Query from possible new entrant to EM-5 world

timo · Nov 19, 2013

northcoastgreg said:
In short, resolution is not a problem with the 12-50 (assuming you have a good copy). I suspect it's the best variable aperture standard zoom lens for m43. It has better color rendition and microcontrast than the Panny 14-45; it's a tad sharper than either of the Olympus 14-42s. Comparing it to Pentax glass, I would say it's about on par with the DA 16-45 and clearly better than either of the DA 18-55s.

northcoastgreg said:
Obviously the Oly 12-40 would be an even better choice, assuming you could afford it and didn't mind the extra weight.

Thanks Greg. I think based on your and other feedback the 12-50 may be the way to go, initially at any rate. As to the 12-40, I think I do mind the extra price and weight - I must just as well go on using the K5 (or the K-x that is sitting in my dry box).

timo · Nov 19, 2013

lester11 said:
I backed out of a K5 system when the E-M5 came out, smaller, lighter, same IQ, similarly weather-proofed. Found it nailed focus better, less noise at high ISO, and better all-round quality control of gear. (Not so good on the ergonomics, though, and no control over the ramp up of auto ISO which I used continuously on the K5 to get the balance I wanted for particular situations.) Sadly, no equivalent of the excellent Pentax support Web sites in Oly land. Closest are

http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showcat.php/cat/2

http://www.lenstip.com/Main_page

I run the kit Oly 12-50 when its wet outdoors, gotta have it. Otherwise the 14-150 lives on the E-M5 95% of the time, plenty good enough for (diagonal) 50" canvas or 20" photo paper prints, instant focus, great flexibility in range.

Art_P · Nov 19, 2013

If you're going for the E-M5, definitely get it w the 12-50, this way you'll have one weather sealed lens, and it has a nice range. Not a spectacular lens, but it's 'good enough' at a lot of things.

The 12-40 is an excellent lens, but if you are going for small, might not be your first choice...

I compared it to the 12-60, my favorite 4/3 lens and it's smaller and lighter than that lens, but the Panny 12-35 saves you about 80 grams and 10mm in length over the 12-40.

Pbvascon2 · Nov 20, 2013

wilsonc said:
The 12-50mm isn't a bad zoom given its price. One would have to stop down to f5.6-f8 to get good sharpness. Its corners would never get razor sharp, but a little PP can do wonders.

I second this remark. The 12-50mm has gotten a lot of bad press but it is in my opinion a good travel lens/landscape. I would complement with a fast prime like the 20mm or 17mm and be happy traveling light. Yes, there are better zooms but they are also heavier and more expensive or have less range.

I recently did a landscape workshop and took it together with the ZD 11-22mm and MZD 40-150mm. I ended up using the 12-50mm the most because of its versatility, the 11-22mm second and 40-150mm the least. No doubt the 11-22mm is better than the 12-50mm in the overlapping range, but the difference is not night and day if close down to f8. I would definitely mix images from both and you would not pick them out without careful pixel-peeping.

Regards,

Pedro

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Query from possible new entrant to EM-5 world

timo

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timo

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Art_P

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Pbvascon2

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