50-200 SWD

[toddbee]

So i went out and shot the 70-300 and 50-200 non SWD. I have to say i really like the 50-200 alot. Great feel and IQ is nice. I have a question for. It appears the 50-200 SWD is coming out in a couple weeks, but is almost $600 usd more then the 50-200 non SWD. Do you think its worth it? The non SWD lenses seems to focus pretty well. WIth the difference in cost i can get the 1.4 tc and half of the 50mm f2. lol. Just wanted to see what everyone thinks. No one can tell me if the SWD version has changed optically in any way either.
Thanks,
Todd

[halfwright]

I have to say i really like the 50-200 alot. Great feel and IQ is nice.

I think you have answered your own question. If the non-SWD version works for you, then buy it. Or, you might wait untio you can try the SWD version in a store and decide then. But, remember "The man who dies with the most lenses, wins."

[Paul Shields]

Are you using the E-3? I've found the 50-200mm works a lot quicker on that compared to the E-1. You can never have too much AF speed at the longer end, but I find my current 50-200mm so sharp that I'd be concerned that I'd lose that if upgrading to the SWD version. It'll be interesting to see how people react to it when it hits the stores - which should be very soon now.

[toddbee]

yeah im using the e3. deciding between the two.

[mujana]

Well as I'm new to Olympus, I do not have any Oly gear apart from my E-3 and 12-60SWD. So I ordered the 50-200mm SWD a couple of weeks ago (not in yet). I sure hope it's sharp as some find the "older" version. I remember Brian Mosley told on the DPR forum he had some issues with backfocussing and the IS in combination with this lens. I sure hope he just had bad luck...

[Paul Shields]

Yeah it'll be interesting to see if that's just a one off. Olympus don't tend to get any issues with front or back focusing but I often think that may be down to the slightly slower AF. When it's as rapid as the SWD lenses then maybe there's more opportunity for that - though I've found the 12-60mm to be very accurate so far. As far as sharpness goes, I find my current 50-200mm to be very sharp. I did a comparative test at 50mm of this lens + the 50mm f/2 and others and it's amazing even wide open: http://photocamel.com/forum/blogs/pa...-shootout.html

[Mr. Pickles]

The 50-200 SWD is delayed again (for US only, maybe?). There are a LOT of threads complaining about the E-3 AF misfires, most of which have to do with the 12-60 SWD.

the E-3 will confirm focus lock and when the shutter is tripped, it isn't locked on what it should be locked one. Some claim it is due to Olympus trying to make the fastest focusing combo available before working it over with a fine toothed comb. YMMV...

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

The 50-200 SWD is delayed again (for US only, maybe?). There are a LOT of threads complaining about the E-3 AF misfires, most of which have to do with the 12-60 SWD.

the E-3 will confirm focus lock and when the shutter is tripped, it isn't locked on what it should be locked one. Some claim it is due to Olympus trying to make the fastest focusing combo available before working it over with a fine toothed comb. YMMV...

Yes, I've read of the AF problems on the E-3, though I've not tied it down to a particular lens. When I first got the E-3 I had focusing all over the place, but that's because I was (inadvertently) pushing it to do things that probably weren't advisable - e.g. constant AF with all AF points on and taking shots at 200mm+. It just got confused about what to focus on - or rather I was confused as I'd never had to deal with more than a few AF points previously . Once I'd set it to the AF settings that I'd normally use - small AF range, single AF, then it worked much better - on the 12-60mm as much as anywhere else (I've a huge number of E-3/12-60mm shots taken from a recent trip to Paris, and can't recall any that were out of focus). I wonder if it's just a learning curve for Oly shooters not used to so many AF options?

[Mr. Pickles]

Originally Posted by Paul Shields

I wonder if it's just a learning curve for Oly shooters not used to so many AF options?

I would tend to agree that this is the case a lot of times. But, there are probably some bad apples out there. Olympus would know. They could patch the firmware or replace the bodies/lenses to clean up any tarnished image they may be getting.

The E-3 is a BIG step up from the E-1 in a lot of ways. All the focus points is a big one.

[toddbee]

its this focus problem a known one with the e3? i to use center autofocus but with the normal size patch and the 12-60 seems to work well.

[toddbee]

think its just a firmware fix if this is a problem?

[Paul Shields]

I guess we just need to see what's involved in the next FW patch. I'm not convinced that AF issues would be one, though I've not tested all of the boundaries and there may well be some things that need addressing. I've found the E-3 can over-expose more than I would expect in certain conditions, so maybe there'll be something for that as I've read of other people having the same problem.

If things are working well for you then I wouldn't worry about it .

[Mr. Pickles]

The focus issue is a known one if you have it, or if you read the threads about it. Whether it has to do with all AF points on, or AF Contrast on, or whatever, it should be fixable by Olympus or by reading the manual and learning the settings inside and out, or by Olympus telling its owners why they have the issue (user error, and why)...

I don't think it is grounds to NOT buy the E-3 or into the 4/3 system. Didn't stop a lot of people from buying the greatest Canon pro shooter and its reported problems were worse than the E-3's...

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

I don't think it is grounds to NOT buy the E-3 or into the 4/3 system. Didn't stop a lot of people from buying the greatest Canon pro shooter and its reported problems were worse than the E-3's...

Uh oh - I hope Max reads that in the spirit it was intended (i.e. light hearted Max - he didn't mean anything honest! ).

[Mr. Pickles]

Why? Did/does it have problems? Yes. Did a lot of people buy it? Yes. Is it a good camera? Yes.

The same for the E-3....except there are less problems, and less total number of people buying it. neither is the best camera. Both excel at stuff the other doesn't. For Olympus 4/3 folks, the current crop of cameras is a nice team.

[dannn]

I've been changing the focus sensitivity down. Try that. It's been good for me. Best to all.