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11/30/2007 07:17:12 PM · #1 |
I'm starting to look at getting an SLR sometime next year, so I am starting to research them.(I can't justify it until after the wife gets a new Mac, especially since I just recently upgraded to my Canon S5 from a P&S) I liked the feel and handling of the Olympus E-510 and the reviews I have read of it so far are very positive. The reviews suggested the 4/3 lens system is an up and coming standard and this was a good thing for this camera to use it.
I was asking about it at one local camera shop and the guy there suggested that the 4/3 lenses were a negative, and there is not a lot available for it. He said the 510 was a fine camera for "mom and pop", but not someone really into photography. Perhaps there is some truth to it, perhaps not. I went to another store of the same chain today, and the guy seemed to really like the 510 and says he only buys Olympus or Nikon.
Anyway, I was hoping to get some opinions and experiences with this from some of you folks, who don't have any vested interest in what I buy or who pays for the advertising. Thanks |
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11/30/2007 08:21:09 PM · #2 |
I've heard lots of good things about the 4/3 lenses. Klaus Schroiff over at photozone.de has had plenty of good to say about them, if I recall correctly he shoots Olympus himself.
The few Oly lenses hes tested on the site to date certainly indicate absolutely stellar sharpness across the frame at all apertures and focal lengths... |
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11/30/2007 09:32:37 PM · #3 |
I have the E-300. I have wondered about it since day one. The 300 wasn't on the market long before they replaced it which makes me wonder if it wasn't quite up to par. However, I have to say the lenses are top notch. They should be for the price! I can't afford to buy any of them on my budget. If I had it to do over again, I would have went with a canon or a Nikon because they have a lot of lenses available and some knock offs that aren't to bad in prices. Even if they aren't as good quality wise, I would have had a lot more to play with.
However, Now that Sigma is starting to produce some 4/3rds lenses at a fraction of the cost, I have considered staying in the Olympus line.
I'm still leaning toward switching to one of the other two. (which one? I'm still very undecided)
My 300 is really bad with noise. The newer ones 'may' have addressed this issue, but I would check into it before buying it. It will be one of the deciding factors for when I decide on my next body.
Hope this helps some...
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11/30/2007 10:14:41 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by yospiff:
I'm starting to look at getting an SLR sometime next year, so I am starting to research them.(I can't justify it until after the wife gets a new Mac, especially since I just recently upgraded to my Canon S5 from a P&S) I liked the feel and handling of the Olympus E-510 and the reviews I have read of it so far are very positive. The reviews suggested the 4/3 lens system is an up and coming standard and this was a good thing for this camera to use it.
I was asking about it at one local camera shop and the guy there suggested that the 4/3 lenses were a negative, and there is not a lot available for it. He said the 510 was a fine camera for "mom and pop", but not someone really into photography. Perhaps there is some truth to it, perhaps not. I went to another store of the same chain today, and the guy seemed to really like the 510 and says he only buys Olympus or Nikon.
Anyway, I was hoping to get some opinions and experiences with this from some of you folks, who don't have any vested interest in what I buy or who pays for the advertising. Thanks |
i like the E-500. great camera for the price. Also love that i can use my old manual focus minolta lenses on it. Check out some of the links on my profile page. |
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11/30/2007 10:17:39 PM · #5 |
I had the E-500, then got the E-510. I really like it and it's my primary camera right now. Just the two kit lenses are all I have.
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11/30/2007 10:56:02 PM · #6 |
| fyi: A current list and info of FourThirds lenses, also with price links to several camera stores. |
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12/01/2007 12:06:59 AM · #7 |
| Thanks for all the info. It looks like the |E-510 is fairly low in the area of noise. the articles claimed that and some sample images on dpreview looked similar at iso 1600 to what my S5 does at iso 400. I can live with that. The 2 lens kit looks like the way to go. I'm still looking at probably next summer at least. Perhaps int he meantime they will ditch the XD slot and make an E-520 with CF and SD. |
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12/01/2007 12:21:41 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by undieyatch:
fyi: A current list and info of FourThirds lenses, also with price links to several camera stores. |
Good info, thanks!
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12/01/2007 12:37:15 AM · #9 |
The big ones are Canon and Nikon (in that order) then Sony. The rest are really a small part of the dLSR market.
Doens't make them bad cameras, but does mean used gear is harder to find, or to sell. And less selection.
If you start to get serious you'll likely one day upgrade to Nikon or Canon. Or you could start there and be on the path of righteousnous.
Bigger sensors are better, even Nikon now agrees. 4/3 are smaller than the 1.6 crop ones used by the big 2, and alot smaller than a FF sensor.
Will Oly be around in 2 or 5 or 10 years? Who can say. Nobody thought Minolta or Konica would go away. I suspect Nikon and Canon will be here.
Look at what's best, best for you, and only then look at price.
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12/01/2007 01:47:01 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
Will Oly be around in 2 or 5 or 10 years? Who can say. Nobody thought Minolta or Konica would go away. I suspect Nikon and Canon will be here. |
Interesting point. I was working for Konica-Minolta (started out with Konica) when they sold the camera business to Sony. I was with the copier/printer side of the company, however, so it had no effect on me, except for a regrettable passing. I always considered the photo equipment to be the heart of both legacy companies. |
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12/01/2007 02:41:59 AM · #11 |
I love my E-Volt E-510. I have a lot of fun figuring out what a camera is best at and I find the E-510 to be very good at a lot of things. I have the standard kit lenses and the 50mm Macro f:2 and cannot get enough of this camera. The macro is a great lens as a macro as well as a regular lens in the slightly telephoto range. I am always impressed by the kit lenses because some of my favorite images were taken with the 40/150.
I am a fan of Olympus since the late 70's and have had quite the experiences with them. Each camera, regardless of manufacturer, has their high and low points.
I do not see a reason for Olympus to disappear. They have been around for many years and continue to develop amazing cameras and lenses as well. |
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12/01/2007 04:12:27 AM · #12 |
I got the E-500, i shoot alot of nature photos, i do have to say, I enjoy the 4/3s system alot. What i see in the viewfinder is exactally what i get in the photo. The zoom ratio is also awsome with a 150mm equaling a 300mm in 35mm equivalent** it is great for staying hidden in the bushes when you got a very easly spooked animal. It is not a quiet camera but it hasnt spooked any deer, turkey, or haron up to 10 feet away for me. I would recommend getting the 2 lens kit, the only bad thing about the 4/3s system is the specific zukio** lenses made in orientation with Olympus are Expensive, but it is defenately a plunge worth taking. Very durable camera. the only thing it lacks is a faster FPS then 2.5 which i really really really cant stress enough of how much i hate.:P but thats casue i do nature shots. Check out my collection of photos, I believe almost all were taken with the E-500 except the sunset photos and the graduation photo of the guy the frog, and butterfly. if you want to see them in full screen most can be found at www.photobucket.com username: Jimbo_for_life and the friend password: enter last but not least, i got a small documentry of a nature shoot i did just for fun, you can read it here
one other thing. go test one out. pick up an oly and then a canon, i have nothing to say against nikon, but i think canons dont give you much manual option compaired to a olympus. i played around with my sisters canon and i have to say, it disgusted me because i couldnt manually set up every feature on the camera like i could on mine. I have nothing against them. as for if they are going to go out of buisness. right now it looks as if the E-3 is one of the best cameras on the market. but either way. the lenses are available, sigma is begining to make its line of lenses for them. all i gotta say is go to the local photo shop. bring along your own xd or cf card. lay down 1000 dollars, or however much it costs. and tell him youll be back in a cupple hours to test it out. thats what i did. I ended up loving the thing. Later:)
Message edited by author 2007-12-01 04:24:09. |
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12/01/2007 09:48:40 AM · #13 |
just in case you need more info about 4/3rds, I was referred to this site when I was upgrading to my e500.
I have to agree with jimbo, I love the ease of the camera and being able to change so many things. I played with a friends rebel and quickly got frustrated because I couldn't find anything on the darn thing. I'm sure part of it is that I'm not used to their way of doing things but she also had trouble finding the stuff I was looking for. I wish I could afford (or justify) new lenses or even the new E3...that's one sweet looking camera. |
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12/01/2007 10:51:14 AM · #14 |
| A site I keep recommending again and again as far as lenses go is www.slrgear.com They test lenses in a very objective way, and they have just tested quite a few Olympus lenses for the 4/3 system. Check it out. |
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12/01/2007 11:25:22 PM · #15 |
I really recommend Wrotniak.net for really comprehensive and objective technical and hands on information on Olympus and 4/3 systems.
Message edited by author 2007-12-01 23:25:46.
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