Showcase Panasonic Leica 50-200mm f/2.8-4

[Teljam]

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[Teljam]

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[keith1200rs]

It's quite an expensive lens, and I get the feeling most people already have the range covered by other lenses.

I don't think it has been out that long and didn't fill an obvious gaping hole in the Olympus/Panasonic lens range. I do like it though. I bought it for Costa Rica for which it worked well. I didn't know how much I would use it after that, but I am finding it quite useful for wildlife which doesn't like you getting too close. I have also recently picked up the overpriced teleconverter for less than half price. I am not yet as convinced by the teleconverter as I am with the bare lens, but it is early days. The teleconverter photos lack "punch" - maybe lacking contrast rather than resolution.

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[Brownie]

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P1002362 by telecast, on Flickr

 

[Brownie]

Love this lens.

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I wanted to add this because it astounded me. This is my first pro lens and I'm not used to the resolution. When I was processing the photo above I noticed a shadow in the open walkway of the horse barn on the right. When I zoomed in I could make out the silhouette of a horse standing there. It appears to be facing away from the camera, you can see it's ear, and what looks like a stirrup hanging on it's side. The fact that I could make that out from the distance I shot this was surprising, but what amazed me is the dog laying down behind the horse. His face is pretty easy to make out. I can't believe a lens can resolve that kind of detail in a shadow from such a distance. The photo below is a 100% crop and hyper processed to make it easier to see, it wasn't translating well when uploaded.

 

[Teljam]

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[Teljam]

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[Teljam]

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[Mike Peters]

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[snaimpally]

I bought this lens a few months back. Amazing. Its my new favorite (supplanting the Oly 75mm).

Some photos from a recent Indian music concert:

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[snaimpally]

Another Indian concert:

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[speedy]

Had a bit of fun with mine a couple of weeks back. Great lens.

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[Darmok N Jalad]

This lens is on my shortlist. I currently have the P100-300ii, but this PL50-200 intrigues me and I like the range. I can't tell if this lens doesn't sell well, or if people just hold on to it--I can't find many out there used. Anyone use this with the teleconverter?

 

[Macroramphosis]

I think @Phocal has done some extensive comparisons with the long lenses, with and without the TC's. I can't help you at all, I'm afraid, but the 50-200 is very much on my list of future purchases.

 

[Phocal]

This lens is on my shortlist. I currently have the P100-300ii, but this PL50-200 intrigues me and I like the range. I can't tell if this lens doesn't sell well, or if people just hold on to it--I can't find many out there used. Anyone use this with the teleconverter?

I think @Phocal has done some extensive comparisons with the long lenses, with and without the TC's. I can't help you at all, I'm afraid, but the 50-200 is very much on my list of future purchases.

I have done a lot of testing and comparisons of various lenses with/out TC's but have not done any with a Panasonic lens, I don't own any of their lenses (basically I am an Olympus shooter).

 

[Brownie]

Teleconverter shmeleconverter. This lens is amazing, easily the best lens I own. I haven't had the chance to compare it directly to the 100-400 yet, but initial impressions after limited use of the 100-400 give it to the 50-200 hands down. It doesn't sell well because it has too many less costly cousins, so most people opt for the less expensive options. I know I can crop a shot to match a 100-300 even up and still have better IQ.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

Teleconverter shmeleconverter. This lens is amazing, easily the best lens I own. I haven't had the chance to compare it directly to the 100-400 yet, but initial impressions after limited use of the 100-400 give it to the 50-200 hands down. It doesn't sell well because it has too many less costly cousins, so most people opt for the less expensive options. I know I can crop a shot to match a 100-300 even up and still have better IQ.

Good to know. One thing I like about this lens is that it’s not much of a weight gain over the 100-300. The 100-400 adds some heft. Yes, they aren’t focal-range equals, but like you said, you resolve more detail from the better quality lens. I’m pretty committed to my G9 at this point, so I would love to round out my collection with this one. All PL, all the time!

 

[Macroramphosis]

I have done a lot of testing and comparisons of various lenses with/out TC's but have not done any with a Panasonic lens, I don't own any of their lenses (basically I am an Olympus shooter).

Ah, sorry to bother you then. I hadn't realised....

 

[Phocal]

Ah, sorry to bother you then. I hadn't realised....

That's ok. When the Olympus 100-400 comes out I am going to try and rent it and the Panasonic to test them side by side.

 

[keith1200rs]

I have the 1.4x converter. For some reason I am not keen on it, but it is difficult to know why. The resolution seems ok but I think the contrast is lower. Manual focussing seems more difficult as the focus peaking doesn't seem to work as well. Often no peaking outlines at all on low contrast subjects or in poor light whereas without the TC manual focus always seems ok.