Olympus Evolt Series

[kim]

I had both--Compact Flash and XD card written down, but still walked out with the wrong card. DUH.

This is my first SLR. I've always had a really small camera, but I was getting more and more dissatisfied with missing shots. I've been reading and looking for a few weeks now. Last night we went to a friend's graduation and I got really frustrated with my P&S. So today, I did it.

I've got to get a good bag. Any suggestions?

kim

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Some of us here use the Lowepro Slingshot bags. There are a few sizes to choose from. I went with the 100 (the smallest) because I didn't want anything too big. It holds everything pretty well and is very light. I'm not a backpack person but this is very comfortable, and swings around so you can access the main compartment. If you plan on getting extra lenses, the 200 might be a better choice. It's hard to tell online which would be best; if you can see them in person all the better.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Just curious for you new users - what made you pick the E-510?

 

[kim]

I asked some questions here on the DIS (everyone has been really helpful) and Groucho suggested several cameras including the Olympus E510 as a good starter slr. I read about them and went to several stores to hold them and get more information. I started watching instruction videos on youtube.

After researching, I knew I wanted in body IS, Live View, capability to take FAST pictures and a camera that didn't completely overwhelm me when I looked at all the buttons...---along with the price of the camera with the 2 lens kit. The E-510 got my stimulus money.

I'm excited to start learning more.

kim

 

[Code]

I've purchased the Olympus Evolt 510 today (2 lens kit). I've got SO much to learn. My battery is charging tonight. They sold me the SD card by mistake instead of the XD, so I've got to go back tomorrow to swap it. (I had the XD written on my paper when I went in...but I guess in the excitement of finally making the decision to take the plunge, it slipped by me.)

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions. I'm leaving for Washington, DC on Memorial Day with my daughter and the Honor Society at her school and I'm hoping to be able to understand enough to get some nice shots, although I may be using "Auto" for starters.

kim

kim,

When you take back the SD card, I would recommend CF instead of xD. They are faster and come in higher capacities. In my 510 I have both a 4gb 266x CF and a 1gb Type H xD card (fastest type) and the CF smokes the xD. I only switch to the xD as a backup when the CF is full. (I only have an xD card at all because that's what my Fuji F30 takes)

 

[kim]

Thanks Code! I was actually leaning toward the CF...but ....well, the media purchase went bad.

kim

 

[mwehttam]

Everything went very well today, though it did take longer to get to the camera store then I thought. DS, who is 18 months old, decided to take a 3 hour nap from 11 to 2. He never does that. At day care he only naps 1-2:30. I think DW put him up to it to make me sweat a bit.

Got the two lens kit. Will be using my existing bag though it barely fits. Tried to keep what I bought at the camera store to a minimum since their markup is on the high side. Don't mind doing that for the camera as I now have a relatively local resource to talk to in person but stuff like extra battery, mem cards and bags will be done online over the next month or so.

Battery is charging so have not played with it yet, just reading the manual. I hope to take some good pics tomorrow at our church picnic, if the weather holds up. It looks like it will be cool and the rain will hold off. I will try to post pics as soon as I can. There are some great ones on this thread so I hope to keep it up!

My big thing the next couple months is to get a good bag for WDW. Our next trip is in Aug. I don't want something massive to hold everything as I will get tired of carrying it. I was thinking something like this: http://www.opteka.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=123
Anyone use something like this? I plan on having a regular bag that will hold everything, just looking for something to travel light on a hot day in the parks.

One final question: has anyone looked at the JumpStart DVD you can get for the e-510? If so, is it any good? Thanks!

-Matt

 

[Renysmom]

Here are a few from yesterday... We have a large colony of Blue Heron's that have decided to set up home on the James River here in Richmond. My flick'r group went to shoot them yesterday. I am very happy with the results this camera is giving me

All taken with the E-3 and the 70-300 lens, handheld:

 

[Hun1]

never mind

 

[mwehttam]

Quick question for those with the E-510: when you turn the camera off, does it make any sound? Mine has a stutter type sound. It is hard to explain. Figured I would as before I made a trip to the store tomorrow (it is their late night hours).

Thank!

-Matt

 

[Code]

Quick question for those with the E-510: when you turn the camera off, does it make any sound? Mine has a stutter type sound. It is hard to explain. Figured I would as before I made a trip to the store tomorrow (it is their late night hours).

Thank!

-Matt

It is normal (the manual says so).. something to do with the IS system. Turn off IS before you turn off the camera and it won't happen.

 

[mwehttam]

It is normal (the manual says so).. something to do with the IS system. Turn off IS before you turn off the camera and it won't happen.

Thanks Code!

 

[mwehttam]

Okay, finally some of my first pictures taken with my E-510.

 

[mwehttam]

Okay, I must be doing something wrong, lol. When I added the url for the pics as I was writing the post, the pics showed up but as you can see, there are not here. I guess it would be sad to mention that I work in the software field yet I can't post pics correctly!

If anyone has any ideas where I went wrong please let me know. Thanks!

-Matt

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Nice, Matt. How did you like using the camera?

I think you have to wrap image brackets around your url using the mountain icon above.

If you're talking about the vibration sound, I thought it was from the dust removal system which happens both when you turn the camera on and off.

 

[mwehttam]

The funny thing is I did, lol. As I did it, the pics showed up but when I previewed as well as posted, just the urls show. Odd.

 

[mwehttam]

Well I figured out what was wrong with my picture URL that was causing the pictures not to show in my post. When I copied the link form flickr is added ?v=0 after the .jpg. As soon as I removed it the pictures came up. Odd but at least it is working! Woohoo!

-Matt

 

[tashasmum]

Thought I would post a few disney related E510 pictures

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Beautiful, tahasmom!

I had a question for you, and for others too. I was wondering how you use your settings, especially in bright sunlight?

Do you:

Go down a stop on exposure comensation to improve highlights?

Do you turn noise reduction or IS off?

Do you shoot in RAW?

I've been experimenting and wondering about this.

Thanks.

 

[tashasmum]

My Routine is

always check the histogram and then adjust exposure to stop blowing highlights.

Always shoot RAW and then develop in Adobe Lightroom

NR is permanently off - don't like the results with it on

always leave IS on

more often than not use Vivid Setting.

What settings do you use