My First DSLR shots

[harjtt]

I finally bit the bullet and upgraded from my fab Panasonic FZ10 to a DSLR last week. I had been hoping to buy the DMC L1 kit but after waiting for months and still no idea what the UK price was going to be and then reading the first few reviews of the L1 I decided to get an Oly E1 for now. I know its just a 5MP cam and its over 2 years old but for me the price I paid for what used to be a Pro level cam it was a no brainer. Now the hard part - learning how to shoot with an DSLR + 14-45 kit lens when you've been spoiled by a 35-420mm OIS "Leica" designed lens. Now I'm hoping that I can get my mits on the Leica D 14-50 when its available seperately from the L1 but then again if i can't wait that long I'll just snap up the 14-54 Zukio.

Here's a sample set of shots take over the last few days - please feel free to critisize and point out any areas of improvement.

All shots taken in manual mode, ISO100-400, SHQ Jpeg, minor USM and just brightness/contrast and conversion to B&W. Pics just resized - np cropping unless stated. The WB and exposure of the E1 is just spot on - pretty clinical at times.

Pic 1. J & A

http://HarjTT.smugmug.com/photos/89403626-L.jpg

2. JA - playing guitar - slightly cropped

http://HarjTT.smugmug.com/photos/90229650-L.jpg

Pic 3. W.E.

http://HarjTT.smugmug.com/photos/90230403-L.jpg

Pic 4. Waiting

http://HarjTT.smugmug.com/photos/90445960-L.jpg

Pic 5. 1 Canada Sq

http://HarjTT.smugmug.com/photos/91028188-L.jpg

Pic 6. A lady and her lovely dog

http://HarjTT.smugmug.com/photos/91022168-L.jpg

Pic 7. Watch out for canon's and not potholes in them their paths!

http://HarjTT.smugmug.com/photos/91035560-L.jpg

There's still lots to learn with the E1 and I hadn't realised how good a 100% OVF is until I got the E1 but what I do miss is having a live histogram through the viewfinder.

The rest of the E1 shots can be found here - theyre the first 26 shots the others are from the fab FZ10:




http://HarjTT.smugmug.com/gallery/1670767/1/91022168

Cheers

HarjTT

:thumb:D

[marlof]

Sorry to have missed this in the first run. Of course, you've picked the bestest camera ever. :D I've had my E-1 for over a year now, and am still amazingly happy with it. Sure, when I need to do some cropping, I'd wish it would have more pixels, and the autofocus speed and high ISO noise leave a bit to be desired, but with some attention, this camera is able to get amazingly good pictures.

And yes, the Leica 14-50 OIS would be a nice lens to have. But don't underestimate the digital Zuiko 14-54. PanaLeica aren't the only ones capable of building high quality lenses... If you'd be able to get one of those, I wouldn't turn it down. Since they're not always in stock everywhere, and there are always people upgrading from the 14-45 to the 14-54, it holds its value really well. And since the lens is faster, your 100% viewfinder will get a bit brighter as well. So even if you would get the 14-50 in the end, it'd help you a lot in the meantime without too much of a risk. And of course, getting a weatherproof body/lens combo isn't too shabby either.

If you're into wide angle shooting, you could also consider getting the 11-22 next to your kit lens. It's also weatherproof, has a very good quality, and could be expanded later with a Leica lens (I haven't seen a wide angle on the Leica roadmap).

But all this blah blah, and I still haven't said that your samples posted here really show the fun you're having with your new camera. Keep posting those lovely images!

[geraldfinnegan]

Don't know the camera but the shots are terrific, especailly like the "WE" and the cannon one, because they're so unusual and have such interesting perspective. Nice!

[Korosive]

Very nice first session. I love the "WE" one. I'd like to know why they are there, but then that would ruin the mystery of the photo.

[mr peas]

I work for (well not so much now) Sears PS, and we use Olympus E-1s. We've put in well over 1 million, count them.. one million shutter actuations in our studios and they still shoot as sharp as the day we got them. They're super work horses, I am sure you will love it.

I wish it did have more megapixels though, but it does have a body of a tank!!

(sorry i meant 1 not 2, lol)

[ChrisJ]

Thanks for bringing this thread back, Marlof... I missed it too. I'm partial to the guitar player shot. :thumb Nice job with the new camera.

[Bob&Glennie]

Congrats. You will not be sorry that you went with Olympus. The 4/3 system just makes so much sense and the E1 is a fine camera. Don't be misled by the 5.5MP resolution. There's more to fine imaging than megapixel
wars. You have a Full Frame Transfer CCD and that camera is every bit the equal of any of the 6-7MP competition. And Zuiko glass is excellent.

My first foray into DSLR from 35mm and 6x6 was, and still is, an E1. Since then we've added an E500 for my wife and we're sold.

Excellent pictures.

Bob