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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Best Olympus portrait lens????
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Showing posts 1 - 16 of 16, (reverse)
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03/28/2009 04:02:13 AM · #1
I was playing with my lights today with a friend. We had a great time and learnt alot.

One thing that amazed me was the difference in our lenses, I officially have lens envy! She has aCanon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM.

What would produce similar results in the olympus range?
03/28/2009 04:28:47 AM · #2
Zuiko 50mm f/2 Macro.

Head over to DPR and check out the review, if you want. They gush over it.
03/28/2009 04:48:48 AM · #3
Thanks heading over there now and steeling myself for the price!
03/28/2009 05:14:40 AM · #4
So having a look I've seen another lens that might be good, lets pretend money is no object ( LOL, dreams are free arent they! )

what would you get

Olympus ED 50 mm 2.0 macro $1000 NZ

Olympus ED 12-60 mm F2.8-4 SWD $2000 NZ

03/28/2009 07:37:49 AM · #5
14-35mm F2 Zuiko
03/28/2009 11:53:46 AM · #6
The 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 might be a decent choice if you don't want to break the bank. It's a little faster than the 12-60 in the 'portrait' range and is built up to the weather-sealed Olympus 'pro' standard.
03/28/2009 12:04:46 PM · #7
Originally posted by MrXpress:

The 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 might be a decent choice if you don't want to break the bank. It's a little faster than the 12-60 in the 'portrait' range and is built up to the weather-sealed Olympus 'pro' standard.


I got this lens a few months ago and I'm really liking it.
03/28/2009 03:58:07 PM · #8
Hmmm now theres more choice!
03/28/2009 04:15:28 PM · #9
Another vote for the 14-54. The quality is very good for the money... especially if you have been living with the kit lenses that came with the E-500. Here is a shot I took of my cat using the lens...



I've also taken some nice portraits with my 50-200 lens... but it's pretty heavy.

Oh - consider doing a search on the Flickr forums... this question has been asked and answered there and you might find some more helpful info.

Good luck!
03/29/2009 02:16:34 AM · #10
Bump
03/29/2009 06:06:00 AM · #11
A couple of high quality lenses for portraits that haven't been mentioned yet are Panny/Leica 14-50 f2.8-3.5 (image stablized; PL 25 f1.4, (but probably a bit too short for head & shoulder portraits); Sigma 18-50 f2.8 (highly underrated and very inexpensive and is 2.8 throughout its range); If you have a lot of dinero to throw around you may want to look at the Oly 150 f2.0 or Oly 35-100 f2.0. They are more than $2000 and the latter has to be used with a tripod. Personally, I'd pick up either the Oly 50mm or the sigma mentioned above, both priced about the same.
03/29/2009 08:01:34 AM · #12
There is a huge difference in quality between the "standard" 14-42 lens and the "high grade" 14-54. If you like the range of your current lens, I vote for the 4-54.
03/30/2009 03:03:47 PM · #13
I really like my 35mm Macro for portraits!
03/30/2009 03:18:55 PM · #14
I love the 14-54mm lens... it lives on my camera... however, I wouldn't say it is the "best" 4/3 portrait lens. Just very close. What I would say is that it is the second best all around general purpose lens (since the 12-60mm came out it gets the top spot).

As far as portrait lenses go... I'd say one of 3 lenses the ZD 150mm f/2.0, ZD 35-100mm f/2.0 or the PL 25mm f/1.4.

The 150mm because the 300mm focal length is quite often the FL of choice for fashion shoots. The 25mm because its such an excellent performer and give amazing output and great shallow DOF. And the 35-100mm because of its excellent boken and that it is just wide enough for some shots and just long enough without being too long. I don't say the 50mm because it is often slow although it gives great output. If I had only one lens to bring with me, I'd pick the 35-100mm.
03/30/2009 03:23:43 PM · #15
If you go to www.prophotorental.com you can try out the PL 25mm f/1.4, ZD 50mm f/2.0, ZD 35-100mm f/2.0, ZD 150mm f/2.0 as well as the 14-35mm f/2.0, 14-54mm and 12-60mm! They have great customer service and their rates are quite reasonable.
03/30/2009 05:49:43 PM · #16
Originally posted by fireserpent:

If you go to www.prophotorental.com you can try out the PL 25mm f/1.4, ZD 50mm f/2.0, ZD 35-100mm f/2.0, ZD 150mm f/2.0 as well as the 14-35mm f/2.0, 14-54mm and 12-60mm! They have great customer service and their rates are quite reasonable.


Thanks for the idea but I live in New Zealand :) I spose though its a pretty good idea to try out a lens by renting it. It will have to look to see if anyone does lens rental in Wellington.
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