Olympus C-7070 (w/zoom) (1 Viewer)

[birdeast]

Olympus C-7070 (w/3x telephoto)

I have been considering how to get more into bird photography on a limited budget. I really want to try digiscoping and I really want some decent 'photographic records' with a chance to get some really cracking photos say between 5 and 10 meters.

I have been considering the Panasonic FZ30 or FZ20. Problem is, I could not use these cameras for digiscoping later on when I am ready to invest in a scope. My next thought is to give the Oly C7070 a try with the 3x teleconvertor. Goal would be to use when I am walking on jungle paths to catch snaps of small birds within close range (these opportunities present themselves quite often). Then later I could use this same camera with a scope.

Question are: How does the overall concept sound (Yes, I know not as good as DSLR), How much would the 3x effect the aperture?

Thanx in advance

 

[Nigel G]

Hi Birdeast.

I've just bought one, I've got a CP4500 for digiscoping but have hopes that this will offer easier focusing and algining with its bigger brighter raised LCD along with a number of other potential advantages I have yet to prove.

It only arrived 2 days ago and my first priority is to get an adapter machined to fit my Pentax eyepieces. So far I have only handheld it against the scope and it appears to have a little less vignetting than the CP4500 on the zoom lens. My XW20mm (x26 on the 80mm scope) eyepiece also only arrived this week. This is a huge piece of glass and again on a quick handheld test it is possible there is little or no vignetting on the entire zoom range. I will write a better review in a couple of weeks when I have some evidence but it looks promising and BF member Neil is pleased with his. (There are lots of comprehensive reviews on the web about the camera in general).

As to TCON 30 (3x) which gives you a 330mm equivilient I also want to go down this route for close in stuff but as the credit card has taken a hammering recently :eek!: it will have to wait a bit. None of the reviews I read cover it specifically other than to mention it exists along with endless other accessories such as a full underwater option. Notwithstanding I think it was the Olympus site that said the TCONs (both wide and zoom) did not affect the aperture so in theory it should give you 81-330mm at f2.8-f4.8.

In short I am working on the same concept you propose. Will let you now how I get on and would be very interested to here/see how you do with a x3 if you go this route. Good luck.

 

[birdeast]

Look forward to hearing how your new C-7070 works out.

Regarding the 3x telephoto....What are your feelings about a Tokina 3x or Opteka 3.2?? Would you consider these 'risky' compared to the Olympus TCON30? I have seen these about and they are quite a bit cheaper.

I am still pretty sure I want to go this route. HOWEVER, did you see the news release on the front page of dpreview?

http://www.dpreview.com/

It appears that there are several new Oly's on the horizon and 2 of them SP350/310 look like they may have digiscoping potential...???

Again, looking forward to hearing about your experiences with the C-7070

Scott

 

[Nigel G]

Regarding the 3x telephoto....What are your feelings about a Tokina 3x or Opteka 3.2?? Would you consider these 'risky' compared to the Olympus TCON30? I have seen these about and they are quite a bit cheaper.

Wasn't aware that there were alternatives but will probably stick with the Olympus as you probably get what you pay for. That said I may well opt to import from the US were prices are a third cheaper than UK.

It appears that there are several new Oly's on the horizon and 2 of them SP350/310 look like they may have digiscoping potential...???

Just had a quick look down the basic spec and I'm not sure whether these are any better. The SP350 has a bigger LCD but its not clear whether it rotates which IMO is pretty essential. It has more point and shoot scene modes but I think the 7070 may have more custom capability which is what I'm looking for. Another thread also suggests there is a new CP4500 due to be anounced on 1 Sep which could be interesting. There is a x2 and x3 available for that so could be worth a look in a couple of days.

Decisions only get easier once you've spent the money cos then its too late and I'm committed!! :eek!:

 

[mmdnje]

Opteca X3

I have an OptekaX2 lens. Distortion and chromatic aberration is terrible, terrible.I would not waist any money on cheap lenses.
Jose.

 

[tbbird]

A review of the Olympus Tcon-30C is available at
http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/c-wz/tcon-30c.html

best wishes
t.b.

 

[Suffolk Steve]

Don't know much about the Olympus 7070. if you want it for photographing birds is a super wide angle lens camera what you really want.
I recently purchased a minolta dimge z3 which has a 12 optical zoom and anti shake and it does the business fine for me.You might not need for a teleconverter if you go down this route.
I have though purchased a 2x converter form e-bay for about £25 and whilst it loses sharpness at the edge this is usualy cropped on bird photos. Look on the minolta thread for some photos I took. These pictures were taken without a tripod or any other support.
If you do need a wide angle lens Minolta and other companies do a 0.45 converter and the camera has a setting for this.
I tried digiscoping but I enjoy taking photos of birds when I am walking around and they are long gone by the time you have set the scope up. Consequently I ended up with dozens of avocet photos and no bearded tit pictures

 

[birdeast]

In the end, I purchased a Nikon D50. I am using it with a 80-300mm Sigma lens (ultimate reach 450mm). I am very happy I decided to go this route. Costs more, but I think it is a long term investment that will allow me to just walk through the forest and snap small bird photos and I still have the flexibility to add a 500mm (dreaming) lens or use it with a spotting scope.

What did it for me was 2 things: 1) The price on 7070 in Singapore was much to high and by the time I purchased all the telephoto lens adapters it would have been approaching DSLR pricing. 2) I had a chance to hold the FZ30 and I just could not see paying almost the same price as what I paid for Nikon. Later on when the price comes down a bit, I may consider the FZ30 as a pocket camera.

I guess the thing that makes me most happy with Nikon is the fact it will shoot quite well at ISO 800 and even reasonably well at ISO 1600.

I am a person that is prone to buyers guilt. Having owned the D50 for 3 weeks now, I can honestly say that I only look forward to weekends out with what I feel is the right camera for me. Never once have I second guessed this decision.

Scott

 

[fasciatus]

Where to buy a olympus c7070?

I want to buy a olympus c7070 but I can't find it!!!
Enybody knows where I can buy it??

Thanks!!!!

 

[Nigel G]

I want to buy a olympus c7070 but I can't find it!!!
Enybody knows where I can buy it??

Thanks!!!!

Afraid it was discontinued after only 6 months - heaven knows why its a great multi-purpose compact including digiscoping. Suspect your only chance is second-hand, possibly ebay.

 

[fasciatus]

:-(
Thanks!

Another camera similar of this?

 

[Neil]

The Olympus 7070wz is a great digiscoping camera but unfortunately would be hard to find now. A similar camera is the Nikon CP8400 which is also not a current model , although you can still get it in Hong Kong. None of the new digicams have a rotatable screen which is essential for me. I'm not sure how suitable it would for photographing small birds in bushes and trees. I've tried using digicams for this ( I have the Nikon 3x tele for the CP4500 and I had a 12x Panasonic Lumix ) and now use a DSLR as it's the only way to go for fast moving little birds. If they are not moving fast you should be able to digiscope them. The 7070wz on a straight scope is very fast for getting onto birds due to it's optical viewfinder and fast focus. Neil.

 

[fasciatus]

Yes, Neil. I've Nikon 8400 now, and.... I hope it don't broke, becouse I think is dificult to find a similar digicam. Perhaps Canon 620 ¿?
Thanks, Mark