[ Technical ] - Users' Review of Lenses for the Four Thirds' Platform

[microcosm]

Looking at the number of posts from new adopters of the Four Thirds platform, I was thinking we should have a users' review section where each one of you can share your thoughts on how you feel about each of the lens that you own. Their good and their bad, and even your feelings on "value for money" aspects of owning this lens.

Everyone is different, so it is good to hear from everyone. From kit lens, to the Super High Grade lenses to the L-Lens (Leica, I mean) and the Sigma ones.

BUT, I would like to format it in such a way that it will be easy to read.

We should post image samples and a write up (even briefly) to accompany every image, and your thoughts.

FORMAT FOR POSTING :

Lens/Make/Model : eg. 50-200mm f2.8 Zuiko Digital Lens (non-SWD version)
Cost when bought : (state currency if bought overseas)

(insert image)

Your Thoughts : eg. As you can see, the lens here has great reach, and its weight is handy, allowing me to use this lens handheld. And when used with the newer E-510 body, the IS gives me a better "usable rate" as it eliminates the camerashake factor... blah blah blah....

Conclusion : This is one lens that I will highly recommend to anyone, though it is a little high on the price side. But considering that the newer SWD version will be released soon, many earlier versions can be found in the used market as well as retailer re-adjusting their prices to make way for the newer version of this lens.

Rating : (be creative if you want) eg... I will sell my hotdog stand for this lens! (80%!!!)

[microcosm]

After thought : As everyone's perspective of good and bad is different, please post YOUR thoughts, even though it might differ from another's review. This will give a better overall picture on the lens itself.

[microcosm]

Lens/Make/Model : Sigma 30mm f1.4 Four Thirds Mount
Cost when bought : S$680



Your Thoughts : This is a very fast lens at f1.4 and my first Sigma after more than a decade of shooting. I have never really had good impression of Sigma lenses because I have always felt that 3rd party lenses (Tamron, Tokina, Soligor, etc) only makes budget lenses for those who cannot afford to buy the ones from the camera makers. (This is my personal opinion of the past and was quite true 20 years ago). But things have slightly changed with this generation of Sigma lenses. I believe Sigma and many other companies (like the Tokina ATX series) has gained significant experience over the past few decades of lens making and therefore the quality shows. In this image, it was taken handheld on my E-1 in very very low light and post processed by pushing the limits to what I can squeeze from Photoshop (RAW was processed through ACR).

The handling of the lens is pretty good as this is a nice "shorty", thus not upsetting the balance and very forgiving regardless of how your holding of camera is. Comes with the standard baynonet mounted hood which I personally like. The weight comes from the larger elements used in this fast lens, and therefore adding to the cost of the lens. Almost ALL the 30mm comes to you "uncalibrated" so this means you will have to make a trip to the service centre. What is really weird is that they at the service centre will calibrate the lens to your camera... in my case, I have a few camera bodies... then how? We had a good laugh at the service centre when we were discussing this. Though not a problem with most leisure shooters with one camera body.

Conclusion : I would still recommend this lens though I will use mainly ZD lenses for critical shooting, like in my assignments. But having a f1.4 in the bag is a lifesaver when caught with my pants down in very bad lighting situations and yet I need stealth for non-flash shooting. I like the speed of the lens, it is not too heavy, the finishing is weird in my hands, but nevertheless quite well built. The AF/MF switch throws me off when I first got it. The focusing ring is a plus! Not fly by wire which is excellent.

Rating : I don't mind the extra weight in my bag. Relatively good lens in terms of image quality, though a class different from ZD lenses. (70%).

[spidey89]

Lens/Make/Model : 40-150mm F3.5-4.5 Zuiko Digital Lens
Cost when bought : I think about $220 for a 2nd hand one when I got mine



Your Thoughts : A lens with pretty good size and decent weight,served me well throughout my rather short time in photography.As far as I can remember,it has yet to let me down.Gives good colour reproduction especially with red,really love those vivid red photos.

Conclusion : A must have budget lens.It's affordable and gives rather impressive results.I will recommend this to people who are looking for an affordable lens which covers a pretty good range coverage.

Rating : I would give it an 8

[troyjbon]

LENS: Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 (four thirds mount)
COST WHEN BOUGHT: $600-$650








OUR THOUGTS: A versatile macro lens by Sigma with f2.8 with sharp results. It is of course heavier that other kit lens or the ZD 35mm/50mm dedicated macro lens. I want something that is versatile so i decided to go for it. The weight allows more balance and makes me feel apreciative of the lens. The detailed and sharp results makes me want to shoot more !

CONCLUSION: A must to buy for those who is into versatility while shooting macros and potraits. The auto focus may be a bit slow at times and probably not suitable for shoot events, but if youre fast in manual focusing, why not !

RATING: In tems of versatlity for macro lens, I give it a 8.5

[headfonz]

Lens/Make/Model : Zuiko Digital 50mm ED Macro f/2.0
Cost when bought : SGD$760



My Thoughts : this is the 1st prime lens i own and it was on the top of my lens priority list when i bought the E510. though its a prime, i find that it has a very nice focal length and is quite versatile, be it for potraits or short telephotos shots.

i find the focus-by-wire focus ring a little too 'loose' for my liking

Conclusion : what i like most about this lens is the sharpness and the speed. i find the sharpness of images take with this lens very appealing and satisfying for an amatuer hobbyist like myself.

Rating : 90% for its sharpness and versatility

[troyjbon]

LENS: ZD 18-180mm 3.5-6.3 (olympus)
COST WHEN BOUGHT: $780-$830



OUR THOUGTS: A versatile "standard lens" released by ZD which can peform up to 10x optical zoom ! Good for tourist on the move and those lazy enough to bring that extra lens with you for that whole day outing. The lens is of course not as sharp as those dedicated telezoom lens e.g 40-150mm. Does not perform well in low light conditions esp indooors. Good for outdoor shots. Make sure the sun is up and running before using this lens. The weight is close to that of the 40-150mm lens. Picture results is a bit soft at the end.

CONCLUSION: Consideration can be made to purchase this lens for versatility and compact. Personally, since I already have the 40-150mm, and if i were to be given another chance, I prefer to invest in a second hand 50-200mm. Add a bit more money.

RATING: 6 points. (anyway sold my 18-180mm and bought the sigma 18-50mm f2.8 )

[wind30]

Lens/Make/Model : 11-22mm f2.8-3.5
Cost when bought : $750 2nd hand, no warranty



Your Thoughts : The affordable ultra-wide of olympus. One of the shortfalls of olympus system is that the affordable ultra wide only goes to 22mm (35mm frame eqv) while other systems has affordable alternatives that goes to 18mm or even 15mm. However, after using a 12-24 on a s3pro, I begin to appreciate the difficulty of using ultra-wides and find that 22mm is really a more pleasing FOV for me. Furthermore, the 44m at the tele end allows me to compose pics with a "normal" FOV of close to 50mm. Furthermore the lens has a f2.8 and is sharp corner to corner even wide open. Minimal distortion.

Conclusion : I highly recommend this lens and the most useful lens in olympus system to me. However, as we all know, the 12-60mm is coming up and that looks very attractive too...

Rating : 8

[Blu-By-U]

Lens/Make/Model : Sigma 135-400

Cost when bought : RM 2395.00





Your Thoughts Fantastic lens cheaper than the Zuiko 50-200. Currently the cheapest super zoom for the four third.

Conclusion :Heavy but well balanced on the bigger bodies. If added the IS of the E-510, would be an added appeal.

Rating : If you need something with a reach, and the 50-200 is too expensive and the Sigma 50-500 too heavy, this is a way to go.

[marky]

Lens/Make/Model : 8mm F3.5 Fisheye Zukio Digital

Cost when bought : $700 2nd hand






My Thoughts: This is my first prime lens. Well, its fully made of metal (even the cover) and its super compact. Super Sharp. Its not a macro lens but its able to focus very close to the subject. As a fisheye lens, there's actually not much distortion in the middle of the lens. This lens has some slight purple fringing which can be fixed in photoshop.

Conclusion : It really gives a more creative possibilities and different perspective of photography. I would highly recommend this lens for those who love to create different perspective of photography.

Rating : If you don't mind the distortion and this is one of the most affordable super wide lens to get. This thread should be made a sticky

[wind30]

Lens/Make/Model : sigma 30mm f1.4
Cost when bought : bought $550 2nd hand. sold for $480



Your Thoughts : NEEDS CALIBRATION at sigma. After calibration, the lens is sharp at the center but not too good at the edges. Gets better only at f5.6... Personally I don't like the 60mm FOV when I am travelling. To me, it is neither tele nor WA. I discovered it is great for shooting kids indoors though. Small DOF for great portraits and the 60mm introduce no distortion and get allows you to get close to your subject.

Conclusion : This is not a lens I will bring on my travels. Maybe as a specialized lens for me indoors. If I need to shoot low light travel shots, I prefer the 11-22mm f2.8 to get sufficient DOF. The only time I use the f1.4 of this lens is indoor portraits.

Rating : Depends on whether you shoot indoors kids

[casey4355]

Lens/Make/Model : oly zd 150mm f2
Cost when bought : bought $3600. ouch.


with 1.4x tc

Your Thoughts : fast, sharp, good bokeh, compact, handholdable, great with tc.
can't wait for 2x tc.

Conclusion : longest reach i can probably afford. for unobtrusive portraits n candids of man
or animals.

Rating : Saved my life from this angry fellow.

[DaXiong]

Lens/Make/Model : Panasonic/Leica 14-50mm f2.8-3.5
Cost when bought : bought $3000 together with Lumix DMC-L1 camera



Your Thoughts : It able to give me very sharp & contrasty images. Colors it produced are excellent. Picture above has no post processing except cropping. (due to my poor composition. ha ha..)
When it is attached to L1, the aperture ring is really an very attractive feature. O.I.S. is a plus point too. No complaint on the handling.

Conclusion : The image it produces is WOW...
A very good range too (14-50mm) Basically it fulfil most of my needs. I hope to see more Panasonic/Leica lens in 4/3 systems with more affortable price

Rating : I sell my entire N system to raise fund for this L1.(very expensive ler) The main reason i buy L1 is because of this kit lens. What else do i need to say.. ha ha... (95%)

[hammer_400]

Lens/Make/Model : ZD 14-54mm f2.8-3.5
Cost when bought : $760



Your Thoughts : solid and well built, like the other high grade lenses. its a joy to use, u feel like picking it up. contrastier den the 14-45 kit lens and it can focus pretty darn close, the range is very usable. and its sharp corner to corner

Conclusion : images are nice, sharp and contrasty, it feels good and is a step up from the other kit lenses

Rating : if u can afford to upgrade to this from the kit lens u should

[hammer_400]

Lens/Make/Model : ZD 40-150mm f3.5-4.5
Cost when bought : borrowing



Your Thoughts : build while not like the high grade lenses (its a bit plastic-ky but its) still better den the 14-45, when it focuses the front element rotates and moves in/out, compared to the 50-200, its small and light. its also relatively bright compared to other lenses of its class.

Conclusion : the images are woah! sharp and contrasty even wide open

Rating :i think "budget bazooka" kind of sums it up

[marky]

Lens/Make/Model : ZD 35-100mm F2
Cost when bought : $3200





Your Thoughts : This baby is one of the best lens i've have. At wide open it is really really sharp. The weight is a little heavy at around 1.6kg without tripod mount and 1.8kg with the mount, it takes awhile to get used to and its able to be used handheld. The bokeh is very nice. Its not very well balanced with my E330 but mounted with the E1 its very well balanced,i just wonder how will it feel mounted on the new E3.. should be better..

Conclusion : The images are sharp even when wide open and which other lens is able to give F2 at 100mm.. Great lens comes with a Great price

Rating :I give it a 4 out of 5 stars, minus 1 star cos of its weight..

[retrovox]

Lens/Make/Model : Zuiko Digital ED 70~300mm F4.0~5.6
Cost when bought : 37,000 YEN



My Thoughts : The performance of this lens far exceeds my expectation. Sharp, contrasty, nice bokeh. What else can I ask for? At this price, it's a no brainer. However, sports photographers will be disappointed because at the telephoto end, the largest aperture size is only F5.6. Clearly, this lens is not fast enough for fast actions. But at this price, one can't expect this much! If you are prepared to work within the limitations of this lens, you will be handsomely rewarded!

Conclusion : Highly recommended if you want to shoot subjects that are exceptionally out of reach like birds. One more good thing about this lens is that it has macro capability. I think it is an excellent lens for wild life photography.

Rating : I must be crazy to sell this lens away! (85%)

[holidaydom]

Lens/Make/Model : SIGMA 105mm f2.8 EX DG Macro
Cost when bought : S$700 (with 2-year warranty offer)



My Thoughts : Started my forray into Macro with the magical ZD 50mm f2.0 but it was not able to go 1:1 by default and with an EX-25, the standoff distance was too close for comfort. The SIGMA 105mm gives a more usable distance to the subject and it is light and easy to hand-hold. Focus is relatively fast for a Macro Lens but it tends to hunt on my E510, note that this is very typical of all Macro Lenses due to their fine focus. Bokeh is pleasing and colors are punchy without any bad color cast. CA or fringing is virtually non-existing and distorsion is very well controlled.

Conclusion : Sharp enough for me. Very usable at f2.8 but I usually shoot at f5.6 for general shots and f11-f16 for Macro. Manual focus is very fast and easy to switch to. Focus limiter is useful. Front element is deep within the lens and well protected, so no need for a protective front filter. Overall good value for money. Compared to the SIGMA 150mm f2.8, I'd say that the 150 is more solidly built and focuses faster due to HSM and should be marginally sharper too. But I find the 150mm more difficult to hand hold due to weight and focal length. IMO, with the 105mm you gain flexibility by trading in some performance (but not much!).

Rating : 8
-1 cos of focusing speed (I'm dreaming of Macro that focuses as fast as my ZD14-54mm)
-1 cos I wish it were an f2.0

[microcosm]

Lens/Make/Model : Zuiko Digital 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 SWD Version
Cost when bought : S$1580



My Thoughts : The final production model finally made its way into my camera bag... At the same time, I had there waiting for me, the 14-35mm f2.0 SWD, but I had give that up because I have been spoilt by the range offered to me by the fast focusing and wider zoom range 12-60mm SWD. (Will talk about the 14-35mm SWD in a separate review).

Physically, the 50-200mm SWD is updated in many ways. First thing that strike me with the production model is that it has inherited styling from the Super High Grade lenses (more photos to come later). And it has "put on weight" too. Physically, it is no longer the same lens with the older brother. (see image above) Longer, fatter, new tripod mount and hood. Bearing the new SWD badge and the ring. The new faithful has taken a good overhaul. Thanks Olympus!

Balance is perfect with the E-3 with HLD-4. My feeling is that it is slightly more balanced than its old brother because of the fatter barrel. The focusing is twice as fast as the older brother too, thanks to the SWD motor. And there is the focusing ring, that is no longer fly by wire and feels pretty good. The zoom ring feels tighter, but that is mainly because the lens is still new, but smooth, nevertheless.

Initial shooting shows images pretty much like the older brother. Nothing much has changed optically, which I shall leave to the experts to use professional analysis systems to come out with the conclusions. I feel that the lens is sharper thanks to improved elements manufacturing technology. Contrast feels the same with the old lens, but everything is not much of a difference as I am a believer in shooting RAW and relying on post processing to bring the image to another level.

Conclusion : Definitely an option for upgrades, and for those who do not have a 50-200mm in your camera bag, then this is the time to seriously consider the new 50-200 SWD. The focusing is much better in low light as it hunts lesser than the older brother too. Something that I feel is an added bonus.

Rating : For build, a 8.5. No ratings on picture quality yet as I have not spent enough time with the lens.

[spidey89]

Lens/Make/Model : 90-250mm f2.8 Zuiko Digital
Cost when bought : A loaner lens from Olympus on 23rd Feb Airshow 2008

SAMPLE IMAGES
A girl and her mum


Jets in flight during the aerial display


My Thoughts : The weight of this lens gave me a shock. Upon borrowing the lens, the weight was really heavy, after mounting it onto the E-1 and then the E-3, it was rather well balanced although still heavy but definitely still usable for shooting. Checking online, I was shocked to discover that it's a whopping 3.2kg. This piece of glass gave fantasic "bokeh", a good colour reproduction and an impressive constant f2.8. Used with the EC14 which gave a focal length of about 700mm in 35mm format and an aperture of f4.0. The zooming is smooth, auto focus as well as manual focus was fast and precise. Using this lens has truly been a great experience.

Conclusion : This is one heck of a expensive lens that I personally wish to own but will not have cash to buy one anytime soon or in the near future but in my opnion, it is a great lens for candid photography and maybe even birding.

Rating : I will give it a 9. The whole lens itself attracts me, weather sealed,the constant aperture of f2.8, the quality of the glass, the built, only thing that turns me off is the weight but that can't be helped. The whole lens is worth every dollar spent (if anyone bought it). It is truly a master piece.