Author Topic: Sigma 10-20mm + MMF-2 OR Olympus 9-18mm M.Zuiko (Read 2102 times)

device · « **on:** February 17, 2011, 09:40:05 PM »

This is my first post and I'm new to photography beyond P&S. My wife and I have a G2 and an E-PL1 and are looking forward to getting into photography as a hobby we can do together. If my questions seem silly I apologize in advanced as I'm still very much a noob to a lot of this.

We are going to Japan soon and want to get a wide-angle lens before we go.
I know the Pany 7-14mm is nice but I the price is a bit high. So, we are looking at more affordable options.

I've tried searching this forum and others but couldn't really find a vs. type comparison on the two.

- If I get the Sigma I'm not sure if I can use AF I'm assuming I can't but not sure.
- Will using the Sigma with an adapter for m3/4 to 3/4 affect quality?
- I know the ranges are different. Will it make a noticeable difference? ( I've never had this type of lens before )
- or... Should I wait until I go to Japan and maybe the Oly 9-18mm is cheaper there or perhaps even the Pany might become an economically viable option.
- If there is another option that I may have missed please give me insight.

Sorry for so many questions but I've been mulling this over for three weeks and still can't come to a firm decision.

Thanks!

rogerml · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:32:11 PM »

Hi ´device´!

First of all: Welcome to this friendly m4/3 forum! I´m just a plain member here, but I´m confident that in welcoming you, I speak on behalf of us all.

Then onwards to your questions:

- wide angle for m4/3 is not (at the moment) the easiest part to supply, lens wise. As you yourself noted, the Pany 7-14 is a good choice, and of nice quality in build and IQ, but, alas, rather expensive. The Oly 9-18 I have no experience with whatsoever, but quite a few members here are using it, and as far as I am able to tell, from their photos (here, as well as Flickr, which, I believe, is a good place to judge IQ of lenses in practical use) with quite good success.

- With any third party lenses, like Sigma, you won't be able to use autofocusing. Everything gets manual. Using third party optics (not having a m4/3-mount, makes it necessary to use adapters. End result will not (normally) be affected by use of adapter.

- Waiting to buy lenses until getting to Japan: I do not know where you live, however I presume you are living in the US. If so, according to my experience, you are in ´photo equipment heaven´ when it comes to both the broad range of brands to select from, as well as prices. Mostly, even for Japanese products, prices in Japan will normally be somewhat higher. It could be worthy to do a check on Japanese Amazon.

I do not know if this answers your questions to your satisfaction, - but I´m sure my forum colleagues will fill in on my thoughts if necessary.

All the best, - and show us your photos from Japan.

device · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2011, 01:01:35 AM »

Thanks for the reply and welcome, rogerml!

I checked out some shots on Flickr and I must say I'm impressed. I'm sure most of those were taken by people who know what they're doing unlike me but it's good to see some of the potential the lens has.

AF is not mandatory but good for beginners like my wife and I until we can get better and disable it later. So, I think the Sigma is out.

Checked prices in Japan (Rakuten and Amazon) and you're right it the Oly and Pany lenses seemed a bit more pricey converted to USD ( I'm from Hawaii ).

Well, looks like my only choices are the Oly and Pany and since the Pany is a lot more although really nice ...I think the Oly will do us just fine.

I forgot to ask ... when I get the Oly 9-18, would it be a good idea to put a filter on it for protection?

Thanks for the tips and helping me make the choice!

I will post some photos after our trip. We're going to Osaka where my in-laws are and Kyoto...and maybe Shizuoka where Mt. Fuji is.

voyager · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2011, 01:01:48 AM »

Welcome to the forum, device!

michel v · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2011, 05:03:30 AM »

Hi device,

I think you'll find this post interesting: http://forum.manualfocus.org//viewtopic.php?pid=135698#p135698

Quote

The M 9-18mm is a fantastic lens and a real eye opener after using the 10-20mm Sigma for a few years, the Olympus lens just blows the Sigma out of the water.

It's just one user's point of view, but one user who owned both.

I would pick the Olympus myself, if only because of the smaller size…

Ad · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2011, 10:50:55 AM »

I have owned the Sigma 10-20mm and used it on a Nikon D200 and D300s. I sold it because I didn't find it sharp enough. I now own the Panny 7-14mm which is great and judging from various forums and reviews, the Olympus m.Zuiko 9-18mm is in the same league; I'm pretty sure the Sigma won't be great on µ4/3 given that it wasn't excellent on Nikon DX. And the Sigma+converter is a LOT bigger and heavier than the minute Oly 9-18mm! And probably no AF as well...

Financially, I'd think that the Oly 9-18mm will set you back about as much as the Sigma 10-20mm plus a µ4/3 -> FT converter. So I really can't think of one single reason to prefer the Sigma lens over the Olympus alternative in your case.

device · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2011, 11:26:23 AM »

Quote from: voyager on February 18, 2011, 01:01:48 AM

Welcome to the forum, device!

Thanks! This is a very informative and friendly forum. The friendliness here is quite refreshing compared to what I usually witness on forums in general.

Quote from: michel v on February 18, 2011, 05:03:30 AM

Hi device,

I think you'll find this post interesting: http://forum.manualfocus.org//viewtopic.php?pid=135698#p135698
Quote
The M 9-18mm is a fantastic lens and a real eye opener after using the 10-20mm Sigma for a few years, the Olympus lens just blows the Sigma out of the water.

It's just one user's point of view, but one user who owned both.

I would pick the Olympus myself, if only because of the smaller size…

Checked out that link, thanks. After seeing that post and after seeing this...

Quote from: Ad on February 18, 2011, 10:50:55 AM

I have owned the Sigma 10-20mm and used it on a Nikon D200 and D300s. I sold it because I didn't find it sharp enough. I now own the Panny 7-14mm which is great and judging from various forums and reviews, the Olympus m.Zuiko 9-18mm is in the same league; I'm pretty sure the Sigma won't be great on µ4/3 given that it wasn't excellent on Nikon DX. And the Sigma+converter is a LOT bigger and heavier than the minute Oly 9-18mm! And probably no AF as well...

Financially, I'd think that the Oly 9-18mm will set you back about as much as the Sigma 10-20mm plus a µ4/3 -> FT converter. So I really can't think of one single reason to prefer the Sigma lens over the Olympus alternative in your case.

...I feel much more confident in my decision to go with the Oly 9-18mm. Thanks everyone!

Sigma 10-20mm + MMF-2 OR Olympus 9-18mm M.Zuiko