M.Zuiko 40-150mm PRO - a truly great lens

I acquire the M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO recently. I wanted more focal length flexibility than I get with the outstanding 75mm f/1.8, but still with outstanding image quality. I'm a sucker for fast lenses also, so f/2.8 zooms are like the Sirens to me.

This lens just astounds me at all apertures. I am very surprised how little image degradation there is when shooting wide open; I have no qualms using f/2.8 after having examined many test images. I see some vignetting at f/2.8, but to be honest, I really only spotted it when comparing an f-stop series shot from my tripod. The amount of vignette will not keep any photographer from getting a great photo, and it is essentially gone at f/4.

People talk about "bokeh." I get tired of the discussions because so many people don't really know what it means; they merely equate shallow DOF with "bokeh." When I look at what this lens can deliver in terms of the transition from focus to OOF, and in the quality of the OOF areas themselves, this lens is capable of extraordinary rendering in the hands of a careful photographer. To be sure, I have seen in my own photos some busy OOF areas, but that is primarily my fault for not watching the background or distance to background like I should. On the other hand, when I'm paying attention, this lens delivers.

I've been using the lens primarily on people so far, but I'm set to test it in SW Florida in the Everglades and gulf coast barrier islands later this summer.

This is a real keeper. I look forward to getting the 1.4x before my trip south in a couple of weeks. The combination should prove useful when seeking out some of the larger birds in Florida.

I give this lens 4.5 stars rather than five because no lens is perfect. This comes very close, though. Don't hesitate. Buy it.

A stolen moment on a summer day

Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado, USA
Bonita Springs, Florida, USA

Being a prime shooter, I really want this lens but I'm unsure if I'll actually use it. I had the panny 35-100 for a couple months but then sold as I was unsure if I was suppose to walk forward or backward, or use the zoom. Lol

Whats your take on IQ vs the O75?

I did buy the lens, and your review is spot on.  Thanks for sharing your observations.

I'm not kidding. In 2004 I bought a small Hama shoulder bag that held my Canon 300D with kit lens and later barely with the Sigma 18-125 instead. The 40-150 pro (just) fits in this bag (horizontally) and then the E-M5 with either the 12-40 or the 7-14 still fits on top of that (not both). That's how small the m43 format really is.

One of the best lenses, Great IQ

I'm super happy with this.