Author Topic: What lens to put on the wish list? (Read 1193 times)

ratobuhler · « **on:** October 19, 2010, 10:22:21 AM »

I am planning my next addition to my E-P2. So far I have the Lumix 20/1.7 and the Oly kit zoom.

I am interested in one of these lenses (B&H prices):

M Zuiko 14-150 mm $519.99
M Zuiko 9-18 $599
Lumix 14/2.5 $399 (in November

If you could put one of these on your Christmas list, which would it be?

lisandra · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2010, 11:27:50 AM »

the 14-150 will make you the happiest.

Olof in Amsterdam · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2010, 03:04:06 PM »

I agree!

kimba1970 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2010, 04:38:38 PM »

I have read plenty of less than smashing reviews of that kit....

I would really like to purchase a good medium range zoom : just today I come across a wonderful heron looking at me mockingly, just outside the reach of my 14-42 lens.. at least for what concerns any kind of interesting or meaningful shot..

Is the 14-150 kit the best solution? What about some "older" lens? I don't really think that focusing manually should be a big issue for the kind of shots one would take with a telezoom, even a medium range type..

But again I am not exactly a photography expert...

ratobuhler · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2010, 05:14:07 PM »

I occasionally using a 200 mm Nikkor and a 135 mm Sonnar but they are just to cumbersome to use.

1. Open aperture
2. Press button for 10x or 7x mag.
3. Focus
4. Press button to cancel 10x or 7/x mag.
5. Set aperture
6. Frame picture
7. Take picture

Your heron is gone by then.

voyager · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2010, 05:37:42 PM »

Just curious to why you're not considering the 40-150mm or the 45-200mm?

ratobuhler · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2010, 06:23:15 PM »

Very tempting...

The 40-150 will be available in November for $299.

The Lumix 45-200 is available now for an incredible price of $258.

With the 14 - 150 and the 9 -18 I could cover anything that I am interested in with two compact zoom lenses and I could retire my kit zoom. I am not sure how the 14-150 compares to the 14-42 in that range?

kimba1970 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2010, 12:03:41 PM »

Any camera with the viewfinder (added externally or not) would save you two or three of those steps... but I see your point...

The 45-200 mm at that price seems quite a good deal .. especially at the current rate USD/EUR...

Quote from: ratobuhler on October 19, 2010, 05:14:07 PM

I occasionally using a 200 mm Nikkor and a 135 mm Sonnar but they are just to cumbersome to use.

1. Open aperture
2. Press button for 10x or 7x mag.
3. Focus
4. Press button to cancel 10x or 7/x mag.
5. Set aperture
6. Frame picture
7. Take picture

Your heron is gone by then.

ratobuhler · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2010, 01:58:46 PM »

Quote from: kimba1970 on October 20, 2010, 12:03:41 PM

Any camera with the viewfinder (added externally or not) would save you two or three of those steps... but I see your point...

I have an EP-2 with the EV-1 Viewfinder. I find it necessary to use the 7x focus assist for best focus. Even under the best circumstances hand held close ups are near impossible because I can't hold perfectly still between step 3 and step 7.

tamoio · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2010, 09:49:25 PM »

Quote from: ratobuhler on October 19, 2010, 05:14:07 PM

I occasionally using a 200 mm Nikkor and a 135 mm Sonnar but they are just to cumbersome to use.

1. Open aperture
2. Press button for 10x or 7x mag.
3. Focus
4. Press button to cancel 10x or 7/x mag.
5. Set aperture
6. Frame picture
7. Take picture

Your heron is gone by then.

. . .hmmmm

First of all, if you intend to do any sort of telephoto work with a pen and MF legacy glass you need one that will take the EVF. Next, turn off the magnifier function. Next, forget about opening up and stopping down the aperture, select F4 or f5.6 and leave it there (using A priority). If you are shooting wildlife with legacy MF glass you still won't get as many successful shots as you would if you had an E3/5 and maybe the 50-200, but it is possible.

To tell the truth I wouldn't touch any of the lenses you mentioned. Maybe the 9-18 if the price was right.

kimba1970 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 21, 2010, 01:34:20 AM »

EV1 viewfinder is the optical viewfinder normally associated with EP1 and the 17mm lens: from what I have read here not the same thing as the EV2 for what concerns clarity of vision and control of the camera (still I do not own any of the viewfinders so it's just hearsay...)

Anyway it is quite clear that the manual focus solution does not work for you: for what concerns myself I have bought two legacy lens on ebay (no telezoom for the moment) at very convenient prices. I will soon find out if manual focus is my thing or not...

Quote from: ratobuhler on October 20, 2010, 01:58:46 PM

Quote from: kimba1970 on October 20, 2010, 12:03:41 PM
Any camera with the viewfinder (added externally or not) would save you two or three of those steps... but I see your point...

I have an EP-2 with the EV-1 Viewfinder. I find it necessary to use the 7x focus assist for best focus. Even under the best circumstances hand held close ups are near impossible because I can't hold perfectly still between step 3 and step 7.

adash · « **Reply #11 on:** October 21, 2010, 02:53:20 AM »

There are two viewfinders for the E-P2/E-PL1:
- the plain optical viewfinder VF-1, which is of no use with legacy MF lenses, unless you somehow succeed in adjusting it to the Hyperfocal distance (NB: the DOF marks on the lens body are not correct when adapting MF lenses);
- the Electronic ViewFinder (EVF) VF-2, which allows the scene to be previewed with TTL (Through The Lens) LiveView data with 1.44 Million pixels, which is still far away from the 12Milion Pixels in a PEN image, but much better than the 200'000 and something dots of the LCD.
Some do consider the EVF resolution to be sufficient for precise focusing without magnification, while some, like Ratobuhler, do not.

kimba1970 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2010, 04:03:38 AM »

Thanks Adash,

That's exactly what I though.. It seems I should start looking for a EV2 to really enjoy my legacy lens...

mikmas101 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2010, 11:36:19 AM »

Quote from: kimba1970 on October 21, 2010, 04:03:38 AM

It seems I should start looking for a EV2 to really enjoy my legacy lens...

Pretty much the conclusion I've come to using an E-P1 with a wide variety of MF lenses although I have to say I've managed pretty well most of the time. I also have a G1 that I use with the same set although I tend to use adapted SLR stuff more on this body (better balance and grip than on the E-P1). The G1 EVF is not too bad but I still manage to miss optimal focus if I don't check with magnification, wearing specs don't help much at all and neither does the lack of IS - essential with MF lenses in my view.

Big plus with the EV2 is the adjustable angle...shame that I need a new E-P body to use it $:-\$

What lens to put on the wish list?