What lens next?

dgbaldwin said:

I bought an Olympus PEN EPM2 last year with two kit lenses, the 14-42mm and the 40-150mm. My previous camera was a Canon G12. From the beginning I felt that my picture weren't as sharp as some of the ones I got with the G12. I spent a good amount of time learning to use the new camera and my pictures got better.

I just bought the 19mm Sigma prime and the difference in sharpness over the kit lenses is profound. Here's my question. I've seen the 12-50mm kit lens available on eBay for under $200. How does it compare with the kit lenses that came with my camera and how does it compare with the 19mm Sigma? I might get it even if it's not quite as good as the Sigma if it's a reasonable step up from the 14-42mm that came with my camera, especially since it has macro capability, which I miss.

Thanks in advance!

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I now know the problem -- it was two fold:

1) Shutter shock in the range 1/60 - 1/160 pr 1/200. I learned to avoid these shutter speeds except for when I was using flash.

In addition, there was the horrible 2-way IBIS.

This IBIS was developed for the heavier, E-P1,2,3 cameras and worked all right with them but in the E-PM series it seems the camera is too light versus the weight and force of the IBIS movement. I learned to leave the IBIS off all the time except when I actually needed it -- for example, when I was shooting with e.g. the 14-42 at 1/15 or lower. In addition. In general I applied my old 35mm skills and my practices with my previous unstabilized cameras.

I got along fine -- and found both the 14-42 and the 40-150 to be excellent. I moved up to an E-PL3 and continued to apply the same techniques for excellent results for both professional and personal photography.

What should you get next? I don't think the 12-50 is a step up from the 14-42 in IQ, but it is an advance in terms of going wide -- the 12mm is quite a bit wider than 14mm -- longer, and it has the macro capability. Robin Wong (search for his blog) speaks well of the macro capability.

The 14-42mm kit lens actually control coma and chromatic abberations better than the 12-50mm, so I'd suggest to stick with the 14-42. Plus the 12-50mm is rather large, and would be unwieldy on the Pen Mini.

I'd recommend the Oly 45mm f/1.8 next, since you already have the Sigma 19mm, I don't think you need any other moderate wide angle primes (e.g. Panny 20mm f/1.7, Oly 17mm f/1.8).

The 45mm is quite small, and will fit well with the Pen Mini, and is great for portraits or moderate telephoto. I don't have it myself yet, but hopefully very soon

If you need wider, then perhaps the Oly 12mm f/2 or Oly 9-18mm or Panny 7-14mm.

A good copy of the 14-42 should be a fair amount sharper than the 12-50. The 12-50 only makes sense if you want its macro capabilities or the ability to shoot it with a weather sealed camera, which you don't have. Since you have a 19mm "normal" lens I think you should consider either a shorter or longer lens to compliment it.

Either look at the Olympus 45mm or the Sigma 60mm for cheaper, longer lenses or look at the Olympus 12mm which can be had down to $550 on ebay, or the Olympus 9-18 for similar prices. If you want a cheaper 12mm option look at the Panasonic 12-32, it has better optics than the Olympus 12-50 and is much better suited to the E-PM2.

Although the 12-32 doesn't have manual focus on Olympus bodies it has a superior image stabilisation system to the E-PM2 which would make up for some of its shortcomings. Its small size would also suit the E-PM2 well.

5inchfloppy said:

The 14-42mm kit lens actually control coma and chromatic abberations better than the 12-50mm, so I'd suggest to stick with the 14-42. Plus the 12-50mm is rather large, and would be unwieldy on the Pen Mini.

I'd recommend the Oly 45mm f/1.8 next, since you already have the Sigma 19mm, I don't think you need any other moderate wide angle primes (e.g. Panny 20mm f/1.7, Oly 17mm f/1.8).

The 45mm is quite small, and will fit well with the Pen Mini, and is great for portraits or moderate telephoto. I don't have it myself yet, but hopefully very soon

If you need wider, then perhaps the Oly 12mm f/2 or Oly 9-18mm or Panny 7-14mm.

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I shot with an E-PM2 for about a year; it's a good camera--pay attention to the Jamsie's post in this thread and develop a routine for when to activate the internal stabilisation.

The Sigma 19mm is a good lens I have read. Nice FL -- 38mm equivalent being a slightly wide normal. You like the results, use it to death! You have the kit lens but I think you should work on replacing it with primes. The logical candidates are the Olympus 45, as has been mentioned, and the Panasonic 14--tiny pancake which gives you the ultimate portable camera. 14/19/45 is a good kit. 12 would be better than 14 for wide, but the Olympus 12 is kind of expensive. Check it out.

I haven't seen the 12mm that low on eBay lately, seen it as a refurb on Oly's site for $475 a couple times this year tho, or "used - like new" on Amazon/Adorama occasionally for $500-550... More like $620 at KEH tho I guess their used condition rating might be more honest? Their shipping rates to Puerto Rico suck tho.

Dunno, I've been meaning to jump on it whenever Oly puts up some refurbs again but they usually only last a couple hours (same with the 75mm) and I got sidetracked and missed miserably last time it was available. Is there any sort of schedule for how often they refresh their refurbished outlet store? Seems it happens in batches...

M43 Dude said:

Either look at the Olympus 45mm or the Sigma 60mm for cheaper, longer lenses or look at the Olympus 12mm which can be had down to $550 on ebay, or the Olympus 9-18 for similar prices. If you want a cheaper 12mm option look at the Panasonic 12-32, it has better optics than the Olympus 12-50 and is much better suited to the E-PM2.

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I have the Sigma 60/2.8 and can vouch that it is an optically stellar lens at a bargain price.

The 45/1.8 is another good option - it's not quite as good optically, but is faster and IMO a slightly easier working distance for casual and candid portraiture.

Impulses said:

I haven't seen the 12mm that low on eBay lately, seen it as a refurb on Oly's site for $475 a couple times this year tho, or "used - like new" on Amazon/Adorama occasionally for $500-550... More like $620 at KEH tho I guess their used condition rating might be more honest? Their shipping rates to Puerto Rico suck tho.

Dunno, I've been meaning to jump on it whenever Oly puts up some refurbs again but they usually only last a couple hours (same with the 75mm) and I got sidetracked and missed miserably last time it was available. Is there any sort of schedule for how often they refresh their refurbished outlet store? Seems it happens in batches...

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You can buy the 12mm on ebay and you're protected by the "not as described" clause on ebay if the seller is misleading about the quality of the lens. My copy of the 12mm only cost me $550, people rarely bid on them.

I guess KEH or somewhere like that would have to be more honest, but you do have significant protection on ebay.

dgbaldwin said:

I bought an Olympus PEN EPM2 last year with two kit lenses, the 14-42mm and the 40-150mm. My previous camera was a Canon G12. From the beginning I felt that my picture weren't as sharp as some of the ones I got with the G12. I spent a good amount of time learning to use the new camera and my pictures got better.

I just bought the 19mm Sigma prime and the difference in sharpness over the kit lenses is profound. Here's my question. I've seen the 12-50mm kit lens available on eBay for under $200. How does it compare with the kit lenses that came with my camera and how does it compare with the 19mm Sigma? I might get it even if it's not quite as good as the Sigma if it's a reasonable step up from the 14-42mm that came with my camera, especially since it has macro capability, which I miss.

Thanks in advance!

-David

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I would get the 60mm macro lens if you miss shooting macros. I have the same camera. I have the 45mm and it is very good but I have a manual focus Minolta MD macro that I bought when I first got into m43 so I didn't buy the 60mm..The 60mm from what I gather makes a fine portrait lens besides giving you macro capability. If you are OK with f2.8 over the f1.8 of the 45mm I would say get the 60mm.

Voldenuit said:

M43 Dude said:

Either look at the Olympus 45mm or the Sigma 60mm for cheaper, longer lenses or look at the Olympus 12mm which can be had down to $550 on ebay, or the Olympus 9-18 for similar prices. If you want a cheaper 12mm option look at the Panasonic 12-32, it has better optics than the Olympus 12-50 and is much better suited to the E-PM2.

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I have the Sigma 60/2.8 and can vouch that it is an optically stellar lens at a bargain price.

The 45/1.8 is another good option - it's not quite as good optically, but is faster and IMO a slightly easier working distance for casual and candid portraiture.

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According to Blunty, the Olympus 45 is sharper...

To the OP: Go with primes. Indeed, the 19 Sigma is a great all-purpose lens. I have it. I prefer my Panasonic 20 f1.7 but, in your position, I would NOT swap out. Second lens indeed could be the 45 1.8 Olympus, as several have suggested OR could be the 60mm f2.8 Sigma, longer, but stunning on m43. Third lens could be the 14 f2.5 Panasonic. IMO the 12 f2 Olympus is just way too expensive for the 2mm wider view. However, there is now a 12 f2 Rokinon lens with manual focus that is only about $320 and, I think, comes in an m43 mount.

dgbaldwin said:

I bought an Olympus PEN EPM2 last year with two kit lenses, the 14-42mm and the 40-150mm. My previous camera was a Canon G12. From the beginning I felt that my picture weren't as sharp as some of the ones I got with the G12. I spent a good amount of time learning to use the new camera and my pictures got better.

I just bought the 19mm Sigma prime and the difference in sharpness over the kit lenses is profound. Here's my question. I've seen the 12-50mm kit lens available on eBay for under $200. How does it compare with the kit lenses that came with my camera and how does it compare with the 19mm Sigma? I might get it even if it's not quite as good as the Sigma if it's a reasonable step up from the 14-42mm that came with my camera, especially since it has macro capability, which I miss.

Thanks in advance!

-David

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If you want to replace your kit zoom 14-42 with better zoom, and money matters to you, Lumix 14-45 is the best and cheapest choice. Just remember that from ebay you can get a dud.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. For now I'm going to pass in getting the 12-50 and think about my options. More replies are very welcome though.

Same boat as you--got the E-PM2 twin kit last Spring, been messing around with vintage lenses and have had some great results. Got a 50mm Pentax f1.7 and an adaptor for about 70 bucks, and although it defeats the purpose of getting a camera with superfast AF, the pictures I get from it are astoundingly good. On the plus side, I get to up my manual focusing chops. The only other downside is the weight of the adapter and the 50, which combined are more than the camera.

I also bought an Oly 45mm f1.8 recently and I can't get it off my camera. It's a perfect combination of ergonomics and weight, and the build quality is incredible. The 45mm is $150 more and 10mm shorter, but produces some amazing photos. I would get that in a flash.

I did get the 9mm Fisheye lens for a lark, and it's had it's uses--the price is right. The 12mm f/2 seems prohibitively expensive, so I opted for the 14mm lumix and haven't looked back. The 17mm and 25mm Olympus lenses look good but I'm waiting for the prices to drop on both--when that happens I'll likely spring for the 17mm and sell my Lumix. I have no interest in macro photography but if you're going to get one, I would suggest the 60mm f2.8 Oly, as it gets top marks and will only drop in price (albeit not sooner than I'd like!).

One of the worst things I think people can do is go lens happy and duplicate purchases.

I just added a Sigma 30mm F2.8 prime and am completely happy with my camera now. The19mm Sigma was too wide for most of the shooting I do, but the 30mm is just right. Color and clarity are much better than the 14-42 kit lens. I'm thinking of adding the 60mm next.

dgbaldwin said:

I just added a Sigma 30mm F2.8 prime and am completely happy with my camera now. The19mm Sigma was too wide for most of the shooting I do, but the 30mm is just right. Color and clarity are much better than the 14-42 kit lens. I'm thinking of adding the 60mm next.

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Until I gave them to my son, I had both the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 DN and the 60mm f/2.8 DN. Except for the focal length, everything about these two lenses is the same. You didn't say if you have the EX or DN versions of the 19mm and 30mm. If you have the DN version than you get the same hood and a case with each lens. All three take 46mm filters. I really liked the case that came with the 60mm. Same material, but nicer build with a heavier zipper and a little storage spot inside the top for a spare battery and SD card. It also had a belt loop. My first lens was the 12mm f/2.0 which I got with my E-M10, and my second was the Sigma 60mm. Left the house with the 12mm on the E-M10 and the case on my belt with the 60mm and a spare battery.

dgbaldwin said:

I bought an Olympus PEN EPM2 last year with two kit lenses, the 14-42mm and the 40-150mm. My previous camera was a Canon G12. From the beginning I felt that my picture weren't as sharp as some of the ones I got with the G12. I spent a good amount of time learning to use the new camera and my pictures got better.

I just bought the 19mm Sigma prime and the difference in sharpness over the kit lenses is profound. Here's my question. I've seen the 12-50mm kit lens available on eBay for under $200. How does it compare with the kit lenses that came with my camera and how does it compare with the 19mm Sigma? I might get it even if it's not quite as good as the Sigma if it's a reasonable step up from the 14-42mm that came with my camera, especially since it has macro capability, which I miss.

Thanks in advance!

-David

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Skip the zoom and go with primes as has been advised in a couple postings here. Don't worry about the IBIS. You shut it off when shooting above 1/80 and use it for low shutter speeds and when shooting long lenses. Or try leaving it on: once in a while you will get shutter shock, but it is a small percentage of shots in my experience. I eventually turned it off when not need. Many fine shots.

With an E-PM2 these days you might consider one of the image stabilised primes like the Panasonic 42.5mm F/1.7 and then you can switch the ineffective IBIS off entirely rather than accepting any blur from it.

The PENs underneath the E-P5 and E-PL7 are really better off with Panasonic image stabilised lenses as a rule of thumb except in the case of the 7-14 which has flare issues.

Impulses said:

I haven't seen the 12mm that low on eBay lately, seen it as a refurb on Oly's site for $475 a couple times this year tho, or "used - like new" on Amazon/Adorama occasionally for $500-550... More like $620 at KEH tho I guess their used condition rating might be more honest? Their shipping rates to Puerto Rico suck tho.

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One thing I don't like is that I can buy $50 of whatever from B&H or Adorama and get free shipping. But, anything used and no matter how expensive it is, you have to pay shipping. If your looking at like-new or excellent-plus bodies or lenses, the savings isn't all that much compared to a new body or lens and once you factor in the shipping charge, the savings is often only $10 or $15. Same for KEH.

Get a refurb from Olympus and they will add sales tax plus, when they have new items on sale, they don't adjust the refurb prices. Right now you can get a new EPL-5 kit for $399 or you can get a refurb EPL-5 kit for $399. Sometimes a refurb lens or body is more than a new one on sale.