"Rose Glow", Last Bit of Autumn - NEX-5N & Olympus 35mm f2 @ f2
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Allure of Olympus' New Lenses
Olympus, like Pentax, have been making small and wonderful lenses for decades. Back in the film days, Pentax was more popular and common, Olympus lens lovers are a more cult-like following. In their OM days, the 90mm f2 macro, 21mm f2 wide angle, to name just two, were, and still are, phenomenally good lenses. Lately, they are on a roll with superbly designed lenses: 12mm f2, 45mm f1.8, 60mm f2.8 macro, 75mm f1.8, and now the 17mm f1.8, all excellent lenses. I can't say I am not attracted to these lenses, despite how much I like manual focus lenses. This is making it even harder for me to choose between the OM-D and the Sony NEX-6.
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nex 6 or olympus omd em5? also been thinking which one will complement my aging nikon d90. yet with sony helping olympus in olympus's financial troubles recently, i foresee sony using some olympus tech in creating similar lenses for the e-mount.
ReplyDeleteand i can still use my nikkors on the sony nex series: tested as my wife uses the nex 5n.
my verdict (at the moment): nex 6 !!!
Emmanuel, thanks for your input. I am kind of leaning toward the NEX-6 too. Hopefully the price will drop after Christmas, on both machines.
DeleteWhat about the Fuji XE1? Great lenses too.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteTo be honest I think Id go with the Nex 6 too. I currently have a 5n and was seriously considering switching to the OMD but the 5r and 6, plus the new lenses are making me think again. The 6 is quite a bit cheaper than the OMd, works loads better with legacy lenses (which is a big consideration for me) and despite past criticism, the range of E mount primes is actually good and getting better.
DeleteAt the premium end theres the existing 24mm zeiss as well as the upcoming 12mm, 32mm and 50mm macro.
Theres the excellent 50mm 1.8 (probably the best 50 ive ever used), the new 35mm 1.8 which is starting to get great reviews, the 30mm macro which is okay and not too expensive, and the sharp 19 and 30mm Sigmas which are great lenses for the cost. If you really need it you can even get the 16mm pancake which is at least wide and cheap! Plus all e mount lenses are really well made, feel great and are light.
You have to ask yourself how many lenses you actually need, I think most would be happy with the new 16-50 for general snap shots and the new 35mm and 50mm for times when you need to be a bit more creative.
@Anonymous: I already have adapters/lenses for both Micro 4/3 and NEX, so i am not looking at other platforms at the moment.
Delete@John: Yes, the price definitely is a big consideration: that's $300 difference, which is the cost of a pretty good lens (E50mm f1.8 OSS). Also, you are right that Sony is slowly bringing out some decent lenses. The 35mm f1.8 is worth looking forward to, though the price is a bit high.
DeleteThe problem is, when we choose a camera, we tend to choose something that has potential to upgrade, regardless whether we upgrade later or no. But, the NEX-6 is looking very good at the moment.
One of my favourite lenses is the OM 100/2, such smooth bokeh and so sharp at everything over 3ft, where the 90/2 is obviously more corrected for very close focus. (Sorry, this doesn't help your choosing!)
ReplyDeleteYou are a lucky to own the 100/2. Not a common lens for sure.
DeleteYu-Lin,
ReplyDeleteActually I don`t think either camera is a great choice for you, and here`s why:
- NEX-6 - Without doubt its the best camera in the NEX range, but I am not sure if upgrading from a NEX 5n with viewfinder is that worthwhile. All you get is extra compactness compared to when the 5n has the viewfinder attached, faster AF and easier access to menus. That`s it. No improvement in image quality or viewfinder. However I do want to get my hands on the 16-50mm collapsible zoom though.
-OM-D - No doubt a great camera, but there are a few issues. It is quite expensive, and the small sensor will significantly increase the focal length of your lenses, a complaint I already heard you make on the GF-1. Unless of course you now want to focus on small image circle lenses. However the stability system inside the camera looks excellent, and a huge boon for you. Sure the new lenses look great, but they`d be a big investment to get a few of them.
The only camera with significantly better image quality is the Fuji, and it would be a huge pain to get a whole load of new adapters.
For me, I`d stick to what you have and wait.
James
James,
DeleteThe only reason I am looking to get another camera, is because my son wants my NEX-5N. So, I will be selling his T2i and a couple of lenses and get either a NEX-6 or OM-D. I also thought hard about a full frame camera, but decided that I still stick with the 1D III. It's a great camera and the low light capability is similar to the 5D II. If anything, I might get a 5D classic when price drops way down.
Fair enough. I`d get the NEX-6, and wait for that stabilizer system to come out in a low end Olympus if you really wanted an M43 camera kicking around. Full frame is still awesome - I just wish there was a mirrorless full frame, besides one with a Leica badge.
DeleteThe bokeh in this shot is fantabulous. I would vote Nex 6 for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks macman. I think the NEX-6 gets my vote too!
DeleteI recognized this Bokeh immediately. I was like, "That's got to be the 35mm F2.0!", and sure enough, i was right. I love this Lens. I particularly love the Bokeh of the lens. I call it “Ordered Chaos”. Truth be told, it's my most used lens. I'm just curious what's you opinion of It? I would recommend the OMD-EM5. But I'm and Olympus Fan-Boy. L.O.L I don't know if you've handled the 75mm 1.8, but it's beyond reproach. The files are almost sharp enough to print without sharpening! Their “Leica Sharp”. And that's saying something.
DeleteP.S.
Same deal with the 60mm 2.8. Both lenses have fast auto focus also.
@Given Zane, I like the OM 35/2 but not too crazy about its bokeh. With the right background and lighting, it can be nice, but most of the time, it's not too pleasurable to look at. But this is one sharp lens. Optically excellent, like the OM 24/2.8.
DeleteThanks for the vote on the OM-D. Too bad it's quite a bit more expensive than the NEX-6. I read about the 75mm f1.8 and it's unanimously voted as one of the best lenses for M4/3.
My copy of the lens is quite soft wide open, but is very sharp stepped down to F4 – F8. When it comes to Bokeh, I guess it's each to his own kind. I find the Bokeh is very interesting. I feel that it adds a level of personality to the lens.
DeleteThe OMD-EM5 is around a hundred more then the NEX-6 for body only on amazon. But the OMD-EM5 has weather sealing. I don't how much shooting you do in foul weather, So this might be important thing to consider.
Thanks for the response.