E9-18 f/4-5.6

[Guy Roberts]

My current setup is an e5 with the following lenses: 7-14 f/4; 14-35 f/2; 14-54 mkii; 50-200swd; 50mm macro and 2x teleconverter.
Whan I travel I take only the 14-54mm, as I find the other lenses too big and heavy.
For this very reason I am thinking of going m4/3.
But thinking about it, the e5 is an excellent camera, takes images that I am very happy with, has less than 9000 shutter actuations, and is built like a tank.
So maybe a workaround would be to get the 9-18 f/4-5.6, used obviously.
With the teleconverter on the 14-54 I would be pretty much covered.
Looking on the net the 9-18mm lens seems to be holding its own price wise, around 300-400usd, depending on condition.
Anyone use this lens and have an opinion on it?

[Edmunds]

I used the lens extensively during my travels some time ago. Even did a 4.5 month trip around the world with it. The picture quality of it is basically similar to what you would get out of a kit lens - except it is wider, much much wider. While I never had the 14-54, I did have the 12-60, and I don't think the 9-18 was at the same level of IQ as that.

When looking at sold listings on ebay, I don't see any above $300. Some auctions even ended under $200. I think I would pay only under $200 for it. You can get the 11-22 for under $200, but there is also a good reason for that - its a neither here, nor there lens. Not really wide enough to carry as a second wide angle lens, and not really long enough to be the only lens you'd carry, but the IQ is at least on par with the 14-54.

I'm afraid I don't share your view that the E5 is an excellent camera. Yes, its built like a tank, but even when it was released, the sensor performance was poor, and its very heavy. Needless to say, nowadays the sensor is terribly outdated.

That said, switching for you is a difficult choice. The 14-35mm and 50-200mm have no equals in m4/3 (the new Panasonic 50-200 is dark in the long end, it is f/3.9 at 150mm, which is disappointing). BUT, m4/3 offers a plethora of lenses that 4/3 doesn't have. Its your decision ultimately, but I can tell you I felt a breath of fresh air when I finally gave up 4/3 in favor of m4/3. Even the old E-M5, with its Sony sensor and 5 axis IBIS is much better than anything 4/3. With the prices of used m4/3 gear being what they are, I don't really see why anyone would use a 4/3 DSLR anymore, other than nostalgia, really.