AG (Amish) Schnozz has one basic rule for surviving in the photographic
world: Never borrow a piece of equipment that you aren't prepared to
actually buy. This has little to do with damage and everything to do with
wanting one for yourself.
For several years now I have avoided the 50-200 like the plague. I KNOW it's
a nice lens and everything, but I insist on avoiding it because I know I
want one. Then at our Iowa Zuikofest, Gordon brings his 150 F2 lens. I made
the detrimental error of actually trying it out. Oh, man....
Last night I FINALLY broke down and against my better judgment borrowed a
50-200swd to shoot a high-school football (American) game. For the first
half I was using my lenses, but second half was 50-200swd on the E-1. This
just isn't fair you know...
Why, you ask, is the Schnozz shooting high-school sports right now? I'm now
a stringer for one of the local papers and I also got the contract to be the
official team photographer for a semi-pro football team for the 2010
season. So, I must practice and prepare.
I have several observations:
1. The 50-200swd on the E-1 is actually bloody fast in the AF department. I
had no problem with it other than it front-focusing on somebody stepping
into the scene. I resolved that quickly by changing to center-point only. I
had exposure locked down in manual mode so there was no further delay for
the camera to figure out what to do with the scene once it found focus. The
swd version of the 50-200 really is much faster than the original version.
2. What is the maximum safe flash sync speed on the E-1? It sure would be
nice to know when you are on location...
3. Black uniforms turn magenta when the T45 flash is overpowering the
scene. Was this the M8 or the E-1?
4. I really want a larger viewfinder.
5. The Weight/balance of the 50-200 on the grip/e-1/t45 is about perfect.
Of course I'd like it lighter, but it handheld very well.
6. If there was any one thing that really bugs me about the 50-200 is the
zoom ring rotates too far. I always place my left hand UNDER the lens and
rotate the rings with my thumb and middle finger. Doing it this way requires
to complete movement to zoom from one extreme to the other. The only way to
do it in one is to have the left hand over the top of the lens and rotate
the ring with the entire hand movement, not just a flick of the fingertips.
7. The Zuiko (OM) 35-80 F2.8 actually works very well for shooting from the
sidelines except it is a flare-prone lens and when across the field towards
the lights I got a lot of lost contrast. Otherwise, it was easy to focus and
zoom. I could track well enough to not necessarily be a problem. 80mm was
definitely too short on the long end, though.
8. Fast AF and a long zoom are fine and everything, but anticipating the
plays and being in the right position is tough work and I need more
practice.
9. It's a given that ISO 1600 sucks on the E-1 and I really want a faster
frame rate.
AG
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