CAMERA UPGRADING - OLYMPUS C5050 |
Jun 16, 2003, 1:50pm
I don't know if I wrote about this on Spiffle... but hey. I've changed digital cameras again... I went back Oly way (Olympus).
Since mid 2000, I've been using Nikon Coolpix cameras. A brief forray with the Coolpix 950, then a good time with the 990, and since September, 2002, the Coolpix 4500.
The 4500's an awesome camera, very small and with that amazing Nikon swivel lens design, super tight and vibrant macro mode (down to .75 an inch, and the zoom spectrum is full), magnesium body, and lots of bells and whistles.
Problem is, Nikon went more 'consumer' than 'pro' with the upgrade from the 990 to the 4500 (the 4500 replaces that 990 model). Little happy face dials for people who want "scene modes". Smaller size for better pocketability, but no top LCD screen.
And plus, I'm starting to sell more and more photos to magazines and other media, and 4megapixels was still a bit shy.
So when Olympus updated their C series cameras (I previously owned an Oly C2020 back in 1999 and 2000), I had a serious look. I liked what I saw, and I bought. Here's why. - Batteries are AAs (!!!) I have a whack of AA Nimh batteries I can again use.
- They finally have a macro mode to rival Nikon - down to .8 an inch (just like the CoolPix
- About 75% of what I want to do is one button or one button / directional pad push away - with the Nikon, I was digging thru lots of menus on the LCD
- Super, super high speed lens - F1.8 at the wide range, 2.2 at the telephoto.
- Super high speed electronics to back up that lens - I can rapid fire almost 5 frames a second on high burst mode.
- Ability to record unlimited length (well, limited by your memory card storage) movies - all other digicams only record to memory limits inside the camera. With my 1gb Compact Flash card, I can record a whopping 2,942 seconds of high quality QuickTime movies with sound.
- Can use any flash via the hotshoe (finally, my Vivitar flashes can be dusted off)
- Speaking of memory - the Oly takes three types, native in the camera - legacy MultiMedia cards, the new XD format, and Compact Flash Type I and II (yah baybee!)
- Battery life is completely outstanding - one set of four AAs lasted me almost a full gigabyte of photos, with LCD use and some flash - that's over 250 high res photos.
- Swivel... sorta. You can now "detatch" the back LCD a bit, and swivel it up for waist shots, or down for overhead shots, and still view the picture taking process.
- And it has that wireless remote that I sorely missed when I sold my Oly C2020.
I'm having fun with the Oly, but I'm also in a quandry now - I have a perfectly good Nikon Coolpix 4500, still under warranty, with a heap of accessories (including the $250+ fisheye lens which is the thing I'll miss the most) collecting dust. I'm not even sure I want to sell it, so close is my affinity for Nikon cameras... which is probably why I haven't put it on eBay. But I really should sell it.
Anyone want to buy it?
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Mixelania Photos from Algonquin Park Photos from my trip to Algonquin Park this fall with my Mom and two brothers. War Stories Making Snow for the Fortress One of the worst jobs I ever had... till I got out. Webiffied Tools I Use The tools I use to build websites and lead a tech life.
iPod and iTunes Offline iMark's iTunes and iPod isn't iPlaying anything right iNow. Most Recent Songs Fiddlers Green by The Tragically Hip Around The Bend by Pearl Jam Here With Me (Rollo's Chillin' With the Family Mix) by Dido With arms open wide by Creed truffle pigs by Matthew Good Band
In the News
Burundi and Beyond - NY Times
Great article by Peter Meehan - provided some background.
St. Petersburg Times
Side mention in an article about good machines
AP Story on Espresso
Background and information provided
NY Times - Grinders Article
Especially proud of this one - got the reporter to focus on grinders
Globe and Mail
LOL - showing bad reporting, dude says I'm an American-based site!
The Olympian, WA
Talks about my love for the El Sal Siberia Pacamara
Seattle Times - Clover
Interviewed for comments on the Clover brewer
NY Times - How it Works
Background and information for various espresso machines
Time Mag Article
Just a brief mention, article about roasting beans.
NY Times
Front page article about consumers getting into specialty coffee.
Washington Monthly
Quoted reference to what I wrote in an article at CoffeeGeek.
USA Today - Barista Jam
Intereviewed for my thoughts on what the epitome of espresso is.
WSJ Article
The Wall Street Journal has interviewed me 3 times. This is the first time my name got in a story.
Reuters Interview
Interview with Reuters, Jan 2 - this is the USA Today version.
My Other Stuff
CoffeeGeek
Launched Dec 22, 2001, this is THE online community for espresso and coffee fanatics.
CoffeeKid Website
It's all new, as of March, 2002. My personal coffee obsession site.
WebMotif Services
My company's site - needs an update!
Amazon WishList
Hey, if you feel the need to buy me something, check here!
Daily Visits
enGadget
Great gadget site run by the guy who used to do Gizmodo.
Google News
This is how I get my daily news fix.
DPReview Forums`
The most active forums for digital photography online today.
Daily Zen
Need my Daily Zen fix!
Jalopnik
A blog about car stuff. Vroom Vroom.
MoCo Loco
An industrial design blog. Very cool stuff.
Friends and Family Plan
Beata Blog
Beata's got her own blog! She updates it most days.
Riddla on Flickr
Matt Riddle's flickr account, updated regularly
Irdy Photos
Irdy, my friend from Jakharta, on Flickr
Recent Acquisitions
Canon EF 24-105 f4 L Lens
The best lens I've ever owned. Super sharp and quick.
Canon 5D
A full frame dSLR, with luscious colour reproduction.
Alzo Digital Lights
Some amazing florescent cold lights for product photography
Canon Xsi dSLR
Amazing technology and image quality in a tiny package.
Canon 40D
Latest prosumer camera from Canon - a much better upgrade than the 30D
Fujitsu P1610
Great 2.2lb computer that does most of my travel / writing needs
28mm f1.8 Lens
A great lens for closeup work and full picture photography
Foodsaver Advanced
Finally got the right tools for freezing green coffee.
Canon 50mm 1.4
Most amazing lens I've ever owned. Produces stellar photos.
Canon 10-22mm
Super wide angle (full frame fisheye) zoom for my Canon 20D
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