CCChuckles Loc: Michigan

Hello is anyone here on UHH using the Olympus XZ1 and have any stories or advice to relate...

Here is a most interesting interview regards PS Cameras & CMOS vs CCD

https://www.dpreview.com/interviews/5683481585/sofi-lee-on-digital-nostalgia

Chuck

My Role Model & XZ1 user...
A Japanese Maple Bonsai Forest setting...
Me and an Old Truck...
Japanese Maple Bonsai Forest Fall Colors...

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

In the first place, I do not own the Olympus XZ1. I see nothing wrong with these images.
I read the article on Sofi Lee, the professional photographer from Seattle. Have you ever seen a modern digital professional photographer shooting with compact cameras? So, is it the camera or the photographer?

Miss Lee seems to agree with me, looking for more megapixels does not mean better photography. Another thing in this article about her is that there is nothing wrong using an old camera. I have made comments on that before in the forum. The Nikon D200 comes to mind, a camera with gorgeous first generation colors resembling those of the professional D2X.

Another thing, she uses a camera that DxO calls among the worse out there and she laughs. I have also laughed at the "reviews" of some cameras and lenses like my Olympus 17mm f2.8, a lens that is rated of poor optical quality and instead it has served me well.

I keep on saying that the first step to improve photographic skills is to learn the basics and then learn your camera, no matter what camera you have. An excellent camera with a professional lens means nothing if we do not know how to use it.

Thank you for posting this interesting article.

CCChuckles Loc: Michigan

Thank you for the commentary on the article...Ms Lee is quite young and recently out of college...so much for her experience and back to your comment "Camera or Photographer"...
I believe its both in this case, her photos seem to capture an excellent, creative composition and the picture clarity & detail is there...
I have read many articles & opinions on the Oly XZ1 over on DPreview, an excellent Site....
I shoot a lot of Ebay and Gun Broker pictures, all close ups, and I need expect and usually get excellent clarity, clarity is everything for me.
I'm tempted to get into a low end DSLR but have held off for the high end PS...
To each his own I suppose...
Chuck

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Chuck, nothing wrong with a camera you feel comfortable with. The entry level cameras do a very good job as do kit lenses. I have excellent images (in my opinion) from the Nikon 18-55 kit lens.
In regard to old cameras, the D200 continues to be my favorite. I have two dSLR already and two small mirrorless Olympus bodies. I do not need more.
Remember that clarity can be added with software.

CCChuckles Loc: Michigan

I use Windows Live Gallery Photoshop and there is no way I can add Clarity to a photo...
I can use Detail, Sharpness, Contrast, all kinds of tricks but if the Clarity is not there thru the Lense, its not going to happen thru Photoshop...
The Oly XZ1 with its 1.63 CCD Sensor and Zukio Lense does it for me, I crop almost all my work and I can bump it up quite a bit and not lose any Clarity...
I'm certain a good DSLR would be even better but not going there yet...
What would you recommend for a inexpensive Low End DSLR $300 to $500 range...?
Chuck

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If I am honest with you I will say that everything I own has been bought second hand except for my Olympus OM-D 10 Mk. II which I bought refurb from Olympus. I am sure you can get good used gear for that price and perhaps one of the "old" entry cameras from Nikon. I do not know what the present prices are for their entry cameras but keep the word refurb in your mind.
Many used cameras from 3-4 years ago in excellent condition and at reasonable prices abound.

GGerard

I was about to "cry foul" when I saw your first image! Sure looks a lot like Lee Marvin who died in 1987!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I bought one for my wife and had to use it as backup for a shoot when I forgot to make sure my spare battery was charged. It looks very odd seeing a small white camera on a flash bracket instead of my E-M5, but it was quite capable of saving the shoot. One even has a choice of using the camera's flash as the trigger and keeping the removable viewfinder on or attaching the flash directly to the camera and using the back screen for composition. The ability to save RAW and JPEG is very useful. I have also talked with two Olympus representatives that still have their XZ-1s as backups to their E cameras and like XZ-1 more than the XZ-2. My wife likes the fact that there is so little shutter lag (I love the fact there is so little shutter lag - makes it easier for me to use without frustration). We will not be selling it any time soon.

bw79st Loc: New York City

I still have an Oly XZ-2. Recently my E-PL7 was being repaired so I pulled out the XZ-2 to use as my carry-around camera here in NYC. It takes very nice photos, although I prefer my PEN with the pancake zoom. The only problem I ever found was putting it in a righthand pocket. When reaching in for the camera it was too easy to touch the power button and send the lens out before I got the thing out of the pocket! That causes a jam that has to be cleared by removing the battery. Anyone using one should also get the optional barn door lens cover. I also use an E-M1 and E-M1 MkII. The E-3 is sitting in a drawer but still takes wonderful photos.

I'm waiting to see what the new PEN will be in a few weeks!

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

I have and use the Olympus XZ-2. It fits in a shirt pocket, its rugged, and has amazing capabilities, with a menu that rivals the OMD EM mirrorless. Although the sensor is small, image quality is quite good and more than adequate for my needs. Highly recommend it.
Mark

CCChuckles Loc: Michigan

Camerapapi thank you for your comments on the XZ1...I have gone to your Profile and starting viewing your previous Post's and was very interested in your Cuba & Fla Keys postings & pictures, especially the Islamirada ones, I have friends living on Duck Key & when I visit I always do the WW of Sports store/restaurant and the Hemingway Pilaf...your Post's bring back many good times for me, thanks.....I always do Key West to visit the Hemingway house, Sloppy Joes, Fischer Museums etc...

Chuck

CCChuckles Loc: Michigan

Small sampling of some of my Rhodys, Bonsai Plantings, Crabapples....

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I used to own an xz-1 several years ago...I ended up selling it in January 2012 and slowly moving toward m4/3 as I also phased out my e-5 later that year for an em1. The camera was a great little advanced point and shoot, but I also didn’t like shooting with a flash, and the small sensor on the xz-1 wasn’t the greatest above 800 iso. Great IQ in good light, frustrating performance when the lights go down.

I’ve often thought about getting another point and shoot for my wife (the point and shoots listed in my signature are my work cameras), but would likely lean towards an Rx100 series or an Lx100 (hoping that Panasonic comes out with mk 2 version soon). Comparing the Xz-1 to the lx-7, I like the menu flexibility of the Lx-7 better...and the f1.4 Leica lens doesn’t hurt either.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Also just remembered that the max shutter is 1/2000s...something that I always bumped up against on bright days shooting at the wide angle range.

CCChuckles Loc: Michigan

More of the Oly XZ1...