This feedback is great. I have been doing mental gymnastics in my head for the last week. Lately, dwelling over the Panasonic G2/GF1/GH1 for the video when I really just want a better still cam. So I am back looking at the Olympus system especially for the sweet in body I.S.
The IBIS is a huge seller.. especially if you plan on playing around with alt glass.
Where I'm coming from now with my gf-1, for me - I think I would rather have a small second cam to shoot casually, which means going through raws a lot less.
I just moved from an EP-1 to a GH2 (though we are keeping the EP-1). Haven't used the EPL series of cameras, but I can say that the GH2 seems to be the best camera available in the ยต4/3d format. The AF amazingly competent (not quite comparable to my Nikon D700, but better than my wife's old 30D), and the camera is very responsive. It also has a built in EVF, which I really like.
I really like the look of the EPL-2 and am seriously considering one. However, EPL-2 kit + VF-2 (an absolute must) is less than $200 cheaper than the GH2, which makes that very tempting too.
I believe Panasonic are announcing the G3 in late March, which hopefully will be a video lite version of the GH2, and a few hundred cheaper.
Those jpg's look superb. May I ask what sharpening settings you used for these web sized images?
After reading this I decided to try one.
I have GH1 but don't shoot video.
The jpegs are great!
I ordered the VF-2 because I need the viewfinder when using my Panasonic 45mm macro and when using the 40-150mm.
I don't have it yet
It is perfectly balanced with the kit lens and the Olympus 9-18mm and 40-150mm.
I tried the Panasonic 14-140mm and the 45-200mm but both seem over powering for the small body.
I just wish it had a separate card slot.
Btw. it's too early to say for sure, but it seems like my E-PL2 and 14-42II may have the same problem as the E-P1. Photos taken between 1/100 and 1/200 aren't sharp, while 1/60 or 1/500 (for example) work just fine. Those photos are very, very sharp.
HelenaN wrote:
How do you like the 40-150mm?
snip...
From my very limited use it seems sharp but I have only shot a couple of dozen pictures total with all 3 lenses so someone else with more experience could offer a better answer.
Let us know what you discover.
Pixel Perfect wrote:
Those jpg's look superb. May I ask what sharpening settings you used for these web sized images?
They are sharpened using Photoshop's smart sharpen. I'm no expert and wish I knew more tricks, but here I used about 75%-80% and 0.3 radius. Since there was already some sharpening in the jpgs before resizing, I wanted to keep it well under 100% to avoid halos. For the web, I prefer the small radius.
frank2001 wrote:
From my very limited use it seems sharp but I have only shot a couple of dozen pictures total with all 3 lenses so someone else with more experience could offer a better answer.
Let us know what you discover.
I'm also seriously considering the 40-150mm lens and would be interested to hear about others' experience with it.
Offenhauser wrote:
They are sharpened using Photoshop's smart sharpen. I'm no expert and wish I knew more tricks, but here I used about 75%-80% and 0.3 radius. Since there was already some sharpening in the jpgs before resizing, I wanted to keep it well under 100% to avoid halos. For the web, I prefer the small radius.
Doug
Thanks. Just look super crisp. Oly jpg engine is clearly very good, and this is one area that they leave Panasonic for dead.
Do you shoot RAW as well?
Finally how do you find AF speed, especially in lower light?
Btw. it's too early to say for sure, but it seems like my E-PL2 and 14-42II may have the same problem as the E-P1. Photos taken between 1/100 and 1/200 aren't sharp, while 1/60 or 1/500 (for example) work just fine. Those photos are very, very sharp.
I just tested my EPL2 with the 14-42II and found no blurring at shutter speeds between 100-200th @ different FLs. The link you list refers to the EP1, the first Pen camera released a few years ago. I doubt that this problem wouldn't have been addressed in the years that have passed. The EPL2 is a different camera entirely. Careful with the rumors.
borderlight wrote:
I just tested my EPL2 with the 14-42II and found no blurring at shutter speeds between 100-200th @ different FLs. The link you list refers to the EP1, the first Pen camera released a few years ago. I doubt that this problem wouldn't have been addressed in the years that have passed. The EPL2 is a different camera entirely. Careful with the rumors.
Not sure what you mean with "Careful with the rumors"? I was stating that my E-PL2 seem to have the exact same problem as the E-P1 had (unexpected blur between 1/100 and 1/200 and only with the 14-42II), and asked if someone else recognize the situation. It's good to hear that no one does, because that means that if mine really do have a problem I can probably just send the kit lens back and get another one which should be OK.
I got to try a friend's 20/1.7 today and it was sharp even between 1/100 and 1/200, and the kit zoom is really, really sharp as long as I avoid those shutter speeds. Colors and everything else is great, so I love the camera so far.
