My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

[Cathrine Stephansen]

The 4/3 to micro 4/3 adapter just came in through the door.

After a quick autofocus testing (speed) I can say that the 12-60 mm will definately be used on this camera body for landscapes in dry weather two-camera-shooting situations, as focusing speed was slow, but landscapes don't move and the E-PL3 has better sensor capabilities than the E3. I like the camera better in my hand with this lens than with the kit lenses. I will also bring the 50 mm 2.0 macro with me on holiday as this is a nice, small lens and my kit lenses don't do macro.

The 50-200 SWD can be used, but focusing is too slow for birding/wildlife. Also manageable in the hand, feels balanced enough.

The 300 mm 2.8 focused faster than the 50-200 mm but just looks ridiculous. If this beauty of a lens is going to have a life after E5, it needs to have something much bigger for balance. Single AF was better than C-AF.

I'm still laughing. Can you find the camera?



I wonder, however - why the E-PL3 makes so much noise when you press the trigger with the 4/3 lenses attached, it makes several loud CLACKs. Does anyone know? It would definately scare wildlife, but the E-PL3 is a very noisy camera with its loud CLACK when the shutter button is released.


And then I just noticed. When you open the battery/memory card there are some useful instructions on the right hand side.



Without this useful bit of information, I just MIGHT have put the battery in the memory card slot by mistake

[Wally]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

^ It's designed for 'numpty's' to prevent the battery/SD cards being put in the wrong way round... I speak from experience.

[David Morison]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

Cathrine,
Interesting about the "clack" I do get this with the E-M5 and the 300mm f2.8. Don't know what it is but doesn't happen with any other FT lens.

David

[Cathrine Stephansen]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

^ It's designed for 'numpty's' to prevent the battery/SD cards being put in the wrong way round... I speak from experience.

Tee hee. From the drawing it seemed more to be to prevent people from forcing the battery into the card slot...

[Cathrine Stephansen]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

Cathrine,
Interesting about the "clack" I do get this with the E-M5 and the 300mm f2.8. Don't know what it is but doesn't happen with any other FT lens.

David

How does the E-M5 focus on the 300 mm, and how well balanced is it? I know the poor little E-PL 3 wasn't built to handle that kind of lens (just put it on for fun). I'm liking so much of what I read about the E-M5, but not the focusing issues. I didn't like the CLACK much either (Imagine using that in a hide... ) The lens actually felt heavier with the E-PL3 than with the E5 due to lack of balance.

The good thing about the adapter is that for the Greenland trip I will be taking this along for landscapes, as the resolution is better than E3, and I can wait and see whether Oly turns out a new E-system camera. The guy I talked to today was NOT sure about whether they would discontinue, so confusion prevails.

[snaarman]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

I'm liking so much of what I read about the E-M5, but not the focusing issues. I didn't like the CLACK much either (Imagine using that in a hide... )

My first impressions of the E-PL3 were: Nicely made. Controls a bit fiddly. Image quality great. Oh! Rather noisy shutter: Shame about that.

My first impressions of the E-M5 were: Really nicely made. Image quality really great. Oh! What a quiet shutter.. quieter than the E-1 in my humble opinion. Impressed.

Pete

[Guest]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

Since fitting the SWD 12-60 to the E-PL3 it has been removed only once for the recent Melbourne visit where the m14-42 kit was re-attached for convenient portage.

But Cathrine, I have found that with the 12-60 attached in cold damp conditions, the E-PL3's AF target grid may not instantly appear. This you would not want to happen anywhere, especially Antarctica. Edited in: As you have already noticed, focussing can be a little tardier with the SWDs.

I do agree that the SWD 12-60 balances well on the PEN relieving the right hand of weight and freer to operate the somewhat congested buttons.

[Cathrine Stephansen]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

Hmmmm... Just ran out to test the E-PL3 with the 50-200 in the neighbours aviary, it had started to rain so the light was the usual dreary grey, but the budgies are bright. It couldn't focus on a single bird, I had to focus manually on every single one, and when it looked sharp to my eye in the EVF, the results were unacceptable.

[Cathrine Stephansen]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

My first impressions of the E-PL3 were: Nicely made. Controls a bit fiddly. Image quality great. Oh! Rather noisy shutter: Shame about that.

My first impressions of the E-M5 were: Really nicely made. Image quality really great. Oh! What a quiet shutter.. quieter than the E-1 in my humble opinion. Impressed.

Pete

This sounds really promising.

Me likes quiet! (except for bird songs)

[Cathrine Stephansen]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

Since fitting the SWD 12-60 to the E-PL3 it has been removed only once for the recent Melbourne visit where the m14-42 kit was re-attached for convenient portage.

But Cathrine, I have found that with the 12-60 attached in cold damp conditions, the E-PL3's AF target grid may not instantly appear. This you would not want to happen anywhere, especially Antarctica. Edited in: As you have already noticed, focussing can be a little tardier with the SWDs.

I do agree that the SWD 12-60 balances well on the PEN relieving the right hand of weight and freer to operate the somewhat congested buttons.

Thanks for the tip on the cold and damp, Mark. Getting the 12-60 on the PEN made it feel far less like a toy, and less fiddly.

[David Morison]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

Hmmmm... Just ran out to test the E-PL3 with the 50-200 in the neighbours aviary, it had started to rain so the light was the usual dreary grey, but the budgies are bright. It couldn't focus on a single bird, I had to focus manually on every single one, and when it looked sharp to my eye in the EVF, the results were unacceptable.

My experience with this lens and the E-M5!

David

[OlyPaul]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

My experience with this lens and the E-M5!

David

Cathrine If I remember correctly Olympus did state that the AF focusing of FT lenses on the E-M5 was the same as the E-PL3, so this is no surprise really.

[Ulfric M Douglas]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

Catherine you might enjoy the m4/3rds 40-150, it focuses fast on your body and is very lightweight. The lens stays mostly on my e-pM1 which is very similar to your camera.
The lens 'feels' like a cheapo thing though but don't judge it from that.
If you don't mind spending I'd say get the 45mm too. (I don't have it)

[Cathrine Stephansen]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

My experience with this lens and the E-M5!

David

Thanks David! No point in getting an E-M5 then, for wildlife.

Cathrine If I remember correctly Olympus did state that the AF focusing of FT lenses on the E-M5 was the same as the E-PL3, so this is no surprise really.

Thanks, a great clarification, shall have to wait for an upgrade for 4/3 if it ever comes, or they manufacture a body that can use both.

Now a camera with a switch between CDAF and PDAF would be nice??

I also have other ideas for cool gadgets for the hot shoes and accessory port, as well as an improvemnt to the EVF. Oly can have them if they are nice to me and provide an E7...

[DJMC]

Re: My poor E-PL3 ridiculed

Cathrine, have you moved away from 43 bodies completely?

Does the PL3's sensor capabilities still make it a better option for you than the E-3 or E-5 when it's AF is so poor with 43 lenses (and the OM-D's too it seems) ?