E-PL6 with Lumix 14-42 powerzoom?

I'm after the lens, but would not mind this red camera as bonus. For $160. Two questions, will I lose some corrections I get with a Panasonic camera? And does it take hours to understand Olympus menus? Am used to Panasonic, which always has been easy.

For $160, don't hesitate. The lens alone is almost worth it and you'll get yourself a nice portable backup-body.

I expect all corrections to work, I have never heard any situation in which they did not. I don't know how the MFT system does it but surely you can't bring out many new lenses if they don't work on last years camera.

It makes sense if the lens communicates its own corrections (barrel, vignetting etc) to the camera.

The menus are fine. They are in English and they contain a help tekst (switch that on/off with the Info button).
You may even discover features that you wish your Panasonic had!

techie takes pics wrote:

For $160, don't hesitate. The lens alone is almost worth it and you'll get yourself a nice portable backup-body.

I expect all corrections to work, I have never heard any situation in which they did not. I don't know how the MFT system does it but surely you can't bring out many new lenses if they don't work on last years camera.

It makes sense if the lens communicates its own corrections (barrel, vignetting etc) to the camera.

The menus are fine. They are in English and they contain a help tekst (switch that on/off with the Info button).
You may even discover features that you wish your Panasonic had!

Thanks! Waiting for answer now. At least the camera is small, and red... And got stabilization. Could lead to more Olympus gear.

Been looking for this lens for some time. Also tempted by a red G3, but already got a black one.

eilivk wrote:

techie takes pics wrote:

For $160, don't hesitate. The lens alone is almost worth it and you'll get yourself a nice portable backup-body.

I expect all corrections to work, I have never heard any situation in which they did not. I don't know how the MFT system does it but surely you can't bring out many new lenses if they don't work on last years camera.

It makes sense if the lens communicates its own corrections (barrel, vignetting etc) to the camera.

The menus are fine. They are in English and they contain a help tekst (switch that on/off with the Info button).
You may even discover features that you wish your Panasonic had!

Thanks! Waiting for answer now. At least the camera is small, and red... And got stabilization. Could lead to more Olympus gear.

Been looking for this lens for some time. Also tempted by a red G3, but already got a black one.

Hope you enjoy it!

I've recently bought myself a black PL5, and - so far - love it to bits!

That's very very similar to the subsequent PL6 *** , so I'll be the first to recommend the extremely helpful advice and guidance for the PL5, from a DPR regular, that can be found by starting from....

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~parsog/olyepl1/01-epl1-menu.html

Yes, Olympus menus are different - but, with his help, not impossible to understand!

Peter

*** Chief diff seems to be that the PL6 gained a "dual-axis electronic level that will help you ensure your horizons aren't crooked, and vertical lines don't converge"...

https://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/olympus-epl6/olympus-epl6A.HTM

Isola Verde wrote:

eilivk wrote:

techie takes pics wrote:

For $160, don't hesitate. The lens alone is almost worth it and you'll get yourself a nice portable backup-body.

I expect all corrections to work, I have never heard any situation in which they did not. I don't know how the MFT system does it but surely you can't bring out many new lenses if they don't work on last years camera.

It makes sense if the lens communicates its own corrections (barrel, vignetting etc) to the camera.

The menus are fine. They are in English and they contain a help tekst (switch that on/off with the Info button).
You may even discover features that you wish your Panasonic had!

Thanks! Waiting for answer now. At least the camera is small, and red... And got stabilization. Could lead to more Olympus gear.

Been looking for this lens for some time. Also tempted by a red G3, but already got a black one.

Hope you enjoy it!

I've recently bought myself a black PL5, and - so far - love it to bits!

That's very very similar to the subsequent PL6 *** , so I'll be the first to recommend the extremely helpful advice and guidance for the PL5, from a DPR regular, that can be found by starting from....

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~parsog/olyepl1/01-epl1-menu.html

Yes, Olympus menus are different - but, with his help, not impossible to understand!

Peter

*** Chief diff seems to be that the PL6 gained a "dual-axis electronic level that will help you ensure your horizons aren't crooked, and vertical lines don't converge"...

https://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/olympus-epl6/olympus-epl6A.HTM

Thanks again! If I can mange Nikon 5700, I should handle everything....! Sure it will be ok, seems I can get the camera and lens. Must be a reason why Olympus sell so much. Horizons no problems, maybe because I long time ago noticed water running to one side.

About the red G3, could sell the black one...

eilivk wrote:

Isola Verde wrote:

eilivk wrote:

techie takes pics wrote:

For $160, don't hesitate. The lens alone is almost worth it and you'll get yourself a nice portable backup-body.

I expect all corrections to work, I have never heard any situation in which they did not. I don't know how the MFT system does it but surely you can't bring out many new lenses if they don't work on last years camera.

It makes sense if the lens communicates its own corrections (barrel, vignetting etc) to the camera.

The menus are fine. They are in English and they contain a help tekst (switch that on/off with the Info button).
You may even discover features that you wish your Panasonic had!

Thanks! Waiting for answer now. At least the camera is small, and red... And got stabilization. Could lead to more Olympus gear.

Been looking for this lens for some time. Also tempted by a red G3, but already got a black one.

Hope you enjoy it!

I've recently bought myself a black PL5, and - so far - love it to bits!

That's very very similar to the subsequent PL6 *** , so I'll be the first to recommend the extremely helpful advice and guidance for the PL5, from a DPR regular, that can be found by starting from....

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~parsog/olyepl1/01-epl1-menu.html

Yes, Olympus menus are different - but, with his help, not impossible to understand!

Peter

*** Chief diff seems to be that the PL6 gained a "dual-axis electronic level that will help you ensure your horizons aren't crooked, and vertical lines don't converge"...

https://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/olympus-epl6/olympus-epl6A.HTM

Thanks again! If I can mange Nikon 5700, I should handle everything....! Sure it will be ok, seems I can get the camera and lens. Must be a reason why Olympus sell so much. Horizons no problems, maybe because I long time ago noticed water running to one side.

About the red G3, could sell the black one...

Haven't seen the Olympus red, however I'm no fan of the shade chosen by Panasonic!

Don't know if you'd be interested, but I've ordered myself a printed version of the PL5 user manual from these people....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/Mobile-Phone-Manuals-and-PC-cds?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

I've had two others from them, and find that they're quite useful.... although not as easily searched as the PDF file!

Price for the E-PL6 version, at A5 size, including postage to Norway, GB £8.00

Peter

Allan Brown wrote:

eilivk wrote:

I'm after the lens, but would not mind this red camera as bonus. For $160. Two questions, will I lose some corrections I get with a Panasonic camera? And does it take hours to understand Olympus menus? Am used to Panasonic, which always has been easy.

I have the EPL5 which is almost the same. They have the same processor - Truepic VI.

This does not provide complete correction for Panasonic lenses. That did not occur till VII. It is not a major problem however and can be fixed if you shoot raw.

I forget exactly what corrections are not covered but you can look it up.

The IBIS of the EPL5/6 is not very good and actually cause problems with images. Best to set the camera to use the Lens OIS instead. Menu C; Lens IS Priority ON.

The problem with the Olympus menu system is: It is easy to use but it is the undocumented interactions and poor language that causes the problems.

Other than that, it is a nice little camera and I still use mine with the Panasonic 12-32.

Allan

Thanks for the information! Will be interesting, and the camera is almost for free. So I can see if I like Olympus. And get some Olympus lenses maybe.

I can also try it with the Panasonic 20 mm.

Hope I can get the best out of the camera, if not there sure is help to get.

Was also in doubt about the G3 red color. My black one is OK. Great camera in many ways. But the kit lens was no good, so I got by with the 20 mm.

Helen wrote:

eilivk wrote:

I'm after the lens, but would not mind this red camera as bonus. For $160. Two questions, will I lose some corrections I get with a Panasonic camera? And does it take hours to understand Olympus menus? Am used to Panasonic, which always has been easy.

A word of caution - there's one potential fly in the ointment with this combination. The Panasonic 14-42 PZ lens is easily disturbed by vibrations during exposure (also known as shutter shock) and unfortunately the E-PL6 doesn't have the two alternative workarounds for this - silent shutter or 0-Second Anti-Shock (which is effectively a way of achieving electronic first curtain shutter operation). The latter came in on the E-PL7 and the silent shutter feature didn't appear in the E-PL models until the E-PL9 (in a somewhat limited mode of its own, though the identical-looking E-PL10 recently announced for the Japanese market has it available in PASM modes too).

You could find your particular combination OK, but if not, the likely result is that from time to time at shutter speeds between 1/100 and 1/160 or maybe sometimes even up to about 1/200 with the lens at 42mm, you might notice unexpected softness or - more annoyingly - slightly out-of-alignment double images on contrasty edges.

It really depends on the combination of the particular body's shutter vibration frequency and the individual lens's vulnerability to it (with a bit of interaction from your own personal shake when holding the camera too!) as to how noticeable it is. The camera's shortest Anti-Shock setting of 1/8 sec may help somewhat, but it does make it feel laggy when shooting. Sorry for mentioning this but at least you can check for it quickly and know whether it's an issue for you this way.

A shame about the fly (potential), but I ordered it anyway. Would it work better with the 20mm? Nice combination for city streets. I'll just see how it works. Anyway the camera is almost for free. And I think the seller has a small Oly zoom too. When I get used to the camera I can get more lenses.

eilivk wrote:

I'm after the lens, but would not mind this red camera as bonus. For $160. Two questions, will I lose some corrections I get with a Panasonic camera? And does it take hours to understand Olympus menus? Am used to Panasonic, which always has been easy.

That exact setup is my walk around in a jacket pocket setup.

Usually with the Panasonic 25mm f/1.7 and 45-150mm f/4-5.6 in the other pocket.  You do not get the in camera corrections Panasonic would apply, such as for CA, but I don't see much barrel distortion or vignetting.  I'm not much of a purest, but I like the combo myself.

The CA I see is mainly in cases of very high contrase, IE branches against clouds (example below)

The results you can get for a walking around combo that light and small though is amazing

jwilliams wrote:

eilivk wrote:

I'm after the lens, but would not mind this red camera as bonus. For $160. Two questions, will I lose some corrections I get with a Panasonic camera? And does it take hours to understand Olympus menus? Am used to Panasonic, which always has been easy.

This is a much better camera. Just the standard kit lens though. If wanting a compact zoom lens I'd look for either the Panny 12-32 or the Oly 12-42 PZ. You can check the Oly web site for deals on a refurb 14-42 PZ.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/63301984

I personally would not recommend the EPL6 or any earlier EPL. The 7,8 and beyond use a much better IBIS system. The 7 & 8 are really the ones to get as the 9 & 10 no longer have the VF port.

Oly menus suck, but after you set the camera up it isn't too bad. I'm no fan of them but I would not let that keep me from one of their cameras if I liked it otherwise.

Not sure about he EPL6 as it is a bit old, but I think all current Oly and Panny m43 cameras do distortion, vignetting and CA (this one was not universal at one time) correction.

Well soon it's on the way and I was after the lens. Don't know much about Oly, gave up the "family tree" many years ago! About menus, have managed a lot. Maybe I'll end up buying another Oly? Guess 7 and 8 does cost that much.

But also got one GX1 in the closet, will be fine with the zoom lens. Even better than G3 in low light?

Thanks for useful information! Do not think it will be much of a problem, just have to see. Usually not as much as expected. Depends on the use, think it will be mostly around town. So could it be a problem in streets after dark?

Allan Brown wrote:

eilivk wrote:

Allan Brown wrote:

eilivk wrote:

I'm after the lens, but would not mind this red camera as bonus. For $160. Two questions, will I lose some corrections I get with a Panasonic camera? And does it take hours to understand Olympus menus? Am used to Panasonic, which always has been easy.

I have the EPL5 which is almost the same. They have the same processor - Truepic VI.

This does not provide complete correction for Panasonic lenses. That did not occur till VII. It is not a major problem however and can be fixed if you shoot raw.

I forget exactly what corrections are not covered but you can look it up.

The IBIS of the EPL5/6 is not very good and actually cause problems with images. Best to set the camera to use the Lens OIS instead. Menu C; Lens IS Priority ON.

The problem with the Olympus menu system is: It is easy to use but it is the undocumented interactions and poor language that causes the problems.

Other than that, it is a nice little camera and I still use mine with the Panasonic 12-32.

Allan

Thanks for the information! Will be interesting, and the camera is almost for free. So I can see if I like Olympus. And get some Olympus lenses maybe.

I can also try it with the Panasonic 20 mm.

Just be aware that almost all Olympus lenses and almost all Panasonic primes do not have OIS. So, to avoid the problem I mentioned, you will have a camera with no stabilizer. This may or may not be an issue for you. It is for me as I have shaky hands.

Size wise, it goes well with the Panasonic 12-32, 14mm f2.5 and 20mm f1.7 lenses. I got a silver 12-32 for my silver body EPL5. The Lens OIS is far better than the body IBIS.

Allan

I'm aware of that. To be 70, my hands are rather steady. Luckily my targets usually stand still! But maybe I'll get another Oly, just have to see.

jwilliams wrote:

eilivk wrote:

jwilliams wrote:

eilivk wrote:

I'm after the lens, but would not mind this red camera as bonus. For $160. Two questions, will I lose some corrections I get with a Panasonic camera? And does it take hours to understand Olympus menus? Am used to Panasonic, which always has been easy.

This is a much better camera. Just the standard kit lens though. If wanting a compact zoom lens I'd look for either the Panny 12-32 or the Oly 12-42 PZ. You can check the Oly web site for deals on a refurb 14-42 PZ.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/63301984

I personally would not recommend the EPL6 or any earlier EPL. The 7,8 and beyond use a much better IBIS system. The 7 & 8 are really the ones to get as the 9 & 10 no longer have the VF port.

Oly menus suck, but after you set the camera up it isn't too bad. I'm no fan of them but I would not let that keep me from one of their cameras if I liked it otherwise.

Not sure about he EPL6 as it is a bit old, but I think all current Oly and Panny m43 cameras do distortion, vignetting and CA (this one was not universal at one time) correction.

Well soon it's on the way and I was after the lens. Don't know much about Oly, gave up the "family tree" many years ago! About menus, have managed a lot. Maybe I'll end up buying another Oly? Guess 7 and 8 does cost that much.

But also got one GX1 in the closet, will be fine with the zoom lens. Even better than G3 in low light?

Similar IQ in low light most likely. If using the EPL6 I'd recommend turning off the IBIS as it is not very good and can sometimes even mess up shots that would be fine handheld with it off. Turn it on when really neeed and take several shots to increase the chances of getting a good one.

Thanks! I'll compare a few shots with and without IBIS and see. Clearly I bought somthing I did not know much about. But sure it can be used for something.