Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm F4-5.6 Lens

[ronidog]

Hello I see that a number of dealers have offers on this zoom lens. Have many people used this lens and if so what are your views?

Thanks

Dave

[Phill D]

I have one and have been pleased with it when I've used it, however, to be honest I do rarely use it now.

[ronidog]

Why don't you use it much?

[Phill D]

I tend to get away with the 12-100 for most things. Then when I want a wider shot I go for my little Samyang 7.5mm fisheye for something dramatic and fun. It's good to have the 9-18mm in my bag though in case. It's so small I just don't notice it's there, actually maybe that's why it doesn't get used more too .

[RobEW]

Is the Samyang 7.5 good? I fancy an affordable fisheye, and am wondering about either this or perhaps the old Four Thirds Oly 8mm f/3.5

[ronidog]

Ah poor thing left all alone. I am looking for a lens to do a similar job. I have the 12-40 but find occasinally need something a bit wider, especially as I want to photograph carved prehistoric rocks. rocks.

[ronidog]

I think I may look at second hand lenses and save some money .

The 7-14 lens is a better range and faster. But it is more expensive and quite a bit heavier.

[RobEW]

There are three 7-14 lenses to choose from of course. Panasonic, Olympus M43 and the old Olympus Four Thirds.

[pdk42]

I've had two over the years. It's amazingly compact and has very nice IQ. It has only two downsides IMHO:

- The extreme corners never get completely sharp at any aperture. It's not a big deal unless you're very picky.

- 9mm isn't really wide enough for my taste.

However, I've taken a lot of nice images with it.

[OM USer]

The laowa 7.5mm rectilinear has had good reviews. Small and fast (aperture). The only downside is that it is manual.

[Otto]

I like mine. It can be soft in the corners but DxO Photolab does a great job sorting that out, the softness is mostly chromatic aberration. It’s small and light and a good performer, if only it was weatherproof it would be perfect! I like WA lenses and thought I would use it more than I do but it’s valuable when 12mm isn’t quite wide enough. Recommended.

[alfbranch]

I've had two over the years. It's amazingly compact and has very nice IQ. It has only two downsides IMHO:

- The extreme corners never get completely sharp at any aperture. It's not a big deal unless you're very picky.

- 9mm isn't really wide enough for my taste.

However, I've taken a lot of nice images with it.

I have had similar and experience I now have a Panasonic 8-18mm which is very good

I have noticed a real difference in quality


I have taken a lot of shots with one

Wasdale afternoon light 2 by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Parton stormy sunset by Alf Branch, on Flickr

New york from the ES by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Empire state pigeon by Alf Branch, on Flickr

[Mazdaman]

The wide end of my lens will sorted on Monday 8-18 Panasonic on its way to me looked at the oly 7-14 but the 8-18 is just that more versatile I have my Hitec filters and holders that have sat in my bag since I switched from Canon in January this year this was part of the reason to buy the Panasonic over the Oly great images Alf

[alfbranch]

I use Hi-tech 85mm filters on my 8-18

[ronidog]

That's an interesting option - the reviews online are good. It also has a bit of weather resistance Thanks for the sample photos.

[alfbranch]

The samples are with my 9-18

[ronidog]

Mazdaman where are you getting the Panasonic lens from?

[Mazdaman]

I won a bid on e bay for 630 I had been waiting for e global to restock cheapest if they had stock £567 but I could be wating for ever

[alfbranch]

I was far from impressed with Panasonic's repairs or lack of when I broke my 8-18 It cost more than that to sort as it was a replacement lens thankfully the house insurance covered it

[Tram]

Didnt like it at all, not impressed with it optically, felt a bit fragile and no weather sealing.
Also disliked the action, same as the 12-32 that needs twisting to get in a functioning position.

Sold and now own the PL 8-18, total opposite to the 9-18 and use it a lot especially for architecture.

[pdk42]

I think the 8-18 is the best of the m43 UWA zooms. It's fantastic optically, is really nicely built, it takes regular screw-in filters, it's weather-sealed, and it's pretty light. My only criticism is that it's 8mm, not 7mm !

As part of my ongoing Nikon mirrorless experiment, I've got a 14-30 sat on my desk awaiting a Z7 to connect it to. If the 14-30 performs as well as the 8-18, I'll be happy.

[Bikie John]

I like the artfully placed OM in the background

[Internaut]

Consider also an adapted four thirds 7-14 f4?