subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 21 September 2019 49
Nikon AF-S DX
35mm f/1.8 G
● Guide price £90-110
This lightweight, large-aperture lens does
essentially the same job on Nikon’s DX-
format DSLRs as the 50mm f/1.8 standard
primes that once came as standard with
35mm fi lm SLRs. It’s a great option for
when you want to shoot in low light, or carry
a lightweight, discreet kit. Optically it acquits
itself very well, being considerably sharper
than the kit zooms supplied with DSLRs,
especially when stopped down to f/4 or
beyond. Autofocus is rapid and quiet thanks
to the use of an ultrasonic-type silent wave
motor. Unsurprisingly for an inexpensive fast
prime, colour fringing due to longitudinal
chromatic aberration can be visible in
out-of-focus regions of the image at large
apertures. But it’s not hugely objectionable
and can be suppressed in raw processing,
making it a small price to pay for getting a
lens this sharp at such a keen price.Olympus M.Zuiko Digital
ED 40-150mm F4-5.6 R
● Guide price £80-95
There’s a perception that building up a lens
set for a mirrorless system will inevitably be
expensive, but that’s genuinely not the case,
especially when it comes to Micro Four Thirds.
Both Olympus and Panasonic have made a
point of catering to all users of all levels,
which means that there’s a healthy supply of
entry-level lenses on the used market. This
telephoto zoom is a case in point – it offers
an 80-300mm equivalent range in an
ultra-lightweight 190g package. In terms of
image quality it’s far better than you’d expect
for the price, especially when stopped down
a little. It’s a great companion for Olympus’s
E-M10-series bodies in particular, but
Panasonic camera users should steer clear
because of the lack of image stabilisation,
and instead buy something like the Lumix G
Vario 45-150mm f/4-5.6 Asph Mega OIS
(£10 5 -125).Olympus M.Zuiko Digital
45mm F1.8
● Guide price £130-155
If it feels like we bang on about this one a lot,
then that’s because we do. Indeed if there’s
one lens that every new Micro Four Thirds
owner should get into their kit bag as quickly
as possible, this is it. Olympus’s minuscule
portrait prime has been a perennial favourite
since its launch way back in 2011, owing to
the way it combines a high but not excessive
level of sharpness with attractive background
blur when shot wide open. The short-
telephoto 90mm equivalent angle of view
also offers a very pleasing perspective for
photographing people. Crucially, though, it
comes at the kind of low price point we’re
not used to seeing from lenses for mirrorless
systems. Just watch out for fl are when
shooting into the light. If you’d prefer a wider
view, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 25mm
F1.8 is also well worth considering; expect
to pay £190-230.This portrait was captured using
the tiny and inexpensive Olympus
M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.8
Olympus OM-D E-M10, 45mm f/1.8,
1/800sec at f/1.8, ISO 200
THANKS TO TIMELINE EVENTS. MODEL: YASMIN