[shoplink 35447 ebay]

The [shoplink 35447 ebay]Olympus ECRU[/shoplink].

Ok, the E-P3 has been discontinued and Olympus is likely going to announce a new MFT cameras with a very “different design” (so say the rumors I got). Was looking at possible design inspiring cameras form the Olympus film history. Particularly cameras with a rangefinder design. And I found an auction having a camera that 99% of you will likely never have seen before. It is the [shoplink 35447 ebay]Olympus ECRU (Click here to see the auction)[/shoplink].

Olympus Global writes: ” “Ecru” is French for “unbleached.” The name of this concept camera was chosen to symbolize its intended role as a tool for living an intellectually enhanced life as natural as unbleached cloth. This concept is symbolized in the white body of the camera, which was sold as a limited edition of 10,000 units in Japan and 10,000 overseas.”

I am pretty sure Olympus will not use that kind of design for their next MFT camera :)

List of all Olympus rangefinder can be found on [shoplink 35450 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] (or via Slidoo eBay if you prefer)

Panasonic GH3 Review 6 – People – ‘C’ Graded for Vimeo from Nick Driftwood on Vimeo.

Nick Driftwood posted the sixth part of his ongoing GH3 review. This time he shows you the different ways of shooting people. By the way, there is a long list of work shared and discussed at Personal View (Click here). It’s a never ending discussion about the GH3 possibilities.

Ryan sent me this message: “I created a slow motion test using the GH3 yesterday at a Philadelphia Skate Park called Hazzard Park. It was filmed using the ALL-Intra 72mbps format, which records in 720p. When I began to edit the footage, I thought it was 1080 at first. The 720p image from the GH3, in my opinion, is as sharp as a 5D Mark III in 1080p. https://vimeo.com/54972772″. There is also a new GH3 vs GH2 ISO comparison by Excuse Cie on vimeo.

GH3 store links and in Stock status check:
12-35mm GH3 kit: Wex UK, Wex DE, [shoplink 35309 ebay]Photoexpress UK[/shoplink], FotoHansKeuzekamp (NL),
14-140mm GH3 kit: Wex UK, Amazon UK, [shoplink 35310 ebay]Photoexpress UK[/shoplink], Wex DE, Amazon FR,
Body only: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Panasonic store, Samys, Henry, Vistek, Wex UK, FotoHansKeuzekamp (NL), Amazon FR, [shoplink 35311 ebay]Webdistirbution FR[/shoplink].

This camera has been released in 1975 and is the a compact Full Frame rangefinder and fixed lens camera. It had a couple of what I call “wow” features:
1) It had a leaf shutter which allows super silent shooting (developed by Seiko). For the record, you don’t have many professional digital cameras with this. The just announced Sony RX1 has it! And so my medium format [shoplink 28309 ebay]Mamiya 7[/shoplink].
2) it also had a tiny and f/1.7 fast 40mm lens.
3) And than of course there was that super body quality. The Austin University(!) has a lot of appraisal for the RD: “In addition to being versatile, the 35-RD is a solidly constructed, metal bodied 35mm camera with a professional grade of fit and finish that were hallmarks of Olympus quality.”

Of course little of this camera can be taken as inspiration for a new modern Micro Four Thirds “rangefinder” styled camera. Leaf shutter is out of question, but compact design and high quality body is certainly something most of us want.

Links:
Olympus 35D auctions on [shoplink 35305 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] or on Slidoo.
Source: info: Camerquest, Utexas, Olypedia, Image samples by Sean on Flickr. Review by Eric Rose.