-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Olympus 550 results (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter David Smith
- Start date
Mick Sway
Well-known member
Hi Adrian
Having looked on the net for the Raynox DCR 2020, I have been unable to turn up a UK stockist or info that suggests that adaptors are available for the SP 550.
From what I've seen Raynox are quiet expensive for my pocket, if the Camcorder tele adaptors are anything to go by @£400 plus(assuming that
the 2020 is in the same price range).
However if you do have anyfurther info price and availability wise, I would be interested to know.
The Olympus TELCON 1.7 kit is £99, all in.
Thanks & best regards
Mick.
Having looked on the net for the Raynox DCR 2020, I have been unable to turn up a UK stockist or info that suggests that adaptors are available for the SP 550.
From what I've seen Raynox are quiet expensive for my pocket, if the Camcorder tele adaptors are anything to go by @£400 plus(assuming that
the 2020 is in the same price range).
However if you do have anyfurther info price and availability wise, I would be interested to know.
The Olympus TELCON 1.7 kit is £99, all in.
Thanks & best regards
Mick.
digitalbirdy said:
Mick Sway
Well-known member
More Results
Hello
Took a trip out to Martin Mere last Sunday.
Attached a few photo's from there.
Most taken at 15 - 20 m distance, some on High Shutter Setting.
The cost of getting in was a bit of a shock @ 2 x £7.90, I know that they do good work but that's a bit expensive I think.
Also wasn't impressed with the lack of protection for a Moorhen's nest
with a large clutch of eggs, within yards of the path.
Lovely day out though.
Best
Mick
Hello
Took a trip out to Martin Mere last Sunday.
Attached a few photo's from there.
Most taken at 15 - 20 m distance, some on High Shutter Setting.
The cost of getting in was a bit of a shock @ 2 x £7.90, I know that they do good work but that's a bit expensive I think.
Also wasn't impressed with the lack of protection for a Moorhen's nest
with a large clutch of eggs, within yards of the path.
Lovely day out though.
Best
Mick
David Smith said:
Attachments
David Smith
Warrington Lancs
Mick
I visited there late last year-couldn't believe the price. As you say, for 2 (or even a family group) it's expensive.
Are your photos with the 1.7 TC ?
I attach one I took at week-end on full zoom. I'm quite pleased with it.
I was surprised at the bad press this camera has had! I have no experience with any similar camera but I think it's amazing to get so much zoom into such a small package.
I have always found p&s cameras difficult/slow to focus and the shutter lad is bad (never understood why they can overcome it in DSLR but not p&s)-the technology must be there and people would galdly pay the extra.
I'm away for 1 week in April and will do some digiscope & some telephoto-see what the results are.
For some reason I can't attach the photo-will try later.
I visited there late last year-couldn't believe the price. As you say, for 2 (or even a family group) it's expensive.
Are your photos with the 1.7 TC ?
I attach one I took at week-end on full zoom. I'm quite pleased with it.
I was surprised at the bad press this camera has had! I have no experience with any similar camera but I think it's amazing to get so much zoom into such a small package.
I have always found p&s cameras difficult/slow to focus and the shutter lad is bad (never understood why they can overcome it in DSLR but not p&s)-the technology must be there and people would galdly pay the extra.
I'm away for 1 week in April and will do some digiscope & some telephoto-see what the results are.
For some reason I can't attach the photo-will try later.
Last edited:
David Smith
Warrington Lancs
Mick Sway
Well-known member
Oly 550
Hi Dave
Yes I had the 1.7 attached, as long as the bird is stationary
it not too bad. Of course the swan and the shellduck were wild - I think.
We are off to north Norfolk for Easter, so we'll see how we go on there with the camera.
Look forward to seeing your efforts.
Good luck.
Mick
Hi Dave
Yes I had the 1.7 attached, as long as the bird is stationary
it not too bad. Of course the swan and the shellduck were wild - I think.
We are off to north Norfolk for Easter, so we'll see how we go on there with the camera.
Look forward to seeing your efforts.
Good luck.
Mick
David Smith said:
digitalbirdy
Well-known member
Mick Sway said:
Wow Mick I am really impressed with the first photo you have here from Martin Mere - awesome.
Looks like the camera really has promise for birding.
By the way regarding adapters for conecting the oly550 to add on lenses. I did see somewhere on the net last week that specialist firms are selling them.
Oh and I think oly does a tube too, but it will proably need a step up, or down ring to connect the Raynox2020pro.
Mick Sway
Well-known member
Your Swan Pic
Hi Dave
Nice how the Sun's reflecting on the water.
Good Pic
Other than adjusting the number of pixels, through the resizing
program and saving it as a lower quality file, I don't know - afraid that I havn't bought photoshop.
To be honest the operating ram requirement of the editing suite "olympus master", is too big for my PC. Therefore I'm still using my old Camedia program for editing. It's also very slow when editing the 7 m pix photo's (nearly than twice the size of my old Oly 770).
Best
Mick
Hi Dave
Nice how the Sun's reflecting on the water.
Good Pic
Other than adjusting the number of pixels, through the resizing
program and saving it as a lower quality file, I don't know - afraid that I havn't bought photoshop.
To be honest the operating ram requirement of the editing suite "olympus master", is too big for my PC. Therefore I'm still using my old Camedia program for editing. It's also very slow when editing the 7 m pix photo's (nearly than twice the size of my old Oly 770).
Best
Mick
David Smith said:
Mick Sway
Well-known member
Oly 550
Hi Digibirdy
I did have the Oly 1.7 tele converter attached.
Scouting the net for Raynox2020pro failed to lead me to either stockists or prices - though from the looks of their other lenses that I could get prices for, it might be expensive.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Best
Mick
Hi Digibirdy
I did have the Oly 1.7 tele converter attached.
Scouting the net for Raynox2020pro failed to lead me to either stockists or prices - though from the looks of their other lenses that I could get prices for, it might be expensive.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Best
Mick
digitalbirdy said:
Mick Sway
Well-known member
Oly 550 Results
I managed to capture a couple of Wheatears at the weekend.
Both photo's were taken on Auto from 20 - 25 m, using the 1.7 tele on max zoom.
Both are cropped.
Conditions were windy but sunny.
Best regards
Mick
I managed to capture a couple of Wheatears at the weekend.
Both photo's were taken on Auto from 20 - 25 m, using the 1.7 tele on max zoom.
Both are cropped.
Conditions were windy but sunny.
Best regards
Mick
Attachments
Last edited:
Mick Sway
Well-known member
Oly 550 - More Pics
Having taken the camera out and about in Norfolk Easter weekend,
I regret too confirm the Camera's slow focus and inability to latch on to
flying birds, particularly when set agianst a blue back sky.
Its also slow to power up following sleep mode.
On the positive side the battery life is excellent and the appears macro OK.
Some new photo's posted ( the Ring Ouzel was at least 50m away).
Having taken the camera out and about in Norfolk Easter weekend,
I regret too confirm the Camera's slow focus and inability to latch on to
flying birds, particularly when set agianst a blue back sky.
Its also slow to power up following sleep mode.
On the positive side the battery life is excellent and the appears macro OK.
Some new photo's posted ( the Ring Ouzel was at least 50m away).
Attachments
RAH
Well-known member
Mick, don't be too discouraged by its inability to focus on a moving bird in the sky. This is a problem with just about ALL superzooms, and even with a DSLR it takes a lot of practice. How does the camera focus under regular conditions? Is it as problematic as the Dpreview review says?Mick Sway said:
Rosie Hutchcraft
New member
olympus 550 converters
I have a SP550 and am quite happy with it. I decided to buy it instead of a DSLR as I am very greedy for zoom and would really like a camera that makes a bird a mile away look like it was on the end of my nose. This camera promised to be the one with the biggest zoom. x18. equivalent to 504mm on DSLR. I bought a x2 converter made by merkury optics. It uses the same olympus CLA-10 adapter as the T-Con 17 and I got through ebay for less than £55 including the adaptor and getting caught for import tax.
I have to say though that am less than happy with the results of this x2 converter and have a picture on my blog, entitled spooky sparrow. This shows the effects I am getting. I would be greatful of any advice you might be able to give. There are also pictures I have taken with my sp550 on there. The address is www.derekandrosiehutchcraft.blogspot.com
Rosie
I have a SP550 and am quite happy with it. I decided to buy it instead of a DSLR as I am very greedy for zoom and would really like a camera that makes a bird a mile away look like it was on the end of my nose. This camera promised to be the one with the biggest zoom. x18. equivalent to 504mm on DSLR. I bought a x2 converter made by merkury optics. It uses the same olympus CLA-10 adapter as the T-Con 17 and I got through ebay for less than £55 including the adaptor and getting caught for import tax.
I have to say though that am less than happy with the results of this x2 converter and have a picture on my blog, entitled spooky sparrow. This shows the effects I am getting. I would be greatful of any advice you might be able to give. There are also pictures I have taken with my sp550 on there. The address is www.derekandrosiehutchcraft.blogspot.com
Rosie
David Smith
Warrington Lancs
Mick
Have just enjoyed 10 days on Anglesey-taken loads of photos. Like you I find problems with focussing. I will say at the outset that @ £300 compared to £1,500 I don't expect too much.
1) To focus there is a ( ) in the middle. When I depress the button this ( ) jumps around and is very 'off putting'
2) Like you I cannot focus on a flying bird. However I think we are hoping for too much with this.
The best results I get are by using 'P' (programme). I don't yet understand what this is i.e. I understand 'S' & 'A' but what should be the difference between 'auto' and 'P' ?
When I downsize my photos I will post some.
Have just enjoyed 10 days on Anglesey-taken loads of photos. Like you I find problems with focussing. I will say at the outset that @ £300 compared to £1,500 I don't expect too much.
1) To focus there is a ( ) in the middle. When I depress the button this ( ) jumps around and is very 'off putting'
2) Like you I cannot focus on a flying bird. However I think we are hoping for too much with this.
The best results I get are by using 'P' (programme). I don't yet understand what this is i.e. I understand 'S' & 'A' but what should be the difference between 'auto' and 'P' ?
When I downsize my photos I will post some.
Mick Sway
Well-known member
Oly 550
Hi Dave
You have to take a lot pics to get a half good shot, as far as I'm concerned.
The camera is advertised as good for wildlife (see box) although its OK, it could be a lot better. Its one thing taking shots in the garden and another when you are on walkabout.
Today I had a willow warbler right smack in the viewer, set against a blue sky,
but it would not lock on to give a good image.
Although not quick the OLY770 appeared a lot faster at nailing the auto focus.
The "sports" setting on the 550 appears to over expose slightly.
If you know the reason for the latter, I would appreciate it.
A plus point was grabbing an image of a tree, with two birds flitiing about in it , some way off and not properly visible with bins, but with the camera's image magnification we were able to confirm them as two mistle thrushes.
The macro and super macro are also pretty good.
Jury is still out as far as I concerned.
Best
Mick
Hi Dave
You have to take a lot pics to get a half good shot, as far as I'm concerned.
The camera is advertised as good for wildlife (see box) although its OK, it could be a lot better. Its one thing taking shots in the garden and another when you are on walkabout.
Today I had a willow warbler right smack in the viewer, set against a blue sky,
but it would not lock on to give a good image.
Although not quick the OLY770 appeared a lot faster at nailing the auto focus.
The "sports" setting on the 550 appears to over expose slightly.
If you know the reason for the latter, I would appreciate it.
A plus point was grabbing an image of a tree, with two birds flitiing about in it , some way off and not properly visible with bins, but with the camera's image magnification we were able to confirm them as two mistle thrushes.
The macro and super macro are also pretty good.
Jury is still out as far as I concerned.
Best
Mick
RAH
Well-known member
You can stop it from doing this by using Spot Metering (at least that's what it is called on my older C-750), instead of the default metering. Spot metering affects both the focus and the exposure and forces the camera to focus and take an exposure reading off the center of the screen - where the ( ) remains stationary. I don't know why Olympus makes that other metering mode the default (the one where it jumps around), but it is REALLY annoying.David Smith said:
As with most cameras, with spot metering if you want to take a reading on something not in the center, you still have the option of focusing and taking a reading first by half-depressing the shutter, then recomposing while continuing to hold it, then fully depress when the composition is good.
Rosie, about your spooky sparrow - are you getting a similar effect on all the pictures you take with that 2x converter? If so, it seems it wasn't much of a bargain :-( . If you aren't sure, I'd suggest taking some experimental simple pictures with the converter and see if they are all like that (e.g. take some pictures of your refrigerator, at various zoom levels with the converter).
Last edited:
Similar threads
