Olympus E3 - Would you buy one today?

The honest answer is - NO - if wanting the E3, I must be looking at feature / performance / specifics that the E3 bring to me, and there is no enough to sway me to spend the dollars.

That must be judged against the usage, and the setup. There are other 4/3 and Micro 4/3 that's competing and also other system. The E3 is not that much wanted / needed as far as I am concerned. And specific need setup might be found better in other combo booth 4/3 and non 4/3

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  • Franka -
 
If you need a telephoto macro, just get the Sigma 150 f2.8 and first thing, send it and the E-3 to Sigma for recalibration of front/back focus. A pain, yes, but it will be a great lens for you thereafter. I'm personally not counting on Olympus producing a 100mm f2 in any logical time/price.

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'And only the stump, or fishy part of him remained'

http://www2.gol.com/users/nhavens
A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township
 
Yes. Buy. There is no camera that matches the E3 build quality on the market for under 1000€. And the E3 is still the flagship of Olympus...with good HG lenses it's a great combo. I've been using mine since the launch, in pro assignments, and the only thing I have to complain is the IQ above ISO 800/1600... but the body, is for me a dream in quality. It's a workhorse built to last....you can't go wrong. There's nothing you can't do with a E3. If weather sealing and 100% aren't priorities buy the E30.

Regards

João
 
I use it mainly for travel shots so weight is an issue, and this kit is heavy, but reliable.

Though if i did not have had bought it today i would consider a weather proofed pentax instead price wise.
But after 1,5 years, just done 2,5k shots in mexico and i am still happy with it

And a e4/5 should really serious excel in high iso (low light animal shots) and live view (quiet candid shots) to make me be tempted to upgrade. a pro swd version of the EP-1 might do the trick to make me crossgrade due to the size. Would i mind having the features of the non pro models on the pro nooooo, as long as you can reprogram them a bit. Switching to Sport, Portrait, Night, macro as a preference setting would be very usefull.
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Olympus: E-3, 12-60SWD, EX25, FL50R, 50-200SWD
 
Are you not going for full frame because of size or because of money?
No, it's not the money but the weight would kill me. Anyway, no doors are closed yet, I may change my mind. ;)
I understand how all the little points add up to become one rather difficult to explain big point.
Explanation will come, but not just yet.
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http://www.olyflyer.blogspot.com/
I'm interested in hearing your reasons, as I really feel there's very little difference between the current crops of 4/3 and APS-C cameras. There are clear advantages, but also clear disadvantages as well.

Because of this, I'm wondering if you know something we don't.

I'd greatly welcome a FF sensor in my camera, purely for the DR and noise advantages as base ISO. But, there's no way I could have a FF system with similar lenses and still travel as much as I do.

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Tim
'I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list.'
E3/7-14/12-60/150/50-200/25/25/EC-14
http://www.flickr.com/photos/timskis6/
 
Just used my e3 this morning, and everyone at the event wanted me to photograph, preferring me over their "official" photographer, who had a p/s camera. Something about that big body makes you seem like a professional. Also, it's built like a tank and performs great! I'd definitely pick one up. (Also, I have fairly large hands, and work once in a while, so it fits my body size well. If a person were a bit smaller, a more portable camera might be better. May I suggest a Leica M9? ;-) )
 
Here is my cart at B&H as I type this:
E-3 with the HLD-4 and an extra BLM-1
12-60mm SWD
50mm f2 ED
50-200mm SWD
EC-14
EX-25

Welcome back! I feel great knowing that except for the EC-14 (I have the EC-20) I have the same exact setup. May I suggest the FL-50r flash? Or two? They work great with the radio control setup! Enjoy!

I always find myself looking at other systems, only to be drawn back to exactly what you are purchasing, and what I already own. Reading these posts makes me feel much better. Thanks!
 
No, I'd buy an E-30. Mostly because I have an E-1 for weather sealing and I feel the E-30 level, live view implementation, and ergonomics are refined over the E-3 and for a lesser price.

Now, if I found a used E-3 for a deal, it would still be a very good upgrade from the E-1.

Cheerio,
Seth

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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?

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wallygoots.smugmug.com
wallygoots.blogspot.com
 
If you need a telephoto macro, just get the Sigma 150 f2.8 and first thing, send it and the E-3 to Sigma for recalibration of front/back focus. A pain, yes, but it will be a great lens for you thereafter. I'm personally not counting on Olympus producing a 100mm f2 in any logical time/price.
This is just a hobby for me, for the most part, I don't "need" anything but... ;)

I used to have the Sigma 150mm f2.8 for my Nikon system, great lens but I would just prefer to stick with Olympus lenses. I am in no hurry and will just patiently wait for the Olympus 'solution'.

Thanks for the suggestion though!

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Neil
http://thewarmland.com
 
Here is my cart at B&H as I type this:
E-3 with the HLD-4 and an extra BLM-1
12-60mm SWD
50mm f2 ED
50-200mm SWD
EC-14
EX-25

Welcome back! I feel great knowing that except for the EC-14 (I have the EC-20) I have the same exact setup. May I suggest the FL-50r flash? Or two? They work great with the radio control setup! Enjoy!

I always find myself looking at other systems, only to be drawn back to exactly what you are purchasing, and what I already own. Reading these posts makes me feel much better. Thanks!
Hi,

I have amended my order to replace the EC-14 with the EC-20, from what I have seen the quality is wonderful.

I have added a FL-50R, I just forgot to add that to my list here. I had a FL-50R for my SP-570 P&S last year and you are right, for wireless work it does work very well...

I can't knock my Sony system, it is excellent. The ergonomics, features are all up there. My Pentax system was fantastic as well... I have found that this setup I have put together should meet all my 'needs' and it should all fit in my Tamrac Pro8 shoulder bag. (Instead of multiple bags).

Cheers!

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Neil
http://thewarmland.com
 
Welcome back to Oly! The set up you listed looks like a great start -- the E-3 with the 50-200mm is a dynamite combo. In regard to the tele macro issue, I just invested in the Sigma 105 f2.8 macro and am blown away by the clarity of that lens -- for both macro and portrait shooting. I use my EC-14 with it a lot and it's sharp as a razor with a effective (35mm) focal length of 194mm.
Thanks for the suggestion Greg. The Sigma 105mm is without a doubt a great lens (I have owned it in numerous mounts) but I am going to try to stick with using Olympus lenses this time around...

Cheers.

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Neil
http://thewarmland.com
 
Neil,

Congrats on your soon return back to Olympus. Though I am a C_ _ _ _ shooter, I have considerable respect for the Oly system. A good friend of mine bought an E1 and then another E1 and now currently utilizes the E3 as his primary Camera.

I was just reviewing some great shots with him that he took the other day with the E3 and asked him if he still liked the E3 he said, "I love this camera!"

Quite a testimony after thousands and thousands of frames and a long list of happy clients.

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Kevin Barrett
Lowell, MI
http://www.kbfoto.com
 
The E3 is still a great camera.
The E4 (or E5) will very likely be better.

And when the upgrade appears, you will be able to snap up brand new leftover stock of E3's at really good prices, and used ones at bargain prices.

Your question is a lot like asking... "Now that the 2010 model is out.....would you buy a brand new 2008 Lexus, if the price was right?"

I sure would.
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Marty
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marty4650/sets/72157606210120132/show/

Panasonic FZ30, LX2, TZ5
Olympus E-510, Zuiko 14-42mm, 40-150mm, 70-300mm, Hexanon 40mm, 50mm

 
Are you not going for full frame because of size or because of money?
No, it's not the money but the weight would kill me.
In addition to my 620, I also have the D700 & 24-70. But I usually reach for the 620 due to its light weight & small size. I seldom use my D700 because of its weight. About 6 months ago I loaned it to my nephew who's taking some photography classes. He still has it, and I'm thinking of letting him keep it, if he continues with photography. A gift from his uncle.

I'm toying with the idea of a D90 or D300s. I'd have to handle them in a store first. But in any case, I won't sell my 620. It's a nice little cam.
 
...just kidding, just kidding :)
Actually, everything is wrong in my present nick now. OlyFlyer = A pilot who is using Olympus cameras. I stopped flying last year (although I still have my license) and don't shoot with Oly any more, nor do I own one, so "Old" is the only part in your proposal which is correct. ;)

OldexdFlyer or ExOlyFlyer may be more right.
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http://www.olyflyer.blogspot.com/
 

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