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Little help with buy strategy of tele lens

Started Sep 11, 2013 | Polls
CZFox Junior Member • Posts: 32
Little help with buy strategy of tele lens

Hello,
as you all know Olympus is starting its M.Zuiko Pro line of lenses, which turned into my dilemma. I try to strategize in long-term what to buy as I can't print money .

As title says, I'm in need of a tele lens in general and definitely need one for spring next year. I have 12-35/2.8 and 25/1.4 (both fit my needs) and I plan to buy 35-100/2.8 now, and I don't think I would buy 150/2.8 as extra lens. BUT, thanks to Olympus the planned 40-150/2.8 (scheduled for the end of 2014) is really tempting for me now, thanks to extra range 100-150 at 2.8 in one lens (so lens completely covers my expected tele range), and optical quality may be better than 35-100/2.8. On the other hand, I'm worry about weight and size to GX7, price tag, and a chance that 35-100/2.8 may change in price.

Because of this and the problem that 40-150/2.8 will be here for sale in 2015 with real reviews and tests, I think I postpone 35-100/2.8 and 40-150/2.8 to 2015 and buy 75/1.8 prime instead (which seems to be a superb m43 lens and is in the FL center of 35-100 + it has 58mm filter size as 12-35/2.8 and 35-100/2.8, and I will keep it after I buy a zoom... on the other hand I'm not sure I would buy it when already having the zoom).

To make this strategy more difficult I also plan to buy GX7.
1. I find my GF3 (after more than 2 years starting as a beginner) limiting to my needs... and physically limiting (grip... attaching GF3 with 12-35/2.8 to tripod is almost impossible, which is frustrating, GF3 is too small and the lens "overflows" the body).
2. If I buy 75mm/1.8, in-body stabilization is rather welcome, right? Also, in case I would buy 40-150/2.8 without OIS in the future it may become a need, am I right? I don't have handheld experience with tele focal lengths

Do you think that the following strategy is a good one, or is there a better solution without wasting money?
2013: GX7
2014: 75/1.8
2015: 35-100/2.8 or 40-150/2.8 based on price tag, weight, size, optical quality
Thank you

POLL
Yes, strategy is ok.
- 0  votes
No, re-think your strategy.
- 0  votes
Start printing money.
- 0  votes
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hindesite Veteran Member • Posts: 4,893
Believe it or not...

Even after posting all that strategising, there isn't enough information to comment intelligently, since we know absolutely nothing about what you have photographed or intend to photograph.

Some kind of photographic history would help; I'd look forward to seeing what you have, since if you've outgrown the GF3 already you'll be a fairly competent photographer.

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sbszine
sbszine Contributing Member • Posts: 806
Re: Little help with buy strategy of tele lens

I think with the GX7 you'd still want stabilised lenses, unless the IS is better than we expect.

 sbszine's gear list:sbszine's gear list
Olympus Tough TG-2 Olympus OM-D E-M5 Olympus PEN E-PM2 Olympus E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH +8 more
Guy Parsons
Guy Parsons Forum Pro • Posts: 40,000
Re: Little help with buy strategy of tele lens
2

Reading between the lines I seem to think that the GX7 in-body stabilisation is not as good as the older stabilisation in earlier Oly Pens, we need real feedback from reliable test people to see how effective it might be. Thus in-lens stabilisation makes more sense at the moment for Panasonic users.

The wiser path for you with GX7 is to get a cheaper tele lens in the meantime and see how limiting it is, then you may have a better idea of which expensive lens to buy later. The Panasonic 45-150mm is small and a good performer with decent OIS in it. I use that lens on my E-PL5. In my case tele is not used enough to justify buying some fancier lens. If nothing else you end up with a nice small tele lens when needing to travel light.

So strategy should be.....

Wait until reliable GX7 reviews happen and find out if the in-body stabilisation is any good. Base your lens decisions on that.

Regardless of that get the 45-150mm and enjoy it now on the GF3. It can eventually become a backup camera with that lens on it.

Also, print some more money.

Regards..... Guy

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