ignoramus

[skally]

ok you guys have to realize that some of us are idiots when it comes to photography...i've been screwing around with a kodak z650...having lots of fun but don't know anything...i decided to try something a little stronger...got an olympus evolt 510...i don't know freakin anything...got two lenses here...one says 40-150 mmm the other says 14-42 mm...what the hell are they talking about?....feel free to send me to another website for fotomorons...

[Texentric]

Well the 14-42mm basically covers the wide angle shots, like landscapes, large groups of people, etc. The 40-150mm will let you zoom in closer to do things like headshots of people, animals, etc. Depends on what kind of shot you want to get. But at 150mm you are still a little short for things like wildlife(small birds mostly) might be ok for things like deer. With those 2 lenses though, you are basically set for 99% of the shots you will ever want.

But if you want magazine/National Geographic type shots, be prepared to shell out some big bucks for longer lenses, or "faster" lenses for low light. By faster that means a larger maximum aperture(the f number will be something like 1.4, 1.8, or 2.8)

I'm sure for your purposes, those lenses will do just fine until you get the hang of your equipment, and eventually outgrow it. Hope that answers your questions.

[skally]

cool...thanks for the quick reponse...everybody has to start somewhere...i was wondering why i couldn't get closer...i'm beginnig to see the light...accent on beginning...

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by skally

cool...thanks for the quick reponse...everybody has to start somewhere...i was wondering why i couldn't get closer...i'm beginnig to see the light...accent on beginning...

Hey Chuck,

You are correct...we all start at the beginning! Don't be so hard on yourself and don't hesitate to ask more question. I'm sure my fellow TPF'ers will be more than happy to assist you when ever we can. So with that being said...ask away, shoot shoot shoot, and have fun! Welcome to the forum.

-Sonny

[carrbowl]

Hey Chuck, keep asking questions. Believe it or not it makes the rest of us that know only a fraction more than you feel better!!!! Plus if we have to explain it, it makes us have to know our stuff better...please keep asking.

[jagphoto]

Hey Chuck! Welcome to the forum. This is the best place to learn, so we're not sending you anywhere else!!

[venchka]

Originally Posted by skally

ok you guys have to realize that some of us are idiots when it comes to photography...i've been screwing around with a kodak z650...having lots of fun but don't know anything...i decided to try something a little stronger...got an olympus evolt 510...i don't know freakin anything...got two lenses here...one says 40-150 mmm the other says 14-42 mm...what the hell are they talking about?....feel free to send me to another website for fotomorons...

First of all, welcome aboard. I've been around cameras since before electricity & I'm still asking questions and still learning.

Didn't you get a manual with this fancy equipment? Or didn't the salesman explain how to use the stuff?

The Evolt 510 from Olympus has a sensor that effectively DOUBLES those numbers on the lenses. So, the 14mm-42mm lens would be equal to a 28mm-84mm lens on one of my antique 35mm film cameras. Not too shabby as an all purpose, do anything lens. The 40mm-150mm would be the equal of an 80mm-300mm lens in the old days. Quite good for much of your telephoto needs. Someday you might wish to add a lens that is wider than the 14mm, if they make one. And MAYBE something longer. However, what you have will keep you learning for a long time.

I was in Barnes & Noble today. There are books sitting on the shelves waiting to instruct you.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by Texentric

... and eventually outgrow it.

Folks use that phrase a lot. I'm not sure that it's correct. A person may develop needs not met by a particular tool, but the original tool is still more than adequate for many tasks. There are people in this world who support themselves with a single, fixed focal length lens and a single body. They never "out grow" the equipment because they are constantly exploring and seeking new ways of seeing with the equipment they have.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by venchka

Folks use that phrase a lot. I'm not sure that it's correct. A person may develop needs not met by a particular tool, but the original tool is still more than adequate for many tasks. There are people in this world who support themselves with a single, fixed focal length lens and a single body. They never "out grow" the equipment because they are constantly exploring and seeking new ways of seeing with the equipment they have.

And the classic (for film or digital as basics never change) is Ansel Adams, The Camera.

[venchka]

That was one of the titles on the shelf at Barnes & Noble. Right next to The Negative. I suppose The Negative might not be appropriate for Chuck. Unless he sees The Light and comes over from The Dark Side. Grinning.

[skally]

ok this is making a little more sense....you guys are helpful to say the least...i finally got around to the manual and the website...why does my old kodak take better closeups than this new olympus?....the kodak z650 has a 38-380 mm with a 10x optical zoom...i must be missing something here...i figured the new camera with the 40-150mm lens would be stronger not weaker at closeups...feel free to explain the obvious as usual...

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by skally

ok this is making a little more sense....you guys are helpful to say the least...i finally got around to the manual and the website...why does my old kodak take better closeups than this new olympus?....the kodak z650 has a 38-380 mm with a 10x optical zoom...i must be missing something here...i figured the new camera with the 40-150mm lens would be stronger not weaker at closeups...feel free to explain the obvious as usual...

All depends how the lens was designed. As you can see from the specifications that lens was only designed to focus to 90 centimeters.

For close work you should look to an extension tube since it appears Oly doesn't make a true macro.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by skally

...why does my old kodak take better closeups than this new olympus?....the kodak z650 has a 38-380 mm with a 10x optical zoom...i must be missing something here...i figured the new camera with the 40-150mm lens would be stronger not weaker at closeups...feel free to explain the obvious as usual...

First of all, samples always help. Now, I'm guessing that from the same location, the Kodak 380mm lens gives a larger image of your subject than the 510. Correct? Look at the numbers. The Kodak has an "equivalent" focal length of 380mm. The Olympus lens is only 300mm. That's 27%. So, if you're 10' from the subject with the Kodak you have to be 2.7' closer with the Olympus. I think. Somebody check my math. So, hang onto the Kodak for those times when you need maximum telephoto advantage.

What you haven't mentioned is image quality. Specifically, how do pictures from the two cameras and 3 lenses look on paper at 16x20? Or 13x19 if you're printing at home.

[skally]

i finally noticed the specs..although i didn't quite comprehend what they meant...thanks stovall...this camera is starting to look like a return item...as for wayne's note...i don't print at home...i have an uninformed superstition that digital images look best on a digital display...but i'm subject to correction, if that isn't obvious....i haven't taken enough good pics to compare them...first impressions are not encouraging for the olympus...

[venchka]

What don't you like? Olympus optics were, and probably still are, first rate. I haven't a clue how the sensor and in-camera widgets handle an image. I'm sure there is an Olympus digital forum out in cyberland somewhere.

It's not a photograph until it's printed on fiber based photographic paper.