Just last week I purchased this 12-40 f2.8 after seriously considering the 12-45 f4.0. After shooting it last weekend I'm confident I made a great choice. It's as sharp as my 45mm f1.8, but has much better build quality and is so much more fun to use. I'm awaiting a new E-M1 Mark III this week, and I'm sure the 12-40 2.8 will be on it almost all of the time!
I shoot commercial spots for regional TV, many of which I shot with this lens and a GH5. Is one of the sharpest cleanest lenses I have ever shot with. I miss my M43 lit with the Olympus Lens.
I bought the 12-40 at the time I bought my first Olympus (the digital ones anyway), an EM-10 several years ago. I have used it on the EM-10, EM-5 and now OM-1 and it is a wonderful piece of gear. Never had any issues with it and I can only suggest those that complain were unlucky enough to have picked up a very rare duff one.
This lens is by far my most used lens. It is sharp edge to edge throughout the zoom range and fully open at f2.8. It is also one of the few lenses that can be used for in-camera focus stacking in the range. If you can afford it get this lens. It covers at least 3 or 4 prime lens focal lengths.
You’re welcome. It was very informative and gave me the confidence to go with that lens. Sounds amazing. I have no idea how to use manual! 😂 I think I’ve got a lot to learn! Thanks again for a great review 👌 👍
Amazing lens, have used it for shooting more than 50 broadcast TV shows (using a JVC GY:LS300 shooting 4K 422) , music vids, gigs, corporate , sports plus great for stills on my E-M1 MKII and E-M10 MKIII. Thinking of buying a 2nd for 2 camera shoots.
I already have the 40-150mm F2.8 with tele convertor, along with Pana 20mm F1.7 and Olympus 45mm F1.8. I love the 45mm but being a prime usually doesn't give me the flexability, the 20mm has its uses, but not wide enough and quite noisy. The 12 - 40 is the ideal lens for me but I've held off for too long, time to rethink.
I'm not sure if anybody knows this but the main reason why the mount breaks off easily when dropped is to actually protect the elements inside the lens and the camera mount itself. It's like an "airbag" you could say. Usually you would send it off to olympus for that reason so you don't need to purchase another new lens. Just a quick and cheaper repair.
Thank you so much. You helped me decide which lens to buy! I now just need to learn how to get the best out of my my Em1 markii rather always using it on automatic! 😂
Thanks a lot for watching and for your nice comment. That camera and lens combination is perfect, and I'm sure you'll be on manual if you try it once. 👍
I've just taken delivery of one of these - with my OM-D E-M1 II it is an incredible combination. And having compared it to my Panny 20mm F1.7, I don't think I'll ever use the Panny again.
@@MyPhotoJourney the aperture advantage of the Panny is negated by the autofocus speed being an occasional problem. One things for sure, I'm now enjoying photography again!
After retiring I was considering the Lumix/Leica 12-60 as a "do all" lens. However the variable factor puts me off. This Oly lens look,s the one, fixed aperture, never seen a bad review, will probably trade in my fast primes, no longer needed. So, EM1, Mk2 and this is favorite.
Yes this is the best m4/3 zoom lens, but in the end I preferred to keep the PL 12-60 instead of the Olympus, because even if I lost a litle bit of sharpness, I have a longer focal length with that "color atmosphere" typical of Leica.
Olympus designs their lens mounts to break away from the lens with a hard impact. This is intended to save damage to the camera and it's mount in the event of an accident, at a sacrifice of the lens. OM however, will repair lenses that have suffered this fate.
That's good, I didn't know that, and it does make sense. Though my lens did get sent off to Olympus and sadly they could not fix it, and it would be cheaper to buy a new lens than the cost of the fix. Thanks for watching!
@@MyPhotoJourney yes the ole 4/3 Olympus 50-200 with SWD is a ole 4/3 that is as good as the expensive pany Focus great and sharp Buyer beware there are some of these with out SWD… and imho not as fast as SWD You still need that adapter as it’s 4/3
Thanks a lot for your comment and watching - I agree completely and I have the cheaper 40-150 and I'm seriously looking at the f/2.8 version - a great lens combo! 👍👍
@@MyPhotoJourney I rate the 40-150 2.8 as the best lense I've ever used. Not sure if mine is a freak of nature, but it's sharper than any pro Canon lense I've ever owned. Can't recommend it highly enough.
I bought an E-M1X last June when the prices dropped (I figured they would so as to clear their stock at BH and they now show it "discontinued "... Still my choice of body even over the newest OM)... Since then, I've been filling out my kit with the 7-14mm f2.8, the 100-400mm (it will suffice until I obtain the 300mm Pro), and just this week, the 12-40mm f2.8. The 40-150mm f2.8 is next in line, as well. My dad shot Olympus professionally beginning in the film days and I do so semi-professionally on the side. Trek's comparisons of this lens with a couple of the primes sold me on this, for even though there are certainly differences in the final images, it is often incredibly difficult to see. A used "9-condition" from BH ran about $853 after taxes (a version II). I'll be taking great care to prevent stressing the lens mount, just as I am equally wary of the lens hood on my 100-400mm (yes, already cracked at the base after a fall within my padded backpack even). Well presented video... Thank you for sharing your thoughts on an older lens that still holds its own over a decade later.
Just last week I purchased this 12-40 f2.8 after seriously considering the 12-45 f4.0. After shooting it last weekend I'm confident I made a great choice. It's as sharp as my 45mm f1.8, but has much better build quality and is so much more fun to use. I'm awaiting a new E-M1 Mark III this week, and I'm sure the 12-40 2.8 will be on it almost all of the time!
That's amazing and I think you have made the right choice, and I'm very jealous of your mark iii, thanks for watching and your comment 👍👍
Best zoom lens, period. Build quality- sharpness - character. And I've had them all. Nikon-Sigma-Canon-Leica-Fuji etc.
Thanks for your message and for watching, I agree 😉
I shoot commercial spots for regional TV, many of which I shot with this lens and a GH5. Is one of the sharpest cleanest lenses I have ever shot with. I miss my M43 lit with the Olympus Lens.
Thanks a lot for watching and your comment, that lens with a GH5 must be a good option. 👍
I bought the 12-40 at the time I bought my first Olympus (the digital ones anyway), an EM-10 several years ago. I have used it on the EM-10, EM-5 and now OM-1 and it is a wonderful piece of gear. Never had any issues with it and I can only suggest those that complain were unlucky enough to have picked up a very rare duff one.
Thanks for watching and your comment, and I agree the lens is awesome 👍👍
This lens is by far my most used lens. It is sharp edge to edge throughout the zoom range and fully open at f2.8. It is also one of the few lenses that can be used for in-camera focus stacking in the range. If you can afford it get this lens. It covers at least 3 or 4 prime lens focal lengths.
Hi, thanks for watching and for taking your time to comment. I agree with you about the lens, it is just great, cheers 👍
我非常喜歡這個鏡頭，他輕便小巧，且又不失去銳利清晰，完全滿足了我的需求。
我同意，非常感谢观看 👍
You’re welcome. It was very informative and gave me the confidence to go with that lens. Sounds amazing. I have no idea how to use manual! 😂 I think I’ve got a lot to learn! Thanks again for a great review 👌 👍
Cheers 👍
Amazing lens, have used it for shooting more than 50 broadcast TV shows (using a JVC GY:LS300 shooting 4K 422) , music vids, gigs, corporate , sports plus great for stills on my E-M1 MKII and E-M10 MKIII. Thinking of buying a 2nd for 2 camera shoots.
Thanks for watching and your nice comment, and of course I agree, what a lens, a second would be awesome 👍
I already have the 40-150mm F2.8 with tele convertor, along with Pana 20mm F1.7 and Olympus 45mm F1.8.
I love the 45mm but being a prime usually doesn't give me the flexability, the 20mm has its uses, but not wide enough and quite noisy.
The 12 - 40 is the ideal lens for me but I've held off for too long, time to rethink.
Thanks for watching, you have some awesome lenses and I would love to swap my 40-150 with yours. If you go for a 12-40 you will like it!!
I love the Panny 20mm F1.7 on my EM1 mk2. It's a lovely lens if you like the 40mm fov.
I'm not sure if anybody knows this but the main reason why the mount breaks off easily when dropped is to actually protect the elements inside the lens and the camera mount itself. It's like an "airbag" you could say. Usually you would send it off to olympus for that reason so you don't need to purchase another new lens. Just a quick and cheaper repair.
Thanks, that makes sense and sadly mine cannot be repaired, thanks a lot for watching and for taking your time to comment 👍
Thank you so much. You helped me decide which lens to buy! I now just need to learn how to get the best out of my my Em1 markii rather always using it on automatic! 😂
Thanks a lot for watching and for your nice comment. That camera and lens combination is perfect, and I'm sure you'll be on manual if you try it once. 👍
I paired one whit my g9 and i love it, It's ridiculously awesome
Fab, thanks a lot for watching and I think you have a super combo 👍
I've just taken delivery of one of these - with my OM-D E-M1 II it is an incredible combination. And having compared it to my Panny 20mm F1.7, I don't think I'll ever use the Panny again.
Amazing, it will be slightly slower than the Panny, but it is sharp and there is no purple fringing etc, well done and good luck with your images 👍
@@MyPhotoJourney the aperture advantage of the Panny is negated by the autofocus speed being an occasional problem. One things for sure, I'm now enjoying photography again!
@@clonmult Brilliant. 👍
After retiring I was considering the Lumix/Leica 12-60 as a "do all" lens. However the variable factor puts me off. This Oly lens look,s the one, fixed aperture, never seen a bad review, will probably trade in my fast primes, no longer needed. So, EM1, Mk2 and this is favorite.
Thanks for watching and your comment. I really like my 12-40mm lens and with the EM1 Mark ii it's a great combo and I'm sure you will enjoy it too!
Thank you for taking the time to reply, the best m4/3 lens on the market.@@MyPhotoJourney
The best part is the manual focus clutch for filmmaking!
Thanks a lot for watching, yeah the manual clutch is great 👍👍
Great video and a nice practical review. Thank you!!!
Thank you very much for watching and for taking the time to comment 👍
Great lens, love it.👏📷
Thanks very much for watching and your nice comment 😊
Olympus put a lot of effort in this lens when they came out with their first pro body.
Thanks a lot for watching and for your comment. I agree the effort Olympus has made for this lens has been amazing 👏
Yes this is the best m4/3 zoom lens, but in the end I preferred to keep the PL 12-60 instead of the Olympus, because even if I lost a litle bit of sharpness, I have a longer focal length with that "color atmosphere" typical of Leica.
Thanks for your message and watching. A really nice choose the 12-60 and the extra 20mm does make a difference 👍
Ps. Is is much of a difference from the Olympus M Zuiko 14-42? This is the lens I currently have, which has stopped working!
The 14-42 is ok and you can get nice shots, but 12-40 is sharper and no purple fringeing. Perhaps use the 12-42 until you save up for the pro lens 🤔
Thank you 😘
👍
Je l'ai et c'est un superbe objectif
Merci d'avoir regardé et commenté, et oui, je suis d'accord, c'est un objectif merveilleux. 👍
Dammit... Here I go buying another lens...
Sorry, it is good and you won't be disappointed 👍 Thanks a lot for watching.
Olympus designs their lens mounts to break away from the lens with a hard impact. This is intended to save damage to the camera and it's mount in the event of an accident, at a sacrifice of the lens. OM however, will repair lenses that have suffered this fate.
That's good, I didn't know that, and it does make sense. Though my lens did get sent off to Olympus and sadly they could not fix it, and it would be cheaper to buy a new lens than the cost of the fix. Thanks for watching!
ZD 14-54 f2.8-3.5 & ZD 12-60 f2.8-4.0
Yeah, all fab, thanks for watching 👍
It’s the best
Thanks for watching, yeah I agree 👍
12-100mm f4 👍
Thanks for watching, the 12-100 is a fab lens and just a little outside my budget, I'd love to have one though 👍👍
I think the ole 4/3 Elmarit 14-50 is even better Leica pany 2.8
Really, that would be a good lens then, thanks a lot for watching 👍👍
@@MyPhotoJourney yes the ole 4/3 Olympus 50-200 with SWD is a ole 4/3 that is as good as the expensive pany
Focus great and sharp
Buyer beware there are some of these with out SWD… and imho not as fast as SWD
You still need that adapter as it’s 4/3
The Chinese electronic adapter is really fine
No weather deal but damn I’m not paying 300 USA for that pany or Olympus adapter
It’s all marketing
Buy this and the 40-150 2.8 and you will rarely need much more.
Thanks a lot for your comment and watching - I agree completely and I have the cheaper 40-150 and I'm seriously looking at the f/2.8 version - a great lens combo! 👍👍
@@MyPhotoJourney I rate the 40-150 2.8 as the best lense I've ever used. Not sure if mine is a freak of nature, but it's sharper than any pro Canon lense I've ever owned. Can't recommend it highly enough.
That is my next lens purchase, and I have heard equally good reports about it!
I bought an E-M1X last June when the prices dropped (I figured they would so as to clear their stock at BH and they now show it "discontinued "... Still my choice of body even over the newest OM)... Since then, I've been filling out my kit with the 7-14mm f2.8, the 100-400mm (it will suffice until I obtain the 300mm Pro), and just this week, the 12-40mm f2.8. The 40-150mm f2.8 is next in line, as well. My dad shot Olympus professionally beginning in the film days and I do so semi-professionally on the side. Trek's comparisons of this lens with a couple of the primes sold me on this, for even though there are certainly differences in the final images, it is often incredibly difficult to see. A used "9-condition" from BH ran about $853 after taxes (a version II). I'll be taking great care to prevent stressing the lens mount, just as I am equally wary of the lens hood on my 100-400mm (yes, already cracked at the base after a fall within my padded backpack even).
Well presented video... Thank you for sharing your thoughts on an older lens that still holds its own over a decade later.