Worth getting an Olympus 5050?

[nightfly]

For those of you who have an Olympus 5050 or 5060 digital, is it worth picking one up at the going price of around $250? I've seen some really nice stuff from them. I've had a couple of digitals and none of them really grabbed me mostly due to a combination of not being pleasurable to use and photos that were not poor quality by any means but didn't have anything special about them, they didn't excite me the way film does, I guess. I've seen some stuff from these cameras though that has a nice quality to it. Is it crazy to buy a used 5 megapixel camera in 2007?

 

[IGMeanwell]

Its not crazy

but the one thing that drove people absolutely crazy about them were the small buffer and shutter lag

Even Alex Majoli used to carry two 5050s around his neck in order to combat their speed

If you can handle that, they are truly good and unique digital cameras....

 

[Scarpia]

I bought one for my daughter when they were new and she still uses it with excellent results.
Kurt M.

 

[nightfly]

Is the shutter lag surmountable with setting up the My Modes thing set up like a hyperfocused rangefinder? Or is it still a drag?

Is the buffer a problem only with RAW? If it produces nice JPEGs I'm fine with that.

 

[Nikon Bob]

You might find this link of interest if you have not already seen it http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/c5050/index.html . It may answer a few of your questions. I agree about the small buffer and shutter lag but can say I am more than pleased with the results. Be aware that there was a recall on the C5050 sensor for replacement. I never had trouble with the sensor in mine but had the sensor replaced free under the recall. It is a Sony sensor I believe.

Bob

 

[Issy]

They have their quirks, but they're a nice camera (if a digital camera could attain the status of "classic" or "cult", this would be one).

Be aware of the sensor recall (Olympus can tell you if you are effected based on serial number)

The command dial is a weak mechanical part (there are web pages online that will guide you on how to replace or fix one yourself if you don't want to pay Olymous $170)

The user interface is a bit awkward (buttons all over the camera)

but...

Raw
Bright lens
AA battery format
flash shoe
low noise at 400 (compared to other cameras of the same era)


Another great site: http://myolympus.org/5050/

I own several. 🙂

Bill

 

[DougK]

Part of it is probably the f/1.8 lens (disclaimer: I don't own the 5050 but I do own the similar 7070WZ).

EDIT: I also wish the 7070 had kept the fast lens, but oh well.

 

[nzeeman]

maybe its better to try digilux 1(i think there is one in classifieds section for 300$)
or lc5 (they are even cheaper). they are fine cameras.

 

[nightfly]

If anyone has one of these that wasn't effected by the sensor recall or had it taken care of and wants to get rid of it, please PM me. Thanks.