Olympus Evolt Series

[JoeDif]

So I picked up an Oly OM 50mm 1.8 tonight on Ebay!! All I need now is the adapter and I'm in business

 

[Pugrpooh]

So I picked up an Oly OM 50mm 1.8 tonight on Ebay!! All I need now is the adapter and I'm in business

Congrats! I got mine off of ebay too. I bought the adapter from Fotodiox - it got good reviews and was a lot cheaper than the Olympus brand.

I dug out my 50mm last night to try it out again, but I couldn't find my adapter. I always kept it on the lens, but it's not there anymore.

There are some adapters on ebay that have an AF chip in them (I think that's what they're called). They give a signal when the subject is in focus. I've been thinking of looking into those, and if I can't find my adapter, I'll definitely do that.

There is a very shallow depth of field with this lens. I was taking shots of my pug and either his face would be in focus and his ears would be blurry or vice versa. And you know pugs' faces are pretty flat.

One tip - if you take a lot of test pics to try out the lens, write down the aperture and shutter speed and anything else you want to remember. I've taken so many to see the differences in aperture and then when I look at them on my computer, I can't remember which aperture, etc. I used.

I did try live view with it, but I didn't seem to have any better luck focusing that way.

What I don't like about it is that it's basically a 100mm lens and I found that's not wide enough in a lot of situations. But it was so cheap I can live with its shortcomings.

 

[JoeDif]

Thanks for the tips Lynn. I figured what I paid including what an adapter will cost is a fraction of a new prime so I'd give it a chance.

I did see those AF chip adapters but for now I'll probably just get the non chip one and play around with manual focusing. If anything else it will be a good learning experience.

 

[oogieboogieman]

Went to lake to take some photos of birds, but no birds today. I need to be looking down, instead of up in the trees, when the weather starts to warm up.
E-1,70-300

 

[oogieboogieman]

I am attempting RAW w/ Olympus software that came with camera. I like how the RAW files look but so far I HATE the software.
Here's one from today...

 

[JoeDif]

I am attempting RAW w/ Olympus software that came with camera. I like how the RAW files look but so far I HATE the software.
Here's one from today...

Really sharp image and good color!!

I agree with you about the Oly Master software. I gave it up and use Raw Therepee right now. It is better than Master and it's free. I'm looking into other alternatives also.

 

[oogieboogieman]

Some I took back in October in RAW format, but didn't know what to do with them.

Olympus 410 w/ 70-300.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

obm, glad you're enjoying your new camera.

I didn't like OM until this past round (from my trip). I still don't LOVE it, but it does a decent job. I'm really amazed at some changes in my photography since I stopped worrying so much about exposure compensation.

I've been taking pics of son's indoor baseball which has been a challenge - between the bad lighting, movement, and distance, I haven't been getting much that's good. Until yesterday. I knew I had the right shutter speed, but in trying to get pics lighter, I was slowing shutter speed, hence blur. So I stuck with the right shutter speed, kept them underexposed (RAW), but in pp was able to boost EC and they came out pretty well! Yeah, finally! I had a few that were really fast movement that were blurry, but I should have probably adjusted ss for those. Will try again today.

Which brings me to a question. I've decided that the next lens I want to buy is a faster zoom lens. Something that covers a lot of ground (so I don't have to change lenses as often) but has a larger aperture, also - maybe at least a f/2.8. I know it's going to cost me. But that's ok, it's where I'm headed. My question - where to look to get the best price?

I also wanted to mention I picked up an external hard drive (our second) last night and it came with Picasa. So I'll have to check that out. So now I have OM, Photoshop and Picasa.

 

[oogieboogieman]

Pea-n-me,
I'm actually enjoying both the 410 & the E-1. It might be just my eyes but when shooting in RAW, I seem to be getting a lot crisper images. Maybe it's just alot more details in the photos, I don't know how to explain it.
I read where you want a lens with more zoom and a larger aperture, take a look at the Oly 50-200 2.8-3.5. On other forums it gets some real good reviews. Not sure if you've seen this website www.four-thirds.org it has a matching simulation to match all 4/3rds cameras with lenses. Here's where we lost "Code" to Sony, as Olympus lenses are quite expensive. I've seen this lens for around $550-$600 USED. I would look at KEH, B&H, or Adorama.
Looking forward to seeing more trip photos when time allows.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Looking forward to seeing more trip photos when time allows.

I know. It's been difficult to work on them this week as the kids are on vacation and we've been busy with activities every day. I'm tired at night!

 

[JoeDif]

Which brings me to a question. I've decided that the next lens I want to buy is a faster zoom lens. Something that covers a lot of ground (so I don't have to change lenses as often) but has a larger aperture, also - maybe at least a f/2.8. I know it's going to cost me. But that's ok, it's where I'm headed. My question - where to look to get the best price?

I also wanted to mention I picked up an external hard drive (our second) last night and it came with Picasa. So I'll have to check that out. So now I have OM, Photoshop and Picasa.

This is a really versatile lens but a bit pricey http://www.adorama.com/IOM50200S.html

Of course there is always this one but I believe it also comes with divorce papers http://www.adorama.com/IOM90250.html


It seems like all the major online sites are comparable as far as price on the oly lenses right now.

 

[oogieboogieman]

This is a really versatile lens but a bit pricey http://www.adorama.com/IOM50200S.html

Of course there is always this one but I believe it also comes with divorce papers http://www.adorama.com/IOM90250.html


It seems like all the major online sites are comparable as far as price on the oly lenses right now.

There's also a version that does not have the SWD that I've seen for a little bit cheaper price. Not really sure what's the difference between them, but something with the focusing motor.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks, guys. (I responded yesterday but I don't know where it went?)

I've looked around a bit and I guess that SWD = lightening fast AF (on E3). Not sure I need that I'm not that good, LOL. Just want to be able to fire off a few good shots but certainly not at the professional level, so I'm guessing the one without SWD would be ok (I saw it used for around $600+). I mean, sure, it would be nice to have. But if I can get it cheaper without the SWD, that may be the route to take. I'd bet it's fine for my needs. The only thing is, I guess this sucker's heavy, so I doubt it would be a walkaround lens.

 

[GatheringNoMoss]

Thanks, guys. (I responded yesterday but I don't know where it went?)

.... The only thing is, I guess this sucker's heavy, so I doubt it would be a walkaround lens.

I have one. Oh it is a real beauty, but I agree, the SWD is probably not necessary on the e-510 (which is what I have). It is heavy but not too bad once you get use to it.

Here is one I did @ the skating rink a few weeks ago. No natural light and through the glass boards.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have one. Oh it is a real beauty, but I agree, the SWD is probably not necessary on the e-510 (which is what I have). It is heavy but not too bad once you get use to it.

Here is one I did @ the skating rink a few weeks ago. No natural light and through the glass boards.

That's a beautiful shot, Marian. I'd be happy with that!

So you like the lens? Is yours the SWD version? Where did you get it?

 

[GatheringNoMoss]

I got this 50-200 SWD from Amazon last summer. Given the price, I wanted to get it from Hunts in Melrose, but they did not have them in stock and I really wanted it for the Panama Canal crossing. Amazon has dropped the price about 50$ since August.

However, I made these purchases (I've got the 12-60 SWD too) back when both my husband and I had jobs. However, I do still hang around select forums (this one included) for inspiration. Now if the weather would just let up, even a little!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This is typical of what I'm getting. (I have some better pics but don't want to post kids other than my own.) It's difficult indoors, shooting through not one, but two nets usually, and with lots of movement. Good news is we'll be moving outdoors soon, but next year we'll be back inside again all winter.

This is actually somewhat improved since I stopped worrying about getting the EC right in camera. Here I used the 14-42 and lightened in pp. The pancake does well, but doesn't have enough reach. The 40-150 I have to play around with some more, maybe using my new technique I might be able to do better than I have been. But I think the 50-200 2.8 would work pretty well overall for this situation, do you all think so too?

 

[JoeDif]

Now this sure looks interesting for those not wanting to put out the $$ for the E30

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/olympuse620/

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Now this sure looks interesting for those not wanting to put out the $$ for the E30

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/olympuse620/

Good find, Joe.

I'm glad Olympus is still hard at work making new and improved models.

I'm not even thinking of upgrading to anything until I get my 510 completely figured out and get more experience under my belt. It's just starting to make sense, I think I'll enjoy that for a while.

 

[JoeDif]

Good find, Joe.

I'm glad Olympus is still hard at work making new and improved models.

I'm not even thinking of upgrading to anything until I get my 510 completely figured out and get more experience under my belt. It's just starting to make sense, I think I'll enjoy that for a while.

I'm in the same boat at this point.....but it's nice to dream!!!

One feature that I really find interesting in the 620 and E30 is the ability to make multiple exposures in camera. I realize this can be done post production but playing around with that feature in camera would be very cool!!