Rugby_Nut
member
Reged: 08/07/2008
Posts: 181
Loc: High Wycombe, Bucks
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I was thinking of making a quick purchase of the ZD14-54 for my E-520 based on the facts that, from what I can gather, its image quality is not too different to the newer 12-60, it's faster throughout it's zoom range, and it's half the price.
I assume the next generation of olysonic sensor will be in the 12-15mp range. Do you guys think that the 14-54mm can resolve to that level of detail? Clearly I want to ensure that any lens purchase now will work perfectly with any future body upgrades.
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Chris
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zuiko
Olympian...
Reged: 19/06/2006
Posts: 438
Loc: Norfolk.
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I bought my 14-54 with E1 as a kit. The E1 is long gone and the jump from 5.5mp to 10mp with E3 has shown no loss in quality. My images pass QC for a picture library so that is good enough for me. I have thought about getting the 12-60 but have asked the question, do i really need it. I get the same answer. No. I might be tempted for the 9-18 lens however, depends on price. I don't see how another 2-5 mp is going to change things re image quality.
David
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" ENCEFFC!" "ENNSEAEFFSEA!"" ENNCEFFC!" "ENNCEEFC!"
Edited by zuiko (25/09/2008 14:27)
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Rugby_Nut
member
Reged: 08/07/2008
Posts: 181
Loc: High Wycombe, Bucks
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Thanks David. I must admit I had discounted the 14-54 as a potential purchase since I assumed the 12-60 was the way forward. I'd also read many people who talked about bad iq and had to send the 14-54 lens back to Oly. Having done more research I think it is safe to assume that both lenses are excellent but that the 12-60 is slightly better. Whether the 'slightly' justifies an extra £300 is the bit I'm struggling with 
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Chris
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RogerMac
Hotshoe Shuffler
Reged: 25/03/2007
Posts: 497
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Have you seen this Wrotniak's lens comparison He compares those two lenses under identical conditions and shows a lot of samples.
My personal opinion is that within its range you will be hard put to tell the difference between the 14-54 and the 12-60, however the 12-60 might be worth it for the extra reach but only you can decide how important the last £300 is to you.
I have the 12-60, and am well pleased but as I only got it about 10 days ago I am still feeling my way.
Roger
Edit: Note that the 12-60 is big enough to throw a shadow when using the pop up flash - this might be a dealbreaker if you do not have one of the external flash units
Edited by RogerMac (25/09/2008 15:09)
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zuiko
Olympian...
Reged: 19/06/2006
Posts: 438
Loc: Norfolk.
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There are of course, lots of used good quality 14-54 around for not a lot of money. I did upgrade to the 50-200SWD from old 50-200 and i don't regret this move.
David
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" ENCEFFC!" "ENNSEAEFFSEA!"" ENNCEFFC!" "ENNCEEFC!"
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Rugby_Nut
member
Reged: 08/07/2008
Posts: 181
Loc: High Wycombe, Bucks
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Quote:
Have you seen this Wrotniak's lens comparison He compares those two lenses under identical conditions and shows a lot of samples.
My personal opinion is that within its range you will be hard put to tell the difference between the 14-54 and the 12-60, however the 12-60 might be worth it for the extra reach but only you can decide how important the last £300 is to you.
I have the 12-60, and am well pleased but as I only got it about 10 days ago I am still feeling my way.
Roger
Edit: Note that the 12-60 is big enough to throw a shadow when using the pop up flash - this might be a dealbreaker if you do not have one of the external flash units
Yes I have seen the Wrotniak comparison and as you say there is not a huge difference between the two lenses. However, the more I think about it the more I'm leaning towards the 12-60 being a better legacy lens. Decisions, decisions!!
Mind you, it's still an interesting question, i.e. at what point will the number of pixels on a sensor outstrip the quality of a lens? I suspect that the 12-60 would quite happily cope with a lot more than 10mp. After all, as David pointed out, the 14-54 was fine moving from the 5mp E1 sensor to the 10mp E3 and would probably go much further. Probably
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Chris
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RogerMac
Hotshoe Shuffler
Reged: 25/03/2007
Posts: 497
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Quote:
Mind you, it's still an interesting question, i.e. at what point will the number of pixels on a sensor outstrip the quality of a lens? I suspect that the 12-60 would quite happily cope with a lot more than 10mp. After all, as David pointed out, the 14-54 was fine moving from the 5mp
I read somewhere (afraid I can't remember where) that ZD lenses were designed to work up to 20MP.
Sorry I can not be more helpful
Roger
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Rugby_Nut
member
Reged: 08/07/2008
Posts: 181
Loc: High Wycombe, Bucks
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Quote:
Quote:
Mind you, it's still an interesting question, i.e. at what point will the number of pixels on a sensor outstrip the quality of a lens? I suspect that the 12-60 would quite happily cope with a lot more than 10mp. After all, as David pointed out, the 14-54 was fine moving from the 5mp
I read somewhere (afraid I can't remember where) that ZD lenses were designed to work up to 20MP.
Sorry I can not be more helpful
Roger
If true, then that is very useful information Roger.
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Chris
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RogerMac
Hotshoe Shuffler
Reged: 25/03/2007
Posts: 497
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I can not find the quote where 20MP was specified but I did find this:
Quote:
The lens is of particular importance since it is the gateway to the camera and is likely to be used for one or even two decades. Not only must it be optimized for today's cameras, it should be designed with an eye to future developments.
"In other words, the interchangeable lens should be designed with as high performance as possible so that it can deal with any increase in pixels that may result from the improvement of image sensor performance in the future, as well as with existing image sensors.
"ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses are designed with these considerations in mind to achieve high resolution and high performance in combination with currently available digital SLRs, as well as any that are released in the future.
Its from the slightly infamous "Passion for excellence" that was part of the E3 hype
Roger
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Benchmark
Is it safe?
Reged: 12/07/2005
Posts: 3024
Loc: Sedgefield, Co Durham
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I actually prefer the 'feel' of the 14 ~ 54 to the 12 ~ 60; and especially the focus by wire system.
IIRC Geoffrey Crawley tested the 14 ~ 54 some time ago, and found it to be excellent. I have no doubt that it will be at least as good as comparable Nikon or Canon lenses, and nobody frets about using those with 15 or 20 MP + sensors.
More to the point, older lenses from Canikon were designed to be used with film, which still has a higher 'potential' resolution than digital; so I doubt if the much newer Zuiko lenses will be any less capable.
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Nigel CRIPN and Bar
Beware of the Dark Slide
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Benchmark
Is it safe?
Reged: 12/07/2005
Posts: 3024
Loc: Sedgefield, Co Durham
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Mind you, it's still an interesting question, i.e. at what point will the number of pixels on a sensor outstrip the quality of a lens? I suspect that the 12-60 would quite happily cope with a lot more than 10mp. After all, as David pointed out, the 14-54 was fine moving from the 5mp
I read somewhere (afraid I can't remember where) that ZD lenses were designed to work up to 20MP.
Sorry I can not be more helpful
Roger
If true, then that is very useful information Roger.
It was in the book about the E System written by Frank somebody. And IIRC the figure was 22 MP.
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Nigel CRIPN and Bar
Beware of the Dark Slide
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