Hi Everyone
Thank you for all the thanks!
I'll try and answer as many questions here rather than answering each post individually.
What's missing for me with this lens, is a balance between enough super sharp foreground detail, contrasting with super smooth out of focus background...
I'll do my best . . just don't expect me to put it on a tripod!
Thanks Jono! These are the best examples I've seen yet from this lens. The "test chart" performance at DPR was disappointing, but it isn't surprising to see this lens perform in your hands.
HI Amin
It's always the same with lenses isn't it. MTF charts etc. only tell half the story.
Terry
I hope you get your discounted version . . . I paid £599 for mine - still, I've certainly paid more for worse lenses!
Diane
I'm ashamed to admit that for a lot of the time I had it on Program mode - It was my first outing with the camera for a few months, and I was more interested in getting a shot than fiddling about too much.
Pellicle
I've been using the In Body stabilisation on the Olympus body. I haven't done a comparison, it would be a great deal of work (lots of test shots to get a decent sample). Others have done similar with different lenses, and seem to think that they are roughly equivalent (conventional wisdom is that lens stabilisation is better). I'm pretty sure you can switch it off on the body and on in the lens though.
Monza
in comparison with the 14-45, it is, apparently, 3mm longer and 2.5mm wider and 30 grams heavier . . .i.e. to all intents and purposes the same size.
Hi Joan
The big contrast of this lens with the old Zuiko, is that the bokeh on it really is much much better (it may not be perfect, but it's much better). Whether it's as sharp is another matter - I think someone with a tripod is going to have to work that one out!
Lin
the AF is silent - noticeably and obviously so - excellent.
Hi Guy
I'm not sure that I've got a lens that would have done that shot much better - maybe the 50 Asph lux? (or the 75 'cron). But I think the point is that it still isn't 'nasty'. Perhaps less edgy than you 35 'cron shot?
and as Terry says - that was with the 'bokeh king'. My first feelings is that it really is very good - the ivy berry shot was a nasty test as well but that worked.
I haven't had much of a chance to shoot more today (nothing worth posting), but I'm increasingly feeling that this really is a keeper.