OLympus E-PL1 and Voigtlander lenses.

Video shot with Olympus E-PL1 and Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron lens

Olympus E-PL1 Voigtlander 75mm f/2.5 Heliar

Olympus E-PL1 Voigtlander 75mm f/2.5 Heliar

Olympus E-PL1 Voigtlander 75mm f/2.5 Heliar

Olympus E-PL1 and Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron lens

Olympus E-PL1 Voigtlander 75mm f/2.5 Heliar

Along the Worcestershire and Birmingham canal at Alvechurch. Part of the reason for getting the E-PL1 is as a test to see if I can work with Olympus m4/3 cameras again. The E-P3 and the 3 new lenses about to be released (12mm f/2, 25mm f/1.4, 45mm f/1.8) is an outfit that I find very seductive. However before making the (somewhat large) investment in all of that, I have to be sure that I will be able to work with them, bearing in mind my need (and indeed wish) to work outdoors wearing polarised sunglasses.

For these images and video I used the VF-2 electronic viewfinder and Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Utron and 75mm f/2.5 Heliar lenses. About as "fiddly" as it gets. It required me altering the  viewfinder so that I could look through it without the sunglasses and composing and focusing through the viewfinder. It was a process of constantly removing and putting back the glasses. To a certain extent I do that anyway, since to get a look at the image I have taken on the screen I have to remove them anyway. The problems of short-sight and photography!!

Its not ideal but it works. With AF lenses there will be less of a problem. No need to magnify the image to focus. 

I shot the video using the EVF. I've never done this before and it worked very well. It was really nice to see a nice clear image for video, instead of looking at a screen affected by sunlight. I was also pleased by the stability obtained for hand holding via the combination of the cameras IS and iMovie.

The whole experience didn't put me off, and I think it will be workable.