In a message dated 2/6/2002 Mike writes:
<< First, the ISO speeds are not fast enough. I am regularly using
FujiPress 800 and Ilford Delta 3200 (at
1000 EI) in my OM4(ti). I don't thnk that ISO 320 would cut it for me,
even though the old pros that shot
Tri-X usually rated it somewhere between 200 - 320. >>
I'm not sure you're ready for any digital with those kind of ISO speed
requirements. However, a digital camera system that supplements film
equipment when you do not have that require may still be something to
consider.
<< Second, the zoom lens just isn't enough. I have been giving the 21mm
f3.5 Zuiko quite a workout lately.
The attachable (yuk) wide converter isn't wide enough at 28mm. >>
Again, ultra-wide angle is not there yet in the digital world. Imager
size needs to grow--a lot. On the other hand, "stitch" digital images
and a 360 degree field of view becomes your virtual limit without the
distortion ultra-wide lenses tend to have. (Yes, of course this can be
done with scanned film too.)
<< It's top shutter is 1/640 sec, something which would cause a 35mm
film camera to be treated like a toy.
Clearly, this is not a medium format contender, so that shutter limit is
a problem. >>
E-20 has an insanely high shutter speed at half resolution. Personally,
I don't find 1/640 all that limiting. ANyone who would consider that a
"toy" would likely say the same about am OM-4t in this day and age of
1/6000 second shutters some wunderbricks have.
<< Don't get me wrong. I think that this looks like a great camera, it
just isn't quite enough. It probably
would work for a lot of image making, but it would fail at some. Failure
is not an issue with the OM
system. >>
Depends on your expectations. There are a whole bunch of folks out there
making money with E-10 and E-20 cameras, myself included. Learn to make
the tool work within it's limitations (much the same way as I do with my
OM gear--which is not perfect either was some recent threads have
exposed), and if it is not up to task, pick up a different tool.
<< Check out www.dpreview.com. They write the following... >>
I do, I visit the E-10 forum there pretty much daily now. Rather than
read a review, go rent one. A professional camera store about 60 miles
from me rents E-10s, I'm sure others do too.
In my real world experience I do not find the buffer to be a problem.
Apparently the E-20 is a tad slower than an E-10 though (and at 8x10
print size the images are pretty much indistinguishable). If you're a
one shot at a time thinking photographer, like most OM users, the buffer
won't likely be an issue. If you like blasting through 36 exposures in
3.6 seconds with an EOS 1V you'll likely not like and E-10/20.
<< Its not really a professional tool. >>
There are many photographers who are full time professionals making a
living with E-10/20 cameras (I'm not full time so I'm not including
myself here). Define "professional tool" please.
<< But I do think that Olympus is getting very close! Perhaps the next
camera that they produce will be closer than I think, and I cannot wait
to see it. >>
For may they are closer than you give them credit for I think. For your
needs it may be a while before digital (from anyone) is there yet. High
ISO speeds with low noise and ultra-wide capability are two areas the
digital world has a long way yet to go.
I'll admit it, I do tend to see the world through Olympus colored
glasses ;-) But, I also believe Olympus is truly an innovative leader in
digital photography, and I do think that for OM users the E-10 or E-20
make excellent "wait and see" bridge cameras to supplement shooting film
with our OMs. The E-10 helps me get started in the (very different)
world of digital photography and allows me to get deadline work done
without waiting on my lab to get E-6 processed (which seems to get
slower and slower every time I drop rolls off). The added bonus is that
print sales have better profit margins when there is no Provia F and
processing involved combined with less labor in the cost basis.
Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com
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