I have owned this lens for over 7 years now and it is my go to lens. I have not had a problem with my lens cap in fact it is a very sturdy cap. I would recommend this lens to any mft user.
I had a problem with the lens cap...I lost it and didn't like the replacement price 🙂 Great lens. The hood is another issue, due to the use of double sided tape in assembly giving out. I fixed mine.
it's the lens version of a Lexus, it's really, really good. Like a Lexus not any one area shouts "awesome". It will capture what the photographer wants and is capable of but you will never feel like it's a BMW (but can hold it's own in a race, maybe even do better in some cases). That's a quality of it's own really. Funny enough, mine certainly is objectively better than my old Zuiko SMD 12-60 2.8-4 with MMF3 for use with MFT, but the extra range and less clinical rendering of that lens makes me enjoy shooting it more.
I'm actually aiming for it now, especially after my photo trip to the Faroe Islands. Had to switch between 3 lenses all the time. So now I'm trying to see if I can trade a prime to the 12-40mm. So I'll have all day zoom, macro prime and tele zoom
I always had Nikon film SLR / Full frame DSLR, but got tired of hauling the large lenses around. This lens seems a gem, it is mall but yet offers f2.8 for low light exposures. I know depth of field is wider and background less blurry, but that is a compromise I happily take. If it is even a compromise. The camera and lens are so light and compact that it invites to take shots from very creative angles. Sounds like an excellent all round lens.
Thanks for your thoughts on the 12-40 f2.8. This was my first lens I bought with the EM5MII and I used it all the time, because it's small and relatively fast. Your statement of the lens cap surprised me. Mine came with a pretty solid one. Felt more than magnesia-alloy than plastics. I'm my case I've almost replaced it with the 12-100 f4. However on the last trip I really missed the f2.8... I will keep it as lens for hiking because of robustness, weight and speed.
I’m hearing the same from others about the lens cap Marius. It migh just be me I guess :). I find these lens caps used on the 12-40mm and 25mm f/1.2 (and I pressume other 62mm thread size Oly lenses) come of much easier that the caps of the small 46mm thread one (and certainly so than the Panasonic ones that feel more robust and sit tighter on the lens). My solution is to just always have a lens hood on in my bag so that nothing can bump against those areas where you press them to unlock, because that’s where I guess the issue is. But again, not something many seem to recognize I guess. Fortunately! :).
I lost my lens cap and like you I never felt it fitted securely. I bought a genuine replacement and that fits a lot better, so maybe some minor retooling fixed the problem. As for the hood, mine fell apart. Luckily not enough to lose the internal parts. I fully dissembled it and found the issue was that it was held together with double sided tape. Time and heat had probably affected it. Re-assembling with carefully placed glue fixed that.
That was my first pro lens. I almost never used it. Always thought it was too heavy for its speed and range. I've moved to the f4s zooms and fast primes
@@KyleGustafson1986Interesting! For me, it was always rather too little reach with the 12-40mm. The 12-100mm f/4 has nearly replaced it for me now even though it is bigger. But f/4 is often a bit too slow, now I always have to take a faster prime like the 20mm f/1.4 with me for when there is little light. But will I sell it? The collector in me says no… 😂
@@nickguzman1734 everyone had their own method. I didn't find the 12-40 convenient because I didn't find it excelled at anything. It's an interchangable lens system after all. Also, I don't tend to carry both zooms, but I have no problem carrying one of them with a fast prime
This is an outstanding lens in all focal lengths from wide open to about F9, where the effects of diffraction start to show. Olympus excelled themselves when they designed this lens. The cap attaches securly onto the lens, less so if there is a filter attached, though. The lenshood is just about useless, as with all these petal shaped hoods that only cover the widest end of the zoom range. The best implementation of an effective lenshood for a zoom lens is the one on the Nikkor AFS-ED 17~55 F2.8, where the deep lenshood remains stationary but the barrel moves in and out wothin the lenshood. Here, due to the special design of the lens the amount of movement is rather small.
Haha I don’t know if that’s good or bad but it sounds like a series I’d be interested in (making)😄. I do find there’s a big difference in lens caps, overall quality, how well they stay on, etc. And as much as I love Olympus/OM System, it’s not generally something they do well.
Honestly not sure any camera manufacturer does lens caps well. Tamron, on the other hand, makes very robust center pinch lens caps that actually stay on.
That would be great though! I just got the 12-40 f2.8, and I've already almost damaged the glass with the stupid lens cap it comes with. Your video is reminding me that I actively need to look for a replacement...
I use the 12-40mm F2.8 PRO for 99% of all my shoots - from architectural to corporate lifestyle - awesome lens and as sharp for me as the 12mm F2. But I agree with you 100% regarding the lens cap & hood! 😁😄
Very nice Review, but I don't use the MFT system anymore coz it makes me lose the DOF perspective I accumulated from my days with 35mm film cameras. For me, my perfect lens for what I do is the Canon 28-135 3.5-5.6 USM IS. It gives me the wide angle perspective I want and the proper DOF, and the tele gives me the lengths I use for portrait, and that's it for my serious photography. I don't get that with MTF although I have that system for snapshots when I need to travel light or to let someone else use my equipment.
keep it going with the olympus and MFT stuff brother!! loving it. we need some high quality reviews about it!!
I have owned this lens for over 7 years now and it is my go to lens. I have not had a problem with my lens cap in fact it is a very sturdy cap. I would recommend this lens to any mft user.
I had a problem with the lens cap...I lost it and didn't like the replacement price 🙂 Great lens. The hood is another issue, due to the use of double sided tape in assembly giving out. I fixed mine.
My lens cap fell off and broke. It sucks. But the lens is beautiful 🤩
it's the lens version of a Lexus, it's really, really good. Like a Lexus not any one area shouts "awesome". It will capture what the photographer wants and is capable of but you will never feel like it's a BMW (but can hold it's own in a race, maybe even do better in some cases). That's a quality of it's own really. Funny enough, mine certainly is objectively better than my old Zuiko SMD 12-60 2.8-4 with MMF3 for use with MFT, but the extra range and less clinical rendering of that lens makes me enjoy shooting it more.
Great lens. The first lens I bought (used) when I got into Oly MFT a few months ago.
same here
Haven’t used a lens cap in 20 years. But I bought this lens the day it was available in 2013. A truly special lens.
I totally agree with you about the lens cap.
This is my go to event lens. Whenever a birthday of the kids or similar occaision is happening I put this lens on. Therefore it is perfect.
I had an Olympus with that lens, and I will say is one of the sharpest lenses I have ever used. Buy it.
I'm actually aiming for it now, especially after my photo trip to the Faroe Islands. Had to switch between 3 lenses all the time. So now I'm trying to see if I can trade a prime to the 12-40mm. So I'll have all day zoom, macro prime and tele zoom
Wow, the Faroe Islands! Must’ve been an amazing phototrip? Which lenses did you shoot there?
never had problem with this lens hood, in fact one of the best hoods i have ever used
Overall one of the best zoom lens made for m43 system🥇
I always had Nikon film SLR / Full frame DSLR, but got tired of hauling the large lenses around. This lens seems a gem, it is mall but yet offers f2.8 for low light exposures. I know depth of field is wider and background less blurry, but that is a compromise I happily take. If it is even a compromise. The camera and lens are so light and compact that it invites to take shots from very creative angles. Sounds like an excellent all round lens.
Thanks for your thoughts on the 12-40 f2.8.
This was my first lens I bought with the EM5MII and I used it all the time, because it's small and relatively fast. Your statement of the lens cap surprised me. Mine came with a pretty solid one. Felt more than magnesia-alloy than plastics.
I'm my case I've almost replaced it with the 12-100 f4. However on the last trip I really missed the f2.8... I will keep it as lens for hiking because of robustness, weight and speed.
I’m hearing the same from others about the lens cap Marius. It migh just be me I guess :). I find these lens caps used on the 12-40mm and 25mm f/1.2 (and I pressume other 62mm thread size Oly lenses) come of much easier that the caps of the small 46mm thread one (and certainly so than the Panasonic ones that feel more robust and sit tighter on the lens). My solution is to just always have a lens hood on in my bag so that nothing can bump against those areas where you press them to unlock, because that’s where I guess the issue is. But again, not something many seem to recognize I guess. Fortunately! :).
Pro lens. Got one on my 5iii. But, a 45mm 1.8 and a couple other primes are much better for travel, street work. The 12-40 is a heavy pro lens.
Nice Olivetti!!
I lost my lens cap and like you I never felt it fitted securely. I bought a genuine replacement and that fits a lot better, so maybe some minor retooling fixed the problem. As for the hood, mine fell apart. Luckily not enough to lose the internal parts. I fully dissembled it and found the issue was that it was held together with double sided tape. Time and heat had probably affected it. Re-assembling with carefully placed glue fixed that.
from factory or someone else's prior fixup?
That was my first pro lens. I almost never used it. Always thought it was too heavy for its speed and range. I've moved to the f4s zooms and fast primes
Interesting! What’s the f4 zoom you like using instead?
@@bartjanverhoef 8-25 replaced the 7-14, 12-45 replaced the 12-40. The 12-45 is so wonderfully small and both those f4s do inedible close ups
@@KyleGustafson1986Interesting! For me, it was always rather too little reach with the 12-40mm. The 12-100mm f/4 has nearly replaced it for me now even though it is bigger. But f/4 is often a bit too slow, now I always have to take a faster prime like the 20mm f/1.4 with me for when there is little light. But will I sell it? The collector in me says no… 😂
There's no way the weight of 2+ lenses beat out the convenience and weight of a single lens
@@nickguzman1734 everyone had their own method. I didn't find the 12-40 convenient because I didn't find it excelled at anything. It's an interchangable lens system after all. Also, I don't tend to carry both zooms, but I have no problem carrying one of them with a fast prime
Fantastic lens. It's my workhorse and on my camera 80% of the time.
Nice review! Could you tell me the name of the lofi song at the start? Thanks
Super versatile and great for events.
This is an outstanding lens in all focal lengths from wide open to about F9, where the effects of diffraction start to show. Olympus excelled themselves when they designed this lens. The cap attaches securly onto the lens, less so if there is a filter attached, though. The lenshood is just about useless, as with all these petal shaped hoods that only cover the widest end of the zoom range. The best implementation of an effective lenshood for a zoom lens is the one on the Nikkor AFS-ED 17~55 F2.8, where the deep lenshood remains stationary but the barrel moves in and out wothin the lenshood. Here, due to the special design of the lens the amount of movement is rather small.
I spent 900€ for this and a Panasonic g9, best buy
This channel is getting awfully close to becoming a lens cap review channel
Haha I don’t know if that’s good or bad but it sounds like a series I’d be interested in (making)😄. I do find there’s a big difference in lens caps, overall quality, how well they stay on, etc. And as much as I love Olympus/OM System, it’s not generally something they do well.
Honestly not sure any camera manufacturer does lens caps well. Tamron, on the other hand, makes very robust center pinch lens caps that actually stay on.
That would be great though! I just got the 12-40 f2.8, and I've already almost damaged the glass with the stupid lens cap it comes with. Your video is reminding me that I actively need to look for a replacement...
😊 crecemos y cambiemos 😅
It’s the best and most useful lens I own.
Best lens for the allround specialist.
I use the 12-40mm F2.8 PRO for 99% of all my shoots - from architectural to corporate lifestyle - awesome lens and as sharp for me as the 12mm F2.
But I agree with you 100% regarding the lens cap & hood! 😁😄
Finally someone who agrees!😅
@@bartjanverhoef 😂
Very nice Review, but I don't use the MFT system anymore coz it makes me lose the DOF perspective I accumulated from my days with 35mm film cameras. For me, my perfect lens for what I do is the Canon 28-135 3.5-5.6 USM IS. It gives me the wide angle perspective I want and the proper DOF, and the tele gives me the lengths I use for portrait, and that's it for my serious photography. I don't get that with MTF although I have that system for snapshots when I need to travel light or to let someone else use my equipment.