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09/11/2008 08:29:19 PM · #1 |
Those of you in the know will realise the Four thirds system applies to my camera.
So, I've been using my camera a few weeks, and whilst the 14-42 is nice for "General" stuff, I'm interested in broadening my horizons.
Ideally, I'd like to buy two lenses, but as a student, buying one at the moment is going to be a shock to my bank balance.
I'm interested in macro photography, and I mean really close up stuff, insects, flowers etc, so a suggestion for that would be good.
Secondly, I live in an area with mountains, beaches, rolling countryside, forests, you name it, so I'd love to capture some of this, perhaps something capable of capturing some of the wild life here at the same time, so a decent zoom room would be cool.
Suggestions welcome, thanks. |
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09/11/2008 09:40:38 PM · #2 |
For macro I would first look at the Zuiko 35mm and the Sigma 105mm. The Zuiko 50mm is quite capable 1:2, but, I think it is difficult, especially focus, and may disappoint for "really close up stuff..." I won't recommend any zoom.
Olympus 35mm f/3.5 Macro ED Zuiko Digital
B&H
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro
B&H
Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Macro ED Zuiko Digital
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09/12/2008 04:42:10 AM · #3 |
YOu may want to check out the Oly 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 lens. The 35mm focal length equivalent is 140-600mm !
I've seen them as cheap as $350 and they can be used for close up shots as well. Closest focusing distance is about a meter (39 inch) and the lens itself is only about 5 inches long. It's a fun lens and takes pretty sharp images. |
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09/12/2008 07:27:10 AM · #4 |
| I can't really recommend a lens (although I did just rent the Zuiko Digital 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 SWD for a NASCAR event and really liked it) but you state that you are interested in Macro photography. I'm not sure whether this means you'd like to try it or you have and you wanna do a LOT more. If you haven't done much and aren't really sure I would recommend seeing if there is a way you can rent a lens that you are considering and trying it for a day or two. Sure it may hurt your limited student budget a little but not as bad as buying a lens then deciding you don't like the work. |
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09/12/2008 09:52:04 AM · #5 |
Pretty much all of my photography using my point and shoot, and to a certain extent my 35mm SLR (Which is a Canon, an oooold 1000n) was macro stuff, I love getting close up to insects, birds, flowers and pretty much anything else, and picking out minute details.
In that respect I'd like a macro lens that's can get pretty damn close without being so close to the subject, birds sort of get scared of a huge lens in their face haha.
Can any one recommend a nice lens suitable for landscapes like likes, mountains, beaches, that sort of thing, places with vast open expanses. |
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09/13/2008 01:27:20 AM · #6 |
I've got the sigma 105. Its not bad by any stretch of the means. My only beef with it, (which is a complaint I've also heard from a few other sigma users on other brands) is that iseems like every 2-300 shots, the lense freezes the shutter open until you shut off the camera. I think it has something to do with the contact points not lining up quite right, but I dunno for sure.
That said, when the lens does work, and you get the focus and apeture right the pictures are incredible.
You might also check ebay. the 40-150mm zuiko (3.5-4.5)takes reasonable pics considering its less than $200. |
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09/13/2008 09:08:07 AM · #7 |
I own the 35mm Macro and I am more than satisfied with it. It's very sharp but it's a macro lens, not a close up lens, there's a difference, so you will need to be very close to the subject for 1:1 magnification. For 180 dollars this is a fantastic deal on a great prime lens. Look here for tests and reviews.
Another good lens is the 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 by Olympus. Very sharp and great all around lens. Here are the stats and reviews.
As for a zoom lens like a 70-200 forget Olympus unless you have thousands to spend, they're ridiculously overpriced. I'm looking at the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG Macro HSM APO as a portrait and wedding lens. Good reviews, the only thing i'm hesitating on is some claim it's not as sharp at 2.8. I'm still looking for reviews though. |
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