Is the TCON-300 worth it?

I have been pondering the purchase of the TCON-300. It seems like it would be a great addition to the camera and I've seen the great things people on this forum have done with it. The question is, do those of you that own it find that you use it frequently or is it something that you only pull out once in a blue moon and think it wasn't worth the $500. In other words, what are the chances I'll be saying to myself in 3 months, boy, that wasn't really the best $500 I ever spent?

You all realize of course I'm just trying to allieviate some buyer's guilt so looking for someone to say, "Oh, go for it, you'll love it and wonder how you ever lived without it!" Seriously though, would you buy it if you had to do it again?

Thanks

-David

Oh, by the way, the Olympus DSLR photocritics site hit 100 members today (www.communityzero.com/e10critics). Feel free to celebrate in any fashion you feel appropriate.

Hello David,

How shall I put it ....?
Well, I have a Löwepro Nova 5 camerabad, and every cm³ is filled.

A lot of that space is taken by the Tcon-300 since I always carry it around - that's how much it's worth to me ...

Yes, it's a fixed tele without zoom, but at f/2.8 it's capable of shooting even in terrible light. The quality is excellent, and I use it a lot.

Not for "far, far away" objects, mostly for bringing subjects closer to see them from a different angle.

A lion's nose can be very interesting, but isn't an ideal subject for a macro - so that's where the Tcon-300 comes in.
And like that, there are a lot of subjects/situations where it can be used.
Of course, that depends also of the photographers interests ...
But in my case, it's worth every Euro ... ;-)

Now putting the Tcon-14B in front of the Tcon-300 ... that's the supercombo: 610mm tele at f/2.8 ...

Kind regards,
Jaja
http://www.belgiumdigital.com

David Blehar said:

I have been pondering the purchase of the TCON-300. It seems like
it would be a great addition to the camera and I've seen the great
things people on this forum have done with it. The question is, do
those of you that own it find that you use it frequently or is it
something that you only pull out once in a blue moon and think it
wasn't worth the $500. In other words, what are the chances I'll be
saying to myself in 3 months, boy, that wasn't really the best $500
I ever spent?

You all realize of course I'm just trying to allieviate some
buyer's guilt so looking for someone to say, "Oh, go for it, you'll
love it and wonder how you ever lived without it!" Seriously
though, would you buy it if you had to do it again?

Thanks

-David

Oh, by the way, the Olympus DSLR photocritics site hit 100 members
today (www.communityzero.com/e10critics). Feel free to celebrate in
any fashion you feel appropriate.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the input Jaja. I guess i won't know how much I'll use it until I get it.

Jaja - Belgium Digital said:

How shall I put it ....?
Well, I have a Löwepro Nova 5 camerabad, and every cm³ is filled.
A lot of that space is taken by the Tcon-300 since I always carry
it around - that's how much it's worth to me ...
Yes, it's a fixed tele without zoom, but at f/2.8 it's capable of
shooting even in terrible light. The quality is excellent, and I
use it a lot.
Not for "far, far away" objects, mostly for bringing subjects
closer to see them from a different angle.
A lion's nose can be very interesting, but isn't an ideal subject
for a macro - so that's where the Tcon-300 comes in.
And like that, there are a lot of subjects/situations where it can
be used.
Of course, that depends also of the photographers interests ...
But in my case, it's worth every Euro ... ;-)
Now putting the Tcon-14B in front of the Tcon-300 ... that's the
supercombo: 610mm tele at f/2.8 ...

Kind regards,
Jaja
http://www.belgiumdigital.com

David Blehar said:

I have been pondering the purchase of the TCON-300. It seems like
it would be a great addition to the camera and I've seen the great
things people on this forum have done with it. The question is, do
those of you that own it find that you use it frequently or is it
something that you only pull out once in a blue moon and think it
wasn't worth the $500. In other words, what are the chances I'll be
saying to myself in 3 months, boy, that wasn't really the best $500
I ever spent?

You all realize of course I'm just trying to allieviate some
buyer's guilt so looking for someone to say, "Oh, go for it, you'll
love it and wonder how you ever lived without it!" Seriously
though, would you buy it if you had to do it again?

Thanks

-David

Oh, by the way, the Olympus DSLR photocritics site hit 100 members
today (www.communityzero.com/e10critics). Feel free to celebrate in
any fashion you feel appropriate.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

David:

For birding photos, you need a tripod, but it is worth it. These were taken with the E-10 + TCON300. As you can see the TCON300 has allowed me to see my reflection in a hummingbird's eye.

http://home.pacbell.net/jedlovec/index.html

It is a really good deal to get effectively a 420mm f/2.8 prime lens for $500 US. The quality will not be as good as a 400mm prime lens on an SLR. In the SLR world such lenses go for in excess of $5000.

Don

David Blehar said:

I have been pondering the purchase of the TCON-300. It seems like
it would be a great addition to the camera and I've seen the great
things people on this forum have done with it. The question is, do
those of you that own it find that you use it frequently or is it
something that you only pull out once in a blue moon and think it
wasn't worth the $500. In other words, what are the chances I'll be
saying to myself in 3 months, boy, that wasn't really the best $500
I ever spent?

You all realize of course I'm just trying to allieviate some
buyer's guilt so looking for someone to say, "Oh, go for it, you'll
love it and wonder how you ever lived without it!" Seriously
though, would you buy it if you had to do it again?

Thanks

-David

Oh, by the way, the Olympus DSLR photocritics site hit 100 members
today (www.communityzero.com/e10critics). Feel free to celebrate in
any fashion you feel appropriate.

Click to expand...

Don,

Awesome hummingbird shots! I am surprised that the wings are not more blurred with a 1/640 sec fastest shutter speed.

Eric

Don said:

http://home.pacbell.net/jedlovec/index.html

It is a really good deal to get effectively a 420mm f/2.8 prime
lens for $500 US. The quality will not be as good as a 400mm prime
lens on an SLR. In the SLR world such lenses go for in excess of
$5000.

Don

David Blehar said:

I have been pondering the purchase of the TCON-300. It seems like
it would be a great addition to the camera and I've seen the great
things people on this forum have done with it. The question is, do
those of you that own it find that you use it frequently or is it
something that you only pull out once in a blue moon and think it
wasn't worth the $500. In other words, what are the chances I'll be
saying to myself in 3 months, boy, that wasn't really the best $500
I ever spent?

You all realize of course I'm just trying to allieviate some
buyer's guilt so looking for someone to say, "Oh, go for it, you'll
love it and wonder how you ever lived without it!" Seriously
though, would you buy it if you had to do it again?

Thanks

-David

Oh, by the way, the Olympus DSLR photocritics site hit 100 members
today (www.communityzero.com/e10critics). Feel free to celebrate in
any fashion you feel appropriate.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Eric:

Photos 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 13 were taken with the E-10 built-in flash. This would explain stopped wings. There are many more natural light photos at the following. Type in "calypte" and search.

http://www.painetworks.com/

Don

eric coleman said:

Awesome hummingbird shots! I am surprised that the wings are not
more blurred with a 1/640 sec fastest shutter speed.

Eric

Don said:

http://home.pacbell.net/jedlovec/index.html

It is a really good deal to get effectively a 420mm f/2.8 prime
lens for $500 US. The quality will not be as good as a 400mm prime
lens on an SLR. In the SLR world such lenses go for in excess of
$5000.

Don

David Blehar said:

I have been pondering the purchase of the TCON-300. It seems like
it would be a great addition to the camera and I've seen the great
things people on this forum have done with it. The question is, do
those of you that own it find that you use it frequently or is it
something that you only pull out once in a blue moon and think it
wasn't worth the $500. In other words, what are the chances I'll be
saying to myself in 3 months, boy, that wasn't really the best $500
I ever spent?

You all realize of course I'm just trying to allieviate some
buyer's guilt so looking for someone to say, "Oh, go for it, you'll
love it and wonder how you ever lived without it!" Seriously
though, would you buy it if you had to do it again?

Thanks

-David

Oh, by the way, the Olympus DSLR photocritics site hit 100 members
today (www.communityzero.com/e10critics). Feel free to celebrate in
any fashion you feel appropriate.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

David Blehar said:

I have been pondering the purchase of the TCON-300. It seems like
it would be a great addition to the camera and I've seen the great
things people on this forum have done with it. The question is, do
those of you that own it find that you use it frequently or is it
something that you only pull out once in a blue moon and think it
wasn't worth the $500. In other words, what are the chances I'll be
saying to myself in 3 months, boy, that wasn't really the best $500
I ever spent?

You all realize of course I'm just trying to allieviate some
buyer's guilt so looking for someone to say, "Oh, go for it, you'll
love it and wonder how you ever lived without it!" Seriously
though, would you buy it if you had to do it again?

Thanks

-David

Oh, by the way, the Olympus DSLR photocritics site hit 100 members
today (www.communityzero.com/e10critics). Feel free to celebrate in
any fashion you feel appropriate.

Click to expand...

David,

I bought my 300 after seeing Jaja's photo's. I have been very happy with the candid close ups I got at Tee ball this summer. It does have it's limitations though. Since I bought the Lipo grip, I don't use it very often. I wont pay the rediculous price for the grip. Most of my shooting doesn't require the 300.

It is a very fine lens though. Like Jaja said, don't plan on using it for far away photography. It's best for bringing up semi close things even closer.

I used it on a pee wee football game & got a few good shots, if they weren't moving very fast. The lens has to be focused for varying distances(manually).

I'm not quite as steady as Jaja so I use a monopod when shooting. I use the cable shutter release and trip with my right hand and focus with my left. I use the shutter release so I wont give the camera any more shake than possible. My right hand is helping to support the camera.
Just my experiences here.
I'm still glad I have it.
Don

David, I don't leave home without it and use it regularly. I hereby absolve you of your guilt. Bless you my child. Arm yourself with your credit card and charge on! Go for it.

Father Doc

David:

For the monetary investment and bottom-line use of the E-10, ie photographic images, the TCON-300/14B lenses should be very high on your list of 'accessories'. As Don said the relative cost is nominal. Their practical value is markedly augmented by the guidance/experience of Jaja and others who show us what is possible and how to achieve it. As with the E-10 alone, learning how to use the accessory equipment is more important than the equipment itself. Our friends via the web are better than the best manual. They make learning fun and spare us undue frustration. Buy one or both and learn.
Michael

Don said:

David:
For birding photos, you need a tripod, but it is worth it. These
were taken with the E-10 + TCON300. As you can see the TCON300 has
allowed me to see my reflection in a hummingbird's eye.

http://home.pacbell.net/jedlovec/index.html

It is a really good deal to get effectively a 420mm f/2.8 prime
lens for $500 US. The quality will not be as good as a 400mm prime
lens on an SLR. In the SLR world such lenses go for in excess of
$5000.

Don

Click to expand...

David,

That you will find out in 3 months but as the others here who have it and used it know, it is a very quality piece of glass - like the other addon Oly lenses. Can be used for closeups without being close . . .



. . . and the obvious long shot



Atmospheric disturbance will get amplified in the distant shots naturally. Hope this helps.
LesDMess

David Blehar said:

In other words, what are the chances I'll be
saying to myself in 3 months, boy, that wasn't really the best $500
I ever spent?

Click to expand...

Thanks everyone. The funny thing is, I went to the big photo show at Hunt's photo in Melrose, Massachusetts (near Boston) today and talked to the Olympus rep and he said that he didn't really like it at all saying that the quality of the images just wasn't there with the lens. A statement that doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense to me after looking at the photos you guys have posted. Not to mention that his price was $770.

David,

One man's opinion, Oly rep just the same. The consensus will be telling.....just listen and learn.
Michael

David Blehar said:

Thanks everyone. The funny thing is, I went to the big photo show
at Hunt's photo in Melrose, Massachusetts (near Boston) today and
talked to the Olympus rep and he said that he didn't really like it
at all saying that the quality of the images just wasn't there with
the lens. A statement that doesn't seem to make a whole lot of
sense to me after looking at the photos you guys have posted. Not
to mention that his price was $770.

Click to expand...

David Blehar said:

Thanks everyone. The funny thing is, I went to the big photo show
at Hunt's photo in Melrose, Massachusetts (near Boston) today and
talked to the Olympus rep and he said that he didn't really like it
at all saying that the quality of the images just wasn't there with
the lens. A statement that doesn't seem to make a whole lot of
sense to me after looking at the photos you guys have posted. Not
to mention that his price was $770.

Click to expand...

I had one and sold it out of necessity. I'd have to say that I have never been impressed by the pics from it. Every single one of them appear somewhat soft or OOF to me. This plus it's inability to zoom, and I may not buy another. It does afford some shots that you wouldn't get any other way though. I've seen 10x shots from an Oly 2100 and they look sharper than E-10 shots through a Tcon300. Another problem with the 300 is that you have to make a concerted effort to not bump the zoom in a little and goof up the shots. I almost resorted to taping the zoom ring in place! I'd like to see a macro shot of a flower, then a shot of the same framing of the flower through a tcon 300. This is all my opinion. I'd have liked it a LOT if I could've zoomed out to say, 80mm or so and in to the max. It's horrible for sideline football shots.