Olympus Evolt 500, any experience? - Page 4

God Is Santa for Adults · 01-15-2008, 06:35 AM

thanks, I just wanted to reach out and give him a scratch...

W.M.DEEEZ · 01-15-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al Asaad

Good choice in that any of the top CAMERA makers have good gear.

No. The fastest you can shoot with any lens is the widest aperture built into the lens (or any aperture inbetween).
So an f/2.8-f/3.5 or f/3.5-f/5.6 can be shot in "M" or "A" mode throughout the aperture and zoom range (of the lens).
Emphatically YES.
Whatever aperture you choose in "A" or "M" mode is the shooting aperture throughout the zoom range.
No. You can meter at any focal length when the camera is in "A" or "M" mode.
_____________________________
**I'm building an aperture priority blogsite so you and others can see the effects of focal length in regards to "A" or "M" set lenses.

Stay tuned.

So, re. the lesser, variable aperture lenses, why the heck would they make such a lense? I see they are much less expensive, but why would they automatically stop down when zooming? (When not in manual mode)

I believe I have a pretty good understanding of how cameras work, having shot with non auto cameras all through the 70's. I can't see any sense to these lesser zooms.

al Asaad · 01-16-2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W.M.DEEEZ

So, re. the lesser, variable aperture lenses, why the heck would they make such a lense?

The cost of constant aperture lenses for 1, the ease of construction for another.

Quote:

I see they are much less expensive, but why would they automatically stop down when zooming? (When not in manual mode)

Automation (metering-etc.) is far less expensive to build into a lens/camera body.
For example, I own a 55mm Canon FD 1:1.2 asph lens in nearly pristine condition. Such quality "legacy" glass has sold for as much as $491 on eBay. Even a pristine 50mm f/1.4 legacy lens (any) can fetch as much as $250 on eBay.
*A new 50mm f:1.2 lens is obscenely expensive

As for stopping down: the quality (or lack of) of the glass and elements makes them less able to gather light as the focal length changes so compromises must be made.

Quote:

I believe I have a pretty good understanding of how cameras work, having shot with non auto cameras all through the 70's. I can't see any sense to these lesser zooms.

The "lesser" zooms have made photography more accesible to the "Joe Sixpacks" of the world.
In a world of all primes and constant aperture lenses, there is little room for the casual shooter.
With P&Ss, variable aperture lenses and computer designed and manufactured lenses, we can all shoot something.

The best news is if you do not mind focusing your rig, there are permium "legacy" lenses out there for the (inexpensive) picking: genuine Leica lenses for example.

Automation (lenses-bodies-flash) in manufaturing saved (and cursed) the craft at once.

W.M.DEEEZ · 01-16-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al Asaad

The cost of constant aperture lenses for 1, the ease of construction for another. Automation (metering-etc.) is far less expensive to build into a lens/camera body.
For example, I own a 55mm Canon FD 1:1.2 asph lens in nearly pristine condition. Such quality "legacy" glass has sold for as much as $491 on eBay. Even a pristine 50mm f/1.4 legacy lens (any) can fetch as much as $250 on eBay.
*A new 50mm f:1.2 lens is obscenely expensive

As for stopping down: the quality (or lack of) of the glass and elements makes them less able to gather light as the focal length changes so compromises must be made.
The "lesser" zooms have made photography more accesible to the "Joe Sixpacks" of the world.
In a world of all primes and constant aperture lenses, there is little room for the casual shooter.
With P&Ss, variable aperture lenses and computer designed and manufactured lenses, we can all shoot something.

The best news is if you do not mind focusing your rig, there are permium "legacy" lenses out there for the (inexpensive) picking: genuine Leica lenses for example.

Automation (lenses-bodies-flash) in manufaturing saved (and cursed) the craft at once.

Well, I can agree with your last statement. Re. autofocus...I'm not overly impressed with the auto focus, especially in low light. I'd gladly take my old ground glass/split screen viewfinder, with large mirror for brightness. This would give me half a chance at focusing manually.

The autofocus seems to have a mind of its own.

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