am I the odd one out?

[grant Harris]

I have had my E20 since November, have taken some great pictures with it and am perfectly happy with it.

I extensively researched before choosing it, I was aware of the focussing and write time problems so these are not an issue.

The only time I cursed was taking some shots in a darkened studio, it wouldn't focus on auto and found it difficult to focus manually.

My fellow 35mm film users and a D30 user are constantly amazed by the quality of the images.

I think the key to enjoying using this camera is to shoot as if it is a medium format camera, like my Bronica:

1. Use manual focus where possible.

2. Think you haveonly got a few shots to get the picture (MF 15 shots or less to a film)
3. meter manually where possible.

4. Medium format tend to have prime lenses rather than zooms, the E20 covers the most popular lenses used on a medium format camera.

The main reason that I won't be jumping ship is that THE E20 will sync with flash at all speeds unlike the other DSLR's

THE happy E20 user (no I don't work for Olympus)

Grant

 

[Dr Bob]

No Grant, I'm with you. For the money, you cant beat it.

I have had my E20 since November, have taken some great pictures
with it and am perfectly happy with it.
I extensively researched before choosing it, I was aware of the
focussing and write time problems so these are not an issue.
The only time I cursed was taking some shots in a darkened studio,
it wouldn't focus on auto and found it difficult to focus manually.
My fellow 35mm film users and a D30 user are constantly amazed by
the quality of the images.

I think the key to enjoying using this camera is to shoot as if it
is a medium format camera, like my Bronica:

1. Use manual focus where possible.
2. Think you haveonly got a few shots to get the picture (MF 15
shots or less to a film)
3. meter manually where possible.
4. Medium format tend to have prime lenses rather than zooms, the
E20 covers the most popular lenses used on a medium format camera.

The main reason that I won't be jumping ship is that THE E20 will
sync with flash at all speeds unlike the other DSLR's

THE happy E20 user (no I don't work for Olympus)

Grant

--
Dr Bob

Gallery: http://www.gm0eco.com
!!!Haggis thread now in the Gallery!!!

 

[grant Harris]

I forgot to mention the money equation, even with the LIPO grip which costs an arm and a leg in the UK I think it was moey well spent.
Hope their next camera takes the same accessories.

I have had my E20 since November, have taken some great pictures
with it and am perfectly happy with it.
I extensively researched before choosing it, I was aware of the
focussing and write time problems so these are not an issue.
The only time I cursed was taking some shots in a darkened studio,
it wouldn't focus on auto and found it difficult to focus manually.
My fellow 35mm film users and a D30 user are constantly amazed by
the quality of the images.

I think the key to enjoying using this camera is to shoot as if it
is a medium format camera, like my Bronica:

1. Use manual focus where possible.
2. Think you haveonly got a few shots to get the picture (MF 15
shots or less to a film)
3. meter manually where possible.
4. Medium format tend to have prime lenses rather than zooms, the
E20 covers the most popular lenses used on a medium format camera.

The main reason that I won't be jumping ship is that THE E20 will
sync with flash at all speeds unlike the other DSLR's

THE happy E20 user (no I don't work for Olympus)

Grant

--
Dr Bob

Gallery: http://www.gm0eco.com
!!!Haggis thread now in the Gallery!!!

 

[bowmann]

I purchased an e10 about four weeks ago and agree with all you say.

A professional colleauge saw the prints from mine, thought about it for two days and then ordered his. He is a Hassle / Lieca / Nikon user and is stunned by the e.. results.

We were discussing the very subject of external flash use just a few minutes ago by co-incidence and the final words of our chat ended in agreement that we chose the e... because it is very lilke a film camera to use and probably the best results are to be obtained if you do use it as such.

Great minds etc
All the best John

I have had my E20 since November, have taken some great pictures
with it and am perfectly happy with it.
I extensively researched before choosing it, I was aware of the
focussing and write time problems so these are not an issue.
The only time I cursed was taking some shots in a darkened studio,
it wouldn't focus on auto and found it difficult to focus manually.
My fellow 35mm film users and a D30 user are constantly amazed by
the quality of the images.

I think the key to enjoying using this camera is to shoot as if it
is a medium format camera, like my Bronica:

1. Use manual focus where possible.
2. Think you haveonly got a few shots to get the picture (MF 15
shots or less to a film)
3. meter manually where possible.
4. Medium format tend to have prime lenses rather than zooms, the
E20 covers the most popular lenses used on a medium format camera.

The main reason that I won't be jumping ship is that THE E20 will
sync with flash at all speeds unlike the other DSLR's

THE happy E20 user (no I don't work for Olympus)

Grant

--
John Bow

 

[David M.]

Well put Grant. Nice to see someone using the tool with positive results and feedback. No, you're definitely not the Lone Ranger.
D.

I have had my E20 since November, have taken some great pictures
with it and am perfectly happy with it.
I extensively researched before choosing it, I was aware of the
focussing and write time problems so these are not an issue.
The only time I cursed was taking some shots in a darkened studio,
it wouldn't focus on auto and found it difficult to focus manually.
My fellow 35mm film users and a D30 user are constantly amazed by
the quality of the images.

I think the key to enjoying using this camera is to shoot as if it
is a medium format camera, like my Bronica:

1. Use manual focus where possible.
2. Think you haveonly got a few shots to get the picture (MF 15
shots or less to a film)
3. meter manually where possible.
4. Medium format tend to have prime lenses rather than zooms, the
E20 covers the most popular lenses used on a medium format camera.

The main reason that I won't be jumping ship is that THE E20 will
sync with flash at all speeds unlike the other DSLR's

THE happy E20 user (no I don't work for Olympus)

Grant

 

[Leon Wittwer]

I was content with my E10 and am content with my E20. Sure, I can complain about things but for what I like to do, mostly landscapes, both cameras perform well. I also do going away parties and the like and get good results. As part of my experience with the Exx cameras, I have increased my skill with Photoshop with regards to processing noise, working with color, etc. Someday I will move on but, for now, I am still learning. I particularl like doing big landscape panoramas. Some are at
http://pws.prserv.net/lees_pics/landscapes.htm

 

[Kee]

Naw.....I'm with you too.
Feels lonely now and then but we aren't alone.
kee

I have had my E20 since November, have taken some great pictures
with it and am perfectly happy with it.
I extensively researched before choosing it, I was aware of the
focussing and write time problems so these are not an issue.
The only time I cursed was taking some shots in a darkened studio,
it wouldn't focus on auto and found it difficult to focus manually.
My fellow 35mm film users and a D30 user are constantly amazed by
the quality of the images.

I think the key to enjoying using this camera is to shoot as if it
is a medium format camera, like my Bronica:

1. Use manual focus where possible.
2. Think you haveonly got a few shots to get the picture (MF 15
shots or less to a film)
3. meter manually where possible.
4. Medium format tend to have prime lenses rather than zooms, the
E20 covers the most popular lenses used on a medium format camera.

The main reason that I won't be jumping ship is that THE E20 will
sync with flash at all speeds unlike the other DSLR's

THE happy E20 user (no I don't work for Olympus)

Grant

--
Kee
E-20
http://www.justineo.com

 

[DougT]

Leon,

Nice landscapes, isn't Zion incredible! I'll be ordering a E-20 next week, I love taking landscapes and nature scenes. Thanks for posting what the E-xx family can do.

DougT

I was content with my E10 and am content with my E20. Sure, I can
complain about things but for what I like to do, mostly landscapes,
both cameras perform well. I also do going away parties and the
like and get good results. As part of my experience with the Exx
cameras, I have increased my skill with Photoshop with regards to
processing noise, working with color, etc. Someday I will move on
but, for now, I am still learning. I particularl like doing big
landscape panoramas. Some are at
http://pws.prserv.net/lees_pics/landscapes.htm

 

[jc11]

I have had my E20 since November, have taken some great pictures
with it and am perfectly happy with it.
I extensively researched before choosing it, I was aware of the
focussing and write time problems so these are not an issue.
The only time I cursed was taking some shots in a darkened studio,
it wouldn't focus on auto and found it difficult to focus manually.
My fellow 35mm film users and a D30 user are constantly amazed by
the quality of the images.

I think the key to enjoying using this camera is to shoot as if it
is a medium format camera, like my Bronica:

snip

Grant

I have had the focus problems, but it was me. I have learned my way around it now. Funny, when I was first using my OM2 I had the same problems. Things I thought were in focus, weren't when I got the pictures back. I learned and very rarely had the problem again.

The longest lens I had with my OM2 was a 35-210 Zoom. With the Tcon14, I'm still there.. but the OM zoom was just an F4.0 not the F2.4 with Tcon14. I started the OM with just the 50mm F1.8 it came with and then worked my way up to the 135 F2.8, and the 28 F3.6(?). Each time I had to relearn the camera operation. I see no difference with the E-20. Utill I got the power winder (couldn't afford the MD). I had to wiat the time it took me to wind, reaccquire, and check focus on my subject to shot again. I love the E-20 and see no need for the D100 and such now.

I'm still learning the get the exposure down. I tend to over expose. (I think mine is +.3 to .7 hot), but I'll get that down. I am impressed with its low light capibilities, even at ISO 80.

Anyway I love the camera, and I will be glad when I learn to use it like I did with my OM2. I did a lot of looking and it was just which Olympus I was going to get. I tried a C-3000 and it was good but I want a longer zoom. The Uzi didn't have the resolution I wanted (but my pocket would have been happier). The Minolta Dimage 7 look too toyish to me and I didn't like its feel. Once I picked up an E10, I knew that it would be it or the E20. I chose the E20, becuse it appeared better on paper for low light than the E10 and the MicroDrive issue.

Just my .02...
--
J.C.
C510Z
E-20

 

[jrdii]

HELLO --- turn on the lights!!! NO piece of electronics is going to be able to focus on something that you imagined in your mind (obviously dark)...

The only time I cursed was taking some shots in a darkened studio,
it wouldn't focus on auto and found it difficult to focus manually.

 

[Phil Arnold]

I have had a lot to say in other threads about the manual focus problems and the difficulty getting that resolved. Those are quality issues more than issues with the features of the camera. I had two Exx cameras that definitely were defective, but I finally got got one that functions properly.

Apart from those issues, I love my Exx camera. I have no problems with the fact that it doesn't have interchangable lenses, or even with the slow write times. I like to shoot with auto bracketing on, which means waiting between shots.

I am constantly amazed by the quality of the pictures I get. I think that it is a magnificient camera for the price. It doesn't have all the features of cameras costing twice as much, but then I didn't expect it to have all the same features. Even though I might have liked some of those extra features, I couldn't afford or justify the extra cost. (There are times when I would like a 4x4 SUV, but I drive a mini-van instead because I can't afford or justify the cost difference for that either.)

I suspect that the greatest percentage of Exx users simply love their cameras and are enjoying them so much that they don't take time to participate in discussions like this. I only got involver here because I had problems that weren't resolved the first time I sent the camera in for repair. The information I gathered from forums like this were extremely helpful to me in getting my problems solved, so I got involved in the forum myself hoping to help others who might have similar problems.

I'm glad that you are happy that you like your camera as much as I like the one I now have.

--
Phil A

http://www.jphilarnold.com

 

[Bob Jones]

I am only an E10 user but I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. Mine is almost always set at manual focus. The only area the E10 lest me down is shooting in low light, i.e. Sunrises or Sunsets, with bad noise problems. This has to be sorted our in a way I don't like, with software...

Bob

http://www.bodafon.com

I have had my E20 since November, have taken some great pictures
with it and am perfectly happy with it.
I extensively researched before choosing it, I was aware of the
focussing and write time problems so these are not an issue.
The only time I cursed was taking some shots in a darkened studio,
it wouldn't focus on auto and found it difficult to focus manually.
My fellow 35mm film users and a D30 user are constantly amazed by
the quality of the images.

I think the key to enjoying using this camera is to shoot as if it
is a medium format camera, like my Bronica:

1. Use manual focus where possible.
2. Think you haveonly got a few shots to get the picture (MF 15
shots or less to a film)
3. meter manually where possible.
4. Medium format tend to have prime lenses rather than zooms, the
E20 covers the most popular lenses used on a medium format camera.

The main reason that I won't be jumping ship is that THE E20 will
sync with flash at all speeds unlike the other DSLR's

THE happy E20 user (no I don't work for Olympus)

Grant

--
Bob

 

[Mr Reg R Coulter]

Grant,

Your comments are both appropriate as well as instructional for many camera users.

I too, am a medium format user and continue to think as you do (intelligently). I've found that many of those individuals that come to me seeking instruction (especially those with the newer 35mm systems) tend to shoot machine gun style, hoping for a good shot amongst the many. Once I have them prepared to slow down and think through a shot, the quality of their images and their success ratio increases dramatically.

When was the last time you found someone who was conversant with basic exposure and the 'Sunny F16' rule? I've found that it has a long time for me. Most of my students do not know if their camera light meter is providing them with reasonably good information (I am reticent to use the term - correct information), until I've gone through my session on exposure.

Strange how modern automated equipment seems to have many individuals convinced that they no longer are required to think. Since joining this forum, I have directed those who own computers to this site, so that they can learn and share in the knowledge contained in the many good minds of the participants.

Grant, I'd not intended to ramble when I replied to your posting. I'd only wanted to tell you that you definitely have a good approach to creating your images. Obviously, so do a great many of the individuals who have posted images to the forum.

Cheers: Reg

 

[LCD]

No one would say that there are not people who like their Es. Many people bought them and still have them. I bought mine and stilll like it. Some though are quite dissatisfied with aspects of it and I am one of them.

Therein though is what Olympus wants. They would hate to think they sold us the perfect camera since we would never buy another!! The art of selling is giving us enough so we buy but not enough so as we will not buy again.

I am pleased however that you are satisfied. I like to see happy people. I hope one day to get a camera with enough good bits to keep me happy fro many years... I hate this unaffordable rip-off annual 'buy a new camera'.

LCD

 

[alan scott]

Grant,

I totally agree - the reason I moved from 35mm to digital is because I spent most of my timer scanning in negs and slides - the reason I went for the E20 was that it was the closest to a standard film SLR tha I could afford (manual focus, optical viewfinder, etc).

Like a lot of people I got paranoid about noise - but after the initial panic it doesn't bother me - as long as you don't underexpose you don't have a problem - and I use all speeds no bother! What I really like is the quality of the finished product - good colours, reasonable detail (I'll use medium format if I want more), but mostly the immediate gratification of seeing the shot in print witout that long wait for the film to be processed.

I might upgrade in the future - but not until the quality surpasses my medium format kit - but that'll be a while you'll need bigger sensors and memory capabilities - just think a file size of 50 or 60 megs. Until then more than happy with the E20.

Just one thing - I thought I'd miss the wide angles - not really just do cheap and easy panoramics - a wide angle of view with an enormous amount of detail.

--
Alan Scott

 

[John H]

Grant - IMO you're not the odd one out as I have an E-10 and have been using it for about 80% of my shooting. For most of the other 20%, well I am using film and an F100 and occasionally mf with a Bronica etrsi. The reasons for this have to do with shooting speed, autofocus speed, continuous focusing, and lenses.

I can't say I am at all unhappy with the E-10 because I did not expect it to be a match for or compete with either an F100 or D1X. I believe that Olympus did a bang up job designing this camera at its price point and left little to complain about.

Jumping ship --- I have a D1X on order though because of the issues above. I don't however, consider this to be jumping ship because there is nothing in the E-10/20 design that is an inducement for current owners to stay with Olympus - the cameras are pretty much self-contained and owners don't have a large investment in brand dedicated lenses. Thus the only reason one would have for staying with a new model Olympus is brand loyalty which IMO is not a good reason for buying a particular brand of anything whether it be a camera, car, computer, or whatever.

 

[grant Harris]

Thanks to all for confirming that I am not mad

Grant - IMO you're not the odd one out as I have an E-10 and have
been using it for about 80% of my shooting. For most of the other
20%, well I am using film and an F100 and occasionally mf with a
Bronica etrsi. The reasons for this have to do with shooting speed,
autofocus speed, continuous focusing, and lenses.

I can't say I am at all unhappy with the E-10 because I did not
expect it to be a match for or compete with either an F100 or D1X.
I believe that Olympus did a bang up job designing this camera at
its price point and left little to complain about.

Jumping ship --- I have a D1X on order though because of the issues
above. I don't however, consider this to be jumping ship because
there is nothing in the E-10/20 design that is an inducement for
current owners to stay with Olympus - the cameras are pretty much
self-contained and owners don't have a large investment in brand
dedicated lenses. Thus the only reason one would have for staying
with a new model Olympus is brand loyalty which IMO is not a good
reason for buying a particular brand of anything whether it be a
camera, car, computer, or whatever.