Olympus has done it again

daleeight

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Yet another complaint against what Olympus has done. They have the 12-40 f/2.8 and the 12-100 f/4 lens, and I, like others, have both. Why?

Olympus is killing me, and maybe others too. They are both great lenses, and they both can and should be taken out and used, in very similar situations, and in some different ones. But how do you keep both?

Sure, one is smaller and a bit lighter and gives you an extra stop of light. The other gives up the 1 stop of light but throws in more than twice the range. The 12-40 is a perfect walk around town lens, on outings or trips. The 12-100 is a perfect travel lens too. The 12-100 and a 17 or 25 f/1.8 or 1.2 is all you need for a 2 lens packable trip/vacation setup. Perfect. The 12-40 f/2.8 can be used in worse light so maybe you could get by with no 1.8 or 1.2 prime, maybe add the 75mm f/1.8 to the bag. Either way, a nice 2 or 3 lens setup that is packable and not a heavy beast of a setup either.

Dang you Olympus. How does one figure this out? How can you put out so many good options that leaves it up to us, the shooters, to decide what we need and take out and about? Why. Why make us do the work?

Sure, add the 12-200 lens to the mix, which tempts people who need a 1 lens solution to cover a lot of range, although needing better light. That a prime might be better than 12-100 f/4. Then there is even the Panasonic 12-60 f/2.8-4 which sits nice in between the Oly 12-40 and 12-100.

Olympus needs to get rid of half these great options they have so they dictate and limit us. All these options of lenses, and the different size of bodies, is just killing us. Choices.

Maddening. :-)
 
I hope that is sarcasm. I think it is but it wouldn't be surprising to find someone who really thinks that way.
 
There is some in there.... ;-)
 
One should not misinterpret the offer, the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm 1: 2.8 PRO is a typical travel lens for the holiday, it is protected against dust, rain and frost and has no image stabilizer because of its limited focal length range. The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-100mm 1: 4.0 IS PRO on the other hand, is a true nature and wildlife lens that is certainly useful when travelling. It is also dust- and splash-proof as well as frost-proof and also equipped with the 5-axis image stabilizer of the OM-D. The area of application is therefore fundamentally different for both. The fixed focal lengths are a completely different story.

For good reason, Olympus tries to cover the demands of photographers as completely as possible. They have learned from the mistakes of the past, especially with the former FT lenses!
 
You can own the P/L 35-100 2.8, and have that coverage at a uniform 2.8.

Okay, I get it....One lens IS more convenient than two and the integration of IBIS/ILIS offered by the 12-100 probably makes up for the one stop difference. That, of course, requires that you have a camera that can integrate the two stabilization features.

But here's my point. I currently own the 35-100 and the 12-40. I can sell both and come close to buying the 12-100. But is it really worth it?

All the answers to this thread are going to have to be prefaced by "IMHO." For me, my honest answer to the "is it worth it" question was no. The enemy of good is perfect, and we each have our own definitions of good and perfect. For me, two lenses - superbly made, fast, and WR - were good enough.
 
fd2e3238ef8248aeb0e85a1f3abfcec7.jpg

Yup, they sure have...
 
Yet another complaint against what Olympus has done. They have the 12-40 f/2.8 and the 12-100 f/4 lens, and I, like others, have both. Why?

Olympus is killing me, and maybe others too. They are both great lenses, and they both can and should be taken out and used, in very similar situations, and in some different ones. But how do you keep both?

Sure, one is smaller and a bit lighter and gives you an extra stop of light. The other gives up the 1 stop of light but throws in more than twice the range. The 12-40 is a perfect walk around town lens, on outings or trips. The 12-100 is a perfect travel lens too. The 12-100 and a 17 or 25 f/1.8 or 1.2 is all you need for a 2 lens packable trip/vacation setup. Perfect. The 12-40 f/2.8 can be used in worse light so maybe you could get by with no 1.8 or 1.2 prime, maybe add the 75mm f/1.8 to the bag. Either way, a nice 2 or 3 lens setup that is packable and not a heavy beast of a setup either.

Dang you Olympus. How does one figure this out? How can you put out so many good options that leaves it up to us, the shooters, to decide what we need and take out and about? Why. Why make us do the work?

Sure, add the 12-200 lens to the mix, which tempts people who need a 1 lens solution to cover a lot of range, although needing better light. That a prime might be better than 12-100 f/4. Then there is even the Panasonic 12-60 f/2.8-4 which sits nice in between the Oly 12-40 and 12-100.

Olympus needs to get rid of half these great options they have so they dictate and limit us. All these options of lenses, and the different size of bodies, is just killing us. Choices.

Maddening. :-)
 
fd2e3238ef8248aeb0e85a1f3abfcec7.jpg

Yup, they sure have...
And it was a great camera. It was better than the E-3 which was better than the E-1... but I still have my E-1.

--
Dale
 
Yet another complaint against what Olympus has done. They have the 12-40 f/2.8 and the 12-100 f/4 lens, and I, like others, have both. Why?

Olympus is killing me, and maybe others too. They are both great lenses, and they both can and should be taken out and used, in very similar situations, and in some different ones. But how do you keep both?

Sure, one is smaller and a bit lighter and gives you an extra stop of light. The other gives up the 1 stop of light but throws in more than twice the range. The 12-40 is a perfect walk around town lens, on outings or trips. The 12-100 is a perfect travel lens too. The 12-100 and a 17 or 25 f/1.8 or 1.2 is all you need for a 2 lens packable trip/vacation setup. Perfect. The 12-40 f/2.8 can be used in worse light so maybe you could get by with no 1.8 or 1.2 prime, maybe add the 75mm f/1.8 to the bag. Either way, a nice 2 or 3 lens setup that is packable and not a heavy beast of a setup either.

Dang you Olympus. How does one figure this out? How can you put out so many good options that leaves it up to us, the shooters, to decide what we need and take out and about? Why. Why make us do the work?

Sure, add the 12-200 lens to the mix, which tempts people who need a 1 lens solution to cover a lot of range, although needing better light. That a prime might be better than 12-100 f/4. Then there is even the Panasonic 12-60 f/2.8-4 which sits nice in between the Oly 12-40 and 12-100.

Olympus needs to get rid of half these great options they have so they dictate and limit us. All these options of lenses, and the different size of bodies, is just killing us. Choices.

Maddening. :-)
 
Have you considered the 10-25 f1.7? just saying...
 
Whining about choosing between 12-40/2.8 vs 12-100 vs 12-200 is a 1st World Problem. Why not look @it positively. Why not REJOY that we have choices!
 
Yet another complaint against what Olympus has done. They have the 12-40 f/2.8 and the 12-100 f/4 lens, and I, like others, have both. Why?
Yes, I am constantly switching between the two to use along with the other two f2.8 zooms, and in a few days I’ll be in the same boat with the bodies, between the E-M1 Mark II and E-M1X. At least the two bodies now use the same batteries as I am sending the original E-M1 on to a new owner.
 
Worked on me, too. I have the 12-40 and the 12-100. Can't give up the 12-40 and can't get by with just the 12-100. But I still have two E-3 bodies and one E-5 that I sill use with the F/2 SHG lenses also. I can't part with anything I've used extensively. Fact is that I still love shooting with the 12-40 on an E-M5ii with no grip, but also use a E-M1ii with grip and big lenses a bunch. Nice to have options, just expensive.

Joe
 
Yet another complaint against what Olympus has done. They have the 12-40 f/2.8 and the 12-100 f/4 lens, and I, like others, have both. Why?

Olympus is killing me, and maybe others too. They are both great lenses, and they both can and should be taken out and used, in very similar situations, and in some different ones. But how do you keep both?

Sure, one is smaller and a bit lighter and gives you an extra stop of light. The other gives up the 1 stop of light but throws in more than twice the range. The 12-40 is a perfect walk around town lens, on outings or trips. The 12-100 is a perfect travel lens too. The 12-100 and a 17 or 25 f/1.8 or 1.2 is all you need for a 2 lens packable trip/vacation setup. Perfect. The 12-40 f/2.8 can be used in worse light so maybe you could get by with no 1.8 or 1.2 prime, maybe add the 75mm f/1.8 to the bag. Either way, a nice 2 or 3 lens setup that is packable and not a heavy beast of a setup either.

Dang you Olympus. How does one figure this out? How can you put out so many good options that leaves it up to us, the shooters, to decide what we need and take out and about? Why. Why make us do the work?

Sure, add the 12-200 lens to the mix, which tempts people who need a 1 lens solution to cover a lot of range, although needing better light. That a prime might be better than 12-100 f/4. Then there is even the Panasonic 12-60 f/2.8-4 which sits nice in between the Oly 12-40 and 12-100.

Olympus needs to get rid of half these great options they have so they dictate and limit us. All these options of lenses, and the different size of bodies, is just killing us. Choices.

Maddening. :-)
When contemplating purchasing the 12-100, I assumed it would replace my 12-40. However, the 12-40 has found a home on my little E-M10 II. It is certainly not as compact as the 14-42 EZ on the 10.2, but it makes for a really nice hiking kit and the 12-40 gives the images that special Olympus Pro Punch.
 
... Sell/give the ones you think you won't use.
 
You made me few seconds late.

Cheers

S.
 
Yet another complaint against what Olympus has done. They have the 12-40 f/2.8 and the 12-100 f/4 lens, and I, like others, have both. Why?

Olympus is killing me, and maybe others too. They are both great lenses, and they both can and should be taken out and used, in very similar situations, and in some different ones. But how do you keep both?

Sure, one is smaller and a bit lighter and gives you an extra stop of light. The other gives up the 1 stop of light but throws in more than twice the range. The 12-40 is a perfect walk around town lens, on outings or trips. The 12-100 is a perfect travel lens too. The 12-100 and a 17 or 25 f/1.8 or 1.2 is all you need for a 2 lens packable trip/vacation setup. Perfect. The 12-40 f/2.8 can be used in worse light so maybe you could get by with no 1.8 or 1.2 prime, maybe add the 75mm f/1.8 to the bag. Either way, a nice 2 or 3 lens setup that is packable and not a heavy beast of a setup either.

Dang you Olympus. How does one figure this out? How can you put out so many good options that leaves it up to us, the shooters, to decide what we need and take out and about? Why. Why make us do the work?

Sure, add the 12-200 lens to the mix, which tempts people who need a 1 lens solution to cover a lot of range, although needing better light. That a prime might be better than 12-100 f/4. Then there is even the Panasonic 12-60 f/2.8-4 which sits nice in between the Oly 12-40 and 12-100.

Olympus needs to get rid of half these great options they have so they dictate and limit us. All these options of lenses, and the different size of bodies, is just killing us. Choices.

Maddening. :-)
The situation is really desperate. Our local pro shop has a wall with glass shelves and huge glass doors. Behind these doors are all these beautiful lenses, all sizes and all brands. Some huge heavy zoom lenses of yesterday takes up a complete shelve, worth a quick look / reminder of what life could be like......

The turning to the left you welcomed with this amazing MFT wall of lenses.....get a little closer, what about a 25mm.....wow so many 25mm lenses.....then 17mm, the same....no no lets look at zoom lenses, say 24.70mm range.....so many options, it just does not stop....

You absolutely right, all these choices and the quality build, glass...technical perfection......

Final treat is to turn to the next wall and to go drool over all those amazing MFT camera bodies.... again the choices, so many excellent cameras.......

Finally they also offer a quick view into yesterday (nobody standing there)...... I already mentioned some of those ancient huge heavy lenses...... looking further back into yesterday you see those huge heavy DSLR bodies.....with WHAT....glass view finders....NO EVF, really.....hmmmm

Be nice focus on our choices friends........
 

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