Lenses for nature-landscape/wildlife photographer

This is the type of photography, i would predominantly wish to pursue. Ive sort of got the basics for the inital lenses i would need. A wide angle, prolly 11-22mm, a norm lens, 14-54 (or the 12-60mm) and some telezooms: 50-200mm. What about the fixed focal lenght lenses like the 150mm or even the 300mm? These big guns are WAY out of my price range and are just a dream nowadays but id like to know what the WERD on the street is about these and other lenses.

They're awesome lenses with an equally awesome price tag.

When the E1 first came out, a few people ponied up for the 300mm and were delighted. But Oly let us down with the bodies; there was nothing matching the quality of the lens. The 300mm is hand-holdable if you are comfortable with some weight.

The Sunday Bird thread is usually opened by Richard who bought the lens from the outset.

The 150mm is one of the best optics anywhere. Very compact as well.

For this type of shooting, my understanding is that very wide and very long lenses are useful, while mid-range zooms are not used very often. I would advise you to get the 11-22mm and 50-200mm. That is a great combo to get you started.

After this, you can wait for a more affordable super tele from olympus (300mm f3.5? 400mmf5.6?). There is absolutely no indication that these lenses will ever be made, but the system has been expanding at quite a rapid pace, so it´s not out of the question.

Alternatively, you can look at the Sigma super zooms in 4/3rds mount already in shops or planned for release: 50-500mm (Bigma), 135-400mm and 300-800mm (Sigmonster).

Of course if you are one of those ppl that feels naked if there is a focal length gap in your system, you will end up getting the 14-54 anyway. Just make sure you are gonna use it. Keep in mind that Sigma has alternatives here as well, and so does Leica.

photokretz said:

What about the fixed focal
lenght lenses like the 150mm or even the 300mm?

Click to expand...

Both are very sweet lenses, the 150 is probably priced right for what it is, but Olympus are in complete dreamland with the 300 and 90-250 pricing.

If Oly ever get their heads below the clouds with these 2 lenses, they would probably sell a heap more...... in the meatime, many of us are doing well and enjoying some 300mm lenses from other brands.

Do a search for Big Bertha, the name that has been handed to the 300mm f/2.8 Tamron, also there are several others using Nikon lenses of simular dimensions with great results; if you don't mind manual focus, this is an affordable way to go.

cheers
wazza