I've been using an Olympus EP2 for a while now and using some Canon FD lenses which I've really enjoyed using but I find the manual focus zooming a pain on the EP2 as there is no dedicated zoom button
I'm just wondering what peoples favourite setup is for manual glass as I'm currently reviewing my kit as its dwindled to just the EP2, VF2, 17mm and a Canon 50 f1.8 and I'm not sure which direction to take!
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To me it sounds like what you really want (or need) is a native (AF or MF) lens. Changing to another system may not solve the problem.
I think the focus peaking feature is a matter of taste, and not an automatic remedy for the problem. I've got a dual peaking system in my GXR which is nice, and I've also played with the NEX system, as well as used the display magnification in E-P2 with both native and legacy lenses. I think the choice between those three (four) approaches is a matter of taste, and none of them is automatically the best for everyone.
I don't think the combination of a E-P2 and a VF-2 is too bad at all, even without the magnification. It's a bit like having a pure matte focusing screen in a film SLR camera. In fact, I like it almost more than the pop-up magnification that comes on with a native mFT lens. It's a slightly different story without the VF-2, though.
I'm actually quite fond of the form factor of the E-P2. I think it's actually one of the nicest in the mFT and smaller CSC range. Since you (apparently) only have just one Canon legacy lens, I'd suggest that you trade it for some nice native lens, like the m.Zuiko 45mm. If you want manual focus with all the comfort of the PEN system, get a Voigtländer Nokton instead.
As for the "call vote" for the favourite setup for manual glass, well, the #1 favourite would of course be the native mount camera. Anything that doesn't involve adapters.
For example, Nikon for Nikkors, Sony for Minolta AF lenses, Leica or Ricoh GXR for Leica M lenses and so on, and for new manual lenses from Samyang, Voigtländer etc. the body the lenses are made for. They are available for a variety of mounts, including mFT.
For the older manual lenses which need an apdapter, my favourites are the aforementioned GXR for M lenses, and then maybe Samsung NX 2x0, because it has a nice UI and a nice sensor with a weak AA filter. Another favourite would be the E-P2, because it has such a nice, simple yet rugged design and UI, although it has a smaller sensor with a more traditional AA filtering.
Only one of those has focus peaking, but IMO the overall features of the camera outweigh the importance of just one feature, like the focus peaking. One obvious favourite could of course be the native (film) body for the lens, if you aren't allergic to film.
Suppose that's a long way of saying that, if you like the PEN with the mFT lenses, don't sell it, sell the Canon lens instead, and get a native mFT lens. You'll be much happier that way, with or without focus peaking.