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Archive 2007 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

paparazzinick
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

Anyone here shoot Olympus for weddings?

I just got an E3 and E510 for home use and play while I shoot Nikon for business. But after using my new gear. I Find it very good, fun and easy to use.

I would liek to see what others have done with this before I would even think of using Olympus for a wedding.

I am tempted to use my E3 and 150 f2.0 at my next wedding as my candid lens.

Dec 02, 2007 at 01:23 PM

Jorgen Udvang
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

Airborne_ wrote:

I assume that means you haven't tried the E-3 yet. Do that. You'll be surprised. Olympus has performed some magic trick on that one. Viewfinder size simply isn't an issue anymore, and having an 4:3 aspect ratio also makes so much better to "move" around in.

Dec 22, 2007 at 10:01 PM

badastronaut
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

I used the E-500 as the studio camera on-site during the reception, and some candid stuff. Kit lens.

Not fast enough for a wedding but I'm sure the E-3 will do just fine.

Dec 09, 2007 at 07:55 PM

nikt
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

Nick, I use the Oly E330 and the 150 f2 and 7-14 mm lenses for concert shooting (boy I wish Nikon had some of this stuff) . It's not mine, its borrowed. I used the E3 the other day, and can only say I've never been so tempted (excluding the D3 which is not in the same price league.)

I think it you will do well to use this combo for wedding. The noise characteristics of the E3 are quite pleasing, so you could even try shooting high ISO in black and white mode with tat lens. I assure you, it will be fun. Would love to see a pic or two if you do.

Cheers
Nik

Dec 09, 2007 at 10:51 PM

Robert Watcher
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

I was an Oly shooter for most of my 28 years in business (save the last 5 where I primarily used Nikon AF and digital cameras) - - - but I am again an Oly wedding shooter starting this past Saturday where I used my new Olympus E-510 and 12-60 combo for all of the natural light - high ISO - slow shutter speed shots. I was very pleased with the way it handled - - - slightly better than the impressive E-500 that I used for several months a couple of years back before getting my D200.

Here are some of the shots with data under each showing the settings I used. Not quite as impressive my tests with the E-3 proved to be, but the high ISO and stabilized results matched very closely those of my D200 (with 18-200 VR).

------

The bride who is very artistic and quirky or I should say unique in her way of looking at things, was quite concerned that I would not provide her with boring shots or traditional wedding coverage. She pointed out several shots from my website that appealed to her - several were taken at trendy restaurants, some in the evening utilizing whatever available light was available - - - and so my agenda for the afternoon was to make sure she would not be disappointed. Being the ceremony was over at 4:00 and we would only have about 1/2 hour with any type of sunlight available, we chose locations around downtown Stratford including an ally with grafitti, a busy building with areas that would be large enough (barely) to handle the bridal party and family, and a small cafe where I took the couple and best man and maid of honour for a few private moments sipping a bottle of wine.

1 )

Olympus E-510 with 12-60mm lens @ 12mm - f2.8 @ 1/160'th - 800 ISO

2 )

Olympus E-510 with 12-60mm lens @ 12mm - f2.8 @ 1/60'th - 800 ISO

3 )

Nikon D40 with 18-200mm lens @ 18mm - f5@1/60'th - 400 ISO - bounced flash

Dec 10, 2007 at 07:02 PM

Robert Watcher
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

4 )

Olympus E-510 with 12-60mm lens @ 16mm - f3 @ 1/80'th - 800 ISO

5 )

Olympus E-510 with 12-60mm lens @ 12mm - f2.8 @ 1/25'th - 800 ISO

6 )

Olympus E-510 with 12-60mm lens @ 16mm - f3 @ 1/30'th - 800 ISO

Dec 10, 2007 at 07:02 PM

Robert Watcher
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

7 )

Olympus E-510 with 12-60mm lens @ 36mm - f3.7 @ 1/50'th - 800 ISO

8 )

Olympus E-510 with 12-60mm lens @ 12mm - f2.8 @ 1/50'th - 800 ISO

9 )

Olympus E-510 with 12-60mm lens @ 30mm - 3.6@ 1/200'th - 800 ISO

Dec 10, 2007 at 07:03 PM

Robert Watcher
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

10 )

Olympus E-510 with 12-60mm lens @ 17mm - 3.5@ 1/8'th - 1600 ISO

11 )

Olympus E-510 with 12-60mm lens @ 21mm - 3.5@ 1/30'th - 1600 ISO

--

Dec 10, 2007 at 07:04 PM

Robert Watcher
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

For any who live in the London Ontario area - if you'd like to see the actual 8x10 results of a few 800ISO and 1600ISO shots from this wedding - - - I've left a few sample prints with the data printed on them, at the London North Fanshaw Road Henrys Camera Store. Just ask to see them at the Olympus section to the left when entering.

Dec 10, 2007 at 07:06 PM

Robert Watcher
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

Thought I'd post some of the shots that I took professionally with my previous experience with Olympus DSLR's when I invested in the E-500 a couple of years ago and used it for about 6 months along with my Nikon D70 until I purchased my D200 for the faster AF speed. I absolutely loved the Oly colors straight out of the camera and have never found any of my Nikons to be so smooth and lovely looking. This wedding was for a couple of Shakespearean actors:

1 )

Olympus E-500 with kit lens and Metz 60 handle mount flash - f6.3 @ 1/160'th - 100 ISO

2 )

Olympus E-500 with kit lens and popup flash - f7.1 @ 1/125'th - 400 ISO

3 )

Olympus E-500 with kit lens - f4.5 @ 1/80'th - 1600 ISO

Dec 10, 2007 at 07:50 PM

Robert Watcher
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

4 )

Olympus E-500 with kit lens - f5.6 @ 1/15'th - 1600 ISO

5 )

Olympus E-500 with kit lens - f5.6 @ 1/15'th - 1600 ISO

6 )

Olympus E-500 with kit lens with Popup flash and Slow shutter- f5.6 @ 0.6 sec - 400 ISO

------------

So even though all of the reviews stated that the E-500 was totally useless at anything over 400ISO and that even 400ISO was not the greatest - I obviously had no issues with using the camera on a professional level and pushing the limits of even 1600ISO for my style of work. The E-510 is slightly better than the E-500 in this department - the E-3 is substantially better and is close to what the other contenders are offering in the high ISO area. The area where I had problems with my fast moving approach to weddings was in the AF speed which was imporved with the Nikon D200. The E-510's AF speed is ever so slightly improved over the E-500 and the image stabilization on every lens is great.

Edited by Robert Watcher on Dec 10, 2007 at 08:01 PM GMT

Dec 10, 2007 at 07:51 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

I use the Zuiko 21/3.5 on my 5D at weddings. Does that count?

Dec 10, 2007 at 07:53 PM

Robert Watcher
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

I went to renowned photographer Al Gilbert's studio in Toronto Ontario a year or so ago and in talking to him found that he used the Olympus E-300 for all of his current portrait work.

Actually with a Google Search, just found this piece about his Oly use:

http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/cp/olympus/behindtheshot/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000998931

Dec 10, 2007 at 08:03 PM

croweatr
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

I've been evaluating an E-3... over two weddings last weekend. It's to replace an aging D200, which I never really loved anyway.

It's versatile to use and feels perfect in the hands. It's well built and should take the knocks that wedding photography throws at it. A couple of controls are a little odd (having to press a button before moving the focus point off centre with the keypad, for one), but overall it handles well.

Image quality? I'm processing those weddings in the next few days. I'll keep you posted. I didn't shoot over ISO 640 for fear of noise. From what I've seen so far, looking through the shots quickly in Lightroom, the E-3's noise profile is at least a stop better than that of the D200.

CHeers...

Kevin

Dec 14, 2007 at 06:22 AM

paparazzinick
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

Thanks everyone who posted. I did shoot a few shots at the wedding with the oly just to see and the reults were good. One thing i noticed was the AF was not as good as my Nikon. I had a shot that my Nikon would have nailed in AF and got it within second. It took the oly 5 seconds to lock AF and fire.

My only gripe but that was with a e-510. I will try the e-3 and see how much better that is.

Dec 15, 2007 at 10:38 AM

Rob Riley
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

E3 is a significantly different AF system
reputed the fastest with SWD lenses, 12-60 and 50-200

Dec 15, 2007 at 11:35 AM

Robert Watcher
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

One thing i noticed was the AF was not as good as my Nikon.

Depends on the Nikon. The E-510 is slower than the D200 - but not slower than the D70 or D40. The reason I got my D200 a year and a half ago was for it's slightly faster AF speed with my shooting style. If however I wasn't using my camera for fast paced documentary style weddings or fast mvoing sports - there would be no issue with the slightly longer time E-510 takes to focus. I actually found that it nailed focus more accurately when it was able to find focus. I will be getting the E-3 to replace by fried D200 - but mainly for those situations where I need the fast AF. The E-510 is a competent back up and will probably be used for most other shooting situations where ultimate AF speed isn't needed - like my stock and travel photography where a smaller lighter body is more important.

The testing I did with the E-3 proved to me that it is faster and more accurate focusing than my D200 is - - - particularly with the outer AF sensors. I was also quite impressed with the high ISO performance:

http://rwoutsidethebox.com/?page_id=91

For those however who do not wish to put such an investment in the E-3, they should be totally content with the results of the E-510 which is a much better camera in many respects to the comperably priced Nikon and Canon offerings.

Dec 17, 2007 at 11:52 AM

ilsitren
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

I have used the E-3 and 12-60 lens for the last 10 days courtesy of Olympus. I shot two magazine features. Simply stated the Olympus produced the best out of camera images I have seen except for when I use the Mamiya/Leaf.

The shoots were in a health club of a model working out. I used strobed lighting. Autofocus seemed immediate and the photos are very sharp. Colors and incredible and skin tones are completely accurate and great looking. I used AWB and it was the best I have seen, right on.

The viewfinder is big and bright as is the LCD which makes it actually useable to evaluate what you are shooting. And for a couple of candids, the on camera flash was also perfect.

I was originally interested in the Olympus system because of the 4:3 format, the comparative physical size of the lenses for long reach, the f2 lenses, and their reputation for being very sharp. And it was nice not having to clean the sensor before each use or worry about dust in post.

This is a great camera system and I would certainly use it for weddings. It would be perfect.

Dec 21, 2007 at 10:17 AM

Airborne_
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

ilsitren wrote:
The viewfinder is big and bright

Dec 21, 2007 at 11:25 AM

Rob Riley
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Oly Wedding SHooters?

this must be about the tenth time Ive had to dig this list up about OVF's
Olympus E-500 .............0.43
Olympus 410/510
Panasonic L10.................0.44
Olympus E-330...............0.44
Panasonic DMC-L1 .........0.44
Canon 350D/400D ..........0.48
Nikon D50/D70 ..............0.48
Olympus E-300 ..............0.47
Olympus E-1...................0.48
Nikon D40/D40X .............0.51
Canon 300D ...................0.52
Sony A100 .....................0.52
Canon 20D/30D.............. 0.53
KM 5D ..........................0.53
Pentax K100D .................0.53
Canon 1D1 .....................0.55
Canon 40D .....................0.56
Sony A700 .....................0.57
Nikon D2X .......................0.57
KM 7D ............................0.57
Olympus E3 ....................0.575
Canon 1D mk III............... 0.58
Nikon D80 .......................0.59
Nikon D200 .....................0.60
Pentax K10D ...................0.60
Pentax *istD.................... 0.60
Pentax *istDs.................. 0.60
Nikon D300 .....................0.63
Canon 5D.........................0.68
Canon 1Ds...................... 0.70
Nikon D3..........................0.70
Canon 1Ds Mk III............. 0.76

just recently Ive added a 1.2x Pentax mag finder (modified) to the OVF on my E3, now its 0.69 which is bigger than 5D on the list. I must say, the success rate with MF is more near 100%, where before with an E300 it was closer to 20%. It also keeps the LCD away from the face keeping it cleaner.

hmmm, greasy face !

Dec 22, 2007 at 11:52 PM

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