Hands-on Review E-PL1 & PT-EP01

[PHIL RUDIN]

Wetpixel has just posted my review of this system, see the attached link,

http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/hands-on-review-of-the-olympus-epl-1-and-pt-ep01-housing/

Phil Rudin

 

[under water]

Very nice review Phil.
I was curious about how you envisioned using the zoom dial as a focus dial on macro lenses.
Which macro lens were you thinking of? In their roadmap Olympus shows a micro 4/3rds macro lens available early next year. Looks like a 100mm equivalent.
http://www.olympus.eu/consumer/downloads/D-SLR-PEN_Lens_Roadmap_09_en.pdf

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

Fixed focal length lenses like the Panasonic 45 mm macro and the coming Olympus 50 mm macro have a manual focus ring and no zoom ring. The same type of gear used for zoom lenses can be made to use as a manual focus gear. The only difference is that they are longer because the focus ring is further foreward on the lens.

If you watch DP Review or other like sites that announce new equipment you have seen lots of activity first with consumer compacts and this weeks Canon and Nikon announcements. These are to start a buzz in advance of next months Photokina show in Colone Germany. Olympus should chime in with new PEN and DSLR offerings in the next two weeks. This should give a better idea of what is coming and when.

Phil Rudin

 

[Peter Guy]

Always nice to know that the decision one has made turns out to be the right decision to have been made! One of these days I'll add more lenses and the dome port.

 

[deeper thoughts]

Looks like I made the right choice

 

[jhelmuth]

Great review Phil!

 

[Doubler]

Phil,
If you were upgrading from a P&S and dithering between the EPL-1 and Canon T2i which way would you go and why?

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

Come on Doubler,

The Canon EOS 550D, AKA Rebel T2i and Kiss X4 digital depending on what part of the world you are from is a DSLR camera which cost much more than the E-PL1 and the least expensive housing for the Canon is twice the cost of the Olympus housing. The Canon is an outstanding camera at the price. If money is no object it is the more advanced camera. At the price point you will not find a better offering than the E-PL1/PT-EP01 combo.

Phil Rudin

 

[under water]

Phil,
If you were upgrading from a P&S and dithering between the EPL-1 and Canon T2i which way would you go and why?

I'm not Phil, but I too pondered these options and went with the e-pl1 for one reason, my pockets.
That really translates into two reasons:
1. Value (I don't have deep pockets)
and
2. Portability. I can get all my gear (cameras, lenses, strobes, housing, tray & arms, focus light, etc) into a smallish backpack for traveling (personal item + carryon). Plus, my pockets are big enough to hold the e-pl1 which is really nice as I'm used to that with my G9.

 

[deeper thoughts]

I'm not Phil, but I too pondered these options and went with the e-pl1 for one reason, my pockets.
That really translates into two reasons:
1. Value (I don't have deep pockets)
and
2. Portability. I can get all my gear (cameras, lenses, strobes, housing, tray & arms, focus light, etc) into a smallish backpack for traveling (personal item + carryon). Plus, my pockets are big enough to hold the e-pl1 which is really nice as I'm used to that with my G9.

What macro lenses are available for the epl1 housing? I ordered one from Adorama(it works with the 67mm adaptor) Are there any others that attach right to the camera?
Thnx