The exchange was done without fuss. No need for trilby hats, long macs, newspapers with eye holes and discreet dropping and picking up of a brief case. Although in Mexico I feel as jittery as a spy from a John Le Carre novel must do when I have a wad of cash in my bag. The camera had to be paid for though, so risks must be taken.
But anyway, that’s a long way to say that I am now the proud owner of a brand new, slate blue Olympus E-PL1 Micro Four Thirds camera. Finally, a real camera. One with interchangeable lenses and a big sensor. I shall be playing with it mucho over the next few days. Weeks. Months. Years. My continual ‘trading up’ that is enabled by Mexico’s ridiculously high taxes has come to an end.
Here’s one of the first photos. Using the Pinhole setting in the Art dial. I’m impressed with the Art scenes already. I suspect I’ll be doing a whole ton of photos in the half dozen different settings the camera offers.

Gary, If you have not already taken your turtles for a “walk in the park” Shame! Seems a logical paradise for them!
Cheers!
Dan in NC
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Soon, very soon. I’m even thinking….maybe I have cleaned their ponds for the last time!
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Felicidades! Congratulations! Love the picture. The idea of a ‘real’ camera once had great appeal for me but I can no longer even consider lugging around extra lenses whenever. But hey that does not keep me from being envious of your new ‘real’ camera!
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Gracias! And I agree with your sentiments. Although that is the plus with the E-PL1. I can fit it with a pancake lens and slip it in a jacket pocket. Or even a jeans pocket if it’s baggy enough. And yet, for special occassions, I can take a different lens and go equipped for the event!
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Congratulations!
These art filters look to open a whole bunch of possibilities. And all in camera too, no messing with image editors afterwards. Have fun!
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My thoughts exactly. Arty filters in camera are not normally my thing. But I rather like the look of these. I’ll have to do some playing around and report back.
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Just in time for the Bicentenario
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Indeed. Of course, whilst my camera is ready for the Bicentenario, I look around and wonder if the rest of Mexico will be ready….
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I downloaded the full file from flickr. Amazing quality! I have to say that I’m quite envious, really. The lens looks sharp as a tack. There’s almost no noise, despite the fact that you took the photo at 800 ISO. The image quality might well be better than that from my 5-6 yr old Canon EOS 30D DSLR. The art effect is interesting, though that kind of thing is always fairly easy to add in Photoshop.
I may have to get one.
Saludos,
Kim G
DF, Mexco
Where we are fooling around with pictures in Photoshop waiting for F to return from school.
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I am hugely delighted with the image quality. I’ve gotten a few shots at ISO 1600 which substantially better the IQ I have gotten from any of my previous cameras at ISO400.
I think you should get one. Not only for the ease of use and IQ, but It’s a whole load of fun playing around with too. There are other MFT cameras to choose from as well…this is, as you know, the budget model.
By the way, from everything I’ve read on the E-PL1, the kit lens, while reasonable, holds the unit back a little. The better lenses really let it shine.
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P.S. I’ve finally taken your suggestion. Here is my first post to flickr
Saludos,
Kim G
DF, Mexico
Where we rather choked F’s sluggish DSL getting those photos online.
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And about time Mr K, about bloody time!
Good three shots to kick off with. But, you choked up F’s connection?? And you didn’t even publish the full res shots! Ouch!
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Exciting to have a new camera – and a great shot to inaugurate it with.
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Always exciting, no matter how many new cameras you get each year! And thanks!
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