Olympus E-10 FS/FT for 300D - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

07/10/2005 12:07:51 AM · #1

I have an Olympus E-10 in excellent condition that I'd like to sell or trade for a 300D in good condition to backup my current Rebel. This E-10 comes with a 128M CF card, neck strap, wireless remote, and a Digipower DPS-9000 rechargeable battery that I have been using with it. The camera can take AA's or rechargeable AA's, but the DPS-9000 stomps them all. The battery also has an LED gauge to let you know the current power level, and you could easily shoot all day and then some without running out. Also included is a Vivitar 2000 flash gun. The flash also comes with a PC cord, and the camera has the connector for that as well. Both the PC connector and hotshoe are voltage regulated and able to handle those hotter flashes (my Vivitar 2000 is one at 208V last time I measured it.) The flash can tilt up to 90 degrees for bouncing off walls and the ceiling.

Specs on the camera include amazing build quality- you simply will not find a more solidly made DSLR on the market today. The heft and weight allows for steadier hand holding at slower shutter speeds as well. The lens is a 4x, 35-140 F2.0-F2.4 ED lens, non-removeable so you never have to worry about dust on the 2/3" 4-megapixel sensor. It has a manual zoom ring, and electronic focus ring. This is a great lens, and lets in a lot of light for some really wonderful available light pictures. Which is a good thing, because the camera has one flaw. Something is keeping the flash from firing with the right timing. The preflash fires fine and the camera meters fine, but then the real flash never fires. It was like this when I received the camera, which I got from work about 4 months after its original warranty had run out so I never sent it in. If you think of the camera as being like the E-1 for example, which has no built in flash at all, then it's not a problem. What I did was buy the Vivitar 2000 flash and use it in M mode when I do need extra light, which works great. An Oly FL-20/40/50 flash should work fine with the camera. The lens has always been protected by a UV filter. Also, this is the DSLR camera that doesn't have a mirror to make racket, and can be operated silently (although I always used the phony click sound, myself. :) If you want to take discreet candids silently, this could be your camera. I used it last summer to take pictures at my brother's outdoor wedding, including a few during the vows. His fiance's mom had insisted noone take pictures during the vows for some reason, and had no idea that I did until after I sent them prints. (I heard she was happy to have pictures of the moment after all.)

The firmware version is 1.30 which has the hot pixel remapping function. I think the latest available is 1.33 however, but I don't know what that firmware does that mine doesn't already. It may even correct whatever is wrong with the flash timing, I don't know.

The camera was originally purchased by my work, and barely used at all. It had about 117 exposures when I got it. Camera has 7054 exposures on it and has been well taken care of. Very detailed info about the camera can be seen at the various review sites like DPR where it got a Highly Recommended rating.

I would like to get a 300D for my wife to use and as a backup to my own. If someone has a really clean well-taken-care-of 300D that they aren't using and would like to have a solid camera with a great lens instead, this is the one you want. The lens alone, if it were available by itself, would probably be worth more than a DReb.

Here's a page with some pictures of and by the camera to show:
//www.mutantsoup.com/ebay/e10.html

I'm asking for $400 for everything (or another 300D :)

Thanks for looking, Dan

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

07/10/2005 06:17:10 AM · #2

Dan, you might want to check out this thread:
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=237815

Message edited by author 2005-07-10 06:17:18.

07/10/2005 11:29:22 AM · #3

Yeah, I answered on that thread yesterday. If she wants a point n shoot, she won't be happy with the E-10-- it's a real DSLR (just with a fixed lens). :)

deapee

Kodak V803

07/10/2005 11:34:46 AM · #4

Why not sell that outright, and save up for a 20d body only, then use the 300d for a backup? I think if you're really serious about photography, that would be the best option.

07/10/2005 11:42:58 AM · #5

Hi Dave,
You assume that I have a wife would would allow such a foolish expenditure as a $1200+ camera. :P Nah, I am perfectly happy with this 300D that I bought from you, and would like to get a second as both backup and for her to use, as well as to focus on a single system. I've always had Canon cameras, with the exception of the Oly, so like my 420EX flash can work on both the Rebel and my Pro1 but not on the Oly obviously, as well as any other accessories I eventually buy.

Dan

deapee

Kodak V803

07/10/2005 11:46:56 AM · #6

Originally posted by danmurrelljr:

I got you now. Didn't realize your wife was into shooting too.

Seriously, I always drag my girlfriend along with me when I'm going to shoot something, but I'm always afraid to let her touch my camera...I'm afraid she'll like it.

Last weekend, we were driving from one spot to the next, and instead of putting it back in my backpack, I asked her to hold it...she held it up to her eye and said "wow, I really like this one, it feels good in my hands" -- I said something like 'yeah but it gets heavy after a while, plus you're more creative, so you can just use the dsc-p52 whereas I'm not creative enough, I need all the help I can get." haha.

That's good...I'm glad you like the camera...treat her well!

shuttergalore

Nikon D80

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/11/2005 12:36:27 PM · #7

E10 is a great SLR - with its very fast lens and solid build. I know this cause I have one too (2+ years old). I have the same dilemma a month ago whether I would sell my Oly for a nice lens for my D70 (primary camera) or buy a new prosumer camera. After seeking advise to several forums - they all said one thing - HOLD ON to my E10!!! I have it as my backup camera and its compatible with my SB28 flash (non-TTL)

Given thats its an old SLR, it still has features that cant be found on newer ones. Its kinda slow and noisy (on higher ISOs), but very crips and sharp on ISO80.

So i suggest to keep your E10 as your back camera. good luck and keep on shooting

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

07/11/2005 01:16:46 PM · #8

I wonder at times about having kept my E-20N. It was a sweet unit. Sold it to a friend who needed a decent camera.

As for build, I don't think there is anything quite like it. I never dropped it but there is so little plastic on that thing.

The lens is a fast f/2.0-2.4 as I recall. I went to the 20D for the speed, and low-light ISO settings. In truth, I believe that Olympus' E-20N captures more vibrant color than Canon's offerings.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

07/11/2005 01:24:59 PM · #9

I believe theSaj is right about the color produced by the E-10. I recently bought one and can't believe the quality of the pictures I'm producing. The lens and viewfinder are really excellent and you won't find an optical viewfinder in any other P&S. They are all electronic and just don't compare.

The camera does not have a pentaprism mirror and so does not make the click clack when you press on the shutter release, although you can turn on a recorded sound made to sound like the real thing. This is great if you're going to be shooting where absolute quiet is necessary, such as in theaters.

Here's a couple of my pics that really astound me:

jaxter

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD for Canon

07/11/2005 01:54:10 PM · #10

Am interested, but am wondering if a novice (meaning myself) could handle it. Any opinions on that?

07/11/2005 03:16:18 PM · #11

shuttergalore,
Yeah, it's a great camera, but I'm just not using it and it seems like a waste to not be. My wife keeps wanting to use my 300D, so I'd prefer to get another one for her and let someone else get good use out of the Oly.

It's just too bad the lens on it isn't removeable. Any idea what a comparable 35-140 F2.0-F2.4 lens would cost?

07/11/2005 03:41:46 PM · #12

Originally posted by jaxter:

Am interested, but am wondering if a novice (meaning myself) could handle it. Any opinions on that?

Yeah, I can't see any reason why you couldn't handle it. It's a real SLR camera, so is probably more intuitive to use than a typical point and shoot. Zoom and focus is done on the lens barrel instead of with a lever or buttons, it focuses very quickly, etc. No video lag like on an LCD, and much better optical viewfinder than the little dinky ones on most point and shoots with an optical VF. And the lens is very high quality.

Other than the flash thing I mentioned earlier, the only other thing about it that might give someone something to think about is the weight. It's solidly built, and weighs accordingly.

Dan

shuttergalore

Nikon D80

07/12/2005 10:53:29 AM · #13

hi danmurrelljr

what a pity, E10 is really a great SLR. It has some advantages compared to the newer SLrs today (including my D70). for one thing it has a magnesium alloy body! very sturdy and well-built. regarding the lens, im not quite sure the price of a 35-140mm F/2.0 - but since its quite fast it would be relatively expensive (say around $400?!?)

07/12/2005 07:53:24 PM · #14

Hi guys,
I decided to go ahead and list the camera on ebay.

//cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7530693007

We have a family vacation trip coming up on the 22nd, so hoping to get it sold soon and a 300D replacement ordered in time. If anyone that contacted me is thinking about buying it, whattya waitin' for? :)

Dan

07/14/2005 08:23:04 PM · #15

Less than 3 days left on the auction, still time to use Buy It Now!

As a bonus, if whoever purchases the camera says they are a DPC Forums member in the note when paying, I will include free a 62mm Sunpak UV and Circular Polarizer filter set in the protective hard plastic case. The UV filter is what has been on the camera since I got it, protecting the lens.

Thanks for reading!
Dan

07/16/2005 06:43:39 PM · #16

Less than 24 hours left to go for this camera! Don't forget about the DPC Forums bonus!

Thanks,
Dan

07/17/2005 09:12:41 AM · #17

Only a few hours left! Olympus E-10, extras, freebie bonus for forum members, reserve price is $375. Where are you gonna find a 4MP DSLR with an F/2 zoom lens at that price? People still try to get more than that for a Canon D30 body alone! :)

07/17/2005 08:45:39 PM · #18

Well my E-10 didn't reach the reserve price, although the one that sold a couple hours before went for $5 more than my Buy It Now price. So I will lower the price some to $350, and will include shipping and insurance in that. Come on, help a brother out! :) I need to sell it this week to pay for something else to use for a family vacation next weekend.

Thanks!
Dan

07/17/2005 10:56:57 PM · #19

Relisted, a bit cheaper:

//cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7531952384

Dan

07/19/2005 01:22:51 PM · #20

Bump, a little over a day left. I see a lot of watchers, but no bids yet, so you could jump in right now and get a monster deal on this fine camera!

shuttergalore

Nikon D80

07/19/2005 03:12:03 PM · #21

dan, i think your E10 is telling you something... "done sell me!!!"

hehehe. just kidding good luck!

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/19/2005 03:19:49 PM · #22

Hehe, maybe so, but I already went ahead and ordered the new camera body that this one has to sell to pay for. :) So it pretty much has to go.

Dan

cpurser

Canon EOS-5D

07/20/2005 10:37:44 AM · #23

Hey Dan-

You are in Starkville? Go Dawgs! I graduated in '97.

-Chad