Olympus SP 560UZ and teleconverters

[Cristian Mihai]

I have a Canon PowerShot S3 and two japanese teleconverters for this camera: DCR-1540PRO (1.54X) and DCR-2020PRO (2.2X).
My intention is to buy a Olympus SP 560UZ camera, a CLA-10 adapter and two adapter rings from Raynox - so I will use the DCR teleconverters with this new camera (Olympus Sp 560UZ + DCR-2020PR0 means an optical zom around 39X!!!).
What you think about this? There is anybody who used these two teleconverters with a 550UZ camera?

[RAH]

I think you'd probably get better results with the Olympus TCON-17. Of course, you wouldn't get as much magnification, but I'll bet it would give a lot sharper results.

[David Smith]

[QUOTE
My intention is to buy a Olympus SP 560UZ camera, a CLA-10 adapter and two adapter rings from Raynox - so I will use the DCR teleconverters with this new camera (Olympus Sp 560UZ + DCR-2020PR0 means an optical zom around 39X!!!).
What you think about this? There is anybody who used these two teleconverters with a 550UZ camera?[/QUOTE]

I have the Olympus 550 with the Olympus 1.7 convertor. This give 30x but with good quality. I would recommend this.

[Cristian Mihai]

Thank you very much for advices!
Maybe in the spring I will buy a TCON 17.
For the moment I have these two teleconverters from Raynox. I took some pics with my new 560 camera and the big one (2.2 X). I would say that the quality it is acceptable. These days I will try to take some pics with the small one (1.54X). This one works very good with my "old" Canon camera. We will see...

[Cristian Mihai]

Today (a cloudy day) I took some pics with Olympus 560 + Raynox DCR 1540PRO (using also a tripod) which mens about 27X optical zoom. In my opinion Canon PowerShot S3 IS + Raynox DCR 2020PRO (about 26X optical zoom) is a better option for taking pictures with birds. Canon IS seems to be better, and focus too. It was raining when I took the attached pic (with Oly + 1.54X).

[RAH]

Very nice picture. The Oly 550 and 560 have been criticized for slow focusing, but your picture is very sharp, so it probably just takes some getting used to.

[Cristian Mihai]

Very nice picture. The Oly 550 and 560 have been criticized for slow focusing, but your picture is very sharp, so it probably just takes some getting used to.

In my opinion slow autofocus it isn't a real problem. The real problem is that the camera have the tendency to focus on different other objects and not on the object I want...
I have to say that I really work only with 3 digital cameras: Canon PowerShot S2 IS, Canon PowerShot S3 IS, and Olympus SP 560UZ. In my opinion the controls are better on Olympus but the pics quality is better on Canon.

[Cristian Mihai]

Today (cloudy, but with thin clouds) I tryed again to take some pics with Olympus SP560 + Raynox 1.54X teleconverter (around 27X optical zoom). This time without tripod (but sometimes using trees like monopods/tripods). Wasn't easy to obtain some relative good ones...
First some pics with teals. Birds were at, let's say, 30 meters.

[Cristian Mihai]

And second two pics with jays. Birds were at 5-6 meters.
Any comments about the quality will be very much appreciated...

[Mick Sway]

The camera is OK for record shots.
Overall I have been disapointed with it's performance.
Attache some pics from earlier this year, taken at about 15m with a Oly 1.7 tele.
It does not focus at all quickly on moving subjects.
It's saving grace is that it is easily carried.
Been in this debate before when it first came out this year.
Wish I'd invested in an SLR.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Mick

PS nice Jays though

[Cristian Mihai]

My conclusion is that Olympus SP 560UZ + Raynox DCR 1540PRo it is a good combination. See:
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/171424/ppuser/54311
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/171418/ppuser/54311
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/170500/ppuser/54311
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/171426/ppuser/54311

[Mick Sway]

Nice pics Cristian.
Well done!
Merry Christmas.
Mick

[Cristian Mihai]

Nice pics Cristian.
Well done!
Merry Christmas.
Mick

Thank you Mick.
I understand very well yor wish: better pics. But, on the other hand, to buy a SLR it wasn't a really option for me. Let's see: overall price for Olympus SP 560UZ + CLA-10 adapter + DCR 1540PRO teleconverter + 2GB memory card it is around 600$. You can buy a SLR camera + some 400 mm lens + 2GB memory card with, let's say, 2000-2500$. I don't have such a budget for photo.

Merry Christmas for all Olympus users!

[Mick Sway]

I know the feeling, the applies to me.
Merry christmas.
Mick

[TSM23]

Cristian, do you still think the Canon is better than Olympus for bird photography?

[Cristian Mihai]

Cristian, do you still think the Canon is better than Olympus for bird photography?

As I said before, I'm able to make a comparison only between Canon PowerShot S3 IS and Olympus SP 560UZ. In my gallery (http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/54311) there are pictures taken with both cameras (plus some teleconverters) - you can make your own comparison...
I think that IQ is (a little bit) better with Canon, but the controls are better on Oly. But, to be honest, I'm not an expert in photography.

[TSM23]

Thanks for reply. Have been thinking about giving up digiscoping and selling my Coolpix 4500 with adaptors etc and buying a Oly 560, Canon S5 or similar. Maybe your not an expert but your photo's are much better than mine.