Budget Zoom Lens for E510?

[Kirika]

I was just wondering whether there are any decent sub-$900 zoom lenses (at least to 150mm) for the Oly E510? I am considering getting a zoom lens for shots I can't get from certain positions, but I'm not sure which ones are good enough. Are the sub-$600 Sigma zooms good enough for a basic user?

[Mikefellh]

You didn't buy the dual lens kit that included the 40-150mm?

[xlakedaemon]

If you can wait, in October Olympus is going to release a pretty good tele lens (70-300mm) under the standard category for about $600. I am also waiting for it.

[wrx_sti_22b]

The old 40-150mm f3.5 - f4.5 is very good.

[spidey89]

Originally Posted by wrx_sti_22b The old 40-150mm f3.5 - f4.5 is very good.

ditto,

[Zoobiee]

Originally Posted by Kirika I was just wondering whether there are any decent sub-$900 zoom lenses (at least to 150mm) for the Oly E510? I am considering getting a zoom lens for shots I can't get from certain positions, but I'm not sure which ones are good enough. Are the sub-$600 Sigma zooms good enough for a basic user?

You can get the 40-150mm for about $300.

The older 40-150mm are heavier but brighter, or you can opt for a new f4.0-5-6 one for the same zoom distance. Its less brighter but its darn small and pretty darn light.

[drewdam]

Originally Posted by wrx_sti_22b The old 40-150mm f3.5 - f4.5 is very good.

not many budget zoom can take at 300mm (35mm eq) at f4.5 ...as for heavy...let's take it it has a nice weight..

[holidaydom]

The 40-150mm f3.5-f4.5 heavy? No way~!

It's very well balanced and stable - a very good lens to work with, even for walkabouts~!!

Put a closeup filter on it and you can even shoot some pretty decent closeups.

It also margnially sharper than the newer 40-150 (although this is open to debate)

f4.5 may not seem like much but factor in the 150mm focal length and you can get a very good DOF.

Sample photo taken with my 40-150mm f3.5-f4.5 below:

[Kirika]

Is the 40-150mm 3.5-4.5 a ZD lens? I think it comes with the E330. But nobody's selling at the moment.

And no...the E510 doesn't come with the budget zoom. The E500 does, tho. I don't know about the new lens, but maybe I'll try to get the kit lens 2nd hand.

Gahh! Didn't know that the E510 came with dual lens at Comex. But then again, I got it about a week before. Live and learn, I guess.

[Mikefellh]

Originally Posted by Kirika Is the 40-150mm 3.5-4.5 a ZD lens? I think it comes with the E330. But nobody's selling at the moment.

Yes it is a Zuiko branded lens. You may have to look at the used market for this lens.

Originally Posted by Kirika And no...the E510 doesn't come with the budget zoom. The E500 does, tho. I don't know about the new lens, but maybe I'll try to get the kit lens 2nd hand.

Maybe it's quirk of your part of the world, but there *IS* such thing as a dual lens kit with both the 14-42mm and 40-150mm.

[Kirika]

Well...I just checked the Comex posts, and the 40-150 dual lens kit does exist. However, it's the f4-5.6 lens rather than the f3.5-4 I'm looking for.

[marky]

Originally Posted by Kirika Is the 40-150mm 3.5-4.5 a ZD lens? I think it comes with the E330. But nobody's selling at the moment.

Too bad it was solded off.. try posting a WTB in the B&S, someone might just sell it off.

[Eloriel]

Otherwise there's still the new 70-300mm (:

Olympus has very affordable zoom lenses.

[schon]

i think the 40-150 3.5-4.5 might make you a very happy person.

it goes for about 200 - 250 second hand. have fun.

[Oly5050]

Originally Posted by holidaydom The 40-150mm f3.5-f4.5 heavy? No way~! It's very well balanced and stable - a very good lens to work with, even for walkabouts~!! Put a closeup filter on it and you can even shoot some pretty decent closeups. It also margnially sharper than the newer 40-150 (although this is open to debate) f4.5 may not seem like much but factor in the 150mm focal length and you can get a very good DOF. Sample photo taken with my 40-150mm f3.5-f4.5 below:

What close up filter do I get? I just got this lens from USA and I like it very much. Only problem is the focussing distance which I want to improve. This lens can still be found in some camera shops in Funan, but they are still asking for like $400+, saying that it is a new lens and such when we all know is the old one.

[cjtune]

Originally Posted by schon i think the 40-150 3.5-4.5 might make you a very happy person. it goes for about 200 - 250 second hand. have fun.

or if you're as lucky as me, you could get it for S$220 brand new... I sold it off after a year for S$160. Most likely it's overstock due to a flopped dual-lens kit promotion for the E-330, E-500 back then - salesman just said "special offer! This month only!".

But, every time I have to heave along my 50-200, I still miss the 40-150 very much.
I hear the new 40-150 is sharp even when wide open. The old 40-150, though faster, is rather soft wide open (but not as soft as the Sigma 55-200).

[Kirika]

"New" is a relative term. As far as I'm concerned, an item is new as long as it's unopened, in apparently mint condition and all that. But as for "latest"...well...I hardly think the 3.5-4.5 is the one. heh. I don't think I can get the 3.5-4.5 new at $220 or even $250, tho. But I sure won't pay $400 for it =p And yes...the second hand goes for $250. No way will I pay 250 for that thing second hand.

[headfonz]

Originally Posted by Kirika No way will I pay 250 for that thing second hand.

unlike camera bodies, lens prices won't drop much in the 2nd hand market. besides, ZD kit lens (e.g.14-42, 40-150, etc) are well made products.

if your budget is indeed $900ish, you'll have some savings if you can get the 40-150 3.5-4.5 at around $250 isn't it? if you are hoping to get it the 40-150mm 3.5-4.5 less than $200 2nd hand, good luck searching.

[troyjbon]

I believe that the 40-150mm f3.5-4.5 is the best kit zoom lens available. I bought it through BnS for $280, few months old with warranty. Heard that the 70-300mm ED is coming out soon but still prefer using 40-150mm. Sharp and bright.

70-300mm may be a bit "soft" at the end just like the 18-180mm, unlike the 40-150mm.

[holidaydom]

Originally Posted by Oly5050 What close up filter do I get?

I recently bought a +4 closeup filter and have been messing around with it...

Good magnification but not to the point whereby it's too difficult to autofocus.

With the +4 on, I can focus on something as close as about 8 inches with the lens set at 150mm.

But you'll have to shoot with a flash cos you'll need to stop down to about f8 for sharpness and good DOF.