Olympus EVOLT E-300 camera

[ReyeR]

The E300 should operate in some variation of Ikelite dSLR housing like the E-1 shown on following URL: http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/e1olympus.html

Good on you, Ike! What are you going to do about the pentaprism 'hump' though?
Just curious - why did it take Ikelite such a long time to decide to do a housing for the E-1?

 

[lukeROB]

There is no 'crop factor' in the Olympus four-thirds system - each lens is designed from scratch and optimised to match the standardised sensor size. It's not like a Canon 300D or Nikon D70 where you are using lenses that were made for 35mm cameras - this is one of the unique factors of the four-thirds system.
The equivalent FOV or focal length for a 35mm film format is stated to serve as a reference, only because a lot of us are 'used to it'.
The smaller sensor size (compared to 35mm film) willl hopefully mean lighter and smaller lenses too.
They are releasing a 7-14mm (14-28mm 35mm equivalent) next year - Ryan's choice of the word 'affordable' is apt - it is a 'pro' lens and rumoured at US$2000++!

My bad - choice of wording I guess. Just like the nikon DX, and Canon AF-S lenses these are designed for small sensor so there is no actual crop. The point I was making is that a 7mm lens in this case is 'equivalent' to the FOV of a 14mm on 35mm film. Making ultra wide lenses like this is not really cheap - since you can get the canon 10-22 (equiv 16mm on wide end) for around US$800 it makes the Oly less enticing to me.

No matter which way you look at it the angle of coverage is diminished with smaller sensor size hence whatever you want to call it 'crop factor' etc means the equivlent frame coverage it 2X for the Oly. Good on the macro end because you are filling a frame with 2X smaller than with a 35mm film, but bad for wide angle.

I was trying to show that on the wide end, unless 'big' money is spent this camera may be limited. I doubt oly is going to release a port for that 7-14 zuiko, best to go with ike. But if you are doing that I see far more sense in going down the line of either Nikon or Canon (far greater lens choice).

 

[erichK]

There is no 'crop factor' in the Olympus four-thirds system - each lens is designed from scratch and optimised to match the standardised sensor size. It's not like a Canon 300D or Nikon D70 where you are using lenses that were made for 35mm cameras - this is one of the unique factors of the four-thirds system.
The equivalent FOV or focal length for a 35mm film format is stated to serve as a reference, only because a lot of us are 'used to it'.
The smaller sensor size (compared to 35mm film) willl hopefully mean lighter and smaller lenses too.
They are releasing a 7-14mm (14-28mm 35mm equivalent) next year - Ryan's choice of the word 'affordable' is apt - it is a 'pro' lens and rumoured at US$2000++!

Actually, I've already had estimates closer to $1600 from a couple of retailers. Pricey, but this is a *very* wide zoom. Another interesting feature of the E system, in addition to the very impressive build and comprehensive moisture sealing, is that the lenses tend to be one half to a full stop faster than equivalent N and C lenses.

 

[lukeROB]

Actually, I've already had estimates closer to $1600 from a couple of retailers. Pricey, but this is a *very* wide zoom. Another interesting feature of the E system, in addition to the very impressive build and comprehensive moisture sealing, is that the lenses tend to be one half to a full stop faster than equivalent N and C lenses.

If your dropping this sort of cash on a lens why bother with the E300. Much more sense in going for the E1 - body is no longer such a significant cost.

I see you point with the faster lens though but at double the price I would hope so.

 

[ssra30]

No matter which way you look at it the angle of coverage is diminished with smaller sensor size hence whatever you want to call it 'crop factor' etc means the equivlent frame coverage it 2X for the Oly. Good on the macro end because you are filling a frame with 2X smaller than with a 35mm film, but bad for wide angle.

Theoretically it would be good for the macro but Oly only has a 1:2 full frame equavalent 50mm lens so with 2x factor, basically you get equavalent to one 100mm lens that will do 1:1 at a very close distance. I think Oly really needs to provide more macro choices as well.
At this rate, if you can't afford the $1600-2000 wide angle lens, you are pretty much going to be using a camera with better glass and sensor than Oly C5050 but with only a bit better macro capability than C5050 with wetmount macro lens but significantly less wide angle capability than C5050 with wetmount wide angle/domeport.

Hope Oly will do something more about their lineup of lenses soon or else it may not take off, at least for UW use anyhow.

Also I like Oly to get more active so Canon/Nikon won't get too comfortable either.

 

[ReyeR]

Whichever way you look at it, whichever brand you go with, this is un-deniably an expensive hobby!

If Olympus produced a half-decent housing like they did with the PT-015 at a reasonable price, even with just a flat port housing the kit lens to start with, I would go out and buy it today (actually I lie - I would let my mouse do all the walking). I think a lot of us looking to upgrade our prosumer digicams will.

For those curious, the E300 has been released in Japan. First pics (nothing exciting) are available on the net:

http://www.pbase.com/rkphoto/e300samples

and

http://www.pbase.com/higuma/e300

 

[lukeROB]

Whichever way you look at it, whichever brand you go with, this is un-deniably an expensive hobby!

If Olympus produced a half-decent housing like they did with the PT-015 at a reasonable price, even with just a flat port housing the kit lens to start with, I would go out and buy it today (actually I lie - I would let my mouse do all the walking). I think a lot of us looking to upgrade our prosumer digicams will.

I agree that it might be a great upgrade for some. I just wanted to make the point that people must also consider the long term when buying into a system. Getting true wide angle seems very expensive. I was coming from a situation were I was working out between a Canon D20 and a Nikon D70, with the lens set that I would finally love to have. Funnily enough the Nikon came out slightly more expensive - even though to start the Canon is far more expensive.

Just a thought, not knocking anyones decision to get this camera. Don't get me wrong I think it looks like being a major breakthrough. Apologies if you thought I was being critical of you wanting this camera - I know how frustrating that can be.

 

[ReyeR]

I agree that it might be a great upgrade for some. I just wanted to make the point that people must also consider the long term when buying into a system. Getting true wide angle seems very expensive. I was coming from a situation were I was working out between a Canon D20 and a Nikon D70, with the lens set that I would finally love to have. Funnily enough the Nikon came out slightly more expensive - even though to start the Canon is far more expensive.

Just a thought, not knocking anyones decision to get this camera. Don't get me wrong I think it looks like being a major breakthrough. Apologies if you thought I was being critical of you wanting this camera - I know how frustrating that can be.

Not at all Luke - you didn't come across in the wrong way and I hope I didn't come across like I took it the wrong way either! All opinion are valuable.

I too have been looking very hard, and the D70 looked very tempting, especially in a Nexus housing (I like!). But I just cannot justify the cost for the type and amount of warm water diving I do.

The E300 (and the announcement of an OEM housing) is exciting, especially after having the opportunity of playing with a pre-production model. For me, the excitement is very similar to when the C5050/PT-015 was announced, same time exactly 2 years ago. I have the same 'good' feeling about this....

 

[ssra30]

I too have been looking very hard, and the D70 looked very tempting, especially in a Nexus housing (I like!). But I just cannot justify the cost for the type and amount of warm water diving I do.

ReyeR, you can use D70/Nexus in cold water just as well so there is no excuses
Has Olympus announced the price of the OEM housing? I finally saw Oly housing for C8080 the other day and it was almost the size of the D70 Sea and Sea housing, especially with the wide angle port (but certainly not as long as when I have the 70-180mm port on).
I have a feeling that Ikelite housing probably will be the way to go as it will sure support some of Sigma lenses as well but somehow I doubt Oly OEM would be willing to support 3rd party lenses.

I think I invested far too much money in Nikon glass so switching system is not even feasible and I would like to think that I am saving up for the D2X (in my dream!).

 

[ReyeR]

ReyeR, you can use D70/Nexus in cold water just as well so there is no excuses

I wish!

Has Olympus announced the price of the OEM housing?

No details yet except it will be called the PT-E01. No price, photos or even drawings available except that it'll be released in spring 2005.

I finally saw Oly housing for C8080 the other day and it was almost the size of the D70 Sea and Sea housing, especially with the wide angle port (but certainly not as long as when I have the 70-180mm port on).

It is examples like these that raise doubts about Olympus making a good housing for the E300.