DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

Replacing 50-200SWD with 40-150 f2.8 PRO

Started Apr 7, 2015 | Questions thread
Bobby J Veteran Member • Posts: 5,191
Re: Replacing 50-200SWD with 40-150 f2.8 PRO
5

I have made that switch.  I had a really good 50-200 SWD and decided to sell it and the TC and purchase the new 40x150 and TC as soon as they were available.

Well it's a mixed bag.  I like the new lens OK, and pretty much keep the TC on it most of the time.

IQ is good, but to my eye no better than the 50x200.  It does focus a little faster.  I sold the old lens before the latest firmware update, so it's possible the old lens would focus nearly as well as the new one, although to be honest it was pretty good anyway on the EM-1.

It was really somewhat more versatile, and of course with the TC in place it was a decent long lens too.  At 150mm focal length it was nearly f 2.8.  The new lens + TC is about 3 oz. lighter than the old lens by it's self.

So what have I gained?  A little faster focus maybe, and a little closer focusing ability. 20mm on the long end. (with the TC)

What have I lost?  A little vesatility and a half stop of speed at 200mm.  That giant lens hood which I despised.  Also 1250.00 USD.

Would I do it again?  Hard to say but I doubt it.  I miss the 50x200.  I had a screw-in lens hood for it so I didn't have to put up with the one it came with.  I suppose in some ways the new lens is a better lens, but to be honest, I don't think it's 1250.00 better.

Just my 2 cents.

-- hide signature --

BJM

 Bobby J's gear list:Bobby J's gear list
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 Panasonic Lumix G 25mm F1.7 ASPH Olympus 12-100mm F4.0 Olympus E-M1 Olympus E-M1 II +9 more
selected answer This post was selected as the answer by the original poster.
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum PPrevious NNext WNext unread UUpvote SSubscribe RReply QQuote BBookmark MMy threads
Color scheme? Blue / Yellow