Need opinions and advice on lens purchases

Evilmerlin · 23rd May 2008

I currently have the E-510 and am looking to upgrade my lens. Initially, I was dead set on getting the 12-60 due to its fantastic range. However with the impending release of the 9-18, I'm not so sure now.

For the roughly price of a 12-60, I can get myself a 14-54 and a 50mm. Then getting the 9-18 when its released. With this setup, I still get a solid focal lengths to work with but need to change lens more often. With just the 12-60, I can stick that on all day and only swap it out when I really need the extra WA.

What do you guys think?

spidey89 · 23rd May 2008

wow,hard choice,for me,I'd probably go for the 12-60 one thing cause the 9-18 is too small for me to use,also the fact that 12-60 gives me a good enough range.Also,i quite like the mechanical focusing as opposed to the fly by wire focus but either way works fine for me,my 2 cents though

aryanto · 23rd May 2008

EvilMerlin,
basically you need to decide if changing lenses is practical while you are taking photo.
If you travel a lot, then many lenses may not be good (more things = more things to carry = more things to lose).
If you dont, and mostly do studio or stationary, then many lense may be good because each is special and usually the quality is hard to achieve with a zoom lense.

egnaro · 23rd May 2008

I think 12-60 and 50 200 will be the best combo... I also in the situation deciding between 14-54 and 12-60 but after my gf tried 12-60 in Service centre, she say come on save up and go for 12-60... sometime let them make the difficult choice.

spidey89 · 23rd May 2008

Originally Posted by egnaro

I think 12-60 and 50 200 will be the best combo... I also in the situation deciding between 14-54 and 12-60 but after my gf tried 12-60 in Service centre, she say come on save up and go for 12-60... sometime let them make the difficult choice.

seems like a decisive woman,lol.For me,I'm for the old brothers,14-52 and 50-200,maybe if you got cash to spare,can go for the new bro 12-60 SWD and 50-200 SWD,I don't know

maybe it's me that I prefer old stuff over new or that in this case I'm easy going

bousozoku · 23rd May 2008

The 14-54mm and the 50mm macro are excellent lenses. I suppose the 12-60mm is excellent also, but the aperture at the long end bothers me. If I had the choice between the 14-54mm and the 12-60mm, I would likely still choose the 14-54mm simply because of shooting in dim light, you need every advantage.

However, if you plan to upgrade to an E-3 at some point in time, you might want to consider the SWD lenses.

Obviously, the 9-18mm is a good choice for landscapes because there isn't anything else inexpensive that's quite so wide. The 11-22mm comes close but only if you need a weatherproof lens and have no trouble (long drop offs) walking further.

drakon09 · 23rd May 2008

Originally Posted by egnaro

I think 12-60 and 50 200 will be the best combo... I also in the situation deciding between 14-54 and 12-60 but after my gf tried 12-60 in Service centre, she say come on save up and go for 12-60... sometime let them make the difficult choice.

At least your girlfriend is supportive!

But don't let her try the 14-35mm/f2 though....

spidey89 · 23rd May 2008

Originally Posted by drakon09

At least your girlfriend is supportive!

But don't let her try the 14-35mm/f2 though....

now that you mentioned it,that makes sense,and thinking about it,either way,will die,if your gf doesn't support your photography,buying something means crying and begging on bended knees,and if your gf supports and uses four thirds camera,she will make you buy high grade lenses

miaksiew · 23rd May 2008

i started off with the kit lens, but realised their limitations (though the 40-150 kit lens is light and gives pretty good shots!), so i went for a 2nd hand 14-54mm. the difference in quality shows. the 50mm macro followed (no regrets there - the best portraits i took were from this lens), and i went for the 11-22mm. it's a good lens, but i found it a chore changing lens when i was overseas. so, burning a hole in my pocket, i am going to get the 12-60mm instead. (probably sell the 11-22mm).

if money not a prob - go for the 12-60mm + 50-200mm swd + 50mm macro. the 50-200 swd is really THE lens.

egnaro · 23rd May 2008

Originally Posted by drakon09

At least your girlfriend is supportive!

But don't let her try the 14-35mm/f2 though....

she will never allow me to really spend so much on lens... good news is that i am bringing her in to four third family when her birthday arrive in end june... I will have more reason to buy lens... lol...

tao · 23rd May 2008

Originally Posted by egnaro

she will never allow me to really spend so much on lens... good news is that i am bringing her in to four third family when her birthday arrive in end june... I will have more reason to buy lens... lol...

Yes, do that, I can confirm that it works!

Got an E-410 for my wife for Christmas and she just love it and has since abandoned her P&S. It is as lady-like as it gets for a DSLR.

cater · 23rd May 2008

I think the 12-60 is more practical.

Oly5050 · 23rd May 2008

All has been said, my only opinion is wrt weight and heft. The 12-60 on 510 may feel a little unbalanced. But I guess if u are happy to go with 14-54, then I think that weight and heft is not so much of an issue.

If u have E3, then the decision is crystal clear....go for the 12-60.

egnaro · 23rd May 2008

Originally Posted by Oly5050

All has been said, my only opinion is wrt weight and heft. The 12-60 on 510 may feel a little unbalanced. But I guess if u are happy to go with 14-54, then I think that weight and heft is not so much of an issue.

If u have E3, then the decision is crystal clear....go for the 12-60.

U r rite... but I will definitely upgrade myself in the future... so buy 12-60 and it can be use for future upgrade, isnt it better?

theITguy · 23rd May 2008

Originally Posted by Evilmerlin

I currently have the E-510 and am looking to upgrade my lens. Initially, I was dead set on getting the 12-60 due to its fantastic range. However with the impending release of the 9-18, I'm not so sure now.

For the roughly price of a 12-60, I can get myself a 14-54 and a 50mm. Then getting the 9-18 when its released. With this setup, I still get a solid focal lengths to work with but need to change lens more often. With just the 12-60, I can stick that on all day and only swap it out when I really need the extra WA.

What do you guys think?

Basically, buy the right lens for the right purposes. I will not like to change much lens on a tour. If free n easy, maybe can go for 2/3 lens. I love my 12-60, lots of resolution to play with.

Evilmerlin · 26th May 2008

Thank you all for your advise. After much consideration, I think I'll be going for the 12-60 instead. It gives me the most bang for my buck in terms of specs and is the most convinient all in one lens.

viewwing · 27th May 2008

Originally Posted by Oly5050

All has been said, my only opinion is wrt weight and heft. The 12-60 on 510 may feel a little unbalanced. But I guess if u are happy to go with 14-54, then I think that weight and heft is not so much of an issue.

If u have E3, then the decision is crystal clear....go for the 12-60.

If weight is an issue... even the 14-54 feels alot heavier... 14-42 feels light feather compares to the other 2 bigger bros..

I switched from the 14-54mm to the 12-60mm. Main points were that i have an extra 4mm to wide (which makes alot of difference when u have no space behind u to move) and it is afterall an ED lens... and in the future there's more bodies thats coming up to support this SWD lens.

No regrets since getting this piece of glass. absolutely wonderful.

theITguy · 28th May 2008

Originally Posted by viewwing

If weight is an issue... even the 14-54 feels alot heavier... 14-42 feels light feather compares to the other 2 bigger bros..

I switched from the 14-54mm to the 12-60mm. Main points were that i have an extra 4mm to wide (which makes alot of difference when u have no space behind u to move) and it is afterall an ED lens... and in the future there's more bodies thats coming up to support this SWD lens.

No regrets since getting this piece of glass. absolutely wonderful.

Please do not live in the 35mm era. There is only 2mm to the wide.

viewwing · 29th May 2008

Originally Posted by theITguy

Please do not live in the 35mm era. There is only 2mm to the wide.

I'm getting all confused by all this 35mm and such... so is oly using the 35mm format grading of the focal length or are they not?

So is this lens 24-120mm or 12-60mm by oly standard?

aryanto · 29th May 2008

This has been discussed extensively.
12-60mm zuiko digital SWD lense is 12-60mm when mounted on 4/3 camera. period. No need to convert/calculate/count.

You only need to convert when you are using older camera.

23rd May 2008	#1
Evilmerlin Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Woodlands Posts: 957	Need opinions and advice on lens purchases I currently have the E-510 and am looking to upgrade my lens. Initially, I was dead set on getting the 12-60 due to its fantastic range. However with the impending release of the 9-18, I'm not so sure now. For the roughly price of a 12-60, I can get myself a 14-54 and a 50mm. Then getting the 9-18 when its released. With this setup, I still get a solid focal lengths to work with but need to change lens more often. With just the 12-60, I can stick that on all day and only swap it out when I really need the extra WA. What do you guys think? __________________ Photoblog Flickr

23rd May 2008	#2
spidey89 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Western Singapore Posts: 2,163	Re: Need opinions and advice on lens purchases wow,hard choice,for me,I'd probably go for the 12-60 one thing cause the 9-18 is too small for me to use,also the fact that 12-60 gives me a good enough range.Also,i quite like the mechanical focusing as opposed to the fly by wire focus but either way works fine for me,my 2 cents though __________________ Olympus E-1 & E-3

23rd May 2008	#3
aryanto Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: singapore Posts: 1,391	Re: Need opinions and advice on lens purchases EvilMerlin, basically you need to decide if changing lenses is practical while you are taking photo. If you travel a lot, then many lenses may not be good (more things = more things to carry = more things to lose). If you dont, and mostly do studio or stationary, then many lense may be good because each is special and usually the quality is hard to achieve with a zoom lense.

23rd May 2008	#4
egnaro Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jurong Posts: 2,256	Re: Need opinions and advice on lens purchases I think 12-60 and 50 200 will be the best combo... I also in the situation deciding between 14-54 and 12-60 but after my gf tried 12-60 in Service centre, she say come on save up and go for 12-60... sometime let them make the difficult choice. __________________ Canon 7D + EFS10-22 + EF24-105L + Tamron 180 Macro + 580EXII + 10 Camera carrier

23rd May 2008	#6
bousozoku Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: No dust, no auto focus area Posts: 802	Re: Need opinions and advice on lens purchases The 14-54mm and the 50mm macro are excellent lenses. I suppose the 12-60mm is excellent also, but the aperture at the long end bothers me. If I had the choice between the 14-54mm and the 12-60mm, I would likely still choose the 14-54mm simply because of shooting in dim light, you need every advantage. However, if you plan to upgrade to an E-3 at some point in time, you might want to consider the SWD lenses. Obviously, the 9-18mm is a good choice for landscapes because there isn't anything else inexpensive that's quite so wide. The 11-22mm comes close but only if you need a weatherproof lens and have no trouble (long drop offs) walking further. __________________ Excellence is only adequate

23rd May 2008	#9
miaksiew New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 16	Re: Need opinions and advice on lens purchases i started off with the kit lens, but realised their limitations (though the 40-150 kit lens is light and gives pretty good shots!), so i went for a 2nd hand 14-54mm. the difference in quality shows. the 50mm macro followed (no regrets there - the best portraits i took were from this lens), and i went for the 11-22mm. it's a good lens, but i found it a chore changing lens when i was overseas. so, burning a hole in my pocket, i am going to get the 12-60mm instead. (probably sell the 11-22mm). if money not a prob - go for the 12-60mm + 50-200mm swd + 50mm macro. the 50-200 swd is really THE lens.

23rd May 2008	#12
cater Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 423	Re: Need opinions and advice on lens purchases I think the 12-60 is more practical.

23rd May 2008	#13
Oly5050 Contributor Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,329	Re: Need opinions and advice on lens purchases All has been said, my only opinion is wrt weight and heft. The 12-60 on 510 may feel a little unbalanced. But I guess if u are happy to go with 14-54, then I think that weight and heft is not so much of an issue. If u have E3, then the decision is crystal clear....go for the 12-60. __________________ E3, E620, 14-54 2.8-3.5 MkII, 50 2.0, 50-200 2.8-3.5 SWD

26th May 2008	#16
Evilmerlin Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Woodlands Posts: 957	Re: Need opinions and advice on lens purchases Thank you all for your advise. After much consideration, I think I'll be going for the 12-60 instead. It gives me the most bang for my buck in terms of specs and is the most convinient all in one lens. __________________ Photoblog Flickr

29th May 2008	#20
aryanto Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: singapore Posts: 1,391	Re: Need opinions and advice on lens purchases This has been discussed extensively. 12-60mm zuiko digital SWD lense is 12-60mm when mounted on 4/3 camera. period. No need to convert/calculate/count. You only need to convert when you are using older camera.