14-42 II R after having the 12-40 2.8?

I have the 12-40 2.8 which I really like on my OMD EM5, but I have to admit it is not a small combo.  (I thought it was tiny when I was moving from my Canon, but that is another story.)

I am considering the 14-42 II R for a walk around.  Any thoughts?  Are there others I should consider?   (I already have the Pany 20mm prime and the Olympus 45mm prime)

(My OMD EM5 came with a 12-50, but I never liked the lens.)

Thanks in advance,

Alan

I think it's a fairly decent lens considering how little it costs. When I'm looking for the max in image quality, I use my 4/3 14-54 DSLR lens or one of my ancient Canon FL series lenses.

But when I'm interested in maintaining an unobtrusive profile or fast operation (or the absolute minimum in size and weight), I don't hesitate to use the OLYMPUS M.14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II R.

Robin Wong wrote an article on how to get the most out of your kit lens HERE.  Now he used the EZ version as an example, but the IIR is at least as good.

The Panasonic 12-32 f3.5-5.6 is well regarded but I did not like the way it extends, but that's just me. I like the Olympus 14-42 EZ. Get the Olympus LC-37C lens cap which automatically opens and closes with power up of the lens. Another great option is the Olympus 14-150 ii, it is lite weight and excellent quality and is about the same size as the 12-40 Pro but lighter.

Alan Smith wrote:

I have the 12-40 2.8 which I really like on my OMD EM5, but I have to admit it is not a small combo. (I thought it was tiny when I was moving from my Canon, but that is another story.)

I am considering the 14-42 II R for a walk around. Any thoughts? Are there others I should consider? (I already have the Pany 20mm prime and the Olympus 45mm prime)

(My OMD EM5 came with a 12-50, but I never liked the lens.)

Thanks in advance,

Alan

I have those same lenses among several others and the 14-42 sees little use.  Yes, it's lighter and smaller but sometimes not wide enough.  That's the most-encountered problem.  Then there is the lack of low-light capability which is sometimes a problem.

Add to the above that there is a slight IQ advantage with the 12-40mm and that leaves very little reason for the 14-42.

BruceRH wrote:

The Panasonic 12-32 f3.5-5.6 is well regarded but I did not like the way it extends, but that's just me. I like the Olympus 14-42 EZ. Get the Olympus LC-37C lens cap which automatically opens and closes with power up of the lens. Another great option is the Olympus 14-150 ii, it is lite weight and excellent quality and is about the same size as the 12-40 Pro but lighter.

Here is a size comparison between the 14-150 and the 12-40, taken with the 14-42 EZ.

Alan Smith wrote:

I have the 12-40 2.8 which I really like on my OMD EM5, but I have to admit it is not a small combo. (I thought it was tiny when I was moving from my Canon, but that is another story.)

I am considering the 14-42 II R for a walk around. Any thoughts? Are there others I should consider? (I already have the Pany 20mm prime and the Olympus 45mm prime)

(My OMD EM5 came with a 12-50, but I never liked the lens.)

Thanks in advance,

Alan

I have three "normal" zooms - Olympus's 12-42 IIR and Panasonic's 12-32 and 12-35 f/2.8.

Of those, the 12-32 gets the most use as it's tiny (much smaller even than the 12-42 IIR) and plenty sharp.

The main disadvantage with the 12-32 is that it distorts at 12mm, but this is easily corrected in post.

You also have to "extend" the lens prior to use, but this is also the case with the 12-42 IIR.

The 12-35 f/2.8 is undoubtedly the best of the bunch but, almost as much as your 12-40, is large and heavy enough that I usually prefer to leave it at home.

S

NZ Scott wrote:

Alan Smith wrote:

I have the 12-40 2.8 which I really like on my OMD EM5, but I have to admit it is not a small combo. (I thought it was tiny when I was moving from my Canon, but that is another story.)

I am considering the 14-42 II R for a walk around. Any thoughts? Are there others I should consider? (I already have the Pany 20mm prime and the Olympus 45mm prime)

(My OMD EM5 came with a 12-50, but I never liked the lens.)

Thanks in advance,

Alan

I have three "normal" zooms - Olympus's 12-42 IIR and Panasonic's 12-32 and 12-35 f/2.8.

Of those, the 12-32 gets the most use as it's tiny (much smaller even than the 12-42 IIR) and plenty sharp.

The main disadvantage with the 12-32 is that it distorts at 12mm, but this is easily corrected in post.

You also have to "extend" the lens prior to use, but this is also the case with the 12-42 IIR.

The 12-35 f/2.8 is undoubtedly the best of the bunch but, almost as much as your 12-40, is large and heavy enough that I usually prefer to leave it at home.

I'm a 12-32 lad also for general around and about, switching to the 12-35 for "serious" stuff (and to look substantial enough to impress clients! :)).

BUT since reading a test of the Panasonic 14-42 II which recorded really stellar performance throughout the zoom range, I have a sneaking feeling I would like to have that lens in hand too. It is small and unlike the Oly counterpart, non-extending.

In reality, this is true GAS. I have always loved a good tool, and the Panny 14-42 II looks like an extra good tool. I do not know how much use I would have for it (when I was working in wood, my collection of chisels was far beyond my needs or skills).

The lens I really would use is the 12-60 -- but I am not seeing the kind of performance I want at 60 in the two reviews I have seen so far.

Way back when the Panasonic 14-42X pancake lens was the only pancake zoom lens I got that and my E-M5 with 14-42X is always in my carry-everywhere backpack. When I'm expecting to take photos that matter I bring the 12-40, but when I just want the smallest and lightest setup a pancake zoom lens is the way to go. Whether to get the 12-32, the Oly 14-42EZ or the Pana 14-42X is mostly a matter of taste.

I have the "X-Cap" automatic lens cap to turn the combo into a veritable point and shoot.