The smallest of all new Olympus PEN cameras is in Stock in US stores:
Black E-PM1 at Amazon (Click here). And the Silver E-PM1 at BHphoto (Click here) and J&R (Click here).
Many of are asking where you can find the Olympus 45mm and Panasonic 25mm in Stock. In US both lenses are unavailable but I have been told by US and European dealers that they will be in Stock within the next days. In Europe some stores do have the Panasonic Leica lens.
Check the Pansonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4 preorder status at [shopcountry 23110].
Check the Olympus 45mm f/1.8 preorder status at [shopcountry 23577].
15 Responses
Again…Why doesn’t Amazon stock these new Pens themselves?
I have the same question, too. They have the GF3, but not PENs…why???
It appears Olympus is getting these to their smaller retailers and to brick and mortar stores first. I was amazed to see all three available in Atlanta, GA at the Lenox Mall Wolf Camera on September 3rd. So, it’s probably retailers like that selling on the Amazon Marketplace.
In time all the big online stores will have all the new Pens and the 45. The Leica 25 is another story since Panasonic is horrible with their delivery of new items.
And finally the Leica is in the Matching Simulation:www.four-thirds.org/en/special/matching.html
Those black and silver PENs are stylin, I must say.
Had the 25/1.4 for over a month, but haven’t seen a e-pm1 for love nor money in the uk
Why no body only, even on the high-end E-P3? What about all of us upgraders who already have kit lenses from a previous purchase? Sorry, I don’t need two 17mm’s, I don’t want a 14-42, and I don’t want the hassle of having to sell a kit lens because they want to squeeze every last nickel from me. No sale, not yet.
In the End the policy of releasing 3 flavor of PEN series will only ruin the PEN market it self, rather than extending the market. EPM-1 will reduce the EPL-3 market share, The EP-3 will be most wanted camera of current PEN user, but most of them either will hold and wait (at least) to see what would PEN Pro looks and capable of (if it finally released) or wait until they get better deal with EP-3. To those that can wait until the price get lower will choose EPM-1 instead.
There’s been a mistake in term of design and feature integration decision on Olympus design division. The interchangeable grip should be mandatory in EP-3 and EPL-3 series (they can sell it as additional accessories to EPL-3), the EVF should be integrated or at least included in package in EP-3, No need to integrated OLED and touch screen in EP-3, instead they should integrate more manual dial and button for EP-3, the model that need touch screen is EPM-1. And above of all they need to really let user customize Fn button for quick access of ISO/Shutter Speed/Aperture…
Not really. I wouldn’t buy EP3, but have already decided to get EPL3.
Also, most of market do not really know/care about PEN Pro and thus won’t hold off for it.
Question!
to anybody…. which lens do you think would work better as a portrait lens the Leica 25mm DG, or the olympus 45mm?
which had the better image quality? i would think Leica, since it has the $200 price differents. but, the 45mm has been getting pretty nice reviews.
The 45 would be much better for individual portraits. It is like a 90 focal length on a 35 mm film camera. The Lecia would be like a 50 mm focal length on a 35mm film camera a regular lens.
In the “old days” a 80 – 90 focal lenght was the portrait lens. The old Olympus OM system had a great 85 mm f2 lens, that served me well for portrait pictures. Some photographers like a little longer lens for portrait then the 80 -90, such as a 105 or 128 lens. Also if you are using a Pany the Olympus lens will not be stabilized, so you will have to be careful when you shoot or use a tripod.
My only question would be with both of those lens that they are just to good and sharp, well that is what software is for if it is a problem for you and the subject. Easy to subtract sharpness,
That depends on what kind of portraits you want to make and how close to the subject you like / dare / want to be 🙂
Portaits can be made with all lenses, but I’d say the “center” is at about 90-100mm. And then some like to use 50mm, some like 135mm (all FF focal lenghts, so divide by 2 for m43). Personally I always used 50mm and 135mm, but while I already have the 20/1.7 I’d probably buy the 45/1.8 for portraits.
honestly…. i was leaning towards the Leica 25mm. cuz i have the panansonic G3. thats reason number one. and the second reason, i have always wanted a leica my wholeeee life.. and this is pretty much the closest i will ever get. :/
but it seems you guys are telling me to go for the oly 45mm. which would save me $200 bucks(thumbs up!)
ive read the have both have great bokeh, great sharpness. but i really want the leica. but… if the oly is better for portraits, like you guys say.. i might, ehh. im stuck.
If you are into photography for fun, let the heart rule sometimes not everything has to make logical sense. It is a hobby so the Leica is not a bad choose for you. It would be perfect for small group shots indoors.
What other lens do you have? Taking formal portraits with a G3 I would also consider using a legacy 50mm and a simple adapter. I was impressed with some LED panels I saw being used the other day and would use something like that maybe. But that is easy for me to say as I have some old manual focus 50mm and kind of like to manual focus. And like you I really want to use some German Glass, but in my case it would be a Voigtländer that is my Dads, that lens would weigh more then the m43 camera and kit lens probably. I think I will have to read the new adapter with the tripod mount entry to see if they make the appropriate one. If not I have a OM 50 macro (just got at a good price), a OM 50 1.8f I think. Legacy lens can be bought rather inexpensively, sometimes even a Leica is available, the secret is just about all the standard manual focus 50 mm lens of the 70s and 80s were great; and from what I have seen and read work good in the later m43s, the wide angle legacy not so much.
There is something about shooting with a prime lens that is more satisfying then a zoom for a lot of us. With digital it is so easy to crop a little making it easy to get the shot.
A 45mm focal length is ideal for head and shoulder portraits. 25mm is more of a full body group portrait focal length.
25mm does have the added benefit of being much more usable as a general purpose lens. For a walkaround prime, the only thing that comes close is the 20mm f/1.7.