FAO of Olympus E System users

nilhg

Over the last while I think we've had a few new Oly users posting here and I'm not sure if you guys frequent the Oly forums on dpreview or fourthirdsphoto. If not you might not have noticed that there is a quite active Olympus users group which has developed from conversations on those forums. They started out running meet ups but now are running an exhibition and producing a book and DVD, and are still keen to include new members who would like to get involved. There is quite of effort being put into this and while I understand it wont be for everyone, somebody here might like to be involved.

DaireQuinlan

This seems to me to be the most stupid reason for forming a group. "we all use the same brand of camera". woopidoo. I'm sure the discussions at the meet ups are just fascinating.

Besides which the entire thing just looks like an olympus marketing excercise masquerading as a popular movement. I mean for gods sakes, look what "Brian Mosley" has to say about the group ...

Our members believe that Olympus provide the best solution for the serious photographer with their designed for digital E-System cameras and most importantly the exceptional quality of the light weight Zuiko lenses. This combination provides us with the capability to produce truly outstanding images. The group also acknowledges that Olympus will have to work hard to maintain their lead over the competition with regard to tough, compact and inspirational cameras.

marketing schill for Olympus anyone ?!?!?!?

D.

Morrisseeee

so......you won't be participating then.......doh!

RichyX

I'd have to agree that it seems a bit silly to join a group based on the usage of the same brand of camera.

Any group I've been involved with has been down to shared geographical location. Same techniques apply no matter what the brand.

duffarama

nilhg wrote: »

There is quite of effort being put into this and while I understand it wont be for everyone, somebody here might like to be involved.

I'm well aware of their work as I'm on DPreview way more than this place, but what exactly are you asking??

duffarama

RichyX wrote: »

I'd have to agree that it seems a bit silly to join a group based on the usage of the same brand of camera.

Any group I've been involved with has been down to shared geographical location. Same techniques apply no matter what the brand.

To be fair they have got to try out some equipment before it's been released... also they get to share techniques to get the best out of their camera. It's a little harder for us Olympus users to get information than ye Canon and Nikon folks

RichyX

duffarama wrote: »

It's a little harder for us Olympus users to get information than ye Canon and Nikon folks

I'm a Pentax user

I can see the appeal of trying out other peoples equipment. I've yet to meet another Pentaxian, so the only lenses & bodies I've used have been my own.

duffarama

RichyX wrote: »

I'm a Pentax user

I can see the appeal of trying out other peoples equipment. I've yet to meet another Pentaxian, so the only lenses & bodies I've used have been my own.

Grouphug??

I'm all up for trying out other equipment, but it would be nice to be able to have more readily available information on your own camera and a better availability of lenses and so on locally.

That said though, I'm happy with the camera I have, so I spend time at DPreview to get any info I need!

magicbastarder

while i have ye lot here, are there firmware upgrades available for the E500? if so, any benefit in them?

Morrisseeee

Check out : http://www.olympus-europa.com/consumer/dslr_E-500_Firmware_Updates.htm

Hey RichyX, I'm sorta a Pentaxian aswell, I've got an old zoom lens, Pentax 100-300mm that I use on my E510. It looks really old, ie. manually operated, but gives good enough photos.
Have you many Pentax lenses, ie. I'm always on the look out for 2nd hand Oly or Pentax lenses, could you recommend any, or where to get them ? new or 2nd hand ?

RichyX

Morrisseeee wrote: »

Hey RichyX, I'm sorta a Pentaxian aswell, I've got an old zoom lens, Pentax 100-300mm that I use on my E510. It looks really old, ie. manually operated, but gives good enough photos.
Have you many Pentax lenses, ie. I'm always on the look out for 2nd hand Oly or Pentax lenses, could you recommend any, or where to get them ? new or 2nd hand ?

Interesting, how do you have it mounted on your E510?
I'm guessing it's an old M42 lens with an adapter.

It's quite hard to get any Pentax lenses in Ireland, new or used. The best place would be ebay (if you don't mind the risk), or maybe camera stores over in England.
I can't really comment on M42 lenses as I have no direct experience with them. Pentax are generally great for 50mm lenses, so maybe keep an eye out for those.

I have around 6 lenses myself, 18-55mm kit lens, 70-300mm Tamron, Pentax FA 35mm f/2, an old manual focus Pentax 50mm f/1.4 and a couple of old Tokina zooms.

nilhg

duffarama wrote: »

I'm well aware of their work as I'm on DPreview way more than this place, but what exactly are you asking??

I'm not asking anything, just bringing it to peoples attention, its a resource for people who are interested, just like dpreview, fourthirdsphoto or wrotniak.net

DaireQuinlan wrote: »

This seems to me to be the most stupid reason for forming a group. "we all use the same brand of camera". woopidoo. I'm sure the discussions at the meet ups are just fascinating.

Besides which the entire thing just looks like an olympus marketing excercise masquerading as a popular movement. I mean for gods sakes, look what "Brian Mosley" has to say about the group ...



marketing schill for Olympus anyone ?!?!?!?

D.

If its not for you, pass on by, but I can't see the actual meetings being much different to some boards meetups I've been to with the Canonites swapping gear like snuff at a wake.:eek:

There is an attraction to being able to try out gear you don't have/can't afford.

magicbastarder wrote: »

while i have ye lot here, are there firmware upgrades available for the E500? if so, any benefit in them?

I've never been mad about the way Oly implement firmware upgrades (with the camera connected via USB and through Olympus master,but I've never been sorry I did one.

Morrisseeee

Yeah I use an adapter, this adapter also mounts a manual Centon 50mm F1.7.
I think the Pentax I have is this one : http://www.pbase.com/equipment/image/71199354
ie. they are very similar.
Also here is a list of (probably) every Pentax that was ever made : http://www.pbase.com/cameras/pentax

I don't know if this adapter lets me mount newer Pentax lenses or other types of lenses, I haven't looked into that yet. I would like to know as I could buy different lenses, obviously.

magicbastarder

nilhg wrote: »

I've never been mad about the way Oly implement firmware upgrades (with the camera connected via USB and through Olympus master,but I've never been sorry I did one.

i uninstalled olympus master about a day after i installed it. didn't like it one bit.