lee_bacsik

If it's a hoax the major news associations have been fooled as well. Read the article on Yahoo News this morning. As long as we don't have any 5D's finding Bigfoot or D200's sighting Elvis I guess it's legit.

If it's a hoax the major news associations have been fooled as well. Read the article on Yahoo News this morning. As long as we don't have any 5D's finding Bigfoot or D200's sighting Elvis I guress it's legit.

Sounds like somone's *ist off!

The old argument was that CMOS sensors used less power and CCD's produced less noise BUT with advancements in technology from both camps on both fronts it's now more of a non-issue. I would look at the specs for that sensor and not the sensor type itself.

Check out ebay Item number: 220065194617 from auction4less$...I got one of these for my E-1 and didn't expect much due to the price. Works like a charm (my strobes trigger with an 1/8" plug)! The instructions are worthless however and you have to figure out that 1) the battery in the shoe-mount unit is already installed and 2) there's an on/off switch (unmarked as to which, of course) on the side of said unit that must be on to work. Once figured out I had a wireless trigger for a grand total of $12. I was impressed that something so inexpensive worked so well for me.

I have an E-10 (purchased in 2000) which I continue to use when I don't want to put the "clicks" on the E-1's I now own (family gatherings, casual shots, etc). The lens is great and considering what you'd pay for a 35-135mm f/2.0-2.8 today it's a bargain. Yes, slow to write and review photos but the autofocus time on mine, dispite experiences by other owners, is rather good. I can control noise at ISO 320 with Paint Shop Pro X and the body is sealed so no dust! It's proving a good learing tool for my teenage son. Hey, a '68 Mustang didn't handle all that well, was lousy on gas and had few safety features but if I could find one in good condition at a fair price...

I don't own a G7 (or Canon for that matter) but if I wanted an advanced P&S to compliment my DSLR's the G7 would be in my top 2 choices (got to have the hot-shoe; kind of gives away my other choice). But saying that Canon doesn't listen to customers because there's no RAW? Gang, it's a P&S, albiet a very well-featured one. Hey, I like cars with manual transmissions. More control, better milage, what's not to like? So why doesn't GM, Ford, etc. offer every family sedan (in every trim level) with a stick? Simple, the vast majority of customers don't want one in that type of car. If it's that important they'll go with a sports car (or sport trim level) where it is offered. The comment that Canon is in business to make money, not cameras, is true...as it is with every other good, solid company out there. General Electric doesn't say "It's our first concern to make washing machines and, by the way, if we make some money for the shareholders I guess that's OK too." By providing specific features in specific model lines a company always risks alienating someone. I think Canon (and most other camera makers) have done the research to determine what will sell best across their product offerings.

F.T.K...what mode are you using for your E-1 with the 544? I only shoot in manual mode, having set the 544 to "auto" and the appropriate ISO, then reading the related f/stop. A note here, I've owned several Sunpak's, (552's/554's) and the red ISO indicator line isn't always dead-center where it should be. My current model suffers from this "misprint". If you feel this is the case, start at one end (ISO 25 or 800) and it's 3 "clicks" to the next full ISO setting (50,100,200,400), representing 1/3 of a stop. Next question, how much overexposure are we talking? Full stop, 1/3 stop, total blowout? Then, is it a CONSISTANT value? I will admit this flash does produce a much brighter look to photos than other units I've used, and I like the extra "pop' it adds. If it's consistant just dial down the aperture on the E-1 (since there's no +/- EV control in manual mode). If the overexposure is slight, I suggest getting the filter holder and kit for the 544 (cheap on ebay). While it contains numerous color filters (which I don't use), it has 2 diffusers designed to spread the light when using 28mm and 20mm lenses. Not only do they soften the light beautifully, but provide a 1/3 to 1/2 stop reduction in output, which may work for you. There's also a ND4 filter (four-stop neutral-density) which I use with the flash in manual mode, lowest power, for a fill-flash outdoors if I don't have my FL-36 handy. Long-winded reply (sorry) but hopefully some information you can use.

I, like others, have the FL-36 as my "compromise" flash. For an Auto-only I prefer my handle-mount Sunpak 544. Yes, it's a beast but all the power you need, great coverage and very accurate Auto mode exposures (and only 6.8 VDC trigger voltage). Big flash head for all those StoFen or Lumiquest diffusers you may want to add. A fraction of the FL-50 price, too ($130 US$ at B&H, half that used on ebay).

Don't forget a good case to protect and carry it all in.

Often times the PC connection and the hot-shoe have different voltage limits, so it depends on your connection. My camera also stated a 250v PC limit (my former flash measured 194v) but I picked up a Wein-Safe anyway. The $50 I spent, and the peace of mind that goes with it, is worth not possibly having a $$$ repair. I've since changed flashes to ones under 7v.

There are still enthusiasts who enjoy vintage automobiles although they're often difficult and expensive to maintain, find parts and accessories for, etc. Why then do they do it? It's something they like and take satisfaction in. And while their passion might not be good for everyday use (I don't see many '63 Corvettes negotiating snow drifts in the dead of winter) there's nothing like a cruise down main street on a warm, sunny day.

Call me old school (or just old) but I'll always want an optical viewfinder. Even EVF's conjure up the feeling of viewing through an old camcorder. I see friends using the LCD to compose a picture at arms-length, zooming to maximum telephoto and then wondering why their pictures are blurry (hand-shake; duh!). Guess we'll all have to pony up for Image Stabilization, right? No, for me I'll just tuck my arms to my sides and steady the camera as I look through the viewfinder...like I learned to do all those years ago.

Retailers like Cameta Camera sell new and/or demo equipment on ebay, often with a "buy it now" option so you don't have to mess with bidding. Sometimes you can save some $$$ (I have purchased 2 camera bodies and 2 lenses from them...a new and demo of each). As far as substantial savings, the old adage still applies; "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

If true it's no surprise. Announced release dates are often not scientific fact. Being due to "unexpected demand" is far better than "unexpected malfunctions". I have never owned any Pentax gear but having read the pre-release sneak peeks (Pop Photo) it seems a very interesting camera. Image-stabilization, dust-reduction, lithium-ion battery (finally Pentax ditched the AA's), neat processor, etc. In an $899 package it may well be in high demand.

Debbie T wrote <<I don't want to be crying the blues next Spring when all of a sudden Olympus is going downhill, and my camera is worth nothing. >> When General Motors dropped the Oldsmobile line the value of those vehicles on the road (and still on dealer lots) did not suddenly drop to zero. Nor did all those Plymouths. Likewise, the Canon 20D did not suddenly become "worth nothing" the day the 30D was introduced. Your camera will still take pictures. Olympus, while in the camera business, has as it's mainstay the medical field; specifically the endoscopes it produces (hence the optics connection). Nice to have another line to "fall back on" if camera sales slump. Ask yourself this...Sony, a leading name in electronics and now cameras, produced one of the first VCR's; the Betamax. Seen any Beta tapes lately? Did Sony go downhill when their Beta format didn't fly? No. Good companies adapt. I believe Olympus is a good company.

Debbie T wrote << The ONLY reason at the time I didn't buy the Canon XT was because the store I was going to buy at was closing for the night when I went! >>

 

Just my slant on things, but if I'm seriously considering any major purchase (and I believe today's DSLR's qualify for that catagory), have done the research, decided what's important to me, planned the budget, etc. I'd be willing to wait until the next morning to make my purchase. The store was closed? We're not talking a scarf or pair of shoes to match the handbag (no male/female agenda here since I'm addressing a comment by Debbie, just making a point). Hey, I own Olympus gear but if that was truly the ONLY reason you should have waited a day and got the Canon. You make valid points about lens availability (Canon and third-party) and sound like you had your mind made up. Canon has a long history and makes great gear. Sounds to me like you feel you settled because of a store's schedule. I can offer a couple of suggestions:

1) If it's the 14-54 you have (NOT the 14-45) you'll get a decent price for it. Supply and demand and right now the supply seems thin.

2) Look to the internet. There are hundreds of posts in this forum and others to steer you to reputable on-line retailers (and away from less-than-honest ones). Best part is...they never close the internet.

Whatever you choose...happy shooting!

I purchased a factory demo DSLR (not a D50) from Cameta. No original box but well-packaged. All cables & software were included. No visible scratches or dents. There were @ 2400 shutter releases on the unit, version 1.3 software (latest is 1.4, I upgraded) and the little plastic cap from the PC connecter was missing (I've lost them on every camera I've ever owned anyway). One year warranty, which they offered an option to increase to three at extra cost. Unit is working perfectly. I have made 5 purchases from Cameta; all merchadise and customer service has been great.

There is much more to Photography than MP's & frames per second. I for one am becoming tired of the endless numbers race. I have good solid Nikon film cameras & a good & solid Olympus E1.

 

Amen. I'm in exactly the same positiion (although just sold my last Nikon & Nikkormat film bodies & lenses at a camera show). 5 MP has done just fine for me to this point. Moving concept into production just to hit a certain date seems pointless. Olympus can rest on the revenue from it's medical (endoscope) division so it doesn't have to keep up with the Jones's in the DSLR world. Look how many cars have been introduced, plagued with design flaws just so they could be rolled out for the "New Model Year" (can you say Pontiac Fiero?).

Why do want to do this? I'm just wondering what the final purpose is.

 

//Chuck

 

I do this all the time when casually shooting than heading down to the local photo shop that has one of those Kodak photo kiosks (the machine with the big monitor that cranks out 4x6's from a CD or memory card). I take the pictures, edit them on the computer, than save as jpeg's back to the memory card. Then it's off to the store for prints. Saves burning a disk. The kiosks have limited editing features but nothing like Photoshop or other image-editing software.

I have the Zuiko 35mm. Can't beat it for the price.

My external RCA VDC88 video light mounts perfectly on my DSLR's hot-shoe. Not that there's a good use for it there (save focus-assist) but the point is I tried it and it works. I believe most modern shoe type accessories are of a standard size.

>I don't understand where Sony gets this "loser" image from; Betamax is far superior to VHS, just too expensive<

 

That was kind of my point. Beta IS superior. It's a great idea that didn't fly with the general public. Sony has the MemoryStick which, for the most part, is unique to their stuff (there have been a few other takers). That doesn't make it bad (i.e Four-Thirds mount lenses). Just because a company produces product with unique (and functional) features that everyone doesn't jump all over it doesn't mean they're doomed. I think the most interesting part of this whole discussion is how digital has changed the face of photography. In the past the talk was all about camera and lens makers (Canon, Nikon, Minolta, Olympus, Pentax, etc.) who used some electronics in their products. Now the up-and-coming pkayers are electronics companies (Panasonic, sony, Samsung, etc.) who incorporate their products with cameras and lenses. Is it so much a camera as a computer with a lens? Back in the day we could all have the same sensor; film. My, how things have changed!

>>Sony have the features which make sense<<

 

Guess the Betamax and Minidisc were learning curves.

Not sure of the exchange rate right now but I'm guessing @ $750 US. You may do better with an on-line store (B&H, Adorama) depending on their shipping costs. The E-500 is a good entry-level DSLR, and the kit lenses you mention are as good as they come (especially the 40-150) when comparing that grade of glass. I own the Olympus 35mm macro lens, also built in China, and have had no issues.