Olympus lens options

[LameAlias]

I have an Olympus E-510. I am quite impressed with the camera so far, however, I am regretting cheaping out and only getting the kit 14-42mm lens with the body.

I would like to invest in an additional lens or two. I'd like to see what other Olympus users think a good companion lens would be. I don't need to go into the professional level of lenses as my picture taking is for personal use.

I like to take nature photos including landscapes and close-ups. I also want to be able to take pictures of my daughters in any situation; action, distance, indoors, etc.

I was reading through the thread about the 70-300mm zoom and it seemed like a decent lens, though there was some debate over it's quality and value. I wonder if the gap between the 42mm and 70mm would be too great. Is the kit 40-150mm worth buying after the fact? Perhaps paired with an EC-14 for more range?

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

[carlalex]

I got the E-500 with the 14-45mm and the 40-150mm kit that predates the E-510. It's to late now but the two lens kit is the best deal for a kit and the glass is pretty good. You could probably find a good deal on a used 40-150mm kit lens that someone doesn't want after an up grade. The first new lens I got for the camera was the 18-180mm. I got this for the extra zoom and to have wide zoom range for everyday use. It's great for daytime but it's really slow at the high end. My next (and last lens) is the f:1.4 30mm Sigma. I got this after taking some shots (not booze) at a bar preformance because I realized I needed faster glass for this. I'm going to keep the 40-150mm because it's faster than the 18-180mm but I'll use the 18-180 more. Best thing to do is pay attention to what your doing and see what others are using for similar stuff. For example I got the Sigma 30mm after looking at the focal range of pictures I took at a show and saw that most of the shots were in the 30mm range. I don't think is a great idea TC on slow glass. Sorry about the long post from someone who probably doesn't know what the hell he's talking about!

Carl

[kenwae]

I got the 14-42 and the 40-150 with my e510 and have been pretty happy with them so far. However, In thinking about upgrading the glass, I have my eye on the 12-60. But, it's quite spendy. I also have the 70-300 and that too has been satisfactory. If you are new to digital, the 40-150 is quite inexpensive and the quality aint bad so it's probably a worthwhile investment for learning and growing and could fit your needs. You may also want to consider an extension tube for macro at first, rather than a macro lens. When you start thinking seriously about macro the zuiko 50 mm macro is very good as is the Sigma 105.

[keepright]

The 40-150 f3.5-4.5 does work with the 1.4 teleconverter, and it will still autofocus indoors in moderate light on the E-510. However, that turns it into a 56-210 f4.9-6.4 lens, and the teleconverter is not cheap. If the extra reach appeals to you, you'll probably want to get the 50-200 instead -- you might be able to find the non-SWD used for not much more than the teleconverter costs.

But, there's always the little-step approach: a used 40-150 will be less than $200. You can add a teleconverter to it for the rare times you need the little extra reach. If you like the extra reach enough, buy the 50-200, and then you still have the teleconverter to make it longer as well. (I almost always use my 50-200 with the 1.4TC, and it's also a favourite addition whenever I'm using the 50f/2 as well.)

[LameAlias]

Originally Posted by keepright

But, there's always the little-step approach: a used 40-150 will be less than $200. You can add a teleconverter to it for the rare times you need the little extra reach. If you like the extra reach enough, buy the 50-200, and then you still have the teleconverter to make it longer as well.

That sounds like a good idea. I do need to watch my budget, so starting with the 40-150 and building from there makes the most sense to me.

Thanks for the insights.

[Paul Shields]

I think you'll be very impressed with the 50-200mm (SWD or not). For a long time this was the lens that made me think 'wow' more than any other. If you want to go wider then the 11-22mm is also a near perfect piece of glass.

[Richard Duncan]

You might want to check out the recent review of : 1) the Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 SWD and 2) the Digital Zuiko 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 ED on Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ.

Richard

[LameAlias]

Ok. So, I'm shopping around for a 40-150 and I am seeing two different kinds out there.
An F4.0-5.6 which is what is on the Olympus site.
There is also an F3.5-4.5 on e-bay. Does that make sense? Is it an older model?

OLYMPUS E DIGITAL ZUIKO 40-150mm f3.5-4.5 LENS *MINT* - (eBay.ca item 330226168261 end time 13-Apr-08 14:37:23 EDT)

[Paul Shields]

I think the f/4-5.6 was the particularly diminutive lens that came out with the E-400. The f/3.5-5.6 is probably the one to get.

[Mr. Pickles]

Originally Posted by LameAlias

Ok. So, I'm shopping around for a 40-150 and I am seeing two different kinds out there.

The f/3.5-4.5 one is the older one. I think it was a kit lens for the E-400. It has wider aperture possibilities and has a metal lens mount.

The f/4-5.6 is the newer version, that is a kit lens for the E-410. It has a plastic lens mount. This lens also has an ED lens element in it, and the older one did not.

Optically, the f/4-5.6 one is a bit better, and it is a lot smaller and lighter. If you don't knock it around, the lens mount being plastic shouldn't be an issue. I would get the newer one myself.

[lendur2]

The f/3.5-5.4 os older, but is said by multiple respondents to be the sharper of the two. The newer 4-5.6 is about half the size and weight of the older one. Difference in IQ proves not to be tremendous.

[LameAlias]

Well. It's done. I picked up the newer one off ebay for a third the retail price. I am anxious to get it and try it out.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

[lendur2]

You have done well. Good price!!! The kits are not meant to be "inferior" in the derogatory sense. They are meant to be economical, and in this Olympus managed to not lose too much image quality. Sure, it won't equal a pro-line lens, but it is well above the demands of beginners and the slightly more advanced. You will like it. But I have to congratulate you on asking in the first place. True, you will get different opinions, but I believe you'll survive it. (I haven't always )

[LameAlias]

That's what I love about these forums. You can get a broad range of opinions and then pick out what is most important.

[Paul Shields]

I'll be interested in how you get on with it. It's certainly a supremely small lens considering the wide focal range involved.