Olympus Evolt Series

[JoeDif]

I'm also going to practice! It's a cloudy day today and I'm going to go play with some different settings.

Cloudy is actually a great time to shoot. Things don't get "washed out" as they sometimes do in sunlight. Try using Aperture Priority, and set your WB to cloudy. See what transpires.

Contrary to what seems logical, bright mid day sun may be one of the worst times to shoot. As Linda pointed out, cloudy diffused light makes for great lighting conditions.

Definitely check out the monthly assignments. It's great practice and we all learn a thing or two

 

[JoeDif]

Holiday Rebates

 

[JoeDif]

After much research and continually going back and forth I just purchased a new lens from Adorama. My original thought was to go for the Oly 70 - 300 with the $100 rebate. I also was thinking of replacing the 14-42 kit lens with the 14 -54 f2.8-3.5 lens. However after a few days of research I decided on the Sigma 18 - 50 f2.8 lens. The constant f2.8 throughout the entire focal length is what finally sold me over the 14 - 54.

I'll post some samples once it arrives and I get a chance to use it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Good for you, Joe. Let us know how it goes. I'm deciding something similar between the f/2.8's (either the FL you got or the 50-200). I know Sigma is now making a 70-200 also. Decisions, decisions. I recently had the chance to buy all of someone's Oly pro gear, but had to pass, too much going on right now. My kitchen is torn apart as we speak. I am way backed up with pictures.

 

[JoeDif]

I came a click away from ordering the E30 but I just know I'll be kicking myself when the E40 or E4 comes out in 2010 so I'm going to hold off on a new body for the time being

One of the reasons I didn't get the 70-300 is because in the back of my mind I'm still thinking 50 - 200 or as you mentioned the sigma 70 - 200

 

[Pugrpooh]

I haven't really looked at other brands of lenses. Does the Sigma communicate as well with the camera as the ZD lenses? I've pretty much decided my next lens will be the 50 f/2.0. I think I will really like the macro shots plus have the larger aperture, although I'd like a wider view.

I do have the 25mm pancake and I really like the pictures I take with that. Sometimes I break out my 50 f/1.8 OM but I'm not good at manual focusing. Here's one though that came out pretty good that I took of one of our last roses of the season, taken wide open.

And here's one of my dog waiting for some turkey to fall to the floor on Thanksgiving taken with the 25mm wide open.

But like you, Pea, we're doing some work around the house so a lens will have to wait for a bit.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Pug, I picked up my first Sigma this year, a 25mm f/1.8, as a fluke, ie wasn't looking for it (guy I was buying flash from sold it to me), and it's become just about my favorite lens. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Feels absolutely solid (and heavy!).

The problem with the longer focal length f/2.8s is that they're only a couple of hundred dollars apart, but reviewers rate the Zuiko *slightly* higher over the Sigma. When Oly has their rebates, it makes it kind of a no brainer to go with the Zuiko (IMO). Unfortunately, even with rebate, both of them are up in the $1K range. It'd be nice to find a used one but they seem to be keepers so they're hard to find used.

 

[JoeDif]

From what I've read the Sigma lenses seem to be solid lenses. The only iffy one might be the 30mm F1.4 which will either be very good or suffer from focus issues depending on the individual lens.

But as Linda stated if it is a choice between the Sigma or Zuiko lens i'll pick the Zuiko all the time.

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

Hello everyone~!
I am new to the photography boards and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this camera... I was looking awhile back to upgrade to an advance point and shot, however I think that I just want to go ahead and make the leap to an entry level DSLR. I am not interested in professional photography, just something as a hobby and to use for my children in their football games and track meets, etc...

Any help you can provide would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JoeDif]

Hello everyone~!
I am new to the photography boards and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this camera... I was looking awhile back to upgrade to an advance point and shot, however I think that I just want to go ahead and make the leap to an entry level DSLR. I am not interested in professional photography, just something as a hobby and to use for my children in their football games and track meets, etc...

Any help you can provide would be much appreciated. Thanks!

There are many different Oly DSLR's used on this thread, E410, E510, E1 to name a few. I'm sure between all of us we can assist with any questions you may have.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

From what I've read the Sigma lenses seem to be solid lenses. The only iffy one might be the 30mm F1.4 which will either be very good or suffer from focus issues depending on the individual lens.

But as Linda stated if it is a choice between the Sigma or Zuiko lens i'll pick the Zuiko all the time.

Well, shortly DH will be able to tell you his experience with the Sigma 30mm F1.4. He ordered one this morning.

 

[annnewjerz]

Well, shortly DH will be able to tell you his experience with the Sigma 30mm F1.4. He ordered one this morning.

Yayyyyy! It seems like he's been lusting over it forever, glad he got it---even if he did agree to have your trip to Disney serve as your Christmas gifts this year.

 

[JoeDif]

Well, shortly DH will be able to tell you his experience with the Sigma 30mm F1.4. He ordered one this morning.

Cool....I definitely want to here how he makes out. I'd really like to get that lens

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Yayyyyy! It seems like he's been lusting over it forever, glad he got it---even if he did agree to have your trip to Disney serve as your Christmas gifts this year.

Want to place bets on how long it will take him to start pestering me for some other camera/lens/accessory/bag?

And yes, he has been wanting this lens for MONTHS. And no, we were not supposed to have Christmas gifts because we went on that 4 night trip. Which was SO not worth it. We really only managed to pull 1.5 park days out of it, so I would have preferred to stay HOME and save the $2K. At any rate, too late now. No use pouting about it. DH has his lens (well, he will in a few days). I have my Disney Dooney purse. We'll move forward from here!

 

[Pugrpooh]

Olympus's rebates on lenses ended yesterday. I kept waffling on whether I should get one and also which one I should get, the 50mm or the 12-60mm.

Well, yesterday I pulled the trigger on the 12-60! I think it would be more versatile than the 50mm and Adorama had the best price at $695. Today it's back up to $899.99, although that price they say is with the $100 rebate which expired yesterday. So I assume the price is really $999.99. The clincher was that I could buy it with the Bill me later option and save another $20 and have 6 months to pay with no interest.

I figure I can put enough away from my part time job every week and have the full amount by the end of January. I've already got half the cost for it reserved in my account so I can pay it off long before the 6 months is up. You see, I'm trying to assuage my guilt in spending this much on a lens I don't really need.

Adorama has a used one for $649. They charge shipping on the used items, so the cost difference between used and new was only $40, so I ended up getting the new one.

If I get it and don't like it, I can probably ebay it and maybe even make some money on it.

It should get here next week sometime!

 

[JoeDif]

Well, yesterday I pulled the trigger on the 12-60! I think it would be more versatile than the 50mm and Adorama had the best price at $695. Today it's back up to $899.99, although that price they say is with the $100 rebate which expired yesterday. So I assume the price is really $999.99. The clincher was that I could buy it with the Bill me later option and save another $20 and have 6 months to pay with no interest.

If I get it and don't like it, I can probably ebay it and maybe even make some money on it.

It should get here next week sometime!

Nice

All indications are that it is an incredible lens so my guess is that you will be keeping it. Post some shots after you get it!!

 

[Pugrpooh]

Nice

All indications are that it is an incredible lens so my guess is that you will be keeping it. Post some shots after you get it!!

Yeah, that's my guess too!

 

[Renysmom]

Well, yesterday I pulled the trigger on the 12-60! I think it would be more versatile than the 50mm and Adorama had the best price at $695.

Hands down the best thing I ever bought for my camera is the 12-60. I use it 90% of the time. It rocks and you wil not be disappointed.

 

[oogieboogieman]

Cool....I definitely want to here how he makes out. I'd really like to get that lens

I will say it's an interesting lens. I've tried it on all 3 of my Olympus bodies and it seems to do better on the 410. The images with the 510 appear to be a little soft when shot wide open. On the E1 it wants to hunt for focus when used in dim lighting. I will do more testing and will post some photos soon.

 

[Pugrpooh]

Hands down the best thing I ever bought for my camera is the 12-60. I use it 90% of the time. It rocks and you wil not be disappointed.

I'm sure I won't be! I've had my eye on it, but I didn't want to pay 900 or 1000 for it, but this was a good deal and I hadn't ever seen it so inexpensive.

What camera do you have? I will probably upgrade the body after my car is paid off in a year and a half. I have no idea what I'll get, but I'm thinking they'll have the successors to the E3 and the E30 by then.