E-510 lens - help!

[milano]

Hi, ya'll!

I used my E-510 to take pictures while visiting family and friends in SC and was quite disappointed with the results...lots of blurry shots and missed photo ops due to low light (is my guess) and also due to operator error, I'm sure .

I would love to be able to take nice close up and crisp pictures in low light...any recommendations? Is there such a thing as "fast lenses"? What does it mean? I am not familiar with lens lingo at all, and I appreciate in advance any advice/suggestions.

Thank you and happy 2009!

~milano

[fletch]

I also have the E-510 and unfortunately for us it's not the best for low light. There are some very good fast lenses but they are mega bucks compared to the 50mm f/1.8 offerings from Canon and Nikon. The small sensor also does not bode well for high ISO performance and the noise here is very high compared to the latest cameras.

Maybe a good buy might be a new flash. I may be wrong but I think they have focus assist lamps to help with low light focusing and they will light up you subjects to avoid the need for a fast lens.

[inkista]

A fast lens is a lens with a maximum aperture that's f/2.8 or larger (i.e., smaller f-number). It's called a fast lens, because the wider aperture means you can use a faster shutter speed.

Unfortunately, in the four-thirds mount, the best fast "normal" lens is outrageously expensive: the Panasonic Leica D Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH ($840). But there are also the less-expensive Sigma 24mm f/1.8 ($360), Sigma 30mm f/1.4 ($380), and the Olympus 25mm f/2.8 ($223) pancake lens.

[milano]

Thank you for the prompt reply, Fletch. I'll Google around and find out more about a new flash...hopefully, they are easier to understand than the lens lingo.

Thanks again!
~milano

[milano]

Thanks for the lens suggestions, inkista. These will give me a good place to begin my search for a lens.

Now (for a really stupid question)....what does "mm" (millimeter) represent? For example, my current lens is "14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6".

Thanks again!
~milano

[OhSnapPhotos]

I don't want to steal your thunder, Milano, or detract from your original query, so I hope I do not do that.

I posted this question over in the Gear forum and have not yet had a response (I'm very impatient and I know there aren't always a lot of OLY users around).

What I'm wondering is - would the 50-200mm f/2.8 non-SWD lens be a good investment for low light and/or fast action indoor shots? I know it would be faster than the kit lenses I have.

I am also looking at some pancake and/or prime lenses and wondered - other than the 50mm - what people recommend for weddings (and the portraits that go with them) and children's portraits (often newborns in the home).

Again, hoping I'm not stepping on coat-tails and/or derailing the conversation from its current track too much!

[fletch]

Originally Posted by milano

Now (for a really stupid question)....what does "mm" (millimeter) represent? For example, my current lens is "14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6".

Thanks again!
~milano

mm is the focal length of the lens. A prime lens will only have one number and will always be at the same focal lenght. A zoom will have two numbers which is the range of focal lenghts the lens can shoot at, i.e. 14-42. The higher the number the greater the magnification of the image, the lower the number the wider the angle of view.

[Brownie]

Originally Posted by milano

Thank you for the prompt reply, Fletch. I'll Google around and find out more about a new flash...hopefully, they are easier to understand than the lens lingo.

Thanks again!
~milano

I'm was using the E-500 and had the same problems. I got the FL-36 and was very happy with it. (I paid less than $150.00) Also the 14-54mm lens is a good investment.(About $500.00) This lens will focus faster than the kit lens.

[ShepherdLady]

Originally Posted by fletch

I also have the E-510 and unfortunately for us it's not the best for low light. There are some very good fast lenses but they are mega bucks compared to the 50mm f/1.8 offerings from Canon and Nikon. The small sensor also does not bode well for high ISO performance and the noise here is very high compared to the latest cameras.

Maybe a good buy might be a new flash. I may be wrong but I think they have focus assist lamps to help with low light focusing and they will light up you subjects to avoid the need for a fast lens.

I agree an FL-36 or FL-50 hot shoe flash is needed here.

[ShepherdLady]

Originally Posted by Brownie

I'm was using the E-500 and had the same problems. I got the FL-36 and was very happy with it. (I paid less than $150.00) Also the 14-54mm lens is a good investment.(About $500.00) This lens will focus faster than the kit lens.

Even with the 14-54 one still needs to use a flash in low light. Any movement by the photographer will show up as blur on any photo's.

And yeah the lens is fast but a flash is still needed. BTW, the 14-54 runs about $380 now. Better snatch them up fast the 14-54II is coming out and the word is, is that they've been discontinued and the newer one will cost more.