e-420 officially announced

[Raist3d]

DCRP News: Olympus introduces E-420 digital SLR, compact 25mm lens

And I will say this right now: pending confirmation of some aspects of it, I am swapping my E-3 for it. 75% chance.

- Raist

[cyclohexane]

That lens is intriguing... =)

[W.Smith]

Originally Posted by Raist3d

DCRP News: Olympus introduces E-420 digital SLR, compact 25mm lens

And I will say this right now: pending confirmation of some aspects of it, I am swapping my E-3 for it. 75% chance.

- Raist

Thanks, Raist. That's interesting. That 'pancake' 25mm lens makes for a very convenient carry-around-permanently, and always-ready-to-shoot combo with this E-420*. The combined size and weight package – with state of the art SLR capabilities – is amazing!

I'd say this cam is perfect for creative photo journalism type applications. Especially if married to that 'pancake' lens. For shoot-as-you-see-'m situations.

But is there a 25mm f/1.8 or f/1.4?
And the rest of the available glass isn't a really impressive range yet either, is it? Olympus & friends really oughta launch at least a half dozen more interesting lenses. Soon!

*(exactly the specs that made me buy my first Olympus, a Trip35 mechanically operated – so no batteries or anything electric – viewfinder cam, in 1973! Rugged but capable, and with good optics. The poor man's Leica M...)

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by W.Smith

Thanks, Raist. That's interesting. That 'pancake' 25mm lens makes for a very convenient carry-around-permanently, and always-ready-to-shoot combo with this E-420. The combined size and weight package – with state of the art SLR capabilities – is amazing!

I'd say this cam is perfect for creative photo journalism applications. Especially if married to that 'pancake' lens. For shoot-as-you-see-'m situations.

But is there a 25mm f/1.8 or f/1.4?
And the rest of the available glass isn't a really impressive range yet either, is it? Olympus & friends really oughta launch at least a half dozen more interesting lenses. Soon!

Hmm when was the last time you looked at the available lenses? There's quite a bit of range, and most importantly, the vast majority of the Zuikos have been lauded for superb image quality. Purple fringing is pretty much a non issue on 4/3rds....

The ranges already exist. What exactly in particular is being missed? 4/3rds has the best ultra wide angle this side of the pond unless you go full frame.

- Raist

[W.Smith]

I'm looking forward to a link to a site with a complete, current, line-up, Raist.

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by W.Smith

I'm looking forward to a link to a site with a complete, current, line-up, Raist.

Sure, no prob:

Four Thirds

Click on the flash sphere to where you get to lenses. There's a also a "lens on camera simulator" that shows you how a particular lens fits on a particular 4/3rds camera.

- Raist

[Paul Shields]

I should make a nice alternative to a full featured P&S, especially for those a bit more savvy and recognise the inherent advantage of an SLR and the bigger sensor. I hope they can improve the viewfinder as compared to my E-400, though I guess that's asking a bit much. I wonder if contrast AF in Liveview can be incorporated in the E-3 via a firmware update? (or maybe it already has it - I've not checked ).

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

I should make a nice alternative to a full featured P&S, especially for those a bit more savvy and recognise the inherent advantage of an SLR and the bigger sensor. I hope they can improve the viewfinder as compared to my E-400, though I guess that's asking a bit much. I wonder if contrast AF in Liveview can be incorporated in the E-3 via a firmware update? (or maybe it already has it - I've not checked ).

No, the E-3 doesn't have it. As for firmware upgrade- you read my mind! That would be great

- Raist

[keepright]

...four threads about the new camera, started by the same person...?

For those who haven't seen it, it's also on TOP: The Online Photographer: Olympus 'Pancake' Digital Lens

No word yet on whether Mike Johnson will buy one, but it's interesting to see him directly comparing it to the Sigma DP1 that he's been agitating for. And he also notes that the 25 f/2.8 never appeared on the road map (are you listening, 100mm macro?) which raises the possibility of more surprises.

I've never quite understood the whole "compact prime" thing, but maybe seeing the 420+25mm will change my mind.

[Paul Shields]

I think Raist got a little excited, and who can blame him - I know this is something that he's always wished for .

I'm a bit like you on the 'compact thing'. I do have a similarly sized E-400, but it was crying out for a pancake lens like what has been announced to be a real pocket cam. 99% of the time though I prefer something with a bit more heft and girth. 'Never mind the quality, feel the width', as I often say to my bank manager...

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

I should make a nice alternative to a full featured PoS

Do you now ?? really ??

Who would have thought...





Max@Home

[keepright]

No blame, just a little amusement... I understand, it's not every day that Christmas arrives unannounced.

I will be interested to see it, and once my E-510 is looking for replacement, I imagine I'll choose a E-4XX body. And if it was available in a kit with a pancake lens, why not? I recognize that there's a group, possibly a large group, that is looking for exactly this kit. And any hole in the lineup that can be filled is a hole that should be filled, regardless of our preferences for decent heft and girth.

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by Max@Home

Do you now ?? really ??

Who would have thought...





Max@Home

Max, I see you misquoted me for comic effect .

Remember this is the Camel not dpr - now go and use that line somewhere else .

[carlalex]

Originally Posted by W.Smith

But is there a 25mm f/1.8 or f/1.4?

I just got a Sigma 30mm f/1.4, very nice. They also make a 25mm f/1.8 but it's bigger than the 30mm and doesn't get as goo reviews. Bad thing about Sigma's, it seems you can't use autofocus + manual

Carl

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by keepright

...four threads about the new camera, started by the same person...?

Who? Whoever he or she is... or *it* is.. should be banned for a week.... ummm er.. wait....

- Raist

[keepright]

No way, never banned -- the multiple threads here just shows a refreshing burst of enthusiasm.

I did something that I swore I wouldn't do, and visited DPR. I should have known better -- I did know better -- but it's a train wreck over there. Even the comments at The Online Photographer, which was once one of the smartest photography discussions on the internet, has descended to "I'd buy Oly but the sensor's too small and the lenses are slow".

If it wasn't for sites like this one, I'd probably give up altogether.