Super Deal on Olympus E-PL1 with kit zoom. NEW – $266! Also, Zeiss Sonnar in STOCK!

15 Comments

1. Much more on this new system of mine and how I plan to use it — If you’re interested — under Ibraar Hussain’s mid-March post: ‘Using Film for Black & White Photography’. I discussed this rangefinder lens on m4/3’s thing in some detail, prompted by Ibraar’s questions coming back to me. I’d hoped there might be something there to spark some creative thought about options among other readers here: I don’t think I’ve crawled too far out on any limbs here… we’ll see.

2. Sorry for being pokey to get back on this… but you may have noticed above that I went for an Olympus E-PM1 — a nice deal for a new one from a private seller on eBay. I added the VF-2 EVFinder, the 14-54mm f.2.8-3.5 Mk II [important distinction] ‘zoom’ from the 4/3’s E-system + MMF-2 adapter (also to be used with the goes-cheap-used 40-150mm f.3.5-4.5 tele ‘zoom’)… then the 20mm f.1.7 Panasonic and Olympus 45mm f.1.8 primes… all from eBay.

   But wait! — as the TV hucksters like to say… I added in March a Contax G1 35mm film camera with the super-duper Zeiss-Kyocera Biogon 28mm f.2.8 and Sonnar 90mm f.2.8 (from eBay). The beauty of this (I’m hoping) is that these rangefinder lenses are adaptable to m4/3’s bodies (at the 2x crop factor, of course), which is very cool, given the exalted reputation of this glass. An effective 180mm f.2.8 prime with classic-look rangefinder style & construction and weighing around 7 ounces — now that, I do think, is something else as a complement to the effective 90mm focal length of the Olympus prime. …With image stabilization to boot — on Olympus, of course.

   AND have you seen as yet Robin Wong’s 2-day (but remarkably thorough) user test of the new Olympus OM-D 16mp “high end” camera? That’s Robin Wong in Kuala Lumpur (I think), not the one in Canada, BTW. Well, doc, that 3-parter certainly got my attention: you won’t believe the low-light, low-noise performance of the m4/3’s system here! I wasn’t expecting THIS from the new sensor [NOT the same as Panasonic’s 16mp] and latest Tru Pic VI implementation. So, I guess, I’m 95% sold on that — whew! I’m just working out the best strategy from here… I think I’ve jumped into this game fully now! Good luck with your choices.

3. That and my two om film bodies and huge stack of legacy lenses. Lol

4. So this site is a big part of why I bought the a33 and the epl1. LOL. When doing research on Dslr types and I first came across the a33 I did a search for reviews and Steve’s was one of the in-depth without being too pixel obsessed. Plus he used it in very real world situations. Then when I was search for a backup camera and was looking at other alpha bodies (I have 5 lenses) the only ones that really got me pumps were out of my range at the moment and I needed one fast, plus the m43s were really intriguing after visiting this site so often. Steve’s review, though snapshot focused, showed the epl1 to be a VERY capable camera for a ridiculously reasonable price.

5. I bought a new EP2 of local Craig’s List for $230. Never looked back lol. Now waiting on my OM-D

6. I usually shoot a Sony a560 and a230. But being on this site has made me sell my a230 for an NEX system. And now that I saw this…I bought it. smh @ myself. ARE YOU HAPPY STEVE?! lol

7. Oh you definitely dropped some important points and I wouldn’t want to hold any one back from the right tool. When I was looking for my DSLR type I was pretty much just getting the Nikon/Canon speeches but neither the d3100 or the t3i (which were in my price range) thrilled me too much. It wasn’t until I saw a video on the Sony a33 and my pulse quickened. LOL
   so I hope whoever is looking a camera does as much research as you and i did.
   What camera did you jump into? I didn’t notice in your original post.

8. The E-PL1 (or E-PL2) is the better-looking, better-feeling choice, for sure. But Chris at Olympus and I had a long conversation about the PEN system in December when I was just starting to look (I’d asked specifically who a former semi-pro needed to speak with) — I’d never owned ANY digital camera, due to just being completely out of the game and always seeing those “deal-breakers” when I did look — and she was VERY candid: I asked the hard and detailed questions, and she related in detail her personal experiences with these cameras. That’s what sold me on the generation 3 line.

9. I don’t really find the epl1 all that pokey in the AF. Maybe in darker situations but even compared to the a33 which is a pretty zippy AF system the Epl1 is pretty respectable. I think for the price this a great camera for the new enthusiast or the budget minded serious photographer that may need a fun back-up for emergency or travel uses. Plus crazily enough I know of a photographer who used this for a wedding. I know nutty. Lol

10. Interesting ‘heads-up’ notices are always much appreciated. I’d only suggest that prospective takers consider some additional bits of info. — As of a couple weeks ago, I’ve seen the Olympus E-PM1 kit new from a dealer on eBay for $404 and change (and on sale at $424 directly from Olympus!); how low will this aggressively priced package go before long? That current TruePic VI processor seems to be an unexpectedly big step up: finally no apologies necessary for pokey or unavailable auto-focus performance… surely a huge plus for attracting the more savvy eBay shoppers when you want to resell it in order to help finance your OM-D. In fact, Olympus candidly told me that processing is somewhat improved here over even the E-P3 [“The E-PL3 and E-PM1 are a few months newer, and we learned a few things after releasing the E-P3.” That’s near verbatim. BTW, on the heels of that, I got my E-PM1 kit as a new, unopened, unwanted “gift” on FeeBay back in December for $375 delivered — one of the 1000 kits Olympus gave away on the Ellen Show, circumstances strongly suggest…]

    Also, the current IIR version of the kit zoom, while “plastic-y”, is down to a fully-pocketable 4 oz.size (!), is inherently faster to auto-focus, and is billed as “silent” for shooting video (again, no small consideration for non-enthusiast eBay shoppers… and now, for new OM-D owners needing a small, convenient video lens for their newly “Jello-free” Olympus video output!). It makes an O.K. wide angle/short tele lens to have in your pocket whenever you just want to run around mainly using the 20mm Panasonic ‘pancake’ prime, so I’m keeping mine despite having 20mm & 45mm M4/3 primes, the 28mm and 90mm Zeiss/Kyocera glass adapted from my ‘new’ Contax G-system [Darn you, Mr. Hussain, and your stunning Pakistan photos!], and the fine Zuiko 14-54mm Mk II ‘zoom’ w/ MMF-2. In any event, good luck M4/3 shoppers!

11. I really want that lens! Small problem, I own neither a body to put it on nor the money to purchase either 😀

    But really, on mirrorless the focus shift doesn’t matter anyway!

12. Last thing I promise… Free shipping to boot!

13. Actually my mistake it’s the EP-1 being sold for $199.00 body only,not the E-PL1… I repeat E-P1 for $199.00 that’s a slamming deal!!!!!! It’s still available!

14. I saw it being advertised on eBay last week as a special deal for $199.00 body only brand new. I decided I’d rather spend $1100.00 more and buy the OM-D.. Which I did! $266 with the kit lens would make a great gift for someone.

15. Got the epl1 at a very similar cost. Love it! Fantastic second camera when my Sony a33 is a bit much. Been recommending it to lots

Comments are closed.