What do you think of

the Oly EVOLT E-500?
Which Camera is your favorite that does everything you want it to?

Just asking because I am going to start saving up for another camera after I get the lenses and tube for my SP-350. I was checking them out and figured I would be better off just asking here.

--
Tam
SP-350
http://www.pbase.com/tamleigh99
I don't mind the truth. It will help me learn. First day out shotting 3/18/06

There’s nothing wrong with ‘500. It is great camera. Excellent pictures and colour. I like E series very much. Lenses are excellent.

‘300 is my favourite for few reasons. It has battery grip, I can use FL-36 & built-in flash at the same time for excellent lighting and better body. It really does everything for me.

There’s a new ‘330 on the market. Little too pricey for now, but I don’t expect for long. It could be even better than other cameras.

It all depends on what you’re expecting from camera. If you tell us what are your expectations/requirements, we could hep you better.

If you’re thinking to switch to dSLR, I would save the money by not buying lenses for SP-350. Once you get dSLR, you will not use them anymore.

Cheers,
Alex.

--
Equipment list is in the profile.

http://www.korenyi.ca/gallery/v/General

and he is to blame for my buying my E-300! I don't use the on-board flash, though, ever. I don't like the look of on-board flash. The E-300, 500 and E-1's are all steals right now, and the two lens kits that are available would keep you busy for a long time. I would look at that plus an external flash.
--
Theresa Kelly
http://theresak.smugmug.com/
Oly E-3OO + some other stuff

Constructive criticism always welcome!

Thanks Akex,

I bought the SP-350 to get me started. I want to get more professional pictures. I would like to get into the more professional photography ring once I get better. When I got this camera I wanted the Canon Rebel XT it was a bit costly for me at the moment. So I decided I would start with something that would get me learning. I hope this helps.
--
Tam
SP-350
http://www.pbase.com/tamleigh99
I don't mind the truth. It will help me learn. First day out shotting 3/18/06

Thanks Theresa
I will check it out.
--
Tam
SP-350
http://www.pbase.com/tamleigh99
I don't mind the truth. It will help me learn. First day out shotting 3/18/06

My two cents worth...save your money for awhile and practice and learn, practice and learn. I have seen some stunning photos from "lesser" cameras and disappointing photos from "excellent" cameras. You will often hear folks say it's the photographer, not the camera and until you experiment long enough to find your nitch and needs I would wait. By then there will be many new updates we hope Catherine

...you’ll have to consider before buying a dSLR.

One of them is lens selection. By getting dSLR, you’re actually entering into the lens system. Lenses can be expensive, but they hold their value. You’ll be changing the bodies, but the lenses will stay (if you stay with the same system).

Oly doesn’t have that wide lens selection like other manufactures. It is slowly getting there and it is getting support from Sigma & Leica. Oly’s lenses are great to excellent in their respective classes. Kit lenses are great comparing with other kit lenses.

Lenses are sharp, no major issues with CA or other problems. Most are fast (bright) which is very important. Oly doesn’t have IS yet, but Leica is coming with one. Hopefully more to follow. Some lenses are expensive, but they are high quality. Same with other systems. Quality costs …

Also, with only two lenses, I’m able to cover all my requirements. 14-54 & 50-200 are covering 28-400mm in old 35mm world. There is new Sigma 50-500 (100-1000mm) coming soon. With my 1.4 Teleconverter, this will get me to 1400mm. Now – this is something I like …

I like the DoF I’m getting from the 4/3 system (E cameras).

What are your shooting requirements?

How often you’ll be using higher ISO? Oly is not as good with the high ISO noise like Canon, but not bad either. Personally, I don’t have problem with the noise over ISO 800, because it can be nicely cleaned. Some people prefer Canon.

Do you regularly shoot sport activities and need fast focusing and fps (frames/second)? I don’t need higher speed (focusing & fps). I’m finding that the speed is great. I can successfully catch the bird in flight or the racing car.

I like pictures coming from E cameras. Pleasing colours. Great resolution.

These are just few of things why I have Oly dSLR. I’ll suggest you to go through other dSLR forums and read to better know this & other cameras/system. Test few in the store. Take your time …

Btw, this can become costly, hehehe…

I hope this helps somehow.

Cheers,
Alex.

--
Equipment list is in the profile.

As you know, I bought the SP-350 in November. I had owned an older digital Oly that only did automatic settings at 3.2 mp and wanted to find out if I really wanted/needed to do more manual things. Obviously wintertime in New England is not the best time to try a new camera, but I got a good deal and already had xD cards. After a few trial and error things, obviously indoors, I decided the route to follow was to shoot auto and then check the settings afterward. Next week I'll be on vacation and I'll have more time to play with this camera -- no work, no housework, etc. I'm looking at retiring soon and if I feel that I need more than this camera can deliver, I'll upgrade. Right now, I don't feel that I have enough experience with the auto settings, the hotshoe, and the manual settings to make that decision. I get the feeling that you are a little disappointed in your bird shots. Don't be. I was a little disappointed myself a couple of weeks ago when I took pics of friends at a retirement party. They just didn't look clear. But then yesterday, while trying out my new H type card, and all I had to take pics of were the indoor cats, I found out my pictures weren't bad at all. I know it's a little intimidating and enviable to see all the wonderful shots that other people have posted and we want to do it too. I just figure that everyone had to learn sometime and my time will come with experience. Relax and enjoy!

Sue

Thanks Catherine
I won't be running out and buying one anytime soon.
Thanks for the good advice.
--
Tam
SP-350
http://www.pbase.com/tamleigh99
I don't mind the truth. It will help me learn. First day out shotting 3/18/06

Thanks Sue,

I so agree. This camera is really good for things that don't move. But once you get into people and other things that move. The camera does seem fast enough. It is like I need to say stop stay just like that till the flash goes and then breathe. You can't ask a baby to stay still for you. LOL

My husband races his mustang. I don't know if this will work for that. I wanted a Canon Rebel xt but I would be waiting awhile so I decided I would get started with this for now and move up once I get better. I still have allot to learn!!!!!!

--
Tam
SP-350
http://www.pbase.com/tamleigh99
I don't mind the truth. It will help me learn. First day out shotting 3/18/06

Alekko said:

...you’ll have to consider before buying a dSLR.

One of them is lens selection. By getting dSLR, you’re actually
entering into the lens system. Lenses can be expensive, but they
hold their value. You’ll be changing the bodies, but the lenses
will stay (if you stay with the same system).

Click to expand...

That's what I wanted to begin with but I needed to start somewhere. I just got my camera on the 18th so I am new to all of this.

Alekko said:

Oly doesn’t have that wide lens selection like other manufactures.
It is slowly getting there and it is getting support from Sigma &
Leica. Oly’s lenses are great to excellent in their respective
classes. Kit lenses are great comparing with other kit lenses.

Lenses are sharp, no major issues with CA or other problems. Most
are fast (bright) which is very important. Oly doesn’t have IS yet,
but Leica is coming with one. Hopefully more to follow. Some lenses
are expensive, but they are high quality. Same with other systems.
Quality costs …

Also, with only two lenses, I’m able to cover all my requirements.
14-54 & 50-200 are covering 28-400mm in old 35mm world. There is
new Sigma 50-500 (100-1000mm) coming soon. With my 1.4
Teleconverter, this will get me to 1400mm. Now – this is something
I like …

I like the DoF I’m getting from the 4/3 system (E cameras).

What are your shooting requirements?

Click to expand...

I am not sure what you mean but I am going to guess here. I want to be able to take photos of my husband racing. My kids play and more. I took photos of a friend. She kept moving before the flash and I had a hard time getting a good photo. I was taking photos of a baby and the all came out blurry.

Alekko said:

How often you’ll be using higher ISO?

Click to expand...

I don't know!

Alekko said:

Oly is not as good with the
high ISO noise like Canon, but not bad either. Personally, I don’t
have problem with the noise over ISO 800, because it can be nicely
cleaned. Some people prefer Canon.

Do you regularly shoot sport activities and need fast focusing and
fps (frames/second)? I don’t need higher speed (focusing & fps).
I’m finding that the speed is great. I can successfully catch the
bird in flight or the racing car.

I like pictures coming from E cameras. Pleasing colours. Great
resolution.

These are just few of things why I have Oly dSLR. I’ll suggest you
to go through other dSLR forums and read to better know this &
other cameras/system. Test few in the store. Take your time …

Click to expand...

I am not in any hurry. I will check out some of the forums.

--
Tam
SP-350
http://www.pbase.com/tamleigh99
I don't mind the truth. It will help me learn. First day out shotting 3/18/06

tamleigh99 said:

tamleigh99 said:

What are your shooting requirements?

Click to expand...

I am not sure what you mean but I am going to guess here. I want to
be able to take photos of my husband racing. My kids play and more.
I took photos of a friend. She kept moving before the flash and I
had a hard time getting a good photo. I was taking photos of a baby
and the all came out blurry.

tamleigh99 said:

How often you’ll be using higher ISO?

Click to expand...

I don't know!

Click to expand...

ISO, shutter speed and aperture are the 'exposure triangle'. Adjust one and it affects the others. In order to get racing photos and non-blurry baby photos, you need a faster shutter speed. Bumping to a higher iso would help, but the p&s are generally limited to iso 200 before you get extreme image deterioration. You can also open up the aperture on your camera but the p&s have more limitations than the upgraded lenses available for dslrs. Another alternative indoors is to use a flash, I am a big fan of external flash.

tamleigh99 said:

tamleigh99 said:

Oly is not as good with the
high ISO noise like Canon, but not bad either. Personally, I don’t
have problem with the noise over ISO 800, because it can be nicely
cleaned. Some people prefer Canon.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I have shot extensively at iso 1600, although I prefer to stay under 800. It is useable (contrary to the reviews), provided that you don't underexpose the shot.

tamleigh99 said:

tamleigh99 said:

Do you regularly shoot sport activities and need fast focusing and
fps (frames/second)? I don’t need higher speed (focusing & fps).
I’m finding that the speed is great. I can successfully catch the
bird in flight or the racing car.

I like pictures coming from E cameras. Pleasing colours. Great
resolution.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

The colors and resolution are the strength of the Olys. Also, you can cover the equivalent of 28-400 mm with only two lenses. You would need three with the Canons and I believe with Nikon as well. That means more money and more lugging. I don't mind carrying two lenses, I don't particularly want to cart a third.

Here is some reading I suggest that you do before making any big decisions. The purchase of a dslr is an investment in a lens system. You want to be an informed consumer, and these books will also improve your photography with your existing p&s: "Understanding Exposure", "Understanding Digital Photography" and "Learning to See Creatively", all by Bryan Peterson. He's a terrific author, they are reasonably priced (about $15 each at amazon.com) and they are easy reads.
--
Theresa Kelly
http://theresak.smugmug.com/
Oly E-3OO + some other stuff

Constructive criticism always welcome!

Theresa,

Thanks so much for the information. I understand a bit more now. You told me about these books in my very first post. I ordered them the next day. I just got comformation for Amazon that they have been shipped. I will be doing allot of reading and learning before I do anything. It is something for me to look forward to.
Thanks again

--
Tam
SP-350
http://www.pbase.com/tamleigh99
I don't mind the truth. It will help me learn. First day out shotting 3/18/06

If you are able or willing to move up soon, don't feel like you wasted money on what you have. No matter how good you get, a digicam is a great backup or one to have around when you need to travel really light.

My first was the Oly C750 and now the XT. I actually carry both cameras most of the time and they get equal amounts of use. I wouldn't want to be without the C750.

--
Andy (Critiques Always Welcome)
FCAS Member #120
Oly C750 / Canon XT
http://imageevent.com/ajrphotos

To naturally combat noise, just dial a positive exposure compensation to your metered value. If you overexpose a bit, you will naturally combat noise. How often do you shoot at ISO 1600? Unless you are just trying to intentionally push your camera's limits, I would say not that often. You'll generally be shooting below ISO 800, and even if you push to ISO 1600, just overexpose by about 0.7 and noise will be reduced.

BTW, the "noise issues" discussions are really getting old.

Regarding IS/VR, unless you're shooting with very long lenses, you don't need image stabilization, unless your technique is lacking. I can see IS/VR useful for lenses 200mm equivalent or longer on a 35mm camera. For anything shorter you simply don't need it if you have stable hands. Heavy gear helps.

Just my opinions,
Przemek

tamleigh99 said:

tamleigh99 said:

...you’ll have to consider before buying a dSLR.

One of them is lens selection. By getting dSLR, you’re actually
entering into the lens system. Lenses can be expensive, but they
hold their value. You’ll be changing the bodies, but the lenses
will stay (if you stay with the same system).

Click to expand...

That's what I wanted to begin with but I needed to start somewhere.
I just got my camera on the 18th so I am new to all of this.

tamleigh99 said:

Oly doesn’t have that wide lens selection like other manufactures.
It is slowly getting there and it is getting support from Sigma &
Leica. Oly’s lenses are great to excellent in their respective
classes. Kit lenses are great comparing with other kit lenses.

Lenses are sharp, no major issues with CA or other problems. Most
are fast (bright) which is very important. Oly doesn’t have IS yet,
but Leica is coming with one. Hopefully more to follow. Some lenses
are expensive, but they are high quality. Same with other systems.
Quality costs …

Also, with only two lenses, I’m able to cover all my requirements.
14-54 & 50-200 are covering 28-400mm in old 35mm world. There is
new Sigma 50-500 (100-1000mm) coming soon. With my 1.4
Teleconverter, this will get me to 1400mm. Now – this is something
I like …

I like the DoF I’m getting from the 4/3 system (E cameras).

What are your shooting requirements?

Click to expand...

I am not sure what you mean but I am going to guess here. I want to
be able to take photos of my husband racing. My kids play and more.
I took photos of a friend. She kept moving before the flash and I
had a hard time getting a good photo. I was taking photos of a baby
and the all came out blurry.

tamleigh99 said:

How often you’ll be using higher ISO?

Click to expand...

I don't know!

tamleigh99 said:

Oly is not as good with the
high ISO noise like Canon, but not bad either. Personally, I don’t
have problem with the noise over ISO 800, because it can be nicely
cleaned. Some people prefer Canon.

Do you regularly shoot sport activities and need fast focusing and
fps (frames/second)? I don’t need higher speed (focusing & fps).
I’m finding that the speed is great. I can successfully catch the
bird in flight or the racing car.

I like pictures coming from E cameras. Pleasing colours. Great
resolution.

These are just few of things why I have Oly dSLR. I’ll suggest you
to go through other dSLR forums and read to better know this &
other cameras/system. Test few in the store. Take your time …

Click to expand...

I am not in any hurry. I will check out some of the forums.

--
Tam
SP-350
http://www.pbase.com/tamleigh99
I don't mind the truth. It will help me learn. First day out
shotting 3/18/06

Click to expand...

Thanks Andy,

I won't be moving up soon. I have allot to learn!! I don't think I will feel like I am wasting money the camera I have now does things I want it to do. Just in the future I will want to do more.
Thanks again

AJohn said:

If you are able or willing to move up soon, don't feel like you
wasted money on what you have. No matter how good you get, a
digicam is a great backup or one to have around when you need to
travel really light.

My first was the Oly C750 and now the XT. I actually carry both
cameras most of the time and they get equal amounts of use. I
wouldn't want to be without the C750.

--
Andy (Critiques Always Welcome)
FCAS Member #120
Oly C750 / Canon XT
http://imageevent.com/ajrphotos

Click to expand...

--
Tam
SP-350
http://www.pbase.com/tamleigh99
I don't mind the truth. It will help me learn. First day out shotting 3/18/06