Quick update on the Olympus 9-18mm MicroFourThirds lens. According to Adorama and BHphoto the lens will arrive in April.
You can preorder the lens here (just click on the shop name): Amazon
P.S.: I didn’t find any european shop having the lens available for preorder.
11 Responses
At least 2 serious shops in France (but no date of availability) :
– http://www.digit-photo.com/Objectifs_Zooms_Doubleurs-aFA0017/OLYMPUS_09_18_mm_4_0_5_6_EZ_Noir_Micro_4_3-rOLYMPUSN3850192.html
– http://www.foto-oehling.com/cgi-bin/Oehling.storefront/4b9fc1cc00c02770273f515cab1e06af/Product/View/180806
Merci Grand!
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-ED-14-150mm-Panasonic-Interchangeable/dp/B0035LBRMQ/ref=pd_bxgy_p_img
Don’t think you’ve posted this preorder either, the 14-150 for $600 USD. Not a bad price compared to $700 USD 9-18.
Thanks for the updates and info! Great site.
Email me and tell me exactly when the e-5 is coming out.
Thanks.
Such a rip off- over $200 more than the regular Olympus 4/3 9-18mm. Olympus has seen how Panasonic manages to gouge micro 4/3 users and I guess they want in on the action.
I agree on the price. It should be cheaper than the 4/3 version as it must be cheaper to produce and wide angle lenses for m4/3 pose fewer optical challenges than for SLR systems. Compare that price to the venerable Canon 10-22 f3.5-4.5 which is a much bigger lens with more glass (while this isn’t a benefit, it at least increases the production costs), has more range, and is significantly faster.
This is why I welcome Sony and Samsung to the mirrorless game. Hopefully Olympus will have to get more competitive with their prices.
I want a superwide very badly, but $700 is too much. I’ll pass.
Cheapest offer in Germany: 515,67 €
http://www.mix-computer.de/html/product/detail.html?artNo=MJOO36&
(wrong picture but the text sys it’s the MFT Lens)
Too expensive.
I’d rather bite the bullet and get the even more expensive 7-14mm instead.
In terms of the price of the classic 4/3rds 9-18 vs. the micro 4/3rds 9-18, note that you are comparing a lens that has been out on the market for some time to a lens that at launch is at MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price). If you are that price sensitive buy the classic 9-18mm.
In terms of number of elements, etc. and in theory the micro 4/3rds being simpler, I don’t see it. Note, the Olympus micro 4/3rds 9-18mm is a folding lens like the 14-42mm, so I imagine it is even harder to design.
Not paying $700 for an f/4…
@Jesse:
Please list fast ultrawideangle zooms for $700… The list won’t be too long, will it?
Come on, folks. Stop moaning!
Do some investigation and you’ll find how special this lens is. See http://fourthirds-user.com/2010/03/exclusive_look_at_olympus_micro_four_thirds_918mm_super_wide_zoom_lens.php A most innovative design. It’s far and away the most compact lens of this focal length.
By all means don’t buy it. But don’t expect it to be as cheap as you would like it to be.
You could buy the larger, heavier, Olympus 4/3 lens and add the 4/3 to m4/3 adapter.
Or, wait a couple of years if you need to pay less.
Or, wait a couple of decades for something better still…
Or, buy an Olympus DSLR with 2 kit lenses at super-bargain prices.