Micro Four Thirds

[seaboater]

Hi All,

Anyone taken the plunge into MFT cameras and lenses yet? It appeals to me due to small size, low weight and ability to use M mount lenses from the likes of Voigtlander, Zeiss and (no I can't afford them) Leica! My Canon G9 is good, but I'm feeling the limitations a bit, both in terms of sensor size and not being able to use interchangeable lenses.

I currently covet an Olympus Pen EP2 with a Panasonic 20mm f1.7 but could easily be swayed to the Panasonic GF1 as well. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's taken the plunge.......and of course, all those who'd like to give an opinion anyway.

Cheers,

Pat

[plesbit]

There is a comparison between a number of such cameras in Digital SLR Magazine this month Pat. I've not really read it in depth yet but a quick scan the other day appeared to put the Panasonic versions down as rather better than the Olympus ones. I'll see what else I can find out.

My only comment is that I presently think these cameras are somewhat overpriced when you consider what is available in the SLR (incl normal 4/3) world.

[seaboater]

Hi Simon,

Yes, the favouritism seems to be going to the Panasonic GF1, but I think from extensive research on the web that it's being compared to the Olympus Pen EP1 rather than EP2. It seems to be, which one feels best to you, and for me that's the Olympus. I understand what you're saying about dSLRs at similar prices, but as you may remember, I've got a bit of a fetish about small size and weight.........hence the G9.

It all looks attractive, particularly as you can use rangefinder lenses such as Voigtlander, Zeiss and Leica, and having used Zeiss on Contax bodies for many years in the past, the ability to do this on a modern camera is tempting. Of course, if I could afford it I'd buy a Leica, but they're such silly prices that I can't even contemplate it. I now bitterly regret selling my Zeiss lenses, which I'd thought would get no more use with the demise of Contax fit.

I guess from the lack of responses apart from yours, that no-one on the NBN has taken the plunge, so I may well be the first.
Cheers,

Pat

[plesbit]

I think the m4/3 cameras are a really exciting development, I just can't get my head around the price. Perhaps that will settle down in time but at the moment I don't see them as good value, even though I think the technology is very interesting.

[mbird]

I guess from the lack of responses apart from yours, that no-one on the NBN has taken the plunge, so I may well be the first.

Or it could be that I haven't the faintest what you are talking about Pat

[seaboater]

Hi Mark,

Hopefully this will explain a bit more.

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/olympusepl1/

[jimbo]

I see the G1 is now £449 at amazon with a further £50 cashback claimable which makes it £399 Getting very tempted now!