Olympus Evolt Series

[Mckymousefn]

OK, I have a fun depth of field assignment taken from the pages of the Olympus digital school if anyone wants to try it.

http://www.olympusdigitalschool.com...lling_Depth_of_Field__EVOLT_E-510_/index.html

I'd seen this on the Oly website and figured I'd try it some time. But I managed by accident to try it sooner than later when I was shooting the same scene using different settings (thanks for the tip, Andy) and this is what I came up with, completely unintentionally. I'm going to try it again, this time intentionally, but here are the photos which I'm happy to share showing from deep, to shallow DOF.

Hope to see others give it a try and show your photos here!

Don't you just love the tips you get from the Olympus digital. Those really look nice though! Good job!

 

[GatheringNoMoss]

OK, I have a fun depth of field assignment taken from the pages of the Olympus digital school if anyone wants to try it.

I'd seen this on the Oly website and figured I'd try it some time. But I managed by accident to try it sooner than later when I was shooting the same scene using different settings (thanks for the tip, Andy) and this is what I came up with, completely unintentionally. I'm going to try it again, this time intentionally, but here are the photos which I'm happy to share showing from deep, to shallow DOF.

Hope to see others give it a try and show your photos here!

It does not follow the dof lesson but I am so pleased at how this one came out even if I cut a bit of his head off.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It does not follow the dof lesson but I am so pleased at how this one came out even if I cut a bit of his head off.

What a gorgeous photo, Marian! Beautiful lighting! Tell us more about it, like where/how it was taken.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I know the rest of you are out using your cameras, too - let's see some of your pictures!

Also, please share any "lessons" you've learned while learning.

 

[donaldduck1967]

Here are some from last year. E-500 + ZD35mm. N.Y. Aquarium.

 

[Nauf]

Marian, that is an AMAZING shot! You shouldn't be proud, you should be EXTREMELY proud! Of course, the mandatory question: what were your settings?

Pea-n-me: this is a great thread idea. I have definitely been shamed into getting out there. I'm going to try today. Its going to be a double exercise day. Not just this DOF but I also want to see what I can do with RAW.

Speaking of settings, I turned off my noise reduction but somewhere I read that when one does that, you're supposed to dial down sharpness to -2. Is this true?

 

[GatheringNoMoss]

What a gorgeous photo, Marian! Beautiful lighting! Tell us more about it, like where/how it was taken.

Marian, that is an AMAZING shot! You shouldn't be proud, you should be EXTREMELY proud! Of course, the mandatory question: what were your settings?

Thanks for the feedback. At some level it was dumb luck -- you should see all the bad ones I took!

The details. It was taken at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia this past Saturday. The caves are made of limestone and you climb about 300 steps to reach the top. It is a sacred place for Hindus in MY and is INFESTED with monkeys. The light comes from above. The sun was not out so most of the day there were lots of shadows. It was 90 degrees and humid but I had a blast in the hour or so I was there. Now I am in Shanghai with not too much time for the camera, but next Saturday I am in Tokyo with the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Hoping for at least a day w/o any rain.

Technical details:
f/8.0
with the 40-150mm kit lens at 150
ISO 400
Metered matrix
Aperture Priority

I've got a few more posted on my flickr page.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Speaking of settings, I turned off my noise reduction but somewhere I read that when one does that, you're supposed to dial down sharpness to -2. Is this true?

I've read about going to -2 on exposure. I figured out how and tried it this weekend, but the pictures came out disappointingly dark. Will have to re-read the reviewers on that one.

I'm currently trying out all the different settings to figure out what does what. I finally photographed a lighthouse I've been meaning to get to since I got the camera and I wasn't happy with the way they came out. But it was a learning experience and now I (think I) know what I have to change. I just wish the weather would cooperate a little more, my hands were frozen and numb trying to get the shots.

This reminds me of when I first got my Canon S3. My shots were terrible for a while. Really bad, blurry, dark, etc. But several thousand pictures later I finally started getting pretty good at it. I'm feeling the same way right now. But at least after that I experience, I know it'll get better one of these days.

Anyone else feeling this way?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hi All, how's everyone's shooting coming along?

I have to say I'm having a lot of fun with my E-510. I've been fooling around with exposure @ sunset - thought I'd share a few shots.

 

[Mckymousefn]

Pea-N-Me... very nice shots!!!

 

[GatheringNoMoss]

Hi All, how's everyone's shooting coming along?

I have to say I'm having a lot of fun with my E-510. I've been fooling around with exposure @ sunset - thought I'd share a few shots.

Really nice! We're nots seeing those kinds of sunsets up on the north shore!

Thanks for the share.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I posted this yesterday on another thread and thought I'd re-post it here so I know where it is.

BTW, if anyone's interested, I also started a thread for dSLR newbies. It's more of a general dSLR thread, but hopefully there'll be some good information there. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1794070

I only know Olympus but they've been in business since 1919 as a leading "glass" manufacturer of microscopes, launching their first camera and Zuiko lens in 1936. Today they are a leading manufacturer of not only microscopes, but binoculars and health care scopes and other hospital equipment.

Since their early days, ie for many decades, Olympus has been a leader in compact camera design.

Their first digital camera was developed in 1996; their first dSLR in 1997.

In 2003 they introduced the E-1 dSLR which featured two innovative firsts: 1) designed-for-digital interchangable Zuiko lenses developed in the 4/3 format (which continued their tradition of developing compact cameras, in this case making a lighter and smaller dSLR); and 2) an in-camera Dust Reduction system. In 2006 Live View was introduced on the E-300, also a first. Dust reduction and Live View are now common to many dSLRs.

Other innovations are on the horizon, such as the E-420, a dSLR designed to "fit in your pocket". (Seems silly, you say? That's what was said about Dust Reduction and Live View as well.) Panasonic and Sigma are also making 4/3 lenses now in addition to Zuiko, so selection, availability and price have improved. And lastly, there are several very active Olympus SLR and 4/3 forums around, too.

 

[Code]

Great shots Pea-n-Me, I hope you enjoying the 510 still... I love the pier shot, and the last sunset shot in that post.

I think Code mentioned earlier he had an extra lens or two that he enjoys.

The lenses I have beyond the 2 kit lenses are the Olympus Zuiko 11-22mm f/2.8-3.5 and the Sigma 30mm f/1.4.

I bought the 11-22 f/2.8-3.5 used for $600 and it is a FANTASTIC lens, and an even better value when you compare to other brands fast wide zooms ($1250+). Also, image stabilization isn't available in any brand's wide lenses so the fast wide angle + in-body stabilization is a really awesome combo. Image stabilization isn't as effective in general at the wide end but still about 2/3rd to 1 stop advantage which is definitely significant. I have sharp shots down to 1/2 sec handheld Here is an example of a 1/2 sec shot, along with a some other 11-22 shots from our January trip, mostly stuff I've already posted elsewhere (picture of the day thread, my trip report, etc)...

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 has gotten very popular on this board, and I love it. (Paid $400 new) It is definitely my most used lens as I like to shoot our evening family gatherings in natural light. My copy had a significant front-focusing problem (common in this lens) that I didn't notice at first, but after a trip to the factory is works well. This is another lens that really benefits from in-body image stabilization, as there is no such thing as a stabilized prime in any system. Some more samples, stuff I've already got uploaded...

I was recently pondering if I was going to stick with 4/3rds for the long haul and decided that I was, but my goal before our next trip is to upgrade to the E-3 (working hard on the DW for this one ). Also I have a wish list of lenses, it goes like this:

• Olympus 50-200 f/2.8-3.5, ~$625 used
• Macro lens, either Olympus 50mm f/2.0 or Sigma 105mm f/2.8, ~$325 used
• Olympus 14-54 f/2.8-3.5, ~$300 used
• Lensbaby for 4/3rds, $384 new

Also looking to get an Oly FL-50 flash

There are hundreds of pics from our Sept 07 trip in my trip report (link in my sig), and hundreds more to come from that trip and Jan 08.

 

[oogieboogieman]

Code, the photos are great! I went looking for a Sigma 30mm 1.4 and found 2 instock at a local camera store. I ended up trying out both and each one had issues with being out of focus. The salesman mounted my camera on a tripod to make sure there wasn't any movement from the camera or from me. The issue was the lens. I've noticed people say they have had to send the lens back for repair. This is a silly question but, do you have to send your camera with the lens for recalibration? I don't understand. I don't have any focusing problems with the kit lenses. Maybe I've misunderstood. Thanks

 

[Code]

Code, the photos are great! I went looking for a Sigma 30mm 1.4 and found 2 instock at a local camera store. I ended up trying out both and each one had issues with being out of focus. The salesman mounted my camera on a tripod to make sure there wasn't any movement from the camera or from me. The issue was the lens. I've noticed people say they have had to send the lens back for repair. This is a silly question but, do you have to send your camera with the lens for recalibration? I don't understand. I don't have any focusing problems with the kit lenses. Maybe I've misunderstood. Thanks

I did NOT have to send my camera body with the lens for recalibration. The Sigma factory sent a CD back that had their properly calibrated test images on it, and I saw from the EXIF that they used an E-330 to test with, but it is perfectly calibrated on my 510 now too.

If you are testing them at the store, take along a focus test chart (good one @ focustestchart.com) and take the test shots at a 45 degree angle to the chart with a tripod. Be sure it is focusing on the center of the chart and not using a different focus point or anything.

Mine was front-focusing by about 6-8cm from a few feet away on about 4 out of 5 of my test shots before I had it repaired.

 

[oogieboogieman]

Code, Thanks for the reply. I guess after I thought about it would have been silly to send the camera and lens for recalibration when there's no problem with the camera itself. I have really wanting that lens. Must convince DW she needs this for Mother's Day. Thanks

 

[Goofy4Disney!]

I have the E-500 and love it. I am, by no means, a professional photographer, or even a really good amateur one lol, like some on this board, but I have fun with it, and it really takes some really good photos. I'm enjoying learning on it. My first dSLR as well.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Really beautiful shots, Code. I'm going to have to look into that lens too.

 

[Renysmom]

Well some bad news... I still can't "officially" post pictures to this thread because I have the E330 not the E510..

Well some good news.. I still won't be able to post picture here "officially" ever because I just ordered my E3 and the 12-60 lens from B & H. Should be here Wednesday.

I knew you all would understand my excitement, even my DH didn't get it as he handed me the credit card.. Will post as soon as I get the camera in my hands...

 

[Code]

Well some bad news... I still can't "officially" post pictures to this thread because I have the E330 not the E510..

Well some good news.. I still won't be able to post picture here "officially" ever because I just ordered my E3 and the 12-60 lens from B & H. Should be here Wednesday.

I knew you all would understand my excitement, even my DH didn't get it as he handed me the credit card.. Will post as soon as I get the camera in my hands...

I definitely understand your excitement.. Oh so jealous!! I'm definitely upgrading to the E-3 before our September trip, just hoping the price comes down a bit between now and say July-ish, though I will probably stick with my 11-22 rather than get a 12-60 (simply because of the cost). Can't wait to hear your impressions and see some shots!