E-PL1 Experience Diary - Page 2

Brian Mosley · #11 March 19th, 2010, 03:54 PM

Hi BB, the selection of focus patch for continuous auto focus tracking is easier using the MF assist green box... but the tracking performance is pretty much identical to that of the E-P2.

Cheers

Brian

BBW · #12 March 19th, 2010, 04:00 PM

Thanks Brian. I'm embarrassed to say that I've never tried it on my camera. While watching a few promotional videos of the E-PL1, I did think it looked quite easy with that screen. Nice plus.

Brian Mosley · #13 March 19th, 2010, 04:17 PM

Whoops, just realised... If you cycle through to the MF assist zoom view on the E-P2, you can move the green box anywhere and the CDAF will focus on the green box - wherever you have it located.

The difference is, the green box on the E-PL1 can go smaller - to 14x magnification.

Cheers

Brian

Brian Mosley · #14 March 21st, 2010, 05:47 PM

Today, I took the E-PL1 out to try some street shooting... I discovered that holding the camera in my left hand, with the wrist strap to keep it secure... I could shoot one handed with the camera like this :

I had the LCD switched off (using the red dot button configured to switch LCD on/off), sleep timer disabled, lens reset switched off and CDAF switched to the function button (to left of magnify button).

I set the aperture to f3.5 on the 20mm f1.7 - to give maximum sharpness, a reasonable depth of field while allowing me to shoot at ISO 200... and pre-focused at the distance I expected my subject to be.

Basically, you can learn how to literally point and shoot in this mode... the camera just sits in your hand and you can shoot by mentally framing from the palm of your hand. Just takes practice that's all.

E-PL1 + 20mm f1.7
1/60s f/3.5 at 20.0mm iso200

E-PL1 + 20mm f1.7
1/320s f/3.5 at 20.0mm iso200

Cheers

Brian

Boyzo · #15 March 21st, 2010, 06:06 PM

Cool combo that 14-150 Pana Leica / E-PL1

I thought the 14-150 too heavy for the Pens series or even the G1, seems sweet with the E-PL1 .... Brian an awsome lens some lust over.

mmm $1500 ex Japan to Aus ;-)

That E-PL1 looks to be another Oly gem and the one hand trick is clever ;-)

Have fun Brian and enjoy, be sure to post pics ;-)

Cheers

Brian Mosley · #16 March 21st, 2010, 06:19 PM

Thanks Boyzo,

the only major irritation I have with the E-PL1 is the lack of electronic levels... seriously, I've come to rely on these for my landcape shooting with the E-P1/2 and not having them on the E-PL1 is driving me nuts.

There's no reason why Olympus couldn't adjust the E-P1/2 user interface in line with the improvements made for the E-PL1... the one-touch magnify could be moved to the Fn button for instance.

Cheers

Brian

JohnD · #17 March 22nd, 2010, 09:51 AM

Hi Brian,
Just joined the Forums after picking up E-PL1 this weekend. You have a great Forum here. So far I love the camera and was able to try out the EVF at the store. Wow is all I can say. It will be my next purchase. I have found the included manual a little confusing or difficult to follow at times. Do you know of any good tutorials related to setting up the My Mode functions?

BBW · #18 March 22nd, 2010, 09:55 AM

JohnD, here's a quick welcome to mu43.com and congratulations!

You've posted your question in just the right place, too, and to right person.

Graham_of_Rainham · #19 March 22nd, 2010, 11:46 AM

Brian,

You have really sold me on the E-PL1 / 20mm f/1.7 combination.

I do hope I'll be able to get to the next UKPSG event, as I feel that once I get a hands on (you may want to take something from me as collateral

) that this will be my next purchase.

Can send me a "Heads up" on any future meetings

Thanks

thearne3 · #20 March 22nd, 2010, 02:55 PM

Brian,

Any thoughts on E-PL1 vs EP-1? I have deferred trading my E-P1 so far (hoping for built-in EVF in next generation), but your comments on the E-PL1 seem to imply it's better in many respects than the E-P1 (except maybe the Levels feature). I find the built-in flash (and remote trigger possibilities with FL-36) attractive - and of course the EVF option. Doesn't sound like the lack of a second dial is bothering you so far...