New Olympus Four Thirds Lens Choices, Advice Please

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Richard
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Hi all, I'm looking at purchasing a wide angle (Ok Wide angleish on Four thirds) lens for my Panasonic DMC-L1.

I'm looking at 3 lenses they are the

Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm 1:4-5.6

Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC HSM

What are peoples opinions of these two similarly priced lenses? Is it worth buying the Sigma or to stick with the manufacturers lens?

Then of course there is the;

Zuiko Digital 11-22mm 1:2.8-3.5

Would it be worth saving up to buy the more expensive 2.8-3.5 wide angle?
 
Hi Richard,

Four Thirds users are a bit in the minority on this site, I'm afraid.

I had pretty much the same dilemma as you last year. I managed to borrow an 11-22mm for a day and that pretty much kicked it out of the equation. Not that it was a bad lens, far from it, but the extra angle of view to the 14-54 that I already had didn't seem to justify the expense. I couldn't afford the 7-14mm so that just left the 9-18mm and the 10-20mm Sigma.

I'd seen excellent results from both and the difference in price was not an issue but in the end I went for the 9-18mm mainly for the marginally wider angle of view - as they say, every little helps. It's a decision I've not regretted, it's a stonking little lens that has exceeded my expectations and that 2mm advantage over the 11-22mm at the wide end makes more of a difference than you'd think.

If you are interested I can post a couple of samples. :)
 
There's the new Sigma 8-16mm but I don't think it's available in 4/3 mount yet.
With Nikon, there is software to 'straighten out' their fisheye lens. I don't know if the same is available for the Olympus?
 
I have the 9-18mm and it's a mighty fine lens, I'm sure if you look around for reviews alot of them would say the same thing. I would go for this lens over the Sigma, I believe the Sigma is the same size and weight as the Nikon and Canon versions and optically I don't think it will be better than the Olympus one.
 
Here are a few examples taken with the 9-18mm. The first was taken at 10mm and the rest at 9mm








 
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