I've had my EP2 since Christmas. I like it a lot except for two things - a slow AF and no built-in flash. I picked up an used GF1 body only last week, because I was enamored with the idea of having a faster AF and a built-in flash. Now that I have both the EP2 and GF1, I am pondering if it's worthwhile to keep both cameras. Both cameras have their pros and cons.

I noticed that there are a lot of people who own both the GF1 and EP1/2. What are the reasons that you own both cameras? Do you use both of them, and if so, do you use them differently? Or is one retired since you purchased the other one?

BTW, this isn't a thread about GF1 vs. EP1/2. I am merely trying to determine if I should keep both cameras by figuring out if there are advantages of having two m4/3 cameras.

Thanks for the help!

Good questions and I'll be interested to read people's responses. Of course you know there are some people who are a bit addicted to collecting cameras but we'll hope there's more to it than that...

__________________
**An evolving camera owner.

~ BB
Flickr photostream

You probably also need a G1 or GH1 then - if you are not sure

and a "bucket full" of legacy lenses and adapters

__________________
Bill

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/billn_france/

I had both the EP1 and GF1 to get a feel for which I liked better... The GF1 felt better in my hand in terms of controls.. My P&S was a leica dlux4 so menuing was the same. I then got the EP1 and I was blown away by not just the colors OOC but by the advanced features like image overlay in camera raw edit, digital level etc... Then I tried my buddies ep-2 and the EVF won me over..

If I needed something with great AF and the Built in flash I'd have a gf1 laying around for parties...

I would ask YOU some questions.
Do you want to keep both cameras?
Do you enjoy using both cameras?
Can you afford to keep both cameras?
If the answer is yes to all questions then why not?

I have a GF1 and an E-P2, and other cameras besides plus a lot of lenses
and I decided some time ago to stop feeling any guilt about the amount of photographic equipment that I own and use.
I could invent some story about it being my job, I need a backup, one camera gives me something that I can't etc. etc.
But the truth is:-
I want to keep both cameras.
I enjoy using both cameras.
I can afford to keep both cameras.

Too many times people ask questions about whether people need this piece of equipment,
why did you get this instead of that? and other assorted enquiries.
Last time I checked its not a criminal offence to own more than one camera.
It makes as much sense to me as asking how many pairs of shoes we own and do we need them all.
Contrary to what some people seem to want, we really don't have to justify our purchases to anybody,
except maybe our bank manager every now and then.

You stated that both cameras have pros and cons, which means that you like things about each camera,
which is surely enough to justify keeping both of them.
The important thing is to decide what YOU want to do.
Don't feel that you owe an explanation to anyone.
Eric Clapton owns a lot of guitars. Does anyone ask him why
he's got so many? Probably not, and it could be argued that its
none of our business anyway.

I may be wrong but I get the sense that you would like to keep
both cameras. If I'm correct then there should be nothing that stops
you from doing that, unless you have some financial reason for not
keeping both, which since you didn't mention it I assume you don't.

Its certainly worthwhile to keep both cameras if you get
something from each of them. If you are using one at the
expense of the other, then maybe you should think about
whether its worth keeping both. If these are the only cameras
you have then its obviously a good idea to keep a backup.
Stuff happens and we all know the law that says the moment you
sell your backup, your remaining camera breaks down.

So if you really decide that you like one of the cameras much more
than the other, then its maybe a good idea to get two of the same
model instead of one of each.

Having got that out of my system -
"What are the reasons that you own both cameras?"
I like them both. One is a backup to the other. I can't decide
which one I like the best. I like the EVF on the EP-2, I prefer
the video on the GF1. Ones Red and ones Black.

"Do you use both of them, and if so, do you use them differently? "
Yes. Because of the EVF I use my manual focus adapted lenses
on the E-P2. If I'm shooting video I use the GF1. But otherwise I
just use the one I feel like using on the day.

"Or is one retired since you purchased the other one?"
No I use both of them, depending on the above.

You may not have expected such a long answer, and if you're still
awake and have got this far, then can I conclude by saying that they
are both extremely good cameras, as you will have realised by now,
and if some disaster would befall me so that I could only keep one of them,
I would probably have to toss a coin to decide.

Best Wishes

Enjoy your cameras.

__________________
http://soundimageplus.blogspot.com/

SoundImage great post.... That pretty much sums up how I feel... I do often feel guilty about keeping things that I know I won't use much even though I can afford to...

@Soundimageplus - I guess I am feeling guilty about having both the GF1 and the EP2. And yeah, I admit that I have a few other cameras too. And yes, I would like to keep them both. I can afford to keep them both, but feel like I shouldn't ... Urghh. I guess I was hoping that someone would say, sell one and go buy yourself a new lens! Or better yet, just buy another a new lens anyway!!

Addiction ... me ... never. Ok ... I probably am.

Aaargh. I finally decided that I'm going to return the body only GF1. I think I may get it again at a later time with the 20/1.7, and then sell the 20/1.7 separately, given that I already have one. The GF1 body will end up being less expensive that way.

Or maybe I'll get an EPL1 instead.

Yes ... I have a problem ... I am an addict ...

Armanius......I don't know....but as of a few hours ago I am in the same category as you. I just picked up an E-P2.

However, as I sit here waiting for the battery to charge, I am holding the GF-1 and I realize that I will NEVER sell that camera. It is a classic....a keeper...it's beautiful.

I bought the E-P2 for very practical reasons....it has attributes that I need...but the GF-1 has a shape and feel that really resonates for me.

I guess that means I will keep them both.

Regards.....R