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Oly MFT lens for shallow DOF

Started Dec 22, 2014 | Discussions thread
Peng Bian
Peng Bian Contributing Member • Posts: 608
Re: Oly MFT lens for shallow DOF

Skeeterbytes wrote:

agaoo wrote:

I did research online but I didn't get right to decide. So I'd like to seek your kind advice here.

I'm considering Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 60mm f2.8 Macro Lens and Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f1.8 Telephoto Prime Lens for my Oly EM1.

I own Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 12-40mm f2.8 PRO Standard Zoom Lens.

I want to take portrait photo with nice shallow depth of field and sharp IQ.

1. Is 12-40mm f2.8 PRO already good enough for it? In the other words, do I really need those lenses (which I'm considering now) for better IQ with nicer shallow depth of field?

2. If yes, which lens I should consider for it? Or any other lens?

Thank you.

IMHO the 12-40 and 75/1.8 make an ideal team. DOFs from the 12-40 are quite shallow in typical settings, including portraiture, although clearly not quite what you can achieve with the fast prime counterparts. But the combination of longer lens and extremely thin DOF make the 75 stand well apart from the zoom for portraits, especially tight headshots.

I do have and use the 25/1.8 and 45/1.8, but the 12-40 is my go-to lens for general use. IMO its best at 40mm for portraits, as the OOF rendering is quite pleasant.

cheers,

Rick.

Agree wholeheartedly! It's my go to pairing.

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