Is Oly 12-40/2,8 to heavy for E-M10?

[Transalp01]

I have used primes for the last couple of years but when I bought my E-M10 I bought it with the 14-42 EZ and that made the camera a nice "compact" vacation camera!

After a couple of travels this summer I got to love using zoom lenses again.

But I'm missing a high quality zoom. I thinking of buying a Oly 12-40/2,8 but is it worth the money and might it be to heavy for my E-M10?

 

[DeoreDX]

On my EM5 I won't say it is front heavy but it is definitely heavy. A grip does help a lot. You just need yo use it two handed with your left hand on the barrel. One handed a grip is a must IMHO. Well worth it for the quality and the convenience.

 

[SolPix]

Second DeoreDx's comment on the grip. I tried the E-M10 in a store with my 12-40, with and without the Oly lightweight grip, and I preferred it with the grip. I think the 12-40 is a sweet lens. I like the image quality more than I expected to, actually. It is much larger and heavier than the EZ, however.

How do you like your E-M10?

 

[zensu]

Third DeoreDxs' comment. Used the 12-40 on both the E-M5 and now the E-P5 and it's worth its weight in gold. A grip has been a must on both cameras even holding the lens in my left hand.

 

[Transalp01]

Second DeoreDx's comment on the grip. I tried the E-M10 in a store with my 12-40, with and without the Oly lightweight grip, and I preferred it with the grip. I think the 12-40 is a sweet lens. I like the image quality more than I expected to, actually. It is much larger and heavier than the EZ, however.

How do you like your E-M10?

I love my E-M10 when the grip is on. Never use it without!

Third DeoreDxs' comment. Used the 12-40 on both the E-M5 and now the E-P5 and it's worth its weight in gold. A grip has been a must on both cameras even holding the lens in my left hand.

I already have the grip. I bought it for my Pana 100-300 but it is always on even with 14-42 EZ.

I think I have to test the 12-40 in a store on my E-M10!

 

[WendyK]

Yep, the lens is definitely worth the money (especially if you can get it on sale or refurb - I got it when they were running a $100 off sale). The grip definitely improves the handling on an E-M10. I was not at all sure I should buy this lens, but after seeing the first few photos I took and realizing how close you can get to the subject I haven't regretted it for an instant. I still use my primes a lot, too (only one overlaps the 12-40), but when I only want to carry one lens and will be shooting a variety of things, the 12-40 is the obvious choice.

 

[gary.l]

Not too heavy. And it looks fine on it. I ended up getting rid of mine, though, because I wanted to keep my kit compact. For my vacations, I take my 14-150mm. When I go indoors, I switch to a prime.

 

[EarthQuake]

The 12-40/2.8 feels fantastic on my EM1, but unbalanced on my EM5 w/o grip. On an EM10 I would probably go with the 12-35 instead, unless the extra 5mm and close focusing distance of the 12-40 are very important to you.

 

[Transalp01]

The 12-40/2.8 feels fantastic on my EM1, but unbalanced on my EM5 w/o grip. On an EM10 I would probably go with the 12-35 instead, unless the extra 5mm and close focusing distance of the 12-40 are very important to you.

I thought of it but the Pana 12-35 is 30% more expensive than the Oly 12-40 in Sweden :-(

 

[Chris5107]

If you can live without 40mm, go with the P12-35. Look at the weight difference. It is significant on a percentage basis. Maybe you can find one on sale.

I use the 12-35 on the E-P5 with no grip and no problems... I wish it were smaller but the IQ is worth it.

 

[Mellow]

Well, here's a slightly different opinion.

I don't have an E-M1, but I do have an EM-5. Without an add-on grip I think the 12-40mm would be pretty awkward. I've added a RRS grip, though, which makes it very comfortable--no problems. It is, however, heavy.

I also don't have the 14-42mm EZ, but I do have the Panny 12-32mm pancake zoom, which I've used on my E-M5. The difference in handling is dramatic. You hardly know the 12-32mm is there.

Obviously you sacrifice something with such a tiny pancake zoom. What's surprising, however, is that beyond the obvious--slower lens, smaller range--the difference in IQ is not very significant. I'm going to post some photos later to make this point, but I've tested them against each other (12-40mm vs. 12-32mm) and the differences are much, much smaller than you would think given the gigantic size difference. If you can live with the slower speed and smaller range, you might want to give the 12-32mm a look. It's also a lot cheaper. Good luck!

 

[EarthQuake]

I thought of it but the Pana 12-35 is 30% more expensive than the Oly 12-40 in Sweden :-(

Ah thats a shame, have you considered getting one used, or importing from Japan?

 

[Transalp01]

Ah thats a shame, have you considered getting one used, or importing from Japan?

A used Pana 12-35 is rare in Sweden. The same för used Oly 12-40. Could take a lot of month to find one. I have to check what fees and tax that is added when importing from Japan to Sweden. But that might be a solution!

 

[Yohan Pamudji]

Great advice here so far regarding going with a grip to help the handling. I have an E-M5 and the 12-40mm is a bit awkward on it without a grip unless you're shooting at which point you're supporting the lens with your left hand and the handling issues disappear. Definitely go try it out in a store for yourself to see how you like it.

Regarding 12-40mm vs 12-35mm, IMO the 12-40mm is a better lens and for less money too. The close focus ability makes it a semi-macro lens, and I believe the quantitative image quality measurements are in favor of the 12-40mm. The only strikes against it are 1) no OIS, which if you're using an Olympus camera doesn't matter, and 2) heavier.

 

[silver92b]

Haven't used the 12-40 but the12-35 is terrific! And definitely more ergonomically suitable. I use it with the em5 with grip and with the ep5 with no grip. I would like to have the 12-40 to play with, but I just can't get around the cost of so many bodies and glass....
I'm actually thinking of selling all my Oly bodies and all my lenses, including my epson RD-1 and the4 voiglander lenses I have and just getting a leica m and one leica glass.

 

[EarthQuake]

A used Pana 12-35 is rare in Sweden. The same för used Oly 12-40. Could take a lot of month to find one. I have to check what fees and tax that is added when importing from Japan to Sweden. But that might be a solution!

Looks like the lowest price for new on eBay from Hong Kong is $881 USD, new from major retailers here is $999 USD(same price as 12-40). Not sure if this is helpful, but just for reference.

 

[manju69]

I use the 12-40 on my E-M10 without a grip and it works fine. The more I use it the more I like it and get used to its size. You are using two hands of course. It's a stunning lens. I love the extra 5mm and the close focus in particular and the l-fn button is handy for DOF preview. I may get the grip one day but currently don't feel the need. I guess it's a personal thing about if it feels/looks too big. I


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[Klorenzo]

Obviously you sacrifice something with such a tiny pancake zoom. What's surprising, however, is that beyond the obvious--slower lens, smaller range--the difference in IQ is not very significant. I'm going to post some photos later to make this point, but I've tested them against each other (12-40mm vs. 12-32mm) and the differences are much, much smaller than you would think given the gigantic size difference. If you can live with the slower speed and smaller range, you might want to give the 12-32mm a look. It's also a lot cheaper. Good luck!

I somehow agree with the comment above. The 12-40 is a great lens (users, test, reviews all agree). Do you (or me) really need it? For example: the D800 is a great camera with wonderful IQ but do I really need it?
If size is not a problem go for it and take the ECG too. Right now I can choose to go small size (no grip, 14-42 EZ+P20) or full-size (grip+12-40+40-150+P20) depending on the occasion. But in a couple of weeks I will be on vacation and I'm really wondering if it's worth to bring the 12-40 (my travels are not all about photography).

Regarding you original question: I use the 12-40 on the EM-10. It works but with the ECG-1 is much better, less stressing, especially when moving the top wheels and you have less fingers available to grip the camera. Without the grip the annular on the right hand feels a lot of weight as soon as you remove the left hand from the lens or start to move the lens rings.

 

[zensu]

I somehow agree with the comment above. The 12-40 is a great lens (users, test, reviews all agree). Do you (or me) really need it? For example: the D800 is a great camera with wonderful IQ but do I really need it?
If size is not a problem go for it and take the ECG too. Right now I can choose to go small size (no grip, 14-42 EZ+P20) or full-size (grip+12-40+40-150+P20) depending on the occasion. But in a couple of weeks I will be on vacation and I'm really wondering if it's worth to bring the 12-40 (my travels are not all about photography).

Regarding you original question: I use the 12-40 on the EM-10. It works but with the ECG-1 is much better, less stressing, especially when moving the top wheels and you have less fingers available to grip the camera. Without the grip the annular on the right hand feels a lot of weight as soon as you remove the left hand from the lens or start to move the lens rings.

I am jealous of you guys. I wish Olympus made an ECG-1 type grip for the E-P5 camera.

 

[Swandy]

My reason for moving from 4/3 (not exactly large cameras) to m4/3 was the smaller size/weight. And as much as I love the pictures I have seen from the 12-40 (and actually was one click away from purchasing a refurbished one), I still don't love the size/weight on my EM10 (and no, I don't have the grip). For me personally, that lens - while stellar - just defeats the purpose of the EM10. If I wanted to go that heavy, I would have gotten the EM1 instead of it's smaller brother.
Also, I agree about the comments for the 14-42EZ. I love it. Do I think that the IQ (especially with regards to sharpness or contrast) is as good as the 12-40, probably not. Have not done any direct testing, just based on what I see from my 14-42EZ and what I see online from the 12-40, but I have been very satisfied with the 14-42EZ.