I'm Considering a Move to Olympus

Miss Sophie · Dec 6, 2007

I don't know if it's in the shops yet, but one of my photographers has one, and yes the AF is no comparison to the old one. It's so fast that even if it does very rarely travel the whole range you don't really notice. Mind you, I've only tried it on an E3.

Dave Knadler said:
I must have missed a day on this forum. So, the focus is much
improved? No more traveling through the whole range before locking?

Thanks.

Brent Lossing · Dec 6, 2007

the dual flash for macro work - you can set one brighter than the other and achieve natural light modeling. Bill Huber and R2elk both have used this. Might want to look at the weekly closeup thread to see what is being done for others - if you do more floral work there was a weekly flower thread during the summer...

50-200 does remarkable well as a closeup lens...

Sorry - I didn't read any of the other responses.
--
Thanks,
Brent

http://www.pbase.com/brent

SirSeth · Dec 6, 2007

Just a couple thoughts, but first welcome. It was helpful to know what you usually shoot.

As far as changing lenses--I bet you will change lenses more often when you realize that dust will never be a problem again.

I've seen some really good closeups/macro with the 50-200mm and EX25. But the 50mm is stellar. The 1.4x is also a perfect mate to the 50-200mm. The 14-54mm focuses very close, but I'm not sure of the 12-60mm.

You mentioned IQ has being very important. It's very important to all of us, but I realize that people have different definitions of what IQ is. If ultra low noise at ISO3200 of 100% crops is your benchmark for IQ, then you should be looking at a 5D or D3 or wait for the 7D. Course, that would be money and weight.

Cheers, Seth

--
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?

--
wallygoots.smugmug.com
wallygoots.blogspot.com

Touchdown · Dec 6, 2007

Dave Knadler said:
Miss Sophie said:

The E3 AF and IS are both very good. Much better than on the E510. In
fact, everything about the E3 is a lot better than the E510.

Click to expand...

This should allay any doubts, since I believe AF and IS on the 510
are already pretty good. In fact, I'd suggest getting the E-3 later
when the price moderates, and starting with the 510. An ideal setup
would be both the E-3 and 510, with the glass you mentioned.

Your suggestion about getting both bodies is starting to sound real good. I could start with the E510 and get the E3 in six months or so after prices drop. Others have mentioned the 70-300 - I also think I read somewhere about a new version. How does this lens compare to the 50-200 with or without 1.4TC - it might make a terrific travel lens as it probably is somewhat smaller?

Boy oh Boy - it sure is easy to get caught up in getting new gear - I always seem to want to cover every possibility and wind up spending way too much money. If I'm not careful, I won't have enough left over for a new set of clubs. Always more decisions!
--
Thanks, Ed
Torrance, CA

faranya · Dec 6, 2007

I just got an E-510 after researching the competition (although I have older Oly cameras anyhow, so I ended up with the same brand). I cannot afford the E-3, plain and simple, so I couldn't even consider it when I was looking around. I would hope that you aren't dissuaded by any negative comparisons between it and the far-more-expensive E3, as it is a very fine camera and can do wonderful things if the photographer's eye and skill levels are a match for it. Mine aren't - at least not yet - but I'm still very happy with my results thus far. IQ is excellent. Then again, I'm very patient and tend to take my time photographing birds and other wildlife, so that helps.

Best of luck regardless of what you decide.

Brenda

TrapperJohn · Dec 6, 2007

I'll post some of my better macro shots this evening. I tried for years to get photos of the wildflowers that come up on my farm in the spring. It wasn't until I got the combination of E330, 50 macro, EX-25, and the twin head macro flash, that I finally got results to be proud of.

The EX-25 extension tube gets you closer. With the 50-200, you can get very close macro shots from a foot away. On the 50 Macro, you can focus down to where the subject is almost touching the lens. And I can't say enough good about the twin head flash. It's a little expensive - around $500-550 (but cheaper than the equivalent Canon unit), and you need another $90 for the adapter for the 50 Macro (so the twin head unit doesn't rest on the moving portion of the lens), but IMHO, worth every penny.

Olympus has been famous for excellent macro, for decades. More often than not, when you encountered medical macro work, it was an OM unit doing the work.

Touchdown · Dec 6, 2007

SirSeth said:
Just a couple thoughts, but first welcome. It was helpful to know
what you usually shoot.

As far as changing lenses--I bet you will change lenses more often
when you realize that dust will never be a problem again.

I've seen some really good closeups/macro with the 50-200mm and EX25.
But the 50mm is stellar. The 1.4x is also a perfect mate to the
50-200mm. The 14-54mm focuses very close, but I'm not sure of the
12-60mm.

You mentioned IQ has being very important. It's very important to all
of us, but I realize that people have different definitions of what
IQ is. If ultra low noise at ISO3200 of 100% crops is your benchmark
for IQ, then you should be looking at a 5D or D3 or wait for the 7D.
Course, that would be money and weight.

Cheers, Seth

--
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?

--
wallygoots.smugmug.com
wallygoots.blogspot.com

Your info about the 1.4TC and the 25ET is very useful. These two tools just add versitility to a three lens line-up.

I'm not a big fan of using super high ISOs in low light. I perfer to use flash in most cases. However, I will do low light when it's the only alternative. I tend to crop most of my pics to one degree or another and I enjoy looking at my pics on my computer. Most of my prints are small - I occassionaly go for a larger print but not very often. I usually sharpen my pics to suit my taste. I don't consider my self to be pixel-peeker - I just like sharp good quality images that are reasonably noise free. I wouldn't exspect any problems with noise as long as Oly's images sharpen up nicely in PP.
--
Thanks, Ed
Torrance, CA

RktMan · Dec 6, 2007

Ed,

In regards to your 70-300 question....

I have both the 50-200 and 70-300 and an E-510. I mostly photograph model airplanes in flight, however I practice on birds as well. I really like the 70-300 in combination with the IS on the E-510 body. To me (just my opinion), the 70-300 is easier for me to hold steady for this type of shot and just feels good in my hands. Of course the 70-300 is not as fast as the 50-200, but I shoot in pretty good light most of the time. If you want to save even more money, start with the E-510 body and add the 70-300. It is 1/2 the price of the 50-200. This will leave you with enough money for the clubs and maybe even a trip to a real nice course!

Jim

Bob tucker · Dec 6, 2007

Hi Ed.I like you came over from canon i only had a Rebel XT.At first my Oly was a

E300 witch i still have.The i bought a E-330 because of the live view witch works great.My latest a Demo E-1 really brand new and my 14-54 is a fantastic combination.The E-1 might be four years old and a tad slower to auto focus but i love it.It's only 5MP's here's a picture i shot with the E-1 and 14-54 using my FL36 and a sto-fen omni bounce it was shot at 54mm witch is 108mm I/100th F11 ISO-100 bounced.It's not a stellar shot or anything it just show how close you can get with the 14-54.The new 12-60 will focus a little closer i've heard.By the way i was born in torrance ca.And lived in Hermosa beach but im in missouri now lol.It's a small world really.Cheers Bob.

Former Marine Semper Fidelis { Always Faithful}
From 1957 to 1960

Touchdown · Dec 6, 2007

Bob tucker said:
Hi Ed.I like you came over from canon i only had a Rebel XT.At first
my Oly was a
E300 witch i still have.The i bought a E-330 because of the live view
witch works great.My latest a Demo E-1 really brand new and my 14-54
is a fantastic combination.The E-1 might be four years old and a tad
slower to auto focus but i love it.It's only 5MP's here's a picture i
shot with the E-1 and 14-54 using my FL36 and a sto-fen omni bounce
it was shot at 54mm witch is 108mm I/100th F11 ISO-100 bounced.It's
not a stellar shot or anything it just show how close you can get
with the 14-54.The new 12-60 will focus a little closer i've heard.By
the way i was born in torrance ca.And lived in Hermosa beach but im
in missouri now lol.It's a small world really.Cheers Bob.

Former Marine Semper Fidelis { Always Faithful}
From 1957 to 1960

WOW - what a beautiful pic. I'm impressed as that is the sort of pic I like.

It really is a small world.

--
Thanks, Ed
Torrance, CA

rovingtim · Dec 6, 2007

from the E400's long kit lens (40-150). Oly lenses really are superb.

Bobby J · Dec 6, 2007

buy the E-510 two lens kit, which at the present time is absurdly cheap. I haven't read the other comments on this post, but after looking at your post I can tell you that if you start dumping the Canon equipment, you are going to take a BATH! Get the 510 two lens kit. It's cheap and will introduce you to Oly. It is an excellent camera...I have one and I am quite pleased with it and while the kit lenses aren't as good as the best Oly lenses, they are pretty darn good.. It will give you a chance to compare images between the systems. If you like the Oly THEN dump the Canon. At that point you could upgrade to the E-3 and whatever lenses you would want and perhaps one of the Oly strobes. You could use the 510 as a backup for the E-3. You MIGHT have enough money left to buy your golf clubs. But that will most likely increase your frustration.
--
BJM

Touchdown · Dec 7, 2007

Hi all

I really appreciate all the sound advice I received about my potential move to Olympus. I'm absolutely convinced I'd be happy with an Oly system; however, moving over at this time would be a lot of work. I've decided to defer any final decision until next year - who knows - Oly's prices on the E3 and SWD lenses might drop by then.

I've decided to sell some of my seldom used gear now and use the proceeds to buy a new set of golf clubs.
--
Thanks, Ed
Torrance, CA

lloyd007 · Dec 7, 2007

My uncle custom builds golf clubs. It's amazing how much people will pay for a metal rod with a bigger bit of metal or wood on the end... Lets just say my uncle will never be hurting for money as long as he keeps doing what he's doing...

My experience with golf is mini...

Touchdown · Dec 7, 2007

lloyd007 said:
My uncle custom builds golf clubs. It's amazing how much people will
pay for a metal rod with a bigger bit of metal or wood on the end...
Lets just say my uncle will never be hurting for money as long as he
keeps doing what he's doing...

My experience with golf is mini...

What you say is so true; however, my clubs are over ten years old and technology has left my current clubs behind.

Unfortunately, I'm addicted to golf just like I'm addicted to photography. I must have a serious bunch of character flaws that are beyond fixing.
--
Thanks, Ed
Torrance, CA

mujana · Dec 8, 2007

I know the feeling....moving to Olympus I mean.

At the same time...I've almost made my choice...I'm moving from Nikon (via Sony)to Olympus E-3....I just (and that's the final test before bying)...have to hold this cam in my hands (not so strange is it

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I'm Considering a Move to Olympus

Miss Sophie

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SirSeth

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Touchdown

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faranya

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TrapperJohn

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