Best 14mm option

dhazeghi · #1 January 5th, 2011, 05:06 PM

I've been using the Panasonic 14-45 as my main walkaround lens on the E-P2. It's a decent enough lens, but I've not been fully satisfied with the performance at the wide-end, and it has a fair amount of chromatic aberration.

Based on a number of recommendations, I ordered the Olympus 14-54II. I've only had it for a day now, but so far, I'm a bit disappointed. Sharpness at 14mm is still lacking at the edges of the frame, and CA remains high. In addition, the autofocus speed of the 14-54 is much slower than with the Panasonic.

At this point, I'm wondering if there are any reasonable options for the E-P2 that offer better performance at 14mm. Has anybody compared the new pancake against the 14-45? How about the new Olympus 14-42 from the E-PL1s kit? I know the 12-60 will be better, but it's more than a tad unwieldy on the E-P2 and autofocus performance is even worse than the 14-54.

bilzmale · #2 January 5th, 2011, 05:53 PM

The sharpest zoom lens by far is the expensive and hard to find PanLeica 14-150 for 4/3. It is an uncorrected lens so will have some distortion and CA and the same focus speed problems of most 4/3 lenses. Boyzo (member here) uses one.

DesertRose · #3 January 5th, 2011, 07:00 PM

Amazon has this lens in stock right now.

~tc~ · #4 January 5th, 2011, 07:19 PM

Either the Panny 7-14 or Oly 9-18 would be better choices if you are into wide angle photography. There is also the new 14 mm prime

Streetshooter · #5 January 5th, 2011, 07:45 PM

The 14 prime is a killer lens.

dhazeghi · #6 January 9th, 2011, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bilzmale

The sharpest zoom lens by far is the expensive and hard to find PanLeica 14-150 for 4/3. It is an uncorrected lens so will have some distortion and CA and the same focus speed problems of most 4/3 lenses. Boyzo (member here) uses one.

Looks like a very nice lens! Unfortunately the price is a bit of a nonstarter, considering that m4/3 is my backup system...

Thanks!

DH

dhazeghi · #7 January 9th, 2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~tc~

Either the Panny 7-14 or Oly 9-18 would be better choices if you are into wide angle photography. There is also the new 14 mm prime

I'm not really into UWA photography. 12 or 14mm is wide enough for me. I just hate blurry edges :-(

The 7-14 looks nice for UWA, but unless I'm misreading photozone, it wouldn't really improve IQ at 14mm compared to the 14-45mm either...

Thanks,

DH

dhazeghi · #8 January 9th, 2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streetshooter

The 14 prime is a killer lens.

Any reviews or samples, especially compared to the 14-45?

Thanks,

DH

Streetshooter · #9 January 9th, 2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhazeghi

Any reviews or samples, especially compared to the 14-45?

Thanks,

DH

Well, I sold my 17 & 14-45 tonight because I realized that the 14 would be a great street companion to the 20.
I didn't do a test of the 14 against the 14-45 because it is a good lens and I don't like comparing things like that.
Ya either like something ya have or ya don't have it anymore.
I still have the 14.

rainyseason · #10 January 9th, 2011, 08:38 PM

New to the m-ft, just ordered a GF1 with the 20mm kit lens. You guys mention the 14mm prime. What is it? Thanks