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Re: [OM] FL-50R flash with Olympus E-P1

Subject: Re: [OM] FL-50R flash with Olympus E-P1
From: Chuck Norcutt <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:41:38 -0400
This reviewer seems not to understand some basics.  He says:
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I’ll deal with what I consider the biggest shortcoming of the EP-1 – the 
auto-focus system.

The conundrum of the EP-1 is it doesn’t belong to any previous category 
of digital cameras. It’s clearly not a portable fixed lens camera, it’s 
not a pro-sumer fixed lens camera like the Panasonic LX-3, Canon G10, 
Sigma DP-1, nor even the Panasonic G1/GH-1,...
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What he doesn't seem to get here is that the autofocus system on the 
E-P1 is a contrast measurement system that should perform no differently 
than the contrast measurement system on the Panasonic G1/GH1.  The 
Panasonic is exactly the same type of camera from a sensor and autofocus 
standpoint.

Next he says
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I set up a basic scene in low light to see how the EP-1 fares with my 
wife’s Panasonic Lumix TZ3 ultra-zoom camera with an 28-280mm equivalent 
f/3.3-4.9 lens in terms of AF locking in low-light. The scene is dark 
but clearly visible by the naked eye. My Canon EOS 40D’s live view AF 
was able to lock focus with the kit lens (also f/3.5-5.6 like the 
M.Zuiko) with no problems without any AF assist, but I didn’t bother 
shooting a video on this as I’d expect a DSLR’s AF system to be superior 
anyway...
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He gets it wrong again here since he doesn't understand that when his 
Canon 40D is acting like a DSLR and focusing through the viewfinder it 
is using phase detect autofocus.  Yet when it's focusing in live view it 
must depend on contrast measurement just like the E-P1.  The 40D easily 
locks focus in live view without any focus assist.  He thinks that's 
because the 40D in live view has an advantage over the E-P1 since it's a 
DSLR.  If he really understood what's going on he'd be depressed over 
the performance of the E=P1.  I know I am.  I think it's time for Oly to 
go back to the drawing board.  Sounds to me like the marketing rush to 
meet the Pen anniversary date has resulted in a camera that's not yet 
ready for prime time.

Chuck Norcutt



usher99@xxxxxxx wrote:
>
> I don't even think the flash built for it (FL-14)  will provide AF  
> assist! : see link
> 
> http://reviews.davidleetong.com/?p=1189
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