Trying to plan lens acquirement for my GF1...

Dinomania

Dinomania

Dinomania

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Joined
21 Apr 2003
Posts
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So, I'm becoming bitten by the bug but loving the GF1 size and not about to move up to a bigger DSLR despite them being better at higher ISO settings.

Soooooooo considering I'm taking fairly varied pictures, but not bothered about strong telephoto (also starting to notice sometimes 'not being able to get it all in' as well as at other times wanting some more aperture for motion in low-light and added creaminess to backgrounds), would it be wise to work my way towards owning:

14mm f2.5 wide angle pancake
25mm f1.4 'leica' portrait lens
14-42mm f3.5-5.6 zoom lens
..?

I currently have the 20mm f1.7 pancake and the 14-42mm, plus a legacy 50mm manual focus lens I'm not using much at all (it's REALLY long on this camera).

I'd sell the 20mm to help fund the buying of the others (as I gather the 25mm is superior), and the 14mm would then be my pocketable-take-anywhere lens. I'm also thinking of selling the 14-42 and getting the new compact 'X' version of the same.

Any other micro-four-thirds users figuring out what they want?
 
I'm similarly pricing up options for an increasingly likely switch to m43...

My current plan, doubling up on Panasonic's cashback and free lightroom offer is something like:

GH2
GF3
14 and 20mm pancakes
Olympus 9-18
+ something longer, might wait for reviews on the 14-42X, or get a 14-140. Can use my old adaptall lenses while I wait.
 
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Actually, just seen that the new gf3 + 14-42X kits are due to hit the shelves fairly soon, will probably wait and get that instead of the gf3 + 14 kit, as long as they arrive before the cashback offers end.

It sounds like the 9-18 might be a good lens for you if you're looking for something wider. Can be had for about £460 new if you shop around.
 
9-18 is a very nice lens :) I love mine. Use it on the GF1. Example image:

Dawn light breaking over the mountains at Dingboche, Nepal.

Nepal%252520560.jpg
 
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^ Stunning!!!

I've only had the 20mm for the last few years and desperately want something wider! :D

Part of me was waiting to see if Canokia released something amazing (a modern day Nikon SP etc) or Sony come out with inspiring but cheapish lenses for the NEX range (the NEX7 looks wonderful!)
I also don't want a smaller camera, like the Nikon 1V/GF3/Pen mini etc, so GXF1 (or EP3 in a few years if it's too expensive) here we come! :D

Anyway, here's my plan for lenses...

Olympus 12mm F2 (I'd absolutely love this one but they're a tad too expensive atm :()
14mm pancake (only £150 now!) or 14-42mm pancake zoom (if it's cheapish and sharp at 14mm)
20mm f1.7 (love it to bits and the 25mm Leica is too expensive, ditto the Voigtlander 25mm/f0.95)
40mm f1.4 Voigtlander (probably after the wide angle)

I don't really need anything longer as I use my old (but super sharp) m42 takumars all the time. Shooting with the 55mm is like second nature now and gets similar use to the 20mm. :) (landscapes, quick family shots etc)

5955690411_f4fce875b4_z.jpg


6086862193_b76d61def2_z.jpg
 
Hopefully we'll see a bunch of m43 Sigmas soon, so there might be an alternative to the 9-18mm at that price point (8-16mm copy?)

Oh, does anyone use the i.Exposure function?
 
King4aDay said:
Personally I would keep the 20, forget the 25 and buy a 9-18, but I speak as someone who doesn't yet own any of these :p
Click to expand...

Thats what I did. The 20mm is a brilliant Lens.

I will either add the X lens - 12-35 and 35-100 dependant on Aperture and reviews, or move to the NEX 7. Lack of a decent EVF on the GF1 is the only killer for me. Heres hoping they release a pro/enthusiast body with one built in.
 
I thought we were stuck for choice? Gosh, seems suddenly there's plenty for u4/3!

Maybe super-wide is the next plan. I'm a bit cheap though - indeed I hope I can get a decent price on one, esp. if I'm not selling the 20mm to fund it...
 
I personally would never get rid of the 20. I think its the best lens for the platform. Thats just me though :) Depends on your usage more than anything. The 9-18 is expensive, that much is for sure!
 
Meh, complicated bunch of choices. Yes the 20mm is lovely and probably the best compromise lens given my budget

Am I going to notice the extra angle that the 14mm pancake would give me? Or should I just save up for a superwide of some kind?
 
Right, now think it's daft of me to sell the 20mm. I agree. For the moment!

I think I may get better mileage out of getting a proper portrait lens like the Olympus 45mm f1.8, and a 2nd hand 14mm. They're not crazy-expensive and then depending how I like the 14mm, I can either keep it and sell the 20mm for a 25mm f1.4, OR ditch the 14mm for a super-wide.

PLAN, I has a plan!

Thanks all :)
 
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