Comments on: The Rashomon Effect and My Small-Camera Choice http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-rashomon-effect-and-my-small-camera-choice Photo/video thoughts from the largest rental house Tue, 21 May 2013 23:41:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: ELK http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-rashomon-effect-and-my-small-camera-choice/comment-page-1#comment-16650 ELK Thu, 02 Aug 2012 20:24:06 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=6991#comment-16650 John H: Excellent comment for this perfect article! John H:
Excellent comment for this perfect article!

]]> By: Fin Azvandi http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-rashomon-effect-and-my-small-camera-choice/comment-page-1#comment-12757 Fin Azvandi Wed, 11 Jul 2012 21:01:40 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=6991#comment-12757 RE: Greg's question on the Lumix 20/1.7 autofocus - Sometimes the problem with blogs/reviews is that everyone comments on the same differences between lenses. Yes it has slower AF than other native m4/3 lenses like the Lumix 14/2.5 or PL 25/1.4 but it's still more than acceptable for many situations. I would suggest trying it out for yourself before giving up on it - great IQ in a small package, and holds its value on the used market if you decide to sell. RE: Greg’s question on the Lumix 20/1.7 autofocus – Sometimes the problem with blogs/reviews is that everyone comments on the same differences between lenses. Yes it has slower AF than other native m4/3 lenses like the Lumix 14/2.5 or PL 25/1.4 but it’s still more than acceptable for many situations. I would suggest trying it out for yourself before giving up on it – great IQ in a small package, and holds its value on the used market if you decide to sell.

]]> By: Greg http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-rashomon-effect-and-my-small-camera-choice/comment-page-1#comment-12132 Greg Sun, 08 Jul 2012 18:30:59 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=6991#comment-12132 Oh, and that's MZ 9-18, not MA 9-18. Oh, and that’s MZ 9-18, not MA 9-18.

]]> By: Greg http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-rashomon-effect-and-my-small-camera-choice/comment-page-1#comment-12120 Greg Sun, 08 Jul 2012 17:08:49 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=6991#comment-12120 I am very interested in buying the Lumix 20mm 1.7 with the OM-D for street photography, but mostly because of the high MTF and lower profile (more discreet), but not because of the "fast lens." Mostly, I am having some concerns with blog comments about this lens having a slow AF, and therefore not well suited to street photography (in addition to banding at high ISO and sometimes hanging up the camera). Please note, I used to do a lot of "old-school" street photography using OM1/OM2 w 35mm F2.0 and 24mm F2.0 lenses, with the only reason for the fast lenses being that they allowed for a brighter viewfinder image and therefore more critical focusing. I never shot the images "wide open", preferring instead to use F4.0/F5.6 to maintain best optics and better resultant images. Maybe it's me, and tell me if I am wrong, what with my previously being a master optician in the precision optics trade and having an MA in Art/Photography, but also just now getting into digital photography, isn't much of all this talk about "fast lenses" and "bokeh" just a little obsessive, with most all images having still having the best quality at at F4.0/F5.6/F8.0, even in low light? I mean, really, if you want "bokeh", then dude, use a longer focal length! And if it's about the optics, then go for the giant lenses that cost an arm and a leg. I assure you, those giant lenses rarely perform better than their slower counterparts stopped down to F4.0. Of course, then there is the cost, not because the lens is technically better, but because demand is lower and therefore the manufacturer has to sell them at a higher price. OK, so I am making some assumptions here, that now that there are digital viewfinders and AF, that the previous "old-school" need for fast lenses, re manual focusing/composition, are less necessary (as long a "bokeh" isn't important). So, enough of my rattle, and down to why I am hesitant. I actually did purchase both the MA 9-18 and the MZ 12-50 because they have very good characteristics as to my minimum requirements re "F Stop needs". The reviews for these lenses appeared as though they would llkely be "Good" at the equivalent 20mm focal length, and supposedly the AF on both are FAST. However, it appears their optics can't hold a candle to the MTF on the Lumix 20mm 1.7. So back to my hesitance to buy the Lumix 20 1.7 lens. Is it really all that slow in AF? And what about the other problems, re "hanging up" and "banding at high ISOs"? Sorry about the long-winded explanation. Your comments as to all the above, especially about the AF will be greatly appreciated. Of course, if you would like to make comments about the Lumix 14mm F2.5 I would appreciate them as well. I am very interested in buying the Lumix 20mm 1.7 with the OM-D for street photography, but mostly because of the high MTF and lower profile (more discreet), but not because of the “fast lens.” Mostly, I am having some concerns with blog comments about this lens having a slow AF, and therefore not well suited to street photography (in addition to banding at high ISO and sometimes hanging up the camera). Please note, I used to do a lot of “old-school” street photography using OM1/OM2 w 35mm F2.0 and 24mm F2.0 lenses, with the only reason for the fast lenses being that they allowed for a brighter viewfinder image and therefore more critical focusing. I never shot the images “wide open”, preferring instead to use F4.0/F5.6 to maintain best optics and better resultant images. Maybe it’s me, and tell me if I am wrong, what with my previously being a master optician in the precision optics trade and having an MA in Art/Photography, but also just now getting into digital photography, isn’t much of all this talk about “fast lenses” and “bokeh” just a little obsessive, with most all images having still having the best quality at at F4.0/F5.6/F8.0, even in low light? I mean, really, if you want “bokeh”, then dude, use a longer focal length! And if it’s about the optics, then go for the giant lenses that cost an arm and a leg. I assure you, those giant lenses rarely perform better than their slower counterparts stopped down to F4.0. Of course, then there is the cost, not because the lens is technically better, but because demand is lower and therefore the manufacturer has to sell them at a higher price. OK, so I am making some assumptions here, that now that there are digital viewfinders and AF, that the previous “old-school” need for fast lenses, re manual focusing/composition, are less necessary (as long a “bokeh” isn’t important). So, enough of my rattle, and down to why I am hesitant. I actually did purchase both the MA 9-18 and the MZ 12-50 because they have very good characteristics as to my minimum requirements re “F Stop needs”. The reviews for these lenses appeared as though they would llkely be “Good” at the equivalent 20mm focal length, and supposedly the AF on both are FAST. However, it appears their optics can’t hold a candle to the MTF on the Lumix 20mm 1.7. So back to my hesitance to buy the Lumix 20 1.7 lens. Is it really all that slow in AF? And what about the other problems, re “hanging up” and “banding at high ISOs”? Sorry about the long-winded explanation. Your comments as to all the above, especially about the AF will be greatly appreciated. Of course, if you would like to make comments about the Lumix 14mm F2.5 I would appreciate them as well.

]]> By: Andy http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-rashomon-effect-and-my-small-camera-choice/comment-page-1#comment-11567 Andy Fri, 06 Jul 2012 02:12:28 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=6991#comment-11567 My rental OM-D EM-5 arrived today. I'm too old to be screaming "OMG," but oh my God, what a camera. I've taken several shots with the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 prime. This thing is amazing. It may replace my Nikon D7000. I'd have rented the 12-35mm too, but I gather from Roger's blog that he's still glued to it. My rental OM-D EM-5 arrived today. I’m too old to be screaming “OMG,” but oh my God, what a camera. I’ve taken several shots with the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 prime. This thing is amazing. It may replace my Nikon D7000. I’d have rented the 12-35mm too, but I gather from Roger’s blog that he’s still glued to it.

]]> By: Roger Cicala http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-rashomon-effect-and-my-small-camera-choice/comment-page-1#comment-10985 Roger Cicala Sun, 01 Jul 2012 03:16:39 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=6991#comment-10985 I've never tried the fisheye conversion, but I really do like the two pancake primes you mentioned. They're both excellent. And the 9-18 is really quite good, but personally I want more aperture. I’ve never tried the fisheye conversion, but I really do like the two pancake primes you mentioned. They’re both excellent. And the 9-18 is really quite good, but personally I want more aperture.

]]> By: Greg http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-rashomon-effect-and-my-small-camera-choice/comment-page-1#comment-10984 Greg Sun, 01 Jul 2012 02:49:55 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=6991#comment-10984 Sorry, make that the dmw-gwc1, which would take the Panny 20mm 1.7 to a 22mm. More moderate, less "fun-house" Sorry, make that the dmw-gwc1, which would take the Panny 20mm 1.7 to a 22mm. More moderate, less “fun-house”

]]> By: Greg http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-rashomon-effect-and-my-small-camera-choice/comment-page-1#comment-10983 Greg Sun, 01 Jul 2012 02:38:52 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=6991#comment-10983 Thanks Roger, Unfortunately, I am not sure I can afford the price tag for the 12 to 35, nor am I inclined toward a "heavy lens" I travel a lot for my work and want to keep things compact. Any other suggestions? I might just pop for a couple of primes, the Panny 14mm 2.5 and 20mm 1.7. Also, I am not usually inclined to buy conversion lenses, but as I am looking for portability, any thoughts about the DMC GFX-1 fisheye conversion lens for the 14mm 2.5? Thanks Roger,

Unfortunately, I am not sure I can afford the price tag for the 12 to 35, nor am I inclined toward a “heavy lens” I travel a lot for my work and want to keep things compact. Any other suggestions? I might just pop for a couple of primes, the Panny 14mm 2.5 and 20mm 1.7. Also, I am not usually inclined to buy conversion lenses, but as I am looking for portability, any thoughts about the DMC GFX-1 fisheye conversion lens for the 14mm 2.5?

]]> By: Roger Cicala http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-rashomon-effect-and-my-small-camera-choice/comment-page-1#comment-10979 Roger Cicala Sat, 30 Jun 2012 23:44:35 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=6991#comment-10979 HI Greg, Well, check out my latest post: I ended up with the Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8 as my standard range zoom. I really do like the 9-18 and take it out a lot, despite it's being so aperture impaired. The Panasonic 7-14 is my preference at the wide end, it's excellent, although a bit bulky. Roger HI Greg,

Well, check out my latest post: I ended up with the Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8 as my standard range zoom. I really do like the 9-18 and take it out a lot, despite it’s being so aperture impaired. The Panasonic 7-14 is my preference at the wide end, it’s excellent, although a bit bulky.

Roger

]]> By: Greg http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-rashomon-effect-and-my-small-camera-choice/comment-page-1#comment-10976 Greg Sat, 30 Jun 2012 21:37:56 +0000 http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/?p=6991#comment-10976 I very much appreciate your approach, because I am doing the same right now. Pretty much settled on the OMD, due to the technology and form factor, and well, I used to be a die-hard OM user. Oh, and I still have lot's of OM equipment. My research tells me my Zuiko 50mm Macro f3.5,100mm f2.8, 200mm F4, 35mm Shift, and even the 75~150 F4 will work great. I even have the OM 2x Multiplier, OM extension tubes, OM bellows/dual cable release, about 5 T30 flashes (which can only be used in manual mode now, and a Tamron 90mm F2.5. However, my research has also told me that my beautiful Zuiko 24mm F2 and 35 F2 lenses will not work, which leaves me with a "gap" on the wide/standard range. Here's the question . . . what did you do as to a moderate wide-to-tele zoom? How about wide angle lenses? Olympus seems to have produced only average "kit" lenses here, or extremely expensive fixed lenses? Did you go with with M. Zuiko 20-50 kit lens? I have heard it is a "moderate" performer, but really needs a good lens shade, which means I need to trade off the compactness for this lens. Also, is the 9~18mm M.Zuiko any good, or do I have to look to the 9-18 standard 4/3 version, or something else? I look forward to your reply. I very much appreciate your approach, because I am doing the same right now. Pretty much settled on the OMD, due to the technology and form factor, and well, I used to be a die-hard OM user. Oh, and I still have lot’s of OM equipment. My research tells me my Zuiko 50mm Macro f3.5,100mm f2.8, 200mm F4, 35mm Shift, and even the 75~150 F4 will work great. I even have the OM 2x Multiplier, OM extension tubes, OM bellows/dual cable release, about 5 T30 flashes (which can only be used in manual mode now, and a Tamron 90mm F2.5. However, my research has also told me that my beautiful Zuiko 24mm F2 and 35 F2 lenses will not work, which leaves me with a “gap” on the wide/standard range. Here’s the question . . . what did you do as to a moderate wide-to-tele zoom? How about wide angle lenses? Olympus seems to have produced only average “kit” lenses here, or extremely expensive fixed lenses? Did you go with with M. Zuiko 20-50 kit lens? I have heard it is a “moderate” performer, but really needs a good lens shade, which means I need to trade off the compactness for this lens. Also, is the 9~18mm M.Zuiko any good, or do I have to look to the 9-18 standard 4/3 version, or something else? I look forward to your reply.

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