Photography Thailand Forum

[Reaper]

I bought an Olympus E500 and a FL 50 Flash last year.  really happy with them.  However, I am planning to upgrade the lens for the camera... got the 17.5 - 45 mm Zuiko kit lens with the E500, but currently using a 14 - 45 mm kit lens from the company's E300 with my E500 (corporate compromise). 

Right now I'm torn between the 18 - 180 mm (F3.5 - 6.3) Zuiko, 40 - 150 mm (F3.5 - 4.5) Zuiko50 - 200 mm (F2.8 - 3.5) Zuiko, and a Sigma lens.  The Sigma, 40 - 150 mm (F3.5 - 4.5) and 18 - 180mm Zuiko are well within my budget, but the 50 - 200 mm Zuiko is pushing it a bit (plus my parents think I'm crazy and my brother's girlfriend is jealous of my camera).  If push comes to shove, I would get either the 18 - 180 mm Zuiko or the 40 - 150 mm (F3.5 - 4.5), but I want to hear at least some other people's opinion on this matter, rather than the voices that are in my head ( ) telling me that I'm not crazy

Thanks

[ThailandJohn]

I have the Olympus E-1 with the FL 50 Flash and the large battery.
I also have following the lenses:
11-22mm 2.8-3.5
14-54mm 2.8-3.5
35-100mm 2.0 all the way through
50-200mm 2.8-3.5
If I only could have 2 lenses, I would have:
14-54mm and 50-200mm both with 2.8-3.5
By 35mm standards with both lenses, you would have 28mm to 400mm
I use all my lenses, but these two, I use the most.
I know they are more expensive, but I know good fast glass cost money.
With the 2.8-3.5, I can use lower ISO and I can blur backgrounds when I want a more isolated subject.
If you live in America, I found the best prices at B & H Photo.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
Everything I purchased from B& H, I also received a rebate directly from Olympus.
Hoped this helped.

[Reaper]

Don't live in in the States, live in Thailand (hahaha... this is forum about photography in Thailand ), earning Thai wages... need to find a job where the pay grade is better.  My dad thinks I crazy that I want expensive toys, my mom doesn't understand why I want such an expensive camera accessories and I just can't afford the 50-200mm F2.8 lens.

The most probable lens that I would get would be the 18-180mm F3.5; within my budget.

Thanks for you input, though, just now very jealous about your kit

[ThailandJohn]

I spend half of my time in Thailand on holiday and I know what you mean when you say Thai wages.
You will be able to do great pictures with the 18-180mm lens.
What you need to learn is what are the limitations with the 3.5-6.3.
and how to work within these limitations.
This process took me a long time and I still need to learn much more.
Look at other peoples work and ask them questions and don't be offended with good constructive criticism
Once you learn what it can and cannot do, you won't get frustrated.
All cameras and lenses have their limits.
The most important part of the picture taking process, is you, and what you know about picture taking.
I am sure both of us will learn many things on this forum.
The opinions posted by Marc, and the quality of his pictures, make him one of the people I look to for good advise.
(mai bac wan)