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50-200 owners! Do you actually need the lens?

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Bobapingu said:
Hope1943 said:
well, I see we've about run out of gas on this one. I just checked my older Sony ff camera and Minolta (mostly) lenses and find I have 11 lenses that go to 200 mm in the that lens line alone, so, NO!!! I do not NEED the new 50-200 lens, although it would be nice to have all the new stuff. I have the 80-200mm f2.8 G lens as the best of the bunch. The rest are somewhat slower ,going to either f4 or even 5.6 - but all get the job done. This, not even counting the "other" lenses like the PL 50-200 f2.8-4, the PL 100-400, the Oly 40-150 f2.8 mm or the Oly 100-300mm in m4/3. nor any of the lens for the other mounts.

NO! I don't NEED the OMB 50-200mm f2.8 lens and I elect NOT to buy it. YMMV Although, I'm sure it is very nice. I guess I don't really understand the hype and excitement about an announcement of the new lens. The new lens would be nice to have something new, but I bet ya my Minolta 80-200 f2.8 G can hold its own - maybe not if you pixil peepl but pretty darned good. Whoop! It takes good pictures and that's all that matters.
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You "...doth protest too much, methinks." :-)
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Not really complaining and certainly not protesting bringing this lens out for sale. Just saying I don't really NEED it, which is what the OP asked about - and I told you the reasons why - Don't use that focal length all that much and have OTHER lenses for when I do.

I guess anyone who is not actually gushing over the lens is complaining and or protesting. Not so!

Of course, it has lots of features and by all accounts is very sharp - great imagery. Just saying let's save our gushing for those folks that actually NEED and will USE it it and try not to see those that don't NEED it as complainers or protesters. Buy it it you NEED it, seems it is great. My pictures are not that valuable that they have to be "perfect" - for me nor to anyone else. I never sell them, and seldom show them, for example. I've framed and hung quite a few of them on my walls, but If you don't want to see the imperfections, don't look.
 
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Phocal said:
Honestly, it comes off more as someone mad they can't afford it. But, if you really want to know. I made a long post here about why I bought it, as well as my initial impressions.
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How did your 300/4 break? What's wrong with it? I had an issue with mine before too...
 
HicHic said:
Phocal said:
Honestly, it comes off more as someone mad they can't afford it. But, if you really want to know. I made a long post here about why I bought it, as well as my initial impressions.
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How did your 300/4 break? What's wrong with it? I had an issue with mine before too...
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Dropped it down a cliff and shattered the front element and busted the hood.
 
For those who don't want to go to another forum to read it, I posted it here as well.
Phocal said:
C Sean said:
I apologies if my post comes across as a bit rude.
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Honestly, it comes off more as someone mad they can't afford it. But, if you really want to know. I made a long post here about why I bought it, as well as my initial impressions.
Phocal said:
I seen several posts here from the recently new owners of OM System 50-200mm 2.8. I'm wonder if you bought the lens because you actually need it or done it out of loyalty to the brand?

I bought the very good and compact Panasonic Leica 50-200mm 2.8-4 around 2018. The reason why I bought the lens because for one I actually asked for a pro version of the Lumix 45-200mm F4-5.6 and the second is actually needed the lens from time to time!

What I did discover is when Lumix tried to copy Full Frame lenses with the 2.8 zoom series, both the 12-35 2.8 and the 35-100mm 2.8 were very restrictive in their focal lengths. Olympus had the right idea of doing their own 2.8 zooms with longer focal lengths and were more practical lenses. Lumix down the line corrected their mistake by releasing the 2.8-4 series by keeping their zooms somewhat compact, fast enough for most shooting and delivering longer focal lengths.

Like the Panasonic Leica 12-60mm 2.8-4, the 50-200mm 2.8-4 was compact enough but it also saved me from carrying other lenses. For example the 12-60mm saves me carrying both the 12-35 and the 35-100mm. The 50-200mm 2.8-4 on the other hand saves me carrying both the 35-100mm and the 100-400 and possibly a further body! Also the lens is great for motor racing, sports, events and animal/birds workshop.

So with the Panasonic Leica 50-200mm 2.8-4 been out for many years now and it half the price of the OM System 50-200mm 2.8. Why are people all a sudden rushing to buy the lens and I did read someone commented they didn't know why they bought the lens in the first place! The second thing I want to point out is the size of the lens and it depth of field. Both Sony and Nikon had released their 100-400mm 4.5-5.6 for mirrorless years ago. In fact I saw the Nikon Z 100-400mm 4.5-5.6 yesterday! But for some reason all a sudden people need the Om System 50-200mm 2.8 ignoring the fact there been good alternatives already out for many years and at a cheaper price too!

My final comment, as an owner of the PL50-200mm 2.8-4 and the PL100-400mm. I used the 100-400mm more because of wildlife.
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Sadly I sent my copy back as it didn't work out to well for me, they offered a full refund or a replacement etc, I opted for a replacement but unfortunately the 50-200mm is scarce ATM so that gave me time to think about it, I loved the new Lens and would have been happy with a replacement BUT I have the 40-150mm and still love that lens, how many lenses do you need and want, Big White is my most used lens ATM on the OM-1, it lives on that camera so as long as I have Big White nothing else really matters



ec7dbbde2f17472e8f0af3673121ab2c.jpg
 
the bluesman said:
Sadly I sent my copy back as it didn't work out to well for me, they offered a full refund or a replacement etc, I opted for a replacement but unfortunately the 50-200mm is scarce ATM so that gave me time to think about it, I loved the new Lens and would have been happy with a replacement BUT I have the 40-150mm and still love that lens, how many lenses do you need and want, Big White is my most used lens ATM on the OM-1, it lives on that camera so as long as I have Big White nothing else really matters

ec7dbbde2f17472e8f0af3673121ab2c.jpg
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Have you given up on it?
 
HicHic said:
the bluesman said:
Sadly I sent my copy back as it didn't work out to well for me, they offered a full refund or a replacement etc, I opted for a replacement but unfortunately the 50-200mm is scarce ATM so that gave me time to think about it, I loved the new Lens and would have been happy with a replacement BUT I have the 40-150mm and still love that lens, how many lenses do you need and want, Big White is my most used lens ATM on the OM-1, it lives on that camera so as long as I have Big White nothing else really matters

ec7dbbde2f17472e8f0af3673121ab2c.jpg
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Have you given up on it?
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No I wouldn't say that, I really believe in the new 50-200mm and I think OM Systems have built a winner with it, unfortunately mine wasn't a good copy, that or it was just me or something didn't Gell, anyway it's a lot of money so I'll sit on the fence for a while, I wanted the new Lens real bad but no I didn't need it, Hey thanks for all your help with it though!!
 
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the bluesman said:
Big White is my most used lens ATM on the OM-1, it lives on that camera so as long as I have Big White nothing else really matters
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I thought it was 'Great White', to stay true to the fish theme (it started with big and little tuna) and because it is bitingly sharp.. :-D
 
Danielvr said:
Danielvr said:
Big White is my most used lens ATM on the OM-1, it lives on that camera so as long as I have Big White nothing else really matters
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I thought it was 'Great White', to stay true to the fish theme (it started with big and little tuna) and because it is bitingly sharp.. :-D
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Great White is the correct name.
 
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