The story of my E-500

[Oly5050]

Anyway that's my story, hope some of my comments will help people appreciate the camera they have.

Thanks for sharing your story. For some reason, it is quite touching. Perhaps we should SERIOUSLY get Olympus to contact you use your story for advertisment. It sounds that good! :thumbsup:

And my best wishes to your health and hope your recover ASAP so you can go and shoot more!!!!

 

[spidey89]

Thanks for sharing your story. For some reason, it is quite touching. Perhaps we should SERIOUSLY get Olympus to contact you use your story for advertisment. It sounds that good! :thumbsup:

And my best wishes to your health and hope your recover ASAP so you can go and shoot more!!!!

I agree,especially in a world where more and more people believe that having something that is famous means is good and for that,i salute you!!
I wish you will have good health and live to a ripe old age.Have a speedy recovery!!

 

[Oly5050]

If anyone would care, here is my story as far as I can recount it.


My first digital was a fuji PnS. I hated it for its battery life and limited memory space. But it was free so I used it. And it was small. However, it kept breaking down and I received expensive and crap service from Fuji which had a service center in some ulu out-of-the-way place that was a pain to go to. Of course the camera was ditched eventually.

My first digital camera that I had bought was the C5050Zoom. Hence my nick. I think it was purchased in or around end 2002 or early 2003. I had researched extensively about digital cameras at that time and decided for a number of reasons and the features set that the C5050zoom was the one to get. Some of the features that I felt important then was : Excellent battery life, uses 4 AA batteries, can take videos, dual memory card etc, but at that time f1.8?? I din know what the hell that meant at all.

I used the C5050 in total for nearly 5-6 years. Believe me when I say it went through a lot with me during this time. This included rain, wet, snow, severe cold etc and still works flawlessly now. My biggest grouse with the C5050 was the shutter lag and slow start up time.

In any case, I had entertained buying a DSLR from around 2006 onwards. For some reason, at that time, I was not looking at Olympus DSLR. I had attended the E1 DSLR launch around 2004, I think, but at that time, was not ready to carry such a BIG camera. LOL! So in 2006, was actually looking at the Canon Rebel mainly for its size, weight and also price - sub $1000. There were a number of opportunities to buy the camera but everytime when I was close to buying, I would balk. One time I remember it was in SLS. I had researched the camera on the internet and had decided to buy it. So I went to SLS and played with the Canon Rebel. It was then that I immediately decided that I could not buy such a plasticky and squeaky camera that felt less well built than my C5050.

I also had an opportunity to shoot the Canon Rebel for a day once. It really felt good to use it and it was nice to enjoy lag-free shutter. But the problem was nearly all the images were out of focus or slightly soft compared to what I was getting on the C5050. I was not impressed.

In 2007, the Canon 40D came out. I again targetted that as the camera that I would get for my first DSLR. Spend some time at John 3:16 playing with it and discussing various lenses. I was so close to buying it. In the end, the 40D did not materialize for some reason. Maybe it was the price, I don't know. But whatever it was, I just could not put my money down on the DSLR.

Eventually, what spurred me to get the E510 was nearly like a moment of epiphany. I had seen a professional photographer use a E500. Suddenly, it came to me that the E510 was the DSLR that I should get. Firstly, it was small and light enough that I would not fear carrying it. Secondly, if a pro could use it, why cannot I use it? I think it was as simple as that. I did some more research and of course it did help that it had the following :

- dual card slot
- excellent kit lens
- SSWF
- IS
- way cheaper than the 40D

Of course, subsequently, it won a number of awards that year.

I enjoyed the E510 so much and got used to carrying a DSLR, that I upgraded within 6 months to an E3 body. I have always felt that I had made a great decision in choosing and buying the C5050zoom. Now with the E3, I think this has been the BEST camera choice and purchase I had made.

 

[OlyFlyer]

If anyone would care, here is my story as far as I can recount it.

Of course I care. I read every word. Thank you for sharing. The more stories I read about why not a brand XXXXX the happier I get about my original choise. It somehow shows that I am not the only one with the strange, cheap feeling when holding one. OK, no brand bashing, I am sure it can take nice images in competent hands, but I once held the 350D and got the same plasicky feeling you describe. Nothing bad about Canon, but the feeling I got at that time was that I was happy I ruled out the camera without even touching it. I always liket the E-500 and I am sure I'd pretty quick would have got fed up by the 350D.

 

[blinky88]

Hi OlyFlyer,

Thank you for your welcome and friendly advise, I really do not know much about this camera at all ..ie.. outside of using it once and achieving a result beyond my expectation.

Just how easy things are these days, when I first started a wedding service, my darkroom to load film was the W/C, my enlarger was on the kitchen table. I'd leave the wedding and produce proofs same night for the B/G to take away on their honeymoon. Upon returning home after my G/D wedding, an hour in photoshop and the job was completed .... it's difficult to see how anyone could complain about this new technology.

About the only thing we can be sure of is, we are not here forever, I decided I could make a final contribution by way of family photo's. We have 3 (47/48/49) and they have 7, I'd like to think my grandchildren can display the photo's and many years down the track say, "my grandfather took those photo's", this is now what I'm all about.

The Vivitar 285HV flashlight has a trigger voltage of 6v, the earlier model '285' had 200v. I read many MANY reviews from pro's and users alike and they are considered to be the very best of the 3rd party flashlights, not 1 bad word of any description.

OlyFlyer, you spoke about chipped adapters I would really appreciate a link to an adaptor like that if you have the time, I would like to see my 50mm f2 Summicrom lens sitting on front of this E500. I bought my Leica equipment in 1962 immediately after my discharge from the RAAF and all 3 lenses are as new, unmarked in any way, shame to see them sitting in my safe.

Once again thanks for the advise, I still have a long way to go.

Cheers from downunder.

 

[blinky88]

Hi again OlyFlyer,

I have just read a couple of reviews on the lens you recommended (14-54mm), great reviews, being on an old age pension limits my spending, that said, if circumstances were to change (doubtful) it will be my lens of choice, thanks for the tip. What would be a reasonable price to ask for the kit lens I currently have ..ie.. a price that would achieve a sale quickly, not an overpriced white elephant ?

Cheers.

 

[OlyFlyer]

I am glad you did your home work before buying the flash and that the flash is OK.

Regarding the chipped adapters, they are sold by many sellers on the eBay, I never bought any of them, so I can not say which one to buy. I know the new ones has programmable focal length and aperture, but for focus confirmation that is not important. All it would do for you is that it would set the EXIF data right. Focal length and aperture information is not really important in your case, as long as the camera believes it is a 4/3 lens, it will give you focus confirmation when something is in focus.

Anyway, here is one eBay link, here is another, and here is one without the chip. I bought many adapters before from different sellers, all chipless, but I am happy with the quality I received so far. Of course, none are the same as the Olympus original MF-1, but there is also a huge price difference.

Please note, I have no idea about the quality of the product or the time it takes to get it delivered. I have read elsewhere that some of the adapters have glued chips and that may not always be well done. I have bought stuff from the seller big_is, the latest was a macro focusing rail. That, and everything else was delivered fast and was as expected, but I have no commercial interest in any of the items I mentioned here. I think selling stuff is against the forum rules, so if the Mods find this pure commercial, they will remove the message.

Regardless of which, you should not have any problems to find the product for almost any camera, but if you just want to buy a chipless adapter, or the chip only, even that is possible.

I envy you for the lenses and wish you good luck with them.

 

[OlyFlyer]

What would be a reasonable price to ask for the kit lens I currently have ..ie.. a price that would achieve a sale quickly, not an overpriced white elephant ?

Hi again,

I don't know about Australian prices, but here in Europe the lens is worth nothing or almost nothing. I got mine actually free of charge from somebody living in UK. Well, not really free of charge, I had to pay for the post, which was about £2 if I am not wrong. The 17.5-45 is really worth nothing as second hand, but I have actually tested the lens, and my sample is perfectly OK. I originally planned to slaughter the lens, but after my tests I had no heart to do it. Anyway, I think your Leica lenses are worth more, but I don't know the conditions they are in or how they are valued, just guessing.

 

[blinky88]

Hi OlyFlyer,

Regarding the E500 17-45mm kit lens, it may well be a cheap lens, that said, the wedding Jpgs were far better than I expected. Owing to the fact it isn't of any value, I'll put it away for a rainy day ..ie.. after I get the Leica lenses back in action.

Thanks for those links, they are spot on. It has been long time since they have any use. I'm a little exited at the moment about the fact they are compatable to the E500 via an adaptor, you have made my day, thanks again.

If I keep to the forums and manage find people such as youself, it will not take long to get up to speed after what seems to be a lifetime out of the saddle.

Cheers from downunder.

 

[blinky88]

Again OlyFlyer,

Regarding the value and condition of the Leica lenses, their condition is as new after almost 18 years of service. I have no intention of ever selling them, they have more than earned a permanent place in my home.

Cheers.

 

[OlyFlyer]

I am glad to be at help.

I wish you good luck with your camera and lenses and don't forget to read the manual. The E-500 is much more complex than any film camera ever made. I understand you not getting rid of Leicas. I even understand you keeping the 17.5-45. It is cheap, but as I said, it is OK. Not bad considering it is the cheapest of them all. That's also the reason why I am not so keen on slaugthering mine, even though I got mine really for free.

 

[Oly5050]

Of course I care. I read every word.

Thank you!!

 

[blinky88]

Hello OlyFlyer,

The 17.5-45mm maybe a cheap lens but to me, it does produce quality images. Without reservation I would recommend the system I have to anyone. I'm quite pleased to have the camera and the lens, it will always have a place in my bag. You would have laughed at my re-action when the flash seemed to be going off by itself, I was unaware the pre-flash was connected to the AF when the shutter release was pressed half way, I really didn't know what was going on. Anyway I managed to get the shots I wanted, which confirms the camera is suitable in the hands of a complete novice as I was on the night. The last flash I used was the Metz 402, still have 4 in the cubboard, worthless these days.

I guess you can understand why I am looking forward to see my Leica lenses back in action however, not knowing anything about the 4/3rd format, not sure of what to expect. Will the focal length of my Leica lens be 2x, 35 become 70mm, 50 become 100mm etc that's what's going though my mind. I will be looking for a comprehensive detailed discussion on the 4/3 format tonight.

OlyFler, you have been a big help to me, it's great to know there's help out when needed.

Had I noticed the dates on the posts, I probally wouldn't have made my post as I would thought the post was dead, thanks heavens I didn't notice the dates.

Take care,
Cheers.

 

[spidey89]

yea,your Leica lens will have to be X2,so your 35 will indeed be 70 and your 50 100 in terms of field of view not really so much so on focal length

 

[OlyFlyer]

Hi again,

The 17.5-45mm maybe a cheap lens but to me, it does produce quality images. Without reservation I would recommend the system I have to anyone. I'm quite pleased to have the camera and the lens, it will always have a place in my bag.

If you are happy with the 17.5-45 images, you should see what realy high quality lenses can produce... I am not saying the 17.5-45 is bad, but it is nothing compared to what you will get from your Leicas or other high quality lenses.

You would have laughed at my re-action when the flash seemed to be going off by itself, I was unaware the pre-flash was connected to the AF when the shutter release was pressed half way, I really didn't know what was going on.

I also jumped high during my first encounter with that stupid strobe. I immediately grabbed my manual and hoped to find a way to switch it off. I never turned on after that until I bought the FL-50 with the red LEDs. In my tests, disregarding the irritating factor, I found the strobe actually causes the camera to focus slower in low light.

The last flash I used was the Metz 402, still have 4 in the cubboard, worthless these days.

Not at all. I use several old flashes, just buy some radio triggers, or optical slaves and off you go, multi flash is more fun than single flash, as you also probably know.

Will the focal length of my Leica lens be 2x, 35 become 70mm, 50 become 100mm etc that's what's going though my mind. I will be looking for a comprehensive detailed discussion on the 4/3 format tonight.

Here is a good reading about the format.

http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/43/sensor-size.html

Basically no, your 35mm will still be a 35 mm but it will act like a 70mm acted on your film camera. The 4/3 format is like if you take a 24x36 film image and cut a 13x17.3mm area out of the center part of that film image. So it is not really making the lens into a 70mm lens, just it uses a smaller part of the image. In other words the field of view is the same as for a 70mm on a film camera, but the lens perspective is still the same.

OlyFler, you have been a big help to me, it's great to know there's help out when needed.

Thank you for those words. There are many helpful people out there. You will see if you start threads to discuss different issues.

Had I noticed the dates on the posts, I probally wouldn't have made my post as I would thought the post was dead, thanks heavens I didn't notice the dates.

Don't worry, very few subjects are actually dead, if something still can be discussed I don't mind. Anyway, this is my thread, only I and the admins can close the thread to prevent new posts. As long as we keep it open it's OK to post, but if we are going to discuss Leica lenses or specific E-500 stuff I suggest you start a new thread to prevent going off topic too much.