Honestly say, if you are starting with a DSLR now, the 20D seems to be the
best choice in terms of pixel count/cost/operating speed. But as you asked,
I try to provide my personal feel about the E-1.
----- Original Message -----
From: "AG Schnozz" <agschnozz@xxxxxxxxx>
>> It *really is quiet and has a very pleasant sound. Sort of
>> *ssshhhhlbb*
>
> As compared to, say, the 20D?
>
I would say the noise level is similar to 10D but they sound differently,
the E-1 seems a bit longer.
> Is it fair to say that the E-1 doesn't "do" as much as the Canon
> (especially in pixel count and image SNR) but what it does do it
> does extremely well?
For me, I like the shutter release, it is similar to E-10/20, it is soft
with no "click" point. You can repeatedly trigger the shutter with only a
slightly move of finger. For all camera I have used the poorest one was
10D, the click is hard and of course you have to go back pass the click
before taking another shoot.
>
> Is the ruggedized body worthwhile? Is there a level of
> confidence in the camera that is pretty much missing with so
> many digitals today?
>
It is hard to say worth or not, it could make no different to the
reliability of the camera on the field but for some who concern about the
feels like me I much prefer a body which feel ruggedized. Actually, the 10D
I had was also fine but E-1 do feel a little stronger. Weather poor is the
most interest point to me, it let me shoot in the rain without worry about
anything, I did it twice in my recent trip to Europe. My young son also did
that with the C5050 but it was dead after back home, don't know if it was
related :-(
> Viewfinder. How well does the camera manual focus as compared
> to an OM with 2-series screen?
>
It is not as fine as the 2-series screen, the E-1 looks dark with slower
lenses (>F4). Since the viewfinder mag. of E-1 is higher than OM body you
can focus easier but on the other hand you need a more accurate focus to
give a sharp image as you need to enlarge the image by 2x. It is better to
compare it with 10D, I would say it is overall easier to get sharper image
with E-1.
> Weight. Does the camera still feel light after a while or does
> it finally catch up to you?
>
It weights 1.27Kg with the standard 14-54 zoom, the handling (grip) is also
very good, it is ok for me even using for a whole day.
> Controls. The wheel behind the shutter release looks awkward.
> Is it?
No to me and the front wheel duplicated the same function if you shoot at
aperture piority mode. Ok, I do feel the back wheel on the C*non do works
better.
>
> Back to the rugged question again. Is the E-1 a camera you
> would feel confident going backpacking with for a week in some
> isolated place? Would a hybrid system of OM (B&W film), a
> handful of Zuikos, the E-1 with standard zoom and the Zuiko
> adaptor be a nice all-around outdoor system?
For sure, I did that with the recent trip, with a E-1, 11-22, OM4, 16/3.5,
21/2, 40/2, 28-48, 35-105, 75-150. (The 28-48 and 35-105 is mainly for my
son's OM2n.)
>
> Does the E-1 give the right image colors right out of the camera
> or am I forever chained to Photoshop to get usable pictures?
> I've shot Velvia/Provia for so long, I prefer to get the look
> right away instead of needing to post-process. As a point of
> comparison, the Canons produce pretty ugly files that require
> post-processing.
>
It gives a nice color balance most of the time but you cannot totally rely
on the auto white balance. PhaseOne C1 has a professional workflow that you
will sure love it, it gives immediately response to change of setting and
only $99 for the LE (I didn't feel anything is missing from the Pro
version). You are right about the Canon, actually even the color balance is
right the image between E-1 and 10D look quite differently, I prefer the E-1
look.
> For anybody shooting portraits/weddings, is the E-1's skin tones
> spot-on? Again, I'm looking for streamlined workflow and the
> ability to shoot-select-print. (another advantage to the 4/3
> format is the cropping)
>
For me skin tone is the thing that I most concern, the E-1 did very well to
my eyes. I do 99% output on 4x6 prints (just outputed over 200pcs from
recent trip and preparing for more) so the 4/3 is not so nice for me.
C.H.Ling
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