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Debating to sell my Oly 45mm/1.8 and get a Panny 14-140

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Gumercindo

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Hi all:

I currently have a Gx7 and my set of lens consists of the Panny 20mm/1.7 and Oly 45mm/1.8. I got the former to start and as a general carry around lens. Love its compactness and I enjoy the wide open shots. Naturally, I had the need for more portrait shots and read great reviews of the Oly. I've been shooting with it and love it.

I have the need for a zoom and my 2 front runners are the 14-140 and the 45-150. I am leaning to the former but will only get it if I part ways with the 20mm or the 45mm. Is it overkill to have 3 lens? I am assuming it is. In which case, am I better off keeping the pancake lens over the Oly?

Thoughts are welcome!

TIA
 
Gumercindo said:
Hi all:

I currently have a Gx7 and my set of lens consists of the Panny 20mm/1.7 and Oly 45mm/1.8. I got the former to start and as a general carry around lens. Love its compactness and I enjoy the wide open shots. Naturally, I had the need for more portrait shots and read great reviews of the Oly. I've been shooting with it and love it.

I have the need for a zoom and my 2 front runners are the 14-140 and the 45-150. I am leaning to the former but will only get it if I part ways with the 20mm or the 45mm. Is it overkill to have 3 lens? I am assuming it is. In which case, am I better off keeping the pancake lens over the Oly?
Click to expand...
No, it's not overkill - why do you think it might be? My view is that the reason to have an interchangeable lens camera is for lens choices - if you only want one or 2 lenses buy a great compact, it's not like the sensor is always bigger or better with an interchangeable lens camera at the moment.

It just comes down to your wants, needs and financial situation really - personally I'd keep the 2 you have and get the 45-150 from the options you presented.
Gumercindo said:
Thoughts are welcome!

TIA
Click to expand...
 
Gumercindo said:
Hi all:

I currently have a Gx7 and my set of lens consists of the Panny 20mm/1.7 and Oly 45mm/1.8. I got the former to start and as a general carry around lens. Love its compactness and I enjoy the wide open shots. Naturally, I had the need for more portrait shots and read great reviews of the Oly. I've been shooting with it and love it.

I have the need for a zoom and my 2 front runners are the 14-140 and the 45-150. I am leaning to the former but will only get it if I part ways with the 20mm or the 45mm. Is it overkill to have 3 lens? I am assuming it is. In which case, am I better off keeping the pancake lens over the Oly?
Click to expand...
3 lenses too many? No.

I have both zooms. I got the 14-140mm a few weeks ago for my girlfriend, so haven't spent a lot of time shooting with it, but so far it looks very good, even at the long end. She loves it! The 45-150mm is excellent, especially for a small, inexpensive lens with it's range. Both are nearly the same size.

The 14-140mm + 20mm + 45mm would be a very nice, compact, yet versatile kit.

If money is an issue, then the 45-150mm is kind of a steal at $250… but keep both primes! I've used it on a few vacations and have grown to like it a lot.
 
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I sold my Oly 45mm and picked up the Oly 12-40. AMAZING lens! If wanting a longer reach, I'd do the Panny 35-100. Both lenses are pricey but very much worth it. For now, I have the Panny 45-150. Nice lens and nice price but not too bright. Personally, I'd split up the range (12-40 and 35-100) and get the best quality optics you can afford. Stick with the zoom 2.8f constants IMHO.

Richard
 
Different tools for different jobs............................
 
Michael M Fliegel said:
Different tools for different jobs............................
Click to expand...
Well, do think my 12-40 Oly better than my 25mmPanny/Leica or the 20mm Panny pancake. Feel that the 35-100 Panny 2.8f or 12-40 Oly or 12-35 Panny fast zooms will vastly surpass a 14-140 in center or corner sharpness at any f stop....and be faster to boot.

It is not a question of different tools, but more about the BEST tools (though admit that some folks with Kodak instant cameras can take better pics that folks with FF dSLRs LOL).

Richard
 
Gumercindo said:
Great lenses, but too pricey for me! Will keep them in my mental backpocket, though.
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I hear you! I am lucky that the wife lets me spend whatever I want on photo equipment. Will say that the kit lenses (14-42 and 14-45 Pannys) are a steal as is the Panny 45-150. Oly has similar pricing and interesting collapse lenses (quite compact) that allow you great versatility re interchangeable lenses at a good price point. One "must have" IMHO is the Oly 9-18....great range, quite compact and a steal versus the Panny 7-14 (less than 1/2 the price!). Good options abound!!!!
 
Geekapoo said:
Michael M Fliegel said:
Different tools for different jobs............................
Click to expand...
Well, do think my 12-40 Oly better than my 25mmPanny/Leica or the 20mm Panny pancake. Feel that the 35-100 Panny 2.8f or 12-40 Oly or 12-35 Panny fast zooms will vastly surpass a 14-140 in center or corner sharpness at any f stop....and be faster to boot.
Click to expand...
The 14-140mm II is in an entirely different class of lens from the 12-40mm or 12-35mm. Of course it's not going to have as good image quality.

BUT, for what it is and what it does… a compact and light 10x super zoom, for a reasonable price… it's a very good lens. It's perfect for casual use and travel, where ease of use, convenience and NOT irritating one's travel companions with lens changes make it invaluable.
Geekapoo said:
It is not a question of different tools, but more about the BEST tools (though admit that some folks with Kodak instant cameras can take better pics that folks with FF dSLRs LOL).
Click to expand...
Sure, we all want, prefer and lust for the BEST tools, but not everyone wants, needs or even appreciates $1000+ lenses. ONE lens that does the job of several lenses at a fraction of the price is pretty compelling.

My girlfriend loves it! That's worth a TON right there! ;-)
 
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jeffharris said:
Geekapoo said:
Michael M Fliegel said:
Different tools for different jobs............................
Click to expand...
Well, do think my 12-40 Oly better than my 25mmPanny/Leica or the 20mm Panny pancake. Feel that the 35-100 Panny 2.8f or 12-40 Oly or 12-35 Panny fast zooms will vastly surpass a 14-140 in center or corner sharpness at any f stop....and be faster to boot.
Click to expand...
The 14-140mm II is in an entirely different class of lens from the 12-40mm or 12-35mm. Of course it's not going to have as good image quality.

BUT, for what it is and what it does… a compact and light 10x super zoom, for a reasonable price… it's a very good lens. It's perfect for casual use and travel, where ease of use, convenience and NOT irritating one's travel companions with lens changes make it invaluable.
jeffharris said:
It is not a question of different tools, but more about the BEST tools (though admit that some folks with Kodak instant cameras can take better pics that folks with FF dSLRs LOL).
Click to expand...
Sure, we all want, prefer and lust for the BEST tools, but not everyone wants, needs or even appreciates $1000+ lenses. ONE lens that does the job of several lenses at a fraction of the price is pretty compelling.

My girlfriend loves it! That's worth a TON right there! ;-)
Click to expand...
I agree on all points. I approach photography with a strong dislike for use of a flash. As a result, I gravitate to the fastest lenses possible, though definitely appreciate what slower, cheaper lenses can do. For me, the fast but expensive lens is enabling..

Have disliked flash photography for almost 50 years (started taking pictures/had a darkroom when I was 10 years old)

Richard
 
Geekapoo said:
jeffharris said:
Geekapoo said:
Michael M Fliegel said:
Different tools for different jobs............................
Click to expand...
Well, do think my 12-40 Oly better than my 25mmPanny/Leica or the 20mm Panny pancake. Feel that the 35-100 Panny 2.8f or 12-40 Oly or 12-35 Panny fast zooms will vastly surpass a 14-140 in center or corner sharpness at any f stop....and be faster to boot.
Click to expand...
The 14-140mm II is in an entirely different class of lens from the 12-40mm or 12-35mm. Of course it's not going to have as good image quality.

BUT, for what it is and what it does… a compact and light 10x super zoom, for a reasonable price… it's a very good lens. It's perfect for casual use and travel, where ease of use, convenience and NOT irritating one's travel companions with lens changes make it invaluable.
Geekapoo said:
It is not a question of different tools, but more about the BEST tools (though admit that some folks with Kodak instant cameras can take better pics that folks with FF dSLRs LOL).
Click to expand...
Sure, we all want, prefer and lust for the BEST tools, but not everyone wants, needs or even appreciates $1000+ lenses. ONE lens that does the job of several lenses at a fraction of the price is pretty compelling.

My girlfriend loves it! That's worth a TON right there! ;-)
Click to expand...
I agree on all points. I approach photography with a strong dislike for use of a flash. As a result, I gravitate to the fastest lenses possible, though definitely appreciate what slower, cheaper lenses can do. For me, the fast but expensive lens is enabling..

Have disliked flash photography for almost 50 years (started taking pictures/had a darkroom when I was 10 years old)
Click to expand...
Pretty much the same here, minus a few years. ;-) I love available light shooting, fast lenses, etc., except I HATED working in the darkroom! So, I always shot chromes. Remember Ektachrome 160?
 
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jeffharris said:
jeffharris said:
I agree on all points. I approach photography with a strong dislike for use of a flash. As a result, I gravitate to the fastest lenses possible, though definitely appreciate what slower, cheaper lenses can do. For me, the fast but expensive lens is enabling..

Have disliked flash photography for almost 50 years (started taking pictures/had a darkroom when I was 10 years old)
Click to expand...
Pretty much the same here, minus a few years. ;-) I love available light shooting, fast lenses, etc., except I HATED working in the darkroom! So, I always shot chromes. Remember Ektachrome 160?
Click to expand...
Always did B+W....was in charge of photos for the newspaper and yearbook in High School. As an indication of my interest in pushing the boundries of low light photography, I canot count the number of times I pushed development of of negatives from ISO400 to 1600!
 
I would not do this I find the 14-140 OK but nothing special I am probably selling mine but the 45 is special and I think you might miss it.

My favourite zoom would be the 35-100 which is very nice and can replace the 45mm. My current favourite is the tiny 12-32 from the GM1 (on my GX7) and the 45-175x is also great for me this would be similar cost and cover more range but 2 lenses and with those you would probably still want the 45mm!
 
If you are using a Panasonic body, the Panasonic lenses which you have listed will probably operate better. Considering the software involved, you can always expect a Panasonic body to get the best out of a native lens.
 
Decision like this tend to be on the financial side

If you can keep both by all means do

If not then sell the least used lens

Reasoning for shooting with primes, in this case the 45mm:

1) best IQ

2) small form factor, portability, unobtrusive for streets and candids

3) low light capability

4) smooth bokeh

5) better DOF control

6) good looking on camera

7) fast AF

I usually shoot with 3 primes when I do street shooting (12mm, 17mm and 75mm (sold 45mm for this) )

For convenience I'd carry a zoom like the 12-40mm

I'd also have 2 bodies, 1 with a zoom , the other with a prime

So there's room for both

Your longer zoom will be more convenient but at 45mm focal (or any other for that matter) you 'll not get the same result you get from the 45mm, especially wide open

For portraits and candids, the 45mm and the 75mm are the best primes you can get from Olympus

Cheers,
 
MFiftysomething said:
I would not do this I find the 14-140 OK but nothing special I am probably selling mine but the 45 is special and I think you might miss it.

My favourite zoom would be the 35-100 which is very nice and can replace the 45mm. My current favourite is the tiny 12-32 from the GM1 (on my GX7) and the 45-175x is also great for me this would be similar cost and cover more range but 2 lenses and with those you would probably still want the 45mm!
Click to expand...
I'm in the same dilemma, trying to choose between 14-140ii or 35-100...
 
dv312 said:
Decision like this tend to be on the financial side

If you can keep both by all means do

If not then sell the least used lens

Reasoning for shooting with primes, in this case the 45mm:

1) best IQ

2) small form factor, portability, unobtrusive for streets and candids

3) low light capability

4) smooth bokeh

5) better DOF control

6) good looking on camera

7) fast AF

I usually shoot with 3 primes when I do street shooting (12mm, 17mm and 75mm (sold 45mm for this) )

For convenience I'd carry a zoom like the 12-40mm

I'd also have 2 bodies, 1 with a zoom , the other with a prime

So there's room for both

Your longer zoom will be more convenient but at 45mm focal (or any other for that matter) you 'll not get the same result you get from the 45mm, especially wide open

For portraits and candids, the 45mm and the 75mm are the best primes you can get from Olympus

Cheers,
Click to expand...
Regarding the best primes for portraits and candids, I have the 45mm and I love it. The 75mm intrigues me but I'm wondering if there's a 135mm (or similar) prime out there that would be a good complement to my 45mm. Rather than going for the 14-150 (which seems to be the best zoom - consensus here).
 
Gumercindo said:
dv312 said:
Decision like this tend to be on the financial side

If you can keep both by all means do

Your longer zoom will be more convenient but at 45mm focal (or any other for that matter) you 'll not get the same result you get from the 45mm, especially wide open

For portraits and candids, the 45mm and the 75mm are the best primes you can get from Olympus?
Click to expand...
Regarding the best primes for portraits and candids, I have the 45mm and I love it. The 75mm intrigues me but I'm wondering if there's a 135mm (or similar) prime out there that would be a good complement to my 45mm. Rather than going for the 14-150 (which seems to be the best zoom - consensus here).
Click to expand...
The 75mm is pretty much it as far as native M4/3 AF primes in that range. Remember the 75mm is 150mm equivalent, so anything longer will be, well, longer. ;-)

Otherwise, you could always adapt a used manual 105mm f2.8. They tend to be not too big. I have a Pentax 105mm f2.8 SMC Takumar that's really very nice and not too big! even with the adaptor.

Also, Voigtländer makes a Nokton 75mm f1.8 with an M mount that rates very highly. I got one of the older L mount Voigtländer 75mm f2.5 Color Heliar lenses that's very compact, weighs around 220g, is very sharp and renders beautifully. KEH sells them for around $350, lens hood included.

 
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I suggest another alternative; 2 OMD bodies, one with an Oly 12-40 2.8 and one with a Pany 35 -100 2.8. I hate changing lenses when out and about.
 
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