Showcase Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II ZD 4/3

labcoatguy · Nov 22, 2011

I'll start this thread off with a closeup of aluminum roses that I make in my spare time. It has a very close minimum focusing distance which makes it great for detailed closeups.

Taken at 14mm

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And a 1:32 scale model car at 54mm

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Both are OOC JPEGs that have been resized by Google Picasa but are otherwise untouched.

Promit · May 9, 2012

OOC JPEGs from E-P3.

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This one is from LR with default sharpening and no NR.

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fluberman · Dec 18, 2012

This image was taken with the old version of 14-54mm.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flubie/8211165767/" title="Röhss-Keiller mausoleum by Flubie, on Flickr">

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"800" height="601" alt="Röhss-Keiller mausoleum"></a>

h0rde · May 3, 2013

How's the performance on m4/3? I'm seriously looking into one of these as a walkaround, since it's a good focal length, fast, and pretty cheap on the used market.

juangrande · May 3, 2013

Here's a couple of landscape shots.

juangrande · May 3, 2013

h0rde said:
How's the performance on m4/3? I'm seriously looking into one of these as a walkaround, since it's a good focal length, fast, and pretty cheap on the used market.

For the money, it can't be beat. Slightly slower AF and size are the only drawbacks. It has to be the MKII, though for best focusing on m4/3. I found the G5 focused faster than the EM5, but just slightly.

martinq · May 3, 2013

juangrande said:
For the money, it can't be beat. Slightly slower AF and size are the only drawbacks. It has to be the MKII, though for best focusing on m4/3. I found the G5 focused faster than the EM5, but just slightly.

The 14-54mm is the lens I miss the most from my old Four Thirds kit. I tried my original 14-54mm on an E-PL1 and the autofocus was just miserably slow, with 2-3 long whirrs to get in the ballpark and then a series of several rapid whirrs as it tried to zero in on best contrast.

I tried to make a go of it, but between the slow AF and the poor balance on the E-PL1 I just gave up and sold the 14-54mm at a firesale price.

How does the 14-54mm mk II AF compare with the mZD 14-42mm mk II? If it's as quick as that, it may be worth looking for one...

juangrande · May 3, 2013

The MKII will on average give you 1/2 second focus rate.The better the light and contrast the faster. It's a bit slower than the 20/1.7, the slowest of the m4/3 natives. The other 4/3 lens that focuses pretty fast is the 70-300, albeit slower than the MKII.

Bhupinder2002 · May 3, 2013

Some from me ..

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elandel · Jun 8, 2013

Just ordered it. Arriving Tuesday or Wednesday, can't wait.

Ricoh · Dec 6, 2013

Hi, I've just seen one on the bay, but looking at the description and pictures of the lens I can't work out if its Mk1 or Mk 2. Are there features visible that clearly indicates one from the other?
I'm considering the four thirds 14-54 f2.8 for use on my OMD E5 (with suitable adapter of course). Is this a good combination. I understand the speed of focus won't be lightning speed, but 0.5s should be ok.
Any thoughts please.
Steve

Wisertime · Dec 6, 2013

Ricoh said:
Hi, I've just seen one on the bay, but looking at the description and pictures of the lens I can't work out if its Mk1 or Mk 2. Are there features visible that clearly indicates one from the other?
I'm considering the four thirds 14-54 f2.8 for use on my OMD E5 (with suitable adapter of course). Is this a good combination. I understand the speed of focus won't be lightning speed, but 0.5s should be ok.
Any thoughts please.
Steve

the mkII version has the blue ring around the top of the rim and is slightly thicker (If I recall correctly..I have owned both)

boostin · Dec 6, 2013

It will have 14-54 ii on the len

Ricoh · Dec 6, 2013

Thanks guys. As a m4/3 user am I right in saying the Mk II is the one to have for reasonable speed of auto focus. From what I can glean, the Mk I and II both have the same IQ, so nothing to separate them on that score, but the Mk I would require manual focus.

Wisertime · Dec 6, 2013

IQ is the same, yes. Focus should be faster on the MKii. I think the MKi will focus in auto, just slower. I know when I had an adapter, I could auto focus the 50mm F2 on the EP-1...but it was dreadfully slow (that lens is slow anyway on 43rds)....so I think the MK1 will still work, but you may want to spend the extra $ if focus speed is important for you.

Ricoh · Dec 6, 2013

Many thanks, it's so easy to get carried away with eBay, I'm glad I've had the feedback given here as its made me decide against the Mk1.
Steve.

beeker · Jan 15, 2014

got myself a used one of these

Arrived on monday. Didn't want to wait until next weekend to give it a try so took some shots over lunch today.

Today was overcast and drizzly, so I went for some close-up shots. Really quite happy with the close focussing of this one.