12-60mm vs 14-54mm for street shooting?

[markpsf]

Two variables,in order of importance, beyond the usual style of photographer differences:

autofocus speed
ability to occasionally set the lens at a hyperfocal distance

Which one would you recommend and why?

Camera is the E-5.
Also will use the Pan-Leica 25mm.

Also use the E-PL2 with a 9-18mm or 20mm lens.

Thanks.

BTW, love your work and your contributions here Greg!

Mark

[Greg McCary]

I have used both the 14-54 and 12-60mm. The 12-60mm is much faster focusing and is also slightly sharper than the 14-54mm. I prefer the 12-60mm for those reasons. There is nothing wrong with tthe 14-54mm it is a super lens, the 12-60mm just is a better performer. The extra 2mm isn't enough to be a benifit. Any wider than 12mm and distortion is a big issue, some like it some don't. I do see distortion at 12mm but I can correct fot it if I need to in PS.
Thanks Mark for the comments.
PS, The EPL-2 and 20mm lens makes for a killer street rod.

[markpsf]

Thanks Greg.


How easy is it with Lightroom or Aperture to correct the distoration on the wide end? I process most photos and shoot RAW but I'm not clear re lens distortion correction
with LR since I don't use PS.

I'm sold on the 12-60mm with that the remaining concern.

Mark

[Greg McCary]

I use Lightroom 3 but have never used the distortion tools but they look simple enough. I always use PS though cause the skewing tools are so good. You don't need the latest and greatest version of PS. If you get an older copy of PS 7 it will do more than you need. Distortion is a very minor issue. Look at it this way, you are getting 6mm more on the other end. And if you get the 12-60mm you will only be gaining 3mm if get the 9-18mm. So that might make you rethink the 9-18mm.

[Iguanamom]

I've used the lens correction feature in LR3 once with a photo of a covered bridge that I took very close to it using the 12mm end of the lens. It wasn't all that hard, but it is important to remember what it 'should' look like to the naked eye, otherwise you end up with even weirder angles. I've only noticed the distortion when photographing architectural subjects, never natural ones.