Tuesday
Jun232009
Kit lens material
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 09:32AM Could you give me a feel for the quality of the kit lenses? They look a bit 'plasticy' from the photos I have seen. Are they metal? (tell me they are!!!!!!) The camera body itself looks really solid and heavy, but the lenses just appear to be a bit cheap looking.
Reader Comments (5)
Sorry Robert - they're plastic kit lenses... the camera + lens combination is quite substantial feeling in weight, but the 17mm f2.8 feels plastic to the touch.
Optically, I think they're good kit lenses... but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the E-P1's success will lead to some HG/SHG quality lenses (which will obviously be more expensive!)
The problem is, that in this space - people currently shooting with a P&S who see the price of quality lenses shriek all over the internet that it's too expensive... they are not familiar with the cost of high quality optics.
Once the cameras gain a strong foothold, I'm sure there will be some high grade lenses produced. I hope that isn't far away... because this format deserves some serious lenses.
Kind Regards
Brian
Is the build quality any different from the 25mm pancake or 14-42mm FT kit lens (ignoring design difference) though?
No, it's high quality construction (though plastic)
I was out shooting this evening with the G1 + Lumix 14-45 and E-P1 + 17mm f2.8 pancake and 14-42 kit lens.
The 17mm is a great 35mm prime EFL lens, and f2,8 is nice - but the 14-45 and 14-42 are both sharper and have less CA at f5.6.
Cheers
Brian
Good. That's what is important. All this chat of material used for body/lens in various circles is rediculous. We know oly make well built products and there's not been critisism of the pancake or FT kit lens construction I don't think.
Cheers brian.
"All this chat of material used for body/lens in various circles is rediculous"
I do find that authors on various photographic forums are rather rude in their responses.
Material quality is a very important aspect of cameras...or cars...or mountain bikes... The EP1 has been designed partially as a modern response to the old PEN cameras that are praised for their quality feel. Therefore 'design' and 'materiality' are key elements. Optics, of course, are another key element - that goes without saying!