Congratulations on another great review. Everytime I see a new video from Darren Miles in my RUclips subscriptions feed, it puts a smile on my face. I really enjoy the segment where you show pictures -so much fun!
Darren - As usual, another well done review. I appreciate people who can think analytically, express themselves clearly, and avoid buffoonery. Thanks for the effort you put into making your reviews.
What I found with this lens is diffraction kicking in as early as f/8 (images get less sharp and "defined"). That said, it is really good from 2.0 up to 5.6 - so "massive" depth of field is not its main trait …
Wow some of those beach shots look like La Jolla Shores (San Diego) Which is one of my favorite summer spots I often wonder how any new camera gear will work out at. If so, nailed it!! Thanks for the review!!
Awesome! Thank you for responding! I was pretty sure I recognized those sea caves in the distance but the lens is so nice and wide I wasn’t too sure. Just uncanny I was thinking of La Jolla and here it is in the video. True real world examples “just for me” haha! Just discovered your channel and I’m finding your reviews really helpful. I particularly enjoy your 2 minutes of examples as they include stills and video and a wide variety of how the lenses are used. Keep up the great work and hope you continue to enjoy that gem of a location of La Jolla Shores!
The advantage of this over the Panasonic 12-35 or Olympus 12-40 is that it's twice as bright. But if you need extra light, then the Panasonic 12mm f1.4 seems to be a better option as it's twice as bright again. Sure, it's way more expensive than the lens reviewed here, but in terms of max aperture, the Olympus 12mm f2 is stuck in no-man's land between the zooms and the Pana-Leica 12mm.
Great review as always! I rock the 12-40 but this small prime is nice and F2 would help with low light reception photo images. I recently rented the Pana Leica 12mm F1.4 for some wide angle dance floor wedding photos and that worked great. Apparently an Olympus 12mm f1.2 is on the way and I'm going to consider that as my lowlight, capture the dance floor lens. By that time of day at a wedding, I'm ready to downsize to one lightweight camera and a prime lens.
Thanks Steve! Have you taken a look at the Pany 12mm f/1.4? Spendy, but apparently really good, it's on my list to try. How much do you like the EM1 - ii? I'm trying to decide whether I should get the GH5 or the EM1 - II....
Darren - I rented the Pana Leica 12mm 1.4 and it is excellent. For purchase I'm going to wait on the Oly as I think their glass is a tad better. The EM1 II has outstanding focus tracking AF now. For me a benefit for wedding parties coming down the aisle, etc. As good as a D5? Probably not, but good enough for my use. Here is a session with the Pana 12mm 1.4 with the telephoto the Df and 105mm 1.4. sbvphotography.com/blog-northwest-indiana-senior-picture-photographer/2017/7/10/night-portraits-in-chicago
Cool! I hear Olympus is coming out with a 12 and 17 f/1.2 soon... So we'll see! Those night shots are FREAKING AWESOME!! How are you lighting them? B1? Continuous?
Darren Miles I shot that entire session with an Ice Light 2. It's one of the reasons I wanted that 1.4 on the Oly. I wanted to test out that 105 for the Nikon so rented that too. I liked it so much I sold a Sigma 35 and the Nikon 85 1.4 to get it. I love the Ice Light and the new one is brighter with a removable battery. Comes to every wedding with me. Chicks dig it!! lol
Hi Darren , Thanks for the review, love the Oly primes ( small AND great optics ). I would like to know if you think of doing the EM1 m2 review in the future? It seems that they improved their sensor technology... Thank you again for your review I am following it since a while now.
Trying out the mic, the cord is too short and the mic was a bit too far away, new cord arrives today, audio should be much improved on the next review :-)
Great review love your blogs. Im an Olympus pic taker OMD M1 i love it. I am mainly a landscape pic taker not a pro just love and enjoy the taking pics. My question is i have the12/40 pro lens and let me say it's an awesome len. Should i think of the 12 mm prime or would my 12 in the 12/40 pro have it covered. Look forward to hearing from you
Darren, What's your favourite Focal-length Range ? Couldn't hear clearly when you said you don't like 12 to 14mm ( or 40mm ? ), in Fx equiv. terms ? and the valid reason you stated was that it falls in the Photographic No-Man's Land. I guess, Standard to Telephoto/Portrait Range that includes primes like the f/1.8 M.Zuiko : 25, 45, 75mm are your favourites and you named them as well, but you didn't specify 17mm f/1.8, so i could make out. Regards.
A Sigma 12mm f1.4 is rumored, will you review it as well as the Olympus f1.2 when they hit the market? I am curious as to whether I should get a 12mm prime over an Olympus 12-40, hmmm.
You didn't mention the weird manual focus stepping. Not a deal breaker. But the jarring stepped manual focus is pretty off putting for video shooters. (I mainly use this lens as my light carry around option on gh5, but use much heavier canon FF for main lenses.)
biscuitsalive it is with my em-1, it has a distance meter on there too and I haven't noticed any weird hesitation or jumbling to the manual focus at all
Nice review! Do you limit your use of M43 to any of your photo disciplines? For example, are indoor real estate shots difficult to pull off with M43? The lens seems great for outdoor shooting (I like the cicada shot)! Very cool music background! Thanks!
M43 is not good for indoor real estate shots .... they are incapable of photographing chairs and tables due to the sensor size .... you need at least a medium format camera for a chair to show up in the image ...
Its a great lens, which I've owned three times over as I sold it twice and have kept onto my third one. Great optics and build, just a pity that Olympus don't provide the overpriced lens hood, but you can get a good quality one by JJC that's half the price of the original. Great review as always anyway, Darren.
Hey Darren good analysis. However, this lens is not an option for me because I already have 12mm in three different MFT zooms, the best of which is the 12-40 2.8. The extra stop and small size would be nice, but not for the extra cash! I'm thinking abut real estate photography in my market and so far the Pan Leica 8-18 2.8-4 and Laowa 7.5 F2 are the ones I'm thinking about. Would definitely be interested in your views on these.
Steve Vansak thanks for the tip. That Panasonic Leica 8-18 interests me because of the ability to put filters on it for long exposure photos. I thought I could then also use it for some landscape stuff.
Thanks, for your take on the Oly 12mm. A friendly observation: It feels like you rush to put this out. Voice only in the left ear and very thin and tinny. Music too loud and over riding your voice at times. It must have been a tough day. I appreciate your efforts and am looking forward to your next reviews
Thanks for the feedback Karl - much appreciated - I'm trying out the Rode NTG4+, and my chord was too short so the mic was too far away during the recording - had to amp it up in post (and you can tell) - though, to be honest, I don't know idea why it's only coming up on the "left side" - C100 mark ii using the XLR input - I have the underlying music track set at -20db during the whole video, so not sure why there's much in the way of discrepancy... Good news is, I have a longer XLR chord for the next video!
I just got the 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens. Is there a good reason to get this in addition to it? I know it's a stop faster, but how much does that matter at this focal length?
Correct, usually the wider the focal length, the more depth of field, the less bokeh - the only way to get some out of focus - bokeh - rendering, is to place the subject in the foreground...
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
I got the 12mm for my holiday in South Africa to be used with my Olympus Pen F and I absolutely love it
Congratulations on another great review. Everytime I see a new video from Darren Miles in my RUclips subscriptions feed, it puts a smile on my face. I really enjoy the segment where you show pictures -so much fun!
Thanks Sergio! Really appreciate that!
Darren - As usual, another well done review. I appreciate people who can think analytically, express themselves clearly, and avoid buffoonery. Thanks for the effort you put into making your reviews.
What I found with this lens is diffraction kicking in as early as f/8 (images get less sharp and "defined"). That said, it is really good from 2.0 up to 5.6 - so "massive" depth of field is not its main trait …
Another great review, I love this lens, it is sooooo sharp, thanks Darren !
Wow some of those beach shots look like La Jolla Shores (San Diego) Which is one of my favorite summer spots I often wonder how any new camera gear will work out at. If so, nailed it!! Thanks for the review!!
They were in fact in La Jolla, I have family out there and we often do 4th of July in San Diego - it’s gorgeous out there…
Awesome! Thank you for responding! I was pretty sure I recognized those sea caves in the distance but the lens is so nice and wide I wasn’t too sure. Just uncanny I was thinking of La Jolla and here it is in the video. True real world examples “just for me” haha! Just discovered your channel and I’m finding your reviews really helpful. I particularly enjoy your 2 minutes of examples as they include stills and video and a wide variety of how the lenses are used. Keep up the great work and hope you continue to enjoy that gem of a location of La Jolla Shores!
I'm saving up for this lens!
The advantage of this over the Panasonic 12-35 or Olympus 12-40 is that it's twice as bright. But if you need extra light, then the Panasonic 12mm f1.4 seems to be a better option as it's twice as bright again. Sure, it's way more expensive than the lens reviewed here, but in terms of max aperture, the Olympus 12mm f2 is stuck in no-man's land between the zooms and the Pana-Leica 12mm.
They are announcing an Olympus 12mm F1.2 on Aug. 31st
Hope so! I heard that 17mm f/1.2 was coming soon as well...
TOKYObrah did they come out yet?
Ernesto Colon no the announcement date got pushed to October or even early 2018
It will be significantly larger in size though, no?
Great review as always! I rock the 12-40 but this small prime is nice and F2 would help with low light reception photo images. I recently rented the Pana Leica 12mm F1.4 for some wide angle dance floor wedding photos and that worked great. Apparently an Olympus 12mm f1.2 is on the way and I'm going to consider that as my lowlight, capture the dance floor lens. By that time of day at a wedding, I'm ready to downsize to one lightweight camera and a prime lens.
Thanks Steve! Have you taken a look at the Pany 12mm f/1.4? Spendy, but apparently really good, it's on my list to try. How much do you like the EM1 - ii? I'm trying to decide whether I should get the GH5 or the EM1 - II....
Darren - I rented the Pana Leica 12mm 1.4 and it is excellent. For purchase I'm going to wait on the Oly as I think their glass is a tad better. The EM1 II has outstanding focus tracking AF now. For me a benefit for wedding parties coming down the aisle, etc. As good as a D5? Probably not, but good enough for my use. Here is a session with the Pana 12mm 1.4 with the telephoto the Df and 105mm 1.4. sbvphotography.com/blog-northwest-indiana-senior-picture-photographer/2017/7/10/night-portraits-in-chicago
Cool! I hear Olympus is coming out with a 12 and 17 f/1.2 soon... So we'll see! Those night shots are FREAKING AWESOME!! How are you lighting them? B1? Continuous?
Darren Miles I shot that entire session with an Ice Light 2. It's one of the reasons I wanted that 1.4 on the Oly. I wanted to test out that 105 for the Nikon so rented that too. I liked it so much I sold a Sigma 35 and the Nikon 85 1.4 to get it. I love the Ice Light and the new one is brighter with a removable battery. Comes to every wedding with me. Chicks dig it!! lol
Hah! I'll check it out.
Hi Darren ,
Thanks for the review, love the Oly primes ( small AND great optics ).
I would like to know if you think of doing the EM1 m2 review in the future?
It seems that they improved their sensor technology...
Thank you again for your review I am following it since a while now.
Return of the left eared audio editor ....
Trying out the mic, the cord is too short and the mic was a bit too far away, new cord arrives today, audio should be much improved on the next review :-)
Great review love your blogs. Im an Olympus pic taker OMD M1 i love it. I am mainly a landscape pic taker not a pro just love and enjoy the taking pics. My question is i have the12/40 pro lens and let me say it's an awesome len. Should i think of the 12 mm prime or would my 12 in the 12/40 pro have it covered. Look forward to hearing from you
Darren, What's your favourite Focal-length Range ? Couldn't hear clearly when you said you don't like 12 to 14mm ( or 40mm ? ), in Fx equiv. terms ? and the valid reason you stated was that it falls in the Photographic No-Man's Land. I guess, Standard to Telephoto/Portrait Range that includes primes like the f/1.8 M.Zuiko : 25, 45, 75mm are your favourites and you named them as well, but you didn't specify 17mm f/1.8, so i could make out. Regards.
Chirag - 12-40...
A Sigma 12mm f1.4 is rumored, will you review it as well as the Olympus f1.2 when they hit the market? I am curious as to whether I should get a 12mm prime over an Olympus 12-40, hmmm.
Hi, your reviews over lenses are really good can u make a review for Nikon 24mm f /1.8 lens if possible please
Karthik Here is how ""YOU" Is Spelled,...Hope that Helps
You didn't mention the weird manual focus stepping.
Not a deal breaker. But the jarring stepped manual focus is pretty off putting for video shooters.
(I mainly use this lens as my light carry around option on gh5, but use much heavier canon FF for main lenses.)
I didn't notice that at all... Wonder if it's more of an issue with a Pany body?
Darren Miles you could be right.
So the manual pull focus is smooth on oly?
biscuitsalive it is with my em-1, it has a distance meter on there too and I haven't noticed any weird hesitation or jumbling to the manual focus at all
Sorry but we got the more sunshine in AZ thank you do in FL. :o) Thanks for the videos I use MFT for the videos on my channel and my photography.
Hah! It's true, I went to school in Vegas and one of my best friends went to UofA - used to go to PHX and TUS all the time. Love the desert!
Nice review! Do you limit your use of M43 to any of your photo disciplines? For example, are indoor real estate shots difficult to pull off with M43? The lens seems great for outdoor shooting (I like the cicada shot)! Very cool music background! Thanks!
M43 is not good for indoor real estate shots .... they are incapable of photographing chairs and tables due to the sensor size .... you need at least a medium format camera for a chair to show up in the image ...
This lens or 12 40 pro zoom? Best picture qauilty?
Its a great lens, which I've owned three times over as I sold it twice and have kept onto my third one. Great optics and build, just a pity that Olympus don't provide the overpriced lens hood, but you can get a good quality one by JJC that's half the price of the original. Great review as always anyway, Darren.
Thanks Kenny!
Hey Darren good analysis. However, this lens is not an option for me because I already have 12mm in three different MFT zooms, the best of which is the 12-40 2.8. The extra stop and small size would be nice, but not for the extra cash! I'm thinking abut real estate photography in my market and so far the Pan Leica 8-18 2.8-4 and Laowa 7.5 F2 are the ones I'm thinking about. Would definitely be interested in your views on these.
Lyndon Smith - Having recently taken Darren's RE Photography seminar, I know he recommends the 7-14 range for m4/3 for photographing houses.
Steve Vansak thanks for the tip. That Panasonic Leica 8-18 interests me because of the ability to put filters on it for long exposure photos. I thought I could then also use it for some landscape stuff.
Thanks, for your take on the Oly 12mm.
A friendly observation:
It feels like you rush to put this out. Voice only in the left ear and very thin and tinny. Music too loud and over riding your voice at times. It must have been a tough day.
I appreciate your efforts and am looking forward to your next reviews
Thanks for the feedback Karl - much appreciated - I'm trying out the Rode NTG4+, and my chord was too short so the mic was too far away during the recording - had to amp it up in post (and you can tell) - though, to be honest, I don't know idea why it's only coming up on the "left side" - C100 mark ii using the XLR input - I have the underlying music track set at -20db during the whole video, so not sure why there's much in the way of discrepancy... Good news is, I have a longer XLR chord for the next video!
I just got the 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens. Is there a good reason to get this in addition to it? I know it's a stop faster, but how much does that matter at this focal length?
Daniel Douglass dont lose sleep over it ... neither one will make you a better photographer?....
How do I know whether a lens will make a better bokeh or not? I thought the wider the lens is the more bokeh it will produce :(
The opposite. The wider the lens, the more depth of field
Correct, usually the wider the focal length, the more depth of field, the less bokeh - the only way to get some out of focus - bokeh - rendering, is to place the subject in the foreground...
what's the sharpest aperture? f5.6?
Anything narrower than f/2.8
what happened to the audio.....
audio is brutal. Thanks for the review though.
The background music is too loud :(
Ugh, sorry, I thought I brought it down enough too...
Great review. But I think that 700 bucks for a 24mm f4 equivalent is robbery.
only depth of field is F4, not light gathering.
It's a great lens, but pretty expensive.
Agreed!
390 used is pretty cheap for a really wide f/2 lens, seems reasonable to me.
Sounds Like Your Saying Ten Hundred and 99 Dollars LOL What Are You Saying $299.00 ?
Thank You Darren
CP
我的耳机坏了
Had to turn off because of the annoying music.
Music was awesome - thanks :-)