Opinion sought please on Sigma 55-200mm Zoom Lens for Olympus E-510

theMusicMan

theMusicMan

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Hi All

Just looking for a nice (cheap) zoom lens that provides a longer focal length than the stock lenses supplied with the E-510 and came across this lens;

Sigma 55-200 Zoom

55-200mm.jpg


Does anyone have this lens...? I appreciate that with glass you get what you pay for, but for £99 this seems a no brainer and perhaps worth the risk.

I want to use whichever zoom lens I get with the official Olympus x1.4 or x2 converter.

Most of the longer Olympus lenses are very VERY expensive, so what's your opinion on this lens please. Does anyone know where I can read a review on it...?

Ta all.
 
theMusicMan said:
with glass you get what you pay for
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That's it, basically. There are a few lenses that are cheap and good but mostly you do get what you pay for. I've also heard that the olympus kit lenses are very good indeed, so this lens may not perform to those standards. I don't know about this lens in particular but that's what I'd think :shrug:
 
Joe T said:
I'm not sure that lens will work properly with a converter. You may well lose autofocus, even with the 1.4x let alone the 2x.
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Forgot to mention that. I'd be doubtful of it working with a converter as it's a 5.6 lens, I think.
 
Ewan said:
Forgot to mention that. I'd be doubtful of it working with a converter as it's a 5.6 lens, I think.
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OK, thanks for this advice however, can you explain to me please why this won't work with x1.4 or x2 converters? I am still learning and can't figure out what 5.6 has to do with this sorry.

Appreciate your advice.

John
 
I think other things apply to this too, but I think generally if it's not a "fast" lens like a f2.8 or f1.8, it will not autofocus with converters added. Because when a 2x TC doubles the focal length, it also doubles the f-stop, so a 200mm f5.6 becomes a 400mm f11.2 (I think?) and most cameras the f stop to be 5.6 or lower to AF.
 
Personally I think your better off sticking to the Oly lenses. They are almost telecentric and provide much better corner to corner sharpness compared the Sigma you have listed. I know it is some £50 more expensive but at the end of the day, if your going to pop £100 on a lens and end up disliking it, the better was only 1/2 of the cost more expensive.

King.
 
I have the 40-150 Zuiko... but wanted a larger focal length lens for a decent price. So, if this Sigma is not the one to go for what should I consider?
 
Well, that's just it, I don't really have a budget. I just purchased the E-510 and wanted a larger focal length telephoto lens than the stock lens supplied.

I have a nice enough Zuiko macro lens, but the longer focal length Zuiko lenses are very expensive so I spotted this for £99 and thought it would be a great 'risk' investment.

Hope that answers your question.
 
I can understand what your saying, but having had the same approach with my build up to owning some top glass I wish I had just saved those £100 purchases up of entry level telephotos and held out for what I have now.

Anyway, as you mentioned the Zuiko lenses are exspensive, but wit good reason as they are truly magnificant performers.

I believe the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 can be had for the 4/3 mount ??? which will provide a FOV of 100-300mm. Although it is approx £400/£450 it is one that is definately worth saving for. I know this is roughly the same FOV you get with the Zuiko in your kit bag though. So it depends of you want the faster f/2.8 aperture.

If you really do need to buy something now, then the Sigma 70-300 APO is a well regarded entry level lens costing approx £30 more than the 55-200. This would provide a massive 140-600mm FOV.

Good luck, but let us know how you get on.

King.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone, really appreciated. Excellent forum - as we all know.

However, what seems to have put me off this just now is the fact that I wouldn't be able to use the x1.4 or x2 converters. I don't think the extra 50 mm FL between the Zuiko 45-150 i have now and the Sigma 55-200 is enough to convince me, I wanted the extra x100 when used in conjunction with the converters.

So... thanks all. Still not 100% convinced either way, but many thanks for the advice.
 
Just to confirm that you made the right decision. I found the quality of lens to be pretty poor - at the far end being close to useless. I also found that it sucked in dust pretty quickly. I've got the Olympus cheap equivalent now. It only goes to 150mm but the quality is oh so much better.
 
Joe T said:
I think the lens for you is probably the Olympus 70-300 f4-5.6 However for some reason this lens isnt on sale yet in the UK :shrug:
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King_Boru said:
That will be this one: 70-300
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WOW - that looks a nice lens indeed... no price indication yet though. I will definitely hold out until this is released, especially with it being a Zuiko lens. Any ideas of possible price range..??
 
Thanks King.... nice review on what seems to be a superb lens. Thanks for the link.
 
Spend more money now and save money later. If you buy the cheap option you're only going to get fed up with it and end up upgrading in a few months time. Get something that will last you a few years!
 
Ewan said:
Spend more money now and save money later. If you buy the cheap option you're only going to get fed up with it and end up upgrading in a few months time. Get something that will last you a few years!
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This is the way I am beginning to think to be honest. I may just leave it until the Zuiko lens is released - still be nice to have an indication of the price though. Do you reckon this is going to be close to the thousand mark?
 
Ewan said:
Sorry, I'm a Nikon person :D - and I don't know anything about nikon lenses either TBH :lol:
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In true chillimonster style... never mind, you'll recover soon enough :):)

:olympus:

(only kiddin.. no offense meant Ewan)
 
theMusicMan said:
Do you reckon this is going to be close to the thousand mark?
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In short, no. This lens is projected to sell to the masses. The top pro lenses like the 50-200's and the 35-100's Zuikos are in thousand/s.

Personally I see it at around £299 - £350.

As you mentioned, you are much better off waiting for the Zuiko instead of spending drabs here and there.

King.
 
... which will be a very reasonable price indeed. Thanks King.
 
King_Boru said:
In short, no. This lens is projected to sell to the masses. The top pro lenses like the 50-200's and the 35-100's Zuikos are in thousand/s.

Personally I see it at around £299 - £350.

As you mentioned, you are much better off waiting for the Zuiko instead of spending drabs here and there.

King.
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Just read in this months Photography monthly that they think this will be around the £200 mark. Not 'arf bad for a 70-300mm lens. They also state that this will be released sometime in October.

Why is it that manufacturers wait for release of equipment for so long? Is the lens not finished/working/still being tested...? I just wonder why they don't release it sooner, it's still summer (well, sort of) and I'd imagine most larger zoom lenses get used more in summer than winter.

Ah well... more spending in October I guess :)
 
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