paul mitchell

<p>Hi there,<br>

As a lapsed OM (film) user considering a return to the fold could you let me know which raw converter/editing software works best with Olympus 43 camras? Is the supplied software up to the job or do I need to budget for some third party software along with my prospective camera purchase?<br>

Many thanks</p>

<p>Hi, I've owned and loved both of these lenses too but have got to agree with Steve Lane "The 100/2.8 is a wonderful compact lens, and everything the OM system stands for in terms of portability". It was the sharper of the two (just), used 49mm filters and was one of my favourite Zuikos. If I could find one for a good price I'd buy another to fill out my now reduced Olympus set-up!</p>

<p>I've have owned and used both systems for a number of years (not simultaneously), and also think it's worth considering the lenses. For each of my favourite focal lengths (24, 35, 50 and 100mm f2.8's) the Olympus lenses were nicer to use and sharper.</p>

My 28mm f3.5 Zuiko was given to me for nothing but it is a fantastic little lens and one of only three I kept for my OM film camera when I went (partially) digital. I like it even more than the 28mm f2.8 I used to own. I would definitely recommend it as value-for-money purchase.

The 18-200 VR lens I owned was sharper than both the 18-70's I've tried and at least as good as my Tamron 17-50/2.8. I was never disappointed with it but eventually sold it to fund a macro lens. Nearly new examples are quite common on ebay & I'd recommend that route. If it doesn't suit you: sell it on. You won't lose much.

I am considering buying an adaptall mount to fix my MF Tamron 90mm macro onto

my D80. I know I will lose autofocus and matrix metering, but does anyone know

what other funtionality will be lost. The only Nikon mounts shown on Ebay seem

to be AI. My 35mm cameras are Olympus OMs, so I'm not well versed in the

diffences between the F mount varients. Any help would be much appreciated.

Paul

I did suffer some early over-exposure with my D80, but I put that down to user error, as I was adapteding to digital photography after 20+ years of slide film. In centre-weighted I have not had any problems and even matrix metering is better now I'm getting more of a feel for the camera.

 

I'd have reservations about your proposed lens swap. Personally, I'd prefer more speed and less range, if only I cold afford it!

I'd be very happy with either. I loved the handling of both but went with the D80 (no brand loyalty to either). It's superb.

 

I'd say check out the handling of both, make a selection based on this and price and spend your time taking photos rather than fretting over your choice of kit. Both brands will be around long-term to give you development/upgrade options later if you want them.

I am struggling with a similar dilema and with additional price constraints! I liked the handling of both and have no brand loyalty issues. One factor that is too rarely considered is customer support (though with luck you won't need it). The local shop in the UK that I'll be purchasing my camera from rated support from Nikon(and Pentax) reps as excellent, and from Canon as non-existant. This will definitely influence my choice.

My 35mm f2 Zuiko is my favourite lens. 'Upgrading' from a 2.8 was definitely worthwhile for me. The faster lens is sharper and gives a noticeable brighter viewfinder image. Shame it isn't smaller though.

I've owned an OM4 for 14 years and can also report no battery drain problem. I've been told that the 'flash-ready' light drains the camera battery (not the flash gun battery), but can't confirm it as I rarely use flash.

Cheers Paul

Take just the 50/1.4 and explore your skills and imagination. If that really isn't enough, I'd take the 35/2.8 and the 100/2.8.

Snap it up! It's a fantastic lens and one of my favourites. Certainly better than the 35/f2.8 I used to own. But it isn't compact. In the UK they are still selling for about ﾣ100 (mint) on Ebay.

Like some of your other replies I's also suggest you go for the 50mm f1.8 but consider a more reliable camera body. The OM1 is as close to perfect a fully manual slr as you'll find anywhere. I can also vouch for the quality and reliability of the OM4.

The LX is a fantastic camera but I've always rated the Olympus lenses to be sharper and produce more contrast and saturated colour than their Pentax equivalents. OM2's are very highly rated and the 28/2.8 and 50/1.8 are quality lenses. The 135/3.5 is average. There are posts in the forum about many of the Zuiko lenses (with a wide range of different opinions) if you trawl through the older posts.

I wouldn't risk a second-hand OM10. I use OMs all the time and swear they are the best SLRs I've ever used, but the experiences of friends who owned OM10s nearly but me off Olympus for life. Their OM10s always seemed to have flat batteries and locked up mirrors, and I lost count of the times I had to lend them spare batteries or take some out of my Pentax to get their cameras going again. I'm just thankful I tried an OM4 when my Pentax was stolen, and have stuck with Olympus ever since. I'd recommend an OM1: a fantastic camera that I use as much as my OM4.

Great Camera. Without flash it only works in auto mode. The little red flag pops up into the viewfinder if the exposure required is outside the camera's range. I think you can download a manual from this site. http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/manuallinksmo.html

Robert,

I've used both Luton Camera Repairs and Colchester Camera Repairs. Details etc on their web sites.

Regards Paul

I recently borrowed a Tamron 300mm f5.6. As I didn't need speed it did a decent job. They are cheap as chips second-hand and I'm looking for one myself.

I'd go for the made in Japan version too. I'm very, very happy with mine. Plus advice from this forum and elsewhere recommends it.

Graeme,

 

I used to own an ME Super and hiked with two friends with OM10's. The Pentax was miles more reliable and I lost count of the number of times I had to bail them out of locked shutter and failed battery problems. HOWEVER, when my wife (honest) broke my main pentax lens and the camera meter became uneconomic to repair I switched to an Olympus OM4 and was later given an old OM1. Both these cameras are more rugged, handle better and are generally much sweeter to use than either the ME Super or my pals OM10's. I'm also pretty convinced that all my Olympus lenses (from 24mm to 200mm)are sharper and produce more contrast and better transparencies than any of the Pentax lenses I used to own, but I'll admit that film improvements through the years might be partially responsible for this.

 

I've never used an LX but they always look closer in quality to my OM's, and they seem to have an excellent reputation.

 

Go for Olympus!!

Thanks folks, your comments on the 75-150 are all appreciated and will aid my decision. I think I'll give it a go and see for myself!

 

Skip, I've heard lots of good things about the tiny 35-70 f3.5-4.5, but while I got good results at the 35mm end, I wasn't happy with the long end (and I tried two examples). I thought all the S Zuikos (that is the 28-48, 35-70 f3.5-4.5, 35-70 f4 and 100-200) were all made Cosina, as well as the zoom you mentioned, but I'm ready to be corrected. Thanks again Paul

I realise I'm being a bit of a dinosaur, but can anyone who's used

the Zuiko 75-150mm Zoom lens give me opinion on it's optical quality

and handling? The lens I've been offered looks like a late(ish)

version and is in great condition. I generally use primes and my

experiece of olympus zooms is restricted to 35-70s (f3.6 great, f3.5-

4.5 not so great).

Many thanks Paul

Hi Claude,

 

I suspect you'll get more votes for the 85mm as it's a more of a purpose-built portrait lens, and is a stop faster. However, I've owned and used both and prefered the 100mm as it was sharper and I found it to be more useful for landscapes (and I shoot many more landscapes than portraits).