Gord's friend wrote me off list to ask about the 7-14, since it was no secret
that I had one. In the event others have similar questions, and just to clog
up the digest, I'll post here my response. I don't think Gord's friend will
mind.
"Please pardon the tardy reply. I was away from civilization for the weekend
and
only this morning started reading three days' worth of e-mail.
"I'm sure you read Jeff's post about the 7-14, and there's really not much I
can
add. It was the lens that finally pushed me over the fence, because the lack
of
a good WA was what I saw as the biggest drawback to digital, at least for me.
Although I may not use it as much as some other lenses, a good really wide lens
is essential to me. At least two of my TOPEs were shot with the 21/2 Zuiko and
another with the 17/3.5 Tamron.
"The 7-14 is big and heavy, and indeed does have a big, domed front element
that
is afforded only scant protection by the permanently affixed hood. It is also
expensive, twice as expensive as any other lens I have, but I think it's worth
it. True, you can't use filters with it, but if I have learned nothing else
from my few months of digital shooting, I have come to realize that the effects
produced by all filters, except for a polarizer, can be, if not duplicated, at
least closely approximated in digital editing. And polarizers don't work all
that well with extreme wide angle lenses anyway much of the time.
"As an example of not requiring filters, when shooting landscapes on film, I
often use split graduated filters to even the exposure between ground and sky.
Not needed with digital. I just put the E-1 on a tripod and shoot one shot
exposed for the sky, another exposed for the ground, then put the two together
in Picture Window Pro. Takes about two minutes.
"FYI, in case you haven't seen this lens in person, I've attached a shot of the
front element. Its prominence does make one a little careful when using the
lens, but I ordinarily don't give it a whole lot of thought. If you want a
really WA digital lens, I don't think you'll regret getting one of these. It
does take a chunk out of the wallet, though."
And for the still curious, here's that quick and dirty litle jpeg:
http://home.att.net/~hiwayman/wsb/media/192375/site1075.jpg
Walt
--
"Anything more than 500 yards from
the car just isn't photogenic." --
Edward Weston
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Gordon Ross <gordross@xxxxxxx>
>
> Hi All:
>
> A friend has asked me about the 7-14 zoom for the E series vs the other WA
> zooms Oly has. Since I don't have an E 1 I don't have much to say. I know
> that it is difficult to solicit an opinion on this list, but I appeal to you
> all to not be so reticent and share your thoughts on the merits of this lens
> or why another might be a better choice.
>
> Thanks Gord
>
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