Olympus Zuiko 35mm f/3.5 macro lens

[camelotnj]

Hello all.. I am new to the site. I own an Olympus e-510 with the 14-42 and 40-150 zooms... a 70-300 is on order. Quite pleased with the quality and performance of the equipment. I am thinking of picking up the 35mm f/3.5 zuiko macro lens. Macro will not be it's primary purpose. Can any of you relate your experience with the lens being used in portrait, group or landscape photography ?
Thanks
Ron

[Greg McCary]

If it were me I would swing for the 14-54mm lens first. It is quite a jump from the 14-42 kit lens. The 14-54 can do macro and is an awesome landscape lens. It is also a great walk around and is weather sealed. The 35mm is a good lens but can be restrictive with it's fixed focal length. The 14-54mm focuses faster than the kit lens too. It is the first upgrade I suggest to anyone. As far as portraits I have good luck with the 40-150mm.

[xwingkiller]

if you're not using the 35mm for macro use, you might also consider getting the 25mm pancake lens instead.

[Atomic2]

14-54 or 12-60 are much better choices than the 35 F3.5

I mean think about it, it makes no sense when for under 400 [300 even?] you can get the 14-54 which is MUCH better than the kit lens, and is faster even than the 35. This lens is F3.5 at its maximum zoom, so at 35mm its even faster, not to mention it can focus at 8inches I think it was. Of course there will never be a one size fits all lens which can do EVERYTHING, but the 14-54 is close. It has you covered for 95% of everything you need.