What would you do?

[BobbyD]

I got into micro-fourthirds last year. I purchased an EP3, 14-150, and a 45mm to take on a trip and leave my 20 pound DLSR bag at home. It worked out great I had many good images from the 14-150 and some very special images from the 45MM, I just love that lens. I've recently purchased an EM-5 and like it very much also. Now what I need help with is new lens chooses. I have the money to purchase some new lens and was going to get the Oly 12mm and the 25mm to go with my 45mm. then at some point get the 75mm. Now since Olympus has released the 12-40mm Pro I'm not sure. The question is, would you by the 12-40mm or the 12mm and 25mm to go with the 45mm.

 

[bassman]

Can't help ... I have the 12-35/2.8 along with the 17/1.8, 25/1.4 and 45/1.8. I like them all but seem to carry the 25 least often.

 

[Icarus]

I'd go with the primes since you have the zoom covered with the 14-150. That's a similar kit to what I'm building right now!


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[wildwildwes]

The primes you referenced are slightly superior to the Oly 12-40 PRO, but that said, as I've opined here before, if you're out in the street shooting, that fast & sharp 12-40 with it's max f/2.8 aperture sure is sweet!

 

[nardoleo]

If u are happy with your 14-150mm lens, go for the primes. That will make a great and versatile kit.

If you find the 14-150 too slow and often wish for faster zoom, go for the 12-40mm

Either way, you will have a great setup.

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[Adstars]

I had the 12, 25, 45 and 75. I sold the 12 and 25 to fund the purchase of the 12-40 2.8. Now, I love this lens, it is great, if a little heavy (fine with the extra grip on my em5). It is my walk around lens.

I also have an 18 month old son and switching lenses was proving an issue if we were out and about at the park etc, so the 12-40 seemed like a good decision for its convenience. It really performs and at 12mm I don't really notice any significant loss in image quality from the 12mm prime. However, I do really miss the PL25 f1.4. The images from that lens have a certain magic and I am looking to purchase this lens again. I really miss it!

 

[lightmonkey]

pro zoom + 1 or 2 primes in your favorite FL

 

[tjdean01]

I prefer primes to zooms, however, I would under no circumstances buy the 12. Sure, it's f/2 and the best 12 out there, but it just seems like it's not THAT great of a lens to spend $800 on when you could get the 12-32 or 12-50 which both do 12mm at f3.5. Yes, it's the best, but forgoing that 12 could get you a 75. l

 

[Timmy]

I suppose a key factor is how many lenses you're happy to carry around with you, and how you feel about changing lenses when you're out & about. The lucky owners of the 12-40 who have posted here suggest the quality is not far off the primes - for me having that focal range covered in a single fast lens seems highly desirable. The weather sealing is also an added bonus.

You could consider the new samyang/rokinon 12mm, not much info on it yet but might turn out to be excellent value for money.

 

[Ulfric M Douglas]

You don't seem to have a pancake lens yet ...

 

[BobbyD]

Ulfric, I do Have the Panny 20mm. The IQ is great, but the slow focus speed sometimes drives me crazy after using the OLY 45MM. I purchased it for low light indoor photography but not real happy with the focus speed. The new EZ pancake looks interesting for travel. I don't see changing the primes as a problem the way I would use them. The 12mm for landscapes and low light indoor photography. The 25mm would be my general purpose lens and I would zoom in and out with my feet. The 45mm, well it would be for the special photos. The 14-150mm is good for a super zoom, but not good for low light at all. But the 12-40 Pro is tempting to cover the 12 and 25.

 

[WasOM3user]

It could depends how often you want the 12mm POV.

The 12mm F2.0 is a relatively expensive lens just for the occasional use.

Cheap ways of getting 12mm are O12-50 zoom (also gives you the same weather sealing as Pro) or P14mm with it's wide adaptor (11mm POV and gives you a pancake as well).

If you like the 45mm you will also like the O25 as well. Handles and focus speed are the same renders similar but easier indoors for smaller rooms.

Having tried both the P12-35 F2.8 and the O12-40 I personally think the Pana handles better on an ungripped EM-5. I think you really need the grip for the O12-40 F2.8 .

If I didn't already have the 12-50 and P14 I think I would go for P12-35 and O25 rather than O12-40 and grip.

 

[val]

keep it simple!

I'd go for the 12-40mm or 12-35mm just comes down to handling. I personally own the 12-35mm and have no qualms, IQ is excellent just that bokeh isn't as much but for the convenience and IQ, it's worth it and it seriously becomes annoying needing to switch lenses if your scene changes.

 

[HarryS]

It's your personal choice. Some people like to carry the big GH3 with a f2.8 zoom. Some people are fine with a tiny body like the GM1 or EPM1 with a small fast prime.

Since you were comfortable with the 14-150 on the EP3, my guess is you would be happy with the 12-40 and adding the current 40-150 zoom.

Myself, I never wanted the 12-50 or 14-150 because I thought them too big. So I won't be getting the 12-40 unless a bankrupt and desperate bettor at the horse track offers me his lens for a few hundred bucks. I'd pull my EPM1 out of my pocket and test it of course.

 

[BobbyD]

Thanks for all the input. Here's what I've decided. I purchased the 12-40mm Pro without holding one or seeing one live. No store close by sells the lens. So my kit for travel will be the 12-40mm pro, the Oly 45mm, and a 25mm either Olympus or Panasonic. I haven't decided on the 25mm yet, but I'm leaning to the Olympus. Mainly because it's so much like the 45mm , plus the problems I've heard of the Panisonic on Olympus bodies is some what of a put off. Reading Robin wong's review of both 25's I just don't see a difference for the difference in price. I will report back once I have the 12-40mm to let you all know how it worked out.

 

[Icarus]

Sounds like a sweet kit to me!


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[lightmonkey]

Thanks for all the input. Here's what I've decided. I purchased the 12-40mm Pro without holding one or seeing one live. No store close by sells the lens. So my kit for travel will be the 12-40mm pro, the Oly 45mm, and a 25mm either Olympus or Panasonic. I haven't decided on the 25mm yet, but I'm leaning to the Olympus. Mainly because it's so much like the 45mm , plus the problems I've heard of the Panisonic on Olympus bodies is somw what of a pt off. Reading Robin wong's review of both 25's I just don't see a difference for the difference in price. I will report back once I have the 12-40mm to let you all know how it worked out.

Oly is smaller and lighter!!

 

[Deleted member 20897]

I can only comment to what I like and I prefer primes. The only m43 zoom I purchased was the 40-150. Majority of the time, my EM5 has either the 17/1.8 or 45/1.8 on it.

 

[LowriderS10]

For travelling I'd go with the zoom. Much less hassle, easier to keep track of, etc.

 

[BobbyD]

Ok, I got the 12-40 today and in a word, it's awesome. As far as the size goes ya it's about 2.5 times bigger than my 45, but only a little thicker than my 14-150mm. I only took a few shoots so far, but I think I'm going to like it a lot. I'm still getting a 25mm prime of some type and latter the Olympus 75mm and I think I'll be set.