Olympus Cameras and Four Thirds System Digital SLRs Forum

Olympus Cameras Forum Discuss Olympus film and digital cameras as well as Panasonic and Leica Four Thirds System digital SLRs - forum moderator is Greg McCary.
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  1. #1
    Member Atomic2's Avatar
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    flash and tripod suggestions

    does anyone have any? im looking for cheap here as well, and i dont mind getting used
    E-3, E-510
    12-60 2.8-4.0
    40-150 3.5-4.5
    Sigma 30 1.4
    Zenit 58 F2 [with M42 adapter]
    Metz 48

  2. #2
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    Re: flash and tripod suggestions

    plan your purchase with the future in mind so you don't end up buying 3 tripods that break for the cost of the 4th that you will buy to replace the first 3.

    Think about what you plan on shooting and plan to spend a little more than you thought.

    Look at the max weight the tripod can hold and think about the lenses you may want to get down the road. Can the tripod hold the combined weight of the camera + the new lens?

    Look at the design of the quick release system. Will it hold the lenses you want? Will it hold the weight?

    I have 3 broken tripods that did not meet my future demands. After I broke all of them (which I paid about $180 for in total) I went out and spent $120 on a professional tripod and another $150 on a Jobu Gimbal head to put on it. No more broken tripods at a shoot, no more bitching about crappy gear. You definitely get what you pay for with camera gear.

    There are a lot of really good name brands out there but each of them make a lesser known name product. Look around and check the stats on it. Try it before you buy it if you can. Ebay is a good source but you cannot try it before you buy it there.... so read the stats carefully.

    Flash - you have a few options but if you want bang for the buck look at the Vivitar 285HV. It's a workhorse. I go mine brand new for $85 US and then bought 2 used ones for a total of $75 US. That way there's always at least one with fresh batteries for a back up just in case.

    And lastly after you have the flash you will most likely want a battery pack for faster recharge and longer use. MAKE SURE they are compatible BEFORE you buy and make sure the power cables are readily available. You want to be sure that if you are away from your home camera shop on a shoot that you can get replacements easily so you won't end up SOL.
    Shooting with an Olympus Evolt E-510 and loving it


    Equipment list:
    Olympus Evolt E-3, E-620, E-500
    Olympus Zuiko 40 - 150 F4.0 - 5.6
    Olympus Zuiko 14 - 45 F 2.8 - 3.6
    Sigma 50 - 500 F 4.0 - 6.3
    Sigma 70 - 200 F2.8
    Olympus FL-38 Flash x2
    Vivitar 285 HV
    Better Beamer Flash Extender

    http://www.jdtimages.ca/

    A Photographer that is fluent in Sarcasm.

  3. #3
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
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    Re: flash and tripod suggestions

    In my film days I had an old yard sale tripod that tipped over from time to time, before the a bean bag.. Now I use a Slik. I am not sure of the model but it is well built. If you are going to stick $1000.00 on top of a tripod make sure it's a good one.
    I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..

    Sony a99/a7R

  4. #4
    Member Atomic2's Avatar
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    Re: flash and tripod suggestions

    why are heads so expensive? and why are they necessary? can i mount my camera to a tripod directly? whats the meaning of life? is a $100 enough for a decent tripod considering the E510 is pretty damn light, especially compared to nikons that much of the market is based upon?
    E-3, E-510
    12-60 2.8-4.0
    40-150 3.5-4.5
    Sigma 30 1.4
    Zenit 58 F2 [with M42 adapter]
    Metz 48

  5. #5
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
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    Re: flash and tripod suggestions

    Here is the one I have. The head on it gets it done no problems. I think the heads you are refering to just adjust easier and are a bit better built. I wish mine was taller but like I say, It gets the job done.
    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ro_Tripod.html
    I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..

    Sony a99/a7R

  6. #6
    Junior Member HelifaxNZ's Avatar
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    Re: flash and tripod suggestions

    I find having one with a leveller good, so that you don't take shots on a slight slant. Also one with a quick release is handy. Usually they are the ones where you have a square pad that screws into your camera and you can clip it on top of your tripod, then when you need to release it, it has a thumb release. Great if you need to take it off the tripod for a particular shot then clipping it back on with less fuss.

    I bought myself an Olympus FL-36R that was reasonably priced. Not as strong as the big brother model, but does the trick. What I like is that it has a disperser cover built-in so if you need to take wide angle shots - or even macro shots - you can flip down this opaque cover which will disperse the light more evenly. I still haven't had a good play with this flash, so I'm still learning. It requires 2x AA batteries and is fairly light.
    Olympus E-300
    Flash FL-36R
    35mm Macro
    14-45mm Wide
    40-150mm TeleZoom
    EC-20 Teleconverter

    My favourite shots are with my macro lens.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
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    Re: flash and tripod suggestions

    I'm in the market for a flash myself, so I can't help you there.

    I can help with the tripod though. Spend the money you would use on a tripod for your 70-300. I've only come across a few situations where I thought a tripod would be helpful, and most of the time mine collects dust. In fact, I Think the only time I'd ever use it is to get flowing water shots, long exposures of stars, and self portraits. Other than that, it's an overpriced coat rack.

    A little bit of good technique will help steady your hands - hold your breath when shooting, brace against things, etc. I haven't had too much trouble getting sharp images out of my 50 f/2 at 1/12s.
    Erik Williams

    Olympus E3, E510
    12-60 SWD, 50-200 SWD, 50 f/2 macro, EX25, FL36's and an FL50r.

  8. #8
    Member Atomic2's Avatar
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    Re: flash and tripod suggestions

    1/12? im getting decent 1/8s, even usable 1/6s [if i really try] with the IS at 150mm!
    but im dead set on getting a tripod. my budget is 50-100 hoping to get a usable one. i figure the 510 with the 70-300mm is still under 2kg so im not TOO worried, but i want something with a little more buffer room then what Greg has posted. also i want a head that i can adjust

    i think ill wait another couple weeks and make my final decision after finals.
    E-3, E-510
    12-60 2.8-4.0
    40-150 3.5-4.5
    Sigma 30 1.4
    Zenit 58 F2 [with M42 adapter]
    Metz 48

  9. #9
    Member Don Kondra's Avatar
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    Re: flash and tripod suggestions

    This is pushing your budget a bit but I bought a Velbon tripod locally for $150.

    Very pleased with it, all metal, smooth adjustments, etc.

    http://www.velbon-tripod.com/sherpa.htm

    Cheers, Don
    Attached Images Attached Images  

  10. #10
    Member Atomic2's Avatar
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    Re: flash and tripod suggestions

    any update on the FL-36?

    i think i might get that one,
    also the Vivitar 285HV that was suggested earlier, what does the FL-36 have that this one doesnt?
    E-3, E-510
    12-60 2.8-4.0
    40-150 3.5-4.5
    Sigma 30 1.4
    Zenit 58 F2 [with M42 adapter]
    Metz 48

  11. #11
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    Re: flash and tripod suggestions

    I'm going to use the one I got from Buy.com for 73 cents after google checkout.

    Mounted my Canon G1 to it for testing and it seemed to hold up fine, so I would imagine the 510 should be fine too. Best 73 cents I have spent in a while lol.

    And no I am not kidding. It's probably only a $50 tripod though to begin with. Going to see how much I use it before I splurge.

    ahh found it, http://www.amazon.com/Kraftech-94824...1185442&sr=8-1

    Am I crazy? lol

  12. #12
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    Re: flash and tripod suggestions

    here's a good review of the fl-36 ($175):
    http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/43/fl-36.html

    and vivitar 285hv ($90):
    http://www.popphoto.com/lighting/398...hv-review.html


    seems like the vivitar would be a good bargain if you really know how to use a flash well. the olympus seems to be able to set itself up right for every shot because it communicates with the camera and knows what settings you are shooting with. also, the main reason why i am planning on getting the fl-36 is for the auto-focus assist. instead of my e-510 strobing it's flash to help focus, the fl-36 has 3 red beams with different patterns in them to give you plenty to focus on.

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