Olympus 12-60 on m4/3

[donhartley]

Wondering whether I should give the 12-60 another chance on my E-P2...

When I tested the combo before, I found the ergonomics annoying and the autofocus performance painful. However, since none of the other standard zoom lenses I've tried are optically anywhere near as good, I'm thinking about giving it another shot.

A few questions:

1) Did the firmware update in September improve the focusing speed and accuracy of this lens?

2) Are there any accessories like Leica's X1 handgrip available for the E-P2? Basically, something that would screw into the tripod socket and give the right hand more to grip onto.

3) Is hyperfocal shooting a viable option at 12mm? I think at f/5.6, everything past 5 feet would be in focus...

Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

Don

 

[Gregm61]

Wondering whether I should give the 12-60 another chance on my E-P2...

When I tested the combo before, I found the ergonomics annoying and the autofocus performance painful. However, since none of the other standard zoom lenses I've tried are optically anywhere near as good, I'm thinking about giving it another shot.

A few questions:

1) Did the firmware update in September improve the focusing speed and accuracy of this lens?

Not on these cameras. That firmware adjustment was aimed for using the SWD lenses on the E5, and it does rip on the E5.

3) Is hyperfocal shooting a viable option at 12mm? I think at f/5.6, everything past 5 feet would be in focus...

The distance scale is all but useless, going from infinity to the next setting of 3 feet in a very, very short twist of the scale! Depth of field would be very deep at 12mm and a middle aperture of f5.6-8. Shouldn't be an issue.

Manually focusing the lens with the assistance of a VF-2 finder is super, super easy with the short distance you have to move the focus ring to go virtually all the way across the range, and all functions are maintained....to me, I'll take that all day vs. mounting an old, manual focus lens via a dummy tube and not having access to all the camera features.

Looks and works great on an E-PL1. The E-P2 would be a classy outfit with the 12-60 and VF-2..



and the pictures are damn sharp..

 

[donhartley]

The distance scale is all but useless, going from infinity to the next setting of 3 feet in a very, very short twist of the scale! Depth of field would be very deep at 12mm and a middle aperture of f5.6-8. Shouldn't be an issue.

Manually focusing the lens with the assistance of a VF-2 finder is super, super easy with the short distance you have to move the focus ring to go virtually all the way across the range, and all functions are maintained....to me, I'll take that all day vs. mounting an old, manual focus lens via a dummy tube and not having access to all the camera features.

Looks and works great on an E-PL1. The E-P2 would be a classy outfit with the 12-60 and VF-2..

Thanks for the response. Looks like you've really gotten this combo to sing! It sounds like you prefer MF to AF with this lens? I gather you've not had any problems with the lens putting too much stress on the adapter?

Thanks again,

Don

 

[Gregm61]

The distance scale is all but useless, going from infinity to the next setting of 3 feet in a very, very short twist of the scale! Depth of field would be very deep at 12mm and a middle aperture of f5.6-8. Shouldn't be an issue.

Manually focusing the lens with the assistance of a VF-2 finder is super, super easy with the short distance you have to move the focus ring to go virtually all the way across the range, and all functions are maintained....to me, I'll take that all day vs. mounting an old, manual focus lens via a dummy tube and not having access to all the camera features.

Looks and works great on an E-PL1. The E-P2 would be a classy outfit with the 12-60 and VF-2..

Thanks for the response. Looks like you've really gotten this combo to sing! It sounds like you prefer MF to AF with this lens? I gather you've not had any problems with the lens putting too much stress on the adapter?

There's no real issue straining the adapter because you wind up using it just like you use it on the DSLR's, with your left hand underneath the lens for support, which also then gives you quick access to both the focus and zoom rings, which is the same way I hold the E-PL1 when using the feather-light 40-150 f4-5.6 Micro Zuiko or anything else in-between.

The lens will autofocus, but slowly. For any static-subject shooting, either way works fine. I moved the AF start to the FN button so at any time I can use the AF system if I do not want to manually focus. That gives me simultaneous access to either way I want to do it. If you leave AF start on the shutter release button you have to AF first. One could just set the camera to manual focus, but I keep both options available and not interferring with one another by placing AF actuation on the FN button. Not using the fly-by-wire manual focus system but a mechanically-geared focus ring, the 12-60 gives you more options to customize the AF/MF operation than most other Zuikos.

 

[veroman]

I'm considering using the 12-60 on my GH1. Has anyone tried this combo?

--
SteveG
http://www.stephenmichaelgarey.com

 

[trentdp]

I'm considering using the 12-60 on my GH1. Has anyone tried this combo?

--
SteveG
http://www.stephenmichaelgarey.com

According to the official Panasonic compatability charts, the 12-60 will NOT AF on the GH1 but will on the GH2 but very slowly and maybe not accurately.
TP

 

[veroman]

I'm considering using the 12-60 on my GH1. Has anyone tried this combo?

--
SteveG
http://www.stephenmichaelgarey.com

According to the official Panasonic compatability charts, the 12-60 will NOT AF on the GH1 but will on the GH2 but very slowly and maybe not accurately.
TP

Yes, I'm aware that the 12-60 is MF-only on the GH1. That's really not an issue 'cause the EVF on that camera makes MF pretty easy as well as accurate.

--
SteveG
http://www.stephenmichaelgarey.com

 

[Gregm61]

I'm considering using the 12-60 on my GH1. Has anyone tried this combo?

--
SteveG
http://www.stephenmichaelgarey.com

According to the official Panasonic compatability charts, the 12-60 will NOT AF on the GH1 but will on the GH2 but very slowly and maybe not accurately.
TP

Yes, I'm aware that the 12-60 is MF-only on the GH1. That's really not an issue 'cause the EVF on that camera makes MF pretty easy as well as accurate.

I would think it would manually focus extremely easy on the GH1 as well. That's a better set up than the Pen I use and you have both that great EVF and get to keep the use of the hot shoe to use a flash at the same time.

 

[boyzo]

Its a bit of Handful on the E-P2 with EVF but optically Awesome.
Take most of the weight with the LH and its Ok

Oly won't bring ever bring out a small bright zoom for the Pens (m43 is supposed to be compact after all) the 12-60 is it ;-) for ME
MF works a treat



--
John

http://boyzo.smugmug.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/john.boyzo

 

[uniqueview]

The lens looks good on there, it actually doesn't look as bulky as I thought

 

[papillon_65]

Wondering whether I should give the 12-60 another chance on my E-P2...

When I tested the combo before, I found the ergonomics annoying and the autofocus performance painful. However, since none of the other standard zoom lenses I've tried are optically anywhere near as good, I'm thinking about giving it another shot.

A few questions:

1) Did the firmware update in September improve the focusing speed and accuracy of this lens?

2) Are there any accessories like Leica's X1 handgrip available for the E-P2? Basically, something that would screw into the tripod socket and give the right hand more to grip onto.

3) Is hyperfocal shooting a viable option at 12mm? I think at f/5.6, everything past 5 feet would be in focus...

Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

Don

I also use the 12-60mm on the EPL-1 and concur with Gregs thoughts on it. Whilst it is bigger than I would like, you have to remember that it covers a large range and saves on carrying additional lenses. Match it with the 20mm 1.7 and you cover an awful lot of eventualities. Also there is nothing that can match it's IQ over it's range.
--
Tony
http://the-random-photographer.blogspot.com/

 

[s_grins]

I'm in the same boat: should I wait for OLy/Panny to produce M43 12-60 fast lens or to plunge into the only existing option?

What makes me hesitant is small computation
Existing 12-60/2.8 lens = 575g
Panny mount adapter = 100g min
Total mount is about 700g + camera body. I'm doomed to carry more than 1kg again
I'm losing advantage of M43 systems.

So, should I stay or should I go? I do not know
--
DSC-R1, DMC-G1(14-45)

 

[papillon_65]

I'm in the same boat: should I wait for OLy/Panny to produce M43 12-60 fast lens or to plunge into the only existing option?

What makes me hesitant is small computation
Existing 12-60/2.8 lens = 575g
Panny mount adapter = 100g min
Total mount is about 700g + camera body. I'm doomed to carry more than 1kg again
I'm losing advantage of M43 systems.

So, should I stay or should I go? I do not know
--
DSC-R1, DMC-G1(14-45)

My personal view is that there will not be an m4/3's 12-60mm 2.8-4 equivalent. Fast zooms need lots of glass, I've never seen a small fast zoom. The other option is the 14-54mm mk2 2.8-3.5. It is smaller and has cdaf focusing. Ultimately it comes down to what compromise you want to make, size against IQ and aperture. Alternatively you could go with the 20mm 1.7, not a zoom but its fast and the IQ is excellent.

For me, the pluses of the 12-60mm outweigh the size disadvantage. It really is superb on the EPL-1. Viewing shots at 100% on this combo show that it blows many DSLR's away for detail and sharpness.
--
Tony
http://the-random-photographer.blogspot.com/

 

[DaveJC]

I just went on a vacation to Boulder,CO and used the 12-60 on both the EPL1 and the GF1. Given the EPL1's JPGs are nicer, the GF1 and most Pany's will go to image magnification with the touch of the focus ring. This is a real nice feature and saves having to manually press a button sequence to get the zoomed image. Tap the shutter button and the display returns to nomal.

Having said that, I decided to buy the E-5 after that trip as it was just not a truly viable combo. While some will say it works, which it does, the 12-60 was ment for a larger body. Maybe the 14-54 would be a better choice.
--
DaveJC

 

[s_grins]

Thank you both, Tony and Dave for fast and valuable response. To say truth, I’m not excited about 43/14-54 lenses – it is not that better than kitten M43/14-45 I already have, and it needs adapter too.

Probably, I’ll go for 12-60. After all I prefer larger camera bodies, so 12-60 will not be so obtrusive…just weight: I’m growing older and camera is going heavier.

--
DSC-R1, DMC-G1(14-45)

 

[redrunnertc]

How was it on the GF1 considering no IS?

 

[s_grins]

I love to have " NO IS" and when I have it I switch it "OFF"
--
DSC-R1, DMC-G1(14-45)

 

[boyzo]

There wont be a bright zoom in m43

There is a rumor of a so called bright zoom from Pany
But what I think it will be more of an extended zoom and it wont be 2.8-4
More like 3.3-5.6 to keep size and price down

Bear in mind the 12-60 is optically corrected no digital correction.

--
John

http://boyzo.smugmug.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/john.boyzo

 

[s_grins]

John, I'd be happy to have M43 mount 12-60/3.3-5.6 digitally corrected lens that weights under 400g and costs under $ 600.
Should I wait for?...

There wont be a bright zoom in m43

There is a rumor of a so called bright zoom from Pany
But what I think it will be more of an extended zoom and it wont be 2.8-4
More like 3.3-5.6 to keep size and price down

Bear in mind the 12-60 is optically corrected no digital correction.

--
John

http://boyzo.smugmug.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/john.boyzo

--
DSC-R1, DMC-G1(14-45)

 

[kermitG9]

Lets be hypothetical and assume a m4/3 12-60mm is released:

It would be interesting from a focal length perspective.. but don't assume that it would have the same optical qualities as the 4/3 12-60mm.

To satisfy weight and bulk, this lens would have to be re-designed.. and we're basically talking about a new product that would not/might not have much in common with the 4/3 12-60mm lens.