Lens Choice for Surface Photography for OM-D E-M5 Camera

[jlyle]

Thank you all!!!!!
Question: When you say "Prime lens" you mean non-zoom lens, is this correct?

Yes, prime lenses are single focal lengths.

 

[MarkHerm]

Question: When you say "Prime lens" you mean non-zoom lens, is this correct?

Yes ;-)

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

I am planning to buy the Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera for U/W use. I will most likely buy the following lenses for U/W use: 1250, 8 and 60mm. What lens would one recommend for use on land? I am thinking the 14-150 mm lens would be a good general purpose lens but not sure. Please give me your feedback.

Here is the link for the 14-150 mm lens specs:


M. ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6

This is a no-brainer. Go with the 14-150mm. For general scenics and the photography you describe it is a superb all arouind lens and the image quality is quite good. No need to worry about slow aperture as the om-d is excellent at iso 400 which more than makes up for lack of lens speed,and anyway for scenics you are shooting at f8 typically. I have the 9-18 and the 14-150 which both fit into a very tiny bag that weighs almost nothing. The 14-150 is on the camera 70% of the time unless I want extremely wide perspectives. With these two, you have got everything covered for scenics. The 12-50 is great if you absolutely have to minimize weight, want good macro capability, want dustproofing, and don't want to change lenses at all.

 

[chris196]

I also recommend the 14-150. I picked up a refurbed one from cameta for a good price:
Olympus M.Zuiko 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Micro ED Digital Zoom Lens - Factory Demo includes Full 1 Year Warranty

I kind of went back and forth when ordering my em5 about what to get. In the end I went with body only and spent that money on the 14-150. It is optically not the best lens around, but it's pretty good and there are times I need that versatility. I shoot some things for my wife's work and changing lens is not an option.

I primarily use the 9-18 underwater which I love.
I also have the 17mm and the 45mm from oly. The 17 is very good and tiny. The 45 is just stellar.
I plan on getting the 60mm macro for underwater mainly.

I recently traveled to europe and took with me the 14-150, 9-18 and the 17 just for small size and f2.8.
If I were to do it over again, I'd probably spend the extra money to get the 20mm/f1.7 over the 17mm, just for the faster lens.
But, the 17mm actually has a pleasing quality about it's images that's hard to put a finger on.

 

[Scubanomad]

I use the 14-150 and am happy with it good all purpose travel lens.

 

[calicant]

I also recommend the 14-150. I picked up a refurbed one from cameta for a good price:
Olympus M.Zuiko 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Micro ED Digital Zoom Lens - Factory Demo includes Full 1 Year Warranty

I kind of went back and forth when ordering my em5 about what to get. In the end I went with body only and spent that money on the 14-150. It is optically not the best lens around, but it's pretty good and there are times I need that versatility. I shoot some things for my wife's work and changing lens is not an option.

I primarily use the 9-18 underwater which I love.
I also have the 17mm and the 45mm from oly. The 17 is very good and tiny. The 45 is just stellar.
I plan on getting the 60mm macro for underwater mainly.

I recently traveled to europe and took with me the 14-150, 9-18 and the 17 just for small size and f2.8.
If I were to do it over again, I'd probably spend the extra money to get the 20mm/f1.7 over the 17mm, just for the faster lens.
But, the 17mm actually has a pleasing quality about it's images that's hard to put a finger on.

I see Olympus are coming out with a faster 17mm/f1.8 prime which looks almost as small. I expect it might cost a bit more though.

First two Olympus 17mm f/1.8 image samples… | 43 Rumors