Olympus 45/1.8 vs Olympus 60/2.8 vs Sigma 60/2.8, which one should I choose?

[JND]

Currently I owned three lens with my GF5, the X14-42, Pana-Leica 25/1.4 and an old manual focus Rollei 50/1.8. Now I want to replace the Rollei 50/1.8 with an auto-focus one for daily portrait shooting. I reviewed threads of the three threads for Olympus 45/1.8, Olympus 60/2.8 and Sigma 60/2.8 in the forum. Their sample images are good and it hard to make the decision. Could you give me some advices?

Thank you.

 

[Replytoken]

Welcome to the forum! What is your budget, what focal length do you normally like to shoot portraits with, and how shallow of DOF do you desire?

--Ken

 

[JND]

Well, my budget is limited, that's why I don't consider the OM 75/1.8 at all. I am used to shoot with rollei 50//1.8 for portrait, and I just want to replace it by an auto-focus one. I think the 45mm or 60mm focal length both OK for me. Sharp portraits with nice bokeh is my favourite.

Welcome to the forum! What is your budget, what focal length do you normally like to shoot portraits with, and how shallow of DOF do you desire?

--Ken

 

[tjdean01]

After having my first interchangeable lens system for about a year (m4/3s), I've found that I'll always take the faster option. So, I'd get the 45/1.8 because you can use it at f1.8 and it's nice and sharp. The Rollei I'm assuming is not good at f1.8...none of my older lenses that you see in my signature are good wide open except for the Vivitar 28/2. Pentax Takumar 50/1.4 is very good at f1.7, however. And Pentax and Konica 50/1.7s are good at f2.2.

 

[budeny]

I would say pick Sigma 60mm - it's small, super sharp wide open, high quality lens, comes with hood and case and brand new still cheaper than used 45mm.
Plus 60mm length won't overlap with kit (14-42) or pro (12-40) zooms and it can be useful for non-portrait.

 

[JND]

Thx tjdean, I've read the thread: https://www.mu-43.com/showthread.php?t=62060

tlovegrove posts his lens setup in this thread and he choose the Sigma 60/2.8 instead of 45/1.8, the focus length is doubled when compared to his Sigma 30 for wide portraits. Would the 45/1.8 too close to my 25/1.4 in focus length?

After having my first interchangeable lens system for about a year (m4/3s), I've found that I'll always take the faster option. So, I'd get the 45/1.8 because you can use it at f1.8 and it's nice and sharp. The Rollei I'm assuming is not good at f1.8...none of my older lenses that you see in my signature are good wide open except for the Vivitar 28/2. Pentax Takumar 50/1.4 is very good at f1.7, however. And Pentax and Konica 50/1.7s are good at f2.2.

 

[JND]

Thanks, budeny.

By 60mm did you mean the Sigma one? The price of the sigma lens is really tempting. What do you think about the aperture? Do you think it's fast enough?

 

[budeny]

Thanks, budeny.

By 60mm did you mean the Sigma one? The price of the sigma lens is really tempting. What do you think about the aperture? Do you think it's fast enough?

Yes, Sigma. For my purposes of landscaping shooting aperture was more than enough and in comparison of portrait shots I liked Sigma rendering better than 45mm.

 

[spatulaboy]

I think it's between the Oly 45 and Sigma 60. If you are on a budget then get the Sigma. F2.8 is fast enough for head shots and up to half body shots. If you want full body shots with good isolation even the Oly 45 is lacking there.

 

[Jonathan F/2]

For portraits get the 45. If you want a short telephoto get the 60.

 

[edwardconde]

Look at the Oly refurbs for the deals on the 45. I had both and use the 45 a lot more cause of the ability of shooting low light. That said I have also used the Sigma glass (19 & 30) and I enjoyed those lenses also. But I still say the 45 over the 60.

 

[will_f]

I've got the Oly 45 1.8 and the Oly 60 2.8. I like them both.

I use the 45 1.8 more though, partly because it's faster, partly because it's so compact, and partly because the wider FOV makes it more multipurpose.

Will

 

[HarryS]

You did not give your location, but if ebay USA is available to you, the difference between a Sigma 60 and an Olympus 45 from reputable sellers in Japan is less than $60. You can often find the 45mm used/reconditioned from US sellers for under $300 too.

For that small a difference, go for the faster lens now. In the future, the Sigma will likely be on sale and you may have saved up enough money to get that too.

 

[tosvus]

The Sigma is nice. Personally, I think I would get more use out of either the 45mm 1.8 (low light) or Olympus 60mm 2.8 (Macro). However, that may be because I am now pretty well covered in that range with the 35-100 2.8.

 

[Pecos]

I have the 45 and love it. It's nice and small, nice and fast. It is plenty sharp, though I can't gauge it against any other lens.

 

[JND]

You did not give your location, but if ebay USA is available to you, the difference between a Sigma 60 and an Olympus 45 from reputable sellers in Japan is less than $60. You can often find the 45mm used/reconditioned from US sellers for under $300 too.

For that small a difference, go for the faster lens now. In the future, the Sigma will likely be on sale and you may have saved up enough money to get that too.

Thank you HarryS. I'm in China. I've checked the online shops in Taobao and find that it's just like what you said. The price difference is small, so I will take your advice and go for the faster one. Thank you.

 

[tjdean01]

I agree that the 45/1.8 will be the lens to get over the 60/2.8. Not that the 60 isn't wonderful, but the 45/1.8 will give you better background blur and the capability of working in smaller spaces. And I think the focal length is quite a bit longer than the 25mm so you should be good there too!

 

[RamblinR]

I would also suggest the 45 f1.8.
The only reason I would consider the Oly 60mm f2.8 is if you were also into macro as this lens would then be useful for both and save purchasing a macro lens down the track
I prefer the smaller size of the 45mm and the faster aperture so I'd go for it.

 

[mossback]

I have both the 45 f1.8 and the Olympus 60. For portrait use, I think the 45 is unbeatable. The Olympus 60 is a great lens and does yeoman work in macro mode, but I find the focal length a bit long for portraiture.

 

[Pecos]

Here's a comparison of the blur with each lens:
How much blur? - A visual background blur calculator