> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Willem-Jan > Markerink > Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 7:03 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: EOS No 20D for me/10D is desert environment > > > On 21 Sep 2004 at 16:01, Al Ruscelli wrote: > > > <<BIG SNIPP>> > > Has anyone noticed the ultrasound vibrating glass cover in the > Olympus E1? Removing dust that way.... > (only noticed this detail recently, in a German add) > > > -- > Bye, > > Willem-Jan Markerink > >
Hi WJM, Sure this is one of the E1's only really innovative features. I demoed the complete E1 line for a full day a few months ago when Oly rented a nice studio here in L.A. and let a bunch of people shoot and test the entire E1 line of lenses and accessories complete with the "studio" package they sell as an accessory. The E1 while a handy in use is very limited in practice due many of the core design features of the 4/3's system. Most obvious is the limited sensor size, this showed up as noise in JPEGS and RAW images if the ISO was pushed past ISO400. The sensor format and pixel count for PJ's is fine but the E1's slow AF and marginal AF tracking even in good light combined with the somewhat overstated frame rate in continuous focusing mode means it's a not going to work very well for sports use. Additional current E1 system problems include the VERY limited lens options available, high lens costs, lack of wide angles, lack of prime lenses (though with a sensor this small the existing zoom line may be all they need), lack of good RAW image software support with the camera unless you buy the optional Oly software package (which has advantages of automatically correcting known lens faults like distortion, CA and vignetting within the Oly Studio software much like DxO's products), or buy C1 Pro DSLR (which lacks the best features of the Oly Studio software but may do better conversions). No matter what the marketing people tell you this is an expensive consumer or entry level pro camera system. There are supposedly plans to release a second E1 DSLR body that will address the low pixel count, AF speed, frame rate and high ISO noise issues mentioned above but there was no time reference given. I was only given vague promises that the limited speed (AF, frame rate and ISO), sensor noise and limited lens lines would be improved on with future new products from Oly and other partners who have joined support of the 4/3 standard. I had high hopes based on the marketing but so far that's all there is, marketing. Given the pace that Canon and reluctantly, Nikon are setting I doubt there will be any professional 4/3 systems on the market in less than 3 years. Unless Oly is willing to give the E1 system its full attention (and more 4/3 seed and development money than any good business plan should), and rapidly expand its E1 body line and E1 lens line AND the other 4/3 players (rush in and support what is basically an all Oly show), do the same it seems inevitable that 4/3 will fail as a professional format system. But even if the E1 4/3 system fails as a pro camera it may drag on as the old OM line did and die a painful, slow and very public death. Cheers/Chip * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
