Question regarding e300 lens kit.

[eureka]

Hello,
I am new to the board, new to Olympus.* I recently purchased the e300 with 2 lens kit. My question regards the use of the kit lenses with the EC-14 Teleconverter.* The Oly web site inplies that it ( the EC-14) can only be used with the more expense lense i.e. the 14-54, 50-200, 50mm, etc.* Has anyone had expirence using the kit lenses with the teleconverter?* Can it be done?* Thanks for your response.

[ditto1958]

According to the Olympus website, yes:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_se...asp?id=1140#38

[eureka]

Thanks for the reponses.

[fotobram]

Originally Posted by th0t

Hi eureka,

What this means is that your camera will have less light and this may make it more difficult for your camera's autofocus (AE) to work optimally. That's probably why Olympus recommends that these lenses be manually focused when used with the EC-14.

An alternative to the Oly 40-150 + EC14 making it max 210mm, consider the Sigma 55-200 DC
I own both the Oly 40-150 and the Sigma 55-200
The Sigma is only one third of the price of the EC14 only !!!!
I know Sigma is a less quality lens , but hey you still have autofocus that works and you still have 5.6 aperture.
The lens has to be stopped down a bit for reasonable quality, but you have 5.6 at 200 mm for composing and focussing at least.
And it is less bulky and quicker to change lenses.
What do you think ?

[fotobram]

I suggest; do n't sell the ZD 40-150, even when buying the Sigma 55-200. The Oly lens is much better quality.
Only when you are thinking of the adding the EC14, think of the Sigma 55-200 too. It is 3x less expensive then the Oly converter.

Compared to the ZD the Sigma is slower and softer and more noisy.
However, it is very compact.

[eureka]

Thanks guys for the suggestion of the Sigma lens.* I was in another forum earlier and the question of the EC-14 and kit lenses came up.* Several posters use them in combo and one even claimed that the teleconverter made the images from both lenses sharper.* Before I do anything I will check out the Sigma option.* I live in one of the desert communities of California so for me it requires a trip to San Diego or Los Angles to actually get my hands around anything.* We only have Ritz Camera here in the desert and they are not the best place to shop because of their limited inventory.*

[fotobram]

Just an example of the Sigma 55-200. ISO 200 f8

[eureka]

fotobram, I'm impressed.* That shot most likely says more about your skills as a photographer than the Sigma lens, but thanks for the example.

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by eureka

fotobram, I'm impressed. That shot most likely says more about your skills as a photographer than the Sigma lens, but thanks for the example.

It's refreshing to see someone first comment on the photographer and not the equipment, in a sea of "I need a better camera/lens to become a better photographer" that you usually see in most forums over the net.

- Raist