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[OM] Re: E-1 craving

Subject: [OM] Re: E-1 craving
From: AG Schnozz <agschnozz@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 08:27:15 -0700 (PDT)
Moose razzed me with:
> Oh, I missed that combo above, me and the semi-incompetent
> friend who can get the job done if I take most of the load.
> Bless you and your buddy.

I enjoy these philosophical discussions with you, Moose.  I
think it stretches both of us and makes us realize that there is
room for personal skill growth and flexibility in our lives.

There has been a continuing trend in photography for the cameras
to have more and more intelligence built in to allow you to use
it as a "point and shoot".  The fuzzy logic in the metering
systems, for instance, can now see "color" and know what type of
scene it's pointed at and adjust the metering accordingly. 
Autofocus systems keep getting better, but as a result, the
focus rings keep getting worse.  Manual focus point selection? 
Huh?  Isn't it just quicker to manually focus the lens yourself?
 Oh, you can't. The focus screen is nearly worthless.  The more
the "technology" improves, the worse some things get.  Lenses
don't come with DoF markings any more!  And we call this
"progress"?

Now, I will totally acknowlege that your 5D is as fully
functional in manual modes as my E-1, so there is no spitting
contest there. When used "old style" where manual focusing and
exposure are desired is there really any difference between the
cameras?  Sure, there are some differences, but in reality these
are nuances and tradeoffs, not major swings either way. The 5D
represents a major improvement in sensor technology, but the
rest of the camera is just an incremental change over previous
models.

There are things about the E-system which infuriate me--like the
worthless metering system in the viewfinder chamber!  Why oh why
they abandoned mirror-box metering is beyond me. Now we've got
to shade our viewfinders like every other camera system! 
Progress?  Yeah right.  "OTF" flash control?  Nope, now we've
got preflash which doesn't improve anything and just adds
additional delay.

Old dog, new tricks?  Is that the problem here?  It is, after
all, just a tool.  The problem strictly lies with the user, not
the tool is what you are suggesting. As a professional, I should
be willing and able to use the "best tool" regardless of any
other factor.  Everybody has their own criteria as to what is
"best" for them.

For me, one of the biggest advantages to the E-1 is the
reliability and robustness. I've got total confidence that it
will turn on when I flip the switch and that it will take the
picture when I tell it to, no matter the environment (rain or
shine), no matter the situation. Yes, there are tradeoffs for
this, but it's nice to know that the camera will "git r done"
when needed.  And I am reasonably confident that I'm not going
to get an ugly dust-blob appear in the middle of an assignment.
Cleaning sensors is not a skillset that I've developed yet.

A camera does have to inspire a little confidence. A modern
camera must do a decent job of "suggesting" an exposure and
focus point, but it must also do a decent job of NOT getting in
the way of the photographer when he/she wants to override those
suggestions!  I'd rate the E-1 better than average when it comes
to this, but horrid in comparison to my old OM-2S or OM-4.

If the E-3 doesn't materialize, I'll give the L1 serious
consideration. But when I finally must give up on 4/3, I'll have
to go Canon, I'm sure.  But the longer I wait, the less
expensive the 1Ds Mark IIn, Series 7a 90 megapixel cameras will
be.

Just maybe, by then, they'll have a dustless sensor and decent
wide-angles.

AG

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