I have this and the 12-45mm f4. Both are just wonderful, if I’m going to be doing outdoor only in daylight the 12-45mm is just as good and even smaller. Olympus pro lens are just great, hard to go wrong…, although looking back at my photos the 12-45mm is my most used lens, not the 12-40mm
It took me quite some time to decide which lens would substitute my Olympus 14-42mm kit Pancake lens (not a bad lens, certainly considering its miniature dimensions). The battle got down to two competitors: this 12-40mm F/2.8 Pro from your review or the 12-100mm F/4.0 IS Pro. The latter is very tempting and I saw your video where you warned me not to touch it, because I would end up buying it. It took that advice seriously. Ultimately I decided to stick with my multiple lens set-up, but swap the non Pro glass for Pro versions. So I got this 12-40mm F/2.8 Pro and I’m very very pleased with it. I frequently do low light shooting, satisfactory performance by this Pro where, in similar conditions, I did run into problems with my pancake. As that pancake lens had come as a kit lens with my OM-D E-M10, I could frequently fix those low light issues by popping up the built in flash. Now that I traded that M10 body for a OM-1, the pop up lens is ‘no more’, so I now need that faster lens (or buy a flash). Next step will be swapping my nice compact 40-150mm F4-5.6 R with a slightly bulkier 40-150mm F/2.8 Pro. The sweet thing about that Pro lens: it is compatible with both the MC-14 and MC-20 Olympus teleconverters. Putting either one on the lens will drop the maximum aperture to something probably close to the R lens that I bid farewell, but will also push up the range by 40% or even 100%. Thanks for the review.
I bought a used v1 earlier this year to go with my E-M1 ii. Really well made, bitingly sharp and is now part of my landscape kit along with the 9-18mm. 👍
Great lens, use it mostly for filming broadcast TV matched to a JVC GY LS300. Has great low light and the fixed aperture is really useful. Also use it with a couple of lower end Olympus bodies including a M10 MKiii and have had photos published and video broadcast with that combination. Mainly use the lens for filming interviews and matched with the M10 for low key/ guerrilla filming of music events / interviews.
It came as a kit on my em1-mark iii which I bought on a sale this summer. That continuous 2.8 makes all the difference when shooting in dark winter months.
I have this lens since 2017. It is my main lens for standard work and I really like the edge to edge sharpness, especially at wider angles. I also do macro photography and videos and the close up of this lens is great when paired with the 60mm macro as both lenses have the same look to the images. I have used the 12-40 for landscapes, portraits, street, products and close ups of subjects like flowers along with the 60mm macro to get even closer. I have used mine in the rain, on a fishing boat at sea (it even got covered in sea water when a big wave came over the boat once), on beaches, and a lot of other conditions and its held up well. I dropped it once in mud and the only thing that happened was the rubber ring on the back of the lens came a bit loose and needed fixing.
Definitely my favorite M43 lens. I always used the 12-60mm lens on my E-620 and E-5 and when I bought my EM-1 I wasn't sure I'd like the 12-40 as much. But it's a great lens and I'm very pleased with it. Enjoy your channel very much.
I opted for the 12-45mm f/4 Pro lens when I bought a reconditioned E-M1 Mk II from OMDS earlier this year, mainly due to the lower price, smaller size and lighter weight. I've been very happy with the results from this lens, but it is one stop slower than its big brother, and it lacks the manual focus clutch and function button.
One of my most used zooms as a general walk around if not using a prime. Well balanced even on my slightly smaller older bodies and brilliant on my OMD EM 1 MK3.
This lens is phenomenal, it's sharp, solidly constructed with an excellent manual focus ring. And it can do a couple of ultimate 'borderlines' , borderline macro and parfocal. It's likely the best lens I've ever owned.
I have that used lens on my OM-1 camera. I recently bought a used EM-5 camera and also bought another used 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens for that camera. I love that camera and lens combo.
It gives a certain extra to any photo, even if you put it on an older PEN or OM-D. It's extra sharpness and color quality, I suppose. You can see it in his samples, and I get the same quality in mine.
I bought a used 12-40 about a week ago for a very good price (albeit a bit 'well used') and so far I'm impressed. Only downside I've found so far is that the AF is a bit noisy, which isn't ideal for video - I hadn't noticed any comments about that in the reviews I read. Nice smooth zoom ring for video use.
I’ve had mine back when the em1 mark one came out. My wife got me this lens at that time when I was using all my 4/3 lenses with the em1. I think they really took there time making this fantastic lens. My wife got it for my birthday so I’ll never get rid of it. That 12-200 was horrible returned it straight away
I keep looking at the 12-40 and the 12-100 but last year I chose a Pana 12-60 f2.8 which is very good and I believe a great compromise between the two on many measures although I'd prefer to have all Olympus/OMD.
I've been scooping up all the best MFT lenses for some bargain prices! The mass migration to full frame definitely has its perks. I've had the 12-40 2.8 pro for years and it's never let me down. Better than the lumix imho.
I have used my 12-40 Pro for about 7 years now (check my YT page) - a lot of the time is on my saltwater fly fishing outings, usually wading, so it gets splashed by saltwater as well as exposed to rain and wind blown sand at beaches. It is working and as fast to focus and sharp as day one. Only problem I have lost 4 lens hoods because when the camera bounces around they fall off. Lost the latest one 3 days ago after only 15 minutes into my fishing session! Going to try a screw-in lens hood and hopefully will survive better. Still a fantastic lens!
I'm a GX8 owner, and looking at getting a Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 - primarilly for video work. So I'm wondering (if you know) if the version ii or version i would work better with the GX8 IBIS? Thanks in advance!
Yes, the mk2 lenses work much better with the IBIS. It’s a great little lens although I’ve never owned one. That and the 35-100 f2.8 together are a formidable combination.
@@ThatMicro43Guy BRILLIANT! Thanks so much. I shot my first vlog footage with the GX8 in 4k, using a Sigma prime, and the shakies are bad. I can fix most with software, but it's so frustrating.
Although excellent, its still too heavy, I opted for the much lighter Panasonic version 2.8, although technically not as good it's a better fit for me, feels more like a prime
Why would Olympus / OMD design a 12-60 when the excellent Panasonic Leica 12-60 is already on the market? This is a great lens, and will work with no issues on your Olympus camera.
Does micro 4/3 have any advantage over APSC? Both can be small and lightweight. I have both systems but I can’t describe what draws me to micro 4/3 image. It looks better somehow.
Yes, several (either ‘advantage’ or ‘difference’ depending on your point of view). Firstly on a direct comparison of focal length and aperture a M43 lens will be smaller and lighter as the sensor is smaller. The camera body can be made smaller by virtue of the smaller sensor (although it doesn’t mean that they will be made smaller), it’s much easier to get a very wide depth of field from the smaller sensor for the same focal length and aperture. It’s easier and therefore cheaper to get consistent high quality from a physically smaller sized lens compared to a larger one. Large number of lenses/bodies from several manufacturers. Smaller sensors usually run cooler and need less weight/size for associated cooling. There are, of course, many disadvantages, again depending upon your needs with M43. Shallow depth of field for an equivalent field of view is more difficult to achieve, dynamic range can be less, although rarely as much as the press would have you believe. Restricted resolution available currently around. 20Mp max except the GH6 which is 24mp
Without a doubt, my favorite Olympus MFT lens of all time. I have one coming in the mail with the original Olympus OMD EM1. Can't wait!!!😊
This pretty much lives on my camera, unless I'm doing something very specific. Wonderful IQ and so versatile.
I love mine it lives on my EM-1 MII. It never comes off. It’s always ready to grab it quickly.
I have this and the 12-45mm f4. Both are just wonderful, if I’m going to be doing outdoor only in daylight the 12-45mm is just as good and even smaller. Olympus pro lens are just great, hard to go wrong…, although looking back at my photos the 12-45mm is my most used lens, not the 12-40mm
It took me quite some time to decide which lens would substitute my Olympus 14-42mm kit Pancake lens (not a bad lens, certainly considering its miniature dimensions). The battle got down to two competitors: this 12-40mm F/2.8 Pro from your review or the 12-100mm F/4.0 IS Pro. The latter is very tempting and I saw your video where you warned me not to touch it, because I would end up buying it. It took that advice seriously.
Ultimately I decided to stick with my multiple lens set-up, but swap the non Pro glass for Pro versions. So I got this 12-40mm F/2.8 Pro and I’m very very pleased with it. I frequently do low light shooting, satisfactory performance by this Pro where, in similar conditions, I did run into problems with my pancake. As that pancake lens had come as a kit lens with my OM-D E-M10, I could frequently fix those low light issues by popping up the built in flash. Now that I traded that M10 body for a OM-1, the pop up lens is ‘no more’, so I now need that faster lens (or buy a flash).
Next step will be swapping my nice compact 40-150mm F4-5.6 R with a slightly bulkier 40-150mm F/2.8 Pro. The sweet thing about that Pro lens: it is compatible with both the MC-14 and MC-20 Olympus teleconverters. Putting either one on the lens will drop the maximum aperture to something probably close to the R lens that I bid farewell, but will also push up the range by 40% or even 100%.
Thanks for the review.
By far my favourite 4/3 lens. I bought mine years ago when I got a GX7, it's now my default lens on my GX9. I love it!
Best Olympus lens. Period. It's superb and how old? It got me into MFT and I haven't looked back.
I bought a used v1 earlier this year to go with my E-M1 ii. Really well made, bitingly sharp and is now part of my landscape kit along with the 9-18mm. 👍
Great lens, use it mostly for filming broadcast TV matched to a JVC GY LS300. Has great low light and the fixed aperture is really useful.
Also use it with a couple of lower end Olympus bodies including a M10 MKiii and have had photos published and video broadcast with that combination.
Mainly use the lens for filming interviews and matched with the M10 for low key/ guerrilla filming of music events / interviews.
It came as a kit on my em1-mark iii which I bought on a sale this summer. That continuous 2.8 makes all the difference when shooting in dark winter months.
I have this lens since 2017. It is my main lens for standard work and I really like the edge to edge sharpness, especially at wider angles. I also do macro photography and videos and the close up of this lens is great when paired with the 60mm macro as both lenses have the same look to the images. I have used the 12-40 for landscapes, portraits, street, products and close ups of subjects like flowers along with the 60mm macro to get even closer. I have used mine in the rain, on a fishing boat at sea (it even got covered in sea water when a big wave came over the boat once), on beaches, and a lot of other conditions and its held up well. I dropped it once in mud and the only thing that happened was the rubber ring on the back of the lens came a bit loose and needed fixing.
Definitely my favorite M43 lens. I always used the 12-60mm lens on my E-620 and E-5 and when I bought my EM-1 I wasn't sure I'd like the 12-40 as much. But it's a great lens and I'm very pleased with it. Enjoy your channel very much.
The 12-40 PRO is an almost permanent fixture on my E-M1 Mk II and now my OM-1 Mk II! Tells you all you need to know!😊
I just received my OM1-II and am now waiting a used model of this lens to be delivered this week. Very excited to give it a go!
I opted for the 12-45mm f/4 Pro lens when I bought a reconditioned E-M1 Mk II from OMDS earlier this year, mainly due to the lower price, smaller size and lighter weight. I've been very happy with the results from this lens, but it is one stop slower than its big brother, and it lacks the manual focus clutch and function button.
I purchased this lens 2nd hand recently and absolutely love it, the sharpness and colours are beautiful
One of my most used zooms as a general walk around if not using a prime. Well balanced even on my slightly smaller older bodies and brilliant on my OMD EM 1 MK3.
Great review! I've been flip flopping on the mark II verson of the 12-40mm. It is quite a premium... especially since its a hobby not a profession.
Lovely lens to use and I love the manual clutch!
This lens is phenomenal, it's sharp, solidly constructed with an excellent manual focus ring. And it can do a couple of ultimate 'borderlines' , borderline macro and parfocal.
It's likely the best lens I've ever owned.
I have that used lens on my OM-1 camera. I recently bought a used EM-5 camera and also bought another used 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens for that camera. I love that camera and lens combo.
Got one 6 weeks ago and love it
This is a lens that's been on my radar for a while. Thanks for a great review and recommendation.
It gives a certain extra to any photo, even if you put it on an older PEN or OM-D. It's extra sharpness and color quality, I suppose. You can see it in his samples, and I get the same quality in mine.
looking at this to combine with an olympus ode m1 as my first dive into the landscape photography world
They were initially released together as the Olympus flagship combination so an ideal match
I've bought it used at ebay and I like it much. It's a bit bulky at my Pen-F but I don't have problems because of my big hands😀
Definitely a great lens and I agree, the used market is a great way to find that lens.
I bought a used 12-40 about a week ago for a very good price (albeit a bit 'well used') and so far I'm impressed. Only downside I've found so far is that the AF is a bit noisy, which isn't ideal for video - I hadn't noticed any comments about that in the reviews I read. Nice smooth zoom ring for video use.
I’ve had mine back when the em1 mark one came out. My wife got me this lens at that time when I was using all my 4/3 lenses with the em1. I think they really took there time making this fantastic lens. My wife got it for my birthday so I’ll never get rid of it. That 12-200 was horrible returned it straight away
I keep looking at the 12-40 and the 12-100 but last year I chose a Pana 12-60 f2.8 which is very good and I believe a great compromise between the two on many measures although I'd prefer to have all Olympus/OMD.
great video just get one in adorama used for 400$ i think is good price
Great review, very informative!
I've been scooping up all the best MFT lenses for some bargain prices! The mass migration to full frame definitely has its perks. I've had the 12-40 2.8 pro for years and it's never let me down. Better than the lumix imho.
If you have budget for only one lens, this is it.
Me produce mucha curiosidad, espero poder comprarlo en algún momento 😊
I have this lense it is great
I have used my 12-40 Pro for about 7 years now (check my YT page) - a lot of the time is on my saltwater fly fishing outings, usually wading, so it gets splashed by saltwater as well as exposed to rain and wind blown sand at beaches. It is working and as fast to focus and sharp as day one. Only problem I have lost 4 lens hoods because when the camera bounces around they fall off. Lost the latest one 3 days ago after only 15 minutes into my fishing session! Going to try a screw-in lens hood and hopefully will survive better. Still a fantastic lens!
I'm a GX8 owner, and looking at getting a Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 - primarilly for video work.
So I'm wondering (if you know) if the version ii or version i would work better with the GX8 IBIS?
Thanks in advance!
Yes, the mk2 lenses work much better with the IBIS. It’s a great little lens although I’ve never owned one. That and the 35-100 f2.8 together are a formidable combination.
@@ThatMicro43Guy BRILLIANT! Thanks so much.
I shot my first vlog footage with the GX8 in 4k, using a Sigma prime, and the shakies are bad.
I can fix most with software, but it's so frustrating.
Does this come with image stabilising
Although excellent, its still too heavy, I opted for the much lighter Panasonic version 2.8, although technically not as good it's a better fit for
me, feels more like a prime
Im thinking about selling my 12-100mm and get the 12-40mm
Please Olympus make a 12-60mm
And a 40-250mm
Why would Olympus / OMD design a 12-60 when the excellent Panasonic Leica 12-60 is already on the market? This is a great lens, and will work with no issues on your Olympus camera.
Does micro 4/3 have any advantage over APSC? Both can be small and lightweight. I have both systems but I can’t describe what draws me to micro 4/3 image. It looks better somehow.
Yes, several (either ‘advantage’ or ‘difference’ depending on your point of view). Firstly on a direct comparison of focal length and aperture a M43 lens will be smaller and lighter as the sensor is smaller. The camera body can be made smaller by virtue of the smaller sensor (although it doesn’t mean that they will be made smaller), it’s much easier to get a very wide depth of field from the smaller sensor for the same focal length and aperture. It’s easier and therefore cheaper to get consistent high quality from a physically smaller sized lens compared to a larger one. Large number of lenses/bodies from several manufacturers. Smaller sensors usually run cooler and need less weight/size for associated cooling.
There are, of course, many disadvantages, again depending upon your needs with M43. Shallow depth of field for an equivalent field of view is more difficult to achieve, dynamic range can be less, although rarely as much as the press would have you believe. Restricted resolution available currently around. 20Mp max except the GH6 which is 24mp
@@ThatMicro43Guy thank you. I especially love Panasonic G9 for landscapes.
Not if you have the lumix 12-35 f2.8