Like most things in life, this lens is an improvement compared to the older version, but the law of diminishing returns means that it is hardly worth upgrading. There are virtually very little absolute improvements in camera hardware these days that justify upgrading for the sake of it. Even 16MP sensors are excellent these days and I get super sharp and virtually noise free images from my EPL6 and EM5ii pared with the 12-40 Pro.
Remain very happy with my 12-40 ( Mk 1)- don't believe there would be any significant improvement with images from the new lens. The original 12-40 2.8 will be remembered as one of the truly great Olympus ( not OMD Systems) lens.
When I went to a camera store to buy a Panasonic Lumix 35mm lens, the current version was Mark II. The salesman explained that there were good reasons to prefer either over the other. The new lens is sharper, the older one had little quirks preferred by filmmakers. A bit like lens flare, some hate it, some add it in post.
Agree. I have the “Mk 1” and am very happy with it. I think if the improvements were substantially better, it may be worth it but for me, I’ll stick with what I have.
For me, that water beading image is a fairly compelling reason for upgrade. I love wet-weather photography, and wet lenses are a bane. Wiping them dry leaves smears. One reason I went to the prime 12 f2.0 was because the front element is much smaller, less droplet catching. I think my iPhone 12 has a similar quality coating. Used it for video content in pouring rain, and it refused to catch droplets that my aforementioned 12 mm did. (Note: I found the low light quality limits of my iPhone, and looking to get a bigger gimbal to use with my EM-1.)
Thanks. I have the 12-45 f4. I would win one stop, but loose 5mm. It does have the manual clutch, which is great, because AF and I do not always agree. However, the present quality is good enough for me as an amateur not to spend so much money on replacement.
Either model is an excellent lens, imo. I will keep my “old” model 1, and am seriously considering the new 40-150mm f/4, as an upgrade. Good choices all around! Spring ahead! Yay! 😊
The 40-150 f4 is probably my favourite lens! Has been an absolutely brilliant performer for me. Did you end up getting a copy? I'm now waiting on the 12-40 f2.8 to arrive tomorrow
Recently bought the PRO I new for $AUS700. Noow wondering whether I should compliment it with an Olympus PRO 40 - 150mm f4 or a Panny-Leica 35 - 100mm f2.8. All ready rejected the Olympus 40 -150mm f2.8 as I feel it is too large for me.
Hi Peter, did you check the lens against the light? The old one is producing some ugly flairs. Is the new one better in this matter? Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪 Alex PS: Thank you for this Video 🙏
I really like your reviews :) one question: If you buy the new om 1 with the new 12-40 f2.8 the lens costs "only" about 600€ (instead of 999€ for the lens only) - would you say it is then more worth to upgrade?
Thanks for your videos. I like them very much. And you can copmmunicate very well with all of us. Congratulationa. But please explain me why you do not use a strap or a belt to hold your cameras in a safe way? Thanks and regards from Barcelona.
Hi Peter great review as usual. Just got my hands on one, and apart from the image quality, I was rather disappointed with the experience. My copy feels really gritty when I zoom in, and the lens barrel wobbles when extended. Has anyone else found this, or maybe I am being picky? Just doesn’t feel like a 1000 euro lens imho, even though I picked it up for 700 euro, from Amazon.
Based largely on your recommendation I purchased a Version 1 (used). You mentioned that the lens isn't something sexy and special. Would you give an example of what you called sexy and special for mft. TIA
Thanks for doing this! I owned the original for a short time but sold it because it was bigger than I was comfortable carrying, but, bought the OM-1 with this KIT because it doesn't seem there are going to be smaller lenses lol I really interested to see if this has a change with visible in high res mode. The version 1 was good and sharp but didn't look as good when using high res if i remember correctly. But that was a long time ago at this point I could be remembering wrong.
Hi Peter, thanks for your video. Just one question - can you use the 12-40/2.8 PRO Mk. I optical module in DXO Photolab with this new lens or does it require its own module and we have to wait for it?
Thinking about this lens for use with a G9 to make some business videos. The lighting conditions tend to be less than ideal and variable available light. The main reason to consider it vs the similar range Panasonic is that the auto aperture steps on the P might be too coarse. Does this lens have a more step less design? Thanks
If I understood you correctly you are asking about the aperture ring? It does not have one. Aperture is controlled from camera body. It is not stepless.
Thank you. I need to spend more time thinking about how this will behave on a G9. Taking short business videos under highly variable available light. Especially related to pulsing effects from the aperture stepp.
I bought my copy used for about € 450 years ago. Best and most used lens I ever had and I see no reason tu upgrade. I would probably not notice any difference anyway. Still, it was due for an upgrade. I am however interested in the 40-150 f4.
I write a script that I sometimes follow. Usually, the things that I say are written down, but I never say them exactly the way wrote them. the written script is more like a guideline.
I didn’t buy generation I of this lens because I couldn’t afford to shell out $1,000 but you can save $400 if you buy this lens as a combo with the new OM-1 so there goes my credit card. Thanks for the review 👍
Hi Peter, great video as always, but I think you have missed the point of this new 12-40 ƒ2.8 Pro lens upgrade. You haven't mentioned at all the improved waterproof rating of this lens together with the OM-1. I owe the mk1 version of this lens and together with the 40-150 ƒ2.8 pro have been my go to lenses for years now. I say that the offer that is on now, OM-1 + 12-40 ƒ2.8 Pro mk2 + battery + 5 years warranty + payable in 12 months and 0 interests, is a great opportunity to revamp my kit. I can sell the em1 mk2 + HLD9 Handgrip + 12-40ƒ 2.8 + 3 batteries for a decent sum, in exchange of something completely new. Of course! Some said "keep your old kit and spend the money in travelling", which is a great piece of advice, but if the em1 mk2 starts to show its age, I have no doubts that I will order it.
I've used the predecessor for 31 % of my pictures. If I take in account, that the next most-used lenses are the 60mm macro and the 100-400 zoom, which I often use with serial shooting (focus bracketin or ProCapture), it is actually even more. The coatings can make a difference (as they clearly did with the Panaleica 25mm), but what I get from your reviews, an upgrade is not really worth the money. There is only one thing I really dislike on the old version: it's flare! Shooting against the sun is really a problem and hard to fix in post. Is the new lens besser in this regard?
According to DPReview "Olympus says the addition of ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) Coating will better eliminate ghosting and flares and should improve image quality in backlit conditions."
I have no use for this lens, but I could not help but notice there is a massive saving to be made in purchasing it with an OM1 as a kit. I think the saving on the lens is about £400 over the price of purchasing it as a seperate item. I own a 14 - 150mm mark II, which I think of as a party lens, because that is all I use it for. It will be interesting to see how it performs when my OM1's arrive.
A rather late comment. As a past and very happy 😊 owner of the film based OM1, after some years' away from Olympus ( or OMSystems), the excellent imaging qualities of the superseded version rekindled my interest in Olympus,as it then was. I purchased 2 mint silver Pen Fs, and a lower end OMD body. The lens has produced excellent results and, I suspect like many others, I see no valid reason to purchase the new version. Far better to concentrate on my technique, than purchasing a new lens I simply do not need.
Surprised how OMD introduced this lens; they could have added a built in image stabilisation like the 40-100 F4 that would help in Video Photography, and get sharper images. Anyway, if someone does not have the previous lens than it would be better to get this one with better weather sealing and extra flourine coating.
It's simply an update of an old lens, the first Pro lens by Olympus! I'm just surprised at the emotions and comments raised simply because it was updated to be a better match for the OM-1 camera and beyond.
It is a pity that OM Solutions did not think about the consumers that allready have a long relationship with Olympus and did couple this lens to the OM-1 instead of the new 40-150mm ...! I heard that would be difficult to couple these different choices in the proces . But i do not agree ... because the lenses could have send seperately . A missed opportunity I think.
Bundled with the om1 has a really nice price but I decided to change my order. For my wallet, the om1 is more than enough. The new version has ip53 but I have never had a problem with the old one. I would like to have a new fluorine coating on my 8mm 1.8pro.I am curious how the new version behaves under heavy light. The old 12-40 and 40-150 2.8 are not the best in this aspect. They lose much more contrast than, for example, 300f4. Fortunately, there is not that much light in Denmark 😉
That is some ugly weather there. Have you done comparison between this lens and the 12-40mm F4.0 lens? Do you have a preference and can discern quality in images between these two?
Like most things in life, this lens is an improvement compared to the older version, but the law of diminishing returns means that it is hardly worth upgrading. There are virtually very little absolute improvements in camera hardware these days that justify upgrading for the sake of it. Even 16MP sensors are excellent these days and I get super sharp and virtually noise free images from my EPL6 and EM5ii pared with the 12-40 Pro.
Remain very happy with my 12-40 ( Mk 1)- don't believe there would be any significant improvement with images from the new lens.
The original 12-40 2.8 will be remembered as one of the truly great Olympus ( not OMD Systems) lens.
When I went to a camera store to buy a Panasonic Lumix 35mm lens, the current version was Mark II. The salesman explained that there were good reasons to prefer either over the other. The new lens is sharper, the older one had little quirks preferred by filmmakers.
A bit like lens flare, some hate it, some add it in post.
Agree. I have the “Mk 1” and am very happy with it. I think if the improvements were substantially better, it may be worth it but for me, I’ll stick with what I have.
Lol...you made me laugh..."getting slightly cold here", as the seawater freezes behind you!! Love your videos!!
Thanks Peter.
For me, that water beading image is a fairly compelling reason for upgrade.
I love wet-weather photography, and wet lenses are a bane.
Wiping them dry leaves smears.
One reason I went to the prime 12 f2.0 was because the front element is much smaller, less droplet catching.
I think my iPhone 12 has a similar quality coating. Used it for video content in pouring rain, and it refused to catch droplets that my aforementioned 12 mm did.
(Note: I found the low light quality limits of my iPhone, and looking to get a bigger gimbal to use with my EM-1.)
Hi Peter when you order the 12-40 pro 2 with the Om 1 as I have done, you only pay Euro 600 for the lens as a maximum in Europe.
Yes the bundle is a good deal.
Congratulation on ordering 2 OM1s. I feel like I need three but can only afford 1 for now. Perhaps a second body later this year can happen.
I still do some of my pro work with E-M1 MKII. I think it was time.
I'm seeing some nice looking 12-40/2.8 mark one used models on sale in nice condition plus one new old stock one. Tempted.
A good summation of the new lens. One point - fluorine not flourine
- surely?
Cool waves, definitely something for videographers.
Thanks. I have the 12-45 f4. I would win one stop, but loose 5mm. It does have the manual clutch, which is great, because AF and I do not always agree. However, the present quality is good enough for me as an amateur not to spend so much money on replacement.
Either model is an excellent lens, imo. I will keep my “old” model 1, and am seriously considering the new 40-150mm f/4, as an upgrade. Good choices all around! Spring ahead! Yay! 😊
The 40-150 f4 is probably my favourite lens! Has been an absolutely brilliant performer for me. Did you end up getting a copy? I'm now waiting on the 12-40 f2.8 to arrive tomorrow
This has been great news for those of us looking at the version 1 lens - I can now purchase the original for just under $600 USD such a bargain.
Recently bought the PRO I new for $AUS700. Noow wondering whether I should compliment it with an Olympus PRO 40 - 150mm f4 or a Panny-Leica 35 - 100mm f2.8. All ready rejected the Olympus 40 -150mm f2.8 as I feel it is too large for me.
Hi Peter, did you check the lens against the light? The old one is producing some ugly flairs.
Is the new one better in this matter?
Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪 Alex PS: Thank you for this Video 🙏
I really like your reviews :) one question: If you buy the new om 1 with the new 12-40 f2.8 the lens costs "only" about 600€ (instead of 999€ for the lens only) - would you say it is then more worth to upgrade?
It depends on what you have now. If you do not have a 12-40mm f2.8 Prp lens yet, it is.
You left out one of most important aspects of a lens: How quiet is it during autofocus? Noisy? Silent? Somewhere in the middle?
It is quiet.
So far I only knew 2 Olympus Visionary left. You and Jimmy. Is the anymore?
I really love the look of those B/W images. Are they out of the camera Jpeg (which settings?), or processed Raw files?
Thanks, I always process my images.
Thanks for your videos. I like them very much. And you can copmmunicate very well with all of us. Congratulationa. But please explain me why you do not use a strap or a belt to hold your cameras in a safe way? Thanks and regards from Barcelona.
I sometimes have the Peak Design wrist strap, but have not used neck straps for years. I am not sure why I have that habit.
Hi Peter great review as usual.
Just got my hands on one, and apart from the image quality, I was rather disappointed with the experience.
My copy feels really gritty when I zoom in, and the lens barrel wobbles when extended.
Has anyone else found this, or maybe I am being picky?
Just doesn’t feel like a 1000 euro lens imho, even though I picked it up for 700 euro, from Amazon.
You have the newer version? Was it new or used. I have not had that problem so there might me something broken.
Based largely on your recommendation I purchased a Version 1 (used). You mentioned that the lens isn't something sexy and special. Would you give an example of what you called sexy and special for mft. TIA
This lens is the everyday work horse. I would say that Pen-F with a 17mm F1.8 is quite sexy.
Thanks for doing this! I owned the original for a short time but sold it because it was bigger than I was comfortable carrying, but, bought the OM-1 with this KIT because it doesn't seem there are going to be smaller lenses lol I really interested to see if this has a change with visible in high res mode. The version 1 was good and sharp but didn't look as good when using high res if i remember correctly. But that was a long time ago at this point I could be remembering wrong.
This most likely is slightly better. The coating makes wonders in many ways.
@@ForsgardPeter ah that’s great! Can’t wait to get mine! It’s delayed a bit where I’m at.
Thanks, Peter, wise advice as always.
Thanks.
Does it have stabilization? does it pair with the camera stabilizer and work together like on Lumix?
It does not have IS. The IBIS is quite effective and this type of lens does not need IS.
Sir I am planning to upgrade G7 To G9 Any Suggestions From your end. Currently Using Samyang 7.5 MM Fisheye with G7.
Hi Peter, thanks for your video. Just one question - can you use the 12-40/2.8 PRO Mk. I optical module in DXO Photolab with this new lens or does it require its own module and we have to wait for it?
Yes it uses the module from the older version.
@@ForsgardPeter Thank You, Peter!
Thinking about this lens for use with a G9 to make some business videos. The lighting conditions tend to be less than ideal and variable available light.
The main reason to consider it vs the similar range Panasonic is that the auto aperture steps on the P might be too coarse.
Does this lens have a more step less design?
Thanks
If I understood you correctly you are asking about the aperture ring? It does not have one. Aperture is controlled from camera body. It is not stepless.
Thank you. I need to spend more time thinking about how this will behave on a G9. Taking short business videos under highly variable available light. Especially related to pulsing effects from the aperture stepp.
I bought my copy used for about € 450 years ago. Best and most used lens I ever had and I see no reason tu upgrade. I would probably not notice any difference anyway. Still, it was due for an upgrade. I am however interested in the 40-150 f4.
Can you fit any filters to the front? Thanks for the review.
Yes you can! The filter size is 62mm.
How do you make a video? Do you wright a script? Do you use a teleprompter?
I write a script that I sometimes follow. Usually, the things that I say are written down, but I never say them exactly the way wrote them. the written script is more like a guideline.
Is the aperture still continuous?
Yes it is F2.8 all the way.
I didn’t buy generation I of this lens because I couldn’t afford to shell out $1,000 but you can save $400 if you buy this lens as a combo with the new OM-1 so there goes my credit card. Thanks for the review 👍
Are both lenses weather sealed then?
Yes they are.
Maybe we can thank Olympus for driving down the used price of the first generation lens. Excuse me OM Systems!
Hi Peter, great video as always, but I think you have missed the point of this new 12-40 ƒ2.8 Pro lens upgrade. You haven't mentioned at all the improved waterproof rating of this lens together with the OM-1. I owe the mk1 version of this lens and together with the 40-150 ƒ2.8 pro have been my go to lenses for years now. I say that the offer that is on now, OM-1 + 12-40 ƒ2.8 Pro mk2 + battery + 5 years warranty + payable in 12 months and 0 interests, is a great opportunity to revamp my kit. I can sell the em1 mk2 + HLD9 Handgrip + 12-40ƒ 2.8 + 3 batteries for a decent sum, in exchange of something completely new. Of course! Some said "keep your old kit and spend the money in travelling", which is a great piece of advice, but if the em1 mk2 starts to show its age, I have no doubts that I will order it.
You are right, it has better weather sealing than he previous version.
I've used the predecessor for 31 % of my pictures. If I take in account, that the next most-used lenses are the 60mm macro and the 100-400 zoom, which I often use with serial shooting (focus bracketin or ProCapture), it is actually even more. The coatings can make a difference (as they clearly did with the Panaleica 25mm), but what I get from your reviews, an upgrade is not really worth the money. There is only one thing I really dislike on the old version: it's flare! Shooting against the sun is really a problem and hard to fix in post. Is the new lens besser in this regard?
According to DPReview "Olympus says the addition of ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) Coating will better eliminate ghosting and flares and should improve image quality in backlit conditions."
How can I tell the difference between the older model of this lens with the newer model?
The new model has marking II.
I'm thinking the main reason they released this lens is the new branding, so they can sell kits with only one brand.
I have no use for this lens, but I could not help but notice there is a massive saving to be made in purchasing it with an OM1 as a kit. I think the saving on the lens is about £400 over the price of purchasing it as a seperate item. I own a 14 - 150mm mark II, which I think of as a party lens, because that is all I use it for. It will be interesting to see how it performs when my OM1's arrive.
And what about the autofocus is faster and quieter than in previous version?
There is no difference that I noticed.
A rather late comment.
As a past and very happy 😊 owner of the film based OM1, after some years' away from Olympus ( or OMSystems), the excellent imaging qualities of the superseded version rekindled my interest in Olympus,as it then was.
I purchased 2 mint silver Pen Fs, and a lower end OMD body. The lens has produced excellent results and, I suspect like many others, I see no valid reason to purchase the new version.
Far better to concentrate on my technique, than purchasing a new lens I simply do not need.
Thanks for sharing!
Is the focus linear where you can pull focus?
I have to check that. I did not check it.
An opportunity for OM Systems to literally brand the company’s new direction on a pro (sometimes bundled) lens.
Surprised how OMD introduced this lens; they could have added a built in image stabilisation like the 40-100 F4 that would help in Video Photography, and get sharper images. Anyway, if someone does not have the previous lens than it would be better to get this one with better weather sealing and extra flourine coating.
It's simply an update of an old lens, the first Pro lens by Olympus! I'm just surprised at the emotions and comments raised simply because it was updated to be a better match for the OM-1 camera and beyond.
It is a pity that OM Solutions did not think about the consumers that allready have a long relationship with Olympus and did couple this lens to the OM-1 instead of the new 40-150mm ...! I heard that would be difficult to couple these different choices in the proces . But i do not agree ... because the lenses could have send seperately . A missed opportunity I think.
Bundled with the om1 has a really nice price but I decided to change my order. For my wallet, the om1 is more than enough. The new version has ip53 but I have never had a problem with the old one. I would like to have a new fluorine coating on my 8mm 1.8pro.I am curious how the new version behaves under heavy light. The old 12-40 and 40-150 2.8 are not the best in this aspect. They lose much more contrast than, for example, 300f4. Fortunately, there is not that much light in Denmark 😉
That is some ugly weather there.
Have you done comparison between this lens and the 12-40mm F4.0 lens? Do you have a preference and can discern quality in images between these two?
You mean 12-45mmF4? Here are some tests: ruclips.net/video/N5X_8TpOX38/видео.html
And again, why no clutch at the new 40-150mm ? It's a pro lens ...
No idea. maybe it was about the cost and size?
What they SHOULD have done: reduce to f2.4 as starting aperture - or even 2.0. WE ALL WANT A f2.0 or f2.4 LINE! More light at night ;-)
You have 2 om-1
1 for you and one for me
👌👍👍🙏
👋🙋
They should focus on updating faulty lenses like the 9-18mm that will stop functioning after some years.
I've just bought the first version instead due to its cheaper price.
I hardly use my 12-40. 99% of my photography is with the Pan/Leica 100-400mm.
You could have gone for a nice swim at 3:06
For me is not enough to change from the old one