Also Looking for Input

[websi]

I have been reading this section of the forum and have learned so much. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge!

Right now I have an Olympus C-750UZ and a Panasonic TZ1. They take great outdoor pictures but lately I've been so frustrated with indoor pictures.

A friend has been converting his riding arena into a really nice place for his GTO car collection. I've been taking pictures of the transformation and learning alot about my cameras; but I'm finding that "inside", my photos are picking up a lot of noise - I mean, a lot. Of course, I realize the little flash that comes with these cameras is too small - but, still??? I've gotten so frustrated. (maybe there is an external flash that would work?)

I'm looking at maybe upgrading to a digital SLR. I love playing around with cropping and PSE and understand that the foto quality is a bit better with a digital SLR.

I'm looking at an Olympus E-510 and the Nikon D80.

I am not a professional. . . I just like pushing the button and getting excited about a great shot. I do take outdoor pictures but find I take many pictures indoors, i.e. of birthday parties, this construction project, and just candid shots of people.

Has anyone tried the Olympus E-510?

I truly appreciate any input. Thanks.

[Elemobe]

Originally Posted by websi

I am not a professional. . . I just like pushing the button and getting excited about a great shot. I do take outdoor pictures but find I take many pictures indoors, i.e. of birthday parties, this construction project, and just candid shots of people.

Hi San

I'm not familiar with those cameras, but I'm sure someone will have an opinion soon.

Just wanted to say how I share your sentiment - I just love pushing that button and it is just such a thrill when the shot works as we expect or hope

I upgraded to a dSLR just over a year ago. I still have masses to learn but I have learnt a lot in the last year that I never would have done had I not upgraded. Good luck with your decision

[websi]

Thank you Linda.... it is going to be a fun adventure!

[robpendragon]

Originally Posted by websi

I have been reading this section of the forum and have learned so much. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge!

Right now I have an Olympus C-750UZ and a Panasonic TZ1. They take great outdoor pictures but lately I've been so frustrated with indoor pictures.

A friend has been converting his riding arena into a really nice place for his GTO car collection. I've been taking pictures of the transformation and learning alot about my cameras; but I'm finding that "inside", my photos are picking up a lot of noise - I mean, a lot. Of course, I realize the little flash that comes with these cameras is too small - but, still??? I've gotten so frustrated. (maybe there is an external flash that would work?)

I'm looking at maybe upgrading to a digital SLR. I love playing around with cropping and PSE and understand that the foto quality is a bit better with a digital SLR.

I'm looking at an Olympus E-510 and the Nikon D80.

I am not a professional. . . I just like pushing the button and getting excited about a great shot. I do take outdoor pictures but find I take many pictures indoors, i.e. of birthday parties, this construction project, and just candid shots of people.

Has anyone tried the Olympus E-510?

I truly appreciate any input. Thanks.

I use the E-500 & I love it. Considered a "pro-sumer" dslr it makes an incredible camera for the serious enthusiasts as well as people relearning photography or switching to digital for the first time. You won't be disappointed by this camera, there are a few great sites that get into your settings in detail. this one being my favorite http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/oly-e/index.html
Be forewarned, you will be headed down the path of buying lots of goodies for it Mine is set up as close to pro as I think it can be with a battery grip, FL-50 flash & bracket, lots of lenses & so on. I am quite content & enjoy taking it with me everywhere. I will admit I'm saving up for the new Olympus professional DSLR, the "E3" which will set me back about $1600.00 for the body but the lenses are all Four-Thirds mount & I will probably wait a little while when they offer more kits with the camera.
I don't know much about the D80 though Nikon's are incredible cameras as well.
If you have any more question about the Olympus drop me a private message if you like

[lexcell]

Hi San,

The key to capturing images with low noise in low light are...a faster lens and a camera that has low noise.

While the Nikon is more expensive, you will find a bigger variety of lenses available that have wide apertures to shoot in low light. Also, the Nikon D80 has lower noise than the Olympus which will do a better job in the arena.

You will want the fastest lens you can afford so that you are able to shoot at a faster shutter speed reducing the noise.

[websi]

Laurie, thank you so much for the input. I'm going to try your suggestion tomorrow.

Rob, your suggested website was so wonderful. I learned so much about the E-510 and excited about it. There was so much information there! and really, I found it address a problem I was having and that made my day. thank you so much for your input.

[mrod]

I've had a D80 for about a month now, and absolutely love it. Probably the best things I did (even though it was hard) was committing myself to jumping right into the menus, settings, etc. and experimenting. With my P&S, I found myself avoiding Aperture, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes because they were a little more involved and confusing. With the D80, I decided I wanted to know exactly what was under the hood, so I started reading the manual, playing with the settings, and have been trying to learn as much as possible, suffering through some bad photos along the way. Slowly, it's starting to pay off, as I'm beginning to understand what's going on, where things are, how things work together, etc.

I'm sure you've read, been told, or both that it's important to go in and physically handle the cameras you're considering. That's what ultimately decided it for me. The D80 felt the best of all the models I was considering.

Enjoy the search!

Mike

[lowbone]

Both very good cameras but I would lean towards the Nikon becaause of its wider accessory base. One thing though, the D80 has been out quite a while and is nearing the end of its life. If you want the latest and greatest you might want to wait a while. You might also want to look at the Canon 40D, an excellent prosumer camera noted for low noise at high ISO