Olympus mZD 9-18mm f4-5.6 Experience Diary

Brian Mosley · #1 June 15th, 2010, 03:41 PM

Hello everyone,

through my Olympus contacts here in the UK, I have managed to secure one of the first production mZD 9-18mm f4-5.6 lenses, to be able to answer your questions here and to arrange for some hands-on impressions by Olympus Photo Safari Group members here in the UK.

I am not a paid reviewer, so please don't expect a lab review - I don't photograph resolution charts... this will be a hands on experience diary, with lots of example images.

OK, first off some sample images from today - all converted from raw using the free Olympus Viewer software, and shadows enhanced + scaled for web using Lightzone.

E-P2 + mZD 9-18mm f4-5.6
1/320s f/8.0 at 9.0mm iso200

E-P2 + mZD 9-18mm f4-5.6
1/800s f/8.0 at 9.0mm iso200

This is a tiny high quality lens, collapses as the mZD 14-42, but feels more precise and as with the mZD 14-150mm lens is fast and silent to focus.

I would say that the 20mm f1.7, mZD 9-18 f4-5.6 and mZD 14-150mm f4-5.6 makes the perfect kit right now for m4/3rds... I'll wait for the mZD 50mm f2 before deciding on a macro lens - in the meantime, the ZD 50mm f2 does the job with a 4/3rds adapter.

Please post any questions you have, or examples you would like me to provide...

Cheers

Brian

Caroline · #2 June 15th, 2010, 05:14 PM

Thanks Brian, look forward to your in-depth real world tests!

Must admit I assumed because these lenses have been available in the US for a while that the UK shops were just out of stock, but that explains why I have been finding it so hard to find one even just to try out on the camera

, so please do let me know if/when you are doing your UKPSG hands-on days as I would really like to come along and try this lens out as I'm considering buying one.

Caroline

BBW · #3 June 15th, 2010, 06:09 PM

Brian, I'm wondering how do you find the lens in a lower light situation? Have you taken many photographs inside or in the evening? I know we have several other people on the forum who already have this lens and I've been following their photographs with great interest and a quite a bit of lens lust.

LisaO · #4 June 15th, 2010, 08:49 PM

I agree with Brian my favorite native lenses are the 20 1.7 Pany, 9-18 Oly and my Micro-Nikkor 55 2.8 on the adapted side.

These are with the 9-18

Ray S · #5 June 15th, 2010, 09:57 PM

I really like the 9-18 a lot too, and the 20. And the 45-200. (and the 17, but it tends to get crowded out).

But I haven't really figured out when to use the 9-18. Usually, when I THINK its going to be the right lens for a particular setting or shot that I have in mind, its not once I start framing. OTOH, there are times I just have it on the camera when I pull the camera out for a shot that I DON'T think it would be right for, but I check before switching lenses and its about perfect. Took it on a walk last week and figured I'd mostly be using the 18 and I found all kinds of shots with the wide end.

Fine lens. Confused photographer!

Not a bad problem to have - I'm sure it'll get more automatic with time.

-Ray

LisaO · #6 June 15th, 2010, 10:01 PM

Yes, it's a lens that needs the proper situation. Some people have no idea how to shoot with ultra wides. I love your B&W baseball stadium shot Ray, that was a great use of the lens.

Brian Mosley · #7 June 16th, 2010, 04:03 PM

I've been shooting with the 20mm f1.7 for so long, I'm having to remember how to compose for an UWA's strengths.

This lens is fantastically compact, lightweight and I think better IQ in terms of sharpness, contrast and lack of CA than the ZD 9-18... quite an achievement!

Some examples from today, first my PAD image for today...

E-P2 + mZD 9-18mm f4-5.6
1/25s f/4.0 at 9.0mm iso200

I was really bored... playing with the idea of unusual perspective, I popped the E-P2 into time delay shutter release, placed it on the ground under my car and tried an instant panoramic shot :

E-P2 + mZD 9-18mm f4-5.6
1/250s f/8.0 at 9.0mm iso200

Ever get that feeling?

E-P2 + mZD 9-18mm f4-5.6
1/160s f/8.0 at 9.0mm iso200

Cheers

Brian

Linh · #8 June 17th, 2010, 10:58 AM

Is anyone using this lens on a GF1? How's its focusing? Walking around I've found a few times I really wish I could go wider than the 20. But the 7-14 is just a bit too much for me to swallow. This is a smidge better on that front, heh.

chasm · #9 June 17th, 2010, 12:59 PM

I've found its focussing to be excellent on my GF1. V quick & quiet.

Brian Mosley · #10 June 17th, 2010, 03:49 PM

I had a frustrating day today... unable to get out and shoot on a glorious day in London, but I did take the opportunity to shoot into the sun with the mZD 9-18 as a bit of a stress test on the way home.

E-P2 + mZD 9-18mm f4-5.6
1/320s f/8.0 at 9.0mm iso200

Cheers

Brian

trisberg · #11 June 17th, 2010, 05:44 PM

Image quality really looks good from this little lens.

I have some questions around the mechanical construction of the lens. How tight is the zoom ring? Is there any zoom creep? If I put it at let's say 11mm will it stay there even if I throw the camera over the shoulder or put the it in a bag for a while before resuming shooting? What happens if I collapse the lens, does the zoom setting change next time I extend it to shooting position?

-Thomas

BBW · #12 June 17th, 2010, 05:55 PM

Just took delivery of this lens and I am infatuated! It's so sharp and there's something that just seems to make the color sing. I've only had a brief chance to take a couple of quick shots. Posted one in the Flowers thread and one in the 9-18mm Image thread. It's a keeper.

LisaO · #13 June 17th, 2010, 06:53 PM

Yeah BB!! Enjoy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBW

Just took delivery of this lens and I am infatuated! It's so sharp and there's something that just seems to make the color sing. I've only had a brief chance to take a couple of quick shots. Posted one in the Flowers thread and one in the 9-18mm Image thread. It's a keeper.

Novaron · #14 June 18th, 2010, 03:36 PM

I got mine from adorama yesterday and look forward to using it tomorrow.

w7ox · #15 June 18th, 2010, 09:32 PM

I really like this lens. I owned the Panny 7-14 first, and it is wider. But the 9-18 is a more usable range and distortion is less noticeable at the wide end. I'll likely keep both, but if I had to choose, the 9-18 would be the keeper.