So much to learn 14-54 v Sigma 18-50 etc...

[Guest]

[StephenL]

Re: So much to learn 14-54 v Sigma 18-50 etc...

I've no experience in using Sigma lenses on Loy, only on Canon. Suffice it to say I never kept one. The 14-54 Oly is a great piece of glass and a worthy investment - however, if you are happy with the 18-180 I see no reason to change for the sake of change.

[blu-by-u]

Re: So much to learn 14-54 v Sigma 18-50 etc...

Just to let you know, Sigma produce a 18-50 /f2.8 while the other also a 18-50 but a much inferior f stop. The 18-50/f2.8 is one nice lens.

[Guest]

Re: So much to learn 14-54 v Sigma 18-50 etc...

Yes, its the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 or Oly 14-54 f2.8-3.5 that Im interested in for low-light, portraits and close up work so long as its a worthwhile step up from the standard Oly lens such as my 14-42 and 18-180. Some people say its a night and day difference, some seem to sy you'd only see it on large prints.

A friend of mine has the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 on a Canon 30D after reasearching the market and finding the equivalent Canon lens was twice the price so it was an obvious choice, with Oly it always seems that Sigma has a tough home grown competitor which doesnt carry the Canon or Nikon price tag.

[Ray Shotter]

Re: So much to learn 14-54 v Sigma 18-50 etc...

Looking at your present range of lenses I agree that you have already got a good focal length coverage. However, I can certainly recommend the 14-54mm Olympus Zuiko lens as it is an excellent piece of lens engineering and, in addition, it is a weather proof lens should you ever decide to upgrade to an E-3. I have used my 14-54mm lens with the E-1, the E-510 and the E-3 and find it a very versatile lens for everything apart from long telephoto for which I use the Olympus Zuiko 50-200mm lens.

You don't mention the Telephoto converter lenses but, in my opinion, the Olympus EC-14 Teleconverter lens is an excellent adjunct to the 14-54mm and 50-200mm lenses and you only lose one aperture stop - ie - the minimum aperture becomes f/3.5 on both lenses. However, the telphoto gain of x1.4 is quite useful.

The Olympus Zuiko 35mm Macro lens is an excellent lens in value for money terms and I have used mine on the same three cameras as above but the f/3.5 aperture restriction is not fast enough to get the maximum out of focus backgrounds which I would like to achieve. Consequently, when funds permit I hope to buy an Olympus Zuiko 50mm f/2 Macro lens as I trust this will allow me to acquire the level of out of focus backgrounds I wish to achieve and give me a fixed focus lens for portraits.

As for the Olympus Zuiko 14-42mm lens - then I too was persuaded to buy mine when originally I planned to buy the E-510 body only. However, for light weight and reasonably bright light conditions it is, again, great value for money despite its limitations in low light conditions.

My experience of Sigma lenses has not been very favourable although I have never bought a Four-Thirds Sigma lens. My experience of Sigma lenses is confined to film camera days when I owned a Nikon FM2n. The two Sigma lenses I bought then, although significantly cheaper than the equivalent Nikon lenses, were inferior in both performance and handling. Consequently, I think twice before buying them. Nevertheless, I am sure you will find many contributors to this forum have nothing but praise for the Four-thirds Sigma lenses.

In conclusion, as you state that the Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm SWD lens is too expensive to justify at the moment - then I would strongly recommend you go to an Olympus retailer and try an Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm lens on your new E-520 before you make any further lens purchases.

I should add that I always search for high quality "used" or "reconditioned" or "shop-demonstration" lenses before I buy a new lens. My 14-54mm lens and my 50-200mm lens were both bought from reputable dealers as reconditioned or demonstration lenses - both in "mint" condition. the 14-54mm lens from Henry's in Canada and the 50-200mm lens from Cameta Auctions in the USA. Even after paying VAT and Customs Duty they still cost me 35% less than the current UK new price at the time.

You may have noticed on this Forum that members do refer to retailers who have proved to be reliable and offer lenses at substantially lower prices than many of the popular UK Olympus retailers. However, you usually only get a One year Worldwide warranty with these retailers whereas the UK retailers usually give the Two year European warranty.

Hope these comments may be of some use in making your decisions.

Ray.

[Guest]

Re: So much to learn 14-54 v Sigma 18-50 etc...

Yes, it does, many thanks, the 14-54 makes a lot of sense so I'll try to get one at the right price. Amazon.com has it for about the same in dollars as amazon.co.uk and other UK e-tailers do in pounds - i.e. half the £400+ price tag.

[yorky]

Re: So much to learn 14-54 v Sigma 18-50 etc...

I have a 14-54 in excellant condition for sale if you wish to contact me. I don't even know what to charge for it? The reason for the sale is 12-60mm. I can't carry both!