Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm F2.8 pro for wildlife.

I bought this lens specifically to take photos of wild reptiles, but I admit I have even been photographing insects with it. I have been using it with an Oly E-M5 and have been blown away by the quality of the images produced. It is a substantially larger and heavier lens than the "Kit" 40-150 lens but when compared to the Nikon 80-200mm lens on a D7000 (my other kit) it is incredibly small and light.  It feels like a quality lens and I have not been disappointed. It is sharp, it focuses quickly, quietly and closely. The bokeh is pleasing and the colours are great. I love this lens- for the sort of nature photography I do it is perfect- I can't fault it.

I did take off the tripod collar (I hope I don't lose it) as I rarely use a tripod- I usually use a tree and a bean bag- and I noticed the weight difference.

I love the hood design- the hood stays on all the time.

Congratulations... I love this focal length.. and trying to save for one...

Be very careful photographing reptiles "Down Under" ...there are some really bad ones there from what I've read.  I think I'd want a much longer lens!

Bobby J wrote:

Be very careful photographing reptiles "Down Under" ...there are some really bad ones there from what I've read. I think I'd want a much longer lens!

The only really dangerous Australian reptiles are crocodiles. The reason the incredibly venomous snakes are dangerous to photograph is that they are usually trying to get away and to get a good photo you have to catch them- which is how most bites I know about are received. This lens will hopefully allow me to get photos of snakes without disturbing them. Check out my gallery for some photos of these so called "bad" reptiles.

Thanks for your observations about this new lens.

I agree 110% with the OP.

I got my 40-150 pro about 1 week ago, with the 1.4x converter.  I cannot believe how good it is. I was a CANON 5D MkIII / L lens user for years, and my EM1 is more fun to use and gives me far more "keepers".

The 40-150 pro is perfect for wildlife and nature and focuses really close. I won't leave home without it.

Check out the "Ticks" on this guy.

Eastern Water Dragon.  Taken today near Manly, NSW, Australia

Roger

wow! sure hope dxo will make my shots pop like this because i can't edit.

/guy

That's exactly the sort of shot I bought mine for- beautiful male  Intellagama lesueurii- but couldn't get the 1.4x extender in Tasmania (got the only 40-150mm F2.8 Pro lens available) so will bide my time for that. Well done!

Impressive wildlife portraits.  Many thanks for the link.

Wonderful image.  I do agree that the 40-150/f2.8 and the matching 1.4xTC is great.  I don't leave home without especially when I don't know what I will be shooting.

I'm really enjoying this lens for wildlife also!

Hi Gehyra, I was in Hobart on the 11 of December. Visiting from Victoria. I got my 40-150 Pro that day. The best day I have had for a long time. I have this lens on my EM10 permanently and the OMD 5 has the 12-40 Pro attached. I did not remove the tripod ring,  I use it to hold the camera with the left hand. As a senior it helps me to keep every thing very steady. My bird and wildlife pictures are just great, well for me any way.

They are so funny some times.

The last one to take off.

Harsh midday sun.

Hi Ellen, it looks as if you picked up yours before I got mine- and I have to say, I'm thinking of getting another body to avoid changing lenses- not so much for the ED 40-150 F2.8 Pro but for the 60mm Macro, as macro is my other passion. However, I'm going to have to do a bit of investigation about the pre-flash issue. The bulk of my macro experience is with Nikon gear shooting wild lizards using fill flash -and a fully alert lizard can move between the pre flash and the flash, resulting in a photo of weird ghost of a lizard or simply a photo of a lizard that is no longer there. If the Oly off-flash system has a greater lag, this could be a problem.

Nice Pelican sequence.

Here's a Tasmanian Pademelon.

You know they only attack if they can smell fear.

Gehyra wrote:

Hi Ellen, it looks as if you picked up yours before I got mine- and I have to say, I'm thinking of getting another body to avoid changing lenses- not so much for the ED 40-150 F2.8 Pro but for the 60mm Macro, as macro is my other passion. However, I'm going to have to do a bit of investigation about the pre-flash issue. The bulk of my macro experience is with Nikon gear shooting wild lizards using fill flash -and a fully alert lizard can move between the pre flash and the flash, resulting in a photo of weird ghost of a lizard or simply a photo of a lizard that is no longer there. If the Oly off-flash system has a greater lag, this could be a problem.

Nice Pelican sequence.

Here's a Tasmanian Pademelon.

You know they only attack if they can smell fear.

That was amazing about getting the 40-150 pro lens in Hobart, at a time that not one shop had them in Victoria. There are still poor people on a waiting list here in Geelong.

I know the Pademelon well, my friend who lives in Maydena has them in her front garden every night.

and I replied on your photo site

That first image is beautiful! Gorgeous light and nice and sharp!