My 7-14mm is HERE!

[goodbokeh]

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Today I received the newest lens for my Digilux 3, the Olympus Zuiko ED 7-14mm ultra wide angle zoom. WOW! I have not been so impressed with a piece of glass since the Noctilux! I can't believe the coverage at the 7mm mark, massive is the word that comes to mind. The build quality is right up there with the best and I purchased it in time to get the $175 rebate to boot.

 

Here is a cameralabs report on the 7-14mm, watch it at your own risk because it's all true!

Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm 1:4.0 full review Cameralabs video tour

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[ptomsu]

While I fully back your love for the 7-14, I do not understand what is so new about it, that we need to know here ? That it also works on the E-3 ????

 

I had my first Oly 7-14 already 3 years ago with my E-1, it was always reliable and great quality, second to no other vendors wide zooms.

 

But - this is really not new

 

And BTW - the Nikkor 14-24 beats it in terms of wider aperture and IQ. And this one is really NEW.

[mym6is12]

Congratulations on the new lens. I'm very happy with mine.

I agree it's of very impressive quality. The Olympus 'Top-Pro' lenses certainly seem to exceed current the Lumix Leica lenses in terms of build quality.

 

But I really hope Leica will continue with the 4/3 line, as the value offered by 4/3 is more inline with what I'm prepared to pay, compared to prospective R10 prices.

 

[goodbokeh]

While I fully back your love for the 7-14, I do not understand what is so new about it, that we need to know here ? That it also works on the E-3 ????

 

I had my first Oly 7-14 already 3 years ago with my E-1, it was always reliable and great quality, second to no other vendors wide zooms.

 

But - this is really not new

 

And BTW - the Nikkor 14-24 beats it in terms of wider aperture and IQ. And this one is really NEW.

 

The 7-14mm is new to me and I wanted to share! I think it is good to reinforce that the Digilux 3 4/3rds format gives Leica D series owners two top tier lens line choices, Leica and Olympus! This is a strength that proprietary mount systems like Nikon or Canon don't offer.

 

The Nikkor 14-24mm is a great lens but it must be used on a full frame Nikon D3 to achieve the same breadth of coverage of the 7-14mm. I have not seen a direct comparison of IQ between the two lenses, can you provide that source or link?

[goodbokeh]

Congratulations on the new lens. I'm very happy with mine.

I agree it's of very impressive quality. The Olympus 'Top-Pro' lenses certainly seem to exceed current the Lumix Leica lenses in terms of build quality.

 

But I really hope Leica will continue with the 4/3 line, as the value offered by 4/3 is more inline with what I'm prepared to pay, compared to prospective R10 prices.

 

Thanks much for the congratulations Donald, I am just really excited with the 7-14mm! Like you, I think the performance and quality of the 4/3rds system is of top value. I think we will see the future of Leica/Lumix 4/3rds at Photokina next fall. PMA might give us some insights in the next few days also.

[jdlaing]

You're going to love that lens.

[ptomsu]

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The 7-14mm is new to me and I wanted to share!

 

Well of course, so share!

 

But somehow I am a bit surprised that a lens, which was already great some 3 years ago is rediscovered again today and people start suddenly finding how great it is? What have you done the past years? I loved this lens an it did a great job for me. But now having the possibility of FF and D3 there is much better results coming of this combination than of any FT combination using the 7-14. And this is simple, not high math.

 

The Oly Top Pro lenses are first class and second to none! And there are NO counterparts from Leica/Pana. And I actually doubt there will be. Leica would be the motor behind that, not Pana - but Leica has first a different goal, which means make as much money out of the R110 and future R glass, as well as the M system.

 

So I doubt they will support the 4/3 standard as we (you) all expect here. Currently they do not even distribute T lenses produced by Pana. So for me this looks very much half hearted

[Luxmicron]

ptomsu;467254]Well of course, so share!

 

But somehow I am a bit surprised that a lens, which was already great some 3 years ago is rediscovered again today and people start suddenly finding how great it is? What have you done the past years? I loved this lens an it did a great job for me. But now having the possibility of FF and D3 there is much better results coming of this combination than of any FT combination using the 7-14. And this is simple, not high math.

 

The Oly Top Pro lenses are first class and second to none! And there are NO counterparts from Leica/Pana. And I actually doubt there will be. Leica would be the motor behind that, not Pana - but Leica has first a different goal, which means make as much money out of the R110 and future R glass, as well as the M system.

 

So I doubt they will support the 4/3 standard as we (you) all expect here. Currently they do not even distribute T lenses produced by Pana. So for me this looks very much half hearted

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[goodbokeh]

Well of course, so share!

 

But somehow I am a bit surprised that a lens, which was already great some 3 years ago is rediscovered again today and people start suddenly finding how great it is? What have you done the past years? I loved this lens an it did a great job for me. But now having the possibility of FF and D3 there is much better results coming of this combination than of any FT combination using the 7-14. And this is simple, not high math.

 

The Oly Top Pro lenses are first class and second to none! And there are NO counterparts from Leica/Pana. And I actually doubt there will be. Leica would be the motor behind that, not Pana - but Leica has first a different goal, which means make as much money out of the R110 and future R glass, as well as the M system.

 

So I doubt they will support the 4/3 standard as we (you) all expect here. Currently they do not even distribute T lenses produced by Pana. So for me this looks very much half hearted

 

Well, I'm still waiting for the reference or link to substantiate your statement that the Nikkor 14-24mm has better IQ than the Olympus 7-14mm. Was that claim just your own opinion like the quote above?

[goodbokeh]

You're going to love that lens.

 

Thanks James! I'm a little afraid of that naked front element though. I've always had protection filters on my lenses. I hope the multicoating is hard wearing.

[ptomsu]

Well, I'm still waiting for the reference or link to substantiate your statement that the Nikkor 14-24mm has better IQ than the Olympus 7-14mm. Was that claim just your own opinion like the quote above?

 

There is not the single link or a single photo I can offer you. This is based on many photos I made with the 7-14 and the experience I got from some shots wit the 14-24.

 

Simply said it is already better if it comes with 2.8 instead of 4 with the same IQ, which in my opinion it has.

 

But you can be sure there will be tests over the next months which will compare these lenses via test charts etc. I am not a test chart guy

 

But maybe it is the right choice for the E-3, because then the typical focus inconsistencies are less noticeable with a wide zoom

[goodbokeh]

There is not the single link or a single photo I can offer you. This is based on many photos I made with the 7-14 and the experience I got from some shots wit the 14-24.

 

Simply said it is already better if it comes with 2.8 instead of 4 with the same IQ, which in my opinion it has.

 

But you can be sure there will be tests over the next months which will compare these lenses via test charts etc. I am not a test chart guy

 

But maybe it is the right choice for the E-3, because then the typical focus inconsistencies are less noticeable with a wide zoom

 

No source or link to substantiate your statement on the Nikkor vs Olympus and you are not a test chart kind of guy, eh. You may have sold your E3 a little to soon Peter. An E3 firmware upgrade became available yesterday, including an AF fix.

[ptomsu]

No source or link to substantiate your statement on the Nikkor vs Olympus and you are not a test chart kind of guy, eh. You may have sold your E3 a little to soon Peter. An E3 firmware upgrade became available yesterday, including an AF fix.

 

My E3 AF issue was not something which could have been repaired with FW. It was one of the issues where Oly normally exchanges the camera. I had posted several links to different FT Forums, where people are going through this pain. And the current AF fix has nothing to do with single spot AF issues.

 

Don't worry I know what I did. I could have looked for a replacement myself. I instead decided to go again the Nikon path. The D3 is so far above anything else available today, specifically in in IQ. And I have all my Nikkor FF glass still sitting with me.

 

And since I used the 7-14 for almost 2 years - a great lens BTW - I can judge myself if another lens comes close or is better. For me there is no doubt it is.

 

So believe what you want, I don't care. And have fun with your 7-14 and the E-3. A great combination, if you are a lucky guy who owns a working one

[jdlaing]

Thanks James! I'm a little afraid of that naked front element though. I've always had protection filters on my lenses. I hope the multicoating is hard wearing.

 

That is, in fact, the most delicate thing on that lens and I'm always afraid I'll bump it on something. I have gotten into the habit of carrying the cameras in my hand instead of slung over my shoulder.

 

On a further note.......................any slightest distortion..........and there is very very little............is very easy to correct in any of the Adobe programs with lens correction. I have had maybe one in thirty photos to adjust and I think it is me and not the lens that causes it.

 

Happy wide angle shooting.

 

PS: Go into a nice rectangle shaped room with a long wall and back up against the opposite long wall right in the middle and and take an image of the opposite wall. It will blow your mind.

[goodbokeh]

My E3 AF issue was not something which could have been repaired with FW. It was one of the issues where Oly normally exchanges the camera. I had posted several links to different FT Forums, where people are going through this pain. And the current AF fix has nothing to do with single spot AF issues.

 

Don't worry I know what I did. I could have looked for a replacement myself. I instead decided to go again the Nikon path. The D3 is so far above anything else available today, specifically in in IQ. And I have all my Nikkor FF glass still sitting with me.

 

And since I used the 7-14 for almost 2 years - a great lens BTW - I can judge myself if another lens comes close or is better. For me there is no doubt it is.

 

So believe what you want, I don't care. And have fun with your 7-14 and the E-3. A great combination, if you are a lucky guy who owns a working one

 

I don't have an E3, I use the Digilux 3 and L1.

[goodbokeh]

That is, in fact, the most delicate thing on that lens and I'm always afraid I'll bump it on something. I have gotten into the habit of carrying the cameras in my hand instead of slung over my shoulder.

 

On a further note.......................any slightest distortion..........and there is very very little............is very easy to correct in any of the Adobe programs with lens correction. I have had maybe one in thirty photos to adjust and I think it is me and not the lens that causes it.

 

Happy wide angle shooting.

 

PS: Go into a nice rectangle shaped room with a long wall and back up against the opposite long wall right in the middle and and take an image of the opposite wall. It will blow your mind.

 

Thanks for the tips James, I will try the room shot today!

[ptomsu]

I don't have an E3, I use the Digilux 3 and L1.

 

This is a major mistake!

[goodbokeh]

This is a major mistake!

 

I am very happy with the Digilux 3 and L1. The 4/3rds glass is just great; the 7-14mm and 25mm Summilux are my favorites!

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[DonQuijote]

I am very happy with the Digilux 3 and L1. The 4/3rds glass is just great; the 7-14mm and 25mm Summilux are my favorites!

 

I fully endorse your comment - I am also very happy with my Digilux 3 - I take more photos than I ever have and it is a completely different - more tactile experience (aperature ring, design, layout) than the black computer boxes with menu structures 15 levels deep and 101 scene programs.

 

The issue 58 of the UK Digital Camera Buyer Guide has a review of the Digilux-3 on page 80 comments on camera and the kit lens : "Image sharpness isn't an issue with this camera though. The supplied lens is a lovely piece of glass, with sharpness across the frame that a Canon 5D can only dream about. Equally the image stabilising system does a brilliant job. Shots handheld at 50mm at 1/20sec are razorsharp and this is where the Leica comes into its stride.With this lens and body combination, if you shoot RAW and select almost any aperature setting, you're pretty much guaranteed to get truly excellent results" and on pg 82 "...compared to Nikon's D200 results are as good, if not better, in some areas" and "Digital cameras have a propensity to blow highlights, but the Leica actually does quite well here. We could recover almost two thirds of a stop of highlight detail when shooting RAW and equally found that at point of capture it didn't blow the highlights as readily as other cameras". The article finishes with "The Digilux-3 is a camera of unique style and substance". On pg 81 there is a photo of the D3 with a caption :" Build Design:You're buying into a quality of construction that the company's reputation has been built on. Unlike the Panasonic DMC-L1, the Leica is hand-assembled."

The only criticism was: no raw-only shooting mode, no highlight warning screen, noise levels could be improved (not an issue for me as I rarely go beyond 800 ISO)

 

You may also like to read this Digitalcamerareview.com review :Leica Digilux 3 Digital Camera User Review

which concludes:

Conclusion

Overall I am very impressed with this camera. The image quality is excellent and the camera works well. As far as lenses go this is by far the best in class (kit lenses) I also liked the ergonomics/styling of the camera for the most part. I like the retro controls, so much more fun than pushing buttons and navigating menus. So much more Leica, gives it a somewhat mechanical feel which I love. However I will also admit that it was a bit heavy/bulky requiring two hands to operate and even then could be tiring to use for prolonged periods but probably partly because of this, it’s built like a tank! This is the SLR for Leica fans or for anyone wanting top of the line equipment the only place this camera falls short is battery life (somewhat) lens choices (just the kit thus far) and price. And to be picky the noise could be improved. However if I had to choose between this and a Canon or Nikon I would strive to get the Leica. (or its Panasonic sibling for less $$)

 

Plus in a previous post I referred to a German scientific publication highlighting the weaknesses of 35mm cameras & lenses adapted for Digitalphotography versus the 4/3 Digital system.

 

All that remains to be said can be seen in my signature below - long live 4/3rds hear, hear Michael

[ptomsu]

I am very happy with the Digilux 3 and L1. The 4/3rds glass is just great; the 7-14mm and 25mm Summilux are my favorites!

 

Well, this only tells that you don't know better

 

But why are you worried, if you have the best camera in the world and the best glass, you just could ignore other opinions

 

Just take your gear, make great photos and do not look around what else is available