mFT lenses are soooo expensive! Right then....

Jorginho wrote:

SteveY80 wrote:

It really depends on what you're comparing. That Sony lens is eye wateringly expensive, but there are plenty of cheaper f2.8 options for various systems. Look at the Tamron and Sigma lenses available for DSLRs, especially what's available used.\

Or we look at the Art lenses and these are not so cheap.

I paid about twice as much for my Panasonic 12-35mm as I did for my Sony 16-50 f/2.8 for APS-C A mount.

Both new?

Both used, and both from the same camera shop. Although the Sony was split from an A77 kit and was in perfect condition, while the Panasonic was a little bit battered.

Looking at current prices for new lenses, it looks like the Panasonics have been discounted since then. The Sony 16-50 is currently £499 new, while the Panasonic 12-35 is £735. A new Panasonic 35-100 is only a bit more expensive than the latest model Sigma 70-200 OS (£799 for the 35-100 vs £729 for the full frame 70-200).

For whatever reason, MFT lenses seem to maintain their value better on the used market than lenses for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, or Sony. Good for sellers, not so good for used MFT lens bargain hunters.

The price difference between the cheapest used Panasonic 35-100 I can find and a Sigma 70-200 HSM is even greater.

I am not saying mFT lenses are cheap, cheapest etc I am saying that it does not stand out as overly expensive. Sigma and Tamron lenses are cheaper, Nikons and Canons not so much and Sony G line-up does seem both expensive and mostly excellent too.

I'm not really trying to say that MFT lenses are overly expensive (at least not all of them). My point was that people complaining about the price of MFT lenses are unlikely to be comparing them to top of the line Sigma Art or Sony G. Really, Sony's FE 70-200 f/4 is a fairer comparison with f/2.8 MFT anyway...

It seems to me that someone looking for the best value is more likely to be comparing the budget bargains available for each system, including the availability/price of used lenses. That's where pricing up a comparable system can make MFT look substantially more expensive.