Filters & lenses for E100rs? Which, how, and where?

Hi. Sorry for the long posting. Hope you find time to read through it.

Yet another newbee who just got his first DC. I chose the E-100rs because of it's zoom, speed, manual setting options, and not least because it was reduced in price to $450. I'd like more MP to work with, but for the present 1.5 will do. I also consider this a good learning camera that'll prepare me for handling a future upgrade to a high-MP camera (maybe the OlyKodak?).

I've been reading through the threads about lenses and filters for the C2100UZ. I suspect most info goes for the E-100rs? I will definitely get a teleconverter (probably the B-300) and expect to keep it attached at most times.

I live in Denmark. Prices here are high and unfortunately many US online dealers don't ship overseas. Any links to good dealers will be greatly appreciated.

My questions are (forgive me if some of them sound stupid to you more experienced photografers):
1) Is the B-300 my best choice for a teleconverter?

2) With a teleconverter attached, should I look for 49mm filters or are the filters mounted at the end of the teleconverter?

3) Some say a multicoated UV-filter is a must for lens protection. Is this true, and if not when does one use it?

4) I've seen pictures taken with a polarizer filter. Looks like a must. I'm thinking Hoya. Any recommendations?

5) How often is a wideangle converter of use? Thay seem rather expensive. Is Oly's .8x the best bet (WCON-08 / B28)?
6) Macro converter, same as 5).

7) With no hotshoe the dedicated FL-40 flash system get's pricy. I'd like a good flash that will also work with whatever high-MP camera I choose when I decide to step up.
8) Suggestions for camera bag with room for accessories?

Thanks for any thoughts and recommendations, Maxven (Denmark)

Maxven said:

3) Some say a multicoated UV-filter is a must for lens protection.
Is this true, and if not when does one use it?

Click to expand...

It doesn't have to be multicoated ... but you need some kind of protective filter anytime you bring your camera outside your house. If something happens, a filter costs $10 to replace, but Oly will charge you $200 or so to fix your lens.

Maxven said:

4) I've seen pictures taken with a polarizer filter. Looks like a
must. I'm thinking Hoya. Any recommendations?

Click to expand...

Get a 49 mm circular polarizer.

Maxven said:

5) How often is a wideangle converter of use? Thay seem rather
expensive. Is Oly's .8x the best bet (WCON-08 / B28)?

Click to expand...

Wide angle shots generally need a lot more pixels than tele shots, because you have several subjects inside the frame.

Maxven said:

6) Macro converter, same as 5).

Click to expand...

If you like photographing really tiny things that are too small for your lens to focus on as-is, get a set of 49 mm close-up filters for about $30.

Maxven said:

7) With no hotshoe the dedicated FL-40 flash system get's pricy.
I'd like a good flash that will also work with whatever high-MP
camera I choose when I decide to step up.

Click to expand...

Do they make a flash that will keep up at 15 fps?

Hi Maxven,

Maxven said:

My questions are (forgive me if some of them sound stupid to you
more experienced photografers):

Click to expand...

We're all learning here so don't worry about it !

Maxven said:

1) Is the B-300 my best choice for a teleconverter?

Click to expand...

I've been trying to find this lens as well ( don't have any experience of it though ). Instead I bought the A-200 which should arrive today. I'll keep you posted about some results using this converter with the E-100-.

Maxven said:

2) With a teleconverter attached, should I look for 49mm filters or
are the filters mounted at the end of the teleconverter?

Click to expand...

As I got informed, the tele converter don't support any attachments of filter.

Maxven said:

3) Some say a multicoated UV-filter is a must for lens protection.
Is this true, and if not when does one use it?

Click to expand...

It's not a must. A normal ( good quality ) filter should do. Hoya make some good ones. You should always keep the filter mounted to protect the camera lens.

Maxven said:

4) I've seen pictures taken with a polarizer filter. Looks like a
must. I'm thinking Hoya. Any recommendations?

Click to expand...

Hoya Circular Pol filter is a good choice. Do NOT go for the cheaper linier filters.

Maxven said:

5) How often is a wideangle converter of use? Thay seem rather
expensive. Is Oly's .8x the best bet (WCON-08 / B28)?

Click to expand...

The wide angle will bring the E-100 to 28 mm instead of the original 35 mm. I you'd ask me, I don't think it's worth it. To obtain a good wideangle for landscape it should go down to 24 mm.

Maxven said:

6) Macro converter, same as 5).

Click to expand...

I don't know if there's any macro converter available for the E-100. However, I saw some good examples by using close up lenses.

Maxven said:

7) With no hotshoe the dedicated FL-40 flash system get's pricy.
I'd like a good flash that will also work with whatever high-MP
camera I choose when I decide to step up.

Click to expand...

I don't know any other alternatives for the E-100. Maybe someone else know more about this ?

Maxven said:

8) Suggestions for camera bag with room for accessories?

Click to expand...

I use the Lowe Pro mini trekker. It's a backpack and has good space for extra accessories. I have both my E-10 and E-100 in this bag. If you only need a bag for the E-100 + a few accessories you could go for the micro trekker. There are many other good bags out there. My recomendation is to bring the camera to a good shop and look around for something that suits your needs.

Maxven said:

Thanks for any thoughts and recommendations, Maxven (Denmark)

Click to expand...

There is a Macro Converter that is compatible with the 100 (as well as the 2100). It is the IS/L Lens B-Macro HQ Converter. A very nice piecr of glass. About 100.00 online.

Carmen

Forrest said:

Forrest41926 said:

3) Some say a multicoated UV-filter is a must for lens protection.
Is this true, and if not when does one use it?

Click to expand...

It doesn't have to be multicoated ... but you need some kind of
protective filter anytime you bring your camera outside your house.
If something happens, a filter costs $10 to replace, but Oly will
charge you $200 or so to fix your lens.

Forrest41926 said:

4) I've seen pictures taken with a polarizer filter. Looks like a
must. I'm thinking Hoya. Any recommendations?

Click to expand...

Get a 49 mm circular polarizer.

Forrest41926 said:

5) How often is a wideangle converter of use? Thay seem rather
expensive. Is Oly's .8x the best bet (WCON-08 / B28)?

Click to expand...

Wide angle shots generally need a lot more pixels than tele shots,
because you have several subjects inside the frame.

Forrest41926 said:

6) Macro converter, same as 5).

Click to expand...

If you like photographing really tiny things that are too small for
your lens to focus on as-is, get a set of 49 mm close-up filters
for about $30.

Forrest41926 said:

7) With no hotshoe the dedicated FL-40 flash system get's pricy.
I'd like a good flash that will also work with whatever high-MP
camera I choose when I decide to step up.

Click to expand...

Do they make a flash that will keep up at 15 fps?

Click to expand...

Thanks Carmen.

Do you have a link to a dealer that's in the EU or will ship internationally?

Regards, Maxven

Carmen said:

Carmen

Forrest said:

Carmen Towles said:

3) Some say a multicoated UV-filter is a must for lens protection.
Is this true, and if not when does one use it?

Click to expand...

It doesn't have to be multicoated ... but you need some kind of
protective filter anytime you bring your camera outside your house.
If something happens, a filter costs $10 to replace, but Oly will
charge you $200 or so to fix your lens.

Carmen Towles said:

4) I've seen pictures taken with a polarizer filter. Looks like a
must. I'm thinking Hoya. Any recommendations?

Click to expand...

Get a 49 mm circular polarizer.

Carmen Towles said:

5) How often is a wideangle converter of use? Thay seem rather
expensive. Is Oly's .8x the best bet (WCON-08 / B28)?

Click to expand...

Wide angle shots generally need a lot more pixels than tele shots,
because you have several subjects inside the frame.

Carmen Towles said:

6) Macro converter, same as 5).

Click to expand...

If you like photographing really tiny things that are too small for
your lens to focus on as-is, get a set of 49 mm close-up filters
for about $30.

Carmen Towles said:

7) With no hotshoe the dedicated FL-40 flash system get's pricy.
I'd like a good flash that will also work with whatever high-MP
camera I choose when I decide to step up.

Click to expand...

Do they make a flash that will keep up at 15 fps?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Jens ( Sweden ) said:

Jens(Sweden) said:

My questions are (forgive me if some of them sound stupid to you
more experienced photografers):

Click to expand...

We're all learning here so don't worry about it !

Jens(Sweden) said:

1) Is the B-300 my best choice for a teleconverter?

Click to expand...

I've been trying to find this lens as well ( don't have any
experience of it though ). Instead I bought the A-200 which should
arrive today. I'll keep you posted about some results using this
converter with the E-100-.

Jens(Sweden) said:

2) With a teleconverter attached, should I look for 49mm filters or
are the filters mounted at the end of the teleconverter?

Click to expand...

As I got informed, the tele converter don't support any attachments
of filter.

Click to expand...

Does this mean that you can't put a filter between the lens and the teleconverter?

Jens(Sweden) said:

Jens(Sweden) said:

3) Some say a multicoated UV-filter is a must for lens protection.
Is this true, and if not when does one use it?

Click to expand...

It's not a must. A normal ( good quality ) filter should do. Hoya
make some good ones. You should always keep the filter mounted to
protect the camera lens.

Jens(Sweden) said:

4) I've seen pictures taken with a polarizer filter. Looks like a
must. I'm thinking Hoya. Any recommendations?

Click to expand...

Hoya Circular Pol filter is a good choice. Do NOT go for the
cheaper linier filters.

Jens(Sweden) said:

5) How often is a wideangle converter of use? Thay seem rather
expensive. Is Oly's .8x the best bet (WCON-08 / B28)?

Click to expand...

The wide angle will bring the E-100 to 28 mm instead of the
original 35 mm. I you'd ask me, I don't think it's worth it. To
obtain a good wideangle for landscape it should go down to 24 mm.

Jens(Sweden) said:

6) Macro converter, same as 5).

Click to expand...

I don't know if there's any macro converter available for the
E-100. However, I saw some good examples by using close up lenses.

Jens(Sweden) said:

7) With no hotshoe the dedicated FL-40 flash system get's pricy.
I'd like a good flash that will also work with whatever high-MP
camera I choose when I decide to step up.

Click to expand...

I don't know any other alternatives for the E-100. Maybe someone
else know more about this ?

Jens(Sweden) said:

8) Suggestions for camera bag with room for accessories?

Click to expand...

I use the Lowe Pro mini trekker. It's a backpack and has good space
for extra accessories. I have both my E-10 and E-100 in this bag.
If you only need a bag for the E-100 + a few accessories you could
go for the micro trekker. There are many other good bags out there.
My recomendation is to bring the camera to a good shop and look
around for something that suits your needs.

Jens(Sweden) said:

Thanks for any thoughts and recommendations, Maxven (Denmark)

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Hi Maxven,

I live in the US...but I'll check...seems to me that there are a few that ship international...but the names escape me...I'll get back to you...sorry it took so long to respond.

Carmen

Maxven said:

Do you have a link to a dealer that's in the EU or will ship
internationally?

Regards, Maxven

Carmen said:

Carmen

Forrest said:

Maxven said:

3) Some say a multicoated UV-filter is a must for lens protection.
Is this true, and if not when does one use it?

Click to expand...

It doesn't have to be multicoated ... but you need some kind of
protective filter anytime you bring your camera outside your house.
If something happens, a filter costs $10 to replace, but Oly will
charge you $200 or so to fix your lens.

Maxven said:

4) I've seen pictures taken with a polarizer filter. Looks like a
must. I'm thinking Hoya. Any recommendations?

Click to expand...

Get a 49 mm circular polarizer.

Maxven said:

5) How often is a wideangle converter of use? Thay seem rather
expensive. Is Oly's .8x the best bet (WCON-08 / B28)?

Click to expand...

Wide angle shots generally need a lot more pixels than tele shots,
because you have several subjects inside the frame.

Maxven said:

6) Macro converter, same as 5).

Click to expand...

If you like photographing really tiny things that are too small for
your lens to focus on as-is, get a set of 49 mm close-up filters
for about $30.

Maxven said:

7) With no hotshoe the dedicated FL-40 flash system get's pricy.
I'd like a good flash that will also work with whatever high-MP
camera I choose when I decide to step up.

Click to expand...

Do they make a flash that will keep up at 15 fps?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...