 800. Going onto some shady area; iso 400.

Jason C

ghostivv · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2011, 09:36:39 AM »

Thanks guys. First step of reading the manual is done now (oh.....these manuals are the first thing to go inside box

). Still yet to play with camera but liked the idea of RSilva and mynameisjonas.

Edit: Oly 17mm f/2.8 pancake is being offered cheap. Should I jump? LMK fast. Thanks.

voyager · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2011, 02:03:22 PM »

It's a good lens for the price, but do you really need it at the moment?

ghostivv · « **Reply #15 on:** November 15, 2011, 08:36:28 AM »

not sure...... Anyway missed on that. Now got panny 14mm f/2.5. Let's see how do i fare. Will start a new thread.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #16 on:** November 15, 2011, 11:34:56 AM »

when you have a scenewith a blown out sky try this
comp dial to a shutter speed to get a decent exposure of sky ....lessen the exposure

shoot it as iso 200 now do jpeg edit to bring back shadow detail , try two presses [do it twicwe to the same image

the setting is called shadow adjuctment

My Thoughts on using My E-P1