Oly question: Is a PRO lens wasted on an EPL9 body?

More than a decade ago I got the 150/2.0 to use on my humble E-510 and never regretted it; in fact I still use the lens today with m4/3.

You'll miss an EVF but a Pro lens will deliver the best images you've seen from the EPL, and you can upgrade the camera at your leisure knowing you'll get even more from the lens.

My  $0.02.

Rick

raenneb wrote:

I just bought the 40-150mm f/4 PRO. I currently have the EPL9 which has served me well. I've been eyeing the EM1 mark ii (or in an ideal world, iii) but was planning on becoming familiar with the lens first + waiting a bit to recoup funds to spend on a new body. I'm not in the "get the gear" camp (after all, we live in a world where a feature length movie can be shot entirely on an iphone) but I'd like to know: am i doing a disservice to the lens by pairing it with the EPL9?

Congratulations on your induction to the OM system.  IME it's never a disservice to the lens by using it on a EPL9.  Nevertheless, you are on the right track for learning the skills needed to use telephoto lenses.  Once you learn the lens and how to maximize it's potential.  It should be easier to move up to a OM-1.   A pro level camera for photo will allow you to use developed skills to get amazing photo and video.  
Also, make no mistake, a phone can't do a real high quality video of wildlife, especially when super telephoto lenses are used.  Reason is, there's a lot to learn and know about the challenges of using lenses longer than 150mm on the MFT.  And, if you're planning to do long range photo/video, the OM system will perform as good as any camera.

Nevertheless, I think you're on the right track getting into learning how to use telephotos.  And learning it on a decent camera.  Thus, you'll have a more pleasent experience and be more successful if you decide to upgrade or not.  It all depends on what your style and goals are.

There are a lot of great online resources for using long range lenses and the challenges of using them.  It's a great place to start gaining knowledge of tricks and challenges of the long lens.

Thank you! Some of my concern was that I read a review of an EM-5 (cant recall which) where the user said the body was flexing with the weight of the pro lens that they use as their everyday carry. I thought, oh no, does my EPL9 stand a chance?? But you've reassured me, this lens is set to be very light

Thank you! Yeah the phone is definitely limited in that capacity. I myself don't even have a smartphone haha, just an example. I am very much looking forward to experimenting with a telephoto lens. My only lens has been the 20mm f1.7 for the past 10 years or so and it has definitely challenged me to think creatively to get photos of animals. But now I'm at the point where I can't handle missing so many beautiful shots, so I've finally invested in a telephoto

ahaslett wrote:

No, but I'd look for better IBIS when you eventually upgrade. Kits are about lenses.

Andrew

+1

The 40-150/4 isn't a heavy lens so definitely no worries there, the camera will be just fine.

I like how small it looks when "parked." Seems like a very clever lens design.

Cheers,

Rick

I had the same thinking years back when I was using the E-PL5 and on impulse bought the 12-40/2.8

Best thing I ever did, improved my results nicely.

Later on in Oz the E-P5 dropped in price below the E-PL5 so changed over to E-P5 for even better results (way better IBIS than E-PL5 and now zero sec anti-shock available).

Was a nice combination to use back then and still nice. No need for me to upgrade past the E-P5.

Resting on my hard to lose bean bag.

The lens is the most important part of the equation, get the best available.

Bassam Guy wrote:

cc99 wrote:

raenneb wrote:

I just bought the 40-150mm f/4 PRO. ... am i doing a disservice to the lens by pairing it with the E-PL9?

On my E-PL7 (same IBIS), I can handhold this lens (at 150mm) for only 1/8 sec. On my E-M1.2, I can handhold at 150mm for 2 seconds.

Edit: I thought this was about the 40-150/2.8.

You must not be holding your camera properly. I handhold a 1Kg 300mm f4.5 OM lens (for film OM cameras) on my E-PL5 indefinitely.

You are supposed to hold the lens with your left hand and the body with your right hand. Body weight doesn't matter. How are you holding it so you can't even hold it for 1 second?

I suspect that he is talking about successful shots at those speeds. The 2 seconds is a bit of a stretch at 150mm unless you use a tripod.

From my little handy spreadsheet... at 150mm likely slowest speeds...

The 1/8 second quoted would be about a bit over 5 stops stabiisation, the 2 seconds is off the chart and unbelievable.

Guy Parsons wrote:

I suspect that he is talking about successful shots at those speeds. The 2 seconds is a bit of a stretch at 150mm unless you use a tripod.

From my little handy spreadsheet... at 150mm likely slowest speeds...

The 1/8 second quoted would be about a bit over 5 stops stabiisation, the 2 seconds is off the chart and unbelievable.

Old handheld shutter speed rule of thumb was 1/FL and with four-thirds that translates to 0.5/FL. IS progress has slid the bar quite a bit to the slower side of shutter speeds, but be wary of the effect breathing and pulse play on the best handholding technique.

I'll vouch for IBIS based on shooting the non-OIS kit 40-150 on a no-IBIS body in dimming light--many stops of performance lost in that combination, even planted hard against a tree or perched atop a boulder.

Cheers,

Rick

On any body.

Don't sweat it, it will make the output of the camera you do have look great.

-J