Zuiko 7-14mm

[Paul Shields]

Anyone got their hands on one of these yet? I'm sorely tempted as I miss not having a super-wide lens in my digital setup. I've seen some example images on the web, bot none that have really captured my imagination. If anyone has some more examples I'd love to see them.

[bavanor]

I am curious about this too. I have been lusting after one of these since I heard it was coming out.

[Paul Shields]

Yes, the fact that it was rectilinear and at a fixed aperture is what really appeals to me - I'm interested in wide/super-wide angle rather than fisheye. I'm not sure if there is anything comparable amonst the major vendors for this focal-range (cue lots of posts saying that there are ). I'm actually quite impressed with the cost (if not the weight), but would really like to see more examples and other opinions.

[hartcons]

But for the range between 11-14 wouldn't you be better off with the 11-22 lens which is faster/cheaper? So it's really for the 7-10 range (14-20 equiv) that you would buy this lens?

Sigma has a 10-20 that I could put on my d70 with its 1.5x lens factor (so 15-30 equiv).

Definitely an interesting look from these really wide lenses. The foreground sky and land seem to almost project out of the picture toward the viewer. But it seems like panoramas can sometimes generate more natural-looking results?

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by hartcons

But for the range between 11-14 wouldn't you be better off with the 11-22 lens which is faster/cheaper? So it's really for the 7-10 range (14-20 equiv) that you would buy this lens?

That's a good question. I 'm keen on obtaining a super-rectilinear super-wide angle lens, and think the 7-11 would nicely complement my 14-54mm. The 11-22 just gives me a few extra mill at the wide end (compared to the 14-54mm), when I'm sure I would be after more. It does cost twice as much though, so as always with these things it's a law of diminishing returns. If the 7-14 is truely rectilinear at the wide end then I think it may be a worthwhile investment - I love wide-angle landscape photography Hopefuilly someone on this forum has already made the investment - I'd love to see more examples of this lens.

[hartcons]

Originally Posted by th0t

One last thing: The ZD 7-14mm f4.0 lens has the distinction of being the first ZD pro zoom with a constant aperture. You can use f4.0 through its entire zoom range. It will be joined by three more constant-aperture pro lenses later this autumn.

What's the advantage of constant aperture? I mean if they could have made it f2.8-f4 wouldn't that be even better than just f4 all the way?

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by hartcons

What's the advantage of constant aperture? I mean if they could have made it f2.8-f4 wouldn't that be even better than just f4 all the way?

I guess there are a few reasons. I think one is that to offer f/2.8 it would require a more expensive piece of glass, even if it dropped to f/4 at the long end. Metering should be easier as the aperture doesn't change through the zoom range - well, maybe only in manual mode, but that's usually my prefered method. I think constant aperture zooms are also more complex to construct.

[bavanor]

The 11-22mm just isn't wide enough, when compared to the 14-54mm in my mind for the price. But, the 7-14mm will let me take those photos of the small bathrooms where there is no room to back up (let alone sit on the pot )

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by bavanor

The 11-22mm just isn't wide enough, when compared to the 14-54mm in my mind for the price. But, the 7-14mm will let me take those photos of the small bathrooms where there is no room to back up (let alone sit on the pot )

Well Bavanor, I think you have to get out there and buy one, and report back in the equipment review section (or here, if there isn't a review section). I'm so tempted by this lens, and could almost justify it if I get rid of some superfluous things (food, children etc...).

[Raist3d]

Originally Posted by Paul

Well Bavanor, I think you have to get out there and buy one, and report back in the equipment review section (or here, if there isn't a review section). I'm so tempted by this lens, and could almost justify it if I get rid of some superfluous things (food, children etc...).

Food & children! wow ... LOL!

- Raist

[bavanor]

Well, I do have a full tank of gas from a few days ago. maybe if I go out and sell that I could afford one. hhhmmmm

[jan56]

Hi, I'm expecting mine in about 2 weeks time. I must admit I also struggled long time b'cause I bought the 11-22mm when that came out ( have the 21mm Zuiko for Oly OM 4Ti ) but I came to experience, that the 11-22mm does not get me the image I know from the 21mm Zuiko... something wider needed - and the came the 7-14mm. Luckily my dealer takes the 11-22 back - a good offer he did and so I ordered the 7-14mm.... will let you know about my experience...
Jan

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by jan56

Hi, I'm expecting mine in about 2 weeks time. I must admit I also struggled long time b'cause I bought the 11-22mm when that came out ( have the 21mm Zuiko for Oly OM 4Ti ) but I came to experience, that the 11-22mm does not get me the image I know from the 21mm Zuiko... something wider needed - and the came the 7-14mm. Luckily my dealer takes the 11-22 back - a good offer he did and so I ordered the 7-14mm.... will let you know about my experience...
Jan

That's great. I'm looking forward to your views on it. I have the 24mm 2.8 on my 4Ti, and do miss the width I was getting on the OM. The 7-14mm seems like the perfect range for me. But oh, the cost...

Have you tried any of your OM lenses on your DSLR?

[jan56]

Yes, the costs are high - some of us waiting for the fisheye but for me that's no solution as the image is totaly different ( have still the old Zuiko 16mm on the 4Tim but used it very seldom for special effects) and the cost of 11-22mm + 8mm fisheye will be about the same as the 7-14mm. The 7-14mm also ads seemless to the 14-54mm and with the 50-200mm you have an exciting range covered with 3 lenses
can't wait to receive that jewel
I'm so happy with that brilliant E-System and the good lenses for all situations
have a nice day folks and good shooting
Jan

[Paul Shields]

Out of interest, what's the best rate anyone's found in the US for this lens? I currently have a budget of around £800 (which is about $1500). Current UK price for this lens is around £1100, but if I can find a US distributorr then I may take the risk of importing and paying the duty tax. Maybe a member should set up an export business for us poor UK folks - you buy it locally and ship it as a gift. Would that work? (I know, probably illegal ).

[nsurit]

I have both the 11-22 and the 7-14. Thought about selling the 11-22, however it is so much smaller than the 7-14 and there is another e-? body coming down the pike. Isn't there? I may let it reside on my back up e-1 when that day comes. Those who like wiiiiiide angle will like the 7-14. It is big and heavy. Be careful when using with a ball head. Bill Barber

[Paul Shields]

Do you have any examples of the 7-14mm? Most of the time I'm looking to shoot around the 24mm (in 35mm terms) as that's my favourite width when using my OM gear. My current 14-54mm doesn't quite give me enough, and the 11-22mm is too close to what I have and not quite wide enough at it's extreme. However, I'm slightly concerned that having such an extreme wide-angle lens going from 7-14mm may compromise it's performance. I doubt it that would be so, but would be encouraged by other users who have real experience with it.

[jan56]

Hi folks,
I got mine yesterday - unfortunately I didnt have time to test intensively but made a few shots in the garden... first impression: it's not as big and bulky as some assumed. Even with the tennisball like frontlens I'm used due I once had the 24mm shift Zuiko. So it seems to handle well. The wideness of the image is immense - it's even wider now then the 21mm Zuiko I used to work with in former days
I will post some of the first pics as soon I get the time...
Jan

[Paul Shields]

Looking forward to it Jan

[jan56]

Hi, as I got my lens from Germany, the prices are about 1500 Euro excluding taxes, but then I had to pay som import dutys here for South Africa. To finance the lens I had to sell some of my old Oly lenses (and still have to )
but gaining this wonderful lens it's really worth...