I have an Olympus OM-D body, and have several of the PRO lenses, a Panasonic 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, and the Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8 - 6.7. Both of my non-PRO lenses are good, and they give you a huge range for very little weight. However, while the Olympus PRO lenses are expensive, there is a noticeable difference in sharpness between the PRO lenses and the kit lenses. If you are willing to buy one PRO lens, the 12-100mm f/4 ($1,200) is hard to beat. It is one of two Olympus lenses that has in-lens stabilization (ILIS) and is compatible with the Olympus 1.4x TeleConverter ($350). Hope this helps...
You can’t go wrong with the Oly 14-150.
That is a fabulous resource! Thanks.
Darrell Young's guide to the Oly E-M 5 ii is available on Amazon. There is also a similar guide by Friedman, also on Amazon. However, the online guide by Olympus is essentially the same. If you don't like staring at a screen, or want to take the guide to the beach, etc. you can download to a thumb drive and print it out at FedEx for less than either of the printed guides. I did that, had holes punched and put it in a loose leaf notebook. Printing at home might be easier, but won't be cheaper and will be a lot slower.
Vurnman
Loc: Nevada City, California
As with everything else, it all depends on what you are shooting. When I shoot roller derby which is fast action in low light I use a M1 with a 40-150 2.8. When I go on vacation I take an old EM5 with a 1st gen 14-150 4-5.6 because most of my subjects are well lit with little motion. My understanding is the only difference between the 1st and 2nd gen 14-150 is the weather sealing which I wish I had, but not worth buying another one. I have had my EM5/14-150 kit since 2013, have used it a lot and have no complaints (except for that time the thumb grip fell off and I had to replace the back panel).
I use the Olympus 12-50mm as my walk-around lens. On the Oly that is the equivalent of 24-100mm - close to the standard 24-105mm lenses.
The US Olympus site has a sale on for most of their lenses. About 10-20% off so if you really want new glass go check them out. KEH is my go-to used site; they are reliable and honest.
JohnR
Loc: The Gates of Hell
SteveG wrote:
I've recently switched to an Olympus OM-D EM5 MARK II. I want to put 12-40mm f2.8 on it to start but the price, is a bit high. Any suggestions for second best choices? I'm looking possibly at some long range zooms? From Panasonic or Olympus? Olympus Digital 14-150mm f4-5.6 II M.Zuiko ED MS? Panasonic Lumix G 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 Vario Power O.I.S. HD Lens MFT? So I don't need two lenses. Im also looking at the Panasonic 12-32mm??
Possibly Panasonic Lumix G 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S. MFT Len?
I've recently switched to an Olympus OM-D EM5 MARK... (
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Hi Steve, I have an Olympus OM-D EM5 MARK II with the 14-150mm MkII which I used on overseas travel from Australia to England with absolutely brilliant results. Much better than previous trips with a Nikon D90 and 18-200mm! Just recently (a month ago) I was persuaded to buy the latest 12-200mm lens with which I'm mightily pleased. (see attached SOOC - not edited) Cheers JohnR
SteveG wrote:
I've recently switched to an Olympus OM-D EM5 MARK II. I want to put 12-40mm f2.8 on it to start but the price, is a bit high. Any suggestions for second best choices? I'm looking possibly at some long range zooms? From Panasonic or Olympus? Olympus Digital 14-150mm f4-5.6 II M.Zuiko ED MS? Panasonic Lumix G 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 Vario Power O.I.S. HD Lens MFT? So I don't need two lenses. Im also looking at the Panasonic 12-32mm??
Possibly Panasonic Lumix G 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S. MFT Len?
I've recently switched to an Olympus OM-D EM5 MARK... (
show quote)
Get the widest FIXED maximum aperture lens you can afford. Barring that, get the widest maximum aperture at the short end of the zoom that you can afford.
KEH.com, MPB.com, Adorama.com, and bhphotovideo.com all sell used equipment. There is nothing wrong with used gear from these dealers. Warranties vary from six months down to 30 days.
SteveG wrote:
I've recently switched to an Olympus OM-D EM5 MARK II. I want to put 12-40mm f2.8 on it to start but the price, is a bit high. Possibly Panasonic Lumix G 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S. MFT Len?
I'd go with the last lens you mention, the Lumix G 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S. MFT Lens. It's 1/3 the price, a little more versatile with longer zoom range and F3.5-5.6mm is a narrow enough range. The Olympus maintains f2.8 across its entire zoom range, and is weather proof, which, I imagine, accounts for the higher cost. I have one, purchased used, but if I had it to do again, the Lumix G 12-60mm would be the one.
BTW, the EM5 MkII is an excellent camera.
DeanS
Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina
SteveG wrote:
I've recently switched to an Olympus OM-D EM5 MARK II. I want to put 12-40mm f2.8 on it to start but the price, is a bit high. Any suggestions for second best choices? I'm looking possibly at some long range zooms? From Panasonic or Olympus? Olympus Digital 14-150mm f4-5.6 II M.Zuiko ED MS? Panasonic Lumix G 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 Vario Power O.I.S. HD Lens MFT? So I don't need two lenses. Im also looking at the Panasonic 12-32mm??
Possibly Panasonic Lumix G 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S. MFT Len?
I've recently switched to an Olympus OM-D EM5 MARK... (
show quote)
Oly 12-100 Pro, excellent.
rhyde
Loc: Little Rock, AR
Don’t know if this helps, but Olympus has all their lenses on sale this week.
I shoot a Panasonic G9 and the Oly 14-150 is my walk around lens and I’m really happy with it. I can also attest to the quality of the Panasonic 12-60.
The Oly 14/150 is a decent lens. I have it and use it when weight is an issue. I must say that I have a 12/100 Pro lens which is an amazingly sharp lens. There are some used pro lenses out there so you might want to keep looking.
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