Wide Angle Lens

ronb · 13-02-2006, 07:49

I have an Olympus E500 which I am very pleased with and am now looking for a second hand Olympus OM wide angle lens which I can fit to the E500 using the appropriate mount.

Can anyone please tell me which in their opinion would be the best lens to buy?? Your recomendations and reasons for purchasing the lens will be very much appreciated.

RobertP · 13-02-2006, 10:22

I joined a Olympus user group back when I got my C5050. The group is still going and has moved on to the current dslrs.
They have a website Here with camera and lens information.

As to what lens that depends on how wide you want to go. What was a wide lens for a film camera is usually nearer a std lens on a dslr with its smaller sensor. So your best bet may be to find a shop that will let you put the lens on your camera for you to see.

ronb · 13-02-2006, 10:26

Thanks for that Robert, I have just put the site on my screen and will register and join, it looks good.

RobertP · 13-02-2006, 10:57

They share pictures and have competitions but it is mainly tech support on camera problems and use of settings you will get there.

You won't do better for improving your photography with any camera than right here

ronb · 13-02-2006, 16:40

I have written off that project but thanks for all your help anyway.

ronb · 13-02-2006, 16:41

I have just bought a Hoya polariser and am trying to find out which the top bit which you use for the best results and which is the bottom which I understand does not produce such good results, can you help??

RobertP · 13-02-2006, 16:50

A std polariser should be the same either way up. Just rotate it until reflected glare is at a minimum... sky darkest blue...whatever.

Circular polarisers don't have an orientation.

ronb · 13-02-2006, 19:09

Robert,

OK, that has cleared away a lot of misunderstanding. Can you tell me why the outer rim has a white mark painted on it please??

RobertP · 13-02-2006, 19:34

so you can remember where you last turned it for the best result

ronb · 14-02-2006, 20:29

Robert,

I did some experiments with my polarising lens this afternoon. We had a very heavy sky with patches of blue in between. I was looking through the view finder and not the LCD screen as I have a DSLR. I noticed the clouds getting darker and took some very good shots. I also tried focusing on the fish in my pond and saw the reflection of the water diminish as I rotated the outer ring of the filter. I think I will need to practice and learn about this filter, it's not as easy at it seems!! I got the best results with the white mark at the top of the camera lens so now I want to see what happens if I move it 45 degrees either side of vertical, if you see what I mean.

RobertP · 14-02-2006, 20:43

I have a circular poariser for one of my dslr lenses. I have not used a straight polariser since back in my film days many years ago so I am struggling to remember.... but I don't think there is any benefit outside of its 'right' position.

Thats the beauty of digital though - experiment as much as you like

ronb · 14-02-2006, 20:48

OK robert, I will try some more shots tomorrow and let you know how i GOT ON. If you like, I could email you a jpeg so you can see for your self.

SammyC · 14-02-2006, 21:30

But I think Ronb has a circ pol. In which case the orientation fully depends on the location you are in.

RobertP · 14-02-2006, 21:32

Post them here - you will learn more by sharing your photos here. There are many here much more knowledgeable than me.

Contact Matty (assuming you have not already) if you want somewhere to upload and share your pictures (gallery space - click the 'members gallery' link at the top to see other peoples).

RobertP · 14-02-2006, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by SammyC

But I think Ronb has a circ pol. In which case the orientation fully depends on the location you are in.

It does?

Got mine in the late Autumn so not actually used it yet!

I stand corrected! guess I'd better read up on them instead of guessing

SammyC · 14-02-2006, 22:35

Well, when I say location I mean orientation to your subject and the position of the sun etc. Basically you rotate it until you get the desired effect.

***Steve*** · 15-02-2006, 07:34

Yes a circular polarizer works by blocking a certain frequency of light and it works in relation to the sun/light source. So when you might get good effects on one day with it positioned at say "15" past vertical on another day with the sun/light is coming from a different position then the polarizer will have to be rotated to a different position to get the same results. That's why they rotate

You can usually see the difference through the viewfinder while rotating it and depending on what effect you are seeking will depend on how you position the filter.

ronb · 15-02-2006, 07:38

Not a lot of sun about at the moment, even worse in Bristol I would have thought at the moment. I understand the filter works best if you are standing 45 degs to the sun or, with either of your shoulders facing it?

I found it hard to notice any difference at first when looking through the view finder and feel I need to experiment quite a lot with the filter which is a pitch 0.75 what ever that means, do you know please??

If we get any breaks in the cloud today I will take some experimental shots and find out how to put them in the members gallery.

Please let me know if you know what the 0.75 pitch means.

By the way, I originate from Paignton...

13-02-2006, 07:49	#1 (permalink)
ronb New here Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 32	Wide Angle Lens I have an Olympus E500 which I am very pleased with and am now looking for a second hand Olympus OM wide angle lens which I can fit to the E500 using the appropriate mount. Can anyone please tell me which in their opinion would be the best lens to buy?? Your recomendations and reasons for purchasing the lens will be very much appreciated.

13-02-2006, 16:40	#5 (permalink)
ronb New here Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 32	Waste of time I have written off that project but thanks for all your help anyway.

14-02-2006, 20:29	#10 (permalink)
ronb New here Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 32	Robert, I did some experiments with my polarising lens this afternoon. We had a very heavy sky with patches of blue in between. I was looking through the view finder and not the LCD screen as I have a DSLR. I noticed the clouds getting darker and took some very good shots. I also tried focusing on the fish in my pond and saw the reflection of the water diminish as I rotated the outer ring of the filter. I think I will need to practice and learn about this filter, it's not as easy at it seems!! I got the best results with the white mark at the top of the camera lens so now I want to see what happens if I move it 45 degrees either side of vertical, if you see what I mean. __________________ Kind regards

14-02-2006, 20:48	#12 (permalink)
ronb New here Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 32	Robert Poloariser OK robert, I will try some more shots tomorrow and let you know how i GOT ON. If you like, I could email you a jpeg so you can see for your self.

15-02-2006, 07:34	#17 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,158	Yes a circular polarizer works by blocking a certain frequency of light and it works in relation to the sun/light source. So when you might get good effects on one day with it positioned at say "15" past vertical on another day with the sun/light is coming from a different position then the polarizer will have to be rotated to a different position to get the same results. That's why they rotate You can usually see the difference through the viewfinder while rotating it and depending on what effect you are seeking will depend on how you position the filter. __________________ .......__o .......\<, ....( )/ ( )

13-02-2006, 10:22	#2 (permalink)
RobertP Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Woodford Essex Posts: 841	I joined a Olympus user group back when I got my C5050. The group is still going and has moved on to the current dslrs. They have a website Here with camera and lens information. As to what lens that depends on how wide you want to go. What was a wide lens for a film camera is usually nearer a std lens on a dslr with its smaller sensor. So your best bet may be to find a shop that will let you put the lens on your camera for you to see.

13-02-2006, 10:26	#3 (permalink)
ronb New here Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 32	Thanks for that Robert, I have just put the site on my screen and will register and join, it looks good.

13-02-2006, 10:57	#4 (permalink)
RobertP Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Woodford Essex Posts: 841	They share pictures and have competitions but it is mainly tech support on camera problems and use of settings you will get there. You won't do better for improving your photography with any camera than right here

13-02-2006, 16:41	#6 (permalink)
ronb New here Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 32	I have just bought a Hoya polariser and am trying to find out which the top bit which you use for the best results and which is the bottom which I understand does not produce such good results, can you help??

13-02-2006, 16:50	#7 (permalink)
RobertP Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Woodford Essex Posts: 841	A std polariser should be the same either way up. Just rotate it until reflected glare is at a minimum... sky darkest blue...whatever. Circular polarisers don't have an orientation.

13-02-2006, 19:09	#8 (permalink)
ronb New here Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 32	Robert, OK, that has cleared away a lot of misunderstanding. Can you tell me why the outer rim has a white mark painted on it please??

13-02-2006, 19:34	#9 (permalink)
RobertP Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Woodford Essex Posts: 841	so you can remember where you last turned it for the best result

14-02-2006, 20:43	#11 (permalink)
RobertP Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Woodford Essex Posts: 841	I have a circular poariser for one of my dslr lenses. I have not used a straight polariser since back in my film days many years ago so I am struggling to remember.... but I don't think there is any benefit outside of its 'right' position. Thats the beauty of digital though - experiment as much as you like

14-02-2006, 21:30	#13 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	But I think Ronb has a circ pol. In which case the orientation fully depends on the location you are in.

14-02-2006, 21:32	#14 (permalink)
RobertP Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Woodford Essex Posts: 841	Post them here - you will learn more by sharing your photos here. There are many here much more knowledgeable than me. Contact Matty (assuming you have not already) if you want somewhere to upload and share your pictures (gallery space - click the 'members gallery' link at the top to see other peoples).

14-02-2006, 22:35	#16 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	Well, when I say location I mean orientation to your subject and the position of the sun etc. Basically you rotate it until you get the desired effect.

15-02-2006, 07:38	#18 (permalink)
ronb New here Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 32	Sammy Not a lot of sun about at the moment, even worse in Bristol I would have thought at the moment. I understand the filter works best if you are standing 45 degs to the sun or, with either of your shoulders facing it? I found it hard to notice any difference at first when looking through the view finder and feel I need to experiment quite a lot with the filter which is a pitch 0.75 what ever that means, do you know please?? If we get any breaks in the cloud today I will take some experimental shots and find out how to put them in the members gallery. Please let me know if you know what the 0.75 pitch means. By the way, I originate from Paignton...

15-02-2006, 08:44	#19 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466