OMD M10: New 14-42mm pancake vs. older 12-40mm PRO

[dv312]

SInce the EM10 body is quite small, especially height wise, your full hand cannot grip the whole body leaving the pinky dangling all day long

The addition of the grip should help extend the body for another half cm and the protruding part of grip allows for a surer grip on the body

It doesn't add much weight but yet should help you handle the 12-40mm for a long shoot, and or any heavier lens for that matter

Highly recommended

Cheers ,

 

[RoelHendrickx]

Damn, and here I was thinking I purchased the latest and greatest with the 12-40.

Turns out it is already the "older" lens. Why can't I ever win?

;-)

You mention weathersealing and materials as difference.

Let me mention two more:

* 12-14mm difference is more relevant than 40-42 difference. 2mm does not equal 2mm

* important feature of any lens: aperture speed. That is actually worth three reasons in my book : F2.8, F2.8 and F2.8.

--
Roel Hendrickx
lots of images: www.roelh.zenfolio.com
my E-3 user field report from Tunisian Sahara: http://www.biofos.com/ukpsg/roel.html

 

[mhulse]

Harvey Melvin Richards wrote:
I had similar concerns as you. I posted this a few days ago: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3621340
I pulled the trigger on a OM-D M-10, 9-18 f4.0-5.6, 14-42 EZ f3.5 5.6 pancake, 40-150 f4.0-5.6, and the 75-300 f4.8-6.7. All the glass was on sale. If nothing else, I've got the entire focal range covered, except 7.5 wide angle.
I plan to get the 60 macro and a 7.5 wide angle in the future, but that could change.

Ooooh, your list of lenses sounds awesome! I wish I could afford all of that. That 9-18 should be a fun one. Congrats on the new camera!

I think this is what I'll be pulling the trigger on:

1. M10 body
2. M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO
3. Remote Cable Release (RM-UC1) (or generic one off Ebay)
4. Black Grip for for E-M10 (ECG-1)
5. B+W 62mm XS-Pro Clear with Multi-Resistant Nano Coating (007M) by B + W
6. B + W 62mm Infrared Filter # 093 (87C) by B + W

Total with discounts (approx): $1,800

Plans for future purchases:

1. M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 R (Black)
2. Lens Hood LH-61D (40-150mm f4.0-5.6)
3. M.Zuiko ED 60mm f2.8 Macro
4. LENS HOOD LH-49 M.60MM
5. And clear B+W (XS-Pro) filters for both of the above.

The macro looks super cool, but I'd like to wait for a sale as it seems like that happens on occasion. I figure I can wait to pop on that one as it's not something I'd probably use all the time.

The 40-150mm is hard to pass up now though, as it's got good reviews and the price is really good.

Anyway, congrats again on the new camera equipment Harvey!!!! I hope to join you soon with an Oly of my own.

 

[mhulse]

TonyinJapan wrote:
If you use the 12-40mm on the M10, you would need the grip as well. It will be unbalanced ergonomically without a grip.

Thanks for tip! I think I'm sold on the 12-40 ($200 off via sale on Oly site is hard to pass up). I'll be getting the grip now for sure.

Close-up shooting with the 12-40mm is superb. Probably one of the best on the market from a zoom. Although I think you can get an optional macro attachment from Olympus for the new 14-42mm pancake lens.

Great to hear! I want to get the macro too, but $500 isn't in my price range for right now (on top of having to buy the more mission critical pieces).

Thanks for details!

To be honest, the choice is not that difficult.
1. Do you want the best IQ and more features (pull-back manual ring, weather-sealing, custom button), but willing to put up with the size, weight and price?
2. Do you want the best size/cheaper price but willing to put up with a compromise in IQ/less features?
Note: the ability to shoot wider (12mm vs 14mm) could be very important depending on your shooting style, especially if you shoot landscapes.

Excellent points. I'm sold on the 12-40mm. I think it will give me the most versatility. I have some P&S cams I use for pocketing (I know it might sound odd, but like using my DMC-3D1-K for street shooting and wigglegrams later).

I think the 12mm will do me better for HDR and low light, so the extra investment is going to pay off later in terms of that.

The other though is, if upgrading to a better body later, the 12mm will feel like the perfect combo for the next M1/M5 model (weather sealing and all).

Thanks for the help!!!

 

[mhulse]

Sierra Dave wrote:
Depends how you hold the camera, and how big your hands are. I've been very happy with the 12-40 on the E-M5, and I've never felt the need for the additional grip. As with all medium-sized and larger lenses, the weight is supported by the left hand, and with the right hand for stabilizing and manipulating the controls.

Interesting! I do have bigger hands. From the pictures I've seen, the body is very compact. Maybe I'll wait on buying the grip to see how it handles. Thanks for feedback!

 

[mhulse]

dv312 wrote:
SInce the EM10 body is quite small, especially height wise, your full hand cannot grip the whole body leaving the pinky dangling all day long
The addition of the grip should help extend the body for another half cm and the protruding part of grip allows for a surer grip on the body
It doesn't add much weight but yet should help you handle the 12-40mm for a long shoot, and or any heavier lens for that matter
Highly recommended

Ok, I'm sold on the grip. It's $59.99 from Oly store ... A little pricey, but I'll definitely want the ability to handle the body better. Thanks for feedback!

 

[mhulse]

Damn, and here I was thinking I purchased the latest and greatest with the 12-40.

Turns out it is already the "older" lens. Why can't I ever win?
;-)

Hehe! I did not mean "older" as a bad thing. But I get what you're saying.

If it makes you feel better, that's the lens I'll be getting.

You mention weathersealing and materials as difference.
Let me mention two more:
* 12-14mm difference is more relevant than 40-42 difference. 2mm does not equal 2mm
* important feature of any lens: aperture speed. That is actually worth three reasons in my book : F2.8, F2.8 and F2.8.

Great points! I'm sold on the 12-40! Oly has it $200 off on sale now. Hard to pass that deal up. The pancake is cheaper and easier for me to justify buying later (if needed for compactness).

Thanks for the feedback. It's helped me to make my decision.

 

[Ulfric M Douglas]

... (even though its older)....

Older?

What has age got to do with lens performance?

Go buy a Lumix 14-45 second-hand.

 

[mhulse]

... (even though its older)....
Older?
What has age got to do with lens performance?

Sorry about that. Bad choice in words.

My plan is to buy the (more mature) 12-40mm.

Go buy a Lumix 14-45 second-hand.

Hadn't thought of that! Thanks for tip, I'll take a look at the Lumix 14-45!

 

[Harvey Melvin Richards]

dv312 wrote:
SInce the EM10 body is quite small, especially height wise, your full hand cannot grip the whole body leaving the pinky dangling all day long
The addition of the grip should help extend the body for another half cm and the protruding part of grip allows for a surer grip on the body
It doesn't add much weight but yet should help you handle the 12-40mm for a long shoot, and or any heavier lens for that matter
Highly recommended

Ok, I'm sold on the grip. It's $59.99 from Oly store ... A little pricey, but I'll definitely want the ability to handle the body better. Thanks for feedback!

The first time I found the grip on the Olympus store, it was for $199.99. I'll carve one out of aluminum before I pay that much for it.

Looks like a good lens you decided on. I was really debating that one.

Now my big problem is the wait. Does Olympus sent a notification when they ship?

 

[mhulse]

Harvey Melvin Richards wrote:
The first time I found the grip on the Olympus store, it was for $199.99. I'll carve one out of aluminum before I pay that much for it.

Wholly smokes! $199.99! Yah, that's out there. Looks like they've dropped the price. Still a little pricey, but not wholly smokes' pricey.

Looks like a good lens you decided on. I was really debating that one.

Yah, well, we'll see what my wife thinks when I bring that sucker home. I'm sure she'd prefer that I get the cheaper pancake lens.

Now my big problem is the wait. Does Olympus sent a notification when they ship?

Good question! I hope so. I just hope it'll come before a planned vacation in 7 weeks. I'd like a little time to practice before going on vacation, but I'll settle for it arriving the day before leaving, as long as I can take it with me!

 

[Harvey Melvin Richards]

Now my big problem is the wait. Does Olympus sent a notification when they ship?

Good question! I hope so. I just hope it'll come before a planned vacation in 7 weeks. I'd like a little time to practice before going on vacation, but I'll settle for it arriving the day before leaving, as long as I can take it with me!

I ordered my camera and lenses on Monday and I noticed today that my card still hadn't been charged. I called Olympus and I was told the the OM-D E-M10, the 9-18, and one other lens were out of stock and the lady couldn't tell me when they would be in stock. I hate waiting.

 

[mhulse]

Harvey Melvin Richards wrote:
I ordered my camera and lenses on Monday and I noticed today that my card still hadn't been charged. I called Olympus and I was told the the OM-D E-M10, the 9-18, and one other lens were out of stock and the lady couldn't tell me when they would be in stock. I hate waiting.

Arrrrrrgh!!! That's rough! I hope you get your shiny new equipment soon. I wonder where Olympus gets their stock from? They must have the stuff in a warehouse somewhere in Asia, no?

 

[ChrisJBSC]

Another thought / set of options.

Looking through my photos taken with the E-510 and the two kit lenses, I notice at least 65% are taken with the 40-150 (the rest are split evenly between the shorter 14-45 and the extra 75-300).

Therefore, to handle the photos I take more of, I decided that I wanted the new f2.8 40-150 once it was available.

So I have gone with the M10 with the 14-42EZ pancake zoom (that IS the kit lens - or at least it is in the UK!) for the size and pocketability. I have added the current 40-150 in order to have some reach (I found a good price for an already not over expensive lens), but I will get the new 40-150 f2.8 as soon as I can.

Chris

 

[mhulse]

ChrisJBSC wrote:
Another thought / set of options.
Looking through my photos taken with the E-510 and the two kit lenses, I notice at least 65% are taken with the 40-150 (the rest are split evenly between the shorter 14-45 and the extra 75-300).

That's a great way to make a decision on this stuff! I wish I had something like that to compare to. All of my old shots are with "high end" P&S cameras.

Therefore, to handle the photos I take more of, I decided that I wanted the new f2.8 40-150 once it was available.

Really, there's going to be an f2.8 40-150? Hadn't even heard about that. Coool!

So I have gone with the M10 with the 14-42EZ pancake zoom (that IS the kit lens - or at least it is in the UK!) for the size and pocketability. I have added the current 40-150 in order to have some reach (I found a good price for an already not over expensive lens), but I will get the new 40-150 f2.8 as soon as I can.

That's where I heard it was the kit lens! UK. I think in US it's the 14-42 IIR. I'm sure that's a good lens too, but I'd totally buy the M10 with the pancake if that's what they offered on Oly EN site as the kit. You UK folks are lucky!

I'm totally looking forward to the 40-150 f2.8 now! The 40-150R is such a great deal, so it's hard to pass up, but an f2.8 version sounds awesome (will it be in the "PRO" category?).

Thanks for the reply! It's nice to hear what other folks are thinking/doing.

 

[mhulse]

Harvey Melvin Richards wrote:
I ordered my camera and lenses on Monday and I noticed today that my card still hadn't been charged. I called Olympus and I was told the the OM-D E-M10, the 9-18, and one other lens were out of stock and the lady couldn't tell me when they would be in stock. I hate waiting.

Harvey, you get your Oly equipment yet?

I've ordered my M10 and Oly is really taking their time to ship.

Looks like Amazon resellers have everything in stock.

I'm anxious to get my new equipment!