Author Topic: Do you think mFT lens prices are justified? (Read 1937 times)

tom-ep1 · « **on:** April 23, 2011, 04:34:30 AM »

Hi

When you take the disadvantes of mFT like CA, distortion, high crop factor (needs incredible low focal lenghts) or vignetting in account (especially in wide angle) and compare it to other systems... Also f2 is just f4 compared to 35mm due too the crop factor.
Do you think such high prices are justified?

cosinaphile · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2011, 05:01:50 AM »

there are many things i love about m 43 but the lens prices are not one of them

the price gouging has hurt market penatration, of course the short flange to sensor plane and smaller image circle should have made them less expensive than apsc and full frame counterparts not priceier

at launch the kit zooms should have been 2.8 to 4 affairs at the same price as
4 to 5.6 apsc and full frame image circle , that would have cemented the logic
of m43 into concumer conciousness and been a photographic coup , but the
foolish bean counters sadly missed the boat

wikipedia has the last remnents of the info of how lenses should hve been less costly design and size wise on the internet .... back in the beginning this was to be a selling point of the mount , then greed and amneasia stepped in and they convienently forgot their first hype about the mount

tom-ep1 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2011, 05:33:14 AM »

Its also astonishing that for example, for the EP-1 the prices dropped so ridiculus low, whereas the lenses are still quite high. If Oly or Panny would bringt out a new lens generation which is a lot better, i think they would also drop next to nothing, at least for the 17mm pancake.
Anyway, whats great about mFT that so many legacy lenses can be still used with good results. But unfortunately wideangle lenses are delivering no good results in the edges of the picture.

And about fast lenses, thats good marketing because everybody thinks f2.5 mFT has to be better than a f3.5 kit zoom for APS-C, but such a small lenses have generally lower values.

taz98spin · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2011, 05:48:17 AM »

This being my first interchangeable lens system camera that I've purchased (although I use the Nikon D3s at work a lot), I just can't force myself to spend money on cheap (?) plastic feeling lenses of the m43s.. my kit lens has not been on my camera for over a month now $:-\$

With all the legacy lenses that can be picked up for way cheap, which are all solidly made & made to last,
if I were to spend the same amount of money, I would rather pick up a legacy lens than a newer m43 lens.

I do wish that the new m43 lens prices would drop to a more reasonable price range, because if I remember correctly
the target market were entry level enthusiast photographers who are upgrading from a p&s. And I really don't think entry level enthusiast photographers will be willing to spend as much money or more money than what their camera body cost them.

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2011, 06:56:35 AM »

I think alot of the appeal for many is the legacy lens use. There isn't huge market share compared to C/N, but, I can see a change in lenses being offered.
I think in few more years we'll see better pricing.
At least we'll have a used market if all else fails in the new pricing market.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2011, 08:19:47 AM »

that is exactly why the mount is so appealing to me in spite of the nonsencical native lens prices , the legacy lens factor i love using legacy lenses and this is one of the first features i mention to those who ask about my ep1 or gf1\

Panther · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2011, 08:40:13 AM »

And here's the "funny" part now....

I can equip myself with a Nikon D3100 & associated lenses both of which are arguably better than any µ4/3 kit except the GH2. And I can do this for the exact same price as µ4/3.....So the discussion is why should one go µ4/3 since I would gain nothing in price?

taz98spin · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2011, 08:51:56 AM »

Quote from: cosinaphile on April 23, 2011, 08:19:47 AM

that is exactly why the mount is so appealing to me in spite of the nonsencical native lens prices , the legacy lens factor i love using legacy lenses and this is one of the first features i mention to those who ask about my ep1 or gf1\

Yes, I mention the use of legacy lenses to others first when they ask about m43 too!

cosinaphile · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2011, 08:17:16 PM »

in the 2 years since getting my ep 1 i have exactly 2 m zukio lenses both acquired as part of a kit olympus has done nothing to make me want to buy
another native m43 lens from them , they are totally clueless and late to the party for the mount they helped create , this is insane

ive spent about 1500 dollars on voigtlander and more on other legacy lenses to use and about 1700 dollars on the 20 mm the 7-14mm andthe 45-200 mm pannysince getting tghe system

olympus is a cleless company adrift..... i hope they can get their s#!t together someday and produce a lens worthy of the lovely e-p1 at a sane price

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #9 on:** April 24, 2011, 08:30:40 PM »

Quote from: cosinaphile on April 24, 2011, 08:17:16 PM

in the 2 years since getting my ep 1 i have exactly 2 m zukio lenses both acquired as part of a kit olympus has done nothing to make me want to buy
another native m43 lens from them , they are totally clueless and late to the party for the mount they helped create , this is insane

ive spent about 1500 dollars on voigtlander and more on other legacy lenses to use and about 1700 dollars on the 20 mm the 7-14mm andthe 45-200 mm pannysince getting tghe system

olympus is a cleless company adrift..... i hope they can get their s#!t together someday and produce a lens worthy of the lovely e-p1 at a sane price

I hear ya. I have 2 native lenses, a 20mm and the Oly 14-42 ED... Legacy glass is how I do telephoto, and fast portrait... It is just amazing there is NO 45mm-60mm f/2 or faster m43 glass, just amazing.

lisandra · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2011, 09:30:59 PM »

m4/3s is still holding on to the size factor

Do you think mFT lens prices are justified?