Please help with my lens conundrum: going to primes…

allenrowand · #1 September 18th, 2012, 08:17 AM

A bit of background:
I've spent years shooting Nikon, with my 17-55DX f2.8 practically welded to the camera. Thats roughly 24-70 equivalent. My only gripe was wanting more reach on occasion, but I had other lenses for that.

So now I have an E-M5 with the 12-50. While the 12-50 is a versatile lens, it's not a great lens and I knew that going in. I figured I get it cheaper with the kit and wait for higher quality zooms to be released. Well, it doesn't look like the rumored 12-60 is happening (at least not this year) and the 12-35 is gorgeous but a little too large and a bit outside of what I'd like to pay. As I look at my lens collection, I already have:

m.Z 9-18
P 14
PL 25

The 9-18 is great for when I'm in a really wide mood, the 14 is a nice little wide angle, the PL 25… 'nuf said.

So I'm thinking about picking up the 45 1.8 and going prime. I'd still keep the 12-50 for going to the beach or rainy days, but I think I need to improve the quality of my everyday lenses.

So the question is: am I crazy? Is carrying around a beltpouch with a couple small primes going to replace my midrange zoom habit? Of course I know that this is all in my head and the only way to really tell is try it, but has anyone else gone through the same process?

You know, if I shop wisely I could get the 12/2 and 45/1.8 for around the price of the 12-35…

usayit · #2 September 18th, 2012, 08:21 AM

Not crazy if it fits your needs...

There are a bunch of photogs that prefer good primes over zooms.

GaryAyala · #3 September 18th, 2012, 09:12 AM

On one side of the coin, if you are truly comfortable with a mid-range zoom, then get a mid-range zoom (don't worry be happy). The Pany 12-35 is the obvious ticket.

On the flip side, it sorta sounds like you want to experiment a bit, spread your wings, personally see what prime time is all about ... and I say, what-the-hell, go-for-it, YOLO. If you truly have a desire to shoot primes, then every zoom shot shot you process ... in the back of your mind you'll be wondering how that image would have looked with the 25, or the 45 ... et cetera.

Of late, I've been using a very small belly-pack with three primes stuffed into it. Works out pretty good. Depending on what you shoot, I find two bodies with primes works out significantly better than one body. But primes will definitely slow you down a bit and make you think more and to previsualize your expectations.

Take a look at the Oly 75mm in lieu of the 45mm ... a bit more reach then the 45mm, yet a very sharp truly wonderful lens. The more selective and narrower usability elements of the longer lens will again, make you think harder about the final image, but what you end up with will be more dramatic.

Gary

hunyuan7 · #4 September 18th, 2012, 11:10 AM

This lens's focal range and macro ability kills many birds with one stone. It may satisfy your craving for the existing and future primes (e.g., Oly 45/1.8, Oly 60 macro, Panny 42.5/1.2).

Personally, I am thinking of selling my Oly 45/1.8 to buy the Pana Leica 45/2.8. Then, I will have a dedicated m4/3 macro lens, won't have GAS for the Panny 42.5/1.2 (perhaps also--know I'm reaching here--the Oly 75/1.8), and I will have less to carry around.

krugorg · #5 September 18th, 2012, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunyuan7

This lens's focal range and macro ability kills many birds with one stone. It may satisfy your craving for the existing and future primes (e.g., Oly 45/1.8, Oly 60 macro, Panny 42.5/1.2).

Personally, I am thinking of selling my Oly 45/1.8 to buy the Pana Leica 45/2.8. Then, I will have a dedicated m4/3 macro lens, won't have GAS for the Panny 42.5/1.2 (perhaps also--know I'm reaching here--the Oly 75/1.8), and I will have less to carry around.

There is something special about the images from the PL45 and, like you said, you also get macro.

Maybe it would make sense to wait to see how the Olympus 60mm macro looks. Added bonus with having weather sealing for your OM-D and will probably be pretty decent for a portrait lens. You could always buy the 75/1.8 later.

Uberkul · #6 September 18th, 2012, 11:55 AM

I'm coming out of the exact same situation as yourself. Attacking it by covering my bases with zooms first, Pany 7-14, 14-140 and 100-300, then later filling in with a couple primes for light moto travel. The Pany 20 1.7 is the first with the 8mm and 45 macro to follow. For me the zooms are a better fit since I have no idea what I'm about to shoot and when I do it usually won't wait for a lens change.

Ned · #7 September 18th, 2012, 12:04 PM

Get the prime, but don't stop at the 45mm/1.8. Get the 75mm/1.8 as well, or instead. You said you wanted more reach. If it were me, I would pick up the m.Zuiko 75mm/1.8 along with a classic 50mm/1.4 prime like the Konica Hexanon or G.Zuiko. They are an inexpensive addition. Then you can save up for when the new Panasonic 42.5mm/1.2 comes out. ;)

jloden · #8 September 18th, 2012, 12:15 PM

Not sure what to advise you on the primes vs. zoom debate, since that's a personal thing. I have both, so clearly I'm not good at making decisions like that

If size is your only real concern with the 12-35mm then you might be worrying about it overmuch. It's shorter than the 12-50 you already have and a little fatter around the middle. IMO it's not a particularly large lens by any stretch unless maybe you're used to shooting with the miniscule PL 14mm that is. Couple comparison photos:

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-con.../08/twotwo.jpg

http://m43blog.com/wp-content/upload...mpus_12-50.jpg

Word to the wise for anybody using a primes trio - a grenade pouch works perfectly for carrying 2 extra primes on a belt. I have one in black for that purpose and it can fit anything from the Oly 12mm or 45mm to the PL 25 or Oly 9-18 no problem. In a pinch the 12-35 will also fit, though it's tight.

jsusilo · #9 September 18th, 2012, 02:49 PM

How much you're willing to spend will probably the single factor that determine which lens you'll get. Most expensive option is the newly release P35-100 > O75 > PL45 macro > newly release O60 macro > O45mm. As many had mentioned its hard to beat O45 when talking value-get over money-spent but then again its a matter of choices and preferences [now and in future].... I was in similar boat as yours few months ago and later went with P14/PL25/O45 trio.

xdayv · #10 September 18th, 2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryAyala

On one side of the coin, if you are truly comfortable with a mid-range zoom, then get a mid-range zoom (don't worry be happy). The Pany 12-35 is the obvious ticket.

On the flip side, it sorta sounds like you want to experiment a bit, spread your wings, personally see what prime time is all about ... and I say, what-the-hell, go-for-it, YOLO. If you truly have a desire to shoot primes, then every zoom shot shot you process ... in the back of your mind you'll be wondering how that image would have looked with the 25, or the 45 ... et cetera.

Of late, I've been using a very small belly-pack with three primes stuffed into it. Works out pretty good. Depending on what you shoot, I find two bodies with primes works out significantly better than one body. But primes will definitely slow you down a bit and make you think more and to previsualize your expectations.

Take a look at the Oly 75mm in lieu of the 45mm ... a bit more reach then the 45mm, yet a very sharp truly wonderful lens. The more selective and narrower usability elements of the longer lens will again, make you think harder about the final image, but what you end up with will be more dramatic.

Gary

I support this opinion.

You can either get a 12-35 2.8 to bring you back to the 17-55DX range + performance that you liked.

Or you can experiment and consider the PL25, Oly45, Oy 75... or even a PL45.