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Archive 2009 · How's the IS in the E-P1?

mawz
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p.2 #1 · How's the IS in the E-P1?

tmark wrote:
mawz wrote:

A stop isn't a heck of a lot, and I can get that and more simply by using the G1's 14-45 OIS, a combo which outperforms the IS of the E-P1. The G1's advantages also apply in situations where IS is useless (macro work for example).

So what you really prefer is the more stable position of the G1 *combined with* the use of an OIS lens, because that *combination* yields better results over the E-P1 ?

Yes, along with the fact I'm not giving much up with the G1 when using non-OIS lenses over the same lens on an E-P1 because of the more stable positions the G1 offers.

Sep 27, 2009 at 03:31 PM

Alex
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p.2 #2 · How's the IS in the E-P1?

E-P1 IS related blur
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/EP1/EP1BLUR.HTM

Can E-P1 owners confirm that the issue exists and is somewhat cured by the firmware update?

Alex

Sep 28, 2009 at 01:23 AM

Navyblue
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p.2 #3 · How's the IS in the E-P1?

Didn't know the issue exists and didn't notice it. But I can't say that I shot a lot at the stated condition.

Sep 28, 2009 at 03:25 AM

bpark42
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p.2 #4 · How's the IS in the E-P1?

mawz wrote:
tmark wrote:
So what you really prefer is the more stable position of the G1 *combined with* the use of an OIS lens, because that *combination* yields better results over the E-P1 ?

Yes, along with the fact I'm not giving much up with the G1 when using non-OIS lenses over the same lens on an E-P1 because of the more stable positions the G1 offers.

I don't really buy this claim. When I am using the E-P1 I hold it at chest height with both elbows held against my sides. This position is very stable, and I doubt it loses much of anything to the "camera up to the eye" position.

Just because so many p&s users tend to hold their camera out at full arm's length when composing on the lcd, that doesn't mean there aren't smarter ways to shoot.

Sep 29, 2009 at 03:21 PM

mawz
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p.2 #5 · How's the IS in the E-P1?

bpark42 wrote:

I don't really buy this claim. When I am using the E-P1 I hold it at chest height with both elbows held against my sides. This position is very stable, and I doubt it loses much of anything to the "camera up to the eye" position.

Just because so many p&s users tend to hold their camera out at full arm's length when composing on the lcd, that doesn't mean there aren't smarter ways to shoot.

If the camera is at chest height, it's either well away from the body (an unstable position, locked elbows or not. The fact that it's more stable than arm's length doesn't make it as stable as against the face) or you can't properly see the LCD. With the G1, it's either resting against my face, with locked elbows, or resting against my chest with the LCD flipped out, with fully supported arms. Both positions are far more stable than any position possible with the E-P1 where the LCD remains visible for composition.

You'd need to be using the clip-on OVF to get a truly stable position for the E-P1 where accurate composition remains possible.

Sep 29, 2009 at 08:56 PM

bpark42
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p.2 #6 · How's the IS in the E-P1?

mawz wrote:
If the camera is at chest height, it's either well away from the body (an unstable position, locked elbows or not. The fact that it's more stable than arm's length doesn't make it as stable as against the face) or you can't properly see the LCD. With the G1, it's either resting against my face, with locked elbows, or resting against my chest with the LCD flipped out, with fully supported arms. Both positions are far more stable than any position possible with the E-P1 where the LCD remains visible for composition.

You'd need to be using the clip-on OVF to get a truly stable position for the E-P1 where accurate composition remains possible.

I understand the argument, I just don't really buy into it.

From what you described, I am guessing the way I hold the E-P1 when I need maximum stability is probably at least close to how you use the G1, despite the non-articulating screen (I do wish the E-P1 had this, though). I hold the camera near my chest with elbows locked. The camera is about 7 inches from my body (yes, I was bored enough to take the time to measure it.) I have no trouble seeing the screen from this position (though it is not at an ideal angle) since I can tilt my head back a little bit if necessary. Some quick tests with my 1d3 shot from both positions show roughly the same percentage of "keepers" at the same marginal shutter speed for a given lens. Not exactly an exhaustive test I know, but it's good enough for me, for now at least.

Anyhow, this wasn't meant to be an E-P1 vs. G1 or whatever else. My point was that, in my experience, and speaking purely for myself I guess, I do not find that the lack of a viewfinder impedes my ability to get stable shots at a given shutter speed, IS or no...

Sep 30, 2009 at 12:07 AM

mawz
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p.2 #7 · How's the IS in the E-P1?

bpark42 wrote:

I understand the argument, I just don't really buy into it.

From what you described, I am guessing the way I hold the E-P1 when I need maximum stability is probably at least close to how you use the G1, despite the non-articulating screen (I do wish the E-P1 had this, though). I hold the camera near my chest with elbows locked. The camera is about 7 inches from my body (yes, I was bored enough to take the time to measure it.) I have no trouble seeing the screen from this position (though it is not at an ideal angle) since I can tilt my head back a little bit if necessary. Some quick tests with my 1d3 shot from both positions show roughly the same percentage of "keepers" at the same marginal shutter speed for a given lens. Not exactly an exhaustive test I know, but it's good enough for me, for now at least.

Anyhow, this wasn't meant to be an E-P1 vs. G1 or whatever else. My point was that, in my experience, and speaking purely for myself I guess, I do not find that the lack of a viewfinder impedes my ability to get stable shots at a given shutter speed, IS or no...

I should note I'm getting repeatable keepers at 1/2 second and longer with the G1 and 14-45 OIS, that's at least 2 stops better than I can reliably do with any SLR (where the limit is about 1/8 of a second even with IS). I will note that my E-30 does seem to be better than other SLR's for the lower limit as I'm hitting 1/5 second on occasion for keepers.

Sep 30, 2009 at 02:42 AM

bpark42
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p.2 #8 · How's the IS in the E-P1?

mawz wrote:
I should note I'm getting repeatable keepers at 1/2 second and longer with the G1 and 14-45 OIS, that's at least 2 stops better than I can reliably do with any SLR (where the limit is about 1/8 of a second even with IS). I will note that my E-30 does seem to be better than other SLR's for the lower limit as I'm hitting 1/5 second on occasion for keepers.

1/2 second is pretty impressive. I can do 1/4 with my CV 15mm heliar with a reasonable keeper rate. Anything beyond that is definitely pushing it, but hey no option for in-lens IS in that lens.

Everything else being equal I would take lens-based IS over in-body IS every time...but it is nice to have IS available for my alt lenses.

Eventually Olympus will likely release a new/upgraded version that will add the optional viewfinder and an articulating (hopefully higher res) lcd, and I will be pretty much set for m4/3 at that point.

Sep 30, 2009 at 04:34 AM

domal
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p.2 #9 · How's the IS in the E-P1?

Speaking to the comparisons between the E-P1 and the G1, I own the G1 and bought the E-P1 when I saw it, seduced by it's feel and the in body IS, even though I have the 2 Pany IS lenses. Well, the IS doesn't matter when the auto focus is very slow. The difference in the focus speed between the Oly and the Pany is significant, in my view and the LCD on the Pany is much sharper, having twice the number of dots Add this to the excellent VF on the Pany and it's more like a DSLR. Shooting most anything with the G1 was fun while the Oly was frustrating and prompted me to return the Oly to my dealer. I'm now looking forward to handling the new GF!

Dom

Sep 30, 2009 at 09:38 AM

Jman13
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p.2 #10 · How's the IS in the E-P1?

Have you upgraded the firmware, Dom?

Sep 30, 2009 at 09:48 AM

domal
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p.2 #11 · How's the IS in the E-P1?

Jman13 wrote:
Have you upgraded the firmware, Dom?

No, as I said, I returned camera to dealer before update came out but doubt it would make up for all it's problems for my taste.

Sep 30, 2009 at 04:16 PM

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