Which is a great zoom to get? - Page 2

Ned · #11 July 21st, 2012, 07:36 PM

For a zoom I would look at the Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5II or the Lumix X 12-35mm f/2.8. For a prime I would look at the Leica 25mm f/1.4 Summilux or the m.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8, or one of the many great 50mm legacy lenses like the Konica Hexanon 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.7, the OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.4, or the Pen F Zuiko 40mm f/1.4.

But really there are so many choices. Thise are just some of the first to mind.

jnewell · #12 July 22nd, 2012, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned

For a zoom I would look at the Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5II or the Lumix X 12-35mm f/2.8. For a prime I would look at the Leica 25mm f/1.4 Summilux or the m.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8, or one of the many great 50mm legacy lenses like the Konica Hexanon 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.7, the OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.4, or the Pen F Zuiko 40mm f/1.4.

But really there are so many choices. Thise are just some of the first to mind.

How does the focus speed compare with m4/3 zooms? (In other words, are there practical disadvantages with the 14-54mm zoom compared to m4/3 choices?)

~tc~ · #13 July 22nd, 2012, 09:53 AM

I don't know the exact answer to your question, but wanted to point out the "II" is a key part here, as it is CDAF optimized.

I have the Leica 14-50 f/2.8-3.5 (for sale BTW) and the AF is pretty slow, almost unusable on moving subjects.

chasm · #14 July 22nd, 2012, 10:07 AM

Of course, no current µ4/3 camera offers AF with legacy lenses - we can pray for focus confirmation on future models, who knows what may happen - BUT...

On a legacy lens - or all-manual "native" lenses such as the Voigtlanders - you can set focus to wherever you like, and (given a realistic aperture opening) if your luck/judgement are good then you will effectively have instant AF. Not even the fastest AF lenses can match this - my beloved Panasonic 20mm certainly can't...

slackercruster · #15 July 22nd, 2012, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned

For a zoom I would look at the Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5II or the Lumix X 12-35mm f/2.8. For a prime I would look at the Leica 25mm f/1.4 Summilux or the m.Zuiko 45mm f/1.8, or one of the many great 50mm legacy lenses like the Konica Hexanon 50mm f/1.4 or f/1.7, the OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.4, or the Pen F Zuiko 40mm f/1.4.

But really there are so many choices. Thise are just some of the first to mind.

Looked up the Lumix 12-35....wooeeee that thing is pricey!

I may go for one down the road if I can get a deal on one near a thousand $$. But it looks like they are hard to find even at their high price. Sounds perfect, but like others, I wished it extended into the mid 45mm range.

Have you used a 12-35? Is sharpness in line with high IQ primes?

Also looking at the Zuiko ED 12-60mm

For serious WA work, would the 12-60 replace my prime 12mm Oly for = IQ?

(Nice stuff at your site Ned. You didn't use m43 for all that did you?)

Thanks!

hkpzee · #16 July 22nd, 2012, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slackercruster

Looked up the Lumix 12-35....wooeeee that thing is pricey!

I may go for one down the road if I can get a deal on one near a thousand $$. But it looks like they are hard to find even at their high price. Sounds perfect, but like others, I wished it extended into the mid 45mm range.

Have you used a 12-35? Is sharpness in line with high IQ primes?

Also looking at the Zuiko ED 12-60mm

For serious WA work, would the 12-60 replace my prime 12mm Oly for = IQ?

Thanks!

Is auto focus speed an issue for you? The 12-60 focuses much slower than the 12/2.0.

Tom M · #17 July 22nd, 2012, 02:48 PM

I got an Olympus 40-150mm as a second lens with my OM-D. I was unsure of the purchase at the time, but got it for 1/2 price when purchased with the camera. Surprisingly, it has quickly become my lens of choice for street shooting.

dhazeghi · #18 July 22nd, 2012, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slackercruster

For serious WA work, would the 12-60 replace my prime 12mm Oly for = IQ?

For landscapes, sure (it's sharper than the 12/2 across the frame). But not for anything that moves.

DH

~tc~ · #19 July 22nd, 2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slackercruster

Have you used a 12-35? Is sharpness in line with high IQ primes?

For serious WA work, would the 12-35 replace my prime 12mm Oly for = IQ?

Yes and probably.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slackercruster

Looked up the Lumix 12-35....wooeeee that thing is pricey!

If you consider that it replaces the 12/2, 14/2.5, 17/2.8, 20/1.7, 25/1.4, and provides a very high quality 35 option (that is currently not available), it's a helluva bargain (and, yes, I realize nobody would use all those primes at any given time, and saying that it would replace the 20/1.7 and 25/1.4 is a bit of a stretch unless we are talking about good light)

slackercruster · #20 July 22nd, 2012, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkpzee

Is auto focus speed an issue for you? The 12-60 focuses much slower than the 12/2.0.

AF is not too much an issue. As long as it is nothing like the old mechanical screw drive AF.

But the 12mm is a gem for fast focus. Very impresive. Is it the benchmark for m43 focus excellence...or is there better?