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Archive 2007 · How good is Olympus really?

sirhibernac
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p.1 #1 · How good is Olympus really?

I'm tossing around a serious idea to supplement my existing Canon Gear with an Olympus system for studio work so I can have a wider range of options. I'd like to take my Canon's out and use the Olympus in the studio. However, I keep reading different opinions on the Olympus systems and am wondering if it's really one worth putting an investment into. I love the four thirds format since it reminds me much more of shooting square. And I also love how Olympus has usually makes pretty robust equipment and REALLY nice glass. But I'm wondering if anyone here knows much about the impending E-Pro camera coming later this year. Is this camera "really" going to be a pro level camera? Or is it possibly going to be yet another D200 class type camera that says it's pro, acts like a pro, but really isn't a pro level system considering the other top of the line bodies out there. Now please don't get me wrong. I love the D200. It's top notch and probably one of the better bangs for the buck on an overall camera body. But in perspective by the numbers....

Apr 20, 2007 at 01:50 PM

Rob Riley
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p.1 #2 · How good is Olympus really?

sirhibernac wrote:
Is this camera "really" going to be a pro level camera? Or is it possibly going to be yet another D200 class type camera that says it's pro, acts like a pro, but really isn't a pro level system considering the other top of the line bodies out there.

yes that is the big question isnt it
its of course a question that only 3 people i know of can answer, and no they wont
the one glean i have had is "it will knock your sox off" among some sketchy details
Which is an answer I have mixed feelings about. That said, this far into the new model release im impressed with the B grade 410 beyond expectation. They really have worked on the list of deficits and answered the call.

There are very deep rumours about the unusuality P1 sensor this time around, there is a lot of cloak and dagger going on that frankly I have never seen before and at a level Im just not used to. If by those suggestions it exceeds what has been seen of 410/510, it may well be up to the task.

would have to ask, what would you seek from Olympus that you cant already get from Canon ?

Apr 20, 2007 at 02:27 PM

CKrueger
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p.1 #3 · How good is Olympus really?

Not trying to be combative, but what about the D200 is not "pro"? Weather-sealing? A built-in vertical grip? Something else I'm not considering?

For studio work my requirements would be high overall system resolution, a PC terminal, ability to shoot tethered, AC power or very long battery life, and good handling on a tripod. I'd buy a system measuring resolution needs versus budget. And plan your camera budget only after you have all the lighting equipment you need, because lighting is much more important in the grand scheme of things than the camera itself.

BTW, as a reality check, many smaller portrait shops made the jump to digital by switching to digital P&S cameras. Even an average P&S can make a decent size print with the proper lighting.

Apr 20, 2007 at 03:58 PM

Steve Carlton
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p.1 #4 · How good is Olympus really?

Are there any reviews out on the 410/510 yet? I'm curious how well Olympus has dealt with their ergos/menus.

Any idea of the release date/price level of the pro body?

Apr 20, 2007 at 05:34 PM

Rob Riley
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p.1 #5 · How good is Olympus really?

since non of these cameras are in release there are no reviews
some prelims have been generated from this spec sheet ...

http://www.olympus-global.com/en/news/2007a/nr070305e510e.cfm

as we do not know anything much for sure about P1, pricing doesnt exist
save to say this:

Available from august.
Faster AF, More AF points (maybe 12-14),
5-6 fps and larger buffer.
Live preview with more robust screen.
in-body Image stabilisation.
at least 10mpix.
by the info above, just noticed today (despite rumours of foveon and triplet sensors)
same sensor technology as 410/510 nMOS

new lenses
wireless flash

Apr 20, 2007 at 06:05 PM

cdnguyen
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p.1 #6 · How good is Olympus really?

Like the old saying a picture is worth a thousand words. Give Olympus camera and lenses a test drive and see if you like the images. You can decide for yourself whether it's worth having it or not. Good luck !

Apr 20, 2007 at 06:18 PM

rendra
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p.1 #7 · How good is Olympus really?

Try by yourself and compare with current system those you have.
From my experiences, Olympus 4/3 system is nice especially on image quality.
Hopefully for the new pro body generation, they will give great alternatives to C/N domination on digital imaging world.

Apr 21, 2007 at 03:12 AM

Rob Riley
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p.1 #8 · How good is Olympus really?

ok Im revisiting this in my 'cold hard light of day' time. List the Oly negatives
The finders have been dimmer and smaller
The lens selection has been less that C&N
The cameras exhibit more noise that the competition.
Flash isnt as sophisticated as Nikon

Are these issues still relevant or has this emulation of 4/3 passed them by

The finders have been dimmer and smaller
yet E1 was 100% finder, and brighter than the poro mirror assemblies. Since the poro isnt required for LiveView anymore Im hoping this is no longer an issue. It seems LiveView would assist in studio, with a rate of 7fps.

The lens selection has been less that C&N
Well it still is, but its growing at all practical levels, importantly the ultra wide angles are well facilitated, and a faster AF long zoom is in the works too. Add to that if you can tolerate manual focus, and can live without the bottom stops, you can use pretty much any glass anyway via an adapter. Bottom end bokeh needs some attention, faster lenses need to be looked at for this.

The cameras exhibit more noise that the competition.
Theoretically this should always be so, being that the sensor is smaller. But it isnt so very far from APS C as all that, and typically the experience between the truly small sensor point and shoots has seen that chip architecture and NR can have a huge impact on this facet. Add to that the anecdotal evidence has it that from the images seen so far it out competes 400D for noise. That said, the shooting circumstances of studio work should assist here too.

Flash isnt as sophisticated as Nikon
We know very little of what is happening here, but we have heard that wireless is coming and Im thinking the sync speed has gone up a notch too.

Apr 21, 2007 at 04:10 AM

jph1
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p.1 #9 · How good is Olympus really?

Seems to me that the Oly advantage would be for travel where you would want a compact kit. For the studio, I think I would go with something with a larger sensor.
Jim

Apr 21, 2007 at 04:09 PM

you2
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p.1 #10 · How good is Olympus really?

Well from what I've read (mostly on photozone) it seems like their is less sample variation with their lenses and they have less ca/distortion. If they can make the camera useful at 400/800 asa @ 8mp I might bite into the system. The lack of shallow dof options does bother me and I rather not have to bother with two systems but perhaps that is the route.

Apr 21, 2007 at 05:21 PM

Rob Riley
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p.1 #11 · How good is Olympus really?

you2 wrote:
Well from what I've read (mostly on photozone) it seems like their is less sample variation with their lenses and they have less ca/distortion. If they can make the camera useful at 400/800 asa @ 8mp I might bite into the system. The lack of shallow dof options does bother me and I rather not have to bother with two systems but perhaps that is the route.

in fact they are better than competitive at 1600 iso now, making 400/800 pretty easily achievable. DoF for those seeking bokeh is something I just dont pursue, but i can appreciate the concerns.

Apr 21, 2007 at 05:35 PM

Jorgen Udvang
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p.1 #12 · How good is Olympus really?

you2 wrote:
If they can make the camera useful at 400/800 asa @ 8mp I might bite into the system. The lack of shallow dof options does bother me and I rather not have to bother with two systems but perhaps that is the route.

I don't own a flash for my E-1 and routinely shoot at ISO 800 for commercial use and sometimes even for stock. If the photos are correctly exposed, and a bit noise removal is used, it's not big a problem. Sensor dust on my Fuji is much more annoying. With the new bodies, my impression is that it's more or less history.

As for shallow DOF, try the 50mm f/2 and the 150mm f/2. For most purposes, they are shallow enough, but obviously, an 85mm f/1.2 on FF is shallower.

But the beauty of having two systems that are different in almost every way, is that I can choose

Apr 21, 2007 at 06:48 PM

I.G.I.
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p.1 #13 · How good is Olympus really?

Casual snap shots pictures from the sexy E-410 here. Different ISO/ noise reduction modes/ colour modes/ etc. Of particular interest may be the various lenses (those incl. aside) used, ZD 11-22, 50 macro, 25 Summilux and 30/1.4.

Apr 25, 2007 at 11:36 AM

Brambling
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p.1 #14 · How good is Olympus really?

An example of the E system travel kit

Ok in this hard case are;

two bodies, one with power grip, and 4 lenses giving coverage from 22-540mm equivelence in 35mm terms as follows;
22-44,
28-104
100-400
100mm macro,
1.4 tc
plus;
guide 50 flash gun,
2 x chargers
5 spare batteries
1-2x anglefinder
and a pair of binoculars

and a few other sundry things, flash cards, remote release, bubble level etc etc, all of which fitted into a small aluminium case compliant with UK/Europe restricted airline regulations from the height of the 7/7 bomb scares last year

Try doing that with Canon or Nikon equipment.........

Apr 25, 2007 at 02:30 PM

Atlasman2
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p.1 #15 · How good is Olympus really?

zakk9 wrote:
you2 wrote:

But the beauty of having two systems that are different in almost every way, is that I can choose

This is the beauty of the 4/3 format. This past weekend I shot an event using my newly acquiree Lumix L1 and shooting groups at f2.8 is no longer a concern as it has been with my 5D.

I'm hoping Oly will deliver with its up and coming Pro.

Apr 27, 2007 at 08:38 PM

longago
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p.1 #16 · How good is Olympus really?

zakk9 wrote:
you2 wrote:

I don't own a flash for my E-1 and routinely shoot at ISO 800 for commercial use and sometimes even for stock. If the photos are correctly exposed, and a bit noise removal is used, it's not big a problem.

I've tried to shoot at ISO 800, but the noise... How can you remove it? Is there any example? Thanks!

Apr 28, 2007 at 01:56 AM

Jorgen Udvang
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p.1 #17 · How good is Olympus really?

longago wrote:
I've tried to shoot at ISO 800, but the noise... How can you remove it? Is there any example? Thanks!

I'll post a sample when I return home in a couple of days.The most important key to this is correct exposure. Another is to watch your composition. In my experience, shadow areas with lots of detail are the most problematic. High contrast motives usually work well, as long as the details are in the well lit part of the image.

These are of course workarounds that require practice and concentration, but given the advantages of the E-1 and the 4/3 system, (compact size combined with weather sealing, great ergonomics, fantastic lenses and generally good image quality) I can easily live with them.

Apr 28, 2007 at 03:28 AM

Rob Riley
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p.1 #18 · How good is Olympus really?

800 should be fine on the low Mp E-1
it works out ok on 330 too from what Ive seen

there is no question that its been much improved in the new cameras though
i would think that particularly high speed daylight shots will be most successful even to 1600

i suspect there is something slightly different in store for P1 for a sensor
rumour shifted from foveon to Fuji and now Kodak

Apr 28, 2007 at 03:46 AM

Jorgen Udvang
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p.1 #19 · How good is Olympus really?

Rob Riley wrote:
i suspect there is something slightly different in store for P-1 for a sensor
rumour shifted from foveon to Fuji and now Kodak

Despite the rumours, I think Olympus claims that it will have the same sensor technology as the E-410/510, whatever that means, but that may be to keep us in the dark. They have kept us more or less in the dark for quite a while now. The articulated LCD on the back more than indicates live view. Let's hope it turns out to be a great camera

Apr 28, 2007 at 06:23 AM

Rob Riley
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p.1 #20 · How good is Olympus really?

yes liveview is there as you know
the only thing Oly did say about the sensor
it is not the same as E-400

Apr 28, 2007 at 09:55 AM

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