FSATIN Loc: Westchester, NY

I am getting a oly em-1 for travel purposes mainly. I take a lot of landscape and wildlife photos and buildings. I want to get two lens for traveling. My choices are narrowed down to 12mm f2, 12-40 f2.8 pro and 40-150mm f4-5.6. I never had a fast prime like the 12mm which is also very small and light, but I think the 12-40 probably will cover more situations (even though it is much bigger and heavier for travel. Any help from Olympus users will be appreciated.

13oct1931 Loc: Lebanon, Indiana

ALL Olympus lens' are good for their intended purpose; Oly does not make bad lens'. Suggestion: buy a Stylus SP 820 or the current edition--refurbished-- for the price of a lenses and get a 50X zoom that will cover from 1 inch to as far as you can see ? It also has almost a zillion special programs. well o.k.--maybe only a half a zillion !.

Alyn

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

The EM1 will serve you well, as will all the lenses you mentioned. I know many Oly users who are very happy with the versatility of the 12-40, and non one who's unhappy - it seems like a great starting point for building a lens collection. I don't have it myself because I have a legacy 12-60 which is too good to replace. The 40-150 f4-5.6 is a cheap gem. I got mine for $100, as a bonus with my camera. I have the 12 prime too, and it's a lovely little thing. I'd recommend you start with the two zooms and watch very carefully on the Oly Savings site and pick up the 12 for about half the price as a refurb. You have to be quick because they vanish almost as soon as they show up. Another option - the panasonic 20 mm pancake prime, a rather controversial little lens that I absolutely love, can usually be found for around $300.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

For travel, I'd get those zooms. That's like 24mm to 300mm on full frame, with a lot less size, bulk, and weight! Quite a package, if you ask me.

I'll bet that 80% of the time, you have the 12-40 on the camera. It gets extremely high marks from owners. That range is quite versatile.

If you have another camera system, check out the MetaBones Speedbooster and regular lens adapters for your other lens line. You may be able to put some of your existing glass on there with minor issues (manual focus and aperture control).

http://www.metabones.com/products/?c=micro-43-system-2

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Zooms here too. The 12 - 40 is an amazing zoom, the 40-150 is worth many times its' price. Although I'd really go for the 40-150 2.8 if you have the $$$

jcboy3

I have the E-M1, 12-40 f2.8, and the Olympus primes (12, 17, 25, 45, 60, 75), plus a lot more. I don't have the Olympus 40-150 f4-5.6, but I have the Panasonic versions (45-150, 45-175, 45-200), and the Olympus 40-150 f2.8.

For me, when I travel, if I'm bringing lenses that split at the 35-45mm region, I am constantly wanting the other lens, and thus bring two cameras so I don't have to change lenses. I find it more convenient to use the Panasonic 14-140mm mk II and add a couple of primes for low light or narrow DOF applications. With the 14-140 I also like to take the 12, 17 and 45. You can look at the Olympus version; I also shoot Panasonic so I have that version.

I like the primes for interiors (museums, homes) where the lighting is dim; the speed of the lens helps with focus even if I'm stopping down for DOF.

The 12 is expensive; you can substitute the Olympus 9-18 if you want ultra wide angle. That's also a very light/small lens.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Hi FSATIN,
I have a Olympus EPL-5 with three lenses, Sigma 19mm, Sigma 30mm and a Panasonic 14-45mm. The Sigma 19mm F2.8 and Sigma 30mm are excellent lenses and produce very high quality images. The Panasonic 14-45mm is an excellent zoom lens and the photos taken with it are superb.
Normally the Sigma 19mm is left on the camera most of the time and produces photos which can be cropped upto 75% if required.
Sigma lens are reasonably priced and come with a case and a hood.
Cheers,
John.

Hershel Loc: New York City

I have the 12-40 pro lens and like it. Just posted one of the first photos I took with the new lens and camera yesterday on the Photo Forum entitled:

"I'm Yellow, I'm in midtown Manhattan, but I sure aint no Taxicab"

Good luck!

HERSHEL

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

The 12-40 f2.8 PRO is your answer. GREAT image quality, especially on an E-M1. :thumbup:

Burt Hollen Loc: King of Prussia, Pa

I have an Olympus OM EM1 and bought the 12-40 with it and it is superb. I also bought the 60mm macro, 40-150, 75-300 and 9-18 and love them all.

But for trips, besides the weight advantage, I would take zooms (especially 12-40) and one reason is dust in the camera. In new environments I never know if there will be wind or dust, but changing lenses lost often can protect your sensor.

wsherman Loc: New York

Just got back from a trip to Europe. Took my em-1. Used the 12-40 99% of the time sharp great detail. Super lens.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40, 12-40

Did I mention the 12-40?

Fast primes are great, but the 12-40 is an excellent walk around lens.

My other suggestion would be the 75mm. Those are my two lenses that I carry with me everywhere. I hear great things about the 40-150 kit lens, but personally I'd rather shoot the 75 and crop in a bit. The lens is so sharp, it handles cropping while still retaining its sharpmenss.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Sticking to the options you provided the zooms would offer more versatility. Olympus makes excellent lenses from past experience with them. The difference in f/2 and f/2.8 is not enough to sacrifice the versatility of the zoom IMO for what it is worth.
And enjoy your travels.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

FSATIN, let us know what you did, okay?

jro1010

I'll include one that you didn't mentioned. Pana 14-140 that's and an al situations lens for outdoors, good light, etc... then you can have the 12mm for indoors low light safe to change lens environment. have fun and share some pics.

Peace,jro