EB, I hestitated a long time to decide whether or not to buy an E-3. I was really put off by it's size and weight (don't we buy Oly to get small,lightweight cameras?) and I just felt I wouldn't like it.
I also saw so many comments about AF problems, softness, poor user interface, etc, that I had just about decided to sell everything and buy a D-300. I remember that you had AF problems as did some others whose comments I've learned to respect.
Then I saw that you had gotten your camera repaired and were quite pleased with it. After watching your comments for a while, I came to the conclusion that you genuinely liked the camera and thought it to be a very good tool.
I also noted that Julie Poole has had excellent use from hers. I've seen a number of her posts with that camera and I am extremely impressed.
So I bit the bullet and made the purchase. After a week with it I can say that it was absolutely the right thing to do. It is a marvelous camera and I am very pleased with it. Zero problems.
I have found it to be a very easy camera to use, and not all that different from my other Olys. I realize that some folks did in fact have defective AF systems, but I suspect many of the problems reported were just lack of understanding and experience with the AF system. In fact I think it functions much like the AF on a Nikon D-200 I use occaisionally.
So, based primarily on comments from EB and Julie, and from Tony and others here, I am a happy E-3 owner.
Thanks to all, and especially EB and Julie