Cost of High Quality Glass vs. Photos

[manaheim]

^^^ the only mirror lens I know of is a zoom.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

^^^ the only mirror lens I know of is a zoom.

What? Where? I've got to see that.

 

[Village Idiot]

Well the OP's "high quality" lenses would not cost so much if they didn't own Olympus gear.

That's the real reason. Olympus's lenses are expensive.

 

[Don Kondra]

Well the OP's "high quality" lenses would not cost so much if they didn't own Olympus gear.

That's the real reason. Olympus's lenses are expensive.

I've heard this arguement before but I've never actually read of a cost/quality (speed and IQ) comparison being done...

As an example, what is the Canon/Nikon lens equivalent of say the Oly 14-54mm and their costs.

How about the resell value? Oly high grade lenses regularly sell for 3/4 of new price.

As much as I've enjoyed this discussion, I can offer a basic answer to the OP's question.

Choosing a lens is a balance between what you will be using it for, ie., portraits, sports, family events, etc., what Image Quality will satisfy you and how much you are willing to spend.

I've owned most of the Standard Grade lens and as I could afford it I upgraded to the High Grade line mostly for the better IQ.

Zuiko Digital Lenses

And for more specific discussion on Oly lens -

fourthirdsphoto | Digital Cameras, Lenses and Photography in the Four Thirds Format

Cheers, Don

 

[Village Idiot]

Well the OP's "high quality" lenses would not cost so much if they didn't own Olympus gear.

That's the real reason. Olympus's lenses are expensive.

I've heard this arguement before but I've never actually read of a cost/quality (speed and IQ) comparison being done...

As an example, what is the Canon/Nikon lens equivalent of say the Oly 14-54mm and their costs.

How about the resell value? Oly high grade lenses regularly sell for 3/4 of new price.

As much as I've enjoyed this discussion, I can offer a basic answer to the OP's question.

Choosing a lens is a balance between what you will be using it for, ie., portraits, sports, family events, etc., what Image Quality will satisfy you and how much you are willing to spend.

I've owned most of the Standard Grade lens and as I could afford it I upgraded to the High Grade line mostly for the better IQ.

Zuiko Digital Lenses

And for more specific discussion on Oly lens -

fourthirdsphoto | Digital Cameras, Lenses and Photography in the Four Thirds Format

Cheers, Don

Canon 24-70 f/2.8 = $1300ish new
Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS = $1500ish new

Oly's 12-25 f/2.0 is $2200? The 35-100 f/2.0 is about the same cost.

Resale have Canon's 70-200 going for as low as $1300 but normally around $1400-$1500 (New price varies by retailer/rebates). The 24-70 goes for about $1000 or so used.

 

[manaheim]

^^^ the only mirror lens I know of is a zoom.

What? Where? I've got to see that.

Sorry, I lied. I thought this one was a zoom...

50063EOS Pro-Optic 500mm f/6.3 Mirror Lens for Canon EOS Mount SLR Cameras

 

[Don Kondra]

Canon 24-70 f/2.8 = $1300ish new
Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS = $1500ish new

Oly's 12-25 f/2.0 is $2200? The 35-100 f/2.0 is about the same cost.

Resale have Canon's 70-200 going for as low as $1300 but normally around $1400-$1500 (New price varies by retailer/rebates). The 24-70 goes for about $1000 or so used.

You're comparing a Canon f/2.8 lens to a Olympus ZD f/2.0 lens ? Not fair to the Canon

I would think the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 and the Olympus ZD 14-54 f/2.8-3.5 would be a closer match if you use 35mm equivalence and the Oly is ~$600.

Geez, Canon glass is expensive.

And it's 14-35 f/2.0

Cheers, Don

 

[Garbz]

Don I think that's not the point. Olympus high end gear is excellent. However where is the the competitor to Canon's f/2.8 lenses?

Olympus lenses jump from consumerish -> to wow look at that lens, awe look at that price

But direct comparisons are good, I jumped on the Olympus website clicked pro lenses, and saw 300mm f/2.8. Other manufacturers makes those so here they are from B&H:
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8 G $4,899.95
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L $4,100.00
Olympus 300mm f/2.8 ED Lens $5,953.95

Again excellent quality, and probably worth the price. But so far out of reach of prosumers compared to the Canon.

 

[Village Idiot]

Canon 24-70 f/2.8 = $1300ish new
Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS = $1500ish new

Oly's 12-25 f/2.0 is $2200? The 35-100 f/2.0 is about the same cost.

Resale have Canon's 70-200 going for as low as $1300 but normally around $1400-$1500 (New price varies by retailer/rebates). The 24-70 goes for about $1000 or so used.

You're comparing a Canon f/2.8 lens to a Olympus ZD f/2.0 lens ? Not fair to the Canon

I would think the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 and the Olympus ZD 14-54 f/2.8-3.5 would be a closer match if you use 35mm equivalence and the Oly is ~$600.

Geez, Canon glass is expensive.

And it's 14-35 f/2.0

Cheers, Don

Meant 14-35.

And Olympus needs the f/2.0 to compete with the f/2.8. At the same equivalent focal distance, their lenses will have less DoF. They also are at a disadvantage for ISO performance, so the one stop might help compare to pretty much every other manufacture out there.

The Canon glass compared is all "L" glass, which is their top of the line.

Also, one of the lenses, the 70-200 have image stabilization in lens, which kind of deflates the arguement that I hear from every Olympus fan boy on why you should buy their system and not something else. That is, they said that lenses with IS built into them are more expensive. That's not true in all cases. It depends on the lens.

Plus actually compare the 70-200 f/2.8L IS to the 35-100. The 70-200 is a staple among working photographers. It's one hell of a lens, so is a good calibrated copy of the Canon 24-70 f/2.8.