M4/3 Lens Pinnacle (for rental)

Hi Everybody... I'm relatively new to M4/3 with a Panasonic G7 and a few of the inexpensive lenses (the kit zoom, the 25 1.7, and a couple vintage manual focus 50mm primes). However, I'm curious about experiencing the absolute best that the system has to offer just to see. I've heard that it's not really fair to judge M4/3's IQ until you use one of the pro lenses, so I was thinking it might be fun to rent something and see for myself. I typically shoot in the 24-70 range (travel, street, everyday) though I also do some portraiture--so I guess anywhere from 24-150mm is the range I'm looking at (FF equivalent obviously). If you were to recommend renting one lens anywhere in that focal range, prime or zoom, what would it be? It doesn't need to be the most "practical" lens either.

Well ... this isn't a pro lens, but the range you want to cover is almost entirely covered by Panasonic's 14-140 II.  This lens lives on may camera, it's the lens I always have on it in daylight.  It's much better than you might think.  f/3.5 minimum and of course that minimum rises rapidly at higher focal lengths.

johnpatrickbishop wrote:

Hi Everybody... I'm relatively new to M4/3 with a Panasonic G7 and a few of the inexpensive lenses (the kit zoom, the 25 1.7, and a couple vintage manual focus 50mm primes). However, I'm curious about experiencing the absolute best that the system has to offer just to see. I've heard that it's not really fair to judge M4/3's IQ until you use one of the pro lenses, so I was thinking it might be fun to rent something and see for myself. I typically shoot in the 24-70 range (travel, street, everyday) though I also do some portraiture--so I guess anywhere from 24-150mm is the range I'm looking at (FF equivalent obviously). If you were to recommend renting one lens anywhere in that focal range, prime or zoom, what would it be? It doesn't need to be the most "practical" lens either.

I've never used one, but the 40-150MM F2.8 PRO would be the top of my list to play with. But rent the 75mm 1.8, it's not a pro lens, but it's tremendous fun (if you're wondering to do with that focal length, it's great for butterflies).

johnpatrickbishop wrote:

Hi Everybody... I'm relatively new to M4/3 with a Panasonic G7 and a few of the so I guess anywhere from 24-150mm is the range I'm looking at (FF equivalent obviously). If you were to recommend renting one lens anywhere in that focal range, prime or zoom, what would it be? It doesn't need to be the most "practical" lens either.

There is the Olympus 12-100, people rave about this lens.

By Experience I know the Panasonic Leica 12-60 is excellent: sharp and beautiful contrast.

Peter

The Olympus 75 / 1.8 is really worth trying. Just beautiful images.

I will second the 12-100. I've never owned a lens quite like it.

It's very dangerous though. You might have to buy one. I did ...

Sergey_Green wrote:

JaKing wrote:

I will second the 12-100. I've never owned a lens quite like it.

Good or bad?

It's very dangerous though. You might have to buy one. I did ...

Are you saying you broke it and then had to buy it? I am sorry to hear that.

For a lens?!

Peter

Sergey_Green wrote:

JaKing wrote:

I will second the 12-100. I've never owned a lens quite like it.

Good or bad?

It's very dangerous though. You might have to buy one. I did ...

Are you saying you broke it and then had to buy it? I am sorry to hear that.

I think he means that he fell in love with a lens, and couldn’t part with it.

12-40 is a zoom that covers the range you mention (24-70 in FF). Its not that expensive, with constant max aperture of 2.8. Once you try it, you will certainly want to own it.

The Olympus 12-40mm lens is a real gem.  That would be a great start.