what photography related item did you buy this week?

[Darmok N Jalad]

I’m trying to decide if the free 1.2 lens would be good if it came to the US.?

 

[wes camino]

I bought an Olympus om-d e-m10 mark i which had only 1400 shutter clicks from EBay for $159.00 (USD). I've been out with it twice, since. Am very pleased with it. I previously owned the PL5, PL7, and PM2. All great cameras.

 

[Zapp]

Not this week, but a few weeks ago - 12-100 f/4 on Oly discount day.
This week - two Sony SD Tough 32GB 300/299 on sellers discount.

 

[Petrochemist]

I saw a Linhof Multifocus viewfinder listed for £5.50 (including postage) and couldn't resist, even though I'm not sure how useful I'll find it on my 5x4 monorails.

I thought it was a bit of a bargain but it's only after it arrived that I did a quick search for info on it. It seems the latest version is £950 (new and having an added rangefinder function) & there's an earlier used version for sale from MrCad for nearly £200. Perhaps I should revise my estimate of its value up a little

 

[Zapp]

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[John King]

View attachment 850367

A truly magnificent lens, Darek ... congratulations.

 

[Stanga]

I bought an outdoor swing chair cover to cover my astro mount when I leave the mount outside for whatever reason. I was getting fed up of setting the mount up on consecutive nights. Couldn't leave it uncovered due to the weather in England.

 

[Stringer]

Purchased a Camera Field Monitor with a tilt arm to help in doing macro photography
Give me better control rather than holding the camera to me eye

 

[PeeBee]

I've finally placed an order for an Oly 100-400. I've no idea when it will arrive, but at least I'm in the queue.

 

[DaveJP]

Almost exactly four weeks ago I posted on this thread saying I'd just purchased an Olympus 12-100 f4 Pro zoom lens. I'd deliberated for some time about this lens, as it wasn't something I needed (I already have the Oly 12-40 f2.8 and the Pan 35-100 f2.8), but so many photographers seem to love it and sing it's praises, so I wanted to know if it would suit me. I had two weeks to decide whether to keep it or return it for a full refund. I sent it back!

The 12-100 is a very versatile lens; it's very sharp, and the stabilisation, particularly with the EM1 Mk3, is exceptional. But, for me, it was just too big and too heavy. It was a relief to go back to my 12-40 and not have the size and weight of the 12-100 pulling the camera down all the time. After all, I changed from full frame to Micro 4/3rds to get away from that sort of thing. So why have I just purchased another lens; this time one that is even bigger and heavier than the 12-100 ... the Olympus 40-150 f2.8 Pro zoom?

For me, the difference between the 12-100 f4 and the 40-150 f2.8 is simple; the 40-150 doesn't have to stay on the camera all the time. With the 12-100 there is really no respite; it's designed to cover pretty well all the focal lengths I might need, so was on the camera constantly. With the 40-150, I'll still use my 12-40 for most of my shooting, only changing to the longer lens when required. It's a heavy lens, but I don't mind the weight if it's in my bag on my shoulder.

I look upon the 40-150 as a specialised lens; when I need the extra reach it's there, otherwise the smaller, lighter 35-100 will suffice with no loss of speed. I'm really appreciating the long range of this lens, and I'm even thinking of getting the MC-14 converter to give me the occasional option of a 56-210mm zoom. This lens will definitely not be going back!

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

Almost exactly four weeks ago I posted on this thread saying I'd just purchased an Olympus 12-100 f4 Pro zoom lens. I'd deliberated for some time about this lens, as it wasn't something I needed (I already have the Oly 12-40 f2.8 and the Pan 35-100 f2.8), but so many photographers seem to love it and sing it's praises, so I wanted to know if it would suit me. I had two weeks to decide whether to keep it or return it for a full refund. I sent it back!

The 12-100 is a very versatile lens; it's very sharp, and the stabilisation, particularly with the EM1 Mk3, is exceptional. But, for me, it was just too big and too heavy. It was a relief to go back to my 12-40 and not have the size and weight of the 12-100 pulling the camera down all the time. After all, I changed from full frame to Micro 4/3rds to get away from that sort of thing. So why have I just purchased another lens; this time one that is even bigger and heavier than the 12-100 ... the Olympus 40-150 f2.8 Pro zoom?

For me, the difference between the 12-100 f4 and the 40-150 f2.8 is simple; the 40-150 doesn't have to stay on the camera all the time. With the 12-100 there is really no respite; it's designed to cover pretty well all the focal lengths I might need, so was on the camera constantly. With the 40-150, I'll still use my 12-40 for most of my shooting, only changing to the longer lens when required. It's a heavy lens, but I don't mind the weight if it's in my bag on my shoulder.

I look upon the 40-150 as a specialised lens; when I need the extra reach it's there, otherwise the smaller, lighter 35-100 will suffice with no loss of speed. I'm really appreciating the long range of this lens, and I'm even thinking of getting the MC-14 converter to give me the occasional option of a 56-210mm zoom. This lens will definitely not be going back!

The 40-150 2.8 is an incredible lens. It packs some weight, but boy is it sharp. Ironically, it's the default lens on my EM5.3, but I have primes for when I want super-light weight. I went with the MC20 with mine, which will come in handy for winter bird shooting. With the relatively short min focal distance, you can do a lot with 40-150 2.8. It's my butterfly lens-of-choice.

 

[DaveJP]

Yes Darmok, I'm impressed with the close focusing capabilities of the lens. That was also a feature I liked about the 12-100. I normally use my Olympus 60mm macro lens for butterflies and other insects, but the high magnification and extra working distance that the 40-150 affords will be really useful for skittish subjects. I've sent for an MC-14 converter and will play around with that for now. However, I may invest in the MC-20 later as well; it seems a really simple and lightweight way of increasing the range to 300mm, and I believe the IQ is very good too.

 

[agentlossing]

I've had the 35mm f2.4 for 18mths or so and use it very lightly. I mainly got it because the Sigma 17-35mm f2.8 that came with my K-7 seemed very soft but now I realise it was probably just the K-7 being a K-7. I knew there was a 50mm DA out there too but was fine using the manual-focus 50's (I had a K-mount and M42-mount Pentaxes).

Anyway, I saw another eBay bargain and picked up a 50mm f1.8 DA - super cheap & almost obnoxiously budget-build (just like the 35mm) but the pics seem fine. Its weird because I'd struggle to think of an original manufacturers lens that feels this cheesy in Nikon or Micro-Four-Thirds land (maybe the Oly body-cap lenses?). Will slap it on the K-5 and see how it performs - ultimately its the pics that count.

View attachment 848251 _9210055 by Walter Kernow, on Flickr

I just tried out a KP with the 35mm f2.4 - optically the lens seemed very decent. But man, that build quality. The only MFT lenses I can think of that would be similar are toy lenses. Even the budget Olympus 17mm f2.8 is vastly better feeling.

 

[Carbonman]

I've sent for an MC-14 converter and will play around with that for now. However, I may invest in the MC-20 later as well; it seems a really simple and lightweight way of increasing the range to 300mm, and I believe the IQ is very good too.

I have the 40-150 Pro and both the 1.4x and 2.0x TCs. Image quality is excellent with either teleconverter.

 

[CD77]

Winter is coming and further lockdown restrictions look like they are going to be imposed so I'm bulking up on my kit for portraits, indoor macro and still life shots to ease the boredom! I've bought a new tripod that allows the camera to be slung underneath (as well as above), a softbox with honeycomb grid, and a 5-in-1 reflector.

 

[Panolyman]

Just done a deal on an E-M5 Mk2 (to complement the M5-Mk1 and my E-M10 Mk2).
Now got to get rid of the Lumix G2 I bought last month, and possibly my G7.

 

[jimr.pdx]

Just done a deal on an E-M5 Mk2 (to complement the M5-Mk1 and my E-M10 Mk2).
Now got to get rid of the Lumix G2 I bought last month, and possibly my G7.

Will you just be olyman after the deals?

 

[Panolyman]

Could well be Jim!
Are we allowed to change our usernames on here, I wonder?

 

[Panolyman]

So, I ordered this yesterday and it arrived this afternoon.

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After charging the battery, I just had time to slap the 17mm f1.8 lens on and nip outside to get this.

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SOOC, and apart from selecting aperture priority, I've no idea what was set in camera.
It's a used body with around 8,000 shots and seems in pristine condition, was boxed, with all the accessories.
Not bad for £300 methinks.

 

[agentlossing]

So, I ordered this yesterday and it arrived this afternoon.
View attachment 851512

After charging the battery, I just had time to slap the 17mm f1.8 lens on and nip outside to get this.
View attachment 851513


SOOC, and apart from selecting aperture priority, I've no idea what was set in camera.
It's a used body with around 8,000 shots and seems in pristine condition, was boxed, with all the accessories.
Not bad for £300 methinks.

Not bad at all, that body seems matched perfectly for either the 17 1.8 or the 25 1.8.