Oly 40-150 Pro lens. Jump on good deal now or hold out for better one?

I’ve lusted after the Oly 40-150 F2.8 lens for about two years, but always seen it as out of my range, cost wise, and have mostly been happy with the cheap 40-150 lens. However, when the winter hits, bringing dramatic weather with it, I will want to go out chasing big waves and stormy seas, and my lust will likely get stronger over the next few months.

I’ve seen some deals recently where this lens is paired with an E-M1 and the price of the bundle seems to be pretty much giving the camera away - which kind of opens the door of possibility (sell the brand new, surplus-to-requirements, camera and therefore get the lens at a bargain price).

Obviously the deals that are around at the moment are due to the upcoming E-M1 Mk ii. My question, for those who’ve been around a while and know how these things work, is:

Will these lens+EM1 deals get even better once the new camera is on sale, as the assumption is that everyone will want the new one, so the older models get slashed even further?

or

Are deals like this particularly good BEFORE the new camera actually goes on sale (or at least before the price is announced) because once we all see how expensive the new camera is, shops will assume it’s out of most people’s range, so they'll focus back on the older models and hike the prices up again?

Note: I’m in the UK if that influences any of this, with Brexit, fall of pound’s value etc.

Trying to decide whether to jump now, or hold on. I feel like I’m in a poker game!

Thanks,

Liz

Not an easy decision, no doubt, with multiple factors (currency exchange, pending release of E-M1 II) at play.

Generally, I would say, "get ahead of the curve", if you really want the lens and are otherwise comfortable with the purchase (price, vendor, etc...).

The price of the previous model (E-M1 Mark 1, in this case) usually decreases as existing owners upgrade to the new release and flood the used market with inventory.

Best to be at the front of this line, having a brand new camera with full warranty is an advantage, in my opinion, regardless of the price of the new E-M1 Mark II.

Good Luck.

Cheers.

Colin K. Work wrote:

Crystal ball gazing but I'd say go for it now.

- I doubt the EM-1 is going to get much cheaper. The best prices are often before a new release to encourage buyers to buy rather than wait and/or clear out old stock

- I would be surprised if the pound gets any better. The whole point of Brexit (as I understand it) was to make exports better, so it's in the government's interest for the pound to fall.

- we've just seen a steep price rise (50%) on the Oly 9-18mm. I'd be surprised if this is a one off.

Also:

- the potential (expected) success of the new M1 will raise the demand for the pro lenses, aimed at sport/wildlife photography, and the 40-150 is just such a lens.

- the sooner you get the lens, the sooner you can start using it.

In other words, go for it;-)

Have you considered looking for a used lens? I was in a camera store in London a few weeks ago and they had 3 or 4 used copies. They had just taken one in that they were going to price at £699. I'm not sure how much they go for new in the UK.

The store is London Camera Exchange. They have a number of locations and their used inventory is listed on their website.

Yeah, the lowest authorized dealer price on that lens in the USA has been 1299. Mostly it's been at 1399. I'd like to have it but want the Panny 100-400 more. If the 40-150pro went on sale for <1K, I'd be tempted and if there was a good bundle with the EM1 mkii, I'd pretty much be powerless...

Here's the pricing history on that lens. You can see that after about 9 months, they effectively dropped the price to 1399 and every 5-ish months have a 1299 sale. It will be interesting to see what they push during Black Friday sales.

Skeeterbytes wrote:

Can only respond from my Stateside perspective. Got mine $100 off retail sale; the very next sale was $200 off, because life. That's the deepest "official" discount to date, other than the occasional refurb. It's never bundled with a camera here, FWIW.

Unfortunately you're going to see price increases across the board due to lingering declines in the Pound, so I'd expect UK retail prices to go up, rendering future sales moot versus today. It's a hard game to play with any accuracy, all we have are hunches and history.

With that out of the way, you want this lens. It's vastly better than the little kit 40-150 (which I happen to like as a great bargain tele) and mine is in constant use. It's simply the best system mid-tele.

Cheers,

Rick

I paid $960 for a reconditioned unit from Olympus. It you are okay with refurbs, it is a good deal.

I mentioned in another response that a store in London has it for 699 pounds. That is $853. Also a good deal (assuming the lens is in good shape). I will be in a hotel across the street from that store next week. The same store has the 4/3 50-200 SWD for $427. It is going to be hard to not come back with more gear, especially if the pound continues to fall.

NewGirlLiz wrote:

I’ve lusted after the Oly 40-150 F2.8 lens for about two years, but always seen it as out of my range, cost wise, and have mostly been happy with the cheap 40-150 lens. However, when the winter hits, bringing dramatic weather with it, I will want to go out chasing big waves and stormy seas, and my lust will likely get stronger over the next few months.

I’ve seen some deals recently where this lens is paired with an E-M1 and the price of the bundle seems to be pretty much giving the camera away - which kind of opens the door of possibility (sell the brand new, surplus-to-requirements, camera and therefore get the lens at a bargain price).

Obviously the deals that are around at the moment are due to the upcoming E-M1 Mk ii. My question, for those who’ve been around a while and know how these things work, is:

Will these lens+EM1 deals get even better once the new camera is on sale, as the assumption is that everyone will want the new one, so the older models get slashed even further?

or

Are deals like this particularly good BEFORE the new camera actually goes on sale (or at least before the price is announced) because once we all see how expensive the new camera is, shops will assume it’s out of most people’s range, so they'll focus back on the older models and hike the prices up again?

Note: I’m in the UK if that influences any of this, with Brexit, fall of pound’s value etc.

Trying to decide whether to jump now, or hold on. I feel like I’m in a poker game!

Thanks,

Liz

Personally, I am in somewhat the same dilemma since my 45-200 Pany is not exactly the best and I am drooling about the hinted-at, "Under Study" PL 50-200. Be prepared for a long wait though...

NewGirlLiz wrote:

........

Note: I’m in the UK if that influences any of this, with Brexit, fall of pound’s value etc.

Trying to decide whether to jump now, or hold on. I feel like I’m in a poker game!

Thanks,

Liz

Oh, and I forgot to mention my love of the £ : It'S basically a 1:1 conversion for us Canadians since what costs 1$ here costs 1£ there; easy! Obviously, some naysayers will mention the fact that the exchange rate has historically been around 1£=2,2$ and is now 1,63...

WhiteBeard wrote:

NewGirlLiz wrote:

........

Note: I’m in the UK if that influences any of this, with Brexit, fall of pound’s value etc.

Trying to decide whether to jump now, or hold on. I feel like I’m in a poker game!

Thanks,

Liz

Oh, and I forgot to mention my love of the £ : It'S basically a 1:1 conversion for us Canadians since what costs 1$ here costs 1£ there; easy! Obviously, some naysayers will mention the fact that the exchange rate has historically been around 1£=2,2$ and is now 1,63...

What it tells me is that Canadian dollars are getting hammered.It's great if you export and very bad if you import. One Canadian is .75 US $ ouch! Great time to visit Canada.

I think you should jump on the deal! The 40-150 Pro is an outstanding lens that I think you will make good use of.

Usually the bundled deals go away once inventory is depleted.

Hot Tuna wrote:

WhiteBeard wrote:

NewGirlLiz wrote:

........

Note: I’m in the UK if that influences any of this, with Brexit, fall of pound’s value etc.

Trying to decide whether to jump now, or hold on. I feel like I’m in a poker game!

Thanks,

Liz

Oh, and I forgot to mention my love of the £ : It'S basically a 1:1 conversion for us Canadians since what costs 1$ here costs 1£ there; easy! Obviously, some naysayers will mention the fact that the exchange rate has historically been around 1£=2,2$ and is now 1,63...

What it tells me is that Canadian dollars are getting hammered.It's great if you export and very bad if you import. One Canadian is .75 US $ ouch! Great time to visit Canada.

Sure! Come and visit while there are still colored leaves - or any leaves at all - in the trees! We need your dough...