I'm thinking about getting an Olympus 40-150 f2.8 pro, any advice?

I am seriously thinking about abandoning my Canon FF set-up, and the only thing I'll miss is my 70-200f2.8 zoom. I have the Panasonic 35-100f2.8 and just don't love it. I'm thinking about the Olympus 40-150 Pro. I have two questions.

1. Any general advice on this lens? If you have it, do you love it?

2. What's the deal with the prices? B&H has it listed at  $1,500 on sale for $1,300. They are all over ebay for $900 new, and used they are going for $750-850. I'm not  shy about grey market or used, but are there known counterfeits of this lens? Are there repair issues?

Thanks

Tom

Thomas Kachadurian wrote:

I am seriously thinking about abandoning my Canon FF set-up, and the only thing I'll miss is my 70-200f2.8 zoom. I have the Panasonic 35-100f2.8 and just don't love it. I'm thinking about the Olympus 40-150 Pro. I have two questions.

1. Any general advice on this lens? If you have it, do you love it?

A great lens which is on my GAS attack list. Meantime I am having fun with the "el cheapo" 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 which is probably the best bang for the buck in the m43 lens ecosystem.   

2. What's the deal with the prices? B&H has it listed at $1,500 on sale for $1,300. They are all over ebay for $900 new, and used they are going for $750-850. I'm not shy about grey market or used, but are there known counterfeits of this lens? Are there repair issues?

You can purchase a reconditioned one on the Olympus Outlet Store for $1124. It has been tested, has a 30 day return policy and a 90 day warranty. Also you can purchase a 4 year extended warranty for $79.

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/reconditioned-lenses/m-zuiko-ed-40-150mm-f2-8-pro-reconditioned.html

Look for an MC-14 Teleconvertor which plays extremely well with the 40-150.  I never take mine off.

Lots of folks don't care for bulk that the tripod support adds.  If you are just going hand-held you can either buy a cover for the protruding studs or (like I do) just wrap a silicone band on it.

RSSrsvp wrote:

Thomas Kachadurian wrote:

I am seriously thinking about abandoning my Canon FF set-up, and the only thing I'll miss is my 70-200f2.8 zoom. I have the Panasonic 35-100f2.8 and just don't love it. I'm thinking about the Olympus 40-150 Pro. I have two questions.

1. Any general advice on this lens? If you have it, do you love it?

A great lens which is on my GAS attack list. Meantime I am having fun with the "el cheapo" 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 which is probably the best bang for the buck in the m43 lens ecosystem.

2. What's the deal with the prices? B&H has it listed at $1,500 on sale for $1,300. They are all over ebay for $900 new, and used they are going for $750-850. I'm not shy about grey market or used, but are there known counterfeits of this lens? Are there repair issues?

You can purchase a reconditioned one on the Olympus Outlet Store for $1124. It has been tested, has a 30 day return policy and a 90 day warranty. Also you can purchase a 4 year extended warranty for $79.

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/reconditioned-lenses/m-zuiko-ed-40-150mm-f2-8-pro-reconditioned.html

Get an extra 20% off that price using the checkput code OUTLET20 - but this code expires yesterday but it is still listed. If I was lusting for this lens I would put it in my Cart, and apply the code at checkout to see if you can still get the special deal now for about $900. I am tempted myself to go for it 😃

Edited to add: I just tried it and the code worked, $899 for this lens

Thomas Kachadurian wrote:

I am seriously thinking about abandoning my Canon FF set-up, and the only thing I'll miss is my 70-200f2.8 zoom. I have the Panasonic 35-100f2.8 and just don't love it. I'm thinking about the Olympus 40-150 Pro. I have two questions.

1. Any general advice on this lens? If you have it, do you love it?

2. What's the deal with the prices? B&H has it listed at $1,500 on sale for $1,300. They are all over ebay for $900 new, and used they are going for $750-850. I'm not shy about grey market or used, but are there known counterfeits of this lens? Are there repair issues?

Thanks

Tom

If you are looking at getting an EM1, you could also consider the older 4/3's 35-100mm f2.0.  It's bigger and heavier and little slower to focus then the native m4/3 lenses, but creates such beautiful images...........like all the other SHG lenses from the 4/3's line.

Thomas Kachadurian wrote:

I am seriously thinking about abandoning my Canon FF set-up, and the only thing I'll miss is my 70-200f2.8 zoom. I have the Panasonic 35-100f2.8 and just don't love it. I'm thinking about the Olympus 40-150 Pro. I have two questions.

1. Any general advice on this lens? If you have it, do you love it?

I have and love this lens.  It is super fantastic!  I switched from the Nikon D810 plus tons of Nikon lenses (now all sold).  The Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 was a fantastic lens also, but I'm enjoying the 40-150mm just as much, and it offers the equivalent of 80-300mm plus close focusing and the use of the MC-14 teleconverter with excellent results (better than the Lion 70-200 with Nikon's 1.4 TC).

I love the extra reach and close focusing.  I use it allot for closeup work with Kenko extension tubes.  (See this thread.)

It is a super sharp lens with great contrast and color rendition.  Read the reviews, and good luck!

2. What's the deal with the prices? B&H has it listed at $1,500 on sale for $1,300. They are all over ebay for $900 new, and used they are going for $750-850. I'm not shy about grey market or used, but are there known counterfeits of this lens? Are there repair issues?

I got mine from a Hong Kong seller brand new in retail box for $886.  What a bargain!  IT tested out perfectly.  Received it in 3 working days!

Thanks

Tom

-- hide signature --

www.kachadurian.com
Call me crazy. I happen to like photos of cats.

Love the lens. I use it primarily for youth sports. Very sharp and quick to focus on an E-M1. I paid $960 on the Olympus Outlet.

Paul Richman wrote:

I got mine from a Hong Kong seller brand new in retail box for $886. What a bargain! IT tested out perfectly. Received it in 3 working days!

Did you have to pay any Duty fees? I know some have reported no fees into the US

When I bought my EM1.1 in Nov of last year, I was in the same boat. I was using a Nikon D750 with the 70-200 2.8 (my most used lens). I picked up the 40-150 2.8 and have been loving it. I also bought the 12-40 2.8 and I was all set. I bought mine new at my local camera store where they price matched B&H (at the time it was on sale at $1299).

The 40-150 is sharp at all focal lengths and it stays on my camera about 80% of the time. I have no regrets about buying this lens. I would also suggest getting the M.Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter MC-14.

Olympus offers two 40-150mm lenses to chose from. One at f/2.8 Pro, and the other at f/4.0-5.6

So which one to chose? I have both lenses. The slower lens I got when I purchased my EM5 a few years back. The pro lens I got last year in anticipation of doing sports photography. Why? Because it's a whole lot faster, and you need that if you're shooting an indoor event.

Which one is better? Build wise, the pro lens, hands down. It's extremely solid and heavy. Is the pro lens better IQ wise? Yes it is, but not by very much. The little brother is no slouch let me tell. Sure it's cheaply built in comparison to the pro model, but it does take excellent photos.

May I suggest. Why not give the little guy a try. It's only 99 bucks right now, and besides, if you don't like it you can always send it back. I think you might be surprised at how well it performs. If you really need the speed for taking indoor events etc, then by all means go with the pro. If not, like I said, give the little brother a try. You wont be disappointed.

By the way, I'm selling my pro lens along with a gimbal type tripod head. I honestly don't need it now. My needs have changed. It will pay for my new Pen-F.

Cheers

Wayne

Onedigitals.com

My friend bought his Oly 40-150 and Oly 7-14 lenses from that site. They shipped on time and were in perfect, new condition. You can get the Oly 40-150 off their site for under $900.

BTW, what do you not like about the panasonic 35-100?

James Pilcher wrote:

Thomas Kachadurian wrote:

I am seriously thinking about abandoning my Canon FF set-up, and the only thing I'll miss is my 70-200f2.8 zoom. I have the Panasonic 35-100f2.8 and just don't love it. I'm thinking about the Olympus 40-150 Pro. I have two questions.

1. Any general advice on this lens? If you have it, do you love it?

The M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 Pro is truly excellent. I have the 75mm f/1.8 also, and they compare very well @f/2.8. I was extremely surprised when I did my testing and saw how good the zoom is. I cannot imagine a better lens in this range.

I agree about IQ and built quality, close focus is is a great plus, too.

I made Sugru grip for the EM5.2 for easier handling.

Size and weight is too much for me for everyday use, but this won't bother you, if you miss the Canon 2,8/70-200. But I use it a lot for assignments

For hiking and general use I prefer the 40-150R and think about getting a 2,8/35-100 .

Peter

Thomas Kachadurian wrote:

I am seriously thinking about abandoning my Canon FF set-up, and the only thing I'll miss is my 70-200f2.8 zoom. I have the Panasonic 35-100f2.8 and just don't love it.

What's your problem with the Panasonic 35-100 f2.8?

1. Any general advice on this lens? If you have it, do you love it?

I have both. Love both. I take out the Olympus when I need the longer reach and AF speed. AND when weight is NOT an issue.

Thanks Paul:

I'm leaning toward grey market.

Tom