What the Firmwareupdate does.

This week was a lot to do at work, so my writedown about the Firmwareupdate 1.1 had to wait. On Septembre, the 15th Olympus released this to improve Continous-AF with all AF-Lenses & to improve the Autofocus in general.

Installing with the Olympus Master2 Software is totally easy, but you have to be shure that power and also your internet connection are stabil. The Bodyupdate takes a bit a long time. I have asked me if the updateprocess’ hang up. But it’s all ok. It’s just over 20MB! The Lensupdates were much faster.

So, what does the Update? Is AF really improved? As i am not the one person who measures in Studio Comparisons i only can tell you about my real world tests. In my opinion it is improved, faster and more precise, but i had expected it a bit faster. I was curious about the Autofocus in Video and in my opinion the AF doesn’t pump as much as before.

Overall the Update is ok & essential for your E-P1 and the Lenses. Maybe we can expect a new AF improving in 1.2? Time will tell. How are your experiences?

| Nature is shrill |  M.Zuiko 17mm/2.8 “more precise & faster AF”

What You can’t have with the E-P1

The E-P1 has no fast Autofocus, also not Canikon 6.3 frames per second in continous shooting. When you are a sports photographer and you need a fast and accurate tracking Autofocus and/or  a fast frame burst, click on to the big DSLR’s from Canon or Nikon. The E-P1’s Autofocus is a slow-going one, in continous AF-Mode it sometimes pumps. You will have 11 (selectable) AF-Points.Three frames per second is what you get in Continous Shooting Mode. On 15th September 2009 a Firmware Update is awaited to give better Autofocus Performance. I will write here my experiences.

The E-P1 is not a full automatic HD-Videocamcorder. To make good Videos you have to train it. For smooth and accurate Videofilming you have to fully concentrate you. The Autofocus in Single AF is not automatic, if your subject moves you have to refocus by pressing a button, if you want to zoom you have to do this classical by moving the zoomring on your lens, all this actions sounds will also be recorded! You will have some krk krk noises in your Video! If you want to change the aperture during filming, it is not possible. Set Aperture and Ev before you start your video. If you want to take longer scenes than 7 minutes it is not possible. But when you train your Videomovements and learn to manual focus during filming the E-P1 will give you very nice Videos with Stereo Sound.

The E-P1 has no viewfinder, only with the M.Zuiko 17mm Pencake lens you can use the optical Viewfinder VF-1, which is wonderful. [Edit: the upcoming LUMIX G Lens 1.7/20mm is also usable with this Viewfinder]  It’s kind of a Leicafeeling. But if you need a camera with a viewfinder for all focal length wait until you will get the Panasonic GF1. It will be electronic.

The E-P1 has no flash. When you need Flashlight you have to buy a flash. All Olympus E-System-Flashes and Compatibles will work with the E-P1, or wait for the Panasonic GF1. It has an in-build flash.

You see, the E-P1 is down to the bones. And limitations boost creativity, don’t they?

 

It’s time to applaud.

The Digital PEN. “Since the beginning of digital Photography we have waited for this”

Now in 2009 Olympus has released the Digital PEN. After the Epson R-D1 [not available anymore outside Japan] (derived from Voigtländer Bessa R), Ricoh GR Digital (derived from Ricoh GR 21) and the Leica M8 (derived from Leica M7), it is the fourth “reincarnation” of an analogue classic into digital. But after the Ricoh has a small sensor & the Leica is only affordable to people with very full bank accounts, the E-P1 combines the best of both worlds. For nearly 1000€ it fits your photography days. It has a Four Thirds Sensor and Lens Development for its Micro-Four-Thirds-System-Mount is growing straightforward. Also you can go for some adaptors to use your old Leica M, Nikon F, Minolta MD, Pentax K, Canon FD or other Lenses. Also the count of adaptors is growing.

What you get is one of the most appealing digital camera today. A fine piece of engineering and craftsmanship. It is small, handy and can give you excellent image quality with it’s DSLR-like Sensor. This Sensor is also used in the Olympus E-620 and has become a slightly update for the E-P1. Even HD-Video with Stereo Sound recording is on the featureslist. Like the Leica M8 it has no build-in flash and the shutter sound is also really quiet. And like the M8 it is a perfect mixture of style, functionality  and serious technology. With the Zuiko 17mm/2.8 pancake and the optical Viewfinder VF-1 it’s a perfect tool for street photography.

Now i use the Olympus E-P1 with the Zuiko 14mm-42mm Zoom Lens and the Zuiko 17mm Pancake (together with the optical viewfinder VF-1) for two weeks. Mainly i do Landscape, Architecture, Street Photography and Family Snaphots, of course.