Hi,
I own Canon gear: 7D, Tokina 11-16/2.8, Sigma 17-50 EX OS/2.8, Canon 85/1.8, Canon 70-200 L IS /4. All of this lenses get good reviews here. I shoot mostly in Aperture priority, raw mode.
But this gear is too heavy, and do not enjoy to carry it as I did before, especially for trekking.
So I am thinking about switching to another system offering still good IQ.
The Sony Nex 5 looks very nice, but when I read the reviews out there, I wonder if they are any sharp and quite light wide angle lens on this mount: for nice landscape photograph, I expect a lens to be sharp on the corner as well. I want something much lighter than my Tokina 11-16!
I am also looking at the m4/3, but fear a drop in IQ (~1 stop in high iso?) and even closer sharp aperture range than on my 7D (between the blur open and diffraction). The last G3 looks not bad however, I should try it.
According to the reviews here, the Olympus 9-18 seems a good compromise.
Or should I simply buy a P&S, like a Canon G12 where I could still work with raw format? Actually, I really wonder about the picture quality (especially on the border) in such a compact camera compared to any light wide angle lens on NEX or m43. Any clue?
EDIT: after reading http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1042&thread=38627749&page=3 and http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony_nex_c3_field_report.shtml, I think I will forget the NEX serie which does not seems to be built for photograph enthusiasts but P&S users/beginners (User Interface, and missing light and fast lenses)
I love the NEX but the lens system is simply not ready yet. No idea why Sony doesn't release the essential stuff at a higher pace. Heck, there isn't even a tele zoom yet.
As of now my bets are on MFT although the high-end stuff is still missing here as well.
The thing that worries me about the Oly 9-18 is the BQ. The retractable design seems to be prone to decentering from what I can tell.
Technically it may make sense to use an Oly 9-18 (FT) via adapter. It's still very light weight.
[quote name='Eric B' timestamp='1307814757' post='9142']
Hi,
I own Canon gear: 7D, Tokina 11-16/2.8, Sigma 17-50 EX OS/2.8, Canon 85/1.8, Canon 70-200 L IS /4. All of this lenses get good reviews here. I shoot mostly in Aperture priority, raw mode.
But this gear is too heavy, and do not enjoy to carry it as I did before, especially for trekking.
So I am thinking about switching to another system offering still good IQ.
The Sony Nex 5 looks very nice, but when I read the reviews out there, I wonder if they are any sharp and quite light wide angle lens on this mount: for nice landscape photograph, I expect a lens to be sharp on the corner as well. I want something much lighter than my Tokina 11-16!
I am also looking at the m4/3, but fear a drop in IQ (~1 stop in high iso?) and even closer sharp aperture range than on my 7D (between the blur open and diffraction). The last G3 looks not bad however, I should try it.
According to the reviews here, the Olympus 9-18 seems a good compromise.
Or should I simply buy a P&S, like a Canon G12 where I could still work with raw format? Actually, I really wonder about the picture quality (especially on the border) in such a compact camera compared to any light wide angle lens on NEX or m43. Any clue?
EDIT: after reading [url="http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1042&thread=38627749&page=3"]http://forums.dprevi...38627749&page=3[/url] and [url="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony_nex_c3_field_report.shtml"]http://www.luminous-...ld_report.shtml[/url], I think I will forget the NEX serie which does not seems to be built for photograph enthusiasts but P&S users/beginners (User Interface, and missing light and fast lenses)
[/quote]
Here are a few ideas.
First look through your pics and see if really you need all this f/2.8 glass on a trekking tour. lowlight landscape shots should require small apertures anyway, while for campfire shots you could take the 50 1.8.Thus, I would guess you dont need f/2.8 when trekking.
So here are my suggestions:
1. get a Canon 550D or 600D. Much lighter than the 7d and same IQ(500g vs. 800g, you save 300g)
2. get a canon 10-22 instead of Tokina 11-16, essentialy same IQ, but of course slower.(385g vs. 560g, you save 175g)
3. dont carry the sigma 17-50 OS, take canon 18-55 IS which offers comparable sharpness. Everything else can easily be fixed in post as you shoot raw anyway.(200g vs. 565g, you save 365g)
4. since there is no equal alternative to 70-200 f/4 IS I'd keep it if you use it enough times on your treks.(55-250 IS is actually not too bad, I'd consider it if I didnt shoot at the tele end too much)
5. if you need speed, add a 50/1.8 (130g)
In total you save 710g of weight, which is quite a lot. If you replace 70-200 with 55-250 you save an additional 400g. Remember, if you go 4/3 route, you loose about 1 stop in noise performance. You might then as well by slower and lighter glass and compensate by increasing the iso.
Dont worry too much about IQ, since you shoot raw. All of the lenses mentioned are for most practical purposes as sharp as your current gear. CA and vignetting etc can all be ironed out later. Finally, if you dont print big eg. 20x30inch or 50x75 cm, you dont really need the best glass anyway.
[quote name='jenbenn' timestamp='1307826341' post='9144']
Here are a few ideas.
First look through your pics and see if really you need all this f/2.8 glass on a trekking tour. lowlight landscape shots should require small apertures anyway, while for campfire shots you could take the 50 1.8.Thus, I would guess you dont need f/2.8 when trekking.
So here are my suggestions:
1. get a Canon 550D or 600D. Much lighter than the 7d and same IQ(500g vs. 800g, you save 300g)
2. get a canon 10-22 instead of Tokina 11-16, essentialy same IQ, but of course slower.(385g vs. 560g, you save 175g)
3. dont carry the sigma 17-50 OS, take canon 18-55 IS which offers comparable sharpness. Everything else can easily be fixed in post as you shoot raw anyway.(200g vs. 565g, you save 365g)
4. since there is no equal alternative to 70-200 f/4 IS I'd keep it if you use it enough times on your treks.(55-250 IS is actually not too bad, I'd consider it if I didnt shoot at the tele end too much)
5. if you need speed, add a 50/1.8 (130g)
In total you save 710g of weight, which is quite a lot. If you replace 70-200 with 55-250 you save an additional 400g. Remember, if you go 4/3 route, you loose about 1 stop in noise performance. You might then as well by slower and lighter glass and compensate by increasing the iso.
Dont worry too much about IQ, since you shoot raw. All of the lenses mentioned are for most practical purposes as sharp as your current gear. CA and vignetting etc can all be ironed out later. Finally, if you dont print big eg. 20x30inch or 50x75 cm, you dont really need the best glass anyway.
[/quote]
I will probaby take a GH2 + Leica 14-150 (via adapter) + Pana 7-14 + Pana 20/1.7 to Nepal.
FWIW, the Pana 14-140 can't compete with the Leica based on my recent experience with the lens.
[quote name='Klaus' timestamp='1307873114' post='9145']
I will probaby take a GH2 + Leica 14-150 (via adapter) + Pana 7-14 + Pana 20/1.7 to Nepal.
FWIW, the Pana 14-140 can't compete with the Leica based on my recent experience with the lens.
[/quote]
Hmm that sounds actually very tempting.I am almost considering it for myself after reading up on it. I just have a few questions: How does the 14-150 work with an adapter on micro 4/3? What is the AF-Speed like? Can you mount it on all micro 4/3 cameras?
How does 4/3 work for portraits, are there any fast lens equivalent to an 85mm 1.8 or 100f/2 lens?
Thanks!
[quote name='jenbenn' timestamp='1307880187' post='9146']
Hmm that sounds actually very tempting.I am almost considering it for myself after reading up on it. I just have a few questions: How does the 14-150 work with an adapter on micro 4/3? What is the AF-Speed like? Can you mount it on all micro 4/3 cameras?
How does 4/3 work for portraits, are there any fast lens equivalent to an 85mm 1.8 or 100f/2 lens?
Thanks!
[/quote]
Yes, the L14-150 works via adapter. The AF speed is good although tracking is surely not an option. It focuses far faster than -say- the Oly 12-60 (which is also sort of usable on the GH2). The AF has been much improved on the GH2 compared to previous Lumix Gs. It will work on all MFT cameras as far as I know but speed-wise it's probably a good idea to stick to the GH2, G3 or the upcoming GF3.
Portrait lenses are scares in (M)FT land. Frankly it's not the place to be for this. A viable option could be the Leica 45/2.8 which would add macro capabilities - certainly also an aspect for the great outdoors. It's just a 90mm f/5.6 in terms of DOF though. The Oly 50/2 (FT), thus a quite attractive 100/4, can also be mounted but the AF is supposed to be very, very slow. Other than that it would also be possible to use a manual focus Voigtlander (e.g. 77/1.8, 50/1.5 or 50/1.1). MF is fairly easy on MFT thanks to the magnified view.
Alternatively you could just use a used L10 (which I still consider over the GH2 actually). A very underestimated DSLR except for high ISO. Very sharp.
[quote name='Klaus' timestamp='1307820924' post='9143']
As of now my bets are on MFT although the high-end stuff is still missing here as well.
The thing that worries me about the Oly 9-18 is the BQ. The retractable design seems to be prone to decentering from what I can tell.
[/quote]
Your review doesn't mention this (or I couldn't find it). Is that something you learned recently? You like to share a few more lines?
Thanks
Joachim
enjoy
[quote name='jenbenn' timestamp='1307880187' post='9146']How does 4/3 work for portraits, are there any fast lens equivalent to an 85mm 1.8 or 100f/2 lens?[/quote]
Portrait is certainly not a strength of the (m)4/3 format. However, if you don´t mind manual focusing you can use via adapters virtually any lens there is, e.g. a Pentax Takumar SMC 50 mm f/1.4 would be a very cheap option. The Pana m4/3 cams provide excellent support for manual focusing with their one-click screen magnification, with native m4/3 lenses the screen magnification actually jumps in when touching the focusing ring (if you have set the cam to MF that is). It really makes MF more pleasant.
[quote name='joachim' timestamp='1307922651' post='9155']
Your review doesn't mention this (or I couldn't find it). Is that something you learned recently? You like to share a few more lines?
Thanks
Joachim
[/quote]
We don't reach statistically relevant levels here. However, both the 9-18 and 14-42 had slight issues here.
[quote name='Klaus' timestamp='1307873114' post='9145']
I will probaby take a GH2 + Leica 14-150 (via adapter) + Pana 7-14 + Pana 20/1.7 to Nepal.
FWIW, the Pana 14-140 can't compete with the Leica based on my recent experience with the lens.
[/quote]
I gave some serious thoughts to this combo.... most excellent suggestion! Think I may take this up myself... <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='  ' />
PS: Just found out that 7-14 lens has no filter holder (like Sigma 8-16, Nikkor 14-24 etc)... so it's out for me. Sigh...
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