Hi,

Apologies if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find it in the forum.

Has anyone any experience with this telephoto lens? I am quite interested on it but I would like to hear if any one has been using it.

Thanks!,

I ordered this lens for my P2 and just received it yesterday.    I have the Oly 9-18mm and the 14-42mm; both quite small.   I expected the 45-200 to be larger but  I was surprised at how big it is.  This is a large lens for the E-P2!     

So far, I've only had a chance to do some quick tests shots hand-held.  It seems reasonably sharp up to 150mm (as others have said), a bit soft > 150mm (~ f8) with slight CA on bright edges.   I don't (yet) have an EVF, but I think this lens definitely will require one for optimal use hand-held.  It is really difficult to hold this large, heavy lens out in front while viewing the LCD to frame and check focus.

[This is my first post on E-P1...    great forum]

Dismalhiker, welcome to the forum!
Doesn't it help if you handle the lens with your left hand? There is a picture in the manual about how to handle your camera.

Thanks for the welcome!    Well...  the Pana 45-200mm is almost as big/heavy as the camera body.   It's weight makes it a necessity to hold the lens, as you say. 

I've been shooting with SLR's for decades, started before the days of OIS or IBIS and I'm used to using a viewfinder, bracing the camera body/hands to the face, bracing arms on chest, etc.   The problem arises (in my case) from trying to do this without an EVF...  having to hold the whole camera out in front so I can see the LCD.  This is reasonable with the smaller, lighter lenses but difficult with the 45-200.  I'm getting an EVF tomorrow and expect/hope that it will be much easier to use this lens.