Zuiko Lens on Digilux 3

[cwf]

I am looking to add a longer lens for my Digilux 3 than the standard Panaleica 14-50. Mostly to shoot birds, but perhaps a skateboarder or other individual at some distance.

The Zuiko 50-200/2.8-3.5 SWD looks like a possibility, but please don't let that mention limit your advice.

Many thanks.

[jrethorst]

The PanaLeica 50-150 3.5-5.6 should be out soon.

[cwf]

Originally Posted by jrethorst

The PanaLeica 50-150 3.5-5.6 should be out soon.

That lens is listed by four-thirds.org, but B&H does not now list it, showing form Panasonic only the kit lens and the 25mm. Iirc, B&H did list it sometime ago. This leads me to wonder whether we will ever see it.

[Telecentric]

Originally Posted by cwf

I am looking to add a longer lens for my Digilux 3 than the standard Panaleica 14-50. Mostly to shoot birds, but perhaps a skateboarder or other individual at some distance.

The Zuiko 50-200/2.8-3.5 SWD looks like a possibility, but please don't let that mention limit your advice.

Many thanks.

I have the Leica 14-150mm - great walkabout lens; but for my nature work I use an Olympus 70-300mm f4-5.6 ED this gives me the equivalent of a 140-600mm lens in the old 35mm format. Optically this is a very good lens indeed, has great close up (macro) capability and is light weight and very compact; the only down side is that AF performance is pedestrian in low light, AF is not of the rear focus type so the front element revolves as it focuses, and the AF motor is loud. However good technique overcomes this mostly (apart from the noise)and the excellent IQ together with great portability plus extended reach out to 300mm (600mm equivalent) makes this a favourite lens for me.

[rsolomon]

The Zuiko 50-200/2.8-3.5 SWD looks like a possibility, but please don't let that mention limit your advice.

what does the SWD denote.... there is a newer and older version of this lens,,,, any expereince with both of these ? does the differrence matter when used on a Digilux 3 ?

[dist]

SWD refers to the autofocus drive ("supersonic wave drive") on the newer version of the lens. Supposed to autofocus faster than the old version.
I use the (older version of the) 50-200 on the DL3; that lens is very good if a bit bulky and heavy but then there's no such thing as a free lunch.

[DTD]

Originally Posted by rsolomon

what does the SWD denote.... there is a newer and older version of this lens,,,, any expereince with both of these ? does the differrence matter when used on a Digilux 3 ?

Hope you don't mind a link to an external site, but here's a comparison of the two lenses:

Comparing the Digital Zuiko 50-200 old and new (Four Thirds User)

[DonQuijote]

Craig

I cannot comment on the old 50-200mm lens - I am using the new 50-200mm SWD on my Digilux-3 sometimes in combination with the EC20. Here are some first examples. I have not used the tele more than 3-4 times.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...-50-200mm.html

Optimum focusing speed would be obtained using an Olympus E3 body with this lens, for me the lens seems to focus instantly. Except for the weight I have no complaints, but then again 400mm (35mm equivalent) is nothing to be sneezed at plus with the EC20 - I have an 800mm lens.

The lens is sharp and fast for its focal lens. The Leica tele is slower but of course one can get away without a lens change-over as it covers 15-150mm. The Leica lens has the advantage that it has OIS when compared to the Olympus.

I may get the Leica at some point (for holidays) - still have to put this Olympus 50-200mm through its paces (wild-life,landscape).

Good luck

[jdlaing]

Originally Posted by cwf

I am looking to add a longer lens for my Digilux 3 than the standard Panaleica 14-50. Mostly to shoot birds, but perhaps a skateboarder or other individual at some distance.

The Zuiko 50-200/2.8-3.5 SWD looks like a possibility, but please don't let that mention limit your advice.

Many thanks.

I have used quite a few of the Olympus and Sigma lenses on my Digilux 3 as well as the Panasonic L1.

11-22, 14-54, 30/1.4, 50-500, 50-200, 18-180.

The 50-200 would be an excellent choice and with the D3 you could use the first version without the SWD and get great results. Hand holding that lens will be a learning experience though.

The Sigma 50-500 is a very good lens despite what you may hear. definitely a tripod endeavor.........

[burkey]

Hi Folks,
Does anyone have any images they would be willing to share from the Olympus 14-42 particularly on the Digilux 3? I really like the physical size of the lens and the zoom range is great for what I do. Thanks in advance.
. . . Burkey

[DTD]

I used this lens on an E400 and an E510 – for a kit lens it was very respectable and as you say, small and light. They seem to crop up pretty cheaply as people get them in the kits and already have something that covers the same range.

[burkey]

DTD - thanks for the reply. Any images from the lens you'd be willing to post? By the way, incredible work on your web site. Thanks.

[adi sudarsono]

Be advised that some 50 - 200 SWD lens are recalled due to spots on the lens. My dealer in Indonesia says the spots are very faint and very hard to see but as a precaution it is being done.

I ahve the 14 - 45 and use it for BW. It has a nice rendition. For color, I can use it in low ISO well lit conditions but at high ISO is it above its limits.

[DTD]

Originally Posted by burkey

DTD - thanks for the reply. Any images from the lens you'd be willing to post? By the way, incredible work on your web site. Thanks.

Got nothing taken with a Leica/Panasonic. Not really sure of the value of pixel peeping on a screen at images taken in the field.

I'd suggest you have a look at some of the test images that are about on the web.
If you want send me a private message with your email, I'll email you a couple of examples.

My main lens is the 14-54mm f2.8 – this is a better lens, but a lot bigger and a lot more expensive, but again there are deals to be had as the new 12-60mm SWD has taken its place in the Olympus line-up.

You may have noticed Olympus have three levels of lens, the normal, 'Pro' and 'Top Pro', the two latter levels are usually built like tanks and weather/splash sealed.

Thanks for the comments about my web site.

[Telecentric]

On my Digilux 3, I use a mixture of 'Leica' and Olympus lenses as follows:

Olympus 8mm fisheye, Olympus 11-22mm, Leica 25mm, Leica 14-50mm, Leica 14-150mm, Olympus 50-200mm and Olympus 70-300mm.

They all work perfectly on the Digilux 3 and I am impressed with the image quality of all of them except maybe the 50-200mm which I find at times to be a bit "soft" compared for example to the 70-300mm, though it still a very good lens (everything is comparative).

I can recommend them all, though I just wish that the Olympus lenses had an aperture ring on them like my Leica lenses, and also that the zoom rings didn't work in the opposite direction, but you get used to it.

PS forgot to mention you can see examples of images taken with the DL3 and the above lenses on my website:

http://www.full-lumen.co.uk

[DTD]

Originally Posted by Telecentric

the 50-200mm which I find at times to be a bit "soft"

That's a bit surprising.

Regarding the focusing direction, I know on the E-1 you can set it to focus either way as the focusing is done 'by wire'. This might not be the case with the Leicasonic, but worth checking.

Agree about what a pity no aperture ring.

[Telecentric]

Originally Posted by DTD

That's a bit surprising.

Regarding the focusing direction, I know on the E-1 you can set it to focus either way as the focusing is done 'by wire'. This might not be the case with the Leicasonic, but worth checking.

Agree about what a pity no aperture ring.

Ah, it's not the focusing rings that are different (they are identical) but the zoom rings on the zoom lenses e.g. my 14-150mm you rotate the zoom ring clockwise (facing the back of the camera) to go from 14mm to 150mm, but on my 70-300mm you rotate the zoom ring anti-clockwise to go from 70mm to 300mm. As I said you do get used to it, but it is a little odd at first.

[DTD]

Originally Posted by Telecentric

Ah, it's not the focusing rings that are different (they are identical) but the zoom rings on the zoom lenses e.g. my 14-150mm you rotate the zoom ring clockwise (facing the back of the camera) to go from 14mm to 150mm, but on my 70-300mm you rotate the zoom ring anti-clockwise to go from 70mm to 300mm. As I said you do get used to it, but it is a little odd at first.

Sorry I misread – that is far from ideal!