Any first-hand experience with Olympus E-300?

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"SB" <no@thanks.com> wrote in message
news:07Xbe.39497$AR.981584@wagner.videotron.net...
> Any first-hand experience with Olympus E-300?
> Internet info varies, and the bottom line is: slightly inferior to D70,
> better than Rebel, and definitely good value for the money.
> I can't figure out whether I should keep it - or return to the store.
> All advice welcome.

In the brief time I used one, I decided not to keep it. In my opinion, there
are better alternatives, and those alternatives will allow you to buy into a
much more extensive system. Unless your enamored with the shape and
ergonomics, give it back.

>
> SB
>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"SB" <no@thanks.com> wrote in message
news:07Xbe.39497$AR.981584@wagner.videotron.net...
> Any first-hand experience with Olympus E-300?
> Internet info varies, and the bottom line is: slightly inferior to D70,
> better than Rebel, and definitely good value for the money.
> I can't figure out whether I should keep it - or return to the store.
> All advice welcome.

You have the camera in your hand, what do you think???

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"SB" <no@thanks.com> wrote in message
news:07Xbe.39497$AR.981584@wagner.videotron.net...
> Any first-hand experience with Olympus E-300?
> Internet info varies, and the bottom line is: slightly inferior to D70,
> better than Rebel, and definitely good value for the money.
> I can't figure out whether I should keep it - or return to the store.
> All advice welcome.
>
> SB

There is at least one supporter of Olympus E300 here. She will howl down
anyone who knocks her camera. The sad part of the Evolt is that it promises
much and delivers little. Otherwise it is a pretty good advanced consumer
camera able to interchange it's lenses. My wife has a P&S Olympus and she
loved it... Right up to the point it started displaying it's shortcomings.
The main one being low light performance and chromatic aberration in the
extreme.

If you can be really sure you don't intend to use your camera at ISO
settings over 400 and you are prepared to do some post processing to remove
chromatic aberrations - not from the lens but the sensor... Then keep it.
The lenses are pretty good for most people but if you are thinking about Pro
work... Forget this one.

I've done a lot of testing of high end consumer cameras lately looking for
the perfect answer for a photographer who takes nice photos instinctively
but has no interest in the jargon and technicalities of post processing. So
far I am prepared to say the Panasonic FZ20 and the newly released small
brother of it are better for most people than a (relatively) cheap DSLR. I'd
go so far as to say the Leica lens is a work of art in itself. Providing an
almost total range few would find wanting and it provides great optics over
most of that range too.

One of my clients who is a wedding photographer, took one of these cameras
to a wedding and had his wife shoot a pre-determined set of shots similar to
his. He is a little cheezed off that of all the proofs offered to the
couple, the shots from the Panasonic were most ordered. Considering his $10k
1Ds MkII and $8k worth of lenses didn't produce any better shots (except for
enlargability) than the FZ, he is now questioning the cost of his gear.

At the end, each to their own. You must have liked the Evolt or you wouldn't
have it. It will make excellent pictures and all digital cameras have
shortcomings. The ones Olympus cameras have might never be a problem if you
only ever shoot outdoors in good light or with flash. Certainly for me, this
would present a problem but then not everyone shoots indoors most of the
time.

Douglas

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Douglas" <decipleofeos@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Ea3ce.31989$5F3.16411@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> "SB" <no@thanks.com> wrote in message
> news:07Xbe.39497$AR.981584@wagner.videotron.net...
> > Any first-hand experience with Olympus E-300?
> > Internet info varies, and the bottom line is: slightly inferior to D70,
> > better than Rebel, and definitely good value for the money.
> > I can't figure out whether I should keep it - or return to the store.
> > All advice welcome.
> >
> > SB
>
> There is at least one supporter of Olympus E300 here. She will howl down
> anyone who knocks her camera. The sad part of the Evolt is that it
promises
> much and delivers little. Otherwise it is a pretty good advanced consumer
> camera able to interchange it's lenses. My wife has a P&S Olympus and she
> loved it... Right up to the point it started displaying it's shortcomings.
> The main one being low light performance and chromatic aberration in the
> extreme.

That one owner will "howl down" critics has nothing to say about the E300's
performance or quality, nor does your wife's experience with problems
related to an Olympus P&S. I could tell you that my dear old Oly C-2100UZ
had excellent low-light performance for its time, but what would that imply
about the E300? Absolutely nothing (Ugh! Say it again!).

> If you can be really sure you don't intend to use your camera at ISO
> settings over 400 and you are prepared to do some post processing to
remove
> chromatic aberrations - not from the lens but the sensor... Then keep it.
> The lenses are pretty good for most people but if you are thinking about
Pro
> work... Forget this one.

While there's general agreement about the E300 sensor-size related, poor
high-ISO performance, your comment about chromatic aberration simply isn't
true, as even the most cursory look at a few high-contrast sample shots will
demonstrate. (See Steve's, dpreview, and Imaging Resource, for instance.)

I don't have an E300, almost certainly won't buy one, but I am very
impressed with the camera's ease of operation, its exceptional build
quality, its dust-removal system, and--with a few caveats--the quality of
its photographic output. There's even an underwater housing available
available for those whose interests move them in that direction.

Should the owner keep it? If the camera operates as advertised and was sold
in good faith, then the owner should show a little integrity and keep it,
instead of returning it, forcing the manufacturer to sell it as
"refurbished", and thereby ultimately driving up prices for those of us who
do our research *before* we buy. Lastly, if he really needs some sort of
trendy consensus of opinion to help him decide about the quality of a camera
he already has in his possession, perhaps photography isn't his calling:
At the end of the day, it's the how the images look to the photographer that
matters and not how others feel about his or her equipment. Photography
ain't no freaking fashion contest.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"SB" <no@thanks.com> wrote in message
news:07Xbe.39497$AR.981584@wagner.videotron.net...
> Any first-hand experience with Olympus E-300?
> Internet info varies, and the bottom line is: slightly inferior to D70,
> better than Rebel, and definitely good value for the money.

Not the best choice for the money.

See http://digitalslrinfo.com

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Steven M. Scharf" <scharf.steven@linkearth.net> wrote in message
news n7ce.741$pe3.213@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
>
> "SB" <no@thanks.com> wrote in message
> news:07Xbe.39497$AR.981584@wagner.videotron.net...
>> Any first-hand experience with Olympus E-300?
>> Internet info varies, and the bottom line is: slightly inferior to D70,
>> better than Rebel, and definitely good value for the money.
>
> Not the best choice for the money.
>
> See http://digitalslrinfo.com
>
>

I've had mine since the first of the year, used it on construction sites,
and for building inspections (I am an Architect). The kit lens has been much
better than I expected. I purchased the 50mm f2 macro and the 50-200 f
2.8-4 tele. The results have been stunning. I have used all lenses in
nor'easters with shots of surf and blowing snow. Excellent. I have found
that I can use the long lens to examine roof edges and high areas of
existing buildings by simply blowing up the shots, rather than actually
climbing up. Of course other cameras could do this, but I just have been
very satisfied with the camera and its system. BTW, I purchased a Sigma
55-200 f4.5-5.6 for the E-300 for knockaround use and have been
disappointed. It is not sharp enough for field work and extreme blowups.
My wife has a Minolta 7D, because of her collection of lenses, which is OK,
but heavy and clumsy for field work.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Douglas and All,

Thanks for your feedback.
I have had Nikon CoolPix 8700 for a year, really loved the picture quality
but could not stand the shutter lag and frame-to-frame time.
I decided to upgrade to 8800, which - allegedly - was faster.
When I came to the store, I was offered this SLR with 2 lenses -
for just another 200 bucks.
This camera does not make me wait impatiently between the shots.
Definitely, I do not miss all bells and whistles (video, audio, etc - I
never use them).
But the colors of the photos (as seen on the LCD) look less exciting...

Maybe, just need to get used and/or customize some settings.

What I meant by "inferior" to D70 was the speed (fps, frame-to-frame, power
on),
battery life, and size of CCD (FOV crop=2). More pixels is not necessary
better.

SB




"Douglas" <decipleofeos@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Ea3ce.31989$5F3.16411@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> "SB" <no@thanks.com> wrote in message
> news:07Xbe.39497$AR.981584@wagner.videotron.net...
>> Any first-hand experience with Olympus E-300?
>> Internet info varies, and the bottom line is: slightly inferior to D70,
>> better than Rebel, and definitely good value for the money.
>> I can't figure out whether I should keep it - or return to the store.
>> All advice welcome.
>>
>> SB
>
> There is at least one supporter of Olympus E300 here. She will howl down
> anyone who knocks her camera. The sad part of the Evolt is that it
> promises much and delivers little. Otherwise it is a pretty good advanced
> consumer camera able to interchange it's lenses. My wife has a P&S Olympus
> and she loved it... Right up to the point it started displaying it's
> shortcomings. The main one being low light performance and chromatic
> aberration in the extreme.
>
> If you can be really sure you don't intend to use your camera at ISO
> settings over 400 and you are prepared to do some post processing to
> remove chromatic aberrations - not from the lens but the sensor... Then
> keep it. The lenses are pretty good for most people but if you are
> thinking about Pro work... Forget this one.
>
> I've done a lot of testing of high end consumer cameras lately looking for
> the perfect answer for a photographer who takes nice photos instinctively
> but has no interest in the jargon and technicalities of post processing.
> So far I am prepared to say the Panasonic FZ20 and the newly released
> small brother of it are better for most people than a (relatively) cheap
> DSLR. I'd go so far as to say the Leica lens is a work of art in itself.
> Providing an almost total range few would find wanting and it provides
> great optics over most of that range too.
>
> One of my clients who is a wedding photographer, took one of these cameras
> to a wedding and had his wife shoot a pre-determined set of shots similar
> to his. He is a little cheezed off that of all the proofs offered to the
> couple, the shots from the Panasonic were most ordered. Considering his
> $10k 1Ds MkII and $8k worth of lenses didn't produce any better shots
> (except for enlargability) than the FZ, he is now questioning the cost of
> his gear.
>
> At the end, each to their own. You must have liked the Evolt or you
> wouldn't have it. It will make excellent pictures and all digital cameras
> have shortcomings. The ones Olympus cameras have might never be a problem
> if you only ever shoot outdoors in good light or with flash. Certainly for
> me, this would present a problem but then not everyone shoots indoors most
> of the time.
>
> Douglas
>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <OHdce.20282$616.385596@weber.videotron.net>, SB says...

> What I meant by "inferior" to D70 was the speed (fps, frame-to-frame, power
> on),

The E300 can write to the memory card at 9MB/s. No other camera on the
market is that fast.

> battery life, and size of CCD (FOV crop=2). More pixels is not necessary
> better.

Of course more resolution is better.
--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
Olympus 4040, 5050, 5060, 7070, 8080, E300 forum at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MyOlympus/
Olympus 8080 resource - http://myolympus.org/8080/

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

I do similar photogaphy and agree with this post. Mine is relatively
new so I am still on a learning curve, particularly with regard to some
quirks, such as an occasional tendency to underexpose (similar comments
have been made about the D70 and the problem, such as it is, is easily
correctable). Another slight negative is that the lcd just doesn't seem
as accurate as it might be in terms of color rendition --- and I miss a
live histogram and tilting lcd for composition.

One thing I've noticed - and the same is true of my Olympus 5060 (my
'travel' camera) is that there is very little difference between SHQ
and the highest HQ setting (I do use raw for any commerical work I do),
and I have done a lot of test shots to check this out. Oly seems to
have those algorithms quite right. I think the kit lens is fine,
particularly when stopped down a bit. Focusing can be a tad soft in low
light, but out of hundreds of shots the camera and I have probably only
fuzzed one three or four. I got spoiled by my f2.0 2020z's low light
capabilities.

All in all the camera is solidly built, responsive, and produces fine
results with both the kit lens and the Pentax K lenses I am using with
an adapter. I also value the dust removal system. A bit of piece of
mind and once less thing to think about.

Over the years I had many different slr systems -- Oly, Nikon and
Pentax (two of which were stolen) and I think it is a natural fact of
photographic life that each camera has some characteristics that one
can complain about, or which take some serious practice. In this regard
first impressions, such as mine, need to be taken as a grain of salt.
This said, I think the 300 is a fine tool with good optic options.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Alfred Molon wrote:
[]
> Of course more resolution is better.

I suspect that in choosing between a random 6MP camera and a random 8MP
camera, the number of pixels would come close to the bottom of the list in
decision making!

David

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Steven M. Scharf" <scharf.steven@linkearth.net> wrote in message
news n7ce.741$pe3.213@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
>
> "SB" <no@thanks.com> wrote in message
> news:07Xbe.39497$AR.981584@wagner.videotron.net...
>> Any first-hand experience with Olympus E-300?
>> Internet info varies, and the bottom line is: slightly inferior to D70,
>> better than Rebel, and definitely good value for the money.
>
> Not the best choice for the money.

So when you were using yours what didn't you like about it?

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <3tjce.21681$G8.4356@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk>, David J
Taylor says...

> I suspect that in choosing between a random 6MP camera and a random 8MP
> camera, the number of pixels would come close to the bottom of the list in
> decision making!

I keep receiving requests from people who want to make wall size prints
(already two such requests over the past seven days). You can never know
what somebody wants to do in the future with one of your images.
--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
Olympus 4040, 5050, 5060, 7070, 8080, E300 forum at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MyOlympus/
Olympus 8080 resource - http://myolympus.org/8080/

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <MPG.1cdbec0b7ecdee8598aae5@news.supernews.com>, Alfred Molon
says...
> In article <3tjce.21681$G8.4356@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk>, David J
> Taylor says...
>
> > I suspect that in choosing between a random 6MP camera and a random 8MP
> > camera, the number of pixels would come close to the bottom of the list in
> > decision making!
>
> I keep receiving requests from people who want to make wall size prints
> (already two such requests over the past seven days). You can never know
> what somebody wants to do in the future with one of your images.

Forgot to say: More resolution = more money you can make. Guess why
medium and large format photography exists.
--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
Olympus 4040, 5050, 5060, 7070, 8080, E300 forum at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MyOlympus/
Olympus 8080 resource - http://myolympus.org/8080/

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

SB wrote:

> Any first-hand experience with Olympus E-300?

Yes.

> Internet info varies, and the bottom line is: slightly inferior to D70,
> better than Rebel, and definitely good value for the money.

I bought mine mainly because of the colors it delivers. I also like the
anti-dust technology (it works) and the quality of the optics avalible. The
50mm macro is amazing! I also like the feature that allows you to use the
on camera flash for fill and the fl36 as a bounce flash. I like the aspect
ratio of this format as it's close to the 6X4.5 perspective I'm used to
shooting. The LCD screen is very clear and I just like the way the camera
handles (The viewfinder in the corner so don't have to jam my nose into
the back of the camera) and it fits my hands, the controls in easy reach
etc.

It all depends on how you plan use it. It does have some issues with the
ESP metering mode, the auto WB can be fooled which the manual explains (I
use presets) and if you're going to make 11X14 or bigger prints (or are a
stickler for details in landscape type shots), you have to shoot RAW and
develop either with the extra cost studio software or PS CS etc. Doing
this, the sharpness isn't an issue plus the studio software has some
interesting features like correction for the normal light falloff wide
lenses have etc. The latest firmware addresses some of these issues and
adds a couple of features the 1.0 doesn't have.

> I can't figure out whether I should keep it - or return to the store.
>

Like I said it depends on what you are shooting and how you want to use it.
If you don't need 800+ ISO regularly and can live with it's quirks, it can
produce nice results. Here are some shots I've taken and the 11X14's look
nice.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=11...

Most of the bashing you see are from people who have never used one. they
point to online reviews and say "Mine is better".. I used a 10D for a
while and personally like the results from -this- camera better. SOmething
about the look of the images appeals to me. Then again if I needed clean
high ISO shots, I'd be using a canon for sure. AT ISO 1600 the images from
this camera are pretty grainy. Each has good and bad points, your job is
to either figure out which one fits your needs or "Go with the herd", buy a
canon and assume it must be the best for you because someone else likes
it? ;-)

Like I said only you can decide and maybe another model would suit you
better? I think all of the latest dSLR's are impressive and all can deliver
good results depending on the user's skill.

--

Stacey

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Douglas wrote:

>
> "SB" <no@thanks.com> wrote in message
> news:07Xbe.39497$AR.981584@wagner.videotron.net...
>> Any first-hand experience with Olympus E-300?
>> Internet info varies, and the bottom line is: slightly inferior to D70,
>> better than Rebel, and definitely good value for the money.
>> I can't figure out whether I should keep it - or return to the store.
>> All advice welcome.
>>
>> SB
>
> There is at least one supporter of Olympus E300 here. She will howl down
> anyone who knocks her camera.

> The main one being low light performance and chromatic
> aberration in the extreme.

Yep, low light perfomance isn't it's strong point but you're the first to
say that CA is even an issue!


> remove chromatic aberrations - not from the lens but the sensor...

CA on a sensor? Hmm maybe you can explain how that happens..
--

Stacey

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

SB wrote:


> But the colors of the photos (as seen on the LCD) look less exciting...

Uh maybe you should try judging the results on something besides the LCD
screen on the camera?

>
> Maybe, just need to get used and/or customize some settings.

Yep, takes a while to learn where to set these to your liking.

>
> What I meant by "inferior" to D70 was the speed (fps, frame-to-frame,
> power on),
Well part of the power on time is the sensor cleaner doing it's thing, you
know the blinking blue light thingie? :-)

> battery life

Have you actually had an issue with the battery life? I've filled two 1 gig
cards and the battery was still going strong..

--

Stacey

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Stacey" <fotocord@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3dgff7F6oc1jgU3@individual.net...
> SB wrote:
>
>
>> But the colors of the photos (as seen on the LCD) look less exciting...
>
> Uh maybe you should try judging the results on something besides the LCD
> screen on the camera?
Hmm, what's going on here, I agree with you... ;-) Actually, Stacey, you
and I agree more often than not...
>
>>
>> Maybe, just need to get used and/or customize some settings.
>
> Yep, takes a while to learn where to set these to your liking.
as long as he doesn't use the LCD to set his levels...
>
>>
>> What I meant by "inferior" to D70 was the speed (fps, frame-to-frame,
>> power on),
> Well part of the power on time is the sensor cleaner doing it's thing, you
> know the blinking blue light thingie? :-)
>
>> battery life
>
> Have you actually had an issue with the battery life? I've filled two 1
> gig
> cards and the battery was still going strong..
>
> --
>
> Stacey

--
Skip Middleton
http://www.shadowcatcherimagery.com

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sat, 30 Apr 2005 00:18:49 -0400, Stacey wrote:

>> The main one being low light performance and chromatic
>> aberration in the extreme.
>
> Yep, low light perfomance isn't it's strong point but you're the first to
> say that CA is even an issue!
>
>
>> remove chromatic aberrations - not from the lens but the sensor...
>
> CA on a sensor? Hmm maybe you can explain how that happens..

I can't explain how it happens, however it's consistent with what
a reviewer had to say about Kodak's 13.5mp Pro DCS SLR/n and SLR/c.

>> "The new models' output remains excellent at 200 speed. At 400,
>> some chroma noise creeps into the shadows."

Since the variable it the ISO setting, it would seem that the
chroma noise has more to do with the sensor than the lens, but it
might be that a different lens wouldn't have produced this CA.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <3dgf3dF6oc1jgU1@individual.net>, Stacey says...

> http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=11...

By the way, this one:
http://www.villagephotos.com/viewpubimage.asp?id_=11894...

you should have shot it in RAW, because the white balance is inaccurate
(too much blue/red) and the contrast setting is too high. The scene
contains a lot of dynamic range and it's best to choose a low contrast
setting.
--

Alfred Molon
------------------------------
Olympus 4040, 5050, 5060, 7070, 8080, E300 forum at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MyOlympus/
Olympus E300 resource - http://myolympus.org/E300/