Olympus 14-54mm lens - like it? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

10/03/2008 10:43:49 AM · #1

Question for you Olympus users. I saw that ebay has that 30% cashback thing with MSN's live search, and was thinking about using that to get the 14-54mm lens. I like that it has a f 2.8 (which I love with my 50-200) and was wondering how this lens compares to the 14-45 kit lens. I've heard that it IS better, but was just wondering what you guys think.

MattO

Nikon D4

10/03/2008 11:13:51 AM · #2

When I shot Olympus my first kit lens with the E300 was the 14-45, while a good lens, the 14-54 far exceeds the kit lens in so many ways it was unbelievable. The image color, contrast, and sharpness will make you toss that 14-45 in the bag to never see light again. IMHO the difference is night and day. If you can afford it, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Matt

emorgan49

Olympus 50mm f/1.8 MF Normal Zuiko

10/03/2008 11:43:08 AM · #3

Love it!! I also have the mid grade 40-150 which I don't like at all. That 14-54 is soo much better.

one2one

Olympus 7-14mm f/4.0 Zuiko Digital Zoom

10/03/2008 11:48:34 AM · #4

Originally posted by MattO:

What he said.

It isn't the best lens out there at this focal length but it's darn close. I never used the kit lens again after buying this one. It's heavier too, I like that. It's my main lens and is the best walk around lens besides the 12-60 SWD by Olympus. I can't say which one gives a better image though but I know the SWD focuses faster so if you do sports or races then you may want to look at that one.

10/03/2008 10:27:20 PM · #5

Thanks guys for the info. I still have not fixed my 50-200 lens yet and sports season is almost over so I thought I'd wait. This 30% thing just makes the whole deal look pretty enticing. Appreciate the feedback.

10/09/2008 12:12:46 PM · #6

I really enjoy the lens... it lives on my camera (at least until I get the 35-100mm f/2.0).

one2one

Olympus 7-14mm f/4.0 Zuiko Digital Zoom

10/09/2008 12:37:28 PM · #7

Originally posted by fireserpent:

I really enjoy the lens... it lives on my camera (at least until I get the 35-100mm f/2.0).

The 3,000 dollar one by Oly? I've been looking for a used one forever. I can get a new one for 2K but from the US. With taxes, duties and shipping I'll be paying over 3k for sure. Contact me if you see two for sale at a great price. ;]

10/09/2008 01:29:44 PM · #8

Originally posted by Jac:

Originally posted by fireserpent:
I really enjoy the lens... it lives on my camera (at least until I get the 35-100mm f/2.0).

The 3,000 dollar one by Oly? I've been looking for a used one forever. I can get a new one for 2K but from the US. With taxes, duties and shipping I'll be paying over 3k for sure. Contact me if you see two for sale at a great price. ;]

$3,000?? I didn't realized people in Canada paid so much for glass. I know they had one one one of the fourthirds websites for around $1800 USD. It might be easier for you to buy one from the guys selling them directly and then just have them ship to you. I doulbt you'd have to deal with taxes, duties (not even sure what that is) and shipping will be less at any rate.

35-100mm F/2.0 for $1700 USD

10/09/2008 01:32:00 PM · #9

10/09/2008 01:35:43 PM · #10

Thanks for posting the pictures - they look pretty good. The lens just came in the mail yesterday and I'm going to give it a good workout tomorrow with some product shots. I'm looking forward to working with the f 2.8 too. Also, I cannot believe how quiet the autofocus is! (if I am describing the right thing). I think I am gonna take some comparison shots with the 14-45 too, just to see the difference. Then i need to get rid of a lens - I think I have too many lol.

10/09/2008 02:38:32 PM · #11

Be sure to post a few comparison examples... I'm thinking of renting a the 35-100mm and 50mm f/2.0 and test them out. I hear they're razor sharp and from the reviews people have been posting up... i believe it!

I did get to try the 35-100mm on my E1 once and really liked it. But, for most things, the 14-54mm is a perfect fit.

10/09/2008 02:40:36 PM · #12

Oh and for reference... the 1st two images were taken with the E-3 (first image at ISO 1,000), and the last image was with the E-1. All 3 images were with the 14-54mm.

one2one

Olympus 7-14mm f/4.0 Zuiko Digital Zoom

10/09/2008 03:32:27 PM · #13

Originally posted by fireserpent:

Originally posted by Jac:

Originally posted by fireserpent:
I really enjoy the lens... it lives on my camera (at least until I get the 35-100mm f/2.0).

The 3,000 dollar one by Oly? I've been looking for a used one forever. I can get a new one for 2K but from the US. With taxes, duties and shipping I'll be paying over 3k for sure. Contact me if you see two for sale at a great price. ;]

$3,000?? I didn't realized people in Canada paid so much for glass. I know they had one one one of the fourthirds websites for around $1800 USD. It might be easier for you to buy one from the guys selling them directly and then just have them ship to you. I doulbt you'd have to deal with taxes, duties (not even sure what that is) and shipping will be less at any rate.

I've been shopping around and found it for 2100 from a Canadian dealer. That's about 2400CDN shipped with taxes. Not ready for that yet. Thanks for the link.

Hipychik

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 (E-mount)

10/10/2008 08:13:45 AM · #14

Originally posted by colorcarnival:

Let me know how you like it!

Hipychik

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 (E-mount)

10/10/2008 08:14:13 AM · #15

Originally posted by emorgan49:

Love it!! I also have the mid grade 40-150 which I don't like at all. That 14-54 is soo much better.

I really like my 40-150.

10/10/2008 09:36:38 AM · #16

Originally posted by Doyle:

Originally posted by emorgan49:
Love it!! I also have the mid grade 40-150 which I don't like at all. That 14-54 is soo much better.

I really like my 40-150.

And you do really good with that lens too :)

I think the 40-150 is much better than the 14-45. But I had no idea what a good lens was till I got the 50-200... But now that I think about it, you might like that lens but I think your style seems to lean towards that 40-150. Therefore, I think you should go get that 14-54 too :p

I'll post pics of a comparison soon. My plans changed for today so I may have time to sit and do some photos.

Oh and how far are you all from Frankenmuth? I "might" be there in November (plans not finalized yet).