Olympus mZD 9-18mm f4-5.6 Experience Diary - Page 3

Brian Mosley · #21 June 24th, 2010, 10:57 AM

There is a hood, but you have to buy it separately I think... the lens doesn't seem too susceptible to flare but it wouldn't hurt to have one.

Cheers

Brian

john1027 · #22 June 25th, 2010, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT21

Is there a hood for this lens? I guess I mean to ask available. I see it on the Oly site, but not with any resellers that I can find (in the States)

Only place that seems to have it in the States is the Oly Store. There is some information within a thread here somewhere. In essence, the hood has been shipping quickly once the order is placed, and I had mine in about 3 days. They seem to ship from the NY/NJ area. Works fine but it cannot be reversed for on lens carry when not in use.

BBW · #23 July 15th, 2010, 01:52 PM

I just love this lens. It always seems to be on. Yesterday was a pretty, grey day and the light wasn't ideal but we'd finally gotten some much needed rain, so I felt compelled to take a few photos.

Some may feel the sky is not realistic - and it's not, but I like the way it worked out. Shooting jpeg

and making the best of a dull washed out sky with the "wild" flowers below.

Brian Mosley · #24 July 15th, 2010, 02:02 PM

Thanks for sharing BB, the flowers make the composition for me

Cheers

Brian

Maczero · #25 July 15th, 2010, 03:26 PM

Brian

That is interesting. I do want a UWA lens for my GF1, but am having a hard time trying to decide between the more expensive, but wider, Panny and the mZuiko. My stopgap at the moment is using my Oly 9-18 with an adaptor. At least I can use AF.

have you any comments (other than size) between the two Zuikos?

Andrew

Brian Mosley · #26 July 15th, 2010, 03:43 PM

The mZD 9-18 is beautifully made, and tiny... but the Lumix 7-14 is going to give you even more dramatic Ultra Wide Angle perspective. If you intend to use filters, the mZD 9-18 is the way to go - if you've ever become comfortable with an UWA lens like the ZD 7-14, and can afford the Lumix... it's really very tempting!

As for the mZD 9-18 vs the ZD 9-18... the mZD wins hands down for me - unless Olympus make another leap forward with 4/3rds

Cheers

Brian

Brian Mosley · #27 July 21st, 2010, 05:05 PM

This lens really deserves a lot of attention - it's a fantastic performer and beautifully compact... I had it on the E-P2 this evening when I was killing some time waiting for my son at Meadowhall (shopping centre).

I'm currently playing with the PhotoEngine raw converter by Oloneo to give HDR images, taking three bracketed raw shots at 1EV separation, finishing in Lightzone.

E-P2 + mZD 9-18mm f4-5.6

E-P2 + mZD 9-18mm f4-5.6

Cheers

Brian

pxpaulx · #28 July 21st, 2010, 05:20 PM

Brian, nice shots at the mall there! Beautifully compact about sums it up. I just received mine yesterday. I don't know what black magic Olympus used to fit this focal range into that package, but coming even from the panny 7-14mm to this lens is a world apart (nevermind my previously sold Pentax 12-24mm, 84x88mm and 430g...before you add the hood, which you could wear as a bracelet if you wanted to accessorize).

All that, and compared to the kit lens it is just as long, but skinnier and with a noticably higher quality of engineering and craftsmanship. I wouldn't hesitate to say it sums up what m4/3 should be all about (at least, it is to me!)

BBW · #29 July 21st, 2010, 09:24 PM

I agree, I love this lens. It's definitely my favorite of the two I currently own. The other one I have now is the Panasonic 20mm which we all know is great, but there's something special for me about this one.

Nice shots, Brian!

Brian Mosley · #30 July 26th, 2010, 05:22 AM

Amin has done a pixel level comparison of the mZD 9-18 with the Lumix 7-14 over on his Serious Compacts site... I was shocked by how poor the mZD 9-18 looked in comparison to the Lumix, so I loaded the raw images into Capture One 5 to see how my favoured raw converter would do with the same raw files :

100% crop comparison, mZD 9-18 top - Lumix 7-14 bottom.

Reduced images below - click on image to see full size.

Centre Crop - click for 1:1 image

Centre Left Edge Crop - click for 1:1 image

Top Left Edge Crop - click for 1:1 image

Top Right Edge Crop - click for 1:1 image

No distortion correction applied to either raw file, CA correction applied to the mZD 9-18, clicked on Auto levels on both, adjusted sharpening to bring more detail out of the mZD 9-18.

My point is that if you're interested enough in pixel level detail, using the right tools - the difference between the two lenses can be much less than it seems over there.

In an ideal world, I'd have both lenses - the Lumix 7-14 for the ultra wide angle, and the mZD 9-18 for the ultra compact, lightweight practicality + value for money.

Image quality is good enough with either imho...

Cheers

Brian