Advice on possible zoom lens purchase

traveler_101 wrote:

Steven Wandy wrote:

Two other options - if your wife doesn't mind swapping lenses for the long end - are the two Panasonic 12-60 lenses. I had the EM10 and felt that the Olympus 12-40, while a wonderful lens, was a bit too large and heavy on that body.

I originally had the cheaper Panasonic 12-60/3.5-5.6 and was pretty satisfied with the results - definitely better than any of the Olympus 14-42 lenses I have had (and still have the 14-42EZ lens). When they released the "pro" version of the 12-60/2.8-4, I jumped on it. Smaller and lighter than the Olympus 12-40/2.8 (so it felt better on the Pen-F that I now have) and the image quality (to my eyes) was great. Perhaps not quite the 12-40, but it is cheaper and as I said, smaller and noticeably lighter. And the zoom range is great also.

I read past your post first time around, but I am glad I came back to it since you raised the question of the 12-40's weight/size relative to an E-M10. I had that issue in the back of my mind; it's controversial, I know, because some people argue that lens weight is often irrelevant because they support the camera by placing their left hand under the lens - but I have never been completely convinced, leaving this as a question mark, especially since my wife is not accustomed to heavier lenses. Have to think about that. I can check it out at the local camera shop.

Ok, the 12-60/2.8-4 panasonic: will check it out.

I'm definitely a lens holder and not a body gripper.  Never used the free grip with my EM1 once.  The bigger the lens the easier it is to hold, until you are not strong enough to support the weight.  No body is going to help you hold a very large lens, say a couple of kg.

However you do need to keep control of the body and the grip for your right hand and button positioning are important.

I can easily use a Canon 300mm f/4 or a Bigma on an EM1.  Tried the Canon on my GM1.  It can be made to work but it's challenging.

I think you are right to be cautious about the 12-40 on a small body because ergonomics are personal.  It would work for me.

Andrew