Showcase Olympus 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 ZD 4/3 SWD

[cedge]

I'm still getting to grips with my newly aquired (used) 50-200mm lens. It replaced a 45-175 in the hope that I get some more keepers. This was shot hand held on a trip to Exmoor (England) in October.

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[PakkyT]

Hmmm, maybe just me, but I think this is a scene that I would prefer in color.

 

[SteveAdler]

A landscape shot of Chullila, Spain

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[NACEOD]

Dark-eyed Junco at Fool's Hollow State Park, Show Low, Arizona.

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My son's high school hockey team played at Gila River Arena, the home of the AZ Coyotes.

Love this lens and DXO Photo Lab 4.

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[SteveAdler]

By intent, I went to the same fountain yesterday and today with the Olympus 50-200 SWD + EC-14 yesterday and the Sigma APO 300mm f4 Tele Macro with a metabones Smart Adapter to provide autofocus. Because the same birds come back to the same fountain and look pretty much the same at the same time of day, I was able to capture the same birds with both lenses. I processed them with the same methods in Darktable. The comparison shows not much difference in sharpness, but some differences in colors and bokeh. This surprised me because the Olympus combo has faster focus and is more versatile.

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Overall, I prefer the look of the Sigma shots but the focus is so slow that I miss a lot of shots with it. Hmm, will have to rethink what goes in my pack when I go out to photograph birds.

 

[CD77]

A few shots from my first outings with the 50-200 SWD I got earlier this week. Not the best of conditions and nothing really caught my eye subjectwise, but it was really just good to get out with it to see what it could do. I've taken quite a few pics on the same walk in similar conditions using my P45-175, and there are some of these pics, particularly the shot of the pigeon and the one of the cormorants, that it would have turned to mush because of the low light and cropping to get the framing right due to distance to the subject.

The lens is going to take a bit of getting used to to get the best from it but I'm suitably impressed so far, and I'm now on the hunt for an EC-14 to get a bit more reach. Processing the RAW files is also going to take a bit of getting used to, my usual processing techniques produces different results to what I'm used to getting... not bad, just different.

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[CD77]

By intent, I went to the same fountain yesterday and today with the Olympus 50-200 SWD + EC-14 yesterday and the Sigma APO 300mm f4 Tele Macro with a metabones Smart Adapter to provide autofocus. Because the same birds come back to the same fountain and look pretty much the same at the same time of day, I was able to capture the same birds with both lenses. I processed them with the same methods in Darktable. The comparison shows not much difference in sharpness, but some differences in colors and bokeh. This surprised me because the Olympus combo has faster focus and is more versatile.

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Overall, I prefer the look of the Sigma shots but the focus is so slow that I miss a lot of shots with it. Hmm, will have to rethink what goes in my pack when I go out to photograph birds.

As you know, I've been looking to get a copy of the Sigma 300mm f4 APO but have been unable to get one at the right value to make it worthwhile... and then I got itchy fingers and pulled the trigger on a 50-200 SWD at a very reasonable price. Now I've seen your pics with the EC-14 I think getting one is definitely on the cards!

 

[SteveAdler]

As you know, I've been looking to get a copy of the Sigma 300mm f4 APO but have been unable to get one at the right value to make it worthwhile... and then I got itchy fingers and pulled the trigger on a 50-200 SWD at a very reasonable price. Now I've seen your pics with the EC-14 I think getting one is definitely on the cards!

It is a great combo. Versatile. Sharp. Great IQ.

 

[CD77]

It is a great combo. Versatile. Sharp. Great IQ.

I was a little taken aback by the size, but actually it’s quite nice to use, and the extra weight wasn’t too bad on my 6 mile hike today... but the extra reach and IQ over my P45-175 was very noticeable, which was exactly what I was looking for... and the auto focus even works of a fashion on my EM10ii.

 

[CD77]

Took the beast out for another spin today... still trying to get to grips with it but impressed again with the detail when focus is nailed!

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[Panolyman]

Oh no, now I want one!

 

[cedge]

Hmmm, maybe just me, but I think this is a scene that I would prefer in color.

Maybe if I was lucky enough to have been there for sunset/sunrise and it was to feature some glorious golden light across the buildings/hills; original colour image below but I still prefer the monochrome version.

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[SteveAdler]

Cape Buffalo at the Denver Zoo

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[SteveAdler]

This lens with the EC-14 continues to amaze me on the EM1.2. Focus is fast and accurate. Sharpness on color on great. Versatility is very high.

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[CD77]

Loving this lens so far!

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[SteveAdler]

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[Zman]

I have seen so many wonderful images produced by this lens and was fortunate to obtain a very nice copy from a m4/3 forum member. The lens arrived today and I immediately shot a few pics from a window to try it out. It didn't disappoint. My modest addition to this thread ...

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[CD77]

The wood pigeons are venturing back into the garden...

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[SteveAdler]

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[CD77]

It doesn't make too bad a landscape lens!

'Pendle Hill with a Light Dusting'

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