The full size 43 lenses have awesome specs, but that all look too big for a small camera body like the E-PL1 or GF1. Does anyone disagree? Are there any 43 size lenses that can be used comfortably on the tiny bodies?
I used the PL 14-150 for a while on my E-P1. Its focus speed was not bad (it is CDAF enabled) and the handling was actually much better than you'd expect. I held the lens in my left hand, and used my right hand to adjust settings, and control the camera. I still sold it in the end, since the size and weight of the lens itself bothered me so much, that I didn't take it with me enough. That has nothing to do with the way the lens handled on the camera, just with my wishes on photography equipment size nowadays.
Sure are - with the standard adapter. I recently took the EPL1 away including the (4/3) 40-150 as a compact tele....worked well. I have also used the ZD 70-300 with great success. This is taken using the 40-150 recently in Istanbul, Turkey - 1/400s, f5.5 at 137mm. This was taken from a boat. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com.au/lh/photo/hnYoIDAJLdHvA_XZ75QYwA?feat=embedwebsite">http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jHsxWSLR4Mk/TJuOk9mO_kI/AAAAAAAAMWo/tBDq4tWaDKU/s800/L9233665.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a> But note, I find it more comfortable to hold the larger lenses, and stability is improved, by using the VF-2 rather than using the LCD.
My 14-54 and 50-200 are very big and heavy; I'd rather carry an E-620 with them. OTOH, my 25/2.8 pancake, my 50/2, and my 40-150 seem to balance well sizewise with the m4/3 bodies. For those brought up with 35mm SLRs, the 25 with adapter feels like a 50mm normal lens, the 50 is about what a 100/2.8 35mm lens would be, and the zoom is about the same size as the 50.
Be aware that most 4/3 lenses use the faster phase detect AF system which requires a mirror. :43: uses contrast detect which is very accurate but a bit slower. Most 4/3 lenses hence will AF rather slowly on a :43: body, albeit eventually quite accurately. I sold all my HG Oly glass as it really didn't work for me on :43:. The Oly 40-150 is not optimised for video but the 14-150 is with a silent AF motor. Likewise the Panny 14-140 is silent.
I use the 4/3 40-150 on my pen. I find the size just fine. I actually think its better balanced because the EP1 does have some heft to it. Only complaint I have is that its slow to focus and from time to time misses focus when it locks.
Yes my lack of clarity and they do make a very highly regarded Panasonic Leica 14-150 for 4/3. I've seen it rated as the best zoom lens of any format. Regarding CDAF, Olympus since the Pen era has been making 4/3 lenses that are CDAF optimised. For example the 14-54 Mark II is and I believe the 70-300. The SWD lenses like the 12-60 and the 50-200 Mark II are not. Likewise the 50mm macro and the 7-14 WA are not. They all AF eventually but not in the silky smooth way they do on an E-3 for example. I've been there.
the newer zuiko 40-150mm fits really well with e-pl1, not only in size but weight also, and I find AF just fine with 40-150mm, slightly faster than when using Panasonic 25mm f/1.4. This is what it looks like on the e-pl1:
