The one which would be the best starter lens IMHO would be the 50mm f3.5. It
requires no extension. It simply fits on the camera. I have used one as my
"walk around" lens on many occasions. It is a little slow but is faster than
f 4. The 80mm is going to require at least a set of extension tubes and
really either a bellows or the telescoping extension tubes. I have all these
things because I like small things and don't take my advice as being a
discouragement of your getting any of it. The 50mm f3.5 or f2, if you want
to spending more, is a great starting point. You should be able to pick one
up for less than $150. I saw a user on ebay yesterday with a Buy It Now
price of $90. Sounded like a semi-Fang to me. Another good option, which
doesn't answer the question you asked would be the Tamron 90mm f2.5 (with or
without its dedicated extension tube). Many prefer the earlier model which
takes 49mm filters. These can be had with hood and tube for $150 to $200+.
And still another solution would be to just get a set of extension tubes to
use with you existing lenses which can be any brand that fit the OM. Get the
"automatic" ones if you can. Olympus will probably run you $90 to $135 with
the aftermarket ones running you $30 to $70. Bill Barber
|