The Olympus 40-150mm lens for around $100? In several reviews I see where customers have paid around $100 for this lens in the past. I'm surprised how much the cost of this lens has gone up. Any ideas on what happened? Still seems like a great lens for the $. The Olympus 40-150mm lens for around $100? In several reviews I see where customers have paid around $100 for this lens in the past. I'm surprised how much the cost of this lens has gone up.... » Read More The Olympus 40-150mm lens for around $100? In several reviews I see where customers have paid around $100 for this lens in the past. I'm surprised how much the cost of this lens has gone up. Any ideas on what happened? Still seems like a great lens for the $. « Show Less
1200380
Ive seen it listed as refurbished on another site for 84.99. I am just gonna go ahead and do that....but I dont know where everyone else is getting it for $!00
120648
If money is a concern, try the "fantastic plastic" or sometimes called the "nifty fifty". That's the Canon EOS 50mm f/1.8. Great lens. Best optics per dollar, for sure. Only complaint people have had has been about the quality of background blur when shooting wide open. I haven't had an issue personally, it's acceptable for the price. It IS rather ugly compared to the quality of bokeh on the f/1.2L .. But you can buy 15 of the 1.8s for the price of the 1.2, so that's to be expected. The 1.4 has had some great reviews as well.
1433866
It has been dead on for me! Someone dropped mine with the lens open when I was in Chile and I had to buy a cheap replacement for the rest of the trip. Bummer! Bought the identical replacement when I got home because I didn't find anything in that price range that did more. Only improvement I would have liked is to be able to add my own labeling to places it does not recognize. I guess though that 10,000 should be enough!
1827466
The lens does have an Olympus warranty for a set time. I haven't had a need for it. The lens is small and works well with two positions. I have an electric lens cap on it, so I should never lose the cap.Attached to the Olympus M10 and with the electric cap, everything has a small footprint and light weight.
190583
This camera with the 20mm pancake lens is out of stock EVERYWHERE as far as I can tell. Panasonic's own web site lists it that way, as do every online store I've checked.... except, as you note, for the ones who are taking advantage of the temporary scarcity to charge hundreds of dollars more. I understand it's supply and demand, but I still think it's slimy, and I refuse to deal with those companies. Panasonic pretty clearly underestimated the demand for this model. I think everyone who reacted to the Olympus E-P1 with "Oh, cool idea, pity the auto-focus sucks so badly and they used such a low-res LCD display" wants a GF1 now. Best of luck on getting your camera before Christmas, but my guess is it's a long shot.
1966850
It is a good lens, manual + auto-focus, image stabilization. It is not an exceptional lens (costing $1,500-2,000) but for $249 it is a good deal. It has become the lens of choice to "kit" a body, so lots are manufactured which might be the reason for a lower-than-expected price.
519692
Yes I also noticed that. I had purchased this camera last month and returned mine for an exchange due to possibly being defective (after an email exchange with Canon support). Unfortunately they then emailed me that they no longer had it in stock and didn't know when they were going to get more. They could only offer me a refund. They finally showed it back in stock but then I was amazed at the price! I even emailed them to find out why but just got a non answer (to be expected I guess) about how their suppliers set the prices. As you say, this price is higher than Canons, so it makes you wonder what they are playing at. I guess they don't want anyone to buy it from them...!
270058
I bought this lense for my Nikon D90 along with the approriate adapter. I have been exceptionally pleased and only bought it after several months of research visiting and participating in a number of user forums and finally finding it used on Amazone for $200 plus shipping. What I found was that most of the "experts" on both Nikon and user forums univerally blasted this lense but had never used it or even touched it. Finally, on a Canon forum, an expert put it to a test and got some really sharp photos. The Opteka website also has a video with some excellent shots with this lense. Those tests by the Canon guy convinced me that it was a worthwhile investment at $200. You don't see many used Opteka lenses on Amazon or Ebay. That tells me that those who have bought them must be happy with them. Further, when I bought my lense several months ago, the new prices for the Opteka were in the $230 to $270 range. They are now approaching $300. If the law of supply and demand is at work it must mean that this lense is quite popular and the dealers can get these kinds of prices. I would recommend this lense for a Nikon photographer who doesn't want to make a substantial investment of thousands of dollars for a long lense. But you must understand that the lense MUST be shot on a tripod, preferably with a remote shutter release or a self timer.
606484
I'm so glad there's something posted here - this is one of the lenses I'm considering getting my husband for Christmas. He has the Sigma 50-200mm lens right now and in my experience with it, it hasn't been too bad. Should he be happy with the 18-200?
1850113
Yes, is it worth it. My opinion is no. I actually returned my lens and purchased 3 primes for around the same price range. I had the lens for about 2 weeks and returned it for a 50mm1.8, 85mm 1.8 and 28mm 1.8 and do not regret it at all. Total for all 3 lens 1410.85. And I love them.
687298
You have to know if 50mm equivalent works for you. Also look at 17 and 14mm from Olympus and Panasonic if you need wider field of view. I have the lens you ask about and it's great but focal length you shoot at is first priority. Look at previous pics and see. Also using Amazon I've bought new and used like-new with equal good results but cost a lot less!!!
1394636
Like the rest of the comments, you are right, it will become a 48mm lens, pretty close to what you see is what you get through the viewer. I did notice the lens it has a unique sound when it is focusing. it is pretty cool. I been using this lens for a while now, and it took me a little to get use to it. (I normally shoot with a 18- 200 zoom) so moving forward and backward to get the shot took some getting use to.
923249
This probably is not helpful: I'm delighted with the 45-175mm, but I got it for a steal as an Amazon lightning deal for just under $200. Buying was a no-brainer. So the only real advice I can offer is to be extremely patient and keep your eyes open for a great deal on the 45-175mm.
1244806
I think you are underestimating the quality of the "old kitzoom" lens. By any rational standard, this is a very good lens. The Olympus tradition or providing a good kit lens up to the standards of the body it is sold with continues with this lens, I think. I would remind you that the legendary Zuiko DSLR lens, the 14-55 mm f2.8/f3.5 started out as a kit lens for the original 4/3s camera the E1.
130214
Can someone comment on how this is different from a "tilt-shift" lens costing hundreds of dollars more? I want to get into the realm of architectural photography, and have been told a tilt-shift is something good to have, but they also mentioned LensBaby.
1838718
M. Clouse, I have both the 35mm L lens and the 50mm non-L lens. Like you, I love the 50mm lens but it is not sharp wide open. It sharpens up pretty well in the center by f/2.8, but the corners are soft even at f/5.6. The 35mm L lens is not in the same league. It is almost 4 times as expensive, built like a tank, has a completely different lens formula, ring USM focusing system rather than the old design in the 50mm, and is sharp at f/1.4 even out to the edge of the field. Like the 50mm, it gets a little sharper stopped down, but it is so sharp at f/1.4, there is not much room for improvement. You will not be disappointed with the 35mm L. It is a very fine lens optically and mechanically. M. Clouse, I have both the 35mm L lens and the 50mm non-L lens. Like you, I love the 50mm lens but it is not sharp wide open. It sharpens up pretty well in the center by f/2.8, but the corners are soft even at f/5.6. The 35mm L lens is not in the same league. It is almost 4 times as expensive, built like a tank, has a completely different lens formula, ring USM focusing system rather than the old design in the 50mm, and is sharp at f/1.4 even out to the edge of the field. Like the 50mm, it gets a little sharper stopped down, but it is so sharp at f/1.4, there is not much room for... » Read More M. Clouse, I have both the 35mm L lens and the 50mm non-L lens. Like you, I love the 50mm lens but it is not sharp wide open. It sharpens up pretty well in the center by f/2.8, but the corners are soft even at f/5.6. The 35mm L lens is not in the same league. It is almost 4 times as expensive, built like a tank, has a completely different lens formula, ring USM focusing system rather than the old design in the 50mm, and is sharp at f/1.4 even out to the edge of the field. Like the 50mm, it gets a little sharper stopped down, but it is so sharp at f/1.4, there is not much room for improvement. You will not be disappointed with the 35mm L. It is a very fine lens optically and mechanically. « Show Less
920609
Lens usually sells $650. Couldnt. believe $350 from Davismax thru Amazon. But true, brand new with USA warranty. LOVE IT. Still cant believe.