New Micro Four Thirds reviews roundup…(E-P3 by Thom, Olympus 45mm lens at Photozone)
Image courtesy: Photozone
Our friends from Photozone (Click here) tested the Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens. And that lens gets highly recommended: “The Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm f/1.8 is a highly desirable lens. The important center resolution is already on a very good level straight from wide open aperture and only the corners are somewhat softer here. The quality is very high across the image field when stopping down to f/4. Vignetting, lateral CAs as well as distortions are all well controlled and not relevant in field conditions.”
Yes, the lens is really a must have. Check price and availability at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
Thom Hogan (Click here) reviewed the Olympus E-P3: “The sad thing is that we’re now in year three of the Pen, and the E-P3 hasn’t really budged the image quality bar. It’s a solid 2009-era 12mp camera. Unfortunately, it’s 2011. I’d expect more than a small nudge on noise reduction in terms of image quality change at this point.”
Panasonic Lumix G Vario PZ 45-175mm f/4-5.6 M43 review at ePhotozine (Click here): “Overall this lens is a very good, if a little pricey, general purpose telephoto, with good build quality and design. It may take those who are used to using more traditional lenses a little while to get used to the motorised zooming mechanism, but any issues will soon diminish with time given to familiarise yourself with its quirks“.
Price check at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
Non english tests:
Olympus 12mm f/2.0 lens test at OpenPn (click here for the translation).
Price check at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
Panasonic GX1 review at DC.fever (Click here to read the bad google translation). P.S.: I found a GX1 dedicated page at Panasonic Hong Kong. Nice!
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 review at Ganref (again with bad google translation).
GenoGibson
2 years ago |Dare I say, the 45-200/40-150 are actually better lenses than the 45 1.8 for daytime outdoor portraiture. The 45 1.8 doesn’t really make a good low light lens and if you’re shooting in daylight the 45-200 and 40-150 are just as sharp from 40/45 to 100mm giving good bokeh quality within that zoom range.
If I were shooting in a studio, the 45 1.8 is very good. But I mention these consumer zooms because they also make a good alternative for portraiture if you’re shooting mainly outdoors and don’t mind the extra weight, though at a much lower price.
Scott
2 years ago |Why do you say the 45 1.8 doesnt make a good low light lens? I love mine for low light. I agree the longer the focal length the better but 90mm is pretty good imo
Marcelo Guarini
2 years ago |Totally disagree with you. Lenses starting at f4 are not good for portrait, specially in the M 4/3 format. I have both 45 f1.8 and 40-150mm and the 45 is far better for portrait.
Regards
John
2 years ago |I use ND 8 filters when shooting wide open with my 45 1.8. The images that come out are stunning. Try using some and I think you will be quite pleased with the results. The 45-200 is pretty nice from 45-150~ish. You could make it work, but I think you’ll find shooting with the 45 1.8 and ND filters are an awesome combination.
Starred
2 years ago |don’t understand your comments either. How could this (or even any) 1.8 lens not be a good low light lens?
Mar
2 years ago |You’ve got it backwards
Bob B.
2 years ago |The Oly 45 f/1.8 is a GREAT portrait lens for MFT ….inside…outside or in between.
The 45-200 is not very sharp compared to a prime……and oh..oh..so slow. You can get nice shots with it..definitely outside in good light for candids……….but the 45 f 1.8 or even the Pany 45 f/2.8 macro are much better portrait lenses in my world. Much sharper and nice bokeh.
I do not subscribe to the Geno school of photography.
Brod1er
2 years ago |The 45-200 is ok for portraits – I had one and it was best for this. But it can’t compare to the Oly 45 which is in a different league in terms of spec (f1.8) and results (see reviews). An interesting alternative is the Panny 100-300 which I bought to replace the 45-200. It is a much better lens which is great for capturing unsuspecting candids from a distance.
anonymous
2 years ago |i love my 45mm
katy
2 years ago |What do you Guys think of the Pana/Leica 25mm 1.4 to use as a portrait lens?
I’ve ordered one and it’s coming tomorrow. I’m so excited. I’ll be using it with the G3.
Renze
2 years ago |That could well be my definite kitlens.
Jim
2 years ago |dunno – I don’t have one – but I have a 25mm F1.4 and I like it… but sometimes find it a little wide for portrait – its ok if you are up close and personal… but any distance and its a full body shot! – I know its not so traditional FL, but I liek using my 100mm F2.8 for portraits… bit too long but not far from ideal for me – 90mm (F2) would probably be my personal ideal portrait lens on 4/3…
Bob B.
2 years ago |Great lens..if you want to get tighter the Oly 45mm f/1.8 is even beter!
Robert
2 years ago |Mini-review of Olympus 45, 1.8 by Derrick Story:http://thedigitalstory.com/2011/12/action_photography_w.html
Bob B.
2 years ago |OK..I own the 45-175…I shoot stills only on a GF1..Now that I have gotten past the IS firmware fix..that did not build confidence…..and have been using the lens for a little while…um……motorized zoom…I do not use it. The “mechanical zoom” is by wire…like the manual focus on most MFT lenses. No stop points…it just spins…and it is a little floaty..ie when you zoom it is not exact..like you are not completely connected to the process…All that I can deal with…the thing that REALLY takes some getting used to is that the mechanical-floaty-manual-zoom ring zooms backwards to every other zoom I have ever owned (Panasonics and Canons). That I cannot get used to..it is just reflex at this point in time. WTF? Its really awkward. I am sure the reason has to do with the internal-focusing-power-zoom design …blah..blah…blah..blah..blah.
The lens is cool because it is so small…and decently sharp..but it should be less expensive in my book.
It is a keeper even with it quirks and that is mainly because of its small size. I would be happier if it was a totally mechanical lens though and more positive with the mechanics……no power zoom.
Mice
2 years ago |Is choosable a word?
eM
2 years ago |Choose by yourselfes
duncan
2 years ago |I hope that panasonic will make a 45mm f/1.8, too. Panasonic 45mm f/2.8 is not so fast for low light work.
ILO
2 years ago |Thom’s review is the most sensible EP3 review read so far. Someone in Olympus has to read it. I feel good about sticking to my E-P1 – not much improvement for upgrade. And still no VF – how difficult is that?
clown warszawa
3 weeks ago |Great blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What web host are you using?
Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol