Olympus E-3 owners- experience so far?

[keepright]

Originally Posted by Raist3d

Did you try getting the latest firmware upgrade? Supposedly it addresses part (at least) of this issue. It's a known issue. I have debated whether to buy the battery grip... sounds like a cool idea to be able to run on AA nimHi's in case you need the power.

I do have the latest firmware -- a Lensbaby with IS is a real head-shaker -- and don't have the grip for the E-3. The power management is still a little funky. The warning that's present in LV mode goes away once the LCD is turned off, which makes me think that the camera is mistaking the higher draw for lower current, if that makes sense. Regardless of cause, I find that I can ignore the low power warning during live view use for quite a long time.

(I do miss the InfoLithium system that Sony has. I'd happily pay a little extra per battery for intelligent power status.)

I have the grip for my E-1, but probably won't get one for the E-3 unless Cameta does their closet-cleaning auction again. I have three BLL batteries, which is a lifetime's supply, so using the E-1 with its grip keeps one of my BLM's on the charger and ready for whichever camera needs it next. The option of using AA's would be tempting if I was traveling, but the reality is that you're not likely to find me away from alternating current for more than a day.

Originally Posted by Raist3d

I guess my only thought is- I really like the E-3 features & quality. I really do. I think the color jpeg engine is simply fantastic. As good I would say in its own right as the Fuji though each has its own charms. My main issue is the interface into those features... the other size & weight but I don't fault Olympus for those two. I still wonder what could happen if someone came to me and said "ok, here's an e-410 with the E-3 sensor and jpeg engine' and if I would just swap the E-3 for it without thinking. That's what I wonder

There really is no perfect camera. I don't generally mind the E-3's size and weight, but then I typically use it with the 35-100 so a pound more or less on the camera is going to make very little difference. At the same time, you're also talking me into the E-410 and it's diminutive kit lenses, or even as a permanent home to the 14-54.

When it comes to wishful thinking, I'll do you one better: I'd love to see the E-3's internals, even without the IS, into a metal E-410 body that takes the BLM1 battery. Not as tough as the E-3, but with some environmental sealing, and as quiet a shutter as possible. It would be a difficult camera for me to resist.

Originally Posted by Raist3d

That said, I do like the fact the E-3 does feel like it can be taken to any environment and come out alive.

For me that's always been its best feature. Before I bought an SLR, I was out photographing my (now ex-)wife in a spring running race. It was typical spring weather: heavy rain, wet snow, hail, and sleet. Counting the pre- and post-race times, I was in it for about two hours, and I came away soaked to the skin through three layers of clothing, a heavy jacket, and an umbrella. I was using a Canon Elph in a diving case, so I had no equipment concerns, but all around me were people with SLRs wrapped in garbage bags. That day I decided to get the E-1. There was no way I was going to spend multiple thousands of dollars on a camera system to wind up looking like an idiot, or worse, put it away when it rains.

Incidentally, here's a photograph from that day. Take a look at the gutter and how much water is running in it; I'm near the top of the hill so there's relatively little draining past me. If I shot that race today my only concern would be wiping off the snow that accumulates on the viewfinder eyepiece.

Danny Kassap, the lead runner, on his way to finish first overall with an 8km time of 24.41.6 in the 2006 Spring Run-Off.