What so great about the E3 or for that matter the E1??

[Oly5050]

Just wondering, what is so great about these pro cameras? Is it the image quality, or is it the functionality, or is it the durability? From what I see, they are big and heavy, so am interested in what I have been missing.

[Kid Shotter]

The build quality and the feel.Everything feel so right in your hand.Need to hold E1 or E3 to understand.

[Oly5050]

Thanks!! So is it only just the feel???? Any other things?

[marky]

Originally Posted by Oly5050 Thanks!! So is it only just the feel???? Any other things?

Other things will be like weather sealed, Magnesium alloy body, external WB sensor and lots more fantastic stuffs.

[microcosm]

External WB sensor - This is something you will not appreciate before you use it, and when you do, you cannot live without it especially when you start to shoot events in jpg format. In mixes lighting conditions, this is the one that will save you life/time for post processing. This alone makes the E-1 one of the best cameras in the world!

Build Quality - This is something you have to hold to know. And also, when you break your camera, you will then understand why pros need their cameras to be built like tanks. I have taken the E-1 to places where others can only watch and see but never dare take out theirs.

Weather-proofing - I was at one of the kopi sessions when I "washed" some dust out of my E-1 in front of a Nikon user. He was shocked. And yes... wash... try that with your consumer series... this is something that I really need... during rainy days, or stormy says, with High Grade lenses and up, one does not even need any covers... just a raincoat for the photographer!

Ergonomics - This is something that E-1 has that I rate over any other camera system in the world. I am really hoping that Olympus will not screw this up with the new Pro Camera. The way the E-1 fits into one's hand is simply amazing. The balance, the weight, etc. This is also why until today, the E-1 is still my main camera. The E-410 and E-510 are just backups.

Battery Life - With the BLL-1 battery, I can get past 1,000 shots per outing. That is something that I really need. And the reliability of the camera.

Shutter Sound - If you ever shoot at sound sensitive events like ministeral meetings, golf, tennis, etc. You will appreciate how quiet the shutter is. Also, the shutter slap causes so little vibration that I have shot 200m focal lengths at shutter speeds under 1/30 without problem. I have demo-ed that before in the kopi sessions. This has to do with the ergonomics of the camera itself.

Connectivity - The flash sync port is important for studio shoots when using strobes. This was a problem with earlier models in the consumer range.

Buttons and more buttons - Every major function of the camera has a button assigned to it, together with 2 dials, which is especially useful when shooting in manual (one for shutter speed, the other for aperture settings).

Last but not least... one of the most important thing about the professional series cameras (regardless of brands)... VIEWFINDER!!! - 100% view. This means you don't have to crop stuff out or get surprised with "additional things in your frame" while shooting. You can compose all you want, and what you see is what you get. Not to mention that the viewfinder is much brighter and bigger.

... getting ready for the new Pro camera now?

[troyjbon]

Well, sometimes you just want to have that expensive set but after buying it, you dont really need to use all the functions available, although it might be useful at times.

At the end of the day, its the creativity behind those pictures which tells all the stories.

" A good carpenter doesn't blame his tools. "

[microcosm]

I forgot one important function that the pro camera offer as well... AF assist light. This is something I miss badly in the consumer cameras.

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by troyjbon Well, sometimes you just want to have that expensive set but after buying it, you dont really need to use all the functions available, although it might be useful at times. At the end of the day, its the creativity behind those pictures which tells all the stories. " A good carpenter doesn't blame his tools. "

When you start shooting assignments where a failed shoot means the end of your contract, you will WANT and NEED these additional stuff. Moreover, the needs from a professional photographer differs greatly from a consumer. That is why they have the PROFESSIONAL tag. This is not something that comes as novelty, these are functions that a professional photographer need. Nothing less.

[VSonic06]

Originally Posted by Oly5050 Just wondering, what is so great about these pro cameras? Is it the image quality, or is it the functionality, or is it the durability? From what I see, they are big and heavy, so am interested in what I have been missing.

When you get hold of an E-1 you'll understand why...everything is just better. After all you get what you pay for.

[Oly5050]

Wow, Microcosm. Thanks!! I really appreciate your reply. I can now see how good a camera it is. I must get my hands on one and try it out.

One thing I am most amazed about is the thingy about you washing dust out? What did you exactly mean by that??

Shutter sound is also something I can understand. I do not like one that is too loud either.

Ahh...AF assist light....sweet.

Finally, what is this about external WB sensor? U mean no other camera in the world has it??

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by Oly5050 Wow, Microcosm. Thanks!! I really appreciate your reply. I can now see how good a camera it is. I must get my hands on one and try it out. One thing I am most amazed about is the thingy about you washing dust out? What did you exactly mean by that?? Shutter sound is also something I can understand. I do not like one that is too loud either. Ahh...AF assist light....sweet. Finally, what is this about external WB sensor? U mean no other camera in the world has it??

When I said wash, I mean wash... my E-1 and my 50-200 has took a shower with me TOGETHER before...

I am not sure about the other makes of cameras, but when I was shopping for my DSLR system a few years ago, the Olympus was the only one in the world that makes them. On the other hand, all other camera system's WB sensors are useless. They are either too warm or get colour cast easily.

Get your hands on a Oly-Pro and you will understand.

[zuikoku]

For me, the color fidelity from E-1 is the main asset to switch from other brand 2 years ago.
Until now, E-1 is still my main camera (E-300/330 as backup) and I'm confident to use it.

If you like the current model (E-300/330/410/510), you will understand why some Olympian still keep their E-1 as microcosm does too...

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by zuikoku For me, the color fidelity from E-1 is the main asset to switch from other brand 2 years ago. Until now, E-1 is still my main camera (E-300/330 as backup) and I'm confident to use it. If you like the current model (E-300/330/410/510), you will understand why some Olympian still keep their E-1 as microcosm does too...

How can I forget? This is one of those things I have taken FOR GRANTED about the E-1. The noise from the E-1, especially in monochrome images... are simply... GORGEOUS! Not much editing required to bring out amazing tonal qualities and contrast. Yes yes... the Kodak CCD sensor...

[NMSS_2]

boosting rights?

[VSonic06]

Originally Posted by microcosm Yes yes... the Kodak CCD sensor...

Don't get me started over Kodak v. pana...

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by VSonic06 Don't get me started over Kodak v. pana...

Ha ha ha... yes... the neverending thing... you are right... well...

[Mikefellh]

You forgot shutter LIFE...it's 150,000 activations E-1 vs. 50,000 on the consumer cams.

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by Mikefellh You forgot shutter LIFE...it's 150,000 activations E-1 vs. 50,000 on the consumer cams.

Ah yes... that reminds me... I have to send in my E-1 for shutter replacement soon... by the way, mine is at 180,000 plus and still going... just a little noiser than when it was new... better to replace it than to have it kaput on me in the middle of a shoot. (Then again, I have a back up camera, maybe I should continue to push it and see what is the final figure?)

[olymac]

Originally Posted by Oly5050 Just wondering, what is so great about these pro cameras? Is it the image quality, or is it the functionality, or is it the durability? From what I see, they are big and heavy, so am interested in what I have been missing.

Something like the difference between a Merc and a Hyundai equivalent ...... or a Lexus and a Toyota equivalent .......The Toyota/Hyundai may actually be better or equivalent speced on paper but the ride is different .......

Reminds me of the days of the Nikon F2 ....actually quite crappy spec compare to a .... say, Canon AE1 .... but guess which cameras the pros used more .....

[halcy0n]

Originally Posted by microcosm I forgot one important function that the pro camera offer as well... AF assist light. This is something I miss badly in the consumer cameras.

omg yes, I HATE the strobe flash focus assist. Even if the photo subjects dont break out into epileptic fits, i swear i would.

however, looking at the pics of the E-3 online, is the little red spot the AF focus assist or is it the IR port for the remote? With the new pop-up flash, has the E-3 gone strobe as well??