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12/03/2008 09:02:28 PM · #1 |
I finally purchased my first DSLR. And I did the unthinkable. I passed on the new Canon Rebel. (gasp!)
I chose the Olympus E-520, and it looks like I'm the first here to do so. Passing up the Canon Rebel 450D XSi was no easy feat. And maybe I made a mistake. 12MP/14 bit imaging was the single biggest draw for me over the 10MP/12 bit imaging of the E-520. Canon's great reputation, wide variety of accessories, rock solid imaging, good software, wide support base, etc. etc. were all very hard to pass up.
Here's why I chose Olympus and this particular model:
-Feels more solid, more comfortable in my hands; lighter weight
-Image stabilization built in; works with any lens
-Live view/face detection/dust reduction more highly rated than the Canon
-This will be my third Olympus camera; they haven't let me down yet!
-I have a few Olympus accessories already
-The price! I paid $619 for the camera with TWO Zuiko lenses and 8GB memory card (before discounts and shipping).
Actually, I also came close to choosing the new Sigma DP1, the "compact DSLR." I decided to wait until spring to see what the DP2 looks like. This will be my "street" camera.
I'm certainly not wanting to turn this into a Canon versus Olympus war. For some reason I felt the need to justify my decision, as it seems Canon and Nikon have quite a monopoly on the digital camera market (90% according to a poll I saw recently). And I wanted to share my excitement.
So no more late nights, eyes glazed over at the computer screen, reading camera reviews and user feedback in eight languages. And I can take a year's worth of back issues of every photography magazine in publication back to the library now. Yes, I'm an obsessive buyer.
And I'll be retiring my C-7000 Zoom soon. What a workhorse!
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12/03/2008 09:12:26 PM · #2 |
| Yo, congratulations. (I just went through the same thing, and got my first DSLR (Pentax K200) on US election day. Like you, I read everything; chose IS and weather sealing and viewfinder and heft). (Glad you're excited; I was a little intimidated by the Big Step, but now I'm sort of in wonderland). |
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12/03/2008 09:17:50 PM · #3 |
CONGRATS--can't go wrong with Olympus. I love(d) my OM2n and XA2 film cameras! I might have gone Oly for my dslr changeover, but my brother had just gone Nikon d80 after a fair amount of researching. Having the same camera has worked out well, both for us answering each other's "how do you...?" questions, but also for BIRTHDAY and CHRISTMAS accessory gift giving!! He got a battery grip offa me, and I got an SB800 offa him!
Message edited by author 2008-12-03 21:18:09. |
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12/03/2008 09:21:01 PM · #4 |
| Congrats! I hope you enjoy it! |
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12/03/2008 09:23:51 PM · #5 |
CONGRATS!!!! Honestly, I went down a similar path last year... I chose the Pentax K100D super over the Nikon D40/D50 because of the feel, different strengths in the image, and the built in IS. Plus the wealth of old Pentax K-mount lenses that will work with my camera. On top of that, the price... =o)
Haha... I'm not anti-nikon/cannon, but I also know that there's more to the camera world than just those two. (Not to say that I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a D700 full frame, or a Mark II haha!!!!) But I'm a musician first- and I know there's a lot of much better sounding acoustic guitars than taylor and martin... and for less too!
Congrats on the new gear!!!
And believe you me, even though the camera body research has ended, you'll still have late nights doing research on your computer for everything else... can I get better batteries? new lenses? filters? new camera bag? holster? grips? cute stickers or a bedazzler for the body? haha. |
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12/03/2008 09:39:28 PM · #6 |
check this thread: Lovin my Blackrapid strap!! Let the new dslr accessorizing begin!
Message edited by author 2008-12-03 21:39:52. |
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12/03/2008 10:46:43 PM · #7 |
Congrats :D
When I went DSLR I assumed I'd get a Rebel, since I loved my Canon S2IS, but liked the feel of the Nikon D40 better. So there's no saying that you HAVE to go with, or stick with, any one brand!
Enjoy your new toy :) |
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12/03/2008 10:50:17 PM · #8 |
| I think you made a good choice. As I have previously mentioned, the E-510 was what I was considering originally, before I ran across a Rebel at a good price. |
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12/05/2008 04:09:58 PM · #9 |
Thanks all. At this rate, there may be no camera. Stupid UPS man won't deliver the damn thing! Third attempt and he didn't even ring the doorbell...
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12/05/2008 04:21:12 PM · #10 |
| Ooh. Not too late to get the Panasonic G1 instead? (Nifty flip and rotate lcd made for bvy shots). |
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12/07/2008 09:45:57 AM · #11 |
I think there is much more to be said for the feel of a new camera than the "on-line experts" will agree to. After moving to a DSLR I am sure comfort and personal confidence in a particular camera makes the amateur photographer more than anything else. Buy a camera you are uncomfortable with and you simply won't use it enough to learn your best techniques.
I entered Ritz two-years ago intent on leaving with a Rebel XT. I had read a few reviews and found its small size and light weight an issue with some so I asked the clerk to mount a long lens and played with it. It was simply uncomfortable for my hand size. The Nikon D-70s felt more substantial in construct and balance with a variety of lenses and I still enjoy it today (though the wife wishes she never heard of a D3oo or D700 by now!).
Congrats on your selection! Now, go out there and wear that sucker out. |
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12/07/2008 10:02:10 AM · #12 |
Personal preference will win over "expert" reviews every time! When you are comfortable with your camera, you'll USE IT!!!! :) Enjoy the new toy, learn all the things is can do and congrats!!!!
(Mmmm, still don't know all the stuff my 40D can do yet, lol!) |
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12/07/2008 10:17:21 AM · #13 |
My first DSLR was also an Olympus. I went with the E300, moved up to the E1 a bit later. Olympus makes fantastic cameras and they have a decent lens line. The third party manufacturers had not made the commitment to the 4/3 format until recently. I dont think what you did was unthinkable. Camera selection is a different process for everyone. You have to go with what fits three things.
1. Budget
2. Style
3. Your hands
Matt
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12/07/2008 10:50:49 AM · #14 |
Welcome to the dark side lol.
I like my Olympus and will be upgrading to something in the near future - wouldn't mind it being the E-3 but an E-520 is more realistic. Spending my money on better lenses right now. What were the two kit lenses?
Congrats on your purchase! |
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12/07/2008 10:52:34 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by lenrev:
I entered Ritz two-years ago intent on leaving with a Rebel XT. I had read a few reviews and found its small size and light weight an issue with some so I asked the clerk to mount a long lens and played with it. It was simply uncomfortable for my hand size. The Nikon D-70s felt more substantial in construct and balance with a variety of lenses and I still enjoy it today ...
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Exactly the same thing that happened to me. I had even ordered a Canon lens online and had to return it! |
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12/07/2008 03:17:58 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by colorcarnival:
Welcome to the dark side lol.
I like my Olympus and will be upgrading to something in the near future - wouldn't mind it being the E-3 but an E-520 is more realistic. Spending my money on better lenses right now. What were the two kit lenses?
Congrats on your purchase! |
Thanks! The kit lenses were these:
Olympus 14-42mm f.3.5-5.6 ED Zuiko Digital Zoom
Olympus 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Digital
The whole package (camera, two lenses, 8GB CF card) came to about $400, after discounts, which I'm thrilled with!
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12/07/2008 04:44:53 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by lenrev:
I think there is much more to be said for the feel of a new camera than the "on-line experts" will agree to. After moving to a DSLR I am sure comfort and personal confidence in a particular camera makes the amateur photographer more than anything else. Buy a camera you are uncomfortable with and you simply won't use it enough to learn your best techniques.
I entered Ritz two-years ago intent on leaving with a Rebel XT. I had read a few reviews and found its small size and light weight an issue with some so I asked the clerk to mount a long lens and played with it. It was simply uncomfortable for my hand size. The Nikon D-70s felt more substantial in construct and balance with a variety of lenses and I still enjoy it today (though the wife wishes she never heard of a D3oo or D700 by now!). |
Dude! We must be long lost brothers!!!!
I hav a Canon A-1 for 25 years....actually, I wore the first one out, and bought another. I fully intended to buy the 350D, yet looked at all the literature of the D70s as well just to be an informed consumer.
I went into Ritz, held both, and it was no contest for the fat-fingered, ham-handed guy that I am.
A friend of mine couldn't have her 350D pried out of her hand on a bet. She's also a third of my size.
Feel is everything in a camera.
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12/07/2008 05:10:52 PM · #18 |
| Canon and Nikon would actually have an oligopoly on the camera market, not a monopoly :) |
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12/07/2008 06:03:52 PM · #19 |
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12/07/2008 06:17:07 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by colorcarnival:
Welcome to the dark side lol. |
If this is the dark side, for which is the light? When I got my Nikon someone said, welcome to the dark side. But Nikon and Olympus are not the same are they? Does that mean Canon is the light side and everything else is the dark side? Or is there a deeper more fundamental meaning behind the saying for example like the difference between garden gnomes with red hats and those with green hats? |
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12/07/2008 08:01:18 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by togtog:
Originally posted by colorcarnival:
Welcome to the dark side lol. |
If this is the dark side, for which is the light? When I got my Nikon someone said, welcome to the dark side. But Nikon and Olympus are not the same are they? Does that mean Canon is the light side and everything else is the dark side? Or is there a deeper more fundamental meaning behind the saying for example like the difference between garden gnomes with red hats and those with green hats? |
dude, you need some spiked egg nog :P hehe |
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12/07/2008 09:58:46 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by chromeydome:
Olympus has an OLYgopoly |
haha, good one! |
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12/07/2008 11:15:01 PM · #23 |
Congrats on getting an E-520... I'm sure you won't be disappointed. I use an Olympus E-1 and have to say its one of the best cameras I've ever put my hands on and Olympus just keeps making better and better cameras.
When you have the time and money to do so, I suggest testing out the E-3 and some of the other Zuiko Digital lenses. You can go to //www.prophotorental.com and find all that you'll need there at a reasonable price. I rented the E-3 from them over the summer and loved it. I'm thinking of getting one of my own by the end of the 2nd quarter of next year and possibly an E-30 as well.
Happy shooting!
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