Brightest and best zoom for m4/3 cams

[Jimjo]

Hi guys,

I'm using a Panasonic GF1 and G3.
Looking for a good Zoom lens.

What is currently the best and brightest zoom avail for m4/3 cam.
Oly and Panny zooms are generally average. (i.e. 14-140, 14-150mm)

Any recommendations? Looking for a f2.8 Zoom if avail. AF will be important as such, FD lenses are out.
Any new zoom lens coming out from Panny this year?

Thanks for sharing your thots.

Jim

 

[wonglp]

U referring to superzoom or wide zoom or telephoto zooms? What you mentioned is superzoom, theres only 2 options u mention. Wide zoom pany had rumored 12-50 f2.8-3.3 (iirc) probably end of year. If u don't mind slower AF and weight, oly 43rd high grad lenses has a few options, 14-54mm mk 2.8-3.5, 12-60 2.8-4, for telephoto zoom, 50-200 f2.8-3.5. 43rd lenses require mmf1/2 adapter and AF will be slower than native ones and will be heavier, but the iq of high grade lenses is a different class. Hope that helps.

 

[microcosm]

Based on what is currently available, I always recommend the 14-54mm f2.8 MkII Zuiko Digital lens. And you will have to use a 4/3 - m4/3 adapter. It is CDAF compatible and focuses faster than the draggy non-CDAF compatible lenses. One thing to note though, refocusing and re-zooming while shooting videos still produces sounds that can be picked up by the camera. They aren't the best lenses for recording video with sound. So you have been advised.

 

[Jimjo]

Thanks guys. Good references. Hope to hear more sharing.

 

[tomcat]

If you are after a High Grade zoom lens, the Zuiko Digital 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD can be used on m43 cameras like EP3 with an adapter. Big and heavy as hell but it will still autofocus OK. Only thing is that this is no macro lens and must take note that the closest focusing distance is 1.2m.

These are a couple of test shots taken today with this lens on my EP3.

1/80s f/3.1 at 72.0mm ISO 250

1/80s f/3.2 at 96.0mm ISO 250

For macro, the Zuiko Digital 50mm f/2.0 Macro will also work on m43 cameras with an adapter. It is however much harder to focus properly but when it is, it is unbelieveably sharp. This shot was taken with the ZD 50mm f/2.0 Macro on the EP3....

1/50s f/2.8 at 50.0mm ISO 200

At 100% crop, you can even see the individual specks of dust sticking to the eye lashes which were completely indiscernible to the naked eye....

 

[NazgulKing]

There might be a bright zoom from Panasonic at the end of the year.

Other than that, there is the 7-14/f4 lens which is kinda the best zoom you could get for M43.

 

[puny]

U referring to superzoom or wide zoom or telephoto zooms? What you mentioned is superzoom, theres only 2 options u mention. Wide zoom pany had rumored 12-50 f2.8-3.3 (iirc) probably end of year. If u don't mind slower AF and weight, oly 43rd high grad lenses has a few options, 14-54mm mk 2.8-3.5, 12-60 2.8-4, for telephoto zoom, 50-200 f2.8-3.5. 43rd lenses require mmf1/2 adapter and AF will be slower than native ones and will be heavier, but the iq of high grade lenses is a different class. Hope that helps.

I don't recommend using 43rd lense on M43rd camera. I have 11-22 and 50-200 tested on EP3 and they hunt and not always in focus. Now I have to get rid of those investments.

 

[puny]

If you are after a High Grade zoom lens, the Zuiko Digital 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 SWD can be used on m43 cameras like EP3 with an adapter. Big and heavy as hell but it will still autofocus OK. Only thing is that this is no macro lens and must take note that the closest focusing distance is 1.2m.

These are a couple of test shots taken today with this lens on my EP3.

1/80s f/3.1 at 72.0mm ISO 250

1/80s f/3.2 at 96.0mm ISO 250

For macro, the Zuiko Digital 50mm f/2.0 Macro will also work on m43 cameras with an adapter. It is however much harder to focus properly but when it is, it is unbelieveably sharp. This shot was taken with the ZD 50mm f/2.0 Macro on the EP3....

1/50s f/2.8 at 50.0mm ISO 200

At 100% crop, you can even see the individual specks of dust sticking to the eye lashes which were completely indiscernible to the naked eye....

I always like to admire you cats. They're well groomed and look awesome!

 

[puny]

At 100% crop, you can even see the individual specks of dust sticking to the eye lashes which were completely indiscernible to the naked eye....

Use the zoom feature of EP3 to focus straight in the eyes and see what's the result.

 

[Jimjo]

Thanks for sharing. Yes agree that 4/3 high grade glass is too heavy on m4/3 system. Guess have to wait for Panasonic new zoom lens at end of year.

 

[pchmj]

I don't recommend using 43rd lense on M43rd camera. I have 11-22 and 50-200 tested on EP3 and they hunt and not always in focus. Now I have to get rid of those investments.

That's because the 2 lens are not CDAF compatible which m4/3 use. Only 2 lens, 40-150mm mk2 and 14-54mm mk2 are CDAF compatible and suitable for m4/3.

 

[napalmdog]

CDAF 4/3 lenses:

Olympus: 9-18mm, 14-42mm MKII, 40-150mm MKII, 14-54mm MKII, 25mm, 70-300mm

Panasonic: 25mm f1.4, 14-50mm f3.5-5.6, 14-150mm

 

[napalmdog]

1/80s f/3.1 at 72.0mm ISO 250

1/80s f/3.2 at 96.0mm ISO 250

nice shots. looks quite sharp.

however i noticed the whiskers show some jaggies. is this due to compression or is this normal with the E-P3? (having a weaker AA filter)

 

[pchmj]

CDAF 4/3 lenses:

Olympus: 9-18mm, 14-42mm MKII, 40-150mm MKII, 14-54mm MKII, 25mm, 70-300mm

Panasonic: 25mm f1.4, 14-50mm f3.5-5.6, 14-150mm

I always though it's the 2 lens. My bad. :embrass:

 

[tomcat]

nice shots. looks quite sharp.

however i noticed the whiskers show some jaggies. is this due to compression or is this normal with the E-P3? (having a weaker AA filter)

Probably due to compression applied by the image hosting site. I just checked the full sized images and there are no jaggies at all.

 

[napalmdog]

thanks, that's good to know

 

[Agrivar]

Here's a video on the AF speed of the oly 14-54 Mk II on m4/3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asU0Fk_bgtA