Olympus E300
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2009
- Messages
- 345
- Reaction score
- 12
- Location
- Ste.Anne, Manitoba, Canada
- Website
- www.fsharpphotography.ca
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
I've been an Olympus guy for years now. I started with an E-300 many moons ago and I eventually worked my way through the ranks - finally settling on the E3 (Olympus' flagship DSLR at the time when I bought it). About six months ago I decided that I wanted to upgrade my E3 to the E5 and that I needed to expand my lens selection. Even though I had a fair selection already, I wanted to upgrade some of my glass and add a few new pieces. The hunt was on for glass at a reasonable price (because I'm a single father or two very young girls - I'm on a tight budget). Sadly, my local camera shops typically don't carry Olympus stuff and I've always had to order items in when I want them. I found this to be irritating at best, especially when you want to hold a body in your hands to get a feel for it before committing to purchasing it. I felt that if I had to order something in and buy it sight unseen, I might as well shop eBay and buy at a reduced price (buying used gear has never been a concern of mine). My quest quickly moved from the local retail shops to the world wide web only to discover that Olympus stuff was vastly out numbered by Canon and Nikon gear.
After some careful consideration, I decided that it may just be best to switch brand names all together. While I knew this would be an expensive flip-flop, I ultimately felt that I would be better off buying a new, non-Olympus body and tool it up for my photography needs. After extensive reading and a few trips to Henry's Camera and holding both brands in my hands, I decided that the Canon 5D Mark III was the body for me. Once I decided that I was moving away from Olympus and buying a new body, I really wanted to move into a full frame camera and this body seemed to fit the bill nicely! I read about the 24-105mm kit lens and how awesome it is. Of course I try not to put too much stock in other's opinions but in this case, I didn't have much else to go by. In the end, I priced out the body and kit lens and I soon realized that I was in for the long haul. $4632.99 after tax was the grand tally and since I don't have a money tree in the back yard, it became painfully obvious to me that I was going to have to start selling some gear to help pay for the new gear.
eBay here I come! Over the course of four and a half months I sold all of my Olympus gear along with some firearms (I'm a registered collector) and some other doo-dads that I had laying around collecting dust. I'm happy to report that yesterday I walked into the local Camera shop and bought a new Canon 5D Mark III with the 24-10mm kit lens and a 600EX-RT Speedlite. I had previously traded my Olympus Zuiko digital 70-300mm lens to a fellow for a gently used 70-300mm EOS Canon lens. In the end, I spent $4,972.43 after tax but I'm now fairly well equipped. Once I learn how to use this Canon (the menus and features are 180 degrees from the Olympus) perhaps I'll be able to better judge what I'll want to add to the gear bag. I originally thought that the 600EX-RT Speedlite was capable of off camera operation while syncing directly with the 5D Mark III body but I was told when I was buying it that I have to order the transmitter. I have yet to confirm that.
All-in-all, the Canon 5D Mark III seems to be well built and has a certain "heft" in my hand that I appreciate. It doesn't feel junky or cheap. I liked that feel when I had the E3 so I was looking for something that felt "hefty". I've already ordered a shoulder strap because I do a lot of outdoors, landscape & wildlife stuff and lugging heavy gear around gets tiresome. I always meant to order a strap when I used the E3 but I just didn't get around to it. This time I'm not waiting... The 24-105mm L series IS USM lens doesn't disappoint either. I've only shot 50 photos thus far but the AF system of the camera/lens seems superb! Fast focusing and razor sharp images. The 70-300mm lens that I traded for is still in transit and should arrive come the end of the week. As a result, I can't speak about this telephoto lens, however, I've read good things.
So...Long story short, this die hard Olympus guy has recently flip-flopped onto the Canon band wagon. From what I've seen so far, I think I'm going to enjoy the ride! I only wish that I could change my screen name on the forum now, lol.
If anyone who uses the 5D Mark III body has recommendations on gear that they feel is essential, I would be happy to read about it.
Cheers!
- Daniel
After some careful consideration, I decided that it may just be best to switch brand names all together. While I knew this would be an expensive flip-flop, I ultimately felt that I would be better off buying a new, non-Olympus body and tool it up for my photography needs. After extensive reading and a few trips to Henry's Camera and holding both brands in my hands, I decided that the Canon 5D Mark III was the body for me. Once I decided that I was moving away from Olympus and buying a new body, I really wanted to move into a full frame camera and this body seemed to fit the bill nicely! I read about the 24-105mm kit lens and how awesome it is. Of course I try not to put too much stock in other's opinions but in this case, I didn't have much else to go by. In the end, I priced out the body and kit lens and I soon realized that I was in for the long haul. $4632.99 after tax was the grand tally and since I don't have a money tree in the back yard, it became painfully obvious to me that I was going to have to start selling some gear to help pay for the new gear.
eBay here I come! Over the course of four and a half months I sold all of my Olympus gear along with some firearms (I'm a registered collector) and some other doo-dads that I had laying around collecting dust. I'm happy to report that yesterday I walked into the local Camera shop and bought a new Canon 5D Mark III with the 24-10mm kit lens and a 600EX-RT Speedlite. I had previously traded my Olympus Zuiko digital 70-300mm lens to a fellow for a gently used 70-300mm EOS Canon lens. In the end, I spent $4,972.43 after tax but I'm now fairly well equipped. Once I learn how to use this Canon (the menus and features are 180 degrees from the Olympus) perhaps I'll be able to better judge what I'll want to add to the gear bag. I originally thought that the 600EX-RT Speedlite was capable of off camera operation while syncing directly with the 5D Mark III body but I was told when I was buying it that I have to order the transmitter. I have yet to confirm that.
All-in-all, the Canon 5D Mark III seems to be well built and has a certain "heft" in my hand that I appreciate. It doesn't feel junky or cheap. I liked that feel when I had the E3 so I was looking for something that felt "hefty". I've already ordered a shoulder strap because I do a lot of outdoors, landscape & wildlife stuff and lugging heavy gear around gets tiresome. I always meant to order a strap when I used the E3 but I just didn't get around to it. This time I'm not waiting... The 24-105mm L series IS USM lens doesn't disappoint either. I've only shot 50 photos thus far but the AF system of the camera/lens seems superb! Fast focusing and razor sharp images. The 70-300mm lens that I traded for is still in transit and should arrive come the end of the week. As a result, I can't speak about this telephoto lens, however, I've read good things.
So...Long story short, this die hard Olympus guy has recently flip-flopped onto the Canon band wagon. From what I've seen so far, I think I'm going to enjoy the ride! I only wish that I could change my screen name on the forum now, lol.
If anyone who uses the 5D Mark III body has recommendations on gear that they feel is essential, I would be happy to read about it.
Cheers!
- Daniel
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