Photocracy
The Great Pretender
Reged: 18/11/2006
Posts: 644
Loc: Sunny South Coast
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Check out this interview with the E3's designers from Olympus's global website. It's quite long at 10 pages, but it makes for some very interesting reading direct from some of the top Olympus people who offer an insight into the company's design philosophy and future direction. In particular, the last page discusses their strategy with regard to the DSLR competition.
http://www.olympus-global.com/en/magazine/techzone/vol70_e/page1.cfm
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Rob
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Bone_Idle
Mr Maybe
Reged: 28/07/2006
Posts: 1393
Loc: Bradford
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Quote:
We've finally reached Chapter 2 in the history of the Four-Thirds series and will no launch a full-scale challenge. We believe a showdown is approaching.
Wonder what they've got up their sleeves?
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Thanks
Nick
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Photocracy
The Great Pretender
Reged: 18/11/2006
Posts: 644
Loc: Sunny South Coast
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Quote:
Quote:
We've finally reached Chapter 2 in the history of the Four-Thirds series and will no launch a full-scale challenge. We believe a showdown is approaching.
Wonder what they've got up their sleeves?
Yes, it is a little tantalizing! Anyone in the know? Or some educated speculation will do. 
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Rob
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El Sid
Going potty
Reged: 14/04/2003
Posts: 9477
Loc: Sussex-by-the-Sea
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Quote:
We've finally reached Chapter 2 in the history of the Four-Thirds series and will no launch a full-scale challenge. We believe a showdown is approaching.
A bit of a strange and confrontational sort of statement to make. Perhaps they ought to remember in any showdown someone always loses... 
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Nigel
Completely BSRIPN 
ElSid Gallery
A camera in the hand is more fun than one in the cupboard........
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Photocracy
The Great Pretender
Reged: 18/11/2006
Posts: 644
Loc: Sunny South Coast
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Quote:
Quote:
We've finally reached Chapter 2 in the history of the Four-Thirds series and will no launch a full-scale challenge. We believe a showdown is approaching.
A bit of a strange and confrontational sort of statement to make. Perhaps they ought to remember in any showdown someone always loses...
Taken in isolation, yes. But I think it's less strange and confrontational in the context of the whole paragraph...
"Well, we're still the challengers. Professionals have underpinned the SLR market for so long that they are unlikely to suddenly switch to something else if we simply tell them we've created something good and ask if would please start using it from today. We've finally reached Chapter 2 in the history of the Four-Thirds series and will no[w] launch a full-scale challenge. We believe a showdown is approaching."
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Rob
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El Sid
Going potty
Reged: 14/04/2003
Posts: 9477
Loc: Sussex-by-the-Sea
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The 4/3rds system has a place in the photographic world and absolutely the current status quo should be challenged.
The potential danger from this statement as I see it is that the 'showdown' - and I appreciate this may be a partial mis-translation - distracts Olympus from the business of building a broad user base and in the event of a failure to significantly penetrate the pro market the whole edifice comes crashing down because Oly have neglected the regular consumer...
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Nigel
Completely BSRIPN
ElSid Gallery
A camera in the hand is more fun than one in the cupboard........
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Photocracy
The Great Pretender
Reged: 18/11/2006
Posts: 644
Loc: Sunny South Coast
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Quote:
The 4/3rds system has a place in the photographic world and absolutely the current status quo should be challenged.
The potential danger from this statement as I see it is that the 'showdown' - and I appreciate this may be a partial mis-translation - distracts Olympus from the business of building a broad user base and in the event of a failure to significantly penetrate the pro market the whole edifice comes crashing down because Oly have neglected the regular consumer...
Yes, I see your point. Perhaps the word "showdown" was not the best choice or, as you say, it maybe down to translation. Unfortunately, it does rather conjur up an image of Clint Olympus and Lee-Van-Canon stepping into the street for a cameras-at-dawn shoot out - with smoking lens barrels and all.
However, I think the new and keenly priced E420 and E520 models are firmly aimed at looking after the regular consumer side of things, no? The Oly interview was put up before the new consumer models were launched so maybe the E420 and E520 account for the hints of stepping up a gear. Or perhaps there is another surprise around the corner
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Rob
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4987
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
I think the new and keenly priced E420 and E520 models are firmly aimed at looking after the regular consumer side of things, no?
Maybe - but I think even the most dyed-in-the-wool Olympus fanboy (or girl) would have to admit that these models represent evolution rather than revolution.
Nothing wrong with that, of course, but IMVHO the new lenses (25mm, 9-18mm) are more significant than the new E-x20 models.
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El Sid
Going potty
Reged: 14/04/2003
Posts: 9477
Loc: Sussex-by-the-Sea
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Quote:
Yes, I see your point. Perhaps the word "showdown" was not the best choice or, as you say, it maybe down to translation. Unfortunately, it does rather conjur up an image of Clint Olympus and Lee-Van-Canon stepping into the street for a cameras-at-dawn shoot out - with smoking lens barrels and all.
Quote:
However, I think the new and keenly priced E420 and E520 models are firmly aimed at looking after the regular consumer side of things, no? The Oly interview was put up before the new consumer models were launched so maybe the E420 and E520 account for the hints of stepping up a gear. Or perhaps there is another surprise around the corner
As BJB says
Quote:
Maybe - but I think even the most dyed-in-the-wool Olympus fanboy (or girl) would have to admit that these models represent evolution rather than revolution.
Just the sort of thing that over attention to the pro side could encourage... Now to some extent I say evolution is better than gimmick driven revolution but the market doesn't necessarily follow this model. A bit of "Hey look what this can do" at times does serve to attract fresh blood to the marque.
Love or hate Canon their two way development philosophy has worked well for them. Some advanced functionality features appear first on the pro models and filter down while some useful-but-not-essential features appear first on the entry level models and migrate up the chain. It's taken them to the top of the sales tree...
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Nigel
Completely BSRIPN
ElSid Gallery
A camera in the hand is more fun than one in the cupboard........
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Photocracy
The Great Pretender
Reged: 18/11/2006
Posts: 644
Loc: Sunny South Coast
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Quote:
Maybe - but I think even the most dyed-in-the-wool Olympus fanboy (or girl) would have to admit that these models represent evolution rather than revolution.
Nothing wrong with that, of course, but IMVHO the new lenses (25mm, 9-18mm) are more significant than the new E-x20 models.
Yes, these new lenses are certainly a significant development. I think the fixed focal standard 25mm as a pancake lens was a great idea.
How about some wild speculation just for fun?
What if Olympus had a real surprise up its sleeve, like a new E1 mkII top professional model, making the E3 its mid range model? After all, the naming of the E3 always seemed a bit odd. Also, the pop-up flash seems very much a nod to the 'prosumer' and then there's the price - definitely mid range pitched. Maybe the E3 was a dry run for a more serious Oly bid in the superleague.
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Rob
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zuiko
Olympian...
Reged: 19/06/2006
Posts: 439
Loc: Norfolk.
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There is an air of confidence in the interview. He seems to be saying that all the planning, preparation of the new system is about to come to fruition. The key to any success are the lenses. They are high quality, all that is missing is a high end body, its not the E3 so i look forward with optimism for the future. The E3 will be with me for a good while yet, High end camera means high end price. I can justify spending £1000 over say a four year period. After which it will be worth £300. A loss of £175 per year is not extravagant when compared to using film. A £3000 camera means its self indulgent or you really do earn your income from your pictures.
David
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" ENCEFFC!" "ENNSEAEFFSEA!"" ENNCEFFC!" "ENNCEEFC!"
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4987
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
A £3000 camera means its self indulgent or you really do earn your income from your pictures.
Or, just possibly, it does something that you want to do that can't be done adequately by anything cheaper.
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zuiko
Olympian...
Reged: 19/06/2006
Posts: 439
Loc: Norfolk.
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Agreed, i would like some kind of information recorded in the file so that images taken on those trips to isolated areas easier to pinpoint and edit. Sat nav for photographers. I have to say the E3 has allowed me to ditch the tripod on many occasions. Because the IS is so reliable it has allowed a different style in my photographs, a bit more freedom without the ball and chain of a tripod.
David
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" ENCEFFC!" "ENNSEAEFFSEA!"" ENNCEFFC!" "ENNCEEFC!"
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Footloose
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 11/08/2005
Posts: 3188
Loc: Berkshire based.
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I have an E-1 and E-3, the former now being a back-up or for when I need an unobtrusive and uncomplicated body. I still prefer the simplicity of the controls on the E-1, so maybe what we will see is an E-1a using the original dial controls/layout, with the E-3's Sensor, larger screen 'fixed' rather than articulated, employing the E-3's shutter and faster AF system.
This would not in my opinion, be a retrograde step design-wise, because the ergonomics of the E-1 (and that wonderful 7-14mm zoom) must have been one of the major reasons why people bought into the system. Indeed I have heard that a fair number of pro Canon and Nikon users purchased the Olly with just the 7-14mm zoom, because these two manufacturers weren't offering anything comparable (F4.o, 117 degrees and minimal distortion.) The fact that the prices of s/h E-1's remain high, would seem to indicate that this design still garners considerable respect.
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Trainee reprobate with a pronounced limp (spelt L .. I .. M .. P.)
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4987
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
Indeed I have heard that a fair number of pro Canon and Nikon users purchased the Olly with just the 7-14mm zoom, because these two manufacturers weren't offering anything comparable
Not a "native" lens but for APS-C cameras the Sigma 10-20 comes close, and there's a 12-24 with full frame coverage if you need it.
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RogerMac
Hotshoe Shuffler
Reged: 25/03/2007
Posts: 499
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Quote:
Quote:
Indeed I have heard that a fair number of pro Canon and Nikon users purchased the Olly with just the 7-14mm zoom, because these two manufacturers weren't offering anything comparable
Not a "native" lens but for APS-C cameras the Sigma 10-20 comes close, and there's a 12-24 with full frame coverage if you need it.
Exactly the same discussion is sizling on a transatlantic 4/3 forum at the moment and I thought that I would repost one of the posts from there, hope that's allowed:
"Hmmm I just wanted to add my 2 cents about wide angle... I cameto Olympus from Pentax. Well, Samsung GX-10 actually, but it's the same pentax camera. When I was a Pentaxian, I was at furst attracted by Sigma 10-20. Yeah, very wide for just 500$! So I went and tried it.
First one I tried made me think it's a bad instance of that lens. I asked to give me another one, then the third. After shooting with 3 (!) Sigmas 10-20 I stopped looking at that lens at all. It's sharpness on the sides of the picture is terrible. Not even bad, but terrible! It's nearly unusable on it's wide end (well at least for me).
I really-really think that 9-18 will be MUCH better quality lens then Sigma 10-20."
__________________
Edited by RogerMac (26/05/2008 20:29)
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4987
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
I really-really think that 9-18 will be MUCH better quality lens then Sigma 10-20.
Some people seem to be able to get perfectly acceptable results with the Sigma 10-20. Maybe at small apertures, I don't know.
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RogerMac
Hotshoe Shuffler
Reged: 25/03/2007
Posts: 499
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Quote:
Quote:
I really-really think that 9-18 will be MUCH better quality lens then Sigma 10-20.
Some people seem to be able to get perfectly acceptable results with the Sigma 10-20. Maybe at small apertures, I don't know.
Got to say that I have just looked up this lens on photozone.de and they like it. Perhaps it depends on the sample you get.
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Iloca
Unregistered at user's request
Reged: 06/12/2005
Posts: 3800
Loc: Northern Ireland
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I'm definately going to get the 9-18 (unless it's really panned by Olympus users)
A lens that wide is pretty specialised for my needs and I certainly couldn't justify either the cost or weight of the 7-14 but the 9-18 would fit the bill nicely.
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Mi Vid Iloca
My Flickr Gallery
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