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Hey everyone I'm selling my trustworthy Olympus E-30 at eBay. The link is here: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...=STRK:MESELX:IT As I say on the eBay page, the camera body was imported into Australia from Cameta Camera (a trusted eBay Shop) in the United States. It was a shop/factory demo in excellent to mint condition. In the year or so I have had this dSLR, it has always been well looked after & is still in excellent condition save for one very minor mark which you can barely see in the fourth photo. The camera has had 22 340 actuations. The camera continues to work as the manufacturer intended & continues to take great photos. The camera comes with a 2GB Olympus XD Card to ensure you get the best results. To give you an idea of the image quality, that this camera can produce, the last 6 photos are examples of my photography without any image manipulation done by Photoshop or any other such photo editor. The only reason why I am selling this camera is because I have upgraded to the Olympus E-5. Consequentially I no longer require the use of this camera body, however I am keeping all my lenses as I need them! Postage will only be by Registered Mail. Auction ends 09 Dec, 2010 13:35:24 AEDST If anyone has any questions, by all means ask away...

Ah you see It wasn't an eBay shop called chinaarts by any chance? I've bought from them in the past, a Sigma lens & an Olympus extension tube, & they did the same thing with the invoice (although both were well under the $1 000 mark so it didn't matter). It was from Digital World International, and the item was over $1500. I would highly recommend them and don't have a problem with items coming from Hong Kong. The service is so quick and the tracking system second to none, I could check constantly and know where my parcel was. Unlike Australia post who I have just sent a parcel to Canada with and the tracking still says parcel was sent from post office. As if I didnt know that I want to know where it is now two weeks later. Oh DWI? Yeah I've heard of them. They sell a lot on eBay. Good reputation. It's just they don't have much Olympus gear so I've never bought from them. As for Australia Post... well you said it

There's another thread asking the same question. Here's the link: http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=207222 Beware that they import their stuff directly from Hong Kong even though they have a "shop" in Melbourne. So the business about AU customs hitting you with duties, if the item is worth more than $1 000, still applies.

Ah you see It wasn't an eBay shop called chinaarts by any chance? I've bought from them in the past, a Sigma lens & an Olympus extension tube, & they did the same thing with the invoice (although both were well under the $1 000 mark so it didn't matter).

It's $1 000au before AU customs will charge you duty. I too get a lot from the USA, especially with our dollar being so strong against the Greenback. Try Cameta Camera at eBay. They are actually a real camera shop in New York. They've never let me down. Here's their link: http://stores.ebay.com.au/Cameta-Camera?_rdc=1 Alternatively I just got my E-5 from an Australian online store based in South Australia called Camerastore.com.au. Great price for a great camera. So they maybe worth checking out if you haven't already. Here's their link: http://camerastore.com.au/ Good luck I just brought a lens for around $1500 out of Hong Kong (would have to check web site name) and didn't pay any duty? They had the best tracking site, I could check up all the way along and it would show me up to date details where my lens was. sheesh keep it quiet. You're lucky. The shop probably didn't place the full amount on the customs declaration Either that or someone at AU customs didn't check it, which wouldn't surprise me, as they only check about 10% of items (well they used to several years ago). Here's the link to the AU Customs website dealing with importing items via the post, ie from places like eBay: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page5653.asp

It's $1 000au before AU customs will charge you duty. I too get a lot from the USA, especially with our dollar being so strong against the Greenback. Try Cameta Camera at eBay. They are actually a real camera shop in New York. They've never let me down. Here's their link: http://stores.ebay.com.au/Cameta-Camera?_rdc=1 Alternatively I just got my E-5 from an Australian online store based in South Australia called Camerastore.com.au. Great price for a great camera. So they maybe worth checking out if you haven't already. Here's their link: http://camerastore.com.au/ Good luck :D

The E-5 has arrived Here's a couple of very quick test shots using the Zuiko 12-60mm There's not much of a learning curve, so expect one E-30 to be for sale at eBay next week

BTW I should add I don't use the flash whenever I can help it. So I use the Sigma 30mm 1.4f indoors or either the Zuiko 12-60mm or the Zuiko 50-200mm even though their aperture isn't as wide as the Sigma (so I've got to up the ISO past 1 000 - usually at 1 600 for either of the Zuikos). I just think using the flash is the work of the Devil!

If you're happy with the E-420 then all you may need is better glass. So an SWD Zuiko of the appropriate focal length maybe all that's required. In many respects, though, it comes down to the environment you take photos in. Given I'm indoors a lot, in a rather gloomy location (Muswellbrook pound), I'm finding that I'm pushing the E-30 to the very limit. Having said that, it's not like I'm taking bad photos, on the contrary many of them are very satisfying, but given the reviews of the E-5, I just know it'll handle the conditions a whole lot better. But if your photography is outdoors, or indoors with good light, then there's no reason whatsoever why you wouldn't get great IQ from the E-30 as I do now. But then again the E-420 isn't too shabby either, as you'd know well, under the same conditions. So it may simply come back to having better glass as I've demonstrated in the Kelpie thread using the 50-200mm SWD Zuiko & my E-420. I'm not sure when my E-30 will go for sale on eBay, although next week is probably a good bet. It just depends upon how quick I can adapt to the E-5 when it arrives. Alas I know all about vet bills My last one was about $1 000...

Yeah I want one too. The webshop I want to buy the E-5 from told me there's at least a 2 week delay! Is your car only worth $2000? :D Seriously the 50-200 SWD only cost me around $950 including postage from the USA. Yes there maybe an E-30 on eBay soon that's been well looked after & has had only 22 000 activations ...

More reviews have come in for the E-5. All of them give the new Olympus very good to excellent marks. The lastest one comes from the German magazine/website digitalkamera.de. It's in German although I've used the Google translator to get a real good idea of what they saying. Here's the link: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n...E_5%2F6871.aspx The only thing they complain about is the price, which I find difficult to believe, given it is the flagship model after all, whilst it is slightly cheaper than the Canon 7D & much lower (by a couple of thousand dollars may I add) than the D3s & the 1D. Likewise a John Riley of ePHOTOzine has also given the E-5 an impressive review which can be found here: http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Olympus-...t=Google+Reader

Oh I know all about challenging photos... I'm surprised I haven't pulled all my hair out yet where I use my Sigma 30mm... I gather you're outdoors with plenty of refractive sunlight by the look of it? Seems that way. That should give plenty of opportunities for some great shots as you've already done. Even do some indoors under natural albeit gloomy light & see what the results are like. I'm keen to compare with the Four Thirds version. Happy shooting

Great photos all of them. This one in particular I thought stood out. Just out of interest, what were your lighting conditions?

Alas that's not my experience, so I think it is really about it not being designed but adapted to Four Thirds. Here's some examples at 1.4f under the conditions I explained above:

Mine often plays up in low light. Maybe it's because it wasn't originally designed for Four Thirds, but indoors when trying to focus through the bars on a dog kennel, it can be a nightmare. My 12-60 Zuiko, meanwhile, isn't as troublesome, but it doesn't have a wide enough aperture at 30mm. So either the shutter speed is too slow or the ISO is too high (ie noise). So I have to grin & bare it... Mind you, if I can do the photos without the presence of the bars on the kennels, that is I'm in the kennel with the dog, then the Sigma does become more reliable, but it will still go hunting for time to time, although it is more likely to be slow in focusing. I will state, though, given sufficient light, I've never had a problem. Will let you know how it goes = hopefully by the weekend I have good results with ISO 3200 so I don't think I will have any problems It's not the ISO speed that's the problem, for the Sigma, but simply low light in my experience. Hence I made the comparision with the 12-60mm Zuiko. Mind you I'm pushing it to the absolute limit. But by all means let us know how you go. It's just that for the Olympus E-30 it is a balancing act when you go over ISO 800 in respect to noise. Get it wrong & it's awful. Mind you the E-5 is on the way May I also suggest, when using the Sigma, the best aperature hovers around 5.6f (or maybe a stop higher). That's been my experience. Under that, especially at 1.4f (where most of my indoors work is at), & you'll get soft focus. Again that's been my experience, although kja could give you a better idea given the brand she uses in comparison to yours. Good luck & happy shooting

Mine often plays up in low light. Maybe it's because it wasn't originally designed for Four Thirds, but indoors when trying to focus through the bars on a dog kennel, it can be a nightmare. My 12-60 Zuiko, meanwhile, isn't as troublesome, but it doesn't have a wide enough aperture at 30mm. So either the shutter speed is too slow or the ISO is too high (ie noise). So I have to grin & bare it... Mind you, if I can do the photos without the presence of the bars on the kennels, that is I'm in the kennel with the dog, then the Sigma does become more reliable, but it will still go hunting for time to time, although it is more likely to be slow in focusing. I will state, though, given sufficient light, I've never had a problem.

I've got one. Good lens given the budget price as such things go (from a Four Thirds format perspective). Do be aware that it will go focus hunting in low light which can get very frustrating.

There's an Australian online shop selling the E-5 (so it's not a grey import) for $1819 plus postage (which I think is $16). That's already about a $400 discount of the Australian RRP by Olympus. As for my old E-30 - it'll be whatever I can get for it at eBay. So anything over $800 I'll be happy with

The first major test results of the E-5 is in at 43 Rumors.Com. They quote: The original article is in German (so Google translate it). Follow this link: http://www.fotomagazin.de/test_technik/kam...akategorie=2966 This is excellent news! I'll be getting one for Christmas. Needless to say expect a slightly used E-30 to appear on eBay sometime soon.

From the Humane Research Australia website A number of Australian councils have been identified that provide dogs to Queensland University for research purposes. Caboolture Shire Council, (now Moreton Bay Regional Council) stated "Council has a long standing arrangement with local veterinary clinics and the Queensland University for the humane euthanasia of unwanted animals."1 Logan City Council, despite receiving petitions and reviewing the situation after much correspondence and a meeting with HRA "made the decision to provide animals to the university."2 The University of Queensland has advised that they use pound animals for training veterinary surgeons and in feeding trial research.3 The Humane Research Australia Inc. opposes the use of pound animals in research and teaching for the following reasons: Abandoned animals in pounds and shelters have already suffered the fear and distress of losing their carers and familiar territory. Their use in research is the ultimate betrayal and one that cannot be condoned in a caring society. The use of pound dogs creates a dependence on pet overpopulation and is therefore taking advantage of the human irresponsibility and cruelty necessitating pounds rather than addressing the problem.5 The primary justification for using pound animals in research and teaching is that they are already destined to die, so their use in teaching will give their lives and deaths purpose. But these animals are sentient individuals and not mere tools for teaching and practicing on. They already have their own intrinsic worth. Trainee veterinarians should be learning to respect life. There are already alternatives available in veterinary teaching that allow students to acquire an education equal to those that use animals in terminal surgery. Use of pound dogs is therefore a failure to implement the "3R’s" (reduction, refinement and replacement) principle. If it is necessary for veterinary students to practice on real animals then they could provide a desexing service to pounds and shelters thereby providing a real benefit for the individual animals. This will also mean that students will gain the experience of observing and monitoring post-operative recovery. Students may also gain hands-on experience by assisting with and performing supervised surgeries in private veterinary practices on patients in genuine need of assistance – as is practiced in UK veterinary colleges and how human doctors learn in teaching hospitals.8 As part of its 2007 Grants Program, Voiceless awarded an $8,000 grant to Dr Shan Lloyd from The University of Queensland who is conducting a feasibility study into whether an Educational Memorial Program (the supply of "ethically" sourced cadavers to replace the use of healthy shelter animals in teaching practice) could be successfully introduced at the School of Veterinary Sciences, UQ. 9 A similar program is already in place at the University of Sydney.10 The Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (ergo the law) clearly states "Scientific and teaching activities using animals may be performed only when they are essential"(1.1) and "Techniques that totally or partially replace the use of animals for scientific purposes must be sought and used wherever possible."(1.8) The Code is a legally enforceable document! See our latest media release. You can help them stop! Please write to the following Councils and request that they cease providing their lost and abandoned animals to Queensland University. Mr Chris Rose Chief Executive Officer Logan City Council PO Box 3226 Logan City DC Qld 4114 Or email: [email protected] Cr Pam Parker Mayor, Logan City Council PO Box 3226 Logan City DC Qld 4114 Or email: [email protected] Mr John Rauber Chief Executive Officer Moreton Bay Regional Council Caboolture District Office PO Box 159 Caboolture Qld 4510 Or email: [email protected] Cr Allan Sutherland Mayor, Moreton Bay Regional Council Caboolture District Office PO Box 159 Caboolture Qld 4510 Or email: [email protected] Also write to The University of Queensland asking them to use more humane methods to training their veterinary students such as those mentioned above. Professor Jonathan Hill Head of School & Dean , School of Veterinary Science University of Queensland Gatton Qld 4343 Or email: [email protected] 1.Personal correspondence from Royce Jackson, Manager Compliance Services dated 13/3/07 2.Personal correspondence from Gillian Mansfield, Animal & Pest Services Manager dated 4/12/07 3.Personal correspondence from Prof. Leigh Ward, Chair, Queensland University Animal Ethics Committee, dated 28/11/06 4.Knight, A., 2002, "The Use of Pound Dogs in Veterinary Surgical Training." 5.Quain, Anne, 2000. "The Real Thing. A discussion on the use of pound dogs in the veterinary science curriculum." 6.Personal correspondence from Mark Townend, RSPCA Qld, 25 September 2006 7.Knight, A., 2002, "The Use of Pound Dogs in Veterinary Surgical Training." 8.Knight, A., 2002, "The Use of Pound Dogs in Veterinary Surgical Training." 9.http://www.voiceless.org.au/blogcategories/2007_Grant_Recipients/16/16.html 10.Personal correspondence from Leo Jeffcott, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney dated 16/6/06 Source: http://www.aahr.org.au/campaigns/dog_poundsQLD.html

Target: Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries, and Rural and Regional Queensland Sponsored by: Puppy Love Rescue NSW In brief, the relationship between Logan City Council Animal Management and University of Queensland is greatly disconcerting as it is urges veterinary students away from greater compassion (via desensitization and moral disengagement); it fails to provide students the opportunity to learn post-operative care; it creates a theme of mistrust within the community relating to relinquishment of animals; and most importantly, the ethics of such an operation are questionable. In addition, personal experience at this shelter concludes that the greater majority of cats and dogs who are transported to UQ for educational use are likely to be animals/pets who would be considered adoptable. Unfortunately this agreement still appears to remain firm despite the existence of many other viable alternatives, including interactive software, willed body donation programs, shelter medicine spay/neuter programs/surgical rotations and educational memorial programs. You can sign the petition here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/34/stop-the...and-university/ Disclaimer: Please note that I am posting this petition on behalf of a collegue. It is not my petition.

Pink sounds normal to me although a couple of the others could provide better information. And what a cutie he is :p I spoke with our local vet this morning and they said he is fine and is normal. I have noticed it just looks faster when he has been playing, so he probably is just hot. Good to know everything is fine. I know my red cattledog pants like crazy, when he has been running around for a while, so I got him a clam shell pool. Needless to say he just loves to dive into it, after a big game or somesuch, then runs off into the house getting everything soaking wet! The things we do for love...

Pink sounds normal to me although a couple of the others could provide better information. And what a cutie he is

Yes, please spam the thread with pics of your gorgeous pup ACD4EVA

Update about the E-5