IS5000
Although digital cameras are replacing film cameras, there is no quality match for film camera and are still popular. One needs to invest a bomb for digital photography instruments if quality is the priority and like to get good photographic effects and experience.
Olympus IS5000 is a very good versatile SLR camera. Although it is professional level, it is so user friendly that even amateur can appreciate it well. Its point and shoot option is great for entry-level hobby photographers. All settings such as aperture, shutter speed, flash requirement, red eye reduction mode, etc., appear right in the view finder and hence one can know the settings without taking the eye off from the view finder. Since it is a SLR type, there are many advantages. What is seen on the viewfinder is the one, which is going to be exposed. No question of angle aberration and mismatch of the field.
I would like to share my experience with some of the exciting and important features of this camera:
Auto focus single lens reflex: The auto focus and fully auto mode helps to click the photo almost instantaneously. Events wont wait for us always. However, I prefer to use manual mode or certain built in programmes when there is enough time to adjust the parameters.
28 – 140mm zoom lens: This is an excellent range of zoom. Most of the lenses start with 35 mm and end at 70mm. I am really amazed about the clarity of pictures even at full zoom of 140mm. It can shoot very clear films even at low light mode. However, it is important to use camera stand for low light mode as vibration of our hand leads to poor exposure.
Inbuilt flash: It has twin flash, which are automatically synchronized to the exposure condition even in manual mode. Hence, there is no need to worry about the angle and timing of flash. The flash is very powerful. I could photograph fairly good range even in pitch dark.
Over or under exposure correction: All light meters are set to get good pictures of white skins. That is the reason why we Indians look so dull in group photographs. Just increase the exposure correction by 0.5 unit and see how beautiful we Indians are. This option is also helpful to give photographic effect of twilight even in the mid day of hot sun. Make the darker object appear still darker and bright object appear really brighter.
Remote: This option is really great. No need to hurry up with the timer. Compose your view, go back, relax and press the remote button. The camera clicks after three seconds of delay. Remote comes as an additional option but my dealer gave it to me as a compliment. The camera also has timer mode.
Continuous shoot: Some moments are too precious. Just go to this mode, press and hold the shutter release, you will get series of pictures. Excellent for precious moments.
The camera operates in three modes:
1. Fully automatic with inbuilt programmes:
Exposure programmes: These programmes are very good for taking professional quality photographs but without worrying too much about the settings. All you need it little creative mind and little knowledge about how the things work, which one can learn very fast with this camera. The catalogue is highly user friendly and contains many illustrations with examples.
a. Landscape mode: Very useful for outdoor photography with good background of landscape and person in the front. Both background and person are in focus and picture highlights background in a better way.
b. Portrait mode: Very useful while shooting single objects and persons. The object appears sharply focussed while background appears blurred. Excellent option when required to highlight objects while ignoring the background.
c. Night mode: I liked this option a lot. It is excellent to shoot the night scenes. Flash option also helps to have the beautiful night scenes in background while the person in foreground. Frankly, the photographs appear so exciting and beautiful, in fact, more beautiful than the reality!!!
d. Fast action/freeze: Useful while shooting fast actions such as sports. Decreases the shutter speed to the minimum possible so that the fast actions are freezed on the film.
2. Semi automatic mode: This mode allows the control over one of the parameters i.e., either shutter speed or aperture. One can fix one of the parameters while the other is automatically controlled. This mode can be used to give good effects such as movements.
3. Fully manual: Gives access to all parameters as per the wish of the user. In fully automatic and semi automatic modes, shutter duration will be 1/2000 to 4 sec while in fully manual mode, it can be extended upto 60 sec. This mode enjoys the advantage of setting professional parameters. However, it requires thorough knowledge of photography.
Overall, I am really satisfied with the camera. However, it has little of con sides too. It is not possible to attach extra lens and extra flashes. The camera uses two CR123A type Li batteries, which are bit more expensive compared to normal AA alkaline batteries (Rs 75/- per battery). Also, the cost of the camera is bit high but very much affordable if you are with the craze of photography. I paid Rs 19.5k. It comes with worldwide warranty for one year. The unit was supplied with remote, camera case and box packed by the dealer. Some dealers charge extra for the remote (about Rs 800/-). However, in showrooms, the price is very high (upto Rs 29k!!) and not worth shelling the extra for their commission. No service guarantee is offered by the show rooms and direct us to the service centre.
If you are buying Olympus camera, please be careful. There are too many fakes from China running in the grey market. Of course, Olympus itself has manufacturing unit at China now but my caution is about the spurious Olympus. Believe it or not, I saw many shops at Heera-panna (Mumbai) selling the same camera for nearly 2/3rd the prize but if you had seen the original, it is easy to make out the quality.