dennis_gardner

Hi Frank,

 

Did you get your camera updated? If not, try this. Don't open Master, set USB mode to Auto, connect the camera to the computer and turn the camera on. This should open Master as long as there are pics on either memory card. Then try updating.

 

Hope that does it.

 

Dennis

Hi Jim,

 

Tough choice. IMO, the only differences are, for the 510, bigger, heavier body with grip, bigger battery, IS. Some would feel the bigger body as an advantage, others not. Advantage for the 410 - able to go underwater (of course you have to buy the case).

 

It appears your budget is a big consideration but I feel IS/hand grip/bigger battery are worth the extra dollars.

 

Dennis

From what I understand about wide angles... once you go below around 10mm you have to spend a lot of money for really good glass if you want really good pics.

 

Also from what I understand, Sigma's are pretty much economy models.

 

YOMD

 

Dennis

I updated my 510 last night even though I don't have any legacy lenses. It's pretty slick how easy it is to set the focal length for the legacy's. Press the IS button, press the exposure comp button and use the thumbwheel to change focal lengths then press the OK button. Should be pretty quick with zooms also.

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This topic has been on my mind so I just did a "test".

 

In S-AF+MF, when the shutter is half pressed, the camera initially AF's but once the focus ring is rotated the camera acts as if in MF. Once the shutter is released the process starts again.

 

In C-AF+MF, the only time MF is in effect is while the shutter is released. With the shutter half pressed, the camera will not allow MF but will continually AF wherever it's pointed.

 

Hope this doesn't add to the confusion.

 

Dennis

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Hi Owen,

 

The manual is quite confusing on how to manual focus while shooting continuous. Page 51 reads:

"Focus with the focus ring and press the shutter button halfway to activate C-AF mode.

- While the shutter button is kept pressed, MF mode is not activated.

- When the shutter button is not pressed, MF mode is available."

 

That kind of oxymoronic rhetoric makes my brain hurt!

 

I wonder what exactly you're trying to accomplish with continuous shooting and manual focus? Typically continuous mode is for moving subjects/changing scenes. MF would be difficult in these situations.

 

Your question, though, is still valid concerning what good C-AF+MF is.

 

Dennis

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Hi tina,

 

The advice so far is good although it's all centered on dSLR cameras. If that's what you want (an SLR) I would vote for the E-510 with both kit lenses. If you shop around you can find these kits for around $600. Be careful, though, as most dSLR's come in body's only, kits with one lens and kits with two lenses - be sure of which you're buying.

 

The other option is a non-SLR camera. Oly makes some great fixed lens ultra zooms. I owned a C-2100 UZ and it was great. Lots of manual controls and the lens and zoom were phenominal. The current top end UZ is the SP-560 UZ. At 8 megapixels, an Equivalent Focal Length of 27-486mm and apeture range of f2.8-f4.5 it sounds like a great camera, and at around $350 it would be a great deal.

 

If you post a bit more concerning your photo experience and what types of photos you want to shoot, we'd be albe to narrow down the suggestions.

 

Good luck, Dennis

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Hi val,

 

I assume you bought the 410 with it's 2 kit lenses? If so you can already get in to 14mm and out to 150mm (I have a 510 with the same lenses). I've been looking at the Zuiko 70-300mm for further tele. Amazon has them for less than $400 USD.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Zuiko-Digital-Lens-E-70-300MM/dp/B000V72AXM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200747056&sr=8-4

 

Dennis

Us old guys (and some younger ones) always have back problems. Shoulder bags always put a strain on my back. I just bought a Lowepro Slingshot 200 backpack (the medium size). All I can say is WOW. The biggest selling point for me was how I can swing the bag around to the front of my body (without taking it off) and quickly remove my camera - literally within seconds! This can be accomplished even while walking or running. With the bag in front, I can rest my elbows on it for stabilization. Here's a link with images of a wide variety of cameras and equipment in the Slingshot.

 

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=lowepro+slingshot+200&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2

Hi Vivek, David,

 

I viewed that web site and know I'm never going to attempt that. lol

 

Anyway, what advantage would one get by modding one's camera that one wouldn't get by installing an IR filter to the lens? Just wondering as I just bought an IR filter but haven't gotten a chance to try it out yet.

 

Thanks,

Dennis

Hi Manu,

 

I have a 510. As in most dSLR's, the LCD has many functions - live view, picture view, menu navigation and control panel. Once powered on the control panel is displayed (backlit LCD) for 8 secs, 30 secs, 1 min or hold (always on). The user sets the time. Except for hold, after the set time expires the LCD goes dark to save power. Depressing any button turns it back on unless it's been off for a while, then pressing the shutter release half way turns it back on. When in the control panel mode, you may have to press the button once or twice to manually turn it off depending on what it's displaying when you start pushing the info button. One feature/reason why it turns on automatically is that it give the user a battery status.

 

Hope that answered your question. Nikon or Oly, they're both good cameras.

 

Dennis

Hi Mary,

 

Like others have said, the Oly xD card is the only one that will allow panos with Evolts. However, here's a site where you can download AutoStitch for free (trial version). Great piece of software and much more versatile than the Oly card panos. Here's a simple 2 pic pano of the Disney Concert Hall in LA with minimal PP.

 

http://www.cs.ubc.ca/~mbrown/autostitch/autostitch.html

 

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You've done your homework. That's about the way it goes with the fn button. However, changing settings is quite easy on the 510 from either the direct access buttons, the info menu and even the menu trees. Not instantaneous but one can change settings within a few seconds when you know the menus.

 

Dennis