Help me choose

[robpendragon]

Let me start off by saying great job by adding a section on this site for photographers **applause break**
Let's see if you guys can help me make up my mind:) With my X-mas bonus quickly approaching I'm planning on getting a new lens for my camera.
I own the Olympus E-500 (four-thirds lens mount) & the glass I currently posses is a 14-45mm (wide angle) & a 40-150mm zoom lens. I've been pondering what I should purchase next, some of you have seen my photography & know I really don't stick to one "style" of shooting. I like Macro, landscape, experimental, fine art, portrait & so on.
So I guess I'm looking for a great quality lens leaning on the macro & portrait, my 14-45mm has too much distortion for portrait shots & the 40-150 is just not versatile enough. Now I do have idea in my head what I want but I really wanted to get some feedback on this before I make the purchase.
Looking forward to your responses:D

[lexcell]

Hi Rob,
Keeping in mind that you like to do macro and portraits here are my suggestions...

For macro work, I'd look at the Olympus 50mm f2.0 macro lens. it is 1:2 lifesize which means that the subject at minimum distance is 1/2 it's actual size on the sensor...with digital, it's actually a bit larger than that.
or
Sigma 105mm 2.8 macro (While I prefer to stick with the manufacturers own lenses, this lens will do double duty for you...) It is 1:1 or lifesize reproduction...with digital, it's actually greater, at minimum focus distance. It's minimum focus distance is 12" which is greater than the Olympus 50mm and is a good thing if you are photographing insects, butterflies, etc. It has a narrow field of view so that you can control the background better and...it can also work as a very nice portrait lens.

[Cmcburnett]

Rob, no advice just want to say good luck on your selection of what lens you purchase. I have a Nikon D80 and just ordered a new lens and hopefully it will be in before Thanksgiving. I film mostly on mountain trails and not very good at it but I'm working on it. I'm building my lenses little at a time so I don't have a lens yet for portraits which is next on my list.

[Larop]

Just throwing in my two cents I would have to suggest that you get as fast a lens as you can afford possibly in the short to mid range zooms. You didn't mention what apertures your other lenses have, but, having a good fast zoom lens will lend itself well to macro and portrait work imo.

L

[RobertSchuldenfrei]

Let me start off by saying great job by adding a section on this site for photographers **applause break**
Let's see if you guys can help me make up my mind:) With my X-mas bonus quickly approaching I'm planning on getting a new lens for my camera.
I own the Olympus E-500 (four-thirds lens mount) & the glass I currently posses is a 14-45mm (wide angle) & a 40-150mm zoom lens. I've been pondering what I should purchase next, some of you have seen my photography & know I really don't stick to one "style" of shooting. I like Macro, landscape, experimental, fine art, portrait & so on.
So I guess I'm looking for a great quality lens leaning on the macro & portrait, my 14-45mm has too much distortion for portrait shots & the 40-150 is just not versatile enough. Now I do have idea in my head what I want but I really wanted to get some feedback on this before I make the purchase.
Looking forward to your responses:D

Hi Rob,

What a nice problem to have. We should all count our blessings! Before I comment on the lens, what ever happened to your old avatar? It was one of the best I have seen here.

Here is my opinion, and it is strictly how I would do it... Your mileage may vary:). The main reason I bought my D70s was the supply of Nikon lenses I had from my "F", "F2", and "N8008s". Back in the dark ages, when there be dragons walking the earth, I picked up a 50 mm fixed lens. It is a real honey. It is a AF 1.4. Often it is the difference between taking an available light shot or use the flash. I hate flash. Now when I place it on the digital D70s it is a 75 mm, but that is a perfect portrait lens. At least it is in my not so humble opinion.

Now I am not suggesting you get that lens, but consider buying a second hand lens. If what you are after is the glass, VR and some of the modern bells & whistles probably mean little to you. Go for the glass! Here, you really do get what you pay for.

While the best deals are probably on Ebay or Craig's List, but I personally would not go that route. Find a dealer who is really a camera "nut." I know of two down here in South Florida. Get him to loan you a variety of them and burn some "film." Talk to him and see if he makes sense. Report back here for Laurie, and others, to comment. You will pay a bit more and your mythic quest will take a bit longer. But, you will be richer by far for the journey. And we will follow along vicariously, learning as you learn.

Remember, you will have this gift for many Christmases to come.

Cheers,

Bob

[robpendragon]

Hi Rob,
Keeping in mind that you like to do macro and portraits here are my suggestions...

For macro work, I'd look at the Olympus 50mm f2.0 macro lens. it is 1:2 lifesize which means that the subject at minimum distance is 1/2 it's actual size on the sensor...with digital, it's actually a bit larger than that.
or
Sigma 105mm 2.8 macro (While I prefer to stick with the manufacturers own lenses, this lens will do double duty for you...) It is 1:1 or lifesize reproduction...with digital, it's actually greater, at minimum focus distance. It's minimum focus distance is 12" which is greater than the Olympus 50mm and is a good thing if you are photographing insects, butterflies, etc. It has a narrow field of view so that you can control the background better and...it can also work as a very nice portrait lens.

Well My wife got me the Sigma 105mm 2.8 macro & a Olympus EX-25 extension tube for X-mas so I'll be able to spend my bonus money on some other things for the camera:D Hmmm, looks like I might be finally buying Lightroom & few other things with the extra cash...oh happy day!:p

[JulieM]

You must have been very good this year! :p
Do you have any shots to post using your new lens?

[robpendragon]

You must have been very good this year! :p
Do you have any shots to post using your new lens?

Not yet, I should have something up today. I've been playing with it all morning. It's quite an amazing lens:D