Talk me out of this... ZD 150/2.0

Get it, you will not be disappointed. I have the 50-200 and a few months ago picked up the 150/2. I am really happy that I got it. There is something magical about images from this lens and having a 300mm f/2.0 lens sure is nice.

I also was thinking the 100-400 might be a nice lens to pick (in addition to the 300/4) but in another thread someone mentioned it's pretty close speed wise to the 50-200 with the EC-20. So I went out today with my 50-200 and EC-20. Needless to say, on a mostly cloudy day I was never able to shoot at ISO 200 and keep my shutter speed high enough. That kind of puts the 100-400 off my list.

 

It's a fairly rare lens. Assuming good condition, at the price you describe it would not be hard to flip at zero loss if it's not for you. And then at least you'll have scratched that itch and can stop wondering about it.

 

Better get the ec20 or ec14 to go with it. It's a great lens.

 

The teleconverters are generally far better than ones I've used in other systems, the EC20 has a reputation for being soft however I suspect it's more to do with autofocus fine adjust than anything (in my experience it needs more adjustment than the lens alone or EC14). The EC14 is almost universally regarded as amazing.

Edit: the 150/2 is also universally regarded as amazing. The problem with "renting" a lens this good is you can't/won't let it go, renter beware.

 

OK, I'll try.

No, don't buy this lens. So what if it's one of the best lenses ever made for any system. It's only one stop faster than the 40-150. Even knowing that it's out there, you could probably be almost happy with the nearly as good, slower 40-150. It's possible... I guess.

So, um... right, don't buy it  

Fred

 

Anyone ever tried it on a non PDAF body? I suppose that the AF is so bad that I should not but this lens, right?

The only thing I can suggest to the OP is to wait for the 300/4 and see how it is. Unless the deal is very good, then go for it, like tkbslc said it's a rare beast.

 

Just bought a nearly 90% new ZD 150mm F2 , with the E-M1, it is better that before.(I have one when use EM5, it is very slow), AF are slower that MZD 40-150 PRO
(last one with 1.4X)

 

Question for you 43's 5-200mm lens owners.
Does the Olympus 43's 50-200mm SWD suffer from zoom creep?
Thanks,
Bobby

 

Yes, mine does a fair bit.

 

I had the 50-200 and resisted the 150f2 for quite a while, I wrote up my thoughts in another thread here:

https://www.mu-43.com/threads/32190/page-6#post-801909

 

Actually mine does not.

 

Mine does not, but I admit to not holding it straight up or straight down ever.

 

Mine didn't when it was new, I sold it before it was old.

 

Mine is pretty worn and beat up (it was used when I got it and I am hard on gear) and I still don't have a problem with creep. If anything it is a bit hard to zoom in/out so maybe that helps it not creep.

 

Mine neither!

 

In my opinion, between ZD 150mm F2 and zd 50-200 SWD (use with E-M1)are:
1. AF zd 50-200 SWD are much faster that 150 F2 (Fat boy), with 1.4X are also
2. 150 F2 Fat boy are use for low light condition with needn't too high iso and image quality output much better that zoom lens.
3. 150 F2 can use 1.4x and 2X image quality are not bad, 50-200 can use 1.4X only if you need detail.
4. 150 mm image dimensional (most 43 lens are better that m43 normal lenses )are much better even use F2.
5. zd 50-200 SWD are light than 150 Fat boy, easy to carry for hold day walk.
PS: I will looking for the kipon adapter (EF to m43) and will try the EF long range lens like EF 400mm F5.6L Sigma 150-600 for birding (with E-M1) later.

 

Mine does not creep at all.

 

Thanks for all the replies!!! This means of course I've got this 43's 50-200mm SWD lens on the top of my list with the 1.4X too. I was unsure about getting the 1.4X but so many who comment on the 50-200mm SWD also mention how good it is with this converter that I've added it to the list.
Bobby