Author Topic: Olympus vs Canon (Read 1586 times)

Star1pup · « **on:** May 02, 2006, 07:17:02 AM »

I have always been a Nikon man, but have had good results from an Olympus digital C-4000. I'm using more and more digital when I write articles and am thinking about upgrading. I don't want to go crazy with pricing, but probably in the range of a Canon XT Digital or an Olympus E-500. I checked the comparison site recommended in another thread and the Olympus looks like a slight winner. Any comments?

BruceP · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2006, 04:09:34 PM »

Star1pup,

I dont know what kind of photography or articles you are doing, but one thing you should remember when buying a DSLR is that you are buying into the whole system. It is not just the body that takes the photograph. As a Nikon film camera user you are use to a system that has about anything you could need. Of the two cameras you mentioned the Canon is the one with the most complete system. I am not knocking the Olympus E-500 as I have never used or even handled one. I did take a look in my B&H photo catalog at what Lenses and accessories are available for each though. If you have good quality auto-focus lenses for the Nikon you might even look at the D70 or even the D50 though both are only 6 megapixels. Not that this is a big problem unless the publisher requires more. (I use a 6 meg Canon 10D)

When I went digital I went from an all manual Nikon FM2 to the Canon system and I haven't been disapointed. If you can swing the extra money you could move on up to the Canon 20D at about $1050.00 for the body only but you get a stronger body ( Magnesium alloy instead of plastic like the Rebel XT or the Olympus E-500) and more fetures than the other two and you will still have 8 megapixels.
Personally if I had a large investment in top quality Nikon lenses I would go with the D70. If I did not have a lot invested in the Nikon equipment I would go with the Canon system.

I hope this helps. If you would like to give me a little more info as to the type photography you would be doing I would be glad to try to help.

BruceP

Star1pup · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2006, 09:48:12 AM »

Bruce,
Thanks for the input.

It's been a while since I did a lot of pro work and my Nikon lenses are not AF. I have heard that you can use them in a mnaual mode.
Bill a.k.a. Star1pup

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2006, 09:54:25 AM »

Does anyone know if the lens for my old Cannon A1 will work with any of the new Cannon DSLRs? If so I'd be real tempted by one. I already have an Olympus C700 which was a nice camera but is showing signs of aging and going thru batteries these days like there is no tomorrow. I guess I should send it back to see if they can fix it but haven't.

BruceP · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2006, 04:53:02 PM »

Sorry Bill but no can do. At least not without an adapter. When Canon designed their auto-focus lenses they used a different mount (EF) than the Manual lenses (FD). I have read about FD to EF mount adapters but have never seen one listed. I really have not looked since my Canon AE1 (my first camera) lenses, except the 50mm that came with the camera, were cheap off brand lenses.

BruceP

BruceP · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2006, 05:16:37 PM »

Star1pup,
Yes you can use the Nikon manual focus lenses on the AF cameras. I have not tried it on a D70 But I did try it on a D100 before buying my Canon. I am going from my bad memory but I think that I only tried it in full manual mode. The light meter did not work but I could still get decent exposures by "educated guess" and then view the LCD and make adjustments. (I have learned since that time that you have to use the histogram not just the LCD to do this properly) I have since read that some Nikon DSLR's will not meter with some AIS mount lenses but I don't know if that is in all modes or which lenses and which cameras are not compatable that way. At the time I tried it I really did not know enough about how to use the different auto modes and functions of the camera to give it a good test.
BruceP

Terrill · « **Reply #6 on:** June 09, 2006, 12:20:48 PM »

My vote would go for the new Canons. You can't use your old lenses but it is worth changing for. Full page shots in the magazines are as easy as it gets and I have yet to have a graphics man complain.

Star1pup · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2006, 01:50:42 PM »

Terrill - Nice shot. Which Canon & lens did you use?

Terrill · « **Reply #8 on:** June 09, 2006, 01:56:09 PM »

Thank you sir. The Canon 20D with a standard grade 28-105.
In the field it can capture faster than I can shoot.

Star1pup · « **Reply #9 on:** June 09, 2006, 02:03:10 PM »

More great shots. I have gotta get one of those Canons. This digital takes some getting used to. I became a professional photog in 1968 and we still had a Speed Graphic at the TV station. We shot 16mm B&W film!

BruceP · « **Reply #10 on:** June 09, 2006, 04:03:24 PM »

Nice shots Terrill. If everything goes as planed I will be moving up from the 10D to the new 30D hopefully in the next couple of weeks. The extra pixels will be nice but the faster frame rate, faster start up, faster write time, 1/3 stop iso and, I'm told, better autofocus would be worth it even at the same resolution.

This old Nikon boy is sold on Canon digital.

BruceP

Star1pup · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2006, 01:56:09 AM »

I wonder if I could find a dealer that would take some Nikons as a trade. I just do a little outdoor writing for some smaller magazines and a newspaper and the digital sure saves money on film processing & postage. I don't do enough these days to justify a big expenditure like when I had my own business. Now, it would mean deciding between a camera and a new gun or somthing. :lol:

Terrill · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2006, 02:06:50 AM »

Cameras can be as bad as guns. There is always another one you need.
Bruce, I'll warn you, the extra speed in processing bewteen the two will spoil you.
The bright side for me is that my guns,knives and cameras are all tax write offs. That is like getting everything at a 33% discount. :grin:

Star1pup · « **Reply #13 on:** June 12, 2006, 11:44:12 AM »

Like Terrill I can write a lot of stuff off as long as I keep selling articles, but I've been getting lazy lately except for my newspaper columns.

I talked with my son, who is in a photography related business, and he loves the Canons. I also hear that there are some good buys on the D20 now that the 30s are out and about.

BruceP · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2006, 04:44:38 PM »

While I make a few bucks with my camera I don't do enough to write it off, even though I do pay taxes on the income. I hope to increase the income with it though.
Even without the write off my new 30D will be here Monday. UPS tried to deliver today but I was at work. Monday I will be waiting.

Bill, I have also heard that the 20D can be had at good prices now but I have not priced them.
BruceP

Terrill · « **Reply #15 on:** June 19, 2006, 06:37:41 AM »

Bruce, you should be a happy camper by tonight. You'll love the 30D and it will do anything and everything you need!
NOW, whatever you do, don't post good results. I don't need to get the "new camera" bug!

BruceP · « **Reply #16 on:** June 19, 2006, 02:38:54 PM »

UPS delivered the new 30D about two hours ago. :-D :-D :-D
I'll start a new thread when I get a chance to really try it out.

Bruce