Olympus 12-100 or Panasonic has something up its sleeve?

[tr33man]

So, I'm thinking of getting 12-100 PRO for my G9 as a single lens solution for travel and landscape etc. The thing is, dual OIS does not work with Oly lens + Panasonic body which is a bit of a waste.

I haven't seen anything on micro 4/3 rumors but maybe some of you know more; is Panasonic planning similar lens with IS so it can run dual OIS on a G9? Something like 12-100 or even 10-100 f/4...?

The new 14-140 is not exactly up to my taste (3.5-5.6 aperture). I like 12-35 f/2.8 but it goes only up to 35mm...

 

[Keeth101]

Buy the lens, you will not regret it .....

Then go buy the Oly EM1ii ... You won't regret that either

 

[tr33man]

I tried both Em1 II and G9 before purchase... I liked the G9 way more.

 

[speedy]

So, I'm thinking of getting 12-100 PRO for my G9 as a single lens solution for travel and landscape etc. The thing is, dual OIS does not work with Oly lens + Panasonic body which is a bit of a waste.

I haven't seen anything on micro 4/3 rumors but maybe some of you know more; is Panasonic planning similar lens with IS so it can run dual OIS on a G9? Something like 12-100 or even 10-100 f/4...?

The new 14-140 is not exactly up to my taste (3.5-5.6 aperture). I like 12-35 f/2.8 but it goes only up to 35mm...

What's wrong with the Panasonic Leica 12-60 f/2.8-4? There's also the smaller, lighter Lumix version, a bit slower aperture wise, but still dual IS, and weather sealed. Seems pretty well regarded.

 

[pdk42]

The OIS in the 12-100 is superb. It's 80% of the stabilisation without SyncIS. I wouldn't worry about it on a G9.

 

[gnik]

PL 12-60 f2.8-4 is the obvious response.

 

[TNcasual]

If you are willing to change lenses once, the 12-35/35-100 pair is as good as anything. At f2.8 to boot. Otherwise the above mentioned 12-60 is the panasonic option.

 

[ijm5012]

The PL 12-60 is an enticing option. However, the 12-100 is a freakishly-fantastic lens.

I would make a purchase based on factors like size, weight, and telephoto reach. The OIS on both lenses is fantastic.

Personally, I found the 12-100 to offer enough reach for travel/landscape photography. I threw a PL 8-18 in my bag as well for UWA, and the 25 PRO (PL25 would work as well), and had a fantastic 3-lens travel & landscape kit. I'm not certain the 12-60 would offer enough reach for telephoto landscape shots, but that really comes down to the type of images you like to shoot.

 

[pdk42]

If you are willing to change lenses once, the 12-35/35-100 pair is as good as anything. At f2.8 to boot. Otherwise the above mentioned 12-60 is the panasonic option.

I swapped my 12-35 and 25-100 f2.8 pair for the 12-100 and I wouldn't want to go back. The convenience of a single lens when shooting landscapes beats the extra stop. The additional size is manageable IMHO.

 

[ijm5012]

I swapped my 12-35 and 25-100 f2.8 pair for the 12-100 and I wouldn't want to go back. The convenience of a single lens when shooting landscapes beats the extra stop. The additional size is manageable IMHO.

Agreed, I did the same thing (well, I swapped the 12-35/35-100 for the 12-40/40-150, and then later swapped the 12-40/40-150 for the 12-100).

To me, the extra stop wasn't worth the hassle of carrying an extra lens, having to change lenses, etc. The 12-100 is so damn good wide open that it really doesn't need to be stopped down unless you need more DoF. f/2.8 on m43 wasn't "enough", so anytime I needed something faster I was always grabbing a prime lens anyways.

 

[TNcasual]

I swapped my 12-35 and 25-100 f2.8 pair for the 12-100 and I wouldn't want to go back. The convenience of a single lens when shooting landscapes beats the extra stop. The additional size is manageable IMHO.

No doubt. But if dual IS is the OP's requirement, I thought I would broaden the options.

 

[tr33man]

Thanks for the input everyone, I think I am one step closer to 12-100. Dual IS is not THAT important but I would eat myself alive if I bought Oly 12-100 and Panasonic releases similar range/quality lens with dual IS a few months later.

12-35 + 35-100 sounds great but I really want to eliminate any lens change in the field.

Constant aperture is a requirement though so that eliminates 12-60 (as well as 60mm is probably not enough reach for all that I want to shoot).

F/4 is enough; if I need real low light I already have primes.

 

[tkbslc]

Dual IS (from both brands) is very overrated. At best it adds 1 stop over either of the regular IS systems. That is an extra stop on top of systems that already get 5 stops on their own. So it's only rare extreme cases where you'd even be able to make use of it. With 5 stops IBIS an 1/EFL rule, you can already shoot a 12mm at 1.3 seconds.

The OIS in the 12-100 is superb. It's 80% of the stabilisation without SyncIS. I wouldn't worry about it on a G9.

Same can be said for either IBIS system. They are also 5 stops on their own. Sync IS or Dual IS math is 5+5=6.

 

[pdk42]

Constant aperture is a requirement though so that eliminates 12-60 (as well as 60mm is probably not enough reach for all that I want to shoot).

F/4 is enough; if I need real low light I already have primes.

If you set the 12-60 to f4 then it's constant aperture

 

[tkbslc]

If you set the 12-60 to f4 then it's constant aperture

I was going to say the same. If it's not enough reach, then it's not enough reach. But it's really easy to make an f2.8-4 lens work like it's f4 straight. And you still have the f2.8 at wide angle available if the situation arises.

 

[davidzvi]

I have and really like the O12-100 Pro. But I will point out it's notably bigger and heavier than the PL12-60. I had and sold the P12-40 Pro, there are times I wish I had not for the convenience. I would just buy another, but Olympus had two other lenses on the road map they released that have me waiting (since I don't NEED it now). The two were options starting around 9mm or 10mm to around 25mm or 30mm, either would probably answer my desire for a lighter option AND could replace my PL8-18. No not as wide (and I could always add the Laowa 7.5), but the longer end would be better for my needs.

 

[speedy]

Thanks for the input everyone, I think I am one step closer to 12-100. Dual IS is not THAT important but I would eat myself alive if I bought Oly 12-100 and Panasonic releases similar range/quality lens with dual IS a few months later.

12-35 + 35-100 sounds great but I really want to eliminate any lens change in the field.

Constant aperture is a requirement though so that eliminates 12-60 (as well as 60mm is probably not enough reach for all that I want to shoot).

F/4 is enough; if I need real low light I already have primes.

Sounds like you've already got your mind made up, and are looking for reassurance rather than suggestions.
Personally, if I was looking for maximum focal range, with minimum lens changing but still excellent quality, I'd go a combo of the PL 12-60 + PL 50-200. As the 100mm tele end is a bit of a no man's land for me. For travel purposes, unless for specifically shooting wildlife, my 42.5 or Siggy 56 is plenty, & the 50-200 stays home. But that's just me

 

[ac12]

I have and really like the O12-100 Pro. But I will point out it's notably bigger and heavier than the PL12-60. I had and sold the P12-40 Pro, there are times I wish I had not for the convenience. . . . .

IMHO, with the 12-100, you NEED a good strap.
While not as heavy as an APS-C or FF kit, it is rather heavy for a m4/3 kit, and on the camera, it is front heavy.
I have the 12-40/2.8 for when the 12-100 is too much bulk/weight.

 

[Holoholo55]

I bought the 12-100 Pro and sold a 12-40 Pro and 12-60 SWD. I love the 12-100 Pro and don't find the extra weight and size to be that much of an issue. The deal was clinched when I realized that it was lighter and smaller than the 12-60 SWD, which was otherwise a great lens. I happily carry it around most of the day. I sometimes wish I'd kept the 12-40 Pro just because it's smaller size would be an advantage in certain situations, but the 12-100's wide range is fantastic. Highly versatile, and for travel, it substitutes for two lenses I would have taken otherwise, the 12-40 Pro and the 40-150 R. On travel, the less lens changing the better, and weathersealing is a big deal. The 12-100 can cover most of the situations I'd encounter, and I add only a fast prime and an UWA zoom (9-18) to my travel kit.

I doubt that Panasonic would make their own version of this lens. They already have two 12-60 lenses.

 

[davidzvi]

IMHO, with the 12-100, you NEED a good strap.
While not as heavy as an APS-C or FF kit, it is rather heavy for a m4/3 kit, and on the camera, it is front heavy.
I have the 12-40/2.8 for when the 12-100 is too much bulk/weight.

I use a Paracord wrist strap for all my cameras now. When I was shooting events I used a simple Domke neck strap.