Olympus 12-40 softer at 25mm f2.8 than M.Zuiko 25/1.8 (pixel peeping alert!)

DmitryDzhus said:

Thanks. I guess I'll have to return my specimen

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DmitryDzhus said:

I trusted reviews and bought 12-40/2.8 PRO zoom to use it as a walk-around travel lens, since I'm getting tired of constantly flipping between my 14/2.5 and 25/1.8 primes.

However, I immediatly noticed that this lens is soft. I did a simple resolution test between 12-40 and the 25/1.8 prime. Both images were taken from a support with f2.8 aperture setting at 25mm.






I understand that any zoom is a compromise and I could be just spoiled by my primes. Perhaps I'm overthinking this. But I expected a better performance and I'm not seeing it. Do you think it's a problem with my lens or it simply doesn't get better? In fact I'm now thinking of getting a second E-M10 body instead to fit my second prime on, which would be a cheaper and lighter option giving better image quality.

I did a few outdoor shots. A bit early to draw conclusions from these as I was shooting without a CPL, so images are pretty dull.





I could see AF mark on the car but it seems out of focus - any ideas why?

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DmitryDzhus said:

Is front/back-focusing possible with this lens on OM-D E-M10?

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DmitryDzhus said:

I trusted reviews and bought 12-40/2.8 PRO zoom to use it as a walk-around travel lens, since I'm getting tired of constantly flipping between my 14/2.5 and 25/1.8 primes.

However, I immediatly noticed that this lens is soft. I did a simple resolution test between 12-40 and the 25/1.8 prime. Both images were taken from a support with f2.8 aperture setting at 25mm.

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DmitryDzhus said:

I find 12-40 pictures lacking in sharpness and microcontrast, although I'd expect it reach the prime in terms of center sharpness at 25mm (at least this is what reviews are implying - http://www.lenstip.com/401.4-Lens_review-Olympus_M.Zuiko_Digital_25_mm_f_1.8_Image_resolution.html vs http://www.lenstip.com/392.4-Lens_r...l_12-40_mm_f_2.8_ED_PRO_Image_resolution.html ). Instead, the text is somewhat blurry and the colors are dull. I will do further tests with a proper resolution test charts, but my initial impression is the zoom is softer than expected.

I understand that any zoom is a compromise and I could be just spoiled by my primes. Perhaps I'm overthinking this. But I expected a better performance and I'm not seeing it. Do you think it's a problem with my lens or it simply doesn't get better? In fact I'm now thinking of getting a second E-M10 body instead to fit my second prime on, which would be a cheaper and lighter option giving better image quality.

I did a few outdoor shots. A bit early to draw conclusions from these as I was shooting without a CPL, so images are pretty dull.

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Humansvillian said:

The above zoom lens, the 12-40, costs $680 refurbished by Olympus.

I just sold a perfectly good 14-42 II kit lens, for $79, on Ebay.

The decent 12-50mm Olympus electric zoom lens, weatherproof, is $129 brand new on Ebay.

So for about $100, you can buy your choice of cheap kit zooms.

A brand new, in the box, Olympus 40-150R zoom lens is $99. It's less as a used or refurbished lens.

The Pro version of that lens is $1,125 as a refurb from Olympus.

The Pro version is a better lens, but there's no way it's eleven times better than the 4-150R.

Here's a list of the primes that can be bought either new, or slightly used, for not much more, or under $200. And, the amateur can buy all these, one at a time, as pocket money accumulates.

Panasonic 25mm f1.7 (on sale now for $150 new)

Olympus 45mm f1.8 ($240 new gray market, mine cost $200 used)

Panasonic 20mm f1.7 (New gray market $220, used ones under $200)

Panasonic 14mm f2.5 (Mine cost $125, new gray market $175)

Olympus 17mm f2.8 (Used, about $125, new gray market $150)

To buy both Oly Pro Zooms, costs $1,800--

For that same $1,800, the amateur can buy a kit zoom and kit telephoto for $200,

And have $1,600 left over to buy primes. The amateur can easily buy five cheap primes 14, 17, 20, 25, and 45 mm, for less than $1,000.

He has $600 left over, which will buy and pay for two used M5's or M10's, and have money left over for the Olympus 300R flash.

So, the amateur can take the $1,800 it would cost to buy the Pro kit zoom, and Pro kit telephoto, and gradually build up a two camera body set, with a usable kit zoom and kit telephoto lens for them, and five primes all at least as fast as the two Pro zooms, plus a flash,,,,,for that same $1,800.

And if any one of his lenses is a "bad copy", he's out no more than $200 to go try his luck buying another one.

And there's another reason--

Some of us, just like to accumulate a lot of lenses to play with on our camera toys.

This is all supposed to be, about having lots of fun, you know?

Beating yourself up spending lots of money for one lens, I don't think is as much fun as accumulating a bunch of cheaper lenses.

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DmitryDzhus said:

I trusted reviews and bought 12-40/2.8 PRO zoom to use it as a walk-around travel lens, since I'm getting tired of constantly flipping between my 14/2.5 and 25/1.8 primes.

However, I immediatly noticed that this lens is soft. I did a simple resolution test between 12-40 and the 25/1.8 prime. Both images were taken from a support with f2.8 aperture setting at 25mm.


Olympus 12-40/2.8 (picture 1)


Olympus 12-40/2.8 (picture 2)


Olympus 25/1.8 prime (picture 1)


Olympus 25/1.8 prime (picture 2)

I find 12-40 pictures lacking in sharpness and microcontrast, although I'd expect it reach the prime in terms of center sharpness at 25mm (at least this is what reviews are implying - http://www.lenstip.com/401.4-Lens_review-Olympus_M.Zuiko_Digital_25_mm_f_1.8_Image_resolution.html vs http://www.lenstip.com/392.4-Lens_r...l_12-40_mm_f_2.8_ED_PRO_Image_resolution.html ). Instead, the text is somewhat blurry and the colors are dull. I will do further tests with a proper resolution test charts, but my initial impression is the zoom is softer than expected.

I understand that any zoom is a compromise and I could be just spoiled by my primes. Perhaps I'm overthinking this. But I expected a better performance and I'm not seeing it. Do you think it's a problem with my lens or it simply doesn't get better? In fact I'm now thinking of getting a second E-M10 body instead to fit my second prime on, which would be a cheaper and lighter option giving better image quality.

I did a few outdoor shots. A bit early to draw conclusions from these as I was shooting without a CPL, so images are pretty dull.


Corner sharpness is good at 12mm. Do I have to pay so much more than for 14/2.5 to get sharp corners though?


I could see AF mark on the car but it seems out of focus - any ideas why?

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Humansvillian said:

The above zoom lens, the 12-40, costs $680 refurbished by Olympus.

I just sold a perfectly good 14-42 II kit lens, for $79, on Ebay.

The decent 12-50mm Olympus electric zoom lens, weatherproof, is $129 brand new on Ebay.

So for about $100, you can buy your choice of cheap kit zooms.

A brand new, in the box, Olympus 40-150R zoom lens is $99. It's less as a used or refurbished lens.

The Pro version of that lens is $1,125 as a refurb from Olympus.

The Pro version is a better lens, but there's no way it's eleven times better than the 4-150R.

Here's a list of the primes that can be bought either new, or slightly used, for not much more, or under $200. And, the amateur can buy all these, one at a time, as pocket money accumulates.

Panasonic 25mm f1.7 (on sale now for $150 new)

Olympus 45mm f1.8 ($240 new gray market, mine cost $200 used)

Panasonic 20mm f1.7 (New gray market $220, used ones under $200)

Panasonic 14mm f2.5 (Mine cost $125, new gray market $175)

Olympus 17mm f2.8 (Used, about $125, new gray market $150)

To buy both Oly Pro Zooms, costs $1,800--

For that same $1,800, the amateur can buy a kit zoom and kit telephoto for $200,

And have $1,600 left over to buy primes. The amateur can easily buy five cheap primes 14, 17, 20, 25, and 45 mm, for less than $1,000.

He has $600 left over, which will buy and pay for two used M5's or M10's, and have money left over for the Olympus 300R flash.

So, the amateur can take the $1,800 it would cost to buy the Pro kit zoom, and Pro kit telephoto, and gradually build up a two camera body set, with a usable kit zoom and kit telephoto lens for them, and five primes all at least as fast as the two Pro zooms, plus a flash,,,,,for that same $1,800.

And if any one of his lenses is a "bad copy", he's out no more than $200 to go try his luck buying another one.

And there's another reason--

Some of us, just like to accumulate a lot of lenses to play with on our camera toys.

This is all supposed to be, about having lots of fun, you know?

Beating yourself up spending lots of money for one lens, I don't think is as much fun as accumulating a bunch of cheaper lenses.

Click to expand...