Olympus E-500

[nonski]

... was actually considering nikon and canon but the salesman introduced dis to me... and i was thinking with the extra lens and cheaper price i could at least get more used to slr first and decide which type of lens i like

same thing happened to me at Alan Photo Sim Lim and very thankful to the salesman for introducing me Olympus... now I'm broke :cry: spent twice the amount of my camera already.

dunno if I'll welcome or warn u hehehe... nevertheless welcome to the world of oly

 

[jjtml]

Welcome to the olympus family iamcy! =)

Anyway, yes it does pay to check out the prices over in clubsnap beforehand because prices vary very much esp in Sim Lim.

I usually frequent the following places.

1) John 3:16 at Funan
2) TK Photo at Shaw Towers
3) Alan Photo at Sim Lim

Generally 1 and 2 are relatively safe in terms of pricings. They will SELDOM overcharge. 3 is good too but know your pricings first just in case. Personally, I like going to sam at john 3:16.

 

[OlyFlyer]

sort of remourse - _ -cos i was charged quite expensive for it... i tot it was cheap... got it for arnd 1.5k in a bundle with 1 kit lens and zoom lens, extra batt, 1 gig CF card and 2 UV filters. but i jus found out recently that the IT show offered something similar including a cam bag and tripod too for arnd 1.1k :angry: i tot sim lim is supposed to be cheap... went there as i missed the IT show... was actually considering nikon and canon but the salesman introduced dis to me... and i was thinking with the extra lens and cheaper price i could at least get more used to slr first and decide which type of lens i like

First a warm welcome to the Oly owners community.

Without knowing the local prices, but I still can not help to comment on how fast people can say you have paid too much for you gear... Let us see more in detail.

1. Body E-500
2. One kit lens - Which one?
3. One additional zoom - Which one?
4. One extra battery - Which brand?
5. CF 1GB - Which brand and type?
6. Two UV filters - Which brand and type?

If you have paid too much or not is not possible to say without answer to all those questions. There is no such thing as "kit lens" actually. In some kits there was the 17.5-45mm included, which is very bad. Than in others the 14-45 wich is much better. The third kit selling is with the 14-54mm which is a pro grade and expensive. Same goes for the second zoom you have. The Oly original battery is more expensive than a nameless one, as brand names like Sundisk and type like the Extreme III are more expensive than cheap, slow namless CF cards. As it is with UV filters. Hoya Super is very expensive and it is very easy to find cheap, brandless UV also.

Another question, would you have got the same stuff around the Nikon body for the same price? I don't think so.

My advice is, stop worry or just find out the right price for the items you have, but look even at the brand and than go back to the dealer and tell him that you are very unhappy and are not going to buy more stuff from him ever again. It may not give you anything back but at least you'd feel better.

I think you should stop comparing systems, people comment and express their views without having any experience with the other cameras, so I regard those comparisions worthless. One thing is sure, all Nikon and Canon owners have to pay for the cleaning of their sensors quite often, unless they are blind. You, on the other hand have a well proven SSWF that takes care of the dust. So, you save money and time. All barnds have their pros and cons, I think the E-500 is a very good camera, with it's pros and cons. Learn how to use it and make the best out of it.

BTW, it is always a very good idea to be cool, take it easy and find out prices before buy. Not good to rush in and close a deal just because a salesman says it is a good deal. In most cases it is worth spending time in front of a computer to check out the prices and than asking your dealer on what he/she has to offer. Was a bit different before the Internet because the only way to do it was a personal visit in the shop or using the phone. It took much more time, but even then it was worth doing it in most cases.

 

[drakon09]

Flyer, the bundled stuff for the E-500 in Singapore is pretty much standard.

That's why we know he paid too much.

 

[Blu-By-U]

The standard package here in M'sia is the 17.5-45 and 40-150 for the twin lens pack. The optionals that is added on by the photo sales companies are usually the CF, tripod, carrying bag, filters and some other stuff.

The current standard pack now retails for RM2699.00 with 1Gb xD picture card, cleaning cloth and some prints at certain cost...but no bag.

So unless he got the 14-45 instead of the 17.5-45, then it should be ok.

 

[wind30]

other than slower response, noiser image at high iso, less than accurate af.....

I keep hearing this high ISO noise thing so I have to keep repeating... I feel all you need is to get neat image and your oly high ISO performance is on par with nikon and the rest.

Trust me, I used/owned D70, KM7D and s3pro, both the later cameras are SUPPOSEDLY good at high ISO and I find oly noise performance comparable after neat image.

I mean Nikon for D70 used to be bad for high ISO, then all of a sudden the D50 is supposedly very low noise.... did they improve the sensor? no. They just improved the in-cam niose reduction, which oly guys can do it on PC.

And less than accurate AF? I find my oly system AF the most accurate. The high DOF may have something to do with it though.

 

[nonski]

Agree :thumbsup: :cheergal: :thumbsup:

 

[cyuxiang]

Well for me I was pretty much stuck on digging out the last stocks of Nikon D50 just prior to the IT Show. It was either that, or D40, or the 350D.

I was going to use an SLR for the very first time. I did hands-on the D40 at AP Funan, & the menus were confusing. But when I tried the E-500 at TK foto, within minutes I could grasp the controls. It was very intuitive, accessing the various exposure settings. I particularly like the 4 directional buttons with shortcut to metering, ISO, WB & AF. It just wins the D40 hands-down in terms of simplicity & a small learning curve.

Previously there was only either Nikon & Canon. After that TK foto experience, I went back to read the dpreview's take on E-500, & on Sunday I was a happy owner of my E-500. Budget is the most important constraint for me & the E-500 just fits nicely in.

 

[Kid Shotter]

Olympus have a better control.The 4 directional pad is so great!!Just so simple.Nikon D80(Test at roadshow) is very confusing,take a lot of time to know where the control button is located at.

 

[dominant]

1.5k seems to be too steep for e500. I bought mine at the IT show, (heck, i rushed down on the first day of the fair to recce.. and ended buying on the spot). The whole bundle cost $1,199 bucks. And here a list of what i get:

e500 dslr cam with 2 kit lens (14-45mm & 40-150mm)
a silk tripod
photoshop elements 4.0 software
LensPen Propack I (cleaning kit)
a lowepro backpack with compartment for camera + notebook
2 X Ultima 1GB CF card
giotta screen protector
free 1yr subscription for usonyx webhosting solutions
3X workshop vouchers organised by olympus (nature,night & travel photography)

that's about all, some guys told me they even manage to bargain for an extra batt. All those above for $1,199. I think it's quite worth it.

Like some guys stated above, I was deciding between D40, EOS350 and E500. Canon was damn stingy with their freebies while D40 specs is not as good as e500. add in the freebies, you can see why i choose e500.

 

[eow]

I keep hearing this high ISO noise thing so I have to keep repeating... I feel all you need is to get neat image and your oly high ISO performance is on par with nikon and the rest.

Trust me, I used/owned D70, KM7D and s3pro, both the later cameras are SUPPOSEDLY good at high ISO and I find oly noise performance comparable after neat image.

I mean Nikon for D70 used to be bad for high ISO, then all of a sudden the D50 is supposedly very low noise.... did they improve the sensor? no. They just improved the in-cam niose reduction, which oly guys can do it on PC.

And less than accurate AF? I find my oly system AF the most accurate. The high DOF may have something to do with it though.

it the continous af i'm referring to

 

[eow]

1.5k seems to be too steep for e500. I bought mine at the IT show, (heck, i rushed down on the first day of the fair to recce.. and ended buying on the spot). The whole bundle cost $1,199 bucks. And here a list of what i get:

e500 dslr cam with 2 kit lens (14-45mm & 40-150mm)
a silk tripod
photoshop elements 4.0 software
LensPen Propack I (cleaning kit)
a lowepro backpack with compartment for camera + notebook
2 X Ultima 1GB CF card
giotta screen protector
free 1yr subscription for usonyx webhosting solutions
3X workshop vouchers organised by olympus (nature,night & travel photography)

that's about all, some guys told me they even manage to bargain for an extra batt. All those above for $1,199. I think it's quite worth it.

Like some guys stated above, I was deciding between D40, EOS350 and E500. Canon was damn stingy with their freebies while D40 specs is not as good as e500. add in the freebies, you can see why i choose e500.

D40...avoid it at all cost......

 

[cyuxiang]

1.5k seems to be too steep for e500. I bought mine at the IT show, (heck, i rushed down on the first day of the fair to recce.. and ended buying on the spot). The whole bundle cost $1,199 bucks. And here a list of what i get:

e500 dslr cam with 2 kit lens (14-45mm & 40-150mm)
a silk tripod
photoshop elements 4.0 software
LensPen Propack I (cleaning kit)
a lowepro backpack with compartment for camera + notebook
2 X Ultima 1GB CF card
giotta screen protector
free 1yr subscription for usonyx webhosting solutions
3X workshop vouchers organised by olympus (nature,night & travel photography)

that's about all, some guys told me they even manage to bargain for an extra batt. All those above for $1,199. I think it's quite worth it.

Like some guys stated above, I was deciding between D40, EOS350 and E500. Canon was damn stingy with their freebies while D40 specs is not as good as e500. add in the freebies, you can see why i choose e500.

Nikon included an entry-level flash & other freebies, & jacked the price to >$,1000. I actually went to AP Funan & was quote $950+ (can't remember exact price) for a D40 kit. The flash is pretty useless because there's no use getting an entry-level flash.

I was somewhat like u haha. Just that I also managed to recce TK foto (Shaw Building), Harvey Norman (Millenia Walk), AP (Funan) & even CP (Peninsula), but they close very early.

So are you going to sign up for the workshop? I'm looking for "kaki" to go together, since there are so many new owners here.

 

[wrx_sti_22b]

D40...avoid it at all cost......

why do you say so? Care to explain... a friend of mine wants to buy D40...

 

[eow]

why do you say so? Care to explain... a friend of mine wants to buy D40...

it not even three months old yet and the nikon is already coming soon with a D40X......not that it any much better than D40....but simply for the fact that u can't af with non af-s lens...
For his sake...get the D80

 

[wind30]

but simply for the fact that u can't af with non af-s lens...
For his sake...get the D80

ya lor, you cannot AF with the 50mm f1.8, which is like a real cheap portrait lens.

 

[dominant]

Nikon included an entry-level flash & other freebies, & jacked the price to >$,1000. I actually went to AP Funan & was quote $950+ (can't remember exact price) for a D40 kit. The flash is pretty useless because there's no use getting an entry-level flash.

I was somewhat like u haha. Just that I also managed to recce TK foto (Shaw Building), Harvey Norman (Millenia Walk), AP (Funan) & even CP (Peninsula), but they close very early.

So are you going to sign up for the workshop? I'm looking for "kaki" to go together, since there are so many new owners here.

Hmm... I am thinking of signing up, just that I thought it would be kinda sianz to go alone. I certainly don't mind signing up together.

Let me know when u signing up. =)

 

[dominant]

it not even three months old yet and the nikon is already coming soon with a D40X......not that it any much better than D40....but simply for the fact that u can't af with non af-s lens...
For his sake...get the D80

Agreed. I was going through some reviews on D40. Found it very cheap for a dslr. after reading some reviews, i understand why it was so cheap.

camera body has no auto focus! if you use lens without AF as well, you have to do manual focus. I was thinking, even a normal PNS can AF, and you can easily find a PNS camera with more than 6.1mp. d40, definitely not worth it.

 

[drewdam]

Agreed. I was going through some reviews on D40. Found it very cheap for a dslr. after reading some reviews, i understand why it was so cheap.

camera body has no auto focus! if you use lens without AF as well, you have to do manual focus. I was thinking, even a normal PNS can AF, and you can easily find a PNS camera with more than 6.1mp. d40, definitely not worth it.

but it still sell...bcause is Nikon.

 

[wind30]

but it still sell...bcause is Nikon.

frankly I don't know why nikon is doing so well....

Canon has their low noise CMOS sensor, oly has live view/dust buster, fuji has DR, sony pentax has IS. What does nikon have? After my first DSLR which was a D70, I was never attracted back to nikon as there just wasn't anything special about it.