Best Compact/CSC For ~£400

Phate said:
On a serious note I'd quite like a couple primes and an UWA to be honest, possibly even a fisheye. Don't have a need for anything telephoto at all so they don't interest me.

UWA and Fisheye will be great for UW work, primes for walking about and awesome DoF :)
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On a budget the Panny 20mm and Oly 45mm are pretty sweet. I've got them both an got some change from £350.

My next purchase will be the 9-18mm.
 
King4aDay said:
The Rokinon 7.5 fisheye is meant to be awesome. Cheap, super sharp, 180 degree FOV and correctable to a degree if required.

With wideangles you're basically looking at the 9-18 or 7-14. 9-18 is less expensive, tiny and takes filters. The 7-14 is (relatively) large, expensive and doesn't take filters, but otherwise excellent. I went with the 9-18.

Primes there's all kinds of choice, depending on what sort of price, focal length and size you want.
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Sweet I'll check those out. Is there really a benefit of the 7-14? Aperture for example?

I could look it up myself I suppose :p

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Looking now, will the Panasonic fit the Olympus?
 
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Phate said:
Sweet I'll check those out. Is there really a benefit of the 7-14? Aperture for example?

I could look it up myself I suppose :p
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It's really sharp for an UWA, and you get an extra 2mm at the wide end which is substantial. Constant f4 instead of 4-5.6. On the downside it does have a slight 'purple blob' issue with flare on some olympus bodies.
 
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Pookie Bear said:
Ok - at this point I will show my ignorance :D

Considering it will cost me an extra £100, what tangible difference is there between the two?
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It's a lot smaller for starters - the lens bulge is generally what limits pocketability of m43 gear, with a small lens like this the gx7 should sit pretty unobtrusively in a jacket pocket, for example. It's also a bit sharper, and the 2mm extra at the wide end is handy for landscapes. Downside is no manual focus ring (you have to use a thingy on the screen for manual focus).
 
King4aDay said:
It's a lot smaller for starters - the lens bulge is generally what limits pocketability of m43 gear, with a small lens like this the gx7 should sit pretty unobtrusively in a jacket pocket, for example. It's also a bit sharper, and the 2mm extra at the wide end is handy for landscapes. Downside is no manual focus ring (you have to use a thingy on the screen for manual focus).
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Thanks for that.

The 20mm is pretty small as well, is it not? I have to consider either the 20mm and 12-32mm, or 20mm and 14-42mm and £100.

Looks like the silver version at that price has sold out too. I wonder if there will be any left by the time I get home :D
 
Also, it'll hold its value a lot better I reckon, which'll offset the initial outlay. The 14-42 goes for peanuts second hand.

Yeah the 20mm and 12-32 are a similar size.
 
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decisions decisions,i love exploring options but hate the final decision in case its the wrong one:).Pookie re john lewis ,they only price match on shops not online only sales.just in case you didn't know.
also the thought of JL being good because of there good returns policy worries me that you are not 100% sure :)
Phate,the 45mm olympus is really nice for around £200
 
THC_SsSsSnake said:
Pookie re john lewis ,they only price match on shops not online only sales.just in case you didn't know.
also the thought of JL being good because of there good returns policy worries me that you are not 100% sure :)
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It's more a case of knowing that no matter what, they will replace the unit - no sending off for repair, no messing you about - if it's broken, they just replace or refund. They are excellent.
 
I have the Panasonic 14mm pancake because it is tiny and makes a good small pocket kit.
Plus it is cheap and sharp.

m43 have lots of great lenses, really well rounded system now.
 
While my choice of camera is unchanged, I am now stuck at choosing a colour and vendor. Wilkinson Cameras had a great price, but the online reviews are patchy. That said, it leaves me with a choice of the High Street chains or another local chain, like SRS which someone said before was a good option. I previously used DC UK but their after-sales services wasn't to my satisfaction.

As soon as I know more, I'll update, I promise - and put up photos too!
 
Just a little update, seeing as I upset Phate with my lack of purchasing....
I still haven't bought it :D

I have had to email Wilkinson Cameras to ask them to check their website. The version I want (which is £100 cheaper than everywhere else!) has a slightly different model number on their website than those listed as part of the redemption offer on the Panasonic offer. The deal isn't worth the £100 off if I don't get a £269 lens for free with it! Waiting to hear back. If they're prompt, I could purchase today... :)
 
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