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Do you still need prime lenses if you have the Olympus 12-40/2.8?

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I have the 12-40 and 17, 45 and 75 in primes and agree that it depends on your style of shooting. I use my camera a lot at functions where I need to capture candids of adults and children with movement. I find the zoom to be extremely helpful in this type of situation. But for landscapes, street , portraits or low light I like to use primes. For me having both is valuable.
 
My opinion is that for low light/portrait I prefer primes. If I want to take photos during the day than I can use a zoom for convenience. Primes are smaller. An EM5 with 14mm panasonic can fit in a jacket pocket. The Panasonic 25 is 1.4. That's obviously a lot faster than 2.8. At home I only use the 25 1.4. Then there are the lenses outside of your focal length like the Samyang 7.5 fisheye or the Olympus 75 1.8. The olympus 75 is incredible as is the Panasonic 25 1.4.
 
The Oly 12-40 gets a little soft on the longer end of the zoom range, so, if you want ultra sharp at higher zooms you will need to get a prime like the Oly 45mm 1.8, 75mm 1.8 or the way too underrated but epic Sigma 60mm 2.8.
 
Moti said:
That depends on your needs and the category you belong.

Many primes are very fast compared to zoom lenses so people who need good low light performance, would find primes more useful.

Primes can be also useful for people who look for a shallower DOF due to the wider aperture.

Most primes are smaller than zoom lenses, which can be an important factor for some people especially when coupled with small bodies such as m4/3.

Some people believe that some prime lenses may have a special "character" which is appealing, but this is very personal and not everyone can see it.

And last, for some people it is an ego trip - Hey look at me, I'm a great photographer, I use only primes...

CheersMoti
Click to expand...
 
To answer the OP's specific question, one does not "need" the 3 primes he has suggested if one has the 12-40.

However, I have both the 17mm 1.8, and the 45mm 1.8, which I purchased before getting the 12-40mm. I still can't decide if I should have done things differently. The small primes just fit the EM-1 so nicely, and take beautiful pictures. They play up the advantages of the m4/3 system.

The 12-40mm definitely makes the EM-1 seem like a bigger camera, although even it is perfectly wearable around the neck for casual shooting. It is a great all-round lens, though coming from the 4/3 12-60mm I find the 40 long end a little restrictive.

I suppose like most others, I find the primes useful in lower light, indoor use, and when I just feel like having that thin depth of field.

The 12-40 is dynamite sharp, and I felt the 12mm 2.0 was not quite good enough to justify its relatively high price, although I love wider shots.

Bottom line, I couldn't argue with those who have several primes, or those who have the good zooms. Or those that have both ;)

As a 4/3 user, my go-to lenses were the 12-60 and the 50-200. I have the 50 F2 prime but do not use it much. Now that I have the small primes, I find that I use them as often, probably more, than the 12-40mm. Interesting...
 
Guy Parsons said:
The too obvious comment is that some brains can handle the extra strain, others can't. :-)

Regards... Guy, happily zoomified
Click to expand...
Made me GRIN.

8)
 
f2.8 would be a great aperture on a FF camera and acceptable on 1.5 crop providing greater DoF control and low light possibilities. On m43, f2.8 is jack of all trades.
- in daylight, f2.8 is advantageous for sports to keep shutter speed up - but m43 still has ways to go for serious sports photography where pdaf is king
- with commonly used daylight apertures, I much rather use one of the excellent compact Panasonic zooms: 12-32, 14-42 II or 14-140 II (my choice). In particular, the new 14-140 II is extraordinary compact and provides far greater photographic possibilities than 12-40 due to focal range. It's a technological marvel with colors, contrast and sharpness up there with the best of m43 primes. You won't see a difference in typical use in terms of IQ.
- for low light, PL25 is far superior than 12-40 zoom.

conclusion: IMO, a daylight zoom (see 3 options above) + nighttime prime is a perfect two lens solution for a light m43 kit. This way you get advantage of both size and low light.
M43 system need f1.8 zoom like the one Sigma recently released for other systems.
 
And this doesn't mean that the 12-40mm f/2.8 isn't an outstanding lens. It is the absolute best lens you could own if you only had one lens.

But here are the reasons you might still want a prime lens to go with your outstanding normal zoom lens:
  • The 45mm f/1.8 and the 42.5mm f/1.2 are better portrait lenses
  • The 45mm f/2.8 and the 60mm f/2.8 are better macro lenses
  • All of the f/1.2, f/1.4. f/1.7 and f/1.8 lenses are better low light lenses
  • The 12-32mm and the 14-42mm EZ are better as compact walk around lenses
  • The 75mm f/1.8 is better when you need a fast lens with more reach
  • The 14mm f/2.5 and 17mm f/2.8 are better if you want a pocketable kit.
  • The 17mm f/1.8 might be a better choice for street shooting
  • The 12mm f/2.0 might be better for architectural photography
See my point?

There is a reason you bought an ILC. If you didn't want to ever change lenses, then the Canon G1X II would have made much more sense.
 
If you are into street phograpy primes are less intrusive, faster , ligther than a zoom. If you usually shoot from the hip , at least for me the zoom is unuseable
 
Alexsfo said:
f2.8 would be a great aperture on a FF camera and acceptable on 1.5 crop providing greater DoF control and low light possibilities. On m43, f2.8 is jack of all trades.
- in daylight, f2.8 is advantageous for sports to keep shutter speed up - but m43 still has ways to go for serious sports photography where pdaf is king
- with commonly used daylight apertures, I much rather use one of the excellent compact Panasonic zooms: 12-32, 14-42 II or 14-140 II (my choice). In particular, the new 14-140 II is extraordinary compact and provides far greater photographic possibilities than 12-40 due to focal range. It's a technological marvel with colors, contrast and sharpness up there with the best of m43 primes. You won't see a difference in typical use in terms of IQ.
  • for low light, PL25 is far superior than 12-40 zoom.
Click to expand...
That is like saying that a sports car is far superior than a truck.
Two different tools for different useage.

Moti
 
mix users of primes and good zoom. I read all the responses and weighed the pros and cons of both sides. As I mentioned, I already have the EM-5 and was looking at the 12-40/2.8 before I posted the question. Considering the price of the 12/2.0, 17/1.8 and 45/1.8 is over $1K is the reason I was looking at the $999.00 12-40. I can add a few $$ and can get another body as a back up for my EM-5. I would like to get the 17/1.8 sooner as my low-light lens. I can deal with the 2.8 and just increase the ISO for indoors and low light shooting. Primes with fast aperture are great foe low light and are sharper that zoom until the 12-40/2.8 came out which is as sharp as the primes within its range except of course faster than 2.8. I like the versatility of the zoom. I understand that its bigger than the primes mentioned but I was used to carrying my big Nikon, so even with the size of the 12-40 and Em-5, it's still a lot smaller and lighter.

Again, thank you all that responded. I have about couple of weeks to decide which one(s) to get. I appreciate your inputs.

Regards.
 
mep said:
I have the 12-40 and 17, 45 and 75 in primes and agree that it depends on your style of shooting. I use my camera a lot at functions where I need to capture candids of adults and children with movement. I find the zoom to be extremely helpful in this type of situation. But for landscapes, street , portraits or low light I like to use primes. For me having both is valuable.
Click to expand...
 
Like you, I own an EM5.

I also have four prime lenses... 14mm f/2.5, 17mm f/1.8. 25mm f/1.8 and 45mm f/1.8.

I find all four really nice to use with a relatively small camera. I also have four zoom lenses (14-42, 12-50mm, 40-150mm and 75-300mm) and I like using them too. Because they can do things that prime lenses cannot do. And vice verse.

But this doesn't prevent me from wanting a 12-40mm lens to replace both my 12-50mm and 14-42mm lenses. But like you, I find the price too high right now, and the urgency is actually diminished by owning fast primes.

In your case, you can buy a 12-40mm lens right now directly from Olympus for $800. They are having a special 20% off sale if you use the coupon code "SUMMER." Their sale ends May 27th.

Loading…

www.getolympus.com

If that price is still too high, they sometimes have refurb 12-40mm lenses that they sell for $639, but you have to be fast to get one of those. It seems as soon as they are listed on the site, they disappear!

Good luck!
 
Marty4650 said:
In your case, you can buy a 12-40mm lens right now directly from Olympus for $800. They are having a special 20% off sale if you use the coupon code "SUMMER." Their sale ends May 27th.

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/lenses/pen-omd.html?icn=topnav&ici=lensesnav_pen-omd-image
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Hi Marty,

I just tried the "summer" special for the 12-40mm. You convinced me and my wallet happened to fall open to my credit card. So, I followed your link, started the order, but the web site says "SUMMER" is not a valid code. I tried "SUMMER", "summer", and "Summer" but had no luck. Oh well...

Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado, USA
 
You have been given excellent answers already, but you can only decide for yourself and the best way to do that is by looking at sample pictures comparing the zoom and other primes and then ask yourself:

1. How much extra IQ do you need?

2. How much bokeh quality do you need?

3. How dark do you need to shoot at?

4. How much your subject moves (considering also wind)?

5. Do you have time to change lenses for what you shoot?

6. How much money do you want to spend to get these extras?

For some people, nothing in M43 has good enough IQ and they go to other systems like FF. Some are happy enough with M43 and do not mind working to extract more IQ when necessary and use primes to help do that. Others may be happy to get IQ that is already much better than most compacts and for what they need to do even with a good zoom, and would rather not spend or carry so much and fiddle with lens changes. Then, there are those who would just use even lesser cameras like a RX100 II or III and still are happy, or even smartphones.
 
I read the email a little too quickly and failed to notice that the 20% off coupon code ONLY applies to reconditioned goods. At the very top it says "Use coupon SUMMER for 20% off OM-D camera lenses, Tough cameras and more."

But if you look down a little further, it says "on Olympus certified reconditioned products."

c98d8672efbb4661a20ee11e9485d925.jpg

So... I was wrong about any savings on new cameras or lenses.

However, there are some really nice gems among the reconditioned products.

Olympus 75-300mm II lens
.....Regular Price:.......... $549.99
.....Refurbished Price......$399.99
.....With coupon code....$319.99

Olympus 45mm f/1.8 (Silver)
.....Regular Price:.......... $399.99
.....Refurbished Price......$279.99
.....With coupon code....$223.99

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 (Black)
.....Regular Price:.......... $499.99
.....Refurbished Price......$399.99
.....With coupon code....$319.99

There are also some good deals on an EM1 body and a few EM5 kits. All reconditioned, of course.

Sorry for the confusion. I get excited when I see a good bargain and want to pass it along. This time I should have read the email more carefully. The coupon code ONLY works with reconditioned goods.

--
Marty
www.flickr.com

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my blog: http://marty4650.blogspot.com/
 
Thanks, Marty. No apology necessary. I did notice a Zuiko Digital 14-35mm f/2 zoom on the list for less than $1900. That lens is considered by some as the pinnacle of zoom lens design, regardless of format; a "reference" lens, if you will. Tempting. I once owned the ZD 35-100mm f/2. It was the best lens I've ever owned and used, but as large as a steamship.
Marty4650 said:
I read the email a little too quickly and failed to notice that the 20% off coupon code ONLY applies to reconditioned goods. At the very top it says "Use coupon SUMMER for 20% off OM-D camera lenses, Tough cameras and more."

But if you look down a little further, it says "on Olympus certified reconditioned products."

c98d8672efbb4661a20ee11e9485d925.jpg

So... I was wrong about any savings on new cameras or lenses.

However, there are some really nice gems among the reconditioned products.

Olympus 75-300mm II lens
.....Regular Price:.......... $549.99
.....Refurbished Price......$399.99
.....With coupon code....$319.99

Olympus 45mm f/1.8 (Silver)
.....Regular Price:.......... $399.99
.....Refurbished Price......$279.99
.....With coupon code....$223.99

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 (Black)
.....Regular Price:.......... $499.99
.....Refurbished Price......$399.99
.....With coupon code....$319.99

There are also some good deals on an EM1 body and a few EM5 kits. All reconditioned, of course.

Sorry for the confusion. I get excited when I see a good bargain and want to pass it along. This time I should have read the email more carefully. The coupon code ONLY works with reconditioned goods.

--
Marty
http://www.fluidr.com/photos/marty4650/sets/72157606210120132
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marty4650/sets/72157606210120132/show/
my blog: http://marty4650.blogspot.com/
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6101/6318442842_7b93cb589b.jpg
Click to expand...
--
Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado, USA
 
Last edited:
Marty4650 said:
And this doesn't mean that the 12-40mm f/2.8 isn't an outstanding lens. It is the absolute best lens you could own if you only had one lens.

But here are the reasons you might still want a prime lens to go with your outstanding normal zoom lens:
  • The 45mm f/1.8 and the 42.5mm f/1.2 are better portrait lenses
  • The 45mm f/2.8 and the 60mm f/2.8 are better macro lenses
  • All of the f/1.2, f/1.4. f/1.7 and f/1.8 lenses are better low light lenses
  • The 12-32mm and the 14-42mm EZ are better as compact walk around lenses
  • The 75mm f/1.8 is better when you need a fast lens with more reach
  • The 14mm f/2.5 and 17mm f/2.8 are better if you want a pocketable kit.
  • The 17mm f/1.8 might be a better choice for street shooting
  • The 12mm f/2.0 might be better for architectural photography
See my point?

There is a reason you bought an ILC. If you didn't want to ever change lenses, then the Canon G1X II would have made much more sense.
Click to expand...
 
rgs_45 said:
I'm trying to decide if I still would need primes if I get the 12-40/2.8. I was considering the following lenses:
  • Olympus 12/2.0, 17/1.8, 45/1.8 for landscape, portrait and other general photography
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The 12-40 should prove to be the equal of those primes for landscape photography (I own all three of those primes).
rgs_45 said:
I have been researching and reading all the information, articles and reviews regarding the Olympus 12-40/2.8 and nothing but praise on how sharp the lens is open wide and throughout the zoom range. I can save some money just getting the 12-40/2.8 instead of 3 prime lenses. I can get a second body from the savings on just getting

So back to my question: Do you still need prime lenses when you have the Olympus 12-40/2.8?

BTW, the lens will be used on a EM-5 body.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I don't have an E-M5 or a 12-40, but I do shoot with an E-P3 and a bunch of primes, and I recently bought a Panasonic 12-35, which has similar image quality to the 12-40 but is significantly lighter (80g).

In terms of image quality, I find that the 12-35 is mostly the equal of my primes, and so in that sense I do not miss the primes when I'm out shooting. However, I do still use my primes in some circumstances, namely:

1) When I don't want to deal with the weight of the 12-35 (e.g., I'm going out and photography is not my main priority, such as social situations). This will be even more of an issue for you, as the 12-40 is quite a bit larger and heavier than the 12-35.

2) When I need the speed, and especially when doing street photography in the evenings. The 12/2.0 and 17/1.8 are 1 stop and 1.3 stops faster than the 12-35 (and 12-40).

3) When I want narrow depth of field, in which the zoom can't match the 45/1.8.

4) When I'm shooting macro, in which case the 60/2.8 reigns supreme.

With the E-P3, I am using the optional large grip. Without the grip, I think the 12-35 would be unmanageable. Since you are using an E-M5, which has a really bad grip (in my opinion), I would suggest that you would DEFINITELY need to think about improving your grip with one of the add-on options if you want to be able to shoot comfortably with the 12-40.

S
 
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