useful or useless?

[AnnetteMaree]

I've been looking over ebay ( was actually searching for Olympus gear) and came across these items,
eBay Australia Store – OnlineDigitalShop: Search results for Olympus E520.

has anyone here ever used any of these, ( as in the different lenses and the filters) are they useful or are they useless?

(please forgive me if this question sounds dumb but I am a relative newcomer to using a DSLR.)

[AnnetteMaree]

I take it from the 'no replies' that no Olympus users have ever used these?

The reason I was asking is that as far as I am aware (and judging from different searches of the web) there are no close-up filters for Olympus cameras? and the only way to get in closer is to use the Zuiko Extension tube?

[kuvahmagh]

Originally Posted by AnnetteMaree

I take it from the 'no replies' that no Olympus users have ever used these?

The reason I was asking is that as far as I am aware (and judging from different searches of the web) there are no close-up filters for Olympus cameras? and the only way to get in closer is to use the Zuiko Extension tube?

I'm guessing you mean Macro Lenses? I don't have a lot of experience with Macro other than the odd shot or two. From what I understand you would get the best results using lenses designed for it rather than attachments which can degrade quality or cause silhouetting.

[Heuristx]

There are several ways to get closer with Olympus lenses.

The tube, of course.
The EC20 or EC14 teleconverters, they don't change the minimum distance.
The 35 mm or 50 mm macro lenses.
Raynox also sells macro add-ons(Raynox.com).

They all work, and give you better results than some of the questionable items on EBay.

[windrider86]

If you purchase a lens to use for something specifc and then never use it, its worthless. Ask yourself what sort of photography do you want to do? Macro? Portraits? Landscape? Wildlife?
And then base your purchasing on what is most important.

[AnnetteMaree]

thankyou for your replies,

kuvamagh and Heuristx, I agree that many of the items found online (ebay etc) are quite questionable, so I think I will just purchase the Zuiko Extension Tube and a Tele Converter, just need to make my mind up and decide which one, the EC20 or the EC14 ?

windrider, I think as a beginner (to DSLR) I have a pretty good collection of lenses, all capable of giving me a wide selection of shots, before I bought my 520, I was using my 570UZ ( a really top camera) and was really enjoying taking heaps of close-up and macro shots but since I've had my 520 I now find I am tending more toward landscapes but, to be honest ... I just love taking photos .... of almost anything