Olympus Cameras and Four Thirds System Digital SLRs Forum

Olympus Cameras Forum Discuss Olympus film and digital cameras as well as Panasonic and Leica Four Thirds System digital SLRs - forum moderator is Greg McCary.
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  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Athens, Greece
    Posts
    42

    Searching for new lens

    Hi,
    I was looking to get a new lens and i got stuck!
    I'm searching for a good portrait and telephoto lens and i'm between the 50-200 f2.8-3.5 and the two $$$ pricey 35-100 f2 and 90-250 f2.8. I already have the 14-54 f2.8-3.5.
    As far i know the 35-100 f2 is the best as a portrait lens but doesn't have the reach of the 50-200, and the 90-250 is closer to the 50-200 at focal length.
    I haven't see any reviews for the two (35-100 & 90-250) but for the 50-200 the are.
    So, do i go spend $1k for the 50-200, or $2k+$5k (total $7k ) for the other two?
    Ok, i know the $ difference is too much but are they worth it?
    Are there any other options (eg. Sigma) that are almost equal to what i'm looking for?
    I don't care about the weight or the size of the lens, i can handle it .
    Chris

    Current Gear:
    Olympus E-3
    Zuiko 14-54 mk II f2.8-3.5
    FL50R flash
    HLD-4 Battery grip
    RM-CB1 remote cable release
    Vanguard Alta+ 264AP tripod with PH-32 head
    Cullmann Ministativ DIGI-POD long (50008) tripod
    E-System Pro Backpack

  2. #2
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Rome Ga.
    Posts
    10,550

    Re: Searching for new lens

    You don't mention the 12-60mm. I just got one and it really fouses fast and works well in low light, as in a dark church for weddings. I have read that there could be focusing issues with the 35-100mm in low light, mostly when mounted to the E3. I am not sure if the problem has been corrected with firmware or not. But I have no personal experiance with the lens. But if you are wanting low light shots I think the 12-60mm could be a good choice.
    I have read nothing but good about the 50-200mm but I always considered it a lens for sports.
    I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..

    Sony a99/a7R

  3. #3
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Athens, Greece
    Posts
    42

    Re: Searching for new lens

    The 12-60 is out of my bag since i have the 14-54 and i'm very happy with it. Also with $200 more i get the 50-200 instead of the 12-60.
    The focus issue you are talking was for the 14-35 f2, not for the 35-100 f2. And as far i know they haven't fix it yet (no firmware update for the 14-35).
    Unfortunately due to a car crash last night (it will cost me about $9k & a month without car), i will back away for a while from these pricey lenses. I might go for the 50-200 in 1-2 months.
    Chris

    Current Gear:
    Olympus E-3
    Zuiko 14-54 mk II f2.8-3.5
    FL50R flash
    HLD-4 Battery grip
    RM-CB1 remote cable release
    Vanguard Alta+ 264AP tripod with PH-32 head
    Cullmann Ministativ DIGI-POD long (50008) tripod
    E-System Pro Backpack

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Herndon VA USA
    Posts
    91

    Re: Searching for new lens

    the 35-100 is a great portrait lens, it is very heavy but an excellent lens.
    Olympus E-5
    Olympus Zuiko Digital Ed 14-35mm F2.0 Swd
    Olympus Zuiko Digital Ed 50-200mm F2.8-3.5
    Olympus Zuiko Digital Ed 12-60mm F2.8/4.0 Swd
    Olympus Zuiko Digital Ed 7-14mm F4.0
    Sigma 30mm F1.4
    Olympus FL-50R Flash

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    1,094

    Re: Searching for new lens

    In your case, I suggest a used 50-200 (old version). You don't need SWD for portraits, and you don't need to drop the extra money on the large and expensive f/2 lenses. Unless you have money to burn, in which case I've heard the 35-100 is very nice.
    Erik Williams

    Olympus E3, E510
    12-60 SWD, 50-200 SWD, 50 f/2 macro, EX25, FL36's and an FL50r.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Herndon VA USA
    Posts
    91

    Re: Searching for new lens

    i burned money for the 35-100 and i am outta door right now in the snow to play with it, it is a great lens
    Olympus E-5
    Olympus Zuiko Digital Ed 14-35mm F2.0 Swd
    Olympus Zuiko Digital Ed 50-200mm F2.8-3.5
    Olympus Zuiko Digital Ed 12-60mm F2.8/4.0 Swd
    Olympus Zuiko Digital Ed 7-14mm F4.0
    Sigma 30mm F1.4
    Olympus FL-50R Flash

  7. #7
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Athens, Greece
    Posts
    42

    Re: Searching for new lens

    Ok, i burned alot to fix my car, $8,400 to be exact, and i will have it in a couple of weeks.
    So next month probably i will go for the 50-200 since my budget is a little low right now (say by minus $8,400 )
    So for the time being the 35-100 & 90-250 are not an option, at least for this year .
    Chris

    Current Gear:
    Olympus E-3
    Zuiko 14-54 mk II f2.8-3.5
    FL50R flash
    HLD-4 Battery grip
    RM-CB1 remote cable release
    Vanguard Alta+ 264AP tripod with PH-32 head
    Cullmann Ministativ DIGI-POD long (50008) tripod
    E-System Pro Backpack

  8. #8
    Member Atomic2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Chicago Il
    Posts
    331

    Re: Searching for new lens

    Hmm... you just want a lens for portraits? Dont forget that on the Olympus system, the crop factor of 2 makes a good portrait focal length at about 50-100mm. You seem to want huge telephotos and at those focal lengths, you would need to be a considerable distance back to take a good portrait.

    Personally I love the portraits I get from my ZENIT 58mm F2 lens [legacy M42 mount]

    I've also gotten awesome portraits from the 40-150mm F3.5-4.5

    Both very cheap solutions to your problem. In fact, I hope I am not insulting you when I say this, I think your problem is more likely a ton of money burning a hole in your pocket. Try the cheap solutions first if you have money to burn. The law of diminishing returns is very apparent in digital photography... the higher end glass is very good, but the effect on your images just wont be the world of difference that the price tag suggests. Just my 2c
    E-3, E-510
    12-60 2.8-4.0
    40-150 3.5-4.5
    Sigma 30 1.4
    Zenit 58 F2 [with M42 adapter]
    Metz 48

  9. #9
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Athens, Greece
    Posts
    42

    Re: Searching for new lens

    Well, i know that the price tags are a little high, but i prefer a zoom over a prime for one reason. That some shots i get, i'm in a place where i can't go closer to the subject or further away from it (not in studio, so....). Think it as reportage shots (most of them are!). So a telephoto lens is needed in some occasions.
    Primes tend to be faster (brighter) and cheaper, while faster (brighter) zooms tend to go sky high on their price.
    I used the 40-150 for a while but for handheld and low light it's not that good, for daytime photos is ok though.
    As for what i'm getting.... next month the 50-200, to complete the "kit" with the 14-54.
    Both are fast enough (f2.8-3.5). I will try and see if i might need a faster lens in the future.
    Chris

    Current Gear:
    Olympus E-3
    Zuiko 14-54 mk II f2.8-3.5
    FL50R flash
    HLD-4 Battery grip
    RM-CB1 remote cable release
    Vanguard Alta+ 264AP tripod with PH-32 head
    Cullmann Ministativ DIGI-POD long (50008) tripod
    E-System Pro Backpack

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