11-22mm lens vs 9-18mm lens

[dkayuk]

Hi all,

I am slowly building-up my Olympus system and so far I have

Olympus E-520
50mm ZD macro lens
14-42mm kit lens (which I don't intend to use u/w).

I am quite keen on land photography too, so I'd like to buy a WA lens that will produce good results both on land and u/w. So far, I've discounted the fish-eye because that has limited appeal to me on land and the 7-14mm due to high cost.

My choice is between the 11-22mm lens vs 9-18mm lens. I know that there is currently no port for the 9-18mm. However, the 11-22m seems to have a narrower coverage angle of 89 degrees as compared to the 9-18mm which has a 100 degree angle.

I've never used an SLR setup u/w before so I would like to make the right decision. Has anyone used the 11-22mm lens underwater and what are your impressions? If you can post pics, even better!!

Also, are there any definite plans for the port for the 9-18mm?

I'm planning to buy the u/w gear next year but I'm quite keen to buy the WA lens for use on land as soon as possible.

thx

DK

 

[JackConnick]

The 9-18mm has just been released. I've been looking at it here at DEMA and the Olympus folks agree that it makes a nice addition at a reasonable cost. It would be a good overlap for either the kit 14-42 or 14-54mm.

It fits the dome port PPO-E04 and there will be a zoom ring released shortly for it.

Jack

 

[dkayuk]

thx for the info Jack.

DK

 

[jan10]

is the 9mm-18 available anywhere ? I am going for a photoworkshop to Bali at the end of november and I would like to use this lens over there.
jan

 

[dkayuk]

Hi Jan

I don't know if you are referring to availability in the US or in the UK. I live in the UK and have just managed to order one today from my local camera shop for pickup early next week.

Drew a blank with all the UK-based web-retailers I tried.

I have no idea about US shops.

thx

DK

 

[JackConnick]

Yes, It's available in the US. Sorting through DEMA info and so forth, but should have it up on my site soon. Contact me if you want one, I can get in a couple of days if they have stock.

Jack

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

I have used the 11 to 22 behind the Olympus recommended flat port and the Olympus PPO-E04 dome port with best results using the dome port and 7 to 14 mm zoom extension port.

Olympus says the 9 to 18 mm works best behind the PPO-E04 dome port with no extension and the new gear, (photo attached). This lens is now widely available in the U.S. My thinking is that the 9 to 18 zoom will be the better choice for W/A underwater.
The flair on the end of the gear is to prevent stray light from the "pop-up" flash entering the lens when shooting with fiber optics.

P.S. no diopter required with the 9 to 18 zoom/PPO-E04 dome.

Phil Rudin

 

[ce4jesus]

How about some advice between the 7-14 and the 9-18. The 7-14mm is brutally expensive but is it worth the extra money (more than twice teh 9-18mm)?

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

I have not used the 9 to 18 zoom yet so I don't know how well it compares to my 7 to 14 zoom which I use all the time for my W/A work.

Phil Rudin

 

[RTRski]

7-14 price is brutal, but seems to be dropping about $100-150 or so at most major photo outlets probably as a result of the more inexpensive 9-18 becoming available.