Advice on E500

I'm thinking of getting the E500 once it becomes available in my country, and housing it later in an Ikelite (budget permitting).

I've read comments about its smaller viewfinder, though, and I'm concerned that it will be an issue underwater. This will be my first DSLR, if ever, and I'm wondering if it's a valid concern.

Am I right in thinking that a small viewfinder is only a problem when manual focusing? Or will I be better off getting a different DSLR?

Looking forward to your advice. Thanks.

Regards,

Norman

The viewfinder is the best thing about dSLRs versus consumer digicams. It's most important for framing your image. I would get the biggest one you can afford.

For me the viewfinder is the worst thing about SLR's compared to digicams. It's nice to compose off an LCD.

I recommend Canon or Nikon for first time DSLR users. Why? Because DSLRs are all about lenses and over time most people build a significant lens collection. Then when new and better cameras come many people upgrade their DSLR sticking with the brand they started with to maintain compatibility with their lenses. So starting with the right brand turns out to be a crucial decision. In this context, I think there are only two valid choices for DSLR newbies ... Canon or Nikon.

I went with Nikon. No regrets.

http://www.splashdowndivers.com/photo_gall...uipment_d70.htm

Trevor,

Try it and you'll like it. I thought composing on the LCD was the way to go. But actually, the viewfinder really puts you into the zone when framing a picture. It really focuses your mind on the composition. Even the small viewfinder on the D70 and the little bit of help that the Ikelite magnifier gives is enough to see the whole frame easially.

Try it and you'll never go back

Hi Swordfish,

All good points made so far. If the Ikelite housing is your only option (financially) then the Nikon, Canon, and Oly cameras will all feel the same underwater. They'll all be in the same clear box afterall, and realistically, the Nikon, Oly, and Canon entry level viewfinders are all the same (poor for underwater use).

For the same price, as the E500 kit, you can get a Nikon d70 or Canon Rebel XT. These cameras have greater support for underwater and topsides use, including lenses, flashes, accessories, and housings and ports.

Tio on dd.net pointed out that there is a good lineup of underwater lenses for the E-500 but at what cost? Since Nikon and Canon are supported by 3rd party lens manufacturers, you can get a $500 wideangle zoom like the Sigma 10-20 as opposed to the $1,250 wide zoom made for the 4/3 cameras. That's a big cost difference.

And if you're willing to spend a few hundred dollars more on a housing, you've suddenly gone from two choices for the E system (oly maybe, and Ikelite) to more than a handful of housings to choose from.

Cheers

James

Thanks for the reply, guys! Still on the viewfinder, I just need to know how big or small it should be for underwater use for a person with almost normal vision. How much of the standard is actually based more on taste than functionality?

The Ikelite housing has a magnifier? How does it work? Does it really help? I found on the Ikelite website that an E500 housing is in the works. Surely, trusty old Ike won't make a housing for a camera that is unusable underwater? =B) Thanks!

Regards,

Norman

Thanks for the reply, guys! Still on the viewfinder, I just need to know how big or small it should be for underwater use for a person with almost normal vision. How much of the standard is actually based more on taste than functionality?

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Hi Norman,

The viewfinder being your compositional tool, the one through which you see the scene, it's very important to get the best you can. This includes the viewfinder on the camera, and the one on the housing. In this respect, the larger the viewfinder, the better.

Cheers,

Mat