Looking to get into photography

bennycoza said:
google, was checking if sitemaps working yet (not) and this thread came up.

shipping link fixed thanks.

shipping is free, though not shipping insurance, optional but recommended.
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Though so! Thanks. We may be in touch in the following weeks. What can you tell me about the guarantees?
 
mercurial said:
Lol. Why don't you go for a Canon? I'm curious :p
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Well it depends on which ones we are comparing. I'm a big olympus fan though.

If its the E3 then it would be against the 40D,
If its the E520, it would be against the 450D

There are a few reasons but check here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...eos40d,canon_eos450d,oly_e3,oly_e520&show=all

Most important though is I already have some Olympus lenses and the Flashes for them and I think the Zuiko lenses are much better quality (IMHO)

The E3 is more expensive, but also double the weight of the E520, yet still lighter than the 40D. But the E520 also has a really nice underwater housing designed for it (not sure about the canon models.. I haven't checked).
Then the E3 got the DIWA Gold Award and has the worlds fastest auto focuser. It also has a much wider ISO rating setting than the 40D or the E520... so I dont know what to do.

First I guess is to see if I can find the E3 in SA though :confused:
 
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Kalvaer said:
Well it depends on which ones we are comparing. I'm a big olympus fan though.

If its the E3 then it would be against the 40D,
If its the E520, it would be against the 450D

There are a few reasons but check here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...eos40d,canon_eos450d,oly_e3,oly_e520&show=all

Most important though is I already have some Olympus lenses and the Flashes for them and I think the Zuiko lenses are much better quality (IMHO)

The E3 is more expensive, but also double the weight of the E520, yet still lighter than the 40D. But the E520 also has a really nice underwater housing designed for it (not sure about the canon models.. I haven't checked).
Then the E3 got the DIWA Gold Award and has the worlds fastest auto focuser. It also has a much wider ISO rating setting than the 40D or the E520... so I dont know what to do.

First I guess is to see if I can find the E3 in SA though :confused:
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Will these lenses work on the 4/3 mount the E3 or E-520 uses?
 
I see Benny's warranties are international only. If I buy from them, I might as well get it directly at B&H for much cheaper.
 
I have emailed Jel Corp aswell asking them for prices.. will see what they say.

EDIT: Skip that.. just got a reply back.. I have to speak to Etkinds in Sandton :(
 
Kalvaer said:
Most important though is I already have some Olympus lenses and the Flashes for them and I think the Zuiko lenses are much better quality (IMHO)
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Everyone thinks their chosen brand makes/made the best lenses ever.

Kalvaer said:
But the E520 also has a really nice underwater housing designed for it (not sure about the canon models.. I haven't checked).
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There are plenty. It's one of the things I looked at before I bought the 40D.

Kalvaer said:
As far as I know yes (with an adaptor).. just without the IS or auto focus.
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I'm assuming you are referring to Olympus film camera lenses, i.e. FF. Wouldn't the smaller 4/3 mount mean that the lens would sit further forward, i.e. you would possibly lose infinity focus?

Kalvaer said:
I could be wrong though but if I go to canon then I know I cant use any of them no matter what
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Apparently you can. I don't know the implications though. Canon's EOS mount is fairly big, as far as I know it can gobble up just about any lens without running into distance issues. I'm definitely going to invest in a Pentax K-mount to EOS adapter - 50mm f/1.2 :D
 
mercurial said:
I see Benny's warranties are international only. If I buy from them, I might as well get it directly at B&H for much cheaper.
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Hi, last time I looked South Africa was part of the international community?

The warranty that comes with the cameras direct from Japan have an international warranty and should be honored here - I say should because I haven't had a faulty camera yet, (too new), but there is no valid reason why it shouldn't be covered locally, whereas cameras imported from the USA have a USA warranty only.

I don't think if you import anything direct from BH you will get it much cheaper, slightly maybe, depending on the shipping method you select.

Take the 40D body at BH it is $970 and shipping is $87 - comes to $1057 - your landed cost with VAT and duties (customs changed all digital cameras from duty free to 7% schedule 1 part 2b) comes to give or take a few Rand to R9600, my price is R9656

But anyhow I think I better register as a new dealer in the hardware section here because that looks like the place to show offers - I will list a good deal on the Nikon sb600 flash and canon powershot sd850 a bit later.
 
koffiejunkie said:
Everyone thinks their chosen brand makes/made the best lenses ever.
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That is true.. Though while I am no expert I have only ever heard great things about the Zuiko Lenses. For me its also the fact that they use the same technology and the zuiko lenses in medical and industrial applications where incredibly high quality is required, Much more than we would ever need for our camera's. Unlike other companies that of course do the same, but the also have a much wider range of products, where olmpus spend almost all of thier research into lens design. The have also designed their lenses exclusive for digital in their new ranges, Which many of the others dont. Of course this is an assumption on my part, but I would believe that this quality is carried over into their camera lenses.

koffiejunkie said:
There are plenty. It's one of the things I looked at before I bought the 40D.
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Thats cool, it would for me still be about wieght though then. The Evolts are lighter and as somebody who dives as well I assume, you know you dont want to take down any excess weight with you (unless your a PADI diver of course :eek:)

koffiejunkie said:
I'm assuming you are referring to Olympus film camera lenses, i.e. FF. Wouldn't the smaller 4/3 mount mean that the lens would sit further forward, i.e. you would possibly lose infinity focus?
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I'm not sure. I have found though that Olympus have an adaptor that they have made to allow all the old OM lenses to work on the Evolts. Even if I do lose some of the infinite focus, its still means I dont have to go buy a whole new range of lenses. I also like the NMOS sensors.. but thats a whole other can of worms to discuss ;)

I'm sure though that they all have thier advantages and disadvantages. I've just grown up with olympus. I mean the OM1 changed they camera's are today and Olympus are still winning awards every year. Put up next to each other, I'm sure they are both great, My only problem I really have is Olympus customer service in SA.. which their isn't much of :(
 
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bennycoza said:
But anyhow I think I better register as a new dealer in the hardware section here because that looks like the place to show offers - I will list a good deal on the Nikon sb600 flash and canon powershot sd850 a bit later.
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Hmm any plans on bringing in the Olympus E3 :D
 
Its on the site (the E3), but regardless where you buy from, imo the Olympus E520 would be a better option than the Canon 40D, it is a fantastic camera, and you mention you have lenses, so I'm not even sure why you would consider the 40D over the Olympus?

The E3 is getting into serious costs and to benefit from it's speed you would probably need the new 12-60 lens as well.
 
bennycoza said:
Hi, last time I looked South Africa was part of the international community?

The warranty that comes with the cameras direct from Japan have an international warranty and should be honored here - I say should because I haven't had a faulty camera yet, (too new), but there is no valid reason why it shouldn't be covered locally, whereas cameras imported from the USA have a USA warranty only.

I don't think if you import anything direct from BH you will get it much cheaper, slightly maybe, depending on the shipping method you select.

Take the 40D body at BH it is $970 and shipping is $87 - comes to $1057 - your landed cost with VAT and duties (customs changed all digital cameras from duty free to 7% schedule 1 part 2b) comes to give or take a few Rand to R9600, my price is R9656

But anyhow I think I better register as a new dealer in the hardware section here because that looks like the place to show offers - I will list a good deal on the Nikon sb600 flash and canon powershot sd850 a bit later.
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Perhaps I misunderstood. I thought that the warranty is only valid in USA. But you yourself said that you are not yet sure if the warranty is covered locally. I'd like to know for sure before I commit.
It's not much cheaper, you are right.
 
bennycoza said:
Its on the site (the E3), but regardless where you buy from, imo the Olympus E520 would be a better option than the Canon 40D, it is a fantastic camera, and you mention you have lenses, so I'm not even sure why you would consider the 40D over the Olympus?

The E3 is getting into serious costs and to benefit from it's speed you would probably need the new 12-60 lens as well.
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Only saw 3 olympus' earlier :)

So you think the E520 is even better than the 40D? I thought that was in the E3 range?

I see what you mean though about the prices.. Now I just have to convince the wife :eek: I did send her the link earlier though and she was really impressed. The other part other than the lenses.. is I also have a xD memory cards for my other olympus camera's.. so that will help a lot as well
 
Kalvaer said:
Only saw 3 olympus' earlier :)

So you think the E520 is even better than the 40D? I thought that was in the E3 range?

I see what you mean though about the prices.. Now I just have to convince the wife :eek: I did send her the link earlier though and she was really impressed. The other part other than the lenses.. is I also have a xD memory cards for my other olympus camera's.. so that will help a lot as well
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Earlier there were only 3 - I am still busy with the O's - next is the P's like the Pentax.

If you had to put the cameras on a ladder, then the 40D is above the E520 but below the E3 but that’s not the point, the point is what suits you better.

If you comparing apples to apples the E520 is probably in the Canon 450D class.

If you have the budget then the E3 is really a beaut, but if you are deciding between the Canon 40D and the Olympus E520 I prefer the Olympus, BUT they are both damn good cameras.

I prefer the Olympus mainly because the IS is built into the camera, so it gives you a better budget when buying lenses, but take any of the top brands, it boils down to brand preference and cost, there is not much to choose from between Canon/Nikon/Olympus/Sony .

If you start reading various opinions and forums there will always be someone with an argument towards one or the other, so again, you need to look at your requirements and if you have lenses and memory for the Olympus and you have had Olympus your whole life why change – you won’t be happy.
 
mercurial said:
Perhaps I misunderstood. I thought that the warranty is only valid in USA. But you yourself said that you are not yet sure if the warranty is covered locally. I'd like to know for sure before I commit.
It's not much cheaper, you are right.
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To put it bluntly and not beat around the bush, all our cameras come with an international warranty but they are considered Grey imports.
The local suppliers don't like international warranties because they haven't made any money from the sale, but they are supposed to honour the warranties.
If you want better clarification why don't you contact me via the site and I will give you more info.
 
Kalvaer said:
That is true.. Though while I am no expert I have only ever heard great things about the Zuiko Lenses. For me its also the fact that they use the same technology and the zuiko lenses in medical and industrial applications where incredibly high quality is required, Much more than we would ever need for our camera's.
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Most manufacturers supply to some industry. As far as I know the bulk of Zeiss lenses (other than the ones they make for the Sony cameras) are for industrial use (not sure which). Pentax makes optical wares. The opticians that my employer uses for the company-sponsored perscription glasses, only supplies Pentax lenses and frames. Nikon, if I remember correctly, makes some of the lenses NASA uses. I read somewhere that Sigma supplies glass (for cameras and other purposes) for "the military" (not sure which country). The 500mm APO f/2.8's shape and colour is no coincidence. Canon's 1200mm prime was also not designed with your average photographer in mind.

Kalvaer said:
The Evolts are lighter and as somebody who dives as well I assume, you know you dont want to take down any excess weight with you (unless your a PADI diver of course :eek:)
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I don't, actually. I just want to be able to take the cam when that holiday at a coral reef finally comes around :)

Kalvaer said:
Even if I do lose some of the infinite focus, its still means I dont have to go buy a whole new range of lenses.
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No landscapes though :)
 
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