I slightly disagree with some of the conclusions in the is video. The lens is not good optical quality, rather, it is *excellent* optical quality. That's one reason it still has a high price both new and used. Second, in terms of the competition, it easily outperforms the Lumix and the Leica versions of the 12-60 you mention, and it slightly outperforms the Lumix 12-35. Also, there's two versions of the 12-35, and you only mention the Mark II. The Mark I is the sharper of the two, if optical quality is what you want. The Mark II has marginally better IS. Lastly, the most important thing is that at most focal lengths, this lens is a sharp or sharper than many prime lenses, it's sharp edge to edge, and it has the manual focus clutch. In fact, in one sentence, that's all you need to know about this lens.
This lens is the one that I have used the most. Nice review. I think Olympus should make an MKII version of this lens. The original is still very good, but in six years there must be some improvement in lens technology that would make the MKII version even better. .
The only upgrade I could think of would be a stabilizer or some an lower f stop like f 2.0 or sth... but in terms of quality in image and build quality, there isn't much too improve on
Oh boys, all what we know about optics is here for years. Nowadays (last 20-30 yrs) only computer aided design helps a lot, and some complex tasks like design of internally focused or parfocal lenses can be easier a bit (especially when designing mechanics). But in lens design there is not many things to change.
Why do we need a MKII? The performance of the lens is stellar and so is its build quality. I have a lot of Nikon film and digital cameras and lenses and some of the old AIS and AFS-ED lenses are still unsurpassed for quality. The newer stuff ( mostly built from plastic ) will not last the test of time. This lens was brilliant when launched and it still is particularly considering that MFT sensors have not followed the crazy and totally unnecessary mega pixel race of the APS-C or FX format lenses.
The 12 to 40 is one of the essential Olympus lens especially when paired with a weather sealed body. It'll do for 80% of my photos. I'd definitely recommend it for your first Pro lens then perhaps 40 to 150 , 45mm and then awesome 25 mm pro series in that order. Compact, well made glass doesn't become redundant with age.
This is my most used kit, the G9 and the Zuiko 12-40mm 2.8 Pro. Its a all arround win combination with the best quality you can get. Best regards from Portugal.
This lens is on my camera 90 percent of the time. The things that keep it there are the manual clutch focus and the weather sealing, I just spent a night in the rain shooting with no worries. Thanks for a great video.
Hello! for the panasonic gh7 i would buy a 12-35 or 12-40 lens panasonic or Olympus, which is better for weddings - faster focusing at f 2.8. thank you
Hi! Thanks for the video! You told about the Panasonic Lumix 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6. I have this lens (for Olympus OMD10 MARK III). Do you think it's worth buying Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO then??? I need a good lens for shooting videos first of all (weddings, parties, love stories, cities). Please, give me some tips if you can :) Thanks in advance!
Thanks. It's hard for me to say it something is worth it for you😀 However, for video work a constant relatively fast max aperture is a definite upside, so the Olympus lens most probably is worth it for you.
Thank you for the in-depth video! For me it was a choice between this one and the Panasonic 12-35mm. I ended up going with the panasonic because I use a GH5 which enables dual image stabilization. But this lens seems to be the winner on all other fronts. If I was using Blackmagic pocket 4k, this would be defacto the lens to use.
I have a GH5 and the Olympus 12- 40/f2.8 pro lens is one I use most of the time - I love it. With the near/far focus on the 2.6 upgrade the FN button is magic.
Nice video Matti! It's good to see that you (as a Lumix ambassador) can talk freely and extensively about an Olympus lens. I love these M43 channels by you and your friends/colleagues (Peter, Robin,...) but as a typical(?) M43 user, I'm interested in both brands and certainly like to know about issues regarding Olympus vs Panasonic compatibility & co-operability.
I have the Panasonic 14-140mm II. I recently acquired this Olympus. Its images are amazing and superior to the 14-140mm which is, incidentally my favourite EDC. It sits alongside the 25mm f1.4 Panasonic Leica in terms of rendering and optical performance IMHO.
Hi Matti. Do you think the Olympus M.Zuiko lenses are comparable in performance and value to Leica lenses for the G9? Are the M.Zuiko lenses the "high end" Olympus lenses? Thanks!
@@froznfire9531 only focused near and at 40mm, Sigma 18-35 + adapter (both speedboosted and not speedboosted) destroy this lens in every aspect, at 1.8 or 1.2 is wayyy sharper
@@KtmDesignz ofc it has more bokeh with its f1.2... it's a totally different lens... you can't use af with it in video at all, it is much bigger and weights much more, the focusing sound is very loud... but ofc, it has good sharpness and f 1.2.. the 12-40 is better for traveling though and is also very sharp thought the whole range. The olympus is also cheaper, and you don't need a metabones speedbooster.
Thank you for sharing this great video. Olympus are an optical company. Their lens are astonishing. The constant aperture gives an edge when shooting indoor without motion blur at ISO 1600 or less. All Olympus lenses will not focus as fast as the Leica on Panasonic because of Panasonic propriatory Dept from defocus. If you try the Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 on an OMD-EM1 markII instead of Lumix G90,G9,GH5, it will focus faster and much better in video Ç-AF face tracking. Olympus user should stick with Olympus lenses for focus stacking, dual IS(when available), clutch ring, aperture ring compatibility, faster and improved C-AF in both photo and video because of the phase detection implementation. Sadly the Panasonic 12-35 f2.8 and 35-100 f2.8 are more plastic and do not deliver the same Leica color profile on Lumix body. They are not part of the pro lenses. Another point to consider is the teleconverters, they are not cross company lenses compatible. Panasonic teleconverters work with Panasonic lenses and Olympus teleconverters work with Olympus lenses. Both company use micro 4/3 system but they are not fully compatible. It will work with some limitation. (Weather sealing is not cover cross company even if it might work, still really risky)
Very good information. I did buy this lens last year with a OM-D EM-1 MII and a was more than happy with it, especially not having to worry about rain! But, I noticed that as I extent the lens to zoom, the “extension” becomes proportionally loose. I would say about 2mm in any perpendicular direction. I remember that there was a barely perceptible “movement” when new, but I am now afraid that water might get in between those two sections. How is yours doing in that regard, since you just used it on a rainy day? I would appreciate any advice you may have. Thanks!
I love my 12-40 mm f2.8 even though it is now 10 years old! It has what I want in a perfect combination, mounted on my E-M5 Mk III. I agree with you completely on the different direction to turn the zoom ring. I wish that could be standardized industry-wide. In a similar manner, I wish the gas cap on cars could all be on the same side! I believe the direction to turn the lens to focus can be changed in menu A4. I love your videos, and those of your friend Peter Forsgård.
This is my first PRO lens with my Olympus setup. I find it works very very well with the Em1 and its latest firmware update. I find it performs very well in terms of AF, more so than my 45mm F1.2 pro (at times). Good all-rounder, love it for video and closeups especially and I mostly lean on it for wide angle but prefer my primes for portraits.
Great video, thanks! Just found your channel and been binge watching your content! :) Just a quick question, if you don't mind? Would you recommend this over the Panasonic 12 - 35 f.2.8 for someone who shoots both photos and video...I have a Lumix G9? Thanks for your insight and have a great day! Best wishes from Scotland! :)
I use it on my Pen-F very often and I can't complain. Very good results and not that bulky at the Pen-F for me because I have big hands and also very versatile in use when I don't want to carry much with me. I got it used at ebay and had luck with this lens.
Hi Matti 😊 Nice video on a nice lens. Thank you very much! Which one do you prefer? The 12-40 Oly or the 12-60 Leica? Is there a difference in the character or color rendering of the two?
Thanks! Both are very nice lenses and for general photography I prefer the Leica, because it goes to 60mm. If I want faster max aperture, I'll go with a prime. I'd say neither lens is really charismatic and I can't say if there's much difference in color rendering, but I've never tested them side by side.
I own this lens now for 4 years. At the beginning I did not use it much as I preferred the primes with f 1.8. But meanwhile I sold all my primes with the exception of the 75/ 1.8 and I use this zoom for 60 to 70 percent of my pics.
Intresting video Matti and good job. I have to ask you if you know why panasonic is not making enterylevel cameras in full frame or APS C sensor. I think their S1 series is to expensive. Why not make cheaper L mount cameras?
Still the best work horse zoom for the format. I use the Sigma 16mm 1.4 for low light situations, but otherwise I usually stick with this lens. I would LOVE a f1.8 version of the 12-40. Interesting video!
This lens is my daily driver on my G9. Originally bought it for video with my G7 but ever since I bought the G9 I can't stop taking photos with it. Love this combo but find myself at the long end of it most of the time.
About AF, I think DFD is the determining factor: it's a way Panasonic uses to tell the body how you should pre focus a given lens that is in a firmware database. I noticed this in a very slow lens, like the Lumix 20mm f1.7. despite being hopelessly slow, my GX9 can focus slightly faster then my Pen F, probably because the camera "knows" where the lens should go instead of relying purely on contrast detection. I also noticed that Olympus lenses are a tiny bit faster on Olympus cameras, which is understandable as body and lens are interacting better if they come form the same producer. You can notice the same using Sigma lenses on Sony or Panasonic cameras compared to native ones. This being said, I think m43 lenses overall still hold an edge in focussing speed over any other format, because the elements are smaller: I don't really feel any delay on my Olympus 12-40 on Lumix bodies compared to, for example, EF lenses on a canon RP or 5DmkII, even red ring ones.
I was traveling during the summer and found this bad boy posted on Facebook for $200 CDN.....Bought it without a second thought and I haven't been happier $200 in my entire life!! This lens is my daily driver and I can't imagine shooting without it now.
Hello Mattis, can you tell me if the Autofocus of the Olympus works with Lumix G9 or Lumix camera's in general. How is the in body stabilization also?... Thank you in advance, I appreciate your video's.
I have not tried or even seen the new lens, but it certainly looks like a nice lens. It's also another lens maybe for a little different purpose. But, I don't have a strong opinion, because I'm a Lumix shooter.
I have the Saramonic Blink500 and Rode Wireless Go, but when I film inside, I use a shotgun mic. In this and some other videos I have used a lav mic, but these are exceptions.
Olympus should make a Mark II version of this lens. The 12-45mm is so sharp, but lacks a manual focus clutch. This lens is sharp too no doubt, but not the same. I bet if Olympus were to revisit designing the optic a second time they can make it better.
I have this lens and the Panasonic 14-140, but find I use the 14-140 more due to the reach. For the god of the Mu-43 system I think Olympus and Panasonic should start integrating features more. Especially weather sealing and dual IS. With a shrinking camera market the lack of full itegration can only hurt the system as a whole
@@reckerproduction9468 In MFT and also many other mirrorless systems the final image has no distortion, because it's corrected either optically or in camera (and some RAW developers as well) or both.
Olympus pro lenses come with lens hoods. All of them, I think. I do agree it would have been nice if more of their earlier lenses had come with their lens hoods. Add to that, they tend to be a wee bit pricy for what they are.
Your video was one that I watched that helped me decide to get this lens for my G9. I also managed to pick up an excellent 2nd hand lens at just under £400. I've had very pleasing results. I acquired my G9 with the Leica 200-400 but now find myself switching lenses quite a bit, which in wintertime outdoors is not a pleasurable experience. I could do with a second camera body for the 12-40 lens. Another G9 would be great, but I was considering the Gx9. Would you consider this a good partnership?
Thanks! Always best to have two similar camera bodies, but all Lumix cameras are quite similar to use, so almost any combination should be good. My second MFT body is the G90 and I have no problem with that.
Thanks for your opinions on this lens. It's one of the options I'm considering (along with the Panasonic 12-35) as my first m4/3 zoom lens. Currently, I'm using a 4/3 mount Olympus 14-54mm standard zoom on my e-300 and (via adapter) on the GH4.
I love the manual clutch feature that Olympus has. I wish Panasonic would do the same. I also wish Panasonic and Olympus would allow you to change the zoom direction in the menus, since it's focus by wire anyway. It's one of the main reasons I haven't really looked at Olympus lenses; I'd like uniformity. Great video!
There is some pretty extensive testing between the Leica and Olympus version showing that superior so decided to keep that one when I switched to Panasonic from Olympus.
Is very good even on Lumix, we just need a really NEW generation m43 sensor to maximize Olympus pro performance, expecially on Low Light. That's the only problem at the moment with m43, bring image noise performance and IQ near to good apsc sensor and it's done ;)
Excellent weather sealed lens and I really can't find a fault with it. If it ain't broke don't fix it however if Olympus are going to spend money I'd like a new EM1 mark iii with more megapixels, improved evf and better IBIS.
It is never too late :) Kind of stupid that all manufacturers can't argee on rotation direction. It's like make left side and right side car's steering wheel, and mix of both on the one road.
I don’t think it would be a bad combo, but it could be a bit front heavy. You might also consider the Lumix 12-35mm F2.8. It’s more compact and has a stabilizer too.
It’s a lens I seldom use anymore. I find it a bit of an odd lens focal length wise. On the lower end we have many primes and in the higher end it’s a bit short. The olympus 7-14 for zoom is nice and I enjoy the lumix 25 1.4 for general shooting. If I add the 50-200 lumix I have 3 lens that would cover very well almost all ones holiday shooting needs in a small package
Interesting you’d call it an odd focal range. It literally covers the range most comparable to human vision on into popular somewhat wide and short telephoto ranges. Meets the needs of most photographers in this regard. A lens in roughly this equivalent focal range is one of the first lenses made for any camera system.
James Peirce most cameras come with a 18-55 zoom. The Olympus offering is the equivalent to 24-80. So yes I find this odd. I much prefer the current offering with the em5mklll that I have had for over a year the 12-100. It covers a broader range although a bit slower. I also Carry the 40-150 when I travel and these two lens can fill the majority of my needs with the 25mm prime I enjoy. . It’s not that the older lens is bad I just find some of the newer ones fit my needs better.
The PNW Rider The correlate the lens being reviewed here is the ubiquitous full frame 24-70 f/2.8 (and f/4). It is a pro-level staple on systems, just as is the 70-200 f/2.8 (and f/4) and, on the wide end, the 16-35 f/2.8 (and f/4) (ans there is usually also a 12-24, typically f/4). The former lenses serve as the “holy trinity” of zooms and are some of the most popular traditional zooms on a system. Olympus’ comparable series are the 7-14, 12-40, and 40-150 f/2.8 Pro lenses. The Olympus 12-100 f/4 is pretty similar to the 24-105 f/4, another extremely popular lens, but covering the full frame equivalent of 24-200 and taking advantage of opportunities afforded by the M43 sensor size/mount it is a very unique option (and, I’ll agree, an excellent lens-I own it and I prefer to bring it for travel and hiking). The “kit lens” is a different beast. It covers a wider focal range because, collecting a fair amount less light, it allows for significantly smaller and lighter construction, and tends also to be built to a cheaper price point (e.g. more plastics, not weather sealed, a lower standard of optical quality). Look at the Olympus 14-42 f/3-5.6 and 40-150 f/4-5.6 for what you might have in mind.
Hi Matti! I was invited to see the OM-D EM-5 III yesterday that your friends Peter and Robin have told me about. However it seems that I bought a "demo" Lumix 30mm f/2.8 macro lens for a very good price when I was there....
Strange thought to consider if it’s still worth it, considering there isn’t anything that’s better out there. The only other option is the Panasonic version. Also they still sell it new.
Off topic, please. Most of your 12mm and 24mm images have a feeling of me being there instead of just looking at a photo. I notice that, especially, in the impact of the shadows and tone of the photo. I don't think see that in long focal lengths photos. I imagine those same effects are bokeh'd out of the picture with longer focal lengths instead of being captured. Am I imagining this or should I expect a better capture respectfully with shorter focal length lenses compare to, for example, a 100mm - 400mm zoom lens? I am in the beginning stages of learning and I only have experience with a 100-400mm lens. Thank you.
Shorter focal lengths give that feeling, because the photographer had to be close to the subject in order to get the photo. Telephoto pictures are taken from a distance usually and therefore the viewer also feels that.
I haven't compared those two lenses side by side, but in my opinion the Zuiko works just fine. I have to say, thought, that I don't use a lot continuous AF.
His comment that the focal ring only turns in 1 direction is, at least on the Olympus OM-D E 1, Mark 2, wrong. Go to Menu A4, and scrolls down tío “Focal Ring”. Maybe the LUMIX doesn’t have this option???
His comment was about the manual focus when the MF clutch is activated, which is shown in the video too. He doesn't know if that can be changed on Olympus cameras, but if the direction is reversed, the focus scale is useless.
You can change the direction of the focusing ring. At least on Olympus cameras you can, not sure about Panasonic. I own the lens and I would say, that compared with Panasonic lenses I have, this is better for video, because is more manual focus friendly. I like the size, often use it on my little GX80 even and it does not feel oversized. Generally, it's a great all-rounder and the close focusing abilities made me expect that from all lenses, which is not always the case. If I had the ability to change something, I would agree some extra size, for 12-50 focal range. I would probably need no other lens if that was the case.
@@oneeyedphotographer the bokeh is ok, if you zoom in a little... at 12mm, there obviously isn't much bokeh at f 2.8... but around 25mm till 40, its decent... and it looks great, the balls are very round an pleasing to the eye imo ;)
I just bought the EM1 Mark III and to go with it, I bought several lenses including the 12-40 and the 12-100. As of today, I returned the 12-40 because the 12-100 is just a monster. For my use, the difference between f/4 and f/2.8 can be bridged with a longer exposure using the Sync-IS but I'll be goddamned if I said I don't already miss the lens. The size, the optics, the fast aperture, the build all pull on my heart strings but my brain says I don't have a use for it with the 12-100 in my arsenal. Who knows, I might go silly and order it again. LOL
I still have the old em5, I'm thinking of getting the em1 mark2 or em5 mark3 or even panasonic. Im not a pro, more of hobbyist. I wanted to switch full frame but i dont want to spend. Plus ive invested a bit in micro 4/3 lenses
hard to find a reason to buy this 1 smartphones have a f-stop of F1.5 to f1.7 (s10+, huawei 30p, iphone 11) and they have 3 focal lenghts now going with a f2.8 and this heavy body for almost no more picture quality ?
@@mattisulanto that answer is equal to = smartphone wins now a new solution fix the problems and make those questions better for m43´s then might the m43´s system is buyed and m43´s can win
Hmmm, should I do a video on the Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 PRO lens?
Of course you should!
Robin Wong Definitely,..really appreciate that & a conversation on it compared to the 12-100 f4
Yes Robin. Your reviews are great and very useful
yes of course
yes this is the best lens for video. For prime I use the olympus 17mm 1.8 and I use too a cheap lens but with a great bokei kamlan 28mn 1.4.
I slightly disagree with some of the conclusions in the is video. The lens is not good optical quality, rather, it is *excellent* optical quality. That's one reason it still has a high price both new and used. Second, in terms of the competition, it easily outperforms the Lumix and the Leica versions of the 12-60 you mention, and it slightly outperforms the Lumix 12-35. Also, there's two versions of the 12-35, and you only mention the Mark II. The Mark I is the sharper of the two, if optical quality is what you want. The Mark II has marginally better IS.
Lastly, the most important thing is that at most focal lengths, this lens is a sharp or sharper than many prime lenses, it's sharp edge to edge, and it has the manual focus clutch. In fact, in one sentence, that's all you need to know about this lens.
Thanks for sharing. It this based on your own experience or tests others have made?
foghornblue He’s talking about the LUMIX 12-35 which has 2 versions.
What I love about the Olympus zooms is the manual clutch mechanism. This has been invaluable for my video work.
It's really nice and I'm happy to see it now on some Lumix lenses too.
This lens is the one that I have used the most.
Nice review. I think Olympus should make an MKII version of this lens. The original is still very good, but in six years there must be some improvement in lens technology that would make the MKII version even better.
.
Thanks! It could make sense and six years is a long time.
There is nothing wrong with it as it is
The only upgrade I could think of would be a stabilizer or some an lower f stop like f 2.0 or sth... but in terms of quality in image and build quality, there isn't much too improve on
Oh boys, all what we know about optics is here for years. Nowadays (last 20-30 yrs) only computer aided design helps a lot, and some complex tasks like design of internally focused or parfocal lenses can be easier a bit (especially when designing mechanics). But in lens design there is not many things to change.
Why do we need a MKII? The performance of the lens is stellar and so is its build quality. I have a lot of Nikon film and digital cameras and lenses and some of the old AIS and AFS-ED lenses are still unsurpassed for quality. The newer stuff ( mostly built from plastic ) will not last the test of time. This lens was brilliant when launched and it still is particularly considering that MFT sensors have not followed the crazy and totally unnecessary mega pixel race of the APS-C or FX format lenses.
The 12 to 40 is one of the essential Olympus lens especially when paired with a weather sealed body. It'll do for 80% of my photos.
I'd definitely recommend it for your first Pro lens then perhaps 40 to 150 , 45mm and then awesome 25 mm pro series in that order. Compact, well made glass doesn't become redundant with age.
This is my most used kit, the G9 and the Zuiko 12-40mm 2.8 Pro. Its a all arround win combination with the best quality you can get. Best regards from Portugal.
Thanks for sharing.
igualmente ;)
That's the combination I just purchased. Waiting for it to arrive...
This lens is on my camera 90 percent of the time. The things that keep it there are the manual clutch focus and the weather sealing, I just spent a night in the rain shooting with no worries. Thanks for a great video.
Thanks for sharing.
This is an top notch lens and such a lens does not age.
Hello! for the panasonic gh7 i would buy a 12-35 or 12-40 lens
panasonic or Olympus, which is better for weddings - faster focusing at f 2.8.
thank you
I wondered about whether this lens was bundled in a kit and which one it was. Or which ones they were.
Hi! Thanks for the video! You told about the Panasonic Lumix 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6. I have this lens (for Olympus OMD10 MARK III). Do you think it's worth buying Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO then??? I need a good lens for shooting videos first of all (weddings, parties, love stories, cities). Please, give me some tips if you can :) Thanks in advance!
Thanks. It's hard for me to say it something is worth it for you😀 However, for video work a constant relatively fast max aperture is a definite upside, so the Olympus lens most probably is worth it for you.
This is one of the best and more versatile lens one can have.
Thank you for the in-depth video! For me it was a choice between this one and the Panasonic 12-35mm. I ended up going with the panasonic because I use a GH5 which enables dual image stabilization. But this lens seems to be the winner on all other fronts. If I was using Blackmagic pocket 4k, this would be defacto the lens to use.
Thanks! I'm also using the Lumix 12-35mm, because of the Dual IS.
@@mattisulanto Agreed! Thank you for the reply
I have a GH5 and the Olympus 12- 40/f2.8 pro lens is one I use most of the time - I love it. With the near/far focus on the 2.6 upgrade the FN button is magic.
Can you tell me more about that function on the fn button?
this is the best lens for 90% of my need. The future is to have the same focal lens but with f2 or f1.4. I can dream ;)
Another good thing about this lense is that it is tough. I took it UNDER the Niagara Falls on an Em1mk2 and worked without a glitch.
Nice video Matti! It's good to see that you (as a Lumix ambassador) can talk freely and extensively about an Olympus lens. I love these M43 channels by you and your friends/colleagues (Peter, Robin,...) but as a typical(?) M43 user, I'm interested in both brands and certainly like to know about issues regarding Olympus vs Panasonic compatibility & co-operability.
Thanks! I guess a typical MFT user has both brands.
I have the Panasonic 14-140mm II. I recently acquired this Olympus. Its images are amazing and superior to the 14-140mm which is, incidentally my favourite EDC. It sits alongside the 25mm f1.4 Panasonic Leica in terms of rendering and optical performance IMHO.
Hi Matti. Do you think the Olympus M.Zuiko lenses are comparable in performance and value to Leica lenses for the G9? Are the M.Zuiko lenses the "high end" Olympus lenses? Thanks!
The Olympus Pro line up certainly is very high quality and high end. Pananonic/Leica lenses focus slightly better on the G9.
Great video and one of my most used lenses which has never let me down definitely a lens I will never get rid of.
Thanks!
The 12-40 is a GREAT lens. Not only sharp but rendition is fantastic, especially for Video....
but bokeh is ugly
@@KtmDesignz bokeh is some of the best I've ever seen. It's super round with bokehballs. But ofc, it's only f 2.8...
@@froznfire9531 only focused near and at 40mm, Sigma 18-35 + adapter (both speedboosted and not speedboosted) destroy this lens in every aspect, at 1.8 or 1.2 is wayyy sharper
@@KtmDesignz ofc it has more bokeh with its f1.2... it's a totally different lens... you can't use af with it in video at all, it is much bigger and weights much more, the focusing sound is very loud... but ofc, it has good sharpness and f 1.2.. the 12-40 is better for traveling though and is also very sharp thought the whole range. The olympus is also cheaper, and you don't need a metabones speedbooster.
Thank you for sharing this great video. Olympus are an optical company. Their lens are astonishing. The constant aperture gives an edge when shooting indoor without motion blur at ISO 1600 or less. All Olympus lenses will not focus as fast as the Leica on Panasonic because of Panasonic propriatory Dept from defocus. If you try the Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 on an OMD-EM1 markII instead of Lumix G90,G9,GH5, it will focus faster and much better in video Ç-AF face tracking. Olympus user should stick with Olympus lenses for focus stacking, dual IS(when available), clutch ring, aperture ring compatibility, faster and improved C-AF in both photo and video because of the phase detection implementation. Sadly the Panasonic 12-35 f2.8 and 35-100 f2.8 are more plastic and do not deliver the same Leica color profile on Lumix body. They are not part of the pro lenses. Another point to consider is the teleconverters, they are not cross company lenses compatible. Panasonic teleconverters work with Panasonic lenses and Olympus teleconverters work with Olympus lenses. Both company use micro 4/3 system but they are not fully compatible. It will work with some limitation. (Weather sealing is not cover cross company even if it might work, still really risky)
Thanks for sharing. Lumix 12-35 and 35-100 F2.8 are pro grade. They just look like they are not, because of the tiny size.
Matti, thanks for the review. The 12-40mm f2.8 is a perfect choice of lens.
Thanks!
Very good information. I did buy this lens last year with a OM-D EM-1 MII and a was more than happy with it, especially not having to worry about rain! But, I noticed that as I extent the lens to zoom, the “extension” becomes proportionally loose. I would say about 2mm in any perpendicular direction. I remember that there was a barely perceptible “movement” when new, but I am now afraid that water might get in between those two sections. How is yours doing in that regard, since you just used it on a rainy day? I would appreciate any advice you may have. Thanks!
My lens was fine, but I sold it, because I have Lumix lenses.
I love my 12-40 mm f2.8 even though it is now 10 years old! It has what I want in a perfect combination, mounted on my E-M5 Mk III. I agree with you completely on the different direction to turn the zoom ring. I wish that could be standardized industry-wide. In a similar manner, I wish the gas cap on cars could all be on the same side! I believe the direction to turn the lens to focus can be changed in menu A4. I love your videos, and those of your friend Peter Forsgård.
Thank you for the compliments.
This is my first PRO lens with my Olympus setup. I find it works very very well with the Em1 and its latest firmware update. I find it performs very well in terms of AF, more so than my 45mm F1.2 pro (at times). Good all-rounder, love it for video and closeups especially and I mostly lean on it for wide angle but prefer my primes for portraits.
Thanks for sharing.
Great video, thanks! Just found your channel and been binge watching your content! :) Just a quick question, if you don't mind? Would you recommend this over the Panasonic 12 - 35 f.2.8 for someone who shoots both photos and video...I have a Lumix G9? Thanks for your insight and have a great day! Best wishes from Scotland! :)
Thanks! For Lumix I'd recommend Panasonic (or Leica) lenses, because then you'll get the Dual IS.
I use it on my Pen-F very often and I can't complain. Very good results and not that bulky at the Pen-F for me because I have big hands and also very versatile in use when I don't want to carry much with me. I got it used at ebay and had luck with this lens.
Thanks for leaving a comment.
Hi Matti 😊 Nice video on a nice lens. Thank you very much!
Which one do you prefer? The 12-40 Oly or the 12-60 Leica? Is there a difference in the character or color rendering of the two?
Thanks! Both are very nice lenses and for general photography I prefer the Leica, because it goes to 60mm. If I want faster max aperture, I'll go with a prime. I'd say neither lens is really charismatic and I can't say if there's much difference in color rendering, but I've never tested them side by side.
The 12-40 is better. I have tested them extensively side by side.
I own this lens now for 4 years. At the beginning I did not use it much as I preferred the primes with f 1.8.
But meanwhile I sold all my primes with the exception of the 75/ 1.8 and I use this zoom for 60 to 70 percent of my pics.
12-40mm f2.8 + 75mm f1.8
@@izuanalyahya5205 that's a good combo, otherwisw have a look at the Sigma 56/ 1.4 as an option ( a lens I don't own, but I have the 30/ 1.4 ).
@@izuanalyahya5205: it is my main combo since 3 years.
You Peter and Robin are killing my...bank account. :-)
just buy it all.
You got that right.
Intresting video Matti and good job.
I have to ask you if you know why panasonic is not making enterylevel cameras in full frame or APS C sensor. I think their S1 series is to expensive. Why not make cheaper L mount cameras?
I don't know, but I guess they wanted to target that segment first and they could not make everything at the start.
Nice pipe organ picture drama! The 12-40pro was my first m43 lens. On a Pen-f it’s a bit bulky, but a great travel combo. Cheers from Wisconsin!
Thanks!
The 12-40 Pro is one of my favorite lenses. The Lumix 20mm f/1.7 pancake is the other.
I use that combo quite a bit myself.
Still the best work horse zoom for the format. I use the Sigma 16mm 1.4 for low light situations, but otherwise I usually stick with this lens. I would LOVE a f1.8 version of the 12-40. Interesting video!
That 1.8 would be interesting, but huge.
Probably.... but much smaller then a S35 or FF version. And bigger seems to be the way the system is going. Panny's 10-25mm is a biggin'.
This lens is my daily driver on my G9. Originally bought it for video with my G7 but ever since I bought the G9 I can't stop taking photos with it. Love this combo but find myself at the long end of it most of the time.
About AF, I think DFD is the determining factor: it's a way Panasonic uses to tell the body how you should pre focus a given lens that is in a firmware database. I noticed this in a very slow lens, like the Lumix 20mm f1.7. despite being hopelessly slow, my GX9 can focus slightly faster then my Pen F, probably because the camera "knows" where the lens should go instead of relying purely on contrast detection. I also noticed that Olympus lenses are a tiny bit faster on Olympus cameras, which is understandable as body and lens are interacting better if they come form the same producer.
You can notice the same using Sigma lenses on Sony or Panasonic cameras compared to native ones.
This being said, I think m43 lenses overall still hold an edge in focussing speed over any other format, because the elements are smaller: I don't really feel any delay on my Olympus 12-40 on Lumix bodies compared to, for example, EF lenses on a canon RP or 5DmkII, even red ring ones.
Thanks for sharing.
I was traveling during the summer and found this bad boy posted on Facebook for $200 CDN.....Bought it without a second thought and I haven't been happier $200 in my entire life!! This lens is my daily driver and I can't imagine shooting without it now.
Thanks for sharing.
Hello Mattis, can you tell me if the Autofocus of the Olympus works with Lumix G9 or Lumix camera's in general. How is the in body stabilization also?... Thank you in advance, I appreciate your video's.
Generally both AF and IBIS work really well.
sulantoblog > I feel better now, will order one today! Thank you very much Mattis 🙏🏼
@@mattisulanto > thanks again!
With the new 12-45mm out. Did you change your opinion on the 12-40mm?
I have not tried or even seen the new lens, but it certainly looks like a nice lens. It's also another lens maybe for a little different purpose. But, I don't have a strong opinion, because I'm a Lumix shooter.
What lav mic are you using?
I have the Saramonic Blink500 and Rode Wireless Go, but when I film inside, I use a shotgun mic. In this and some other videos I have used a lav mic, but these are exceptions.
@@mattisulanto thanks I've been struggling to find a good value budget lav mic. Can you recommend any under 100 usd?
@@JSyntax I only have experience on the ones that I use, so can't really recommend anything else.
Hi Matti, thanks for another great review. I would really like to know what hand strap you use in this video. It looks very comfortable!
Thanks! The strap is custom made by my daughter😀
@@mattisulanto wow amazing!
Very talented!
Olympus should make a Mark II version of this lens. The 12-45mm is so sharp, but lacks a manual focus clutch. This lens is sharp too no doubt, but not the same. I bet if Olympus were to revisit designing the optic a second time they can make it better.
I have this lens and the Panasonic 14-140, but find I use the 14-140 more due to the reach.
For the god of the Mu-43 system I think Olympus and Panasonic should start integrating features more. Especially weather sealing and dual IS.
With a shrinking camera market the lack of full itegration can only hurt the system as a whole
I agree that the compatibility should be even better.
@@mattisulanto Does it not have distortion?
@@reckerproduction9468 In MFT and also many other mirrorless systems the final image has no distortion, because it's corrected either optically or in camera (and some RAW developers as well) or both.
@@mattisulanto , I intend to use it on the Black magic pocket 4k
@@reckerproduction9468 Ok. I don't know how compatible Black Magic cameras are, but I'm sure a bit of googling can help.
Olympus pro lenses come with lens hoods. All of them, I think. I do agree it would have been nice if more of their earlier lenses had come with their lens hoods. Add to that, they tend to be a wee bit pricy for what they are.
Nice review - first lens I bought after the kit one. Love it - really sharp (LOTS better than the Olympus kit lens I had!)
Your video was one that I watched that helped me decide to get this lens for my G9. I also managed to pick up an excellent 2nd hand lens at just under £400. I've had very pleasing results. I acquired my G9 with the Leica 200-400 but now find myself switching lenses quite a bit, which in wintertime outdoors is not a pleasurable experience. I could do with a second camera body for the 12-40 lens. Another G9 would be great, but I was considering the Gx9. Would you consider this a good partnership?
Thanks! Always best to have two similar camera bodies, but all Lumix cameras are quite similar to use, so almost any combination should be good. My second MFT body is the G90 and I have no problem with that.
Thanks for your opinions on this lens. It's one of the options I'm considering (along with the Panasonic 12-35) as my first m4/3 zoom lens. Currently, I'm using a 4/3 mount Olympus 14-54mm standard zoom on my e-300 and (via adapter) on the GH4.
Thank you!
I love the manual clutch feature that Olympus has. I wish Panasonic would do the same. I also wish Panasonic and Olympus would allow you to change the zoom direction in the menus, since it's focus by wire anyway. It's one of the main reasons I haven't really looked at Olympus lenses; I'd like uniformity.
Great video!
Thanks! I think, or hope at least, that more Panasonic lenses will have MF clutch in the future.
There is some pretty extensive testing between the Leica and Olympus version showing that superior so decided to keep that one when I switched to Panasonic from Olympus.
Is very good even on Lumix, we just need a really NEW generation m43 sensor to maximize Olympus pro performance, expecially on Low Light. That's the only problem at the moment with m43, bring image noise performance and IQ near to good apsc sensor and it's done ;)
That new sensor will come eventually.
@@mattisulanto I just wonder when 😅👍🏻
@@nerdMike Some day😀 I don't know anything, but I think it has to happen pretty soon.
Still takes good photos in 2022.
Excellent weather sealed lens and I really can't find a fault with it. If it ain't broke don't fix it however if Olympus are going to spend money I'd like a new EM1 mark iii with more megapixels, improved evf and better IBIS.
Hear! Hear! That's what many in the M43 community are crying out for.
The M.Zuiko zoom/focus controls seem more intuitive to me, if i zoom in on something then focusing further out is more likely than focusing closer.
It is never too late :)
Kind of stupid that all manufacturers can't argee on rotation direction. It's like make left side and right side car's steering wheel, and mix of both on the one road.
Is it good lens for gx80? Im considering this one, but im wondering if it makes sense to pair it with a small body..
I don’t think it would be a bad combo, but it could be a bit front heavy. You might also consider the Lumix 12-35mm F2.8. It’s more compact and has a stabilizer too.
For the OLY system I'd definitely go with the 12-40 but with the G9 I think the 12-35 2.8 is a better choice.....due to dual IS.
I tend to agree.
Why do is dual IS so important for 12-35 mm?
@@WMedl It's not so important for this particular lens, but in general, Dual IS is better than IBIS alone.
WMedl I agree. I haven’t found it (dual IS) to be particularly valuable at this focal range. IBIS is already quite brilliant in these modern bodies.
So this remains one of the sharpest lenses and the sharpest zoom lens in the M4/3 universe. How could it not remain relevant?
That is a good question and in the video I have the answer😀
It’s a lens I seldom use anymore. I find it a bit of an odd lens focal length wise. On the lower end we have many primes and in the higher end it’s a bit short. The olympus 7-14 for zoom is nice and I enjoy the lumix 25 1.4 for general shooting. If I add the 50-200 lumix I have 3 lens that would cover very well almost all ones holiday shooting needs in a small package
It's a standard zoom and covers what a standard zoom covers.
Interesting you’d call it an odd focal range. It literally covers the range most comparable to human vision on into popular somewhat wide and short telephoto ranges. Meets the needs of most photographers in this regard.
A lens in roughly this equivalent focal range is one of the first lenses made for any camera system.
James Peirce most cameras come with a 18-55 zoom. The Olympus offering is the equivalent to 24-80. So yes I find this odd. I much prefer the current offering with the em5mklll that I have had for over a year the 12-100. It covers a broader range although a bit slower. I also Carry the 40-150 when I travel and these two lens can fill the majority of my needs with the 25mm prime I enjoy. . It’s not that the older lens is bad I just find some of the newer ones fit my needs better.
The PNW Rider The correlate the lens being reviewed here is the ubiquitous full frame 24-70 f/2.8 (and f/4). It is a pro-level staple on systems, just as is the 70-200 f/2.8 (and f/4) and, on the wide end, the 16-35 f/2.8 (and f/4) (ans there is usually also a 12-24, typically f/4). The former lenses serve as the “holy trinity” of zooms and are some of the most popular traditional zooms on a system. Olympus’ comparable series are the 7-14, 12-40, and 40-150 f/2.8 Pro lenses.
The Olympus 12-100 f/4 is pretty similar to the 24-105 f/4, another extremely popular lens, but covering the full frame equivalent of 24-200 and taking advantage of opportunities afforded by the M43 sensor size/mount it is a very unique option (and, I’ll agree, an excellent lens-I own it and I prefer to bring it for travel and hiking).
The “kit lens” is a different beast. It covers a wider focal range because, collecting a fair amount less light, it allows for significantly smaller and lighter construction, and tends also to be built to a cheaper price point (e.g. more plastics, not weather sealed, a lower standard of optical quality). Look at the Olympus 14-42 f/3-5.6 and 40-150 f/4-5.6 for what you might have in mind.
Excellent lens , small , gr8 optics
+
Matti you are so beautiful 😍
Hi Matti! I was invited to see the OM-D EM-5 III yesterday that your friends Peter and Robin have told me about. However it seems that I bought a "demo" Lumix 30mm f/2.8 macro lens for a very good price when I was there....
That's a great lens. Did not buy the M5III?😀
@@mattisulanto No! But very nice and compact camera indeed. Building up lenses now for my newly bought GH5 and GM1.
Do you still get weather sealing when you use Olympus lens on Panasonic body (or vice versa)?
Yes, because the lens it still the same lens whether it's mounted on a Lumix or Olympus.
Thank you, a very informative video!
Thank you!
Since you can get m1 mark ii with 12-40mm f2.8 pro lens for below 1350 euro, then yes it is worth it.
Ok, you all concinced me to use the 12-40 more often. 👍🏼
Thanks!
2014 shots what camera? Great shots...a lens worth a 2nd look! Thanks Matti..
Strange thought to consider if it’s still worth it, considering there isn’t anything that’s better out there. The only other option is the Panasonic version. Also they still sell it new.
The thought came when I got my lens back after many years. I don't know if you saw the first few minutes of the video.
sulantoblog Yes, I watched the entire video. It’s just that the title of the video is a little misleading to me.
@@FoodTechLife Sorry about that.
@@mattisulanto No need to be, just thought it was strange. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers
Off topic, please. Most of your 12mm and 24mm images have a feeling of me being there instead of just looking at a photo. I notice that, especially, in the impact of the shadows and tone of the photo. I don't think see that in long focal lengths photos. I imagine those same effects are bokeh'd out of the picture with longer focal lengths instead of being captured. Am I imagining this or should I expect a better capture respectfully with shorter focal length lenses compare to, for example, a 100mm - 400mm zoom lens? I am in the beginning stages of learning and I only have experience with a 100-400mm lens. Thank you.
Shorter focal lengths give that feeling, because the photographer had to be close to the subject in order to get the photo. Telephoto pictures are taken from a distance usually and therefore the viewer also feels that.
How is it working on Panasonic with DfD? Any disadvantages over the Panasonic 12-35 F2.8?
I haven't compared those two lenses side by side, but in my opinion the Zuiko works just fine. I have to say, thought, that I don't use a lot continuous AF.
His comment that the focal ring only turns in 1 direction is, at least on the Olympus OM-D E 1, Mark 2, wrong. Go to Menu A4, and scrolls down tío “Focal Ring”. Maybe the LUMIX doesn’t have this option???
His comment was about the manual focus when the MF clutch is activated, which is shown in the video too. He doesn't know if that can be changed on Olympus cameras, but if the direction is reversed, the focus scale is useless.
You can change the direction of the focusing ring. At least on Olympus cameras you can, not sure about Panasonic. I own the lens and I would say, that compared with Panasonic lenses I have, this is better for video, because is more manual focus friendly. I like the size, often use it on my little GX80 even and it does not feel oversized. Generally, it's a great all-rounder and the close focusing abilities made me expect that from all lenses, which is not always the case. If I had the ability to change something, I would agree some extra size, for 12-50 focal range. I would probably need no other lens if that was the case.
You can't change the focus ring direction, as far as I can understand. I'm talking about Panasonic, of course.
In my camera it's the Gear icon > A4 > Focus Ring and the direction in which manual focus goes close or further cam be changed. That is EM1 Mk2
Is there a photo you taken from Malaysia? "Mamee"
Yes, there are some pictures from Malaysia in the video.
Looks familiar to me as I'm from Malaysia 😄
Will it work good for vlog? :)
If 12mm is not too narrow, I see no reason why it wouldn't work.
May I ask what is the pipe organ song being used in this video? Kiitos!
It's called Ghost Chase Thriller and it's from RUclips audio library.
Thanks for the prompt respond!
The big question for me is bokeh. Not for stills, but for video, particularly face to camera. I am not keen on F4....
Bokeh is a matter of taste, but generally primes have nicer looking bokeh than zooms. It's also important not to mix up bokeh and depth of field.
@@mattisulanto I am not talking about balls of bokeh, just defocussed areas to separate the subject. Can't really do that at F4.
@@oneeyedphotographer the bokeh is ok, if you zoom in a little... at 12mm, there obviously isn't much bokeh at f 2.8... but around 25mm till 40, its decent... and it looks great, the balls are very round an pleasing to the eye imo ;)
The different direction for zooming in is something that annoys me a bit more than it probably should.
I just bought the EM1 Mark III and to go with it, I bought several lenses including the 12-40 and the 12-100. As of today, I returned the 12-40 because the 12-100 is just a monster. For my use, the difference between f/4 and f/2.8 can be bridged with a longer exposure using the Sync-IS but I'll be goddamned if I said I don't already miss the lens. The size, the optics, the fast aperture, the build all pull on my heart strings but my brain says I don't have a use for it with the 12-100 in my arsenal. Who knows, I might go silly and order it again. LOL
Thanks for sharing.
Like for a great review!
Thanks!
@@mattisulanto You are welcome😀Keep doing a great work!
💪👍
Sell it to me😁. Anyway got this new for discount. Around 500usd
Not for sale😀
I still have the old em5, I'm thinking of getting the em1 mark2 or em5 mark3 or even panasonic. Im not a pro, more of hobbyist. I wanted to switch full frame but i dont want to spend. Plus ive invested a bit in micro 4/3 lenses
It's not the same company 😉 still competitors, so of course they wouldn't make it identical 😊
No lens hood! Whatever next buy a new car without wheels?
hard to find a reason to buy this 1
smartphones have a f-stop of F1.5 to f1.7 (s10+, huawei 30p, iphone 11)
and they have 3 focal lenghts
now going with a f2.8 and this heavy body for almost no more picture quality ?
Millions of people are happy with their phone cameras and that ok.
@@mattisulanto that answer is equal to
= smartphone wins
now a new solution
fix the problems and make those questions better for m43´s
then might the m43´s system is buyed and m43´s can win
carlos mcbride f-stop does not matter as much as lens quality together with sensor size for final picture quality.
@@valdiskrebs566 you right
but a besser iso means a better image quality
what a f-stop actually do
Jesus h. I thought you said you’d shorten the explanation…
Bye
There is a thing called TikTok for quickly consumed content😀
Terrible lens NEVER buy this one