The 75mm focal length is obviously a very specialized lens. It is not a focal length that I use much, so regardless of price, I am not too interested in this lens. If they price too cheaply, I might be tempted to get it purely out of GAS, but it will end up collecting dust in my cabinet.

So, what do I think about the pricing? I have no problem with the price that they set for this lens. People who like this focal lens will definitely be willing to put up the money for this lens. People like me will give it a pass even if they sell it at a lower price, and I believe Olympus fully understand that this is a lens for a niche market and priced it appropriately...

New Nikon 85mm 1.8g ($500) doesn't seem to fit your description....Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.8 G (DX) - Review / Lab Test Report - Analysis

Also have to remember that primarily these lenses are geared toward portrait use where depth of field is of more importance than exposure speed. Therefore you can stop down the APC(1 stop) or FF(2 stops) and achieve the same DOF as the 75mm 1.8, so comparing them wide open is not necessarily apples to apples.

__________________

Why metal? Ever had a plastic lens fail? I have never even heard of the plastic failing so why pay more and have a heavier lens?? Seems the only reason is perception that somehow metal is better...

__________________

THis is true, I forgot Nikon just released very modern F1.8 G lenses that are excellent all around.

If I'm not mistaken though, these are not fast contrast detect lenses made of metal and are much larger.

In the Canon FF world, I think the comparison should be either the 135mm f/2 L or the 200mm f/2.8 L. The 135mm is a bit over $1000USD and the 200mm is a bit under $800USD. The Oly is somewhat in the middle. If the Oly's performance is in the same ballpark as the Canon L's (The color is for Mr. Panther), then I'm good with the pricing ... we all want everything as inexpensive as possible, but I think it is priced accordingly (but as least toss in a lens hood, not doing so is so cheesy that Olympus should be embarrassed).

The 150mm FOV is an odd length for me. I had a 135mm in the film only days but preferred my 85mm or 180mm to the 135mm. Purchasing the Oly 75mm is a hard call as I am wondering if I should wait for a fast native lens in the 200mm range.

Gary

__________________
"Everywhere you look there are photographs, it is up to us photogs to see them."- Gary Ayala
My Snaps are Here: Unsharp At Any Speed
Critiquing my images is welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Size wise they are really close. Contrast detect is a software thing so why would that make the lens cost more. Metal.... thats been my point all along... why metal? Doesn't make the lens take any better pictures, just needless weight and cost. Plus the Nikon has basic weather sealing whereas the Olympus has none.

__________________

Having owned and shoot with the Canon 85mm, 100mm, 135mm and 200mm lenses, I disagree with your assessment as barely useable (which, of course, is a judgement call by both of us).

Gary

__________________
"Everywhere you look there are photographs, it is up to us photogs to see them."- Gary Ayala
My Snaps are Here: Unsharp At Any Speed
Critiquing my images is welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Historical data and my own personal experience has show that plastic lenses will break/misalign sooner than metal lenses.

Gary

PS- Weather sealing doesn't make the lens take any better pictures either ... except under inclement conditions.
G

__________________
"Everywhere you look there are photographs, it is up to us photogs to see them."- Gary Ayala
My Snaps are Here: Unsharp At Any Speed
Critiquing my images is welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Gary, is that from professional use experience, or that of the average amateur that makes up 98% of olympus's market? Good quality modern plastics can gave nearly the same strength and be made more thermally (expansion/contraction) stable than metal.

As far as weather sealing, my point is if you are going to go the (more costly) route of a rugged metal body, why not weather seal it as well. At $899 if it were weather sealed and came with the hood I would personally be alot more enticed.

__________________

My take on the price is that I won't be buying one as long as I'm on a $100/month photography budget. For that matter I won't even be able to get an OM-D until sometime next year...