Author Topic: You pick.... (Read 1748 times)

gazn357 · « **on:** August 24, 2011, 03:54:15 PM »

I can't make up my mind.....

1.) Olympus E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 14-42mm Lens (Black) for $899 Total.

or

2.) Olympus PEN E-PL2 Digital Camera (Black) W/14-42mm II Lens (Black) ($479) and the M. Zuiko Digital ED 45 mm f/1.8 Lens ($399) for $878 Total.

I will use it mostly for taking pictures of still subjects and then my perpetually in motion 2 yr old grandson.

The only thing the E-P3 has that I would miss is the focus assist. Faster focus would be a bonus. (Used to take lots of action shots of foot ball team in my high school days with fully manual 35mm when on high school yearbook staff.)

1 or 2?

Why?

Danny

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2011, 05:02:00 PM »

More bang with #2
Personally, I like my 55mm f/3.5 prime micro lens, not as fast as the 45mm f/1.8 AF, but, a handy portrait/macro lens for me.

count_zero · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2011, 08:11:40 PM »

I'd go with the E-PL2 for now as well. The E-PL2 does have focus assist and continuous focus tracking. It's not as fast as the E-P3, but still very usable. I upgraded from E-P1 to E-P3, which I think was worth it for the higher resolution OLED touch screen, faster AF, accessory port, and pop-up flash (which works great btw). But, considering Sony just released a 24MP sensor, the cheaper solution is probably the best way to go. You figure in 2-3years all of the vendors will have a 20+MP sensor. Then it might be worth upgrading to a "pro" model.

lisandra · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2011, 08:50:18 PM »

I think he means focus assist beam.
Id get the EP 3. Youll miss half the shots of your kid while you wait for the af with the EPL2. Indoors is painfully slow

Psynema · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2011, 08:54:40 PM »

Lenses are more important than bodies and last longer and retain resale value better. That EP3 will be $400 in a year's time.

traveler_101 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2011, 10:39:52 PM »

Quote from: Psynema on August 24, 2011, 08:54:40 PM

Lenses are more important than bodies and last longer and retain resale value better. That EP3 will be $400 in a year's time.

True--abstractly, but the OP has to decide on the basis of his immediate needs. Does the addition of the 45mm "portrait lens" compensate for faster AF for snapshots? Unless he has some specific purpose for the 45 in mind, I would get the E-P3. Besides, it is a much nicer looking camera. Other lenses (and maybe the VF-2 or VF-3) can come later. This assumes that the OP is not terribly cash strapped such that he could not afford to invest additional funds later.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2011, 04:50:46 AM »

THE EP3 IS a much superior camera to all earlier pens, especially in focusing speed , a significant feature when shooting perpetual motion toddlers

for indoor work a few powerful lights in the lamps or an extra clip lamp aimed at a white wall for a bright bounce can mean the difference between a blurry or sharp shot, and get the 40 later , a fastish af portrait lens is just what you need

shooting kids is a real challenge ,

gazn357 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2011, 05:54:29 AM »

So far, I interpret results as

E-P3: count at 3
E-PL2: count at 3

Just a note.... to an extent, funds is not a issue, have E-P2, VF2, 20mm Panny, 14-42 MkI, 40-150 Oly lenses.

Wanted the new 14-42 MKII for faster auto focus later and the 45mm because I would like a nice range of primes.

Really appreciate the feedback.

Danny

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2011, 07:35:19 AM »

Quote from: traveler_101 on August 24, 2011, 10:39:52 PM

Quote from: Psynema on August 24, 2011, 08:54:40 PM
Lenses are more important than bodies and last longer and retain resale value better. That EP3 will be $400 in a year's time.

True--abstractly, but the OP has to decide on the basis of his immediate needs. Does the addition of the 45mm "portrait lens" compensate for faster AF for snapshots? Unless he has some specific purpose for the 45 in mind, I would get the E-P3. Besides, it is a much nicer looking camera. Other lenses (and maybe the VF-2 or VF-3) can come later. This assumes that the OP is not terribly cash strapped such that he could not afford to invest additional funds later.

The 45 can allow a brighter image for the AF to work better, so it can help inside for candid portraits of kids where you don't want to disturb them. But,

The E-P3 also it advantages. Faster AF, and Higher Resolution LCD, but, crank out the kit to 42mm and you have f/5.6, not f/1.8 as the 45mm that is just a tab over 8x less light hitting the sensor with the kit lens at f/5.6 and 42mm (f/5.6, f/4, f/2.8, f/2 [f/1.8])

count_zero · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2011, 09:11:21 AM »

The 45mm is an awesome lens. I would consider getting the 17mm f2.8 instead of the 14-42mm, and get the 45mm. Then later get the 12-60mm f2.5 from panasonic if they ever release it.

traveler_101 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2011, 12:38:40 PM »

Quote from: M5-User on August 25, 2011, 07:35:19 AM

The 45 can allow a brighter image for the AF to work better, so it can help inside for candid portraits of kids where you don't want to disturb them. But,

The E-P3 also it advantages. Faster AF, and Higher Resolution LCD, but, crank out the kit to 42mm and you have f/5.6, not f/1.8 as the 45mm that is just a tab over 8x less light hitting the sensor with the kit lens at f/5.6 and 42mm (f/5.6, f/4, f/2.8, f/2 [f/1.8])

My question here, M5, is the utility of 45mm for candid shooting. I am not much of an indoor shooter, but I recall that when I have tried taking shots with my OM 50/1.8 indoors I felt cramped: it was hard to frame shots with a 100mm equivalent lens--too long: a 90mm equivalent would not be much better it seems to me. Of course if you have people sit for a portrait that's a different story, but it seemed that Danny was primarily interested in candid snapshots. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

He has the Panasonic 20/1.7: but maybe that is too slow for candids. I guess we are still waiting for a normal prime lens that will focus quickly on the E-P3.

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2011, 01:20:45 PM »

Quote from: traveler_101 on August 25, 2011, 12:38:40 PM

Quote from: M5-User on August 25, 2011, 07:35:19 AM

The 45 can allow a brighter image for the AF to work better, so it can help inside for candid portraits of kids where you don't want to disturb them. But,

The E-P3 also it advantages. Faster AF, and Higher Resolution LCD, but, crank out the kit to 42mm and you have f/5.6, not f/1.8 as the 45mm that is just a tab over 8x less light hitting the sensor with the kit lens at f/5.6 and 42mm (f/5.6, f/4, f/2.8, f/2 [f/1.8])

My question here, M5, is the utility of 45mm for candid shooting. I am not much of an indoor shooter, but I recall that when I have tried taking shots with my OM 50/1.8 indoors I felt cramped: it was hard to frame shots with a 100mm equivalent lens--too long: a 90mm equivalent would not be much better it seems to me. Of course if you have people sit for a portrait that's a different story, but it seemed that Danny was primarily interested in candid snapshots. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

He has the Panasonic 20/1.7: but maybe that is too slow for candids. I guess we are still waiting for a normal prime lens that will focus quickly on the E-P3.

Yes, that is a bit long for most indoor candid. I have the 20mm f/1.7, and does just fine for indoor candid of kids... a 40mm fov is good, and it will focus quite close also....

A few from 2010 Thanksgiving.
All at f/1.7, on board flash on my G1, "A" mode

Centauri27 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2011, 04:40:23 PM »

Quote from: traveler_101 on August 25, 2011, 12:38:40 PM

He has the Panasonic 20/1.7: but maybe that is too slow for candids. I guess we are still waiting for a normal prime lens that will focus quickly on the E-P3.

You mean "slow" as in slow focussing? It's certainly not slow in terms of light gathering. I think it's acceptably quick for candids, though it's not the quickest focussing lens in the world.

If funds are no obstacle, my vote is to go for the E-P3 and pair it with the 20mm for now (never sell the 20mm!), then blow for the 45mm later.

gazn357 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2011, 06:36:32 PM »

Quote from: M5-User on August 25, 2011, 01:20:45 PM

A few from 2010 Thanksgiving.
All at f/1.7, on board flash on my G1, "A" mode

Really great pictures... I have only managed a few of this quality... and with the20mm Pany as well!

You pick....