A good starter lens for the E-M1 MK2?

boldcolors said:

I am about to get a used E-M1 MK2 in mint condition and this is my first step in the M43 world.

Which lens is considered the best walkaround/all purpose lens with some work in studio as well. Is it the 12-100? Or is the 14-150 "almost" as good?

I am also looking at 12-40/2.8 which seems to cover a pretty decent range.

Color rendition is important to me and I love those warm vivid OM colors. Are all lenses the same or is there any difference in terms of saturation and temperature? I know a lot of that look comes from the camera profiles but thought I should ask anyway since lenses tend to give character as well.

Thanks!!

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If you're considering the 14-150, instead look at the Panasonic 14-140. It's often regarded as sharper (DXO 17 vs 13 for example), and it's a little smaller/lighter. It's a great all-rounder.

The 12-100 is fabulous, and the extra 2mm at the wide end is nice, but it's also a lot heavier and more $$$.

The 12-40 is very nice, but I find short zooms rather limiting for walkaround use. It might be the best option if "in studio" means portraits though.

If "in studio" means macro, another interesting choice is the 12-50, which has a pretty decent macro mode. A lot of people hate it, probably because it's slow, but I find it quite useful for botany hikes.

I had the 14-140 (non-weather-sealed version) and it was just fantastic. I subsequently got the 12-100 and it is even better. Even so, the smaller, lighter, cheaper, and very sharp 14-140 would be my recommendation as a "first alternate" to the 12-100. (If video is going to be a frequent use case, then the 12-100 and its SyncIS are really worth saving for.)

Lifesucks said:

The 12-50 kit lwns

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Ah, the old 12-50 kit lens. I got mine new for $150. If it broke I'd buy another. I carry it a lot when I have my 300mm or Olympus 100-400, just for some wideness. It's very good lens for its price.

No complaints about the 12-100 whatsoever. Yes, I wish it were lighter and cheaper. But it's very solid.

My first m43 nonkit lens was the 12-40. It's great but I really felt limited after a while. It's also pretty heavy vs the FL. I sold it recently.

boldcolors said:

I am about to get a used E-M1 MK2 in mint condition and this is my first step in the M43 world.

Which lens is considered the best walkaround/all purpose lens with some work in studio as well. Is it the 12-100? Or is the 14-150 "almost" as good?

I am also looking at 12-40/2.8 which seems to cover a pretty decent range.

Color rendition is important to me and I love those warm vivid OM colors. Are all lenses the same or is there any difference in terms of saturation and temperature? I know a lot of that look comes from the camera profiles but thought I should ask anyway since lenses tend to give character as well.

Thanks!!

Click to expand...

Hi,
You're coming from other systems... You prolly have a 'favorite' lens which you might
'go-to' most often or when you're not sure what you might want/need.
Find that same lens in Oly or Pany...
The Oly 12-100 f4 is considered a very good lens. But it's size puts it on the larger edge of M43.
Depending on what and how you like to shoot, a smaller, more compact lens may make the camera/lens combo 'easier' to handle and more likeable.
A new camera always takes time to sort out and determine what you like,want,need.
Both the Oly 14-150 & Pany 14-140 are considered good lenses, mine are excellent - In my view.
For a short Focal Length range - the Pany Lumix 12-60 ( FF equiv 24-120) is an excellent lens, I believe the best of the lower FL range Teles at reasonable pricing. I have an Oly 12-40 Pro, I NEVER use it, haven't in 2 yrs since getting the Lumix 12-60. The Lumix is clearly a better lens. Although not rated as weather resistant, I have no concerns taking it out in tougher conditions, with some judicious caution. Plus it's quite inexpensive compared to the PRO lens range. The lack of expense doesn;t seem to deter it's image quality.
For almost every session (I shoot mostly outdoors and natural evirons) the Oly 14-150 always starts the day on my camera. I'll bring something else along, if I feel it would be useful.
Thanks
Yuri