m4/3 lenses for hiking and backpacking

[Nick]

I've gone back to the 'Noob Camera Suggestions' thread so many times because of this awesome list of lenses Dan posted. I just pulled the trigger on some new glass for my G5 based on it. An Olympus 9-18mm and an Olympus 45mm 1.8 for portraits.

Anyway, I wanted to repost that part in it's own thread as it has been so helpful and to discuss lenses for micro four thirds cameras.

Here's a quick rundown of the lenses I have for m4/3, if anyone is curious.

Lumix 7-14 - Expensive, but very sharp, and very lightweight for what it is. Only complaint is that it doesn't have threads for screw on filters. In slots, I love the wide angle, probably the lens I use the most. F4 though, so it's slightly slow.

Lumix 14 2.5 - Great lens, SUPER lightweight, relatively sharp, but not as sharp as the 20 1.7. Still great for on my GF1 when I want basically a P&S size setup, but with SLR quality.

Lumix 20 1.7 - Another pancake lens, super high quality image, great for low light, and a fairly "normal" focal length on the m43 sensor. Awesome lens.

Lumix 14-45 - Came with my kit. I think this has now been redone as a 14-42 that is less expensive and lighter. It's the ideal "all around" lens, but it's not particularly great at anything. It's a variable aperture zoom.

Lumix 45-200 - Lightweight telephoto option. Build quality is quite good for $300. Again, variable aperture, so it's not great in low light and you don't get great bokeh. But I own it, and it's nice for telephoto landscape work.

Olympus 45 1.8 - Absolutely beautiful lens. Very light, great build quality, and great bokeh for m43 cameras. Use it a lot in video for shooting interviews, etc...

Lenses I don't have, but wish I did -
Lumix 12-35 2.8 - Expensive, but is getting rave reviews.
Lumix 35-100 2.8 - Expensive, but great reviews as well.
Olympus 12 2.0 - Possibly the best lightweight fast wide angle lens in the m43 world. Could be a good fit with the new OM-D EM5 or GH3 if the high ISO is cleaned up.
Olympus 9-18 - Another super wide angle lens, has filter threads, is lighter than the 7-14, and gets great reviews.
Lumix 100-300 - be nice to have a long telephoto, though I get the feeling it's pretty standard in image quality and build, nothing outrageous.

 

[Pagosasube]

Nick, how do you like the Olympus 9-18mm? I have been looking at it for my G3. Where did you get it from?

 

[Nick]

Nick, how do you like the Olympus 9-18mm? I have been looking at it for my G3. Where did you get it from?

I just ordered it today from Amazon for $699. I'll be giving it a solid workout this month and will post plenty of pics. I'm planning on it being the lens I leave on most of the time.

 

[Pagosasube]

I just ordered it today from Amazon for $699. I'll be giving it a solid workout this month and will post plenty of pics. I'm planning on it being the lens I leave on most of the time.

Looking forward to your review and the pics.

 

[Nick]

Got the new lenses today. It still blows me away that they are so light and small yet still so expensive! 9-18mm on the left, 45mm 1.8 on the right.

 

[Pagosasube]

Is an adapter necessary for use on the G3 or G5?

 

[Nick]

Is an adapter necessary for use on the G3 or G5?

Nope. It goes right on. One surprising thing about the 9-18mm. It's about 2-3" long, but in order for it to become useable, it has to be extended about an inch. It won't even let me see the image until it twists out to that point, then I can zoom through the range. To get it to go all the way back in, I have to hold back the 'unlock' button. Different...

 

[Artemus]

Do both lenses fully interface electronically with your G5?

Are you considering any long zooms?

I sure love my G3 but need to extend my reach significantly. You rented some lenses for your Yellowstone trip. Where is that and do they have M4/3?

Great post for us little camera guys!