Hi Richard,
Richard Lovison a écrit :
> I just called Olympus America and asked about the E-400. The rep said
> he believed the E-400 would be available in the States sometime early
> next year.
I've been at the Photokina yesterday, and just ask this question to the Belgian
Olympus Manager:
he said me that the delay will be short between the release in Europe,expected
around November, and the release in America expected around January. He
confirmed me that it's a question of mass production, and
said that as the European Market is important for Olympus, the Japanese
Direction take this "difficult decision" to release the E-400 in Europe even
before the Japan...
I had the chance to play with it and to made some pictures with it, but I've
promised to not publish those images...I could say it is really small, compared
with the E-1 it looks like a "sort of compact" in the hands. The feeling is a
little bit "plastic like" but not more than the "new generation like the
Samsung or the Pentax. I could say that with my 85 f/2 (Silver Nose of
course...) it's really a nice tool for portraiture. No informations yet about
the sensor: it's still a secret information, the Belgian Manager said me that
if he had it and he give it to me he would have some troubles with some
"Japanese Yakusa" :)
I have of course asked about the new Pro model, no real informations at this
moment, specification expected at the PMA and release around the end of next
year same delay than with the E-1 in 2002.
I also had the chance to put my hands on the Panasonic L-1 the feeling is more
like a "real metallic Camera" and the Leica Vario Elmarit is really a very nice
piece of glass...with an heavy "Pro" feeling, nice on my E-1 and the Image
stabilization works...nice but I don't asked the price :)))
There is now a joint "brochure" with all the four third lenses, but with no
mention of Leica on the cover :) and the Belgian Olympus Manager said me that
the Leica management is not "warm" for the "communication" around the Leica
name :) btw with the Leica M8, if you are like me a left eyed viewer at the
first take you put nose grease on the LCD screen...they must put a curtain on
it...:)))
Finally I also had the opportunity to check two Sigma: the 24mm f/1.8 macro
also an heavy piece of glass
what a pleasure in the viewfinder...and the 50~500 heavy of course but what a
range!
So no new Pro Olympus in the near future but the Panasonic has really a "Pro
Feeling" and those new glasses are promising...
Oh forgot to mention that a successor for the E-500 could be expected in the
middle of next year.
regards
marc
bois-de-villers
Belgium
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