jtangen

To get the sharpest photos from the E3, here is what I do.

 

#1 - Always shoot RAW regardless of what Dpreview says. Oly's raw converter allows you to use tools not available for jpegs.

 

My in-camera noise settings are: NR=ON and Noise Filter = OFF.

 

For tripod mounted landscape shots, I manually focus using Live View at 10x zoom on the LCD. It allows me to dial in the sharpest focus. For those types of shots I don't trust autofocus.

 

Having the Noise Filter set to OFF allows me to capture the sharpest image possible. It also allows me the choice to apply any of the Noise Filter settings via Oly Master/Studio if I think the image needs it. If you post process in any other program, they all seem to apply what is equal to the highest noise filter setting in Oly Master. So you they will always give you a softer image.

I started out with the E500 and two lens kit. Since I mostly do landscapes the high iso issue is not an issue with me as I very rarely go past 100. I now have the E3 and am very happy.

 

I went with Oly because I was not predjudiced over brands and simply looked at features/performance for the $$ I had to spend. I'm very glad I did as more than anything, the Oly glass makes up for any lack in the cameras (which are few). I've had my E3 with Zuiko 11-22 completely submerged under water at the ocean with sand in every hinge, dial, and button but another rinsing with fresh water at home and the camera is fine. I would not expect that good of an outcome with any Canikon setup.

 

For an upcoming show, I have three 30x40 stretch canvas prints that look fabulous. At first I was apprehensive going that large but now that I've seen them, I have no issues printing that large with 4/3 format.

 

As technology gets better so will the 4/3 format, all to our benefit.<div></div>

Hi Lacey.

 

I too upgraded from the E500 and love the E3.

 

First off it feels like a real camera, rugged and professional. My E500 seems like a toy now. Since I do mostly landscapes I love to focus manually with Live View using the 10x zoom on the LCD (swung out) for pin point sharpness. In-body stabilization can't be beat. My latest trip to Bryce, Zion and Mono Lake were shot with the E3. www.jefftangenphoto.com

Thanks Ed, I'm very glad I bought into the system

Well I only know how to point the camera and press the shutter but you can see what the E3 and E500 is capable of here: www.winephoto.smugmug.com

This all works until you get the latest firmware which will disable this hack. I was loving using ISO 50, then upgraded firmware and can't get into the diagnostic menus anymore. Big BUMMER.

Luis, surprisingly it was the kit lens.

I just bought the E-500 after agonizing between it and the D50/70s and Rebel XT. I am very glad I chose the Olympus. I was concerned about the noise but take a look at my "Oakvlle Grocery" shot in my gallery. This was a night shot at ISO 200. I know 200 is not very high but the fact that it let me take a night shot this good without having to boost the ISO way up is great. Also what sold me was the 4:3 system which matches standard frame sizes better than the APS sensors in Canons and Nikons so when I make a print for framing, I don't have to whack off 2mp worth of image to fit the frame.

press the manual focus button to put it in the "manual" mode. you will see a bar graph in the display with the macro symbol at one end and the landscape symbol at the other. Now press and hold that same button. while the button is pressed down, rotate the focus dial with your right thumb until the display shows the sharpest image. Let go of the button, press shutter halfway to lock exposure and take your shot. It works best when your subject is within about twenty feet so you can actually see some texture that can be displayed as sharp in the LCD. Pratice on things within five feet or macro subjects. It's strange at first but you'll get the hang of it.