Comments on: (FT5) The Kit lens! M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 ED.

By: HoodedOne

HoodedOne — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:04:28 +0000

I know the image above is very small. But if the lens in the image is indeed the 14-42. I must say, it looks remarkably like some voigtlander lenses.

Like this 35/1.2 Asph. Nokton (image from Camera Quest)
http://www.cameraquest.com/jpg6/VC%2035%201.2%20c.jpg

By: Agent00soul

Agent00soul — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 11:51:43 +0000

Yes, as much as I want a faster zoom, I think it’s a wise move to go for a maximally compact zoom first. I just hope a higher spec normal zoom will not be too far away.

By: Erik from Sweden

Erik from Sweden — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 11:00:41 +0000

A faster zoom would obviously be longer and more expensive. The former is bad for the Micro format, the latter is bad for a kit lens.

I wish they put some effort in making faster primes in the 12-70 range, though, like the Lumix 20/1.7. And compact ultrawide primes (which may have to be slower).

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 04:32:56 +0000

The 10-30 and 25-100 mentioned above would be reasonable size lenses, but not prohibitive. It’s just that they would be big enough that they don’t really match the E-P1, especially not for launch when Oly are trying to make a point about how small the camera is.

By: forester

forester — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 04:25:20 +0000

Does anyone know how much the 17mm 2.8 is going to be. Is there a chance at the 17mm being sold in a kit with the lens? I how that view finder comes with it, and not a $150 extra.

By: cherrytree

cherrytree — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:33:19 +0000

Some very funny comments on this article. People clearly don’t understand how big the lenses would have to be to make the lens faster and keep quality.

By: brew

brew — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:41:00 +0000

tk says:

“Original reports said kit would come with two lens so I assume the pancake and this one.
good review from dpreview for this lens:
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/olympus_14-42_3p5-5p6_o20 ”

Yes good review about an average lens!

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:12:20 +0000

If the kit lens is good enough there is not much desire to upgrade. BTW, do realise that 4/3 with F3.5 is still nearly a stop more light than 1/1.6″ with F2.

That said, I think that wide and fast is the real area of advantage for Âµ4/3, so I expect that these will appear. I expect a string of primes will be announced, some of which will be very fast.

Something like a 10-30 F2.8 and a 25-100 F2.8 might suit Âµ4/3 as faster zoom lenses. But.. these two lenses don’t suit this particular camera and the statement Olympus is trying to make.

By: Bu

Bu — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:36:38 +0000

That 2 cm reduction is size is great, but why bother with such a boring lens. So many have been and still are excited about the compact body, shame Olympus has stunned that anticipation with a rather drab off the shelf offering with the kit lens.

By: wimdows

wimdows — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:52:13 +0000

If you are coming from an SLR 3.5-5.6 seems decent enough. If you are spoiled by some great fast compact lenses (as are to be found on the Digilux 1, the C8080, and the GX100) 3.5-5.6 is quite a big step-down.
Ah well, there is always the higher ISO’s, I guess. No such thing on the older compacts.

By: Rokubungi

Rokubungi — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:11:50 +0000

I just don’t get people complaining about relatively slow compact zoom as a kit. E-P1 with 14-42/3.5-5.6 is equivalent to LX3 with 28-84/F1.8-2.8 lens in similarly sized package, but much faster focusing and the main thing – ability to change lenses, so you’re no longer restricted with range.