Olympus 4-150 Pro: rarely off my E-M1II

I have been using this lens for 2 months or so. I got it in a package deal with the 12-40 and E-M1 MkI. I initially thought that the 40-150 would be my least used lenses, but I find it's quite a handy focal range for many things (family shots, portraits, landscapes, macro and birds). When I started using this lens I kept the retractable lens hood on, as well as the tripod collar. Pulling the camera out of a camera bag with these two accessories proved to be a bit of a pain, so I took them off and packed them away (I know there are photographers who believe that these are essential).

With the hood and collar off, this lens handles very nicely. Its weight and finish combine to make this a sleek, relatively light weight (for its specs), and easy lens to use. The manual clutch is a handy feature. I have found, when you are trying to focus on birds in trees, that quick access to manual focus is a blessing. This is true of any subject where there are obstacles that will bamboozle AF.

In terms of IQ, this lens is as good as any I have owned, including the legendary Canon EF 70-200 f2.8LII. Comparatively, the 40-150 in in the same territory as the Canon, except that the 40-150 has the advantage of an extra 100mm reach (in equivalence terms). However, the 40-150 has nowhere near the bulk of the Canon and is probably about the same size as Canon 70-200 f4L, which I used as a travel lens.

Great build, weatherproof, smooth zoom action, f2.8, and light: there is little or nothing not to like about this Olympus offering. Highly recommended.

Nice review, thanks. I too enjoy this lens. I wish I had kept my 4/3 50-200 SWD a little longer so I could have done some more head to head comparisons. I feel the lenses are likely very similar in image quality, but I do love the non-telescoping zoom, and the slightly smaller size of the m4/3 lens. I have the TC as well, but don't use it that much.

The 40-150 is one of those lenses that just seem to produce excellent pictures, sort of a zoom version of the 75mm 1.8

keithinmelbourne wrote:

I have been using this lens for 2 months or so. I got it in a package deal with the 12-40 and E-M1 MkI. I initially thought that the 40-150 would be my least used lenses, but I find it's quite a handy focal range for many things (family shots, portraits, landscapes, macro and birds). When I started using this lens I kept the retractable lens hood on, as well as the tripod collar. Pulling the camera out of a camera bag with these two accessories proved to be a bit of a pain, so I took them off and packed them away (I know there are photographers who believe that these are essential).

With the hood and collar off, this lens handles very nicely. Its weight and finish combine to make this a sleek, relatively light weight (for its specs), and easy lens to use. The manual clutch is a handy feature. I have found, when you are trying to focus on birds in trees, that quick access to manual focus is a blessing. This is true of any subject where there are obstacles that will bamboozle AF.

In terms of IQ, this lens is as good as any I have owned, including the legendary Canon EF 70-200 f2.8LII. Comparatively, the 40-150 in in the same territory as the Canon, except that the 40-150 has the advantage of an extra 100mm reach (in equivalence terms). However, the 40-150 has nowhere near the bulk of the Canon and is probably about the same size as Canon 70-200 f4L, which I used as a travel lens.

Great build, weatherproof, smooth zoom action, f2.8, and light: there is little or nothing not to like about this Olympus offering. Highly recommended.

100% agree, this is my "normal" lens, my go to, must have lens.

I've owned it since it came out and it's rarely been off the EM1.1 and has moved to my EM1.2 now.

the only negative is the somewhat nervous out of focus regions at times and this is the only area the old 50-200 could be considered better. I own both so easy to compare.

i do have to 12-100Pro on order so we will see what happens then but having shoot 35mm film for years and years with only a 70-210 zoom the 40-150 falls into my personal comfort zone.

Nice photos and i agree with your comments ... used to have the Canon 70-200 2.8 MKII as well .. this was a lens that i thought i would never sell    .... very happy overall with my OMD kits ...