interchangable lens

[bruno84sg]

E.g. like Nikon, they hv several lens which has different kind of mount. User for D60/D40 only able to use AFS lens and the rest will hv to do manual focusing.

As for Olympus, do they hv such situation with some body?

And if i were to use other 4/3 brand lens, like sigma or panasonic, will this occur? And how is the compatibility compare to Olympus owned lens?

[dorts]

Originally Posted by bruno84sg E.g. like Nikon, they hv several lens which has different kind of mount. User for D60/D40 only able to use AFS lens and the rest will hv to do manual focusing. As for Olympus, do they hv such situation with some body? And if i were to use other 4/3 brand lens, like sigma or panasonic, will this occur? And how is the compatibility compare to Olympus owned lens?

No such problem with 4/3s. You can use any Four-Thirds mount lens. All lenses have an AF motor I believe.

A new service has just launched which will enable you to update the firmware of any lens on any camera. (Panasonic body with Olympus lens, Olympus body with Panasonic lens etc.)

[Mikefellh]

If you're new to FourThirds suggest you read up the articles on:
http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/43/index.html

There's lot of info there including the answer to your above question.

[olymac]

Originally Posted by bruno84sg E.g. like Nikon, they hv several lens which has different kind of mount. User for D60/D40 only able to use AFS lens and the rest will hv to do manual focusing. As for Olympus, do they hv such situation with some body? And if i were to use other 4/3 brand lens, like sigma or panasonic, will this occur? And how is the compatibility compare to Olympus owned lens?

To ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS:

1. Nikon/Canon markets 2 distinct line of cameras with different sized sensors - the APS-C and what they call Full Frame (FF), which is similar in size to the traditional 35mm film format size. Unlikely it is technically possible to make lenses which are perfect for 35 mm to fit APS-C sized sensors and also the other way around. Those meant for FF sensors tend to be bigger than for the APS-C sensors. But APS-C cameras are meant for the masses coz the FF are expensive hence the need to have a "budget" line for the APS-C sensors which will be crap if used in FF cameras.

Olympus or 4/3 cameras uses only one size sensors.

2. Some of their camera bodies do not have AF motors. Hence AF lenses without motors can not be used in AF mode in these bodies. Just go to the Nikon site and download a lens compatibility chart and find how many lenses are actually FULLY compatible for a D40/60 and you'll see the limitations. Legacy lenses are sometimes quoted as part of the "WIDE" range of compatible lenses available for the Nikon system .....even 4/3 bodies can use these lense with the appropriate adapters BUT no AF or full metering etc !

The 4/3 system was designed for digital photography. 4/3 lenses do not have these limitations.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

[bruno84sg]

Thanks, is Olympus lens all international warranty?

[marky]

Originally Posted by bruno84sg Thanks, is Olympus lens all international warranty?

All Oly lens and body have international warranty.

[bruno84sg]

Originally Posted by marky All Oly lens and body have international warranty.

Thank you Marky for the fast response.

By the way, any1 knows any trustable camera shop in China (Nanjing)?

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by bruno84sg Thank you Marky for the fast response. By the way, any1 knows any trustable camera shop in China (Nanjing)?

The best place to buy Oly gear in China is from Beijing 中关村. If you are going there for work, you can order through Taobao 掏宝, and they will deliver them to you in Nanjing at nominal charge. There are many ripoffs in China (even for camera gear) so be careful when buying in China... especially those cameras without serial number (highly available from southern China, like Guangzhou).

[bruno84sg]

U mean there's a shop called 掏宝 at Nanjing? and they will order frm Beijing 中关村 and deliver down?
Is it cheap to order in China? (Assume is original).
How to ensure no counterfeit, other then seeing the lens w/o serial number?

Originally Posted by microcosm The best place to buy Oly gear in China is from Beijing 中关村. If you are going there for work, you can order through Taobao 掏宝, and they will deliver them to you in Nanjing at nominal charge. There are many ripoffs in China (even for camera gear) so be careful when buying in China... especially those cameras without serial number (highly available from southern China, like Guangzhou).

[microcosm]

Are you going there on holiday or work there?

That is the crucial part.

[bruno84sg]

work but not me, my friend. I have some friends in Shanghai too. Do they have trustable shops there also?

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by bruno84sg work but not me, my friend. I have some friends in Shanghai too. Do they have trustable shops there also?

Oriental photo in Shanghai. There are quite a number of decent shops there. But you have to bargain.

[bruno84sg]

OK, thanks.

By the way, I have got this question suddenly pop up frm my mind.
Does all these lenses worth for hundreds or thousands of dollars? Frm a surface pt of view, it is juz a cylinder tat contains a few pieces of high quality glass. Are they really worth tat prices? If it was to be made of diamond and crystal, we can consider it does worth something...

We paid at such high cost is for the glass? the manpower to build? or technology (R&D)?
Maybe the cost price of this lens cost $1, we never know? haa
Any optic Professor/Engineer/Senior knows? Or those who work in developing those lenses?

[egnaro]

Originally Posted by bruno84sg OK, thanks. By the way, I have got this question suddenly pop up frm my mind. Does all these lenses worth for hundreds or thousands of dollars? Frm a surface pt of view, it is juz a cylinder tat contains a few pieces of high quality glass. Are they really worth tat prices? If it was to be made of diamond and crystal, we can consider it does worth something... We paid at such high cost is for the glass? the manpower to build? or technology (R&D)? Maybe the cost price of this lens cost $1, we never know? haa Any optic Professor/Engineer/Senior knows? Or those who work in developing those lenses?

I alwiz ask myself, does LV bag worth so much?

does a IWC worth so much? to my conclusion, IWC yes.

LV... yes and no for me.

IWC I will use it very very offen and it can last me for life.

LV, yes becuz it is branded to me, no because it may go out of fashion 1 day and there is plenty on the street. I may get sick of the design quickly. (that y i change camera bag quite often)

good quality lens are like IWC watch to me.
btw good watches is not just about the look... it about the workmanship and quality use.

[spidey89]

Originally Posted by bruno84sg OK, thanks. By the way, I have got this question suddenly pop up frm my mind. Does all these lenses worth for hundreds or thousands of dollars? Frm a surface pt of view, it is juz a cylinder tat contains a few pieces of high quality glass. Are they really worth tat prices? If it was to be made of diamond and crystal, we can consider it does worth something... We paid at such high cost is for the glass? the manpower to build? or technology (R&D)? Maybe the cost price of this lens cost $1, we never know? haa Any optic Professor/Engineer/Senior knows? Or those who work in developing those lenses?

For me,i feel it's worth that price,due to manpower,R&D,raw materials

if they were made out of diamond and crystals,probably millionairs will go broke as well,one small diamond costs a few thousand already,let alone a whole cylinder filled with them,my 2 cents

[phan_vinh_nguyen]

Originally Posted by bruno84sg OK, thanks. By the way, I have got this question suddenly pop up frm my mind. Does all these lenses worth for hundreds or thousands of dollars? Frm a surface pt of view, it is juz a cylinder tat contains a few pieces of high quality glass. Are they really worth tat prices? If it was to be made of diamond and crystal, we can consider it does worth something... We paid at such high cost is for the glass? the manpower to build? or technology (R&D)? Maybe the cost price of this lens cost $1, we never know? haa Any optic Professor/Engineer/Senior knows? Or those who work in developing those lenses?

I know a bit about the glass fabrication process. It is not as simple as I used to think. The technology to grind and polish the lens has not been perfect. Many aspects are still under research. Digital photography use smaller sensor sizes that require higher resolution. More than that, the aspherical lens need totally new method of grinding and polishing, that much slower and more difficult.
However, people take photograph for decades with lens made by old technology and still can get great shots. So I think no point buying a much more expensive lens that you your self also cannot recognize the difference. The Zuiko 35mm macro has no ED elements but still can produce IQ as good as any HG lens.
So, IMO, the lens really cost that much due to the technology and R&D cost. However, that does not mean you must buy the newest, most expensive lens. Just pay for what you need, older technology does not always mean inferior.

[aryanto]

Here we go again.

Price = production cost + distribution cost (transport/shipping, insurance, warehouse) + sales profit + TAX(!)

Production cost = material cost + labour cost + defect cost (either detected during manufacturing or calculated statistically per batch how much will be sent back during warranty period) + R&D cost

Sales Profit = distributor sales profit + manufacturer sales profit

Labour cost = (normal salary + bonus + employee benefit such as health insurance, pension etc) x productivity

You see it is not clear cut.

================================================== =
Now go and make your own lense if you want Price = material cost

Some of the guys build their own telescope with DIY kit, but they are not for photography.

[phan_vinh_nguyen]

Forget one thing. The lens may be not made of diamond, but diamond is needed during forming and polishing process, so it is expensive.

[bruno84sg]

Will 1st version of 14-54 drop its prices? hee...
Any1 knows when 14-54mm II will be available in Singapore and the price?

[viewwing]

the 14-54 is a great lens.

I think you can pick a 2nd by from the B&S threads at $450 easily now. I'm considering whether to buy it back myself... lol . Considering the fact that the 12-60mm captures images that are way too sharp for portrait shots... lots of editing to be done when it actually was great ooc initially.

It really depends on what you want to take and what usage is it for... I'll prob leave the 14-54 on my e510 when i get a 2nd body