Any of the f/1.2 through f/2.8 primes should be bright enough under most
conditions:
For general work you can try the 50/1.2, 55/1.2, 50/1.4, or 50/1.8.
For photojournalism, try the 28mm or 35mm f/2 or f/2.8.
For portraiture you can try the 85/2, 100/2, 100/2.8 or 135/2.8.
Most expensive: 100mm f/2
Least expensive: 50mm f/1.8
Everything else falls somewhere in between with the f/2 wides angles and
telephotos costing significantly more than the f/2.8 in the same focal length.
Personally I like to use the 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5 Zuiko MC Zoom for
receptions and other gatherings of large people where a variety of candid
photo situations can develop and speed is needed in being able to go from
wide to long, but in dark environs the viewfinder can be dim enough to be
troublesome. At that point I switch to the 24/2 wide, 50/1.2 standard or
135/2.8 telephoto depending on what I anticipate will be needed most.
If you have a standard focus screen in the prism (split image with
micro-prism ring around it) the split image will often go dark in very low
light, especially with a slower lens. Practice using the micro-prism ring
for focusing. In many situations under lower light levels the micro-prism
ring can be much easier than the split image.
Remember that some AF systems can have trouble focusing in dim lighting.
If you are thinking about an AF and do a lot of work in low light check out
the EV range for the AF to make sure it won't choke on you.
-- John
At 01:32 6/6/00 , Gareth Knight wrote:
>Dear all,
>
>I must confess to being one of the list's lurkers on the whole, but I enjoy
>watching the banter and listening to the experience of some of the
>characters over the past two years. I thought I would write and ask for
>general comments on my dilemma over digital photography
>
>I have been building up my Olympus collection for four years now, and
>despite the relatively small spending power as a student, I have amassed
>quite a collection now from extensive searching of small camera shops and
>purchases from photographers I have met. I was delighted to discover the
>list, which allowed me to get a couple of rare lenses.
>
>My problem is that increasingly of late, a lot of my photography has been of
>the candid indoor evening variety - which calls for ease of focussing in dim
>conditions and good flash support. Whilst I persevered for a long time with
>a OM2SP & Bounce grip 2, once the bounce grip circuit failed I had to buy in
>a hurry and I bought an EOS 5 / 430EZ. I am a great admirer of the OM
>design, but I have to say that it simply cannot approach a wonderbrick for
>ease of use in a dark pub after a few beers.
>
>For all the outdoor photography, I find great pleasure in the Zuiko lenses
>and timeless design of the bodies - my personal favourite is actually the
>OM2, unfortunately I have never had the opportunity of using the OM1.
>
>I use a Nikon Coolscan to bring the photos into my computer. I am studying
>Electronic Engineering, but in the current climate, web & database
>development make lucrative summer jobs. Hence, I share my photos with
>friends and take re-prints orders over the web. The scanning process takes
>a long time though, and I have always been a man for digital inventions ...
>
>What I would dearly love is a digital OM5/6 that I could use my Zuikos on.
>Despite the odd murmur in the press, I have to conclude that this isn't
>going to happen. Failing this, I would like to replace the EOS with a
>digital version as those shots are the ones most likely to end up on the
>web. The only likely digital SLR contender at the moment is the Nikon D1 as
>far as I can see. The problem is that in order to finance this, I would
>have to sell my OM collection & the EOS, and hope that the Nikon would prove
>a worthwhile replacement for both. The only problem I forsee is that the
>CCD size means a zoom factor of 1.5 on all focal lengths - I enjoy my 21mm
>for landscapes and I would be sorry to miss this focal length.
>
>Basically what I am asking is whether anyone has bailed and regretted it /
>or indeed never looked back.
>
>Separately, has anyone used the D1 - is it good enough for general use yet ?
>
>Finally, if I were to bail I would offer the collection to the list first
>and I would appreciate comments on whether it is better to sell as one lot
>or as separates (certainly not as an auction, boy do I remember that debate
>:))
>
>Many thanks,
>
>Gareth.
>
>==
>
>Gareth Knight
>
>(IEE NW YM Chairman, UMIST Student)
>Permanent address: 5 Norman Road, Sale, Cheshire M33 3DF
>Uni address: Blue 3:2, Weston Hall, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3BB
>Uni telephone: (0161) 933 3931
>Permanent telephone: (0161) 962 4950
>Mobile phone: 07747865008 (Vodafone)
>
>
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