What’s Your Preference?

AnnetteMaree · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2009, 01:05 AM

Hello, I'm hoping some of you with knowledge regarding lenses can give me some advice.
I am looking at buying an E520 and am unsure of which lense kit to purchase, I have 3 options (with the price gradually increasing with each kit)

No.1 Camera body + 14-42mm + 40-150mm Zuiko lenses

No.2 Camera body + 14-42mm + 70-300mm Zuiko lenses

or

No.3 Camera body + 33x Quattro lense kit which has the following 4 Zuiko lenses;
9-18mm
14-42mm
40-150mm
70-300mm

as this will be my first DSLR would I really make use of the Quattro kit or would one of the other 'twin lense' kits be sufficient. I have no experience at all with using a DSLR so it will be a real learning experience and I am just wondering if some of these 4 lenses are capable of producing the same or very similar results.
Also, can any of them be used for Macro shots or would I need a separate lense for that, say a Zuiko 35mm Macro Lense?

Any advice will be very gratefully appreciated.

Slushie · #2 (**permalink**) 08-07-2009, 05:24 AM

Hi there AnnetteMaree,

I'll try answering as best I can. The kit lenses that options are all pretty good and will help you in learning how to make some gorgeous pictures with the e520. As you noted... $$$ is going to be the main issue!

As many of the kits you've mentioned include the same lenses... I'll just comment on the lenses themselves and leave the choice of choosing which kit to buy to you

.

Camera... e520 - good choice already!

14-42mm... Good kit lens. Actually, all the Oly kit lenses are pretty good! Having said that, if you plan on learning and growing your skills with this camera, this might also be the first lens you'll feel like upgrading. For most people, this is your typical all-around camera lens that you'll have on your camera until you figure out what type of photographer you are and what types of lenses you really want to invest in.

40-150mm... You're budget zoom. Again, another kit lens, BUT because the next lens bought on its own is a little pricier, bigger and a tad harder to learn to use (I'm talking about the the 70-300mm), many people, including myself still have this one around. Yes, its got a plastic mount and all, but for the price, the quality of this kit lens is very good. It is light and produces some very nice pictures

. If you are not planning on taking any shots of wildlife or anything that's across a soccer field, then you'll probably find that this lens will do just fine! Remember, that with the 2x crop factor, the 50-150mm is equivalent to a film 100-300mm lens and for most casual shooters, these two lenses are plenty to work with!

70-300mm This is a bigger telephoto lens that provides a further reach than the last lens above. However, you will need to learn how to take pictures with this lens properly (ie... learn to stabilize it, what conditions it works best in (not good for low light... needs a bright day to work best)). As lenses go, this lens is not too expensive on its own and usually, you'll find a deal on it with maybe a rebate from Olympus every once in a while. It's not a must have lens unless you are planning to shoot pictures of things that are far away under good lighting conditions.

* NOTE: if you go with option No. 2, you will be missing the distance covered between the 42mm and the 70mm... What does this mean? Well, sometimes you might find yourself wanting a little more reach than the 42 but not so much as the 70mm... and then you'll have to use your feet to move in or out... Can be a little frustrating...

9-18mm This is the wide angle lens of the bunch.... Between the 9 and the 14mm, there is quite a noticeable difference! So, if you plan on taking a lot of wide angle shots, well, this is the lens you would choose to use. Again, this is part of Olympus' "Standard" lens line up and is not very expensive. Having said that, again, one of the nicest things about Olympus standard lenses are that they are very good still! So, again nothing to worry about if you decide to go with option No. 3 aside from the added $$$$ you'll be shelling out for all those lenses!

As for macro shots... the 35mm and the 50mm are the two that I'd recommend. However, you should expect to pay a little more than the above lenses mentioned above for either of these two lenses. If you are just starting out, but plan on taking lots of macro shots in the future, I'd suggest learning with some of the smaller kits and then once you are comfortable with the camera, do a little more research, ask a few more questions and then put down the money for that macro lens. Until you do that, the 14-42mm does a relatively good job at macro work.

Hope that helps!

AnnetteMaree · #3 (**permalink**) 08-08-2009, 01:24 AM

thankyou so much Slushie, you have helped me in my decision.
I am going to buy this camera with the 33xQuattro kit, the main reason being is that I have actually been 'researching' the E520 for almost a year and been comparing prices not just for the camera but also different lenses, after looking at each lense and their individual prices I've found that to buy the camera with the Quattro kit is actually a big saving.
I am sticking with Olympus as I already have 2 others (not DSLR's) the Camedia D-545 Zoom (my 1st Olympus) and the SP-570UZ, I have been quite happy with both of these cameras, particularly the 570, but I do feel I am now ready for the 'challenge' of learning to use and 'master' a DSLR.
As for a Macro lense, I do tend to take a lot of Macro shots, that is why I 'threw in' the 35mm Macro lense, again, the warehouse I intend to purchase the camera from has this lense at a good price and since I will be outlaying a few $$$ as I also will be buying a tripod and a decent bag, I figure, why not go the whole hog ... so to speak

thankyou once again, your reply has been sincerely and very gratefully appreciated.
cheers

datiswous · #4 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 10:28 PM

For macro you can also use the 100mm from Sigma, gives you more range which is importend for certain insects. I thought the 70-300 had also macro. 50mm is also very good for portrait (so you can also buy one of many old but excelent 50mm manual focus lenses cheap).

In my experience manual focus nonzooms and autofocus nonzooms let my learn more about composition (used the pancake lens on vakation).

The 9-18 is only a standard lens for it's weight, build and small maximum aparture. The optics are of pro quality (read in tests) and it ain't realy that cheap.

AnnetteMaree · #5 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 02:12 AM

just though I would come back to this thread and update.

I went with option 3, the E520 and the four lens kit, also bought the 35mm Macro and have just (2 days ago) ordered the 14-54mm Lens.

I'm am extremely pleased with the lot !!!

and many thanks for your advice Slushie and datiswous.