advice on telephoto zoom for D3 Leica vs Oly?

[DonQuijote]

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Gents,

 

I would very much appreciate some input. I am considering getting a telezoom for my D3.

Objective: Travel zoom & for nature observations (zoo, the occasional bird, interesting objects in the distance). I used to have a Canon 70-210mm on my old EOS that had a max aperature of f 4.0 and it seemed to cope with most shots (it was big though).

I am considering the following two options: Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-150mm F3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega OIS and Olympus Zuiko ED 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 (the non-SWD version - lower price).

 

 

1. Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-150mm F3.5-5.6 Asph. Mega OIS

Construction 15/11 elements/groups, (4 aspherical lenses and 1 ED lens)

Weight:520g

Filter 72 mm

Dimensions 78.5mm (diameter) x 90.4 mm (length)

Minimum focus distance of 50 cm over the entire zoom range

Price: expected to be US$999 range

 

2. Olympus Zuiko ED 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5

Construction 16/15 elements/groups (3 ED lens elements)

Weight 1.07kg inc tripod adaptor

Filter 67mm

Dimensions 87 (diameter) x157mm (length)

Minimum focus distance: Focusing System with inner focus closest focusing distance of 1.2m in the entire zoom range

Splash Proof Pro lens

Price ranges US$800-$1020 - here in NZ i retails between NZ$1600 and NZ$1800

 

My thoughts at this point : Pro Lumix/Leica: - Lens calculations by Leica - ok, - same size as kit lens, half the weight of the Oly and almost 7cm shorter, shorter min focus (0.5m) distance than Oly (1.2m), manual focus ring while the Oly is only manual focus by wire (menu control), OIS optical image stabiliser so I could hand-hold shot I would have to use a tripod for with the Oly (especially given the weight), slightly lower cost than Oly (not a biggy as I am buying lenses for keeps provided 4/3rds stays around - I hope it will).

 

Leica/Lumix: Aperture ring, seven aperture blades give the aperture a rounded shape that, when shooting at larger aperture, produces an attractive smoothness in out-of-focus areas

 

Lumix/Leica:Negative not as bright, at full zoom the Oly is at f3.5 while the Lumix/Leica is at f5.6., 100mm shorter focal length, then again I could use an Oly extender which would give me another 40% in focal length (+120mm --> 420mm at f6.4 which may be ok depending on light and subject), not splash proof (then neither is the D3 body).

 

In terms of optical performance which is likely going to be better quality lens?

 

In my mind at least I am leaning towards the Lumix/Leica lens but any input will be gratefully received - I am in no rush - should I wait ? Then again if this lens will be like the 25mm Summilux then it may be best to get in there....what are your thoughts?

 

Thanks, Michael

 

Also came across this evaluation of the Oly lens:

Olympus Zuiko ED 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5

 

The report above summarised the Oly lens as - positive:

Excellent optical performance across the board

Good build quality that is externally simple and splash proof

Nice carry case supplied

 

The negative points are:

Manual focus/over-ride only through camera menu

Autofocus a little slow. Takes a second to lock on.

Hood seems a little fragile for class of lens.

[spylaw4]

What might be described as a quality problem!

The Oly 50-200 does seem to have a very good established reputation, but is heavy and bulky.

The 14-150 is as yet something of an unknown quantity, but if it is as good as the 14-50 and the 25/1.4 then it will be desirable. It also has OIS which is valuable to those of us with less than steady hands!

Personally I am all for the "less is more" so to speak, so I am waiting to see the 14-150 results.

The longevity of the 4/3 system is a whole different ball game. IMO as long as Oly keep at it it will go on. The new E-3 seems to have somewhat better noise performance at higher ISO from what has been shown so that's a welcome advance. Panasonic seem to be ok with the system and Leica do appear to be intending to do more lenses for Panasonic. So it's not by any means dead yet.

AFAIK Panasonic have a high end DSLR due later 2008 and we will have to wait and see if that is re-badged to Leica as a D4.

There has also been reference to a camera X due at Photokina (not the R or M series). Some think and hope that is is a small fixed lens job - or maybe a new version of the D2, but could it be Leica's own development in 4/3? We will as usual have to be patient and indulge in lots of speculation.

[jdlaing]

Two long lenses that you might consider are the Sigma 1-400 or the 50-500.

I've seen samples printed on wildlife shots from the 50 -500 and they are quite fantastic.

 

Size makes the 50-200 Oly lens look like a prime.

 

The new 50-200 SWD may be a consideration too..........

[dist]

I don't think the 14-150 and the 50-200 are real contenders - they serve different purposes imho. The 14-150 is an "always on" lens which is probably very good for what it is, but for me the limited f stop range would be the deal killer. Of course, the additional 0.75 to 1.5 f stops that the Oly affords come at a cost - bulk and weight.

Although I haven't taken hundreds of shots with my 50-200 I don't think there's a lot of substance to "AF takes 1 second". Of course it does sometimes chase but I'm sure there'll be the equivalent if not a larger amount of chasing (given the same focal length) on the slower 14-150 lens.

Also, I have no complaints about the hood - if it were any sturdier it would add even more to the weight LOL

 

Just for the heck of it I'm throwing in a locust I took recently @ 200 mm, f/5.6 (Digilux3, ISO 800):

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Dieter,

 

Nice shot, Im blown away by the "lack of noice" my Digilux 3 seems to have rather visible noise at 800.

 

Aside from that, I agree with you, the 14-150 and th 50-200 is different animals, tough I do not have the Leica lens, I do have the 50-200 and have to say its outstanding.

 

I have been using the 50-200 for wildlife, it is great for that. However the original question mentioned "travel" and Im thinking that the 14-150 may fit that bill very well with its wider range zoom and the OIS making up for the slower glass. This could be a rather compact lens which can stay on the camera.

 

Personally I think for "travel" I would take a long look at the 14-150mm - as long as one is not expecting activities which would require a more dedicated telefocus zoom.

 

The Olympus extender works on my kit lens, however, it would be a rather dark experience so I would not include the extender in the calculations. Buy the lens if it serves the requirements as it is, otherwise one ought to think about the 50-200.

 

 

Just my two cents - Bo

[dist]

Bo,

regarding noise - well there is some (in the upper right hand part where the background fades from bright to dark), you can see it in a 1:1 crop. But it's not as bad as many describe the DL3 to be. Maybe I just got lucky.

Incidentally the ISO 800 setting was unintentional - I simply had forgotten to revert to my usual 200 after having taken some night shots.

Regarding your musings about the 14-150 - agreed that it may be a nice travel lens (I was initially very excited about the idea of having a "one size fits all" lens exactly for that purpose, but meanwhile it has lost nearly all its appeal on account of its slowness). When you look at lens speed merely from the point of view "how dark can I go without shakiness" I agree that the OIS makes up for the slow speed. But for me, DOF is an important part of the equation and, call me an old fart, tele pics are best @ wide open (yes I know... I used 5.6 myself on the shot above but then there was really not an awful lot to be gained from going more open than that).

If I need to travel light I tend to pack the 11-22 and the 1.4x converter.

Cheers,

[DonQuijote]

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Thanks Dieter, James, Brian and Bo for the great thoughts and input.

 

Primarily I want a quality zoom that covers at least 300mm for nature photography and some travel. I am not after an all in one solution but a quality lens for the job at hand. Ideally it would have been a short, light and fast 300mm lens preferably by Leica. I

 

I am not in a rush and will do some additional research but I am now strongly leaning toward the Oly lens (SWD version). Many thanks again, Michael