Hi,

I have this lens for more than a year now, and I have "mixed feelings" about it.

If you get tempted to shoot handheld at FL above 100mm, be prepared to have few keepers. Not a fast lens, high ISO to be avoided on the G1, thus, longer shutter speeds. Need a tripod !!

At shorter FL up to 100mm, good lens, excellent AF, nice bokeh, quite short minimum focusing distance ... good lens for close-ups !

C U
Rafael

I like my 45-200 and I recently gave up Canon 100-400 and 70-200 f4L IS on a 50D.

It does vignette, autofocus can be hit or miss and you really need the EVF with the GF1 but as a compromise against having it with you, or not having a 100-400 coz it's too heavy, then I'm satisfied.

This is at 200mm.

Having never used a lens this long before, I have nothing to compare it against. I've not really had the chance to use it in earnest yet but for the few shots I've taken with it I'm perfectly happy. For the money, relatively small size and weight, it seemed like a lens worth getting.

I'm using it on a GF1 without the EVF and agree that at the long end on this combination it needs to be steadied on something.

103mm @ f/4.7

I just bought this lens from B&H as a long reach lens for my new Oly E-PL1. And after the first try, I am impressed with it.
This shot is with the lens IS off and the camera IS turned on. But, this shot is on the wide end of the lens.

Olympus E-PL1, ISO 200, 1/800th. f4.5, 45mm, Lightroom 3 Beta,

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Paul A. Valentine
Valentine-Photography
Valentine Services
Photograph! An immediate and unpretentious capturing and freezing of a moment in time.

Mine arrived Friday and first impressions are favourable. Not as quick to focus, fast, sharp or contrasty as my 50-200mm 4/3 but I can't quibble with the price. This test shot (no pp) was taken at 200mm with sun behind - I was happy.

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Bill Shinnick
GH2; X100; RX100; G5(IR).

Flickr.

A very satisfactory lens that can reach out to get the image you can see in the distance .. needs good light as all long lenses do.....

I have a very good copy so its quite sharp .... AF and handling are excellent easy to use Light and compact !!!! .....

The lens reaches out gives you possibilities beyond your feet or access.

Its not all about Leica sharpness or primes.
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Albert Hall Launceston

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Morning fog the Launceston Tamar river

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Launceston thru' Hotel windows "Beauty passing the Ugly"
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Catch that Light
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http://boyzo.smugmug.com/

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www.razzledazzleart.com

http://texascbx.blogspot.com/

This is a chimney at what is the remains of an old WWII Training facility at Camp Howze, near Gainesville Texas.
This shot is at 200mm, Camera default jpg 'Vivid'. Lightroom 3 auto processed with preset Punch, but 0 sharpening.
Reviews I have read said this lens was soft at 200mm, But darned if I can see that in this copy. This is full view, uncropped, and yes, I know the horizon is off.

Oly E-PL1, Camera IS, ISO 200, f8, (Handheld)=1/800sec, 200mm, (Lightroom 3 auto+punch preset w/no sharpening.)

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Paul A. Valentine
Valentine-Photography
Valentine Services
Photograph! An immediate and unpretentious capturing and freezing of a moment in time.

Well this shot is truly candid, shot at Flinders Street Station, Melbourne. It shows good sharpness, bold color, and good resolution at 800 ISO. I'm not afraid to take my G1 camera and 45-200 lens to their extremes.
"I'll keep shooting - you keep talking"
DUD

Well, I have decided to give this lens another shot. I ordered the GF1 viewfinder a couple of weeks ago, and it is in the mail as of yesterday. I get the panny EPP program pricing (guess my work does business with them). They just lowered all of their prices/discounts on lenses and cameras to a ridiculous level, so I am going to give it another shot. I think the VF will help with its general use, and I have also recently rigged a basic tilt head on my monopod, which will be helpful with the longer focal lengths. I was going to wait for the 100-300mm, but for the price I couldn't pass up giving it one more shot.

Also picked up the 7-14mm! I couldnt resist with the lowered price. I was waiting for the 9-18mm, which I am sure will have some compromises anyway compared to the 7-14mm. I also wanted filter threads (for IR) but will live without them for the price I paid! The sad part is kissing my Pentax 12-24mm goodbye.

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